Page 5 of A Beguiled Gentleman (The Bradley Brothers #1)

Chapter 5

It had once been said that time heals all wounds, but Noah now wondered if that applied to things that were broken. Perhaps broken things never truly recovered, but rather limped along for the rest of their life. That’s how his heart felt at the moment. Broken. Raw. Exposed. Aching. And added to the injury of his heart was the growing anxiety surrounding his career. Today, Noah hoped he would receive some advice to make all that change. He wasn’t really sure why he was putting so much confidence in a young woman whom he barely knew, but as he made his way to retrieve Miss Gibbons from her residence, a yearning burned within him. If he could get his career in order, the rest would fall into place. He was sure of it.

The sunny afternoon air warmed Noah’s shoulders while he sat in his parent’s barouche, watching as the Gibbons’ residence came into view. They were letting Highgrove, a rather prestigious home known throughout the county for its manicured lawns and expansive rooms. The Gibbons may not have a title, but they were certainly wealthy.

The barouche slowed to a stop at the crest of the horseshoe drive, and Noah descended, walking toward the entrance.

“Lord Noah,” Mrs. Gibbons greeted, bustling through the front door that the footman held open. “Please, come inside. My daughter is almost ready.”

“No rush on my part,” Noah said as he reached the top of the stairs. “The coast will wait.” He forced a smile, but Mrs. Gibbons didn’t seem to notice it was false, judging by the satisfied smile that lit her features.

“I just know Hannah is looking forward to this afternoon. We have been here two full weeks and she has yet to go see the coast. I am so thankful you are escorting her, what with you having grown up here. What better way to get to know a place than to be shown it with experienced eyes.”

Noah stood with Mrs. Gibbons in the foyer, his gaze darting about the room. “Highgrove suits your family well, Mrs. Gibbons.”

Her hand flew to her chest. “Thank you for saying so, Lord Noah. What a compliment. I was just telling Mr. Gibbons this morning that I could see us staying here indefinitely. It really is a beautiful home, and the locals have all been so welcoming.”

“I am glad to hear it.” Noah bobbed his head when a flash caught his eye. He turned to the stairs just in time to see Miss Gibbons descending the final step. She wore a soft blue gown and had a white flower pinned just above her ear. A small part of him hoped seeing her would do something to his heart—perhaps a glimmer of attraction, a jolt of pleasure—but it only sat in his chest, beating a dull rhythm. “Miss Gibbons,” he said, bowing upon her arrival. “It is good to see you.”

She gave a quick dip before standing straight. “And you as well.”

“Are you ready to see the coast?” He tilted his chin up, forcing his smile wider.

She took his arm before he even offered it. “Of course. Let us be on our way.”

A small laugh slipped from him as Miss Gibbons pulled him forward by his arm, and he looked up to find Mrs. Gibbons staring at her daughter with a frown. “I will have her back before the sun sets,” he teased, knowing it would delight her. And he was correct. Mrs. Gibbons’s smile returned, and she spun toward him.

“No rush. You two take your time and see the coast and all its . . . beauties.”

Noah stuck his tongue in his cheek to stop his laugh at her unsubtle remark. “Of course. We will be sure to make the most of our afternoon.”

With that, they were waved off as Miss Gibbons’s maid trailed behind them.

They all took their seats in the barouche, and a pang jolted in Noah’s chest. It seemed strange to have another young woman with him. And though this was not a romantic outing, it might appear so to anyone who saw them. But he was out with a young, attractive lady. With his family being who they were, it was sure to cause talk if they were seen.

Noah realized he was being rude again, not entertaining his companion. After his blunder the other day, basically accusing the young woman of trying to entrap him, he wished to make a better impression. When he looked up, however, Miss Gibbons had a faint tilt to her lips and her eyes were bright as she gazed about the scenery. The sun brought out more of the green in her eyes and made her hair even more startlingly red.

He smiled to himself. It suited her.

“Are you excited to see the ocean?” Noah asked.

Miss Gibbons turned her face to him, grinning. “Very much so.”

“I hope it does not disappoint you.”

Her smile dimmed. “Why would it disappoint?”

Noah considered his words. “Do you not find that when you place high expectations on something or someone, that it often ends in disappointment?”

Miss Gibbons tilted her chin up as she studied him. “I have had many disappointments in my life, Lord Noah. Though it still does not color my expectations for this afternoon.”

