“I should like that.” Hannah smiled, taking his hand briefly. Their grip was stiff and awkward, but at least they were moving on to more comfortable ground.
They broke their grasp, and he crossed his arms. “I would like to clarify that normally I am a very agreeable sort of man. You only happen to catch me at my worst.”
“As long as you understand that the sentiment of strange circumstances also applies to me, then I would say we can agree on that point.”
He nodded, watching her with a sad sort of smile playing about his lips. And then a nagging thought would not leave Hannah be. “One last question, if you would indulge me,” she said, turning to look at the pond.
A breathy laugh slipped from him. “That depends entirely on the subject of the question.”
“It isn’t too personal. I was only curious if you often have conversations with yourself.” She looked at him over her shoulder, giving him a playful smile.
His brow creased and his head tilted to the side. “On the balcony? I don’t remember speaking to myself.”
“No,” she said, laughing. “Today while you were walking toward the courtyard.”
He closed his eyes, and his chest jerked. It started as a soft chuckle but continued until he held his stomach, bent over slightly. He straightened and wiped his mouth with a gloved hand. “Goodness. I had almost forgotten, but then you had to go and remind me.” He sighed as he looked up at the sky. “I was practicing for my meeting this afternoon.”
“That makes sense,” Hannah allowed. “But you didn’t answer my question. I asked if it was a frequent occurrence.”
He brought his gaze back down to her. “Honestly? I can’t really say. Perhaps I do and it’s so natural to me that I don’t even think about it.”
“Did it help?”
He bit his lip, shaking his head. “No, it didn’t.”
His honesty took her back for a moment. Some men might try and lie or enhance the truth in their favor. But his simple answer was . . . refreshing. “Well, I am sorry to hear it. Perhaps your next client will give you a more favorable answer.”
Lord Noah turned, walking a few steps before he nudged the ground with the toe of his boot. “I am starting to fear it is me, and no matter what I do, I will not have success in my career.” He turned back to her. “I am always pleasant and agreeable. I smile, I go out of my way to be polite, and yet, both solicitors today chose to take their cases somewhere else.”
Hannah watched him carefully as he spoke, though seemingly more to himself than to her. She just happened to be there to witness it. “Do you mind if I give you some advice?”
His hand, which had been working his chin moments ago, stilled. “You think you have advice which would be helpful to a newly established barrister?”
Hannah shrugged. “I might. If you are interested in hearing it.”
He removed his hand and crossed his arms over the expanse of his chest. “Color me intrigued, Miss Gibbons. Please, let me hear your thoughts.”
Well, this might be the end of their short friendship, but if Hannah could be of help to him, then it was worth a try. She had no long-term plans with this man anyway, so if he snubbed her after this, no real harm would be done—other than possible continued discomfort whenever they were to meet.
She took a bracing breath. “Judging by what I heard today, you are too kind.”
“Too kind,” he repeated. “Is—is that possible? I wish for my clients to know they shall get the very best representation from me, including a positive attitude.”
“That may be so,” Hannah continued, “But you need to show confidence in yourself as well. You have a service that these men need. They needyoujust as much as you need them. So instead of groveling for their business, you should be acting as if you are confident in the service you are rendering.”
His face contorted. “I do not grovel.”
A movement in Hannah’s periphery caught her attention, and both she and Lord Noah turned their gazes toward the courtyard. “Well, as uncomfortable as this has been, Lord Noah, it appears my mother is beckoning to me to leave.”
“Wait,” he said, pulling her attention back to him. “Is there any chance you would be willing to meet again? I realize this has not been the most enjoyable walk, but I am interested in hearing the rest of your thoughts.”
Hannah shot another glance at her mother, who stood in wait at the edge of the garden. But this young man was actually interested in advice from her. As a young lady, it was not often that others wanted to hear her thoughts on things. Especially men. This young man really was desperate. “I would be happy to share them with you if you are serious. Our mothers were devising a picnic out on the bluffs, so perhaps that would be a good time. And the picnic would be two-fold in purpose.”
“Oh? How so?”
“It would allow me to appear as if I am appeasing my mother’s matchmaking efforts, while having the added benefit of helping you.”
Lord Noah’s curious smile came back, as it seemed to do throughout the entire conversation. “Well, if you help me, I would be happy to help you with your little ruse as well.”
