“At night?” Sarah came to a sudden halt and turned on her. “Hannah Gibbons, have you completely lost your mind?”
Hannah pinched her lips. “After learning Noah had no intentions toward me, Mother told me I was not to see him again. Then, the other night, I found out Lady Chatham is hosting a ball and is inviting every eligible gentleman within a five-mile radius in the hopes of me finding a good match.”
“What?” Sarah scowled. “Why would she do that?”
“I hate to think it, but perhaps she knows of my feelings for Noah and wishes me to move on,” Hannah admitted before continuing. “Be it that she has other plans for his marriage or because she knows he does not return my feelings. But the reason hardly matters. The plans are already in motion, and I need to know how Noah feels about me. If he feels nothing, then I shall move on and find someone else. But I have to know, Sarah. I cannot force myself past this and be left wondering what might have been had I only been honest with him.”
Sarah nodded, her gaze distant as her hands worked together. “But how are you planning to do this, Hannah? Are you going to just walk up and announce that you love him?”
Hannah winced. “I do not know. That’s why I need your help.”
“Me?” Sarah cried, turning frantic eyes toward her. “My goodness, Hannah. My life has had more wild moments in it since you arrived. I can say with certainty that I have no idea how to have a conversation about love while standing alone on a beach at night with a gentleman.”
“I did not have many choices at my disposal. Mother will not let me spend time with him.”
“And you’ve already sent the note?”
Hannah slowly nodded.
“Then why did you not just tell him in the note?”
“Please stop being so logical amidst my confusion.” Hannah crossed her arms with a huff, blowing away an errant strand of hair. “Besides. What if someone found the letter and read it?”
“I hardly think that is any more damaging than meeting a man at night.”
Hannah shook her head. “No. Writing in the letter would have done no good. I need to speak with him in person. Noah wouldn’t believe the letter was truly from me if I professed my feelings that way. In person, he will be forced to address it.”
“But why the bluffs? What if you are caught?”
That was a good question indeed. “It seemed romantic at the time.” Hannah’s words were tentative and quiet. It had been a rather stupid idea. “I cannot change the location now, because the reasoning I used in the letter will not allow it.”
Sarah sighed. “Then I suppose there is no going back.”
“Exactly.” She gripped Sarah’s hands. “Now please, will you help me?”
Chapter 19
NoahheldHannah’snotein his hand as he sat by the open window in his library. A soft breeze wafted in, reminding him that summer would soon be upon them.
Noah reread Hannah’s letter one last time to be sure he had not misunderstood it, but it contained everything he had remembered before. Hannah wanted him to come and fetch her Friday night after everyone had gone to bed and take her to the bluffs to see the moonlight glint across the waters. Apparently it was a great dream of hers, though he was surprised he was only now finding out about it. And while Noah’s sense of adventure was biting at the opportunity, the sensible part of him was sounding warning bells. Warthford was a fairly safe area, but it was not impossible for them to come across a highwayman or other dangerous ruffian—or, heaven forbid, hurt Hannah’s reputation. What had gotten into Hannah to request such a thing?
He had pondered that question for two days and was only left with one conclusion. She was dreading the ball next week and wanted one last bit of freedom before her parents pressured her to choose a gentleman to spend her life with. As it was Noah’s own mother who had arranged the blasted ball, he supposed the least he could do was fulfill Hannah’s request. Besides, it sounded like an enjoyable way to spend an evening.
Assuming they didn’t get caught.
Noah crept down the dark hallway to the servants’ entrance and out to the stables, where he had a horse saddled and ready to go. He swung himself atop and kicked the beast into a trot. Luckily, the old stallion knew his way around, and the moon was giving off enough light that Noah could make out all the paths he needed to take to get to the Gibbons’ residence. The air was cool but refreshing, and Noah took a deep breath of it.
Noah’s nerves heightened as he navigated his way to the rear of the estate, keeping to the tree line to avoid being seen. It was late enough that everyone should be in bed, but there was always a possibility an errant servant could be hustling about the halls. Hannah had said she would be watching for him and had given him directions to her window. The third level, fourth window from the west wall. Noah eyed the back of the home, counting the windows as he slid from his mount and tied it to a tree.
He strode across the grass, picking up a small stone as he went. Standing beneath Hannah’s window, he stared up at it to see if she was waiting for him. It appeared vacant, so he pulled his arm back, taking great pains to make his aim straight and true. The pebble flew through the air, hitting its mark with a smallclink. And then he waited.
Soon a face appeared, pale in the moonlight. Hannah’s window cracked open. “I will be down in a moment. Go and wait by the rear door.” She pointed toward the other end of the house.
He nodded, then waited as she shut the window and disappeared back into the dark interior of her room. As he made his way to the door, Noah had a moment where he wondered if this was utter madness. If they were caught, the ramifications would be great. And though marriage to Hannah would not be loathsome, it would be . . . strange.
Marriage to Hannah . . .
The idea was curious and unfamiliar, but before he had more time to let the thought continue, Hannah slipped out the door.
