Page 14 of A Beguiled Gentleman (The Bradley Brothers #1)

Chapter 14

Hannah trailed her hand over the banister as she hurried down the stairs, anxious to get this visit over with and be on with her day. The last two weeks, her mother had been relentless in her effort to have Hannah visit with eligible gentlemen. Mr. Swinton one day, the Bradleys the next, Mr. Abbins another. But if Hannah was lucky, today’s gentleman, Mr. Hodge, would only stay for a polite amount of time and would be gone in a short twenty minutes.

She walked through the doors of the drawing room to find her mother already there. Once she saw Hannah enter, her shoulders relaxed. “Hannah, dear. I was about to send Joyce to find you.”

“No need,” Hannah said. “I was only having Joyce to touch up my hair.”

Mr. Hodge straightened, a small smile appearing on his lips, and Hannah’s cheeks warmed under the assumption he seemed to have made. Luckily, the tension was broken when her mother rang a bell, asking a maid to call for the tea tray to be brought in.

“Miss Gibbons,” Mr. Hodge said. “You are looking very well today.”

“Thank you.” Hannah smiled politely, knowing her mother was watching her every move. There was nothing wrong with Mr. Hodge. He was young enough, polite, handsome, and yet, Hannah found she never thought of him once he left. Perhaps if she became acquainted with him outside of these walls, that circumstance would change. One could only get to know someone so well when they were under the watchful gaze of a chaperone.

Mr. Hodge’s eyes darted about the room. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but when the maid entered with the tea tray, he sighed and snapped it shut with clear relief written across his face.

“Hannah, would you please serve?” Her mother smiled encouragingly, and Hannah moved to do as she asked.

She began with Mr. Hodge’s cup. “How do you prefer your tea?”

“Just a bit of cream please.” He couldn’t meet her eyes, but he smiled, keeping his gaze on her hands as she steadily poured the tea and added a splash of cream.

A tickle started in Hannah’s nose, and she tried to discreetly rub it on her shoulder while putting the cream down on the tray. Turning to hand Mr. Hodge his cup, the itch returned with renewed vigor, and she held the cup close to her midsection on the chance she actually sneezed.

“Miss Gibbons?” Mr. Hodge watched her with a raised brow.

Hannah took a few practice breaths, and the sneeze seemed to have retreated. “Yes, excuse me. Here is your tea.” She leaned forward, holding the cup out to him.

“Oh, one moment.” Mr. Hodge made to remove his gloves.

Unfortunately, the odious tickle returned when he had only removed one.

“Mr.—” She meant to hurry him along, but she never got the chance to finish her thought before the sneeze erupted. Tea flew into the air as her body jolted, and Mr. Hodge, in an attempt to help, brought his hands up under hers to steady the cup. Only, it didn’t help at all as Hannah wasn’t expecting the touch, and the cup tipped forward, spilling tea onto his pants.

“Oh dear,” Hannah fretted, handing the cup to Mr. Hodge before turning back to the tray. There was a napkin folded on top, and she snatched it up and swung about to hand it to Mr. Hodge. “Please forgive me. I fear I have the misfortune of unladylike sneezes.”

If her mother sighed, Hannah was lucky enough not to hear it. Mr. Hodge accepted the napkin, but he still had the teacup in his hand.

“Here, let me take your cup.” Hannah grabbed it before he had fully released his grip, and the cup tipped forward, spilling the remaining contents onto the poor man’s boots. “Oh dear, I am sorry!” She grabbed the napkin from his hand and knelt down, attempting to blot his boots dry.

“Miss Gibbons,” Mr. Hodge said, leaning forward. “You need not do that. I can take care of my boots.”

Her gaze shot up to his eyes, and she was met with the greatest look of perplexity on the man’s face. “Of course. I apologize.” With her head hung low, she quickened back to her seat. Her mother’s stare burned the side of her face, but Hannah refused to meet her censorious glare. She was well aware this was a disaster without her mother’s looks to assure her of that fact.

The rest of the visit felt forced and awkward. Hannah found herself staring at the clock and inwardly urging it on as if she could control time. If anything, it only seemed to make the minutes pass more slowly.

Finally, Mr. Hodge stood. “I thank you for the lovely visit.”

“Please, feel free to come again,” her mother said, her words calm. Only Hannah seemed to notice the urgency in her wide eyes.

Mr. Hodge dipped his gaze. “Yes, that would be lovely.” He bowed and left the room.