“Really?” Noah rubbed his gloved hand along his leg. “I wish I shared your optimism.”

“I will admit,” she continued as she turned to look at the passing trees lining the road, “that when faced with several disappointments consecutively, it is more difficult to see the good in things.”

He briefly wondered if she was referring to him and Margaret. “And what disappointments have you experienced, Miss Gibbons?”

A wisp of a smile lifted her lips. “I will not bring you down further with my own troubles. Today is about you.”

“Nonsense.” He leaned forward. “What about you seeing the coast?”

Even as he said it, Miss Gibbons straightened as the faint sound of waves welcomed them.

“My heavens,” she breathed, rising slightly from her seat. “I can hear it. I can hear the water.” Her smile broke free, stretching across her face. It was hard not to stare. It was as if her joy had become his joy as well, temporarily lifting his sullen spirit. And then Miss Gibbons closed her eyes, holding onto the edge of the barouche to keep her steady. “I had only imagined what the sight would be like. I had not considered the sound.”

“Or the feel,” Noah said, smiling.

She spun toward him, opening her eyes as an intrigued gleam lit them up. “The feel?”

“Trust me. You will understand when we get closer.”

Their conversation came to a halt as they neared the water, and Miss Gibbons watched the landscape change. Trees became sparse, and the wind grew stronger.

Then they could see it. “My heavens,” she said on a breath. “Look at it. Look how far it goes.”

The barouche came to a stop, and Noah stepped down, offering his arm to her. “Shall we?” It was a good thing he held her hand steady, for her eyes were fixated on the scene before them.

The coachman retrieved the picnic things and followed with Miss Gibbons’s maid.

“Now,” Noah said, taking her hand and putting it on his arm, “I chose the place with the best view. But if you actually want to go down to the water, the path is a bit precarious.”

She frowned. “We aren’t picnicking on the beach?”

“No. The beach is rocky, so it does not make for a comfortable seat. If you would like to walk down there when we are finished, however, I would be happy to assist.”

“I would very much like to get nearer the water.” Miss Gibbons turned to face the ocean, a few loose hairs wrapping around her cheeks from the wind. “It is just so breathtaking. I cannot believe it has taken me two weeks to get over here and see it.”

“So, will you be able to help me after all? Or will you be too preoccupied with the sights Warthford has to offer?”

“Oh,” she said, head whipping back toward him. “I’m sorry. I’m distracted, but we shall have lots of time to discuss things.”

“I am teasing, of course. I am enjoying watching your reaction to the shore.” He pointed towards the water. “As someone who has grown somewhat accustomed to it, it’s refreshing to see it through new eyes.”

“I cannot imagine this ever becoming boring.” Her chest rose and fell in a slow rhythm as she scanned the scene before them, her lips slightly parting. She closed her eyes, her shoulders pulling back as if on instinct. Noah remembered that feeling from long ago before the sight became commonplace to him. The instinctual need to stretch your neck out, pull your shoulders back and throw your arms out wide, feeling the billowing wind, and standing on the precipice as if you could actually take flight.

“You had better open your eyes, Miss Gibbons, or I fear I shall have to catch you.”

Her eyes flew open, and she turned toward him with a timid smile. “I am not known for my steady feet, so you are likely correct. I shall do my best to not become carried away.” She turned back toward the view of the water, her eyes staying bright and open, but raising her chin as if needing to feel the wind on her skin.

And then the image before him morphed into a familiar memory. One of Margaret with her blonde hair trailing in the light breeze as she stood just where Miss Gibbons did now. Margaret had playfully winked at him over her shoulder, then held her hand out for him to take and lead her to the shore, where they had spent the remainder of their afternoon picking their way across the beach for treasures the sea had left for them.

Noah kicked the ground as he shook his head. Here he was having a perfectly lovely day with Miss Gibbons, and yet Margaret would not leave his thoughts. Perhaps he was being too hard on himself. It seemed normal that his feelings for Margaret would linger. And two weeks hardly counted as any time at all. But still, now that Margaret had cut the rope between them, Noah had hoped he could begin to move on. Even if only a little.

“Where are your thoughts, Lord Noah?” Miss Gibbons asked, breaking through his contemplation.

