Page 19 of A Beguiled Gentleman (The Bradley Brothers #1)

Chapter 19

Noah held Hannah’s note in 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 small clink . 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.

And he stopped dead in his tracks.

She turned, making sure the door was securely shut behind her before walking toward him. Noah’s gaze quickly travelled over her simple gown and cloak, but it was her hair that had him mesmerized. It was free of pins, her soft red curls cascading over her shoulders and down her back.

As she walked up to him, her face beamed. “Isn’t this exciting?”

His eyes made another pass over her hair before returning to her eyes. “Y-yes. Very exciting.” He swallowed. “Assuming we do not get caught, of course.”

Hannah’s smile dimmed. “Yes, that would be rather unfortunate. But I cannot imagine anyone being about at this hour. And Warthford is not known for being overrun by outlaws.”

“And I cannot let a friend miss out on the opportunity to fulfill a dream, can I?”

Her nose lifted in the air as she grinned. “Precisely.”

“Very well.” Noah held his arm out to her. “Let us be gone before someone hears us and we are found out.”

Hannah gently took his arm, pressing herself close to his side as they walked back to his horse. The wind caused the branches to creak above them, and Hannah pressed herself closer to his side.

He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “You are not scared, are you?”

“No, of course not.” Hannah’s hand tightened on his arm, then she jerked as an owl sounded somewhere off in the woods.

He laughed, leaning closer to her ear. “Oh really?”

“Fine. I am a bit afraid of the dark.” She hunched her shoulders, burrowing into his shoulder.

“Is that why your hand is trembling?”

Her hand tightened on his arm as if by reflex. “Yes. I suppose that is why. Or I am simply cold. It is more brisk outside than I imagined.” She gave him a quick perusal.

He stopped when they arrived at his mount, and he released Hannah to untie the reins from the branch. “Then why choose such an activity as this? If you are afraid of the dark, that is. You know we have to ride a mile to the bluffs, and it will be quite dark.” Noah glanced over his shoulder as he held the now loose reins in his grasp.

“I have my reasons.” She ran her hands over her arms as she waited for him.

“Are you going to share them with me?” he asked with a smile.

She shook her head. “Not yet. I want to get to the bluffs first.”

“Very well.” He held his hand out to her, and she allowed him to help her up onto the saddle. “Now, this won’t be easy, but I couldn’t very well take the carriage out without drawing attention.” Noah put his foot into the stirrup, swinging himself up behind her.

“It’s fine. I am comfortable enough as long as you don’t let me fall.”

“Of course I won’t.” He adjusted himself so that he held the reins in hand and his arms created a barrier of sorts to keep Hannah secure. She sat rigidly in front of him. “You don’t seem comfortable,” he said into her ear.

“I am,” she quickly replied.

He smiled. “Very well. Let us be off.

The ride was eerie, and Noah paid careful attention to their surroundings as they made their way. Hannah was unusually quiet, but that could be easily explained by the late hour. Noah kept to smaller trails, not wanting to be on the main road and having a higher risk of being caught. Growing up on this property, he knew the way like the back of his hand.

Soon the sound of the water welcomed them, and Hannah seemed to relax, leaning into his chest. She turned her face so it rested on his shoulder, then she let out a soft sigh.

“Tired?” he asked.

She jerked up, pushing some of her hair back over her shoulder. “Yes. Sorry.”

“Here.” He took both reins in one hand and used his free one to gently guide her face back to him. “Just rest. We will be there in only a moment.”

Hannah’s entire frame remained tense for several seconds before her body relaxed, practically melting into him. And, for some reason, he had the oddest sense of peace. The evening air, the stars above them, her hair hanging free and tickling his chin. Then there was the way she was curled up into him, trusting him completely to keep her from falling and to keep her safe. He reached up, unable to stop himself from tucking her hair behind her ear, causing her soft sigh to come again.

All too soon they arrived, and Noah stopped a ways from the bluff, needing a place to tie up the horse. He slid from the saddle, then lifted his arms to help Hannah down. Her feet landed softly on the grass beside him. “Just a moment,” he muttered. He secured the reins, then gestured to the bluffs. “Shall we?”

Hannah only nodded, clasping her hands in front of her.

“You are rather quiet this evening.” Noah glanced over at her as they walked.

She bit her lip, and the wind whipped at her skirts as they neared the edge. “This is more intimidating than I had thought it would be. It sounded adventurous when I imagined it.”