As soon as they heard the clack of his boots fade into nothing, her mother pinched her lips and turned her head to Hannah. “Cleaning the man’s boots?”

Hannah pressed her eyes shut. She was so sick of the look of disappointment. “I am sorry, Mother. I did not know what to do after spilling tea on him—”

“He will think you are used to service, for goodness’ sake.” She picked up the bell, ringing it louder than usual. “Surely I do not need to tell you that as a lady, you should not kneel down and scrub a man’s boots clean.”

“Let us at least be fair and admit the circumstances were not usual. His boots appeared expensive, and I acted without thought.”

“Exactly, Hannah.” Her mother put a hand to her brow, eyes fluttering closed. “You do not think.”

She dipped her chin to her chest. “I said I am sorry. I do not know what else to say.”

Footsteps sounded outside the door. “Lord Noah is here for Miss Gibbons,” Talbot announced.

“At least Lord Noah does not seem dissuaded by any of your behaviors. You would do well to be on your best behavior today, Hannah. Do you understand me?”

It wasn’t Hannah’s understanding that needed fixing, but there was no use arguing that with her mother anymore. “Of course. Joyce will be there.”

“Is your maid sufficient? Or shall I come?”

“No!” Hannah nearly shouted. “No,” she added, more quietly. “That will not be necessary. Joyce is a wonderful chaperone. Very watchful.”

Mrs. Gibbons did not seem convinced, eyeing Hannah long enough that she wondered if her mother would come along regardless of Hannah’s reassurance. If she did, it would ruin the whole afternoon. They would have to play polite and bow their heads with restrained words. It would be unbearable.

Finally, Mrs. Gibbons nodded. “Very well. But I do hope Lord Noah will do the honorable thing and make his intentions known very soon. Much longer and his actions could be seen as scandalous.”

Hannah didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to start rumors that Noah was courting her, and yet, if she told her mother the truth, her outings with Noah would be done. “May I go now?” she asked.

Her mother only nodded, and Hannah spun about, a smile spreading across her face—as it always did when she got to see her friend.

The sea air had a way of clearing Hannah’s mind, and after her awful visit with Mr. Hodge, she needed it.

“It couldn’t have been that bad,” Noah said, crunching into an apple.

Hannah shook her head, her eyes closed as the fresh sea breeze brushed against her skin. She had left her bonnet in the barouche, and while Joyce gave her a lightly scolding glare, she said nothing.

“It was that bad.” Hannah idly ripped up blades of grass, her gloves sitting beside her. “I knelt on the ground and wiped his boots. You should have seen his face when I looked up at him—” Her eyes flicked to Noah when she heard something strongly resembling a chuckle. “Are you laughing?”

He shook his head and put his hand lightly over his mouth. “Of course not.”

“I do not believe you.” She released her fistful of grass, letting the blades fall. “Let me see your mouth.”

He turned his head away. “No. That would mean you do not trust me.”

“Because I don’t. You are obviously laughing!”

His shoulders shook as he kept his back to her.

“Lord Noah Bradley, look at me this instant.”

He faced the sea, leaning back on his hands, no longer even attempting to hide his smile. “Very well. I am laughing. Happy?”

“No.” She scowled, ripping up another handful of grass. “I am frustrated. Why do I not behave normally in situations that do not allow time to think?”

Noah tipped his head back, making his topper fall to the ground. He didn’t seem to care, letting it lie in the grass as the wind tousled his brown locks. “I think that is logical. You made a mess and wanted to rectify it.”

“Except no one else sees it that way.”

“And what did your Mr. Hodge have to say about it?”

Hannah took a deep breath, remembering his face as he stared down at her. “He did not approve.”

“Then he isn’t worth your time.”

Hannah jerked her head toward Noah. “How can you say that based upon one moment? Is that not the same as him making a snap judgment of me?”

“If Mr. Hodge does not call on you again for attempting to help him, then yes, it is completely fair to say he is not worth your time.”

“And what of Margaret?” She had meant to say it, but now that her words hung heavily between them, she wished for nothing more than to pull them back. But she needed to know. Did he still think of Margaret? Love her, even?

Noah’s head slowly came forward. He did not meet Hannah’s eyes, instead his gaze lowered to the ground. “Are you implying that I am a hypocrite?”

Hannah swallowed in an attempt to bide her time as she chose her words more carefully. “No. I am only pointing out how quickly you are judging Mr. Hodge, and yet, your greatest desire is for Margaret to come back after she so coldly rejected you. If your logic applied to your situation, that would mean Margaret doesn’t deserve you.”

