I forced another smile. Like the time I was told I would make a decent bedwarmer if I put my sharp tongue to better use. If I were truly desperate enough to go that route, I would not choose the man who ruined Kennen.
We walked from the house, and I held my tongue until we were well away.
“What were you thinking to impersonate Nathaniel Upholt? What is Archibald Penner going to do when he doesn’t see his write-up in the paper?”
Noble looked unconcerned. “Oh, the article will appear inThe Gilded Guardian.”
“What? How?”
“I spoke to Nathaniel this morning. He was more than happy to give me the task of interviewing Archibald Penner.”
My jaw dropped. “You spoke to Nathaniel Upholt?”
“By way of courier, yes.”
“And you did all of this before I awakened?”
“Not all of us can afford to be layabouts.” His arms swung loosely at his sides as he walked. Noble seemed much more relaxed on foot. “You gilded types are all the same. Sleep until noon and then fritter your nights away.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I do not fritter my nights away.”
“Really? And what do you do at night?”
“I go to social events. Parties or galas. Sometimes a musicale. Or a charity event.” And in the midnight hours, hid pay-for-work tasks from Ferris in my room.
“Well, I must retract my frittering comment in that case.”
“It’s not frittering. It’s surviving.” I gritted my teeth.
“Social survival is quite the onerous task.”
“Quite.” I kicked a stone on the path. Stupid soft shoes.
“Your days must be very satisfying.”
“I find you irritating, Master Noble.”
“I am most distressed to hear that, of course, Lady Winters.”
He tipped his hat to two girls passing. I mulishly looked back to see the girls madly whispering, eyes wide as they watched him, girlish giggles rolling out one after the other.
“Must you do that?”
“Walk?”
“Encourage them.”
“I tipped my hat. Are you against politeness?”
“At this time, quite possibly. My irritation borders dangerously close to dislike.”
“Yes. I can’t say I’m fond of you either.”
The lazy grin with which that was delivered made my heart speed up two notches. I was quite irritated by that as well.
Chapter 5
MARIETTA
