Lord Noah chuckled. “If this is your best, your worst would certainly be a sight to behold.”
“You have no idea,” she said under her breath.
Hannah’s mother waved from across the grass.
“Please excuse me, Lord Noah,” Hannah said. “I am being summoned.”
He chuckled once more. “I wish you luck, Miss Gibbons.”
Chapter 7
Noahwalkedupthefront steps of Willowcrest, looking forward to an evening with his family. The meals alone at home were growing tiresome, especially when all he could picture was Margaret sitting opposite him at the table. It had been three weeks, and thus far, the memory of what he had hoped would be had yet to relent. The evenings were worse than the mornings. During the day, he could occupy himself with planning for his upcoming trial or writing correspondence, but in the evening, the silence in his home was an ever-present reminder that Margaret was not there and never would be.
He walked through the front door, held open for him by a footman, and strode into the familiar entryway.Thisfelt like home. Not the dower house with its empty halls and rooms. And now he wondered why he was even staying there. He had no plans for a family at the moment, so perhaps he should just move back and be where there were people who loved and cared about him. Though, he would have to bring Egerton along as a valet of sorts, for Noah was quite certain the older man would miss him.
Donald walked around the corner, smiling upon seeing him, with Peter clipping along at his heels like a smaller, lighter shadow. Donald bore the attention with his usual degree of patience while Peter was home between terms at Cambridge.
“Noah,” Donald greeted, walking toward him. “Good to have you home. It’s been too quiet around here with you gone.”
Peter came alongside Donald, his sandy-colored hair groomed to perfection. “Excuse me,” he said, elbowing his brother and making him laugh. Donald reached over, about to ruffle Peter’s hair as he smiled, but Peter reached up and stopped him just in time.
“I highly doubt you’ve even felt my absence,” Noah said. “Mother entertains frequently enough that these halls hardly know what silence is.”
“That is true. And yet, she hates it. Strange.” Donald stuck his hands into his pockets, smirking.
“I heard that.” Their mother walked down the stairs, playfully narrowing her gaze as she came over to them. “I do not hate entertaining. I simply find it draining.”
“Then why do it so frequently?” Donald asked.
She sighed, then raised her chin. “I feel it is my duty. And I still have sons to marry off.”
Peter’s cheeks flushed, but Noah felt as if a knife had stabbed into his stomach. He forced a smile so she wouldn’t know what her words did to him. He had only told Donald that he had proposed to Margaret. Noah didn’t want the rejection to add a strain to their family’s relationship with the Lewistons. They dined with them once a week, and his mother and Mrs. Lewiston were the closest of friends. Noah wasn’t sure how his mother would respond when she found out he had been jilted by their daughter.
“Noah,” his mother asked, looking him over. “Are you all right?”
He jerked his head up. “Of course. I am only wondering who the other guests will be for dinner tonight.”
She watched him for a moment, as if she didn’t completely believe him. But without evidence to the contrary, she pressed on. “With Peter home for break and with the Lewiston’s in London, I decided to invite some new friends. You know the Gibbons.”
“Yes,” he answered with a nod. “I took their daughter on a picnic at your request.”
His mother grinned. “And now they will be here for dinner.”
“How very convenient,” Noah muttered.
“Anyone else?” Donald asked.
“Curious if Mother invited a young lady for you?” Noah chuckled.
“I have invited the Baxton family as well. Though, I only did so to see if Miss Baxton and Miss Gibbons got on. I do not think Miss Gibbons has made many friends yet.”
“Miss Baxton?” Noah’s brow crinkled.
“Why do you ask with such concern?” his mother asked. “They are both accomplished, gently bred young ladies. I see no reason they would not get along.”
Miss Baxton was a kind young woman, but from what Noah knew of her, she had a bit of a flair for the dramatic. Which, paired with Miss Gibbon’s nature, could prove entertaining. Noah rubbed his mouth, trying to hide the smile that came unbidden to his lips, before he gave a slight wave. “No reason. Forget I said anything.”
“I have also invited the Hills,” she continued, watching Noah curiously, “as they are greatly missing their son now that he has wed and moved out. And then the Moores are coming as well.”
