“And you are having trouble securing clients,” she said, keeping her eyes on the ground.
“Yes.” He quickened his pace, coming alongside her. “Though, I cannot say that was always the way of it. When I first started on my own, I secured and won several cases in court.”
Miss Gibbons’s mouth turned down. “Then what has happened to make you second-guess your career?”
“Three months ago, I failed to make an argument strong enough to win in court. And since then, I have yet to garner another client.” Though, truthfully, he hadn’t second-guessed himself until Margaret drew it to his attention. Now it was all he could think about.
Miss Gibbons’s brow crinkled. “I hardly think that is a reason to doubt your abilities. Unless there is something else that has caused you to waiver?”
Noah stopped, and Miss Gibbons did as well. “You heard what Margaret said. If my career had not taken a turn for the worse, perhaps she would not have turned me down.”
Miss Gibbons watched him for a time, her gaze unwavering. And then she narrowed her eyes as she huffed a breath. “I will do what I can. Where would you like to begin?”
He began walking again. “You said I am too kind. How then, may I ask, do I go about changing that without seeming rude?”
Miss Gibbons followed along the shore. “Be forthcoming. People will respect you for it as a man in business,” she said, not missing a beat.
That was easy for her to say. Apparently, being forthcoming was a strong suit of hers. “But I enjoy being pleasant.” He stuck his hands in his pockets, kicking at a small rock perched atop a much larger one. “What is so wrong with that?”
“I did not say you couldn’t be pleasant. Just keep it to a minimum whilst in your meetings. Be kind with your words but state them directly.”
Noah nodded absently as he thought. “Care to give me an example?”
Miss Gibbons stopped, turning to him with a gentle smile. “Very well.” She raised her chin, extending her hand and straightening her lips into a flat line. “Good day, Lord Noah. Thank you for meeting with me.”
A coming smile tickled his lips, but he extended his hand to take hers. “I am very excited for this opportunity of working together.”
“Right there.” She pointed an accusatory finger at him.
He threw his hands up. “What did I do wrong?”
“You need not include how excited you are. Just say something benign.”
“But Iamexcited.”
“That may be, but you must temper it while in business settings.”
“Fine. No excitement.” He rolled a shoulder. “Let us try this again.”
She held out her hand. “Thank you for meeting me today, Lord Noah.”
“Yes, of course. Now—” He faltered, wanting to insert some sort of exposition about the opportunity of working with her. His mouth hung open like an oaf. “Goodness, I do not think I am capable of this.”
“You only need to practice,” she assured him. “Try something like this. ‘Thank you for meeting with me. Now, take a seat and we can discuss the details of the legal help your client needs.’”
“That’s it? That’s all you think I should say?”
She rubbed her nose, but it was only a pretense to hide the smile he saw peeking out from behind her hand. He was sure of it.
“What else do you need to say?” she asked, dropping her hand. “I feel that makes your point clear while still being polite.”
“But it’s so boring!”
“Believe it or not, I do not think business meetings are meant to be exciting.”
Noah propped his hands on his hips, pulling his gaze from Miss Gibbons and staring out at the choppy waters. “It cannot be that easy. Surely there must be more to my problems than that.”
She gave one of her shoulders a small lift. “Certainly that isn’t all. But it is a good beginning. My father is a very successful businessman, Lord Noah, and I have told you what I have observed of him. Now we won’t know if you will have success unless you try. The question is, are you willing?”
