Page 27 of A Beguiled Gentleman (The Bradley Brothers #1)

Chapter 27

Breakfast seemed to lag on at an excruciating pace. Hannah picked at her meal, but any desire to eat eluded her. That, paired with her mother’s studious stare, made for a long morning.

Hannah’s thoughts had not left the events of last night. All she could think about was Noah holding her and saying all the things she had only ever dreamed he would. The rush of emotions she had when she went to her window and saw him standing on the lawn, staring up at her. He had looked so broken and dejected. Yet, when she left to go back inside, his face had been one of hope. Because of her.

She used the tines of her fork to push a small bite of egg about her plate.

“What is on your mind, Hannah?” her mother asked.

“Hm?” Hannah snapped her head up.

“You seem distracted.”

Hannah shook her head. “I am only tired. I did not get much sleep.”

“Hannah.” Her mother’s soft tone surprised her, and Hannah lifted her gaze.

She swallowed, her nerves on alert. “Yes?”

“This move,” she began. “You seem more reluctant about it than the others. You’ve been so quiet ever since I made the decision.”

Hannah looked down at her plate. “I told you I do not wish to go.”

“But do you not wish for the best opportunity?” Her mother’s tone was not her usual presumptuous one. Instead, she sounded genuinely curious as to Hannah’s feelings about the matter. “If you stay, with what the society around here is bound to say and think, I just do not see how you will find a way out of it, Hannah. Those rumors will haunt you. Do you not wish to get married at all?”

“Of course I do,” Hannah said, her shoulders sagging. “But we cannot keep this up. I am sorry I have made things difficult. Truly I am. But if a man really cares for me and wishes to marry me, it seems he could overlook something like me stooping to wash his boot or running from a bee.”

“Or throwing a raisin?” her mother asked, her brow arched. But then her lip curved into a gentle smile.

Hannah nodded. “I would much rather have a man who knows my faults and wants me despite them than one who sees only an illusion of my true self. We cannot keep running. And I like it here.”

“And you think you will find such a man?” her mother asked as she placed her hand beneath her chin. “I only ask because I want you to realize the risk you take if we were to choose to stay.”

“I think I have found such a man,” Hannah admitted.

With that, her mother’s brow furrowed. “Oh?”

“Do you trust me enough to wait? To stay, even if no one offers for me?”

Hannah’s mother lifted her chin, studying her.

“It is only . . . I only want to be your daughter again,” Hannah said, her lip trembling. “To be like it was before all the moves.” She took a breath, trying to keep her emotions at bay. “With each move things have grown more tense between us.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “I don’t want you to look at me like a trophy for men to try and win.”

Her mother’s cheeks flushed, and she dipped her gaze to her lap. “That is how you feel?”

Hannah nodded, her hands trembling as she forced herself to be honest, even though it could very well end in another lecture about Hannah’s behavior and her own responsibility in the situation. “I know I have not made things easy, and I will do my best going forward. But, sometimes I feel like it’s less about me and more about what my marriage can do for you and father.”

Her mother’s eyes softened, as if mulling over her answer, as her mouth worked. “I suppose I may have gotten carried away. It had all started so innocently.” She looked up and stared out the window. “One move.” She tapped a fisted hand to her chin. “I had thought one move would be enough to get away from the rumors. But then one move became two, and then three. And here we are now—six moves later? Can that be right?” She looked over at Hannah for confirmation, and Hannah nodded. Her mother’s lips formed a tight line. “I guess I allowed my obsession with the possibilities to overcome sense.”

“So we can stay?” Hannah asked with a new hope—one in which they were staying because her mother trusted her and not because Noah had already made his offer. Which meant that her mother was willing to forgo what an advantageous marriage would mean for herself. If the rumors truly were terrible and they stayed, it would mean her parents could suffer socially as well. Yet her mother was choosing to allow Hannah to make that choice.

Her mother nodded as she fiddled with her fork. “If that is what you desire, we may stay.”

Hannah let out a hopeful breath as her shoulders relaxed. “It is what I want. But what I want most of all is to be your daughter again.”

Her mother pulled her lips in, her eyes misting. “You have not felt like my daughter?” she asked, tears dripping to her lap.

