“Noah?” Her voice shook.
His trance seemed to break, his hands dropping as he took a quick step back.
The air about her felt frigid in his absence, and one of Hannah’s hands fell to her side while the other grazed her cheek as it tingled with remembrance of his touch.
His mouth was agape, his cheeks flushed, and his hair disheveled.
Steps sounded in the hall. Her heart stopped, and she froze. She was specifically tryingnotto trap Noah into marriage, and yet the circumstance seemed to find her regardless.
“Where do I go?” She searched the room, but there was no good place to crouch or hide.
Finally, Noah took her by the shoulders, pushing her until her back was pressed against the wall by the door.
“Here?” she hissed.
He let go of her shoulders. “Just trust me,” he said, his eyes wide as he retreated to the center of the room—just in time for the door to swing open.
Now she understood why Noah put her here. The door opened in her direction. Unfortunately, however, not enough to cover her. But for now, all she needed was a barricade between her and the other visitor.
“Noah,” a male voice said. “Where have you been?”
Noah’s shoulders were rigid as he spoke to the newcomer. “I am sorry, Father. I was just a bit overwhelmed and needed a minute to myself.”
“Miss Lewiston has been searching for you. You had better head back to her.”
“Of course.” Noah forced a smile, but it was stretched unnaturally across his face. “I will go soon.”
“Or you could go now.”
The gentle reprimand gave Noah pause, his smile fading. “Of course.” He walked toward the door, and just before he passed behind it, he sent Hannah a look of regret, mouthing,I’m sorry, before he disappeared from view.
Hannah’s heart beat at a rapid pace, and she tried to calm herself. She needed to slip back into the ballroom as well, but she dared not leave so soon after Lord Chatham and Noah. If she was lucky, the dinner set would not have started, and her presence might have gone unnoticed. How long had she and Noah been talking?
She closed her eyes, putting a hand to her cheek where Noah had placed his soft kiss. How was she to navigate her life now? Just when she was prepared to forge ahead, Noah pulled the rug out from under her.
Chapter 23
Howdidoneeveningfeel like a lifetime?
Mr. Swinton stood in their foyer, and Hannah did her best to seem pleased he was there. Memories from last night filled her every thought. Noah’s behavior the previous evening had been so erratic that she hardly knew what to think of it. And now, after whatever that had been, she was unsure of what it meant for them going forward. Which left her even more baffled as to what to do about Mr. Swinton. She needed to speak to Noah, but wasn’t sure how she could make that happen.
“Miss Gibbons,” Mr. Swinton said, bowing. “Lovely to see you again.”
Hannah tried to smile. “That is kind of you to say.”
Mr. Swinton’s eyes flicked to her mother before saying, “I was hoping to have a private audience with Miss Gibbons this morning.”
No!She hadn’t had enough time to think. It wasn’t possible to make this decision now. Not when everything between her and Noah was still in upheaval. It would not be possible, in good conscience, for Hannah to accept a proposal today.
But Hannah’s mother only beamed. “Of course. I need to order the tea things anyway, so that will give you two time to talk.” She put her hand to Hannah’s back, ushering her toward Mr. Swinton. “I will return shortly, and we can have our tea then.”
Mr. Swinton nodded, but his mouth was turned down in a frown. He did not look like a man about to propose. Nevertheless, he held his arm out to Hannah and walked with her into the drawing room, pushing the doors mostly shut behind them.
Hannah’s heart raced in her chest as her face flushed. Before she opened her mouth to speak, Mr. Swinton broke the awkward silence.
“Miss Gibbons,” he began. “I hope you do not misunderstand my intentions this morning. I am not here to propose.”
Hannah’s breath left her in awhoosh.