He jerked his head toward her. “Truly, you do not wish to know.” Noah nodded toward the coachman who was preparing their picnic. First, he laid out a green and blue checkered blanket, and Noah took Miss Gibbons’s hand and helped her sit. Within moments, the coachman had set down a basket and platters of food for them to enjoy. Miss Gibbon’s maid sat on the edge of the blanket, looking off at the scene before them, her back tilted toward them to offer a measure of privacy.

“And how are you enjoying Warthford, Miss Gibbons?” Noah selected a piece of meat, letting the savory flavor settle on his tongue.

His guest removed one of her gloves, then took a slice of crisp apple and held it in her hand. “It is splendid. The town is neat and tidy, and the people have been accommodating.”

“I think what you mean to say,” Noah began, “is that you have been blessed beyond measure to be in a place such as Warthford.” He grinned over at her.

She quirked a brow at him. “Is that so?”

“Of course.” He playfully scoffed, leaning back on his hands. “How often does a young lady get to dine with a gentleman on the precipice of the sea?”

Miss Gibbons pressed her lips together, suppressing her grin. “I suppose I can allow that.”

Noah fell silent, but a wisp of a smile kept to his lips.

“I must admit, Lord Noah, that you seem in better spirits today than when I saw you last.”

With her comment, his smile vanished. He gave a nod, his brow pulling down. “I am well versed in how to be social and behave politely, even if this is the first time you are bearing witness to that side of me.” He adjusted his shoulders as embarrassment crept its way in. “I did not wish to bring my gloomy mood with us today and make this an entirely dull afternoon for you. It is your first visit to the sea, after all.” He rolled his head toward her, forcing a grin as his insides ached. For a moment, their conversation had pulled him from his sour thoughts. He had been offered a quick respite as the waves of emotions pulled back, giving him a moment to dry and bathe in the sun, only to have the waters come back and crash over him again with even more force than before. Lud, he felt sick.

“You do not need to put on airs for me,” Miss Gibbons said, slipping a thin slice of apple into her mouth. She turned her head and let the wind push her hair back. “The sea is pleasant enough for me. If you need to sulk, you may sulk.”

“And you,” Noah said, plucking a grape from a bowl, “are being entirely too kind.”

With this, she smiled. “Well, I have some making up to do. And if that includes enduring your sullen mood, I am happy to.”

“Truly?” Noah sat up straight. No one wished to be around someone in a foul mood. Especially since this young woman hardly knew him. “You wouldn’t rather me make polite and dull conversation?”

“Goodness, no.” She gave a soft laugh. “I would much prefer a real interaction. Not something forced and polite for the sake of—what really, I do not know. Manners I suppose? But who here would benefit from such a thing? Not me, as I find it tiresome and frustrating, and not you, as it would force you to smile when you would much rather frown.”

Noah stared at her for a moment, completely taken aback. He often felt the need to put on a smile in society. No one truly wanted to know what was going on beneath the surface. Private thoughts and private life were to be just that—private. Even Margaret had made such a comment the day he had lost his first case in court. She had told him to smile, saying it was not a huge ordeal and claiming he would feel better if he forgot it, thus brushing aside his feelings. Which now seemed strange, considering that was something she had brought up after refusing him. And here was Miss Gibbons—practically a stranger, and yet she was asking nothing of him.

Noah spared Miss Gibbons’s maid a quick glance before raising a napkin and wiping his mouth clean. He stood, offering Miss Gibbons his hand. “Do you wish for that walk?”

She looked up at him, putting her hand to her throat as she swallowed her bite. “Yes, please.” She took his hand and stood, and her maid trailed behind them toward a small, rocky path that wound itself down to the water’s edge.

“Watch your step,” he warned softly, watching the concentration on Miss Gibbons’s brow as she carefully chose her footing. The crashing waves grew to a roar as they made their descent, and the air became pungent—a saltiness blended with a hint of aquatic life, something unique and strangely refreshing about the contrasting mix of smells.

When they arrived on the rocky shore, Miss Gibbons’s feet froze.

“Are you all right?” Noah asked, leaning closer to her ear to be heard over the churning water.

She nodded. “Yes. I am only trying to remember this moment. I want to memorize the feeling, the sound, the sight. Everything.”

Noah straightened, looking down at her before gazing out at the water. “Your zeal for life guilts me, Miss Gibbons.”

Her eyes were slow to turn toward him, hanging on the water before landing on him fully. “Whatever for?”