“No,” Hannah whispered. “I have not.”

Her mother cleared her throat, standing from her seat. “I have a sudden need to go into town.” She lifted her gaze to Hannah, her eyes rimmed in red. “Would you like to join me?”

Hannah’s vision blurred. “Yes. I would like that very much.”

“I will go get my things.” She turned and walked toward the door. When she reached it, she put her hand to the frame, nearly glancing back at Hannah before she turned and headed to her room.

Hannah stood and hurried to the front door, fetching her bonnet and tying it beneath her chin. It would take time, but if it meant her relationship with her mother could be healed, then she would gladly take the steps needed. No one was perfect. Hannah had made her fair share of mistakes, and while her mother’s actions had hurt her in the past, if she was willing to mend things that had been broken, why would Hannah refuse her? Perhaps Warthford was the place to incite change after all . . .

Hannah walked outside into the fresh morning air. Perhaps she could take her mother to the beach soon and they could try to find treasures together.

Hoofbeats intruded on her thoughts, and Hannah looked down the road, spying a figure galloping toward their home.

The shape of him was so familiar that even from a distance she knew who it was, and butterflies lifted in Hannah’s stomach. At the speed he rode, it only took a moment before Noah’s horse came to a halt before her home. He slipped from his horse, smiling as he strode over to her. She expected him to stop and bow a greeting, but he didn’t, continuing forward until he wrapped her up in his arms, pressing her to him with a desperation that nearly made her cry.

She nestled her head in the crook of his neck and inhaled. “Noah.” It was the only word she could manage at the moment.

He held the back of her head with one hand as his other wrapped around her waist. Then she felt a kiss pressed to the crown of her head.

“I need to speak with your father, but I appear to have been distracted,” he said lazily. She heard and felt his deep breath as his chest rose, pressing into her further.

“I am in no rush for you to leave.” In fact, she could stay just as she was all day. For many days, even.

Then he pushed her away, and she looked at Noah in confusion. He ran a hand up his neck, his cheeks flushing. Glancing back at Hannah, he jerked his head behind her.

“Mrs. Gibbons,” he said, forcing a smile. “How good to see you on this fine morning.”

Hannah chuckled. She hated that Noah felt uncomfortable, but his face and manners were undoing her.

“Good morning, Lord Noah,” her mother said. She walked up beside Hannah and took her arm. “I must admit that we were not expecting your visit. A calling card would have been appropriate.”

“Of course.” Noah nodded. “I realize this. But it was a matter of some urgency.”

“Oh?” Her mother did not seem impressed.

“Is Mr. Gibbons available for me to have a word with?”

Her mother hesitated. “I suppose I can go let him know that you are here. If you truly feel it cannot wait.”

“That would be very much appreciated, Mrs. Gibbons. Thank you.”

As she released Hannah’s arm and turned, Noah stepped toward Hannah with a smile.

“You may follow me, Lord Noah,” her mother said, making Noah’s smile fall and his blush return.

“Of course,” he called out. Noah looked back at Hannah. “I will speak with you as soon as I can.” He followed after her mother, and Hannah could not help the smile that spread across her face. How was she to think of anything else for the remainder of the day? Hannah trailed behind them into the house, and when her mother led Noah down the back hall to her father’s study, her only logical option was to pace about the house in a nervous fit.

Her mother came back to the foyer alone and approached Hannah. “So,” she began, studying her. “Does Lord Noah have anything to do with what you were speaking of this morning?”

Hannah looked at the floor. She knew how her mother felt about Noah. And they were just barely beginning to mend things between them. She feared this would only drive them apart again. “And if he is?” she asked, nerves lacing her words.

“Then I would say the boy finally came to his senses.”

Hannah’s gaze snapped up. “I thought you did not like him?”

“No,” she clarified. “I said I did not like how he was leading you down a road to heartbreak. But if he is planning to do right by you, then I am—” She stopped and took Hannah’s hand, pressing it between her own with a sort of motherly protectiveness. “Then I am very happy for you. He will provide you with a good life.”

“Thank you.” Hannah smiled, though her throat felt tight. “That means more to me than you realize.”

Shoes clacking against the floor caused her mother to turn toward Noah, who had just entered the room.