Noah’s hand stroked his cheek as he gazed out at the turbulent water.

As she watched him, a longing burned in her. How could Margaret possibly refuse this man? If someone as good and honorable as Noah offered for Hannah, she would be helpless to refuse him. And now he sat there, pining after someone who was not worth his time. The irony was not lost on Hannah, even if he could not see it. Noah deserved someone who celebrated him for who he was and the joy he brought to their life. Not someone who tried to cage him in and hold him back.

Hannah’s eyes trailed over his hair as it blew in the wind, and she wondered what the strands would feel like if she ran her fingers through them. Had Margaret ever touched his hair in the short time they held a quiet understanding? Had they been that far into their relationship to broach such a gesture?

“Noah?”

He turned his face toward her, and his lips still wore a slight frown. “Yes?”

“How did you feel about yourself when you were with her? With Margaret?” she clarified.

He shook his head as a small scoff escaped. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“I am only curious. Would you humor me?”

He scratched his neck as he thought. “I was entranced. She is lovely—”

“No,” Hannah said, cutting him off. “How did you feel about yourself when you were with her?”

His brow furrowed, and he returned to eating his apple, taking his time to chew and swallow. “I couldn’t speak to how I would feel now, as I haven’t seen her since that night. But when I was with her before, I felt in love.” He shrugged, tossing his core aside. “Or so I had thought.”

“That is incredibly vague.” Hannah’s pile of severed grass blades was practically a tower now. “What about her made you love her?”

Noah’s mouth pulled to the side. He hunched forward, picking a small wildflower and twirling it in his grasp. “I cannot say for sure. Our families have always been friends, so we spent a lot of time together. She was beautiful. And I suppose it was always assumed that we would one day marry.”

“So did you love her? Or was it expected of you?”

Noah’s frown deepened, and he took a long breath. “I had to have loved her. Right? Otherwise, why did it hurt so much when she—” His words stopped short, and he shook his head. “Enough of this talk. We were talking about you.”

She looked down with a grimace. “That’s why I changed the subject. I do not wish to talk about myself.”

“Come now.” Noah turned until he faced her, his legs crossed in front of him. “You always close up when we venture to topics regarding your life. Let us continue.”

“My blunders in society are not enjoyable to relive. I would much rather not.”

“Then we will not speak of your blunders. We will speak of the many wonderful things about you.”

“Ah, yes.” Her voice took on a bitter note, and she looked out at the water, taking a deep breath of the salty air. “I am a wealthy heiress. Some younger son will be very happy to marry me one day, and in doing so, elevate my parents to the social standing they crave.”

Hannah felt a finger beneath her chin, and her breath caught as Noah gently spun her face about so their eyes met. His smile was gone, and his eyes were a tempest. “I hate to hear you speak of yourself that way, Hannah. That is not what you are and you well know it.”

She swallowed, his nearness and touch beneath her chin making her heart beat quicker. “Perhaps. But it is what others see.”

He slowly shook his head. “Not me.”

Did he not realize how his words sounded? Or how his nearness made her cheeks flush or her heart flutter? Suddenly, she felt a boldness swell up within her.

“And what do you see?”

Noah held her gaze for another moment, then released her chin and sat back. The storm in his eyes began to fade and the gravity of the moment lifted like the morning dew evaporating when the sun breaks through. “I have an idea.” He gave her a smirk, holding a finger in the air.

Hannah raised her brow. “I am listening.”

“Come.” He stood, holding his hand out for her and helping her up. “Now, you are going to look out at the sea and yell all of your amazing qualities for the world to hear.”

Her eyes widened. “I will do no such thing.”

“Yes you will.” His grin widened. “Come now. This will be good for you.” He jerked his head as if to get her to face the water. When she made no move to turn, he came behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, twisting her around so she overlooked the waves crashing against the shore. She gave a light gasp, but she allowed him to guide her until she stared out at the sea, letting the wind push her fears and anxieties away.

Noah’s face hovered just over her shoulder, his words gentle in her ear. “Now, I want you to think of something that might entice someone to court you other than being a wealthy heiress.”

“My winning humor,” she said, her words heavy with sarcasm.

Noah sighed, and his breath tickled her neck. “Fine. Let us start with your humor. But be serious, please.”

She stared at the foaming water, the sound of the crashing waves filling her ears. She opened her mouth, but she couldn’t make the words come. Shaking her head, she closed her mouth. “I feel silly. I cannot.”