Noah reached over, taking her hand. The shock of her warm skin surprised him, but more than that, he noticed a slight tremor. Her head jerked up to him and she swallowed.

“You will be fine,” he assured her. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Hannah gave a quick nod, then turned back toward the water.

“Do you want to go to the shore?” he asked.

Again, she nodded, her hand gripping his tighter. They picked their way along the path, being careful of their footing. Arriving at the beach, Hannah pulled her hand free and walked to the water’s edge. She stared out where the reflection of the moon spilled over the surface, creating a brilliant white against the stark black.

But the sea did not hold his attention at the moment. Instead, it was the young woman on its edge that captivated him. She was a goddess on the shores of the water, her hair fire as it billowed behind her. Never had she looked more beautiful than she did at this moment.

Hannah turned to him. “Thank you, Noah. This is incredible. And I never would have come if it were not for you.”

He smiled. “What else are friends for if not to help each other fulfill their dreams?”

“Dreams . . .” The word drifted on the wind to him, and if he hadn’t seen her lips move, he might not have believed she actually said it.

Hannah’s brow creased, her eyes suddenly filled with apprehension.

He stepped toward her. “You are not nervous still, are you?” Something seemed off, as if she was hiding something. “Hannah? Are you all right?”

“I was only thinking.”

“About?”

“About how much yours and Sarah’s friendships have meant to me. It is one thing to have a member of one’s family think good things about them. A blessing, to be sure. But how much more so to have someone who knows nothing about you desire to know more because they are intrigued by what they see? I feel that is the greater compliment.”

“I suppose that is true.” He nodded along as he listened to her words.

“And perhaps that is why my advice to you all those weeks ago bolstered your confidence. I do not think I offered you anything your family did not. Merely, that I was able to offer you insight as an indifferent party.”

“Indifferent?” Noah said with a laugh. “How droll. I do not think you indifferent to me in the least.”

“Perhaps not now. But there was once a day, if you can believe it.”

“I cannot. I feel as if we have been friends forever. How strange.” He peered over at her, his mouth lifting in a broad smile.

“But why?”

Her words brought him up short, his smile turning down on one side. “What do you mean?”

“Why me? Why befriend me ?”

“What do you mean, why? Does there have to be a reason? We got on well and things progressed. You helped me secure a case—”

“I helped lift your confidence, but I did nothing to further your career.” She turned her face toward him, and her eyes filled with tears. “I have done nothing good for you that could not have been accomplished by any number of people. I tried to change you to fit what I thought you should be. For your career—for women.”

His brow furrowed. “Now wait a moment. That isn’t true.”

“But it is!” She pulled her hands together in front of her, as if pleading with him, tears still brimming in her eyes. “You are successful because of your own doing. Because of the effort you put into your education and your willingness to learn and adapt to things. What have I done for you?” The tears broke over her lids, streaming down her cheeks, and he struggled to understand why she was so upset. “You have made such a difference in my life, and I fear I have only made you feel inadequate. You fill me with praise and make me believe I am more than what my parents fill my head with. And yet, who does those things for you?”

Noah watched the tears slip down her cheeks. “I do not understand. I have never resented you or your words to me. I loved the way you told me the truth without covering it with lies.” He stepped closer to her. “It’s like you said. It is one thing for family to give you praise. But for someone else to see the good in you? Or to urge you to be the best version of yourself? That is what you have been to me. I know I can trust you, and what you say to be true. That is invaluable to me.”

Hannah drew in a long, wavering breath.

“Hannah, what is wrong?” He took her hand. “Why are you upset?”

“My mother doesn’t want,” she paused and swallowed, swiping at the tears on her cheeks before continuing, “me to spend time with you anymore.”

“What?” The word burst out of him. “Whyever not?”

Hannah looked at the ground and ran her hands along the edging of her cloak.

“Hannah?” he asked again.

She shook her head. “I don’t know how to say it.”

Noah leaned down so he could see directly into her eyes, and he was just able to make out their soft green color. “Hannah, you are worrying me. Why has your mother not allowed you to see me?”

Hannah’s gaze darted about, looking from one side of his face to the other, but her lips remained pressed shut.

“Hannah?” He leaned closer and put his hand to her cheek. “You know you can tell me anything. Please, just say it.”

The next moment seemed to slow and fly by all at once—a warm hand slipping around his neck, Hannah’s face coming closer, her breath against his lips, and then her mouth pressing against his.