Noah’s eyes darted between his father and mother. How much was he to say? Relaying the last two months with a crowd of witnesses was not how he had planned to break the news to his family. “I already told you. I offered for Miss Lewiston, and she refused me. That is all there is to it.”
“If Noah offered and Miss Lewiston refused,” Donald interjected, always the voice of reason, “then he has no obligation to her.”
Noah nodded his appreciation, but the Lewistons seemed unfazed.
Mrs. Lewiston shook her head as she took something from beside her on her seat. A small, folded piece of paper. “I have this letter,” she said with triumph, holding it in the air. “I think after you read it, you will agree with us that Lord Noah has an obligation toward our daughter.”
Noah’s eyes fixated on the letter, his stomach filling with dread. He slipped around the chair and sunk into it, his exhaustion taking hold. Could this be real? Could this family force him to marry their daughter? What had once been Noah’s every desire was now being held over his head as a threat. And all Noah wished to do was take Hannah into his arms and assure her everything would be all right. But until this was settled, he couldn’t give her such assurances. And if he wasn’t able to offer for Hannah, she would be whisked off yet again. She would have to start all over . . .
Noah watched with growing apprehension while Mrs. Lewiston unfolded the paper, then filled her lungs with a breath as she prepared to read it aloud. All Noah could do was sit there as the miserable morning played before him. But then, before a single word was uttered from Mrs. Lewiston’s mouth, the letter was snatched from her grasp.
Noah’s mother stared daggers at her friend as she pulled the letter closer to her. “You will not read this aloud. How dare you be so bold. You could use a reminder of who my husband is and your own place.”
“Excuse me,” Mrs. Lewiston said, her eyes wide and teeth bared. “After all our years as friends—”
“A true friend would be more subtle than to bring a letter as blackmail over my son and try to read it aloud for all his family to hear.”
Mr. Lewiston pointed toward Noah’s mother’s hand. “But that is our proof of your son’s misconduct. Read it and you shall see.”
His mother’s eyes slid over to Noah, and he could see her deliberation. Noah nodded to her, giving her permission to read it. What other choice did they have? This nightmare needed to be resolved, and the sooner the better.
With clear hesitation, his mother lifted the paper and began to read with Noah’s father leaning over her shoulder and following along.
Donald sent Noah a weary smile and gently nodded his head. Only this time, while feeling comforted by his family’s support, Noah did not feel the same hope he usually did with his brother’s assurances. This time, there was too much on the line to only hope. He needed to make sure this did not spiral out of control.
Finally, his mother brought the letter to her lap, but her eyes did not leave it as she heaved a breath. “While this letter shows our son’s loyalty to Miss Lewiston, it in no way proves he owes her anything.”
“How can you say that?” Mr. Lewiston asked, his words heated. “He clearly said he would wait for her.”
“But Noah was hurting,” Donald said, leaning forward in his seat. “He was holding on to the hope that Miss Lewiston would realize she had made a mistake. And when he heard no word to the contrary, he moved on. That seems very rational to me.”
“If anything,” Noah’s mother said, “it shows that Miss Lewiston refused our son, and he therefore has no further obligation. I thank you for lending us this.” She handed the letter to Noah’s father, and he slipped it into his jacket.
Mrs. Lewiston's mouth fell open. “I cannot believe you do not see the duty he has to our daughter.”
If only you knew the duty I had to Miss Gibbons, Noah thought to himself.
All heads snapped to him, and he glanced about at their faces. “What?”
“Noah,” Peter whispered from beside him. “What duty do you have to Miss Gibbons?”
Noah’s eyes widened, and he swallowed, but Mrs. Lewiston’s pinched mouth spoke volumes. It seemed Noah had not thought the words, but rather said them aloud for all to hear. His eyes darted about their faces, but he was unclear of what he should say.
“I’m certain you can understand that we need to speak with our son,” Noah’s father said in his authoritative marquess tone. “But you may rest assured that he has behaved nobly toward your daughter and has no duty to her. If you will see yourself out, please.” He held his hand up in the direction of the door.
“This will not be the last you hear from us,” Mrs. Lewiston huffed as she stood. Mr. Lewiston put his hand to her back as they began their walk to the door.
“You would be good to remember my place, and yours,” Noah’s father said. The only indication the Lewistons heard him was their slight pause. But soon they had exited the room, and Noah was left to deal with the barrage of questions his family would surely assault him with. When he looked up to Donald, Noah was surprised to find him smiling.
“Noah,” his father said, drawing Noah’s attention away from his brother. “What is all this about an obligation toward Miss Gibbons. And for the love of all that is good in the world, please explain what has happened with Miss Lewiston.”
Noah sighed. “I already told you. I proposed to Margaret the night of the Elkins’ ball. And she said no. Apparently, Mr. Lewiston’s investments took a turn and Margaret thought she could find a better suitor while in London.”
His mother’s gasp caused him to look in her direction. “The nerve,” she said through tight lips. “After all we have been through with them. And with us being so much above them socially—how their own image of themselves got to their head is beyond me.”
“Yes, well,” Noah continued, “I am a fourth son, mother.”
She scoffed, shaking her head. “And they were all too happy to have their daughter expected for you until they got a distorted idea of their own standing. I can hardly believe it. But my question,” she continued, looking at him, “is why you did not tell us and allowed us for weeks to believe things were unchanged.”