“Because this sight is literally on my—well, my father’s—property,” he corrected. “Yet I only come here perhaps once a month.”

“To live with such beauty so close.” She shook her head, the wind pulling at her skirts. “I can hardly imagine.”

The breeze whipped Miss Gibbons’s hair, loosening several strands from beneath her bonnet. That had been one of Margaret’s favorite things whenever they visited the bluffs. “Highgrove has its own beauty, does it not?” he finally asked.

She dipped her gaze and gave a bashful smile. “Yes. I realize how ungrateful I sound. I am very blessed in life.”

“What an ungrateful lot we are,” Noah teased. “Come. Let us walk the shore.”

Miss Gibbons turned. “Joyce, would you do me a favor and look for shells as we walk? I thought it would be a nice souvenir for Mother upon our return.”

The young woman gave a quick nod. “Of course, miss.”

Miss Gibbons leaned nearer as she took Noah’s arm. “You are most welcome.”

He mimicked her motion, drawing closer to her. “How is it to my benefit that your maid collects trinkets from the sea?” He felt himself grinning, much to his own surprise. There was something refreshing about this young woman—she was unpredictable.

“Because,” Miss Gibbons continued, “she shall be otherwise occupied and not as likely to overhear our conversation. I am correct, am I not, that we are going to speak of your business ventures?”

Noah’s brow creased, but he nodded, his mouth still curved upward. “That is the plan.”

“And most men do not want their private business, if you will, flaunted about for others to hear.”

“Well, you already know,” he allowed.

“Yes, but we have a rather unconventional relationship, I would say.”

He grinned. “I suppose that is true.”

Miss Gibbons stopped, turning toward him with her mouth set. “I want to make some things clear, if you will allow me, Lord Noah.”

“Of course. Please, do share.”

A strange look crossed over her eyes, but she finally nodded and began their walk along the water’s edge. “I have no expectations of you regarding our . . .”

“Friendship?” he supplied.

“Yes. Let us say friendship for convenience’s sake.” Something set within the rocks caught her eyes, holding her attention for a moment before she continued. “I am here because I welcome the opportunity of my voice being heard. It is not often that someone elicits my advice. But, if at any time you find I am too forward with my words, then we shall end our conversation and part on good terms. If that is agreeable to you?”

Noah didn’t say anything. He only gave her a baffled smile and nodded her on.

“Very good.” She wrung her hands together in front of her. “And—” Her cheeks suddenly turned a vibrant red. “I would like you to know that I have no expectations of you. In any regard.”

“Meaning, you do not expect me to propose to you on a balcony?”

She peered at him from the corner of her eye before turning ahead. “Precisely. Your heart is surely recovering, and I am in no rush to be married off, much to the chagrin of my mother.” Her color had yet to diminish, and she couldn’t seem to meet his gaze. She looked at the water, then down to the rocks, fiddled with her glove, and then swiped at her hair. “I’m sorry. You did not need to know that, but I had thought to make myself and my lack of expectations on your part clear.”

“I appreciate that, Miss Gibbons. It will make our friendship ,” he said, a tease in his voice, “much more comfortable.”

“Yes. Very good.” She nodded, her cheeks now a soft pink instead of flaming red. “Now, on to the matter of why we have met today.”

“I admit I am very curious about what you have to say.” Curious and unaccountably hopeful.

Miss Gibbons straightened her shoulders, and Noah was quite sure a smirk was hiding on the other side of her mouth—the side facing the water and currently unseen to him. “I have said most of my thoughts already, but I can clarify what I mean. And, if speaking out loud helps, we could do a practice of sorts.”

His eyebrows flew up. “Practice? You would be willing to act out scenarios with me?” It brought him back to his days at the Inns of Court. Specifically, the evenings when he and the other students would dine with an established barrister. They would occasionally do mock trials together over their meal.

“What else do I have to do all day? I am the perfect little heiress. I play the piano, I know three languages, I wear the most recent fashions of London—” Her words became urgent and heated, as if his question had broken a dam and things began spilling forth that she had desperately tried to barricade. She stopped, turning to face him, her face suddenly crestfallen. “And yet, what is my purpose? Is that all I am to do with my life?”

“I would suppose your family expects you to marry, Miss Gibbons. Is that not a worthy cause?” He thought it was. In fact, it was his main goal in life. The job he had was only to provide for such a thing.