“I believe I will go have our cook put on the tea,” Mrs. Gibbons said. She walked from the room, and as she did, Noah strode over to Hannah, taking her hand.

“Can I speak with you alone?” he asked.

Hannah burst into a large smile and laughed. She could not hold her joy in any longer. It was as if someone who had always dreamed of flying, but knew it was unattainable, had suddenly been given wings. The impossible was suddenly possible, and she did not know what to do with the happiness that welled up within her.

Noah pulled her along until they were alone in the morning room, and he continued on to the settee, pulling her down beside him.

“We don’t have long before she comes back,” Hannah said as Noah skimmed her cheek with the back of his finger.

The corner of his mouth lifted. “I cannot even summon the ability to care. Being away from you the last two weeks has been unbearable. Your mother can sit and listen to us speak, and I will gladly let her.”

“Gladly?” Hannah’s brow shot up.

Noah chuckled. “Very well. Perhaps not gladly. But at the very least, willingly.” His face lost a bit of its playfulness. “Now, I am going to look for a house to let. I want to step out on our own,” he said. “I want somewhere that can be ours together.”

Hannah shook her head.

“What?” Noah asked.

“Oh, it is nothing really. It is only hard to believe that you are speaking of marriage. To me .”

“Well.” He nudged her chin with his finger. “When one falls in love with their dearest friend, what is there to hold them back?”

“Nothing, I suppose,” Hannah whispered.

His eyes roamed her face. “Would it be very inappropriate for me to kiss you right now?”

She chewed her lip as her smile widened. “Has some of my impulsivity worn off on you, Lord Noah?”

“I guess you could say that.” He smiled, and then he dipped his face, pressing a slow, gentle kiss to her lips. “You know,” he murmured, “You never told me you love me back.”

“What?” She pulled back. “I’m quite sure I did.”

He shook his head. “No. I said it, but you never did. I fear I cannot ask you to marry me unless I know for certain.” His smile gave him away.

Hannah chuckled. “Then I suppose I have no choice but to tell you how much I adore you.” Her eyes burned with fresh tears. Goodness, she was a watering pot as of late. She cleared her throat as she blinked the tears back. “I love you, Noah. You have made me feel seen in a way I never have before.”

“Well,” he said, resting his arm along the back of the chaise. “It was difficult not to see you when you quite literally slammed into me.”

Hannah pushed on his shoulder as she laughed.

He caught her hand. “And I am so glad you did, for my life will never be the same because of you.”

“Hannah,” Noah whispered as he reached up to graze a finger over her cheek. “My sweet, patient, unwavering, Hannah.”

“Yes?” She swallowed, trying to keep her words to a minimum lest she say something uncouth and ruin this moment.

“I know you do not enjoy dramatics or flowery sentiments.” His deep brown eyes held a meaning that no words could express.

She did not need his gracious sentiments. His gaze told her more than anything he could possibly say. But she knew Noah, and if he wanted to express his love, she would let him pour it out in whatever way he desired.

“But,” he said, his fingers nervously toying with a lock of her hair as his eyes strayed to it. “I have to tell you how much you mean to me. Before I even realized the romantic aspect of my feelings, you were so important to me. And now that I see what I had been blind to, I wonder how I never saw it before.” His eyes came back to hers. “I hated to be away from you. I wished to spend every day in your company. And now I am asking you to please say you will give me my heart’s desire and marry me.”

Hannah smiled and bit her lip as fresh tears sprang to her eyes.

“Marry me,” he said, grazing a thumb across her cheek, “so that we can lay awake until the early hours of morning, talking and laughing and sharing our hearts with one another. Marry me so that I can wake up and kiss the freckles that dust the top of your nose.” He pressed his brow to hers. “Marry me so that I can be the happiest man that has ever lived.”

Her cheeks warmed under his praise. “I will marry you, if you promise to end my agony . . .” His head perked up, brow puckered, causing her heart to flutter, “and kiss me.”

His grin widened. “Well, I can certainly do that.” Noah tilted his head and pressed his lips to hers, kissing her as the sun streamed through the windows, warming her face. Apparently, Hannah had managed to incite change in at least one way at Warthford. Or, on one person. And, she found even if nothing else changed, that was enough for her.

More than enough.