“So it was only me that was living in ignorance.”
More people filtered through the door, but Noah paid them no mind. Miss Baxton, on the other hand, used the distraction as an excuse to switch the line of conversation. “Ah, the Lewistons have arrived. I shall leave you be, Lord Noah.” She shouldered past him, and her parents excused themselves from their conversation with his father and followed after her.
But instead of going to the Lewistons, Noah stepped in front of his father. “Are the Gibbons coming this evening?”
His father scowled. “The Gibbons?”
“Yes. Miss Baxton had mentioned the Gibbons being invited this evening.”
He waited a moment, his eyes briefly flicking to the Lewistons. “Your mother did invite them, but they declined.”
“Because?”
“I believe they had dinner plans with that young chap.” His one eye wrinkled at the corner as he squinted in thought.
“Mr. Swinton?”
“Ah, yes.” His father snapped his fingers. “That’s the one.”
Hannah did not even like Mr. Swinton. Why would she entertain his pursuit? Nothing made sense anymore. Hannah had said she was in no rush to marry, and now she was allowing a cad like Swinton to think he had a chance at her hand.
Before Margaret could come over and claim Noah’s attention for the evening, he went to the card table where Miss Baxton sat. If he was lucky, the other spaces would be taken before Margaret had a chance to sit beside him. But luck was not his friend this evening, he realized, as he felt a hand trail lightly across his shoulders.
“What game are we playing here?” Margaret asked, standing beside him.
“Whist,” Miss Baxton said, her tone flat.
“Which is a game you hate,” Noah added.
Margaret took the seat beside him. “I am flattered you know me so well. But, since London, I have found my feelings toward the game have changed.”
“Is that so?” Noah refused to meet her eyes. If she wished to pretend things between them were normal, she would have to do that on her own. “We need a fourth,” Noah said aloud to no one in particular.
Donald took the seat across from him. “I will be your fourth.”
Noah looked up to find Donald smiling as he made himself comfortable in his seat. Then Noah’s eyes strayed to Margaret.
She was smiling. Not at him. Not at Miss Baxton. But at Donald.
What on earth was that coy look for?
“You know,” Noah said, standing and pushing his chair back, “I find I am not in the mood for whist after all. I think I shall play chess instead.” He was just about to ask his brother to play when Margaret inserted herself into his plan.
“I would love to play chess,” she said, standing.
Noah’s hands gripped the back of his chair tighter, and Donald’s gaze swung from Noah to Margaret and then back again. His mouth turned down and his eyes softened, but there wasn’t much he could do now. Donald could not invite himself to play after Margaret had imposed herself, and he was too polite to leave Miss Baxton alone.
“Very well,” Noah grumbled.
They walked over to the chess table by the window. All the while, Noah’s heart continued to beat harder against his ribs. Margaret took her seat, and Noah made the mistake of meeting his mother’s eye before he sat down. She smiled and gave him a nod, as if approving of his choice.
Herchoice.His father’schoice. But what about his own choice? Once upon a time, it had been Margaret. He wouldn’t have even hesitated if asked. But now, so much had changed.
Noah finally took his seat, and Margaret smiled as she led with a pawn.
“This is nice.” She waited as Noah stared at his pieces.
He selected a pawn at random. “I’m glad you think so.” His wooden piece clacked against the board.
