“Very good.” She ran her hands over her skirts. “Now, if you would escort me back—and if it is not too much trouble, try and seem pleased about it.”
Lord Noah held out his arm, his smile widening more than ever. “As you wish, Miss Gibbons.”
Chapter 5
Ithadoncebeensaid that time heals all wounds, but Noah now wondered if that applied to things that were broken. Perhaps broken things never truly recovered, but rather limped along for the rest of their life. That’s how his heart felt at the moment. Broken. Raw. Exposed. Aching. And added to the injury of his heart was the growing anxiety surrounding his career. Today, Noah hoped he would receive some advice to make all that change. He wasn’t really sure why he was putting so much confidence in a young woman whom he barely knew, but as he made his way to retrieve Miss Gibbons from her residence, a yearning burned within him. If he could get his career in order, the rest would fall into place. He was sure of it.
The sunny afternoon air warmed Noah’s shoulders while he sat in his parent’s barouche, watching as the Gibbons’ residence came into view. They were letting Highgrove, a rather prestigious home known throughout the county for its manicured lawns and expansive rooms. The Gibbons may not have a title, but they were certainly wealthy.
The barouche slowed to a stop at the crest of the horseshoe drive, and Noah descended, walking toward the entrance.
“Lord Noah,” Mrs. Gibbons greeted, bustling through the front door that the footman held open. “Please, come inside. My daughter is almost ready.”
“No rush on my part,” Noah said as he reached the top of the stairs. “The coast will wait.” He forced a smile, but Mrs. Gibbons didn’t seem to notice it was false, judging by the satisfied smile that lit her features.
“I just know Hannah is looking forward to this afternoon. We have been here two full weeks and she has yet to go see the coast. I am so thankful you are escorting her, what with you having grown up here. What better way to get to know a place than to be shown it with experienced eyes.”
Noah stood with Mrs. Gibbons in the foyer, his gaze darting about the room. “Highgrove suits your family well, Mrs. Gibbons.”
Her hand flew to her chest. “Thank you for saying so, Lord Noah. What a compliment. I was just telling Mr. Gibbons this morning that I could see us staying here indefinitely. It really is a beautiful home, and the locals have all been so welcoming.”
“I am glad to hear it.” Noah bobbed his head when a flash caught his eye. He turned to the stairs just in time to see Miss Gibbons descending the final step. She wore a soft blue gown and had a white flower pinned just above her ear. A small part of him hoped seeing her would do something to his heart—perhaps a glimmer of attraction, a jolt of pleasure—but it only sat in his chest, beating a dull rhythm. “Miss Gibbons,” he said, bowing upon her arrival. “It is good to see you.”
She gave a quick dip before standing straight. “And you as well.”
“Are you ready to see the coast?” He tilted his chin up, forcing his smile wider.
She took his arm before he even offered it. “Of course. Let us be on our way.”
A small laugh slipped from him as Miss Gibbons pulled him forward by his arm, and he looked up to find Mrs. Gibbons staring at her daughter with a frown. “I will have her back before the sun sets,” he teased, knowing it would delight her. And he was correct. Mrs. Gibbons’s smile returned, and she spun toward him.
“No rush. You two take your time and see the coast and all its . . . beauties.”
Noah stuck his tongue in his cheek to stop his laugh at her unsubtle remark. “Of course. We will be sure to make the most of our afternoon.”
With that, they were waved off as Miss Gibbons’s maid trailed behind them.
They all took their seats in the barouche, and a pang jolted in Noah’s chest. It seemed strange to have another young woman with him. And though this was not a romantic outing, it might appear so to anyone who saw them. But he was out with a young, attractive lady. With his family being who they were, it was sure to cause talk if they were seen.
Noah realized he was being rude again, not entertaining his companion. After his blunder the other day, basically accusing the young woman of trying to entrap him, he wished to make a better impression. When he looked up, however, Miss Gibbons had a faint tilt to her lips and her eyes were bright as she gazed about the scenery. The sun brought out more of the green in her eyes and made her hair even more startlingly red.
He smiled to himself. It suited her.
“Are you excited to see the ocean?” Noah asked.
Miss Gibbons turned her face to him, grinning. “Very much so.”
“I hope it does not disappoint you.”
Her smile dimmed. “Why would it disappoint?”
Noah considered his words. “Do you not find that when you place high expectations on something or someone, that it often ends in disappointment?”
Miss Gibbons tilted her chin up as she studied him. “I have had many disappointments in my life, Lord Noah. Though it still does not color my expectations for this afternoon.”
“Really?” Noah rubbed his gloved hand along his leg. “I wish I shared your optimism.”
“I will admit,” she continued as she turned to look at the passing trees lining the road, “that when faced with several disappointments consecutively, it is more difficult to see the good in things.”
