“What a beautiful day.” Noah tilted his head back, closing his eyes. “We could not have asked for better weather.” He brought his head back down and opened his eyes with a smile that was equal parts teasing and mischief. “And even better company.”
Hannah nodded with a forced grin, but she couldn’t find the joyous spirit that had been within her only a short time ago. A cloud had descended over her mood, and she wasn’t sure how to make it lift.
Sarah and Noah did most of the speaking on the four-mile ride. Every so often, they would try to engage Hannah in conversation, and she would supply answers and do her best to join in their camaraderie. But then her mother’s hardened stare would flash into her mind’s eye and her skin would grow cold. And all of this over a silly, stupid bee! What Hannah wouldn’t give to go back.
But, in truth, she wasn’t sure what else would have occurred. She had a horrid fear of the stinging things, and try as she might, she could not be relaxed when in proximity to one. But to think they might have to move again because of it? Hannah closed her eyes and laid her head back, trying to calm down and enjoy herself. Even if only by listening to the melody of her friends’ conversation. It was honestly a comfort to listen to. The easy back and forth. Hannah could hear the smile in Noah’s voice when he made a comment about the silent member of their party. She even swore that she could feel his gaze upon her. In an effort to not break the spell, she let herself lie as she was, basking in it all while trying to convince herself that her mother wouldn’t be so irrational as to move over such a small incident.
After nearly an hour, the carriages, filled with nearly twenty young men and women in all, rolled to a halt, and Hannah brought her head up. A rolling green landscape speckled with bright and happy wildflowers greeted her.
Noah grinned over at her as she straightened in her seat. “Well, well. She has awakened.”
“I suppose I did not sleep well last night,” Hannah said. “Forgive my rudeness.”
“Well,” Sarah said, “now you must wake up, for our adventure awaits.”
Noah exited the carriage, then helped each lady down to the thick grass.
“Have you all been here before?” Hannah asked as she gazed about.
“I have,” Sarah said. “As I’m sure Abigail and Jenny have. But I cannot say for sure.”
“I have as well.” Noah reached into his pocket and pulled out something that looked very much like a lemon drop, then tossed it into his mouth.
Hannah smiled. “Why did I not think to bring some?”
“Hm?” Noah spun his head toward her. “Did you say something?”
She raised her brow. “You know to what I refer.”
“What?” Sarah asked, completely unaware.
Noah sighed, then dipped his hand into his pocket. “Well done, Miss Gibbons. Now I have to share with everyone.”
“Nonsense,” Hannah said. “Just us three. The others are still alighting from their carriage.”
Noah handed out the sweets, and Sarah took hers with a pleased expression. Then her brow furrowed. “Do these . . .” She rolled the candy around in her mouth. “Do these taste like marzipan?”
Hannah covered her mouth before looking over at Noah. “I told you the flavors would blend.”
Noah waved her off. “It goes away after only a moment. No need to be so picky.”
The other members of their party walked over, and they all began the trek to the folly. Sarah joined two other ladies, and Noah sidled up beside Hannah.
“A penny for your thoughts.”
Hannah kept her gaze ahead, fixing on the folly on the crest of the knoll they were slowly climbing. She lifted her chin. “They are immersed on the great anticipation I have to see this folly.”
“I do not believe it for one moment.” Noah squinted up at the sky as he tucked his hands into his pockets. “Something is wrong.”
“And why would you say that?” The wind pulled at the brim of her bonnet, and her skirt pushed against her legs.
“Because you have hardly said more than two sentences all day.”
“I can assure you that I have spoken more than two in the entirety of the day.”
He rolled his head over to her, his stare flat. “You know what I mean. You have been suspiciously quiet. If it is a personal matter that you do not wish to discuss, then I shall leave it be. But if it’s something you might benefit from talking about . . .” He let his words hang as he watched her.
If she talked about it, it would become more real in her mind. The possibility of her mother overreacting and dragging her away from yet another home. Having to start all over again.