“No one else is here. It is only you and me.”

She closed her eyes, letting his words wash over her. If only that were the truth, for she would give anything for that future. Just the two of them. Forever.

“Fine,” Noah said. She hadn’t realized how long she had been silent until he spoke. Noah let her go and stepped up beside her. “I shall do it.” He cleared his throat and tipped his chin up. He then cupped his hands about his mouth and yelled at the top of his lungs, “Hannah Gibbons is the most humorous young lady of my acquaintance!”

Hannah smacked his shoulder as her cheeks flamed. “Noah, stop it.”

A grin split his face as he turned to her. “Then you need to do it. Otherwise, I will keep at it.”

Hannah scowled at him but spun toward the bluff again. “Very well.” She rolled her shoulder. “I shall do it.” She swallowed, feeling very much like a fool. How could she bring herself to do such a thing? But if she did not, then Noah would. And goodness knows what he would say.

“I have no idea what to say,” she admitted, glancing over at him.

He pursed his lips, making her chest jerk with a laugh.

“I just thought of five things in five seconds. It is not so very hard.”

“You did not think of five things,” she said in disbelief.

He nodded. “Yes, I did. Now, first I want you to yell that you are brilliant.”

“Brilliant?”

“Yes. We can begin with your knowledge of languages.”

That seemed harmless enough. She faced the waters, taking a bracing breath. “I am proficient in three languages!” she yelled. The wind seemed to blow her words back at her, and she laughed at how ridiculous it seemed. “Noah, I cannot keep doing this,” she said, lowering her voice to a normal level.

“Yes you can. Now—” he held up a finger “—I want you to yell about how much you enjoy helping others.”

“I do not think that is a fair claim.”

“Nonsense. You helped me.” He turned to her, his rich brown eyes seeming to beckon her closer.

She swallowed, trying to formulate a response. To find a way to be honest with him without giving herself entirely away. “You were worthy of my help, Noah. How could I not?”

“See?” He held his hand out, gesturing toward the water. “Now say it. Say it for all the world to hear.”

She shook her head yet turned to do as he said. Only he could get her to do such ridiculous things. And while she felt like a fool, she couldn’t stop the grin that spread across her lips. “I enjoy helping Lord Noah Bradley!”

“No,” he said, then yelled, “she is helpful to all!”

A euphoric feeling rose within her as she seemed to detach from reality. “Now what?” she asked, closing her eyes and letting herself fall deeper into her mind. A place where people’s opinions did not exist, and she was exactly as she said now.

“Now,” Noah said, his voice suddenly closer, his breath warm on her cheek. “I want you to say you are beautiful.”

Her breathing wavered, but she kept her eyes closed. If she looked at Noah now, her eyes might tell him more than she wished him to know. “Beautiful?” she whispered.

“Of course.” His voice was almost indignant, causing her heart to swirl in her chest.

“I am bea—” she began to yell, but her words caught. “Beautiful,” she whispered.

“Inside and out.”

Hannah felt Noah’s hands touch her arms as he walked behind her. He ran his fingers down to her elbows, then gently pushed up, urging her arms into the air. She was lost in his touch, and very much afraid she might wake and find this all a dream.

“Now,” he said, “I want you to yell that you are worthy of love. You. Not your dowry or fancy gowns. But Miss Hannah Gibbons with her fiery red hair and matching personality.”

Her arms dropped—an instinctual response as she closed up. Noah stopped her, raising her arms back in the air. “Say it, Hannah. Say it and believe it.”

She sniffed. “This is silly.”

“Say it for me. So I know you will never forget these truths or let anyone steal your light.”

With her arms outstretched, raised to the sky, Hannah basked in the feel of the wind pushing against her. It was as if she stood before the words and opinions of others, and she needed to prove they wouldn’t throw her down. “I am worthy of being loved.” She did not yell, only said the words for herself.

“That wasn’t so hard, was it?” Noah’s warm hands gripped her waist, and she wished for nothing more than to lean back into him and let him hold her. Hannah turned around to face him, and he smiled, reaching up and wiping her cheek. She hadn’t even realized a tear had fallen.

She blinked a few times, trying to hold back her emotions. “It was very hard actually.”

“But you did it.”

Noah reached into his jacket, and Hannah wrapped her arms around herself as she watched him. The wind was cool, and she was beginning to get chilled.

He pulled out his small pink flower and tucked it into her hair above her ear as he gave her a warm smile. “There.” His finger skimmed her cheek. “Perfect.”