Noah’s stomach released its tension in a moment. Why would she think that would be an impediment to their marriage? “I would be happy to take you to London. We could go to shows, or whatever it is that you desire.”
“No, Noah. You misunderstand.” She put a hand out, giving her head a quick shake. “His investments took a turn as of late, and now I have a more . . . attractive dowry. With a season in London, Father hopes—”
The meaning of her words finally seeped into his thick skull. But he had been taken so unawares, so completely unprepared for what she was saying that he filled in the gaps with what he thought to be logical. “Are you saying you do not want me?” He paused, his heart restricting as his hopes and dreams and desires were snatched from his grasp. “That you would rather go to London and see if you can make a better match?” His words ended in a whisper, his mind hardly able to grasp what he was saying.
Margaret wrung her hands together, her gloves making the motion smooth and fluid. “Please understand, Noah. If you had asked even a month ago, I would have said yes.”
“And that is supposed to make me feel better?” Noah’s voice cracked as it rose, so he cleared his throat. “I had to get my estate figured out. I could not offer for you before I was settled. Your father never would have allowed that.”
“I know,” she said, eyes wincing shut. “But I had not anticipated this sudden change in my fate.”
“You mean to say what I had to offer you was good enough when your family was less wealthy, but now that you have the funds, I am suddenly not a worthy suitor?”
Margaret opened her eyes, dragging them back up to his face. “When you say it like that, it makes me sound heartless.” She took a slow breath, her gaze flicking down to the lantern-lit path below them. “In our world, this is the way things work. My father wants what is best for me, therefore I do not have much choice in the matter. You should know that.”
Noah shook his head, looking down to his feet. “And yet,” he said, “I had not even thought it possible. I thought you loved me as I love you.”
Margaret ran her hand over the balustrade before she clasped it with the other in front of her. “I did care for you. Ido. But we are still so young. You are only twenty-two years old. Do you not wish to see what else there is?”
“You mean, who else?”
She swallowed, looking down. “I just had not imagined living in thedowerhouse, Noah. Your father is a marquess. I had thought—”
“That he would give me a house of my choosing?”
She scoffed. “It’s not as if he cannot afford it.”
“And you would be fine with that? I want to be able to afford a home of my own one day, on my own merit.” He put a hand to his chest. “It is generous enough that they are providing me a living on their estate.”
“And what of your clients?” She continued, making his stomach harden more. “How many cases have you had?”
“Several,” he shot back.
“Recently.”
His breathing grew ragged. She was correct. He had a failed case in court three months ago and has had a difficult time gaining clients ever since. But surely that would get better. It was only a minor setback in his career. He had only been practicing as a barrister for a year.
Noah ran a hand over his face. “I have planned my life around you and now you are leaving? Just like that?”
“I . . . I should have told you sooner. But my father only offered a trip to London two weeks ago.”
“And do your plans while in London contain the hopes of a proposal?” He pulled his hand away from his face.
She closed her eyes. “Perhaps. If a suitable gentleman were to offer.”
Suitable.Suitable. As if he were not.
“I think I should go.” Margaret took a step back, running a hand up her arm.
“Yes,” he said, barely managing the word, his whole body numb. “I think that would be best.” He stared down at the path, fixating on a tree as its branches swayed with the light breeze.
Noah waited as long as he could before turning his head to watch her walk away, but she had not made it through the door yet. So many questions clanged about in his mind. In a moment, everything he thought to be true—Margaret’s feelings, his future—were all snatched from him. He wanted to understand. Therehadto be more. One did not throw away their love and future so easily. Before allowing himself enough time to think over his actions, he put a foot out, making his way to her.
One step became two, then became three until he lost count. He was certain he would reach her before she disappeared into the crowd.
He lifted his hand. “Margare—”
Then the next moment was a blur of lights, images turning the wrong way, and shock at the feeling of a person in his arms as he and said person tumbled down to the hard marble floor.
