“It will cost me nothing but restraint on my part. Of course I will try, but I seriously doubt the effect it will have.”
“Do you promise to tell me if it works?”
He pulled his head back. “Of course.”
“Do you promise?” Her eyes lost a bit of their playful countenance as they narrowed on him.
“I would not be so little as to withhold congratulations for your efforts if it is effective. In fact, I would be tempted to throw a party in your honor if it works.”
Miss Gibbons watched him for a moment, then picked up her skirts again, walking back toward the trail leading to their picnic. She spoke over her shoulder. “A party will not be necessary. A simple thank you will suffice.”
Goodness, this young woman would keep him on his toes.
Chapter 6
Thechurchwasquietexcept for the low droning of the vicar at the pulpit. And Hannah was struggling to focus on his words.
This was her family’s first attendance at church since their move, and she was using the moment of quiet reflection to fret over whether or not Lord Noah would speak with her after the service—and if he would give her favorable news regarding her advice to him. It had been a week since their picnic, and it had not left her thoughts.
After listening to Lord Noah discuss his career, she had quickly realized he did not really need her help. At least, not in the way he had thought. She was quite certain he had only taken a hit to his confidence, and she was happy to help in whatever way she could. If her small bit of advice lifted his spirits even a bit, perhaps he would go into his next meeting with a new confidence. He only needed to get back on his feet after Miss Lewiston’s cruel words and rejection.
“Hannah, do you see that young man over there?” Her mother subtly jerked her head toward the left, and Hannah immediately knew to whom she was gesturing. A young man, though old enough to marry, sat with an older couple.
“Yes,” Hannah whispered.
Her mother tilted her chin down, bringing her mouth nearer to Hannah’s ear. “I shall have to find a way to be introduced to their family after service.”
Hannah was tempted to shut her eyes and bemoan another introduction. It wasn’t even that she abhorred meeting people, but with this being their sixth move in three years, she was growing rather tired of people entering her life and then leaving it.
Her eyes left the gentleman and strayed to the box at the front of the church where the Bradley family sat. Lady Chatham and two of her sons, Lord Bradley and Lord Peter, sat with rapt attention to the sermon. And then there was Lord Noah—gazing off into the distance, lids drooping, dark circles shading his eyes, mouth turned down, and stare vacant, as if he were stranded out at sea and didn’t particularly care that he was about to die.
Hannah could only imagine what it would be like to mourn someone as he was. She could almost feel the way he did as she watched him, but the sensation he seemed to be experiencing was also foreign to her. While she had held a small tendre for men in the past, she had known nothing so deep as to elicit the response Lord Noah currently displayed. And truly, she had lacked the time to feel so much affection for a person before. Whenever a man had shown her interest, it wasn’t long before she inadvertently did something to run them off. Like say something untoward, knock them into a mud puddle, or set their hair on fire with her candle as she became distracted. All of which had happened to her. Then, to help Hannah start anew with other prospective suitors, her parents would whisk her off to another home and town and begin it all again.
After what seemed like the longest hour of Hannah’s life, the vicar finally left the pulpit. She looked about, wanting nothing more than to go to Lord Noah and see if he’d had better success with his business since they last spoke. It was all she possessed at the moment—this opportunity to help someone.
Just as her mother turned in the direction of the new family she wished to be acquainted with, Hannah grabbed her arm. “Mother, do you not wish to speak with Lady Chatham?”
“Oh, of course. But we can call on her this week. We need to secure an introduction to that family over there.” She nodded toward the gentleman and the older couple, whom Hannah supposed were his parents.
And then Hannah’s mind sprouted an idea. “I’m sure Lady Chatham knows them. Surely she would introduce us.”
Her mother’s blue eyes lit up. “But of course. I do not know where my head is today. I’m glad you are thinking, for my mind seems to be vacant. Come, Mr. Gibbons.”
Hannah’s father gave a small huff that Hannah supposed was a laugh as he held his arm out to his wife. “Lead the way, my dear.”
She trailed behind her parents, attempting not to seem too eager. Lord Noah was clearly suffering, and here Hannah was, practically buzzing to hear if she had been of any help to him.
Everyone emptied from the church, some parties leaving the grounds and some gathering in small clusters about the grass under the filtering shade of the trees. Hannah glanced about, hoping the Bradleys hadn’t left yet. And then she caught a pair of familiar brown eyes.
“There,” Hannah said, nodding in their direction.
Mrs. Gibbons took a moment to spot them, but when she did, she hurried in their direction. As they neared, Lady Chatham smiled in welcome, but Lord Noah was enthralled with some object in the distance, his eyes fixated yet seemingly unseeing. As Hannah’s mother began her gentle segue into needing an introduction, Hannah moved to Lord Noah’s side, doing her best to hold her tongue. Had he honestly not seen her?
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she cleared her throat. Lord Noah jumped.
“Oh, Miss Gibbons.” His eyes widened, and he put a hand to his head. “Please, forgive me. Apparently I was lost in thought.” He lowered his hand and gave a forced smile.
“Nonsense,” Hannah allowed, waving him off. “It is a lovely day. I will not hold a grudge for being in raptures over it.”