Her eyes rose to the towering cliff behind him, as if lost in her thoughts. “I would not be opposed to marrying one day. But only for a happy marriage. A man who cares for me and would love our children. I will not, however—” her eyes snapped back to him.“—be content being married off to the highest bidder.”

Noah narrowed his eyes, studying this curious young woman. Never in his life had someone spoken to him as she did after knowing him so little. Perhaps she was correct and their unconventional meeting jumbled everything—blurred lines and made them feel closer than they actually were.

Miss Gibbons dipped her head, the soft blush returning to her cheeks. “Excuse me. I have said too much. My mother would be horrified.” She covered her cheeks with her hands, as if she could hide from him on this wide open, exposed beach. “It is only . . .”

“Only what?” Noah asked. She was closing up, but she had listened to him about his troubles. Perhaps she needed someone to listen to her.

Her eyes slowly found their way back to his gaze. “It is only,” she said again, pausing for a deep breath. “We move so frequently, and I do not have the luxury of close friends. I have no one to tell these things to. And you have an ease about you that has pulled these things from me. How do you do it?” A coyness entered her eyes, likely trying to make light of things after her bold admission.

And just like that, Noah saw how they could help one another. This young woman needed a friend, though he was likely not the appropriate choice. But it was something he could offer, and he enjoyed her company. It would not be a burden in the least. “Clearly I slipped a truth potion into your food,” he teased.

Her expression lit, brows raising and lips curving into a wide smile. “Ah, yes.” She lifted a finger. “That is it. How dare you, sir.” She turned so he had a view of her profile.

“I promise it will never happen again.” Noah put a hand to his heart.

“Very good.” Miss Gibbons picked up her skirt to step over a large rock on the shore. “Enough about me. Let us speak of you now.”

“Me?” He tilted his head up, feigning deep thought as he stroked his chin. “Well,” he said, letting his gaze follow her as she picked her way about the rocky shore. “I wish to marry, Miss Gibbons. But to do so, I need to be successful in my career so that I may provide a comfortable life for my family.”

“And you are having trouble securing clients,” she said, keeping her eyes on the ground.

“Yes.” He quickened his pace, coming alongside her. “Though, I cannot say that was always the way of it. When I first started on my own, I secured and won several cases in court.”

Miss Gibbons’s mouth turned down. “Then what has happened to make you second-guess your career?”

“Three months ago, I failed to make an argument strong enough to win in court. And since then, I have yet to garner another client.” Though, truthfully, he hadn’t second-guessed himself until Margaret drew it to his attention. Now it was all he could think about.

Miss Gibbons’s brow crinkled. “I hardly think that is a reason to doubt your abilities. Unless there is something else that has caused you to waiver?”

Noah stopped, and Miss Gibbons did as well. “You heard what Margaret said. If my career had not taken a turn for the worse, perhaps she would not have turned me down.”

Miss Gibbons watched him for a time, her gaze unwavering. And then she narrowed her eyes as she huffed a breath. “I will do what I can. Where would you like to begin?”

He began walking again. “You said I am too kind. How then, may I ask, do I go about changing that without seeming rude?”

Miss Gibbons followed along the shore. “Be forthcoming. People will respect you for it as a man in business,” she said, not missing a beat.

That was easy for her to say. Apparently, being forthcoming was a strong suit of hers. “But I enjoy being pleasant.” He stuck his hands in his pockets, kicking at a small rock perched atop a much larger one. “What is so wrong with that?”

“I did not say you couldn’t be pleasant. Just keep it to a minimum whilst in your meetings. Be kind with your words but state them directly.”

Noah nodded absently as he thought. “Care to give me an example?”

Miss Gibbons stopped, turning to him with a gentle smile. “Very well.” She raised her chin, extending her hand and straightening her lips into a flat line. “Good day, Lord Noah. Thank you for meeting with me.”

A coming smile tickled his lips, but he extended his hand to take hers. “I am very excited for this opportunity of working together.”

“Right there.” She pointed an accusatory finger at him.

He threw his hands up. “What did I do wrong?”

“You need not include how excited you are. Just say something benign.”

“But I am excited.”

“That may be, but you must temper it while in business settings.”

“Fine. No excitement.” He rolled a shoulder. “Let us try this again.”

She held out her hand. “Thank you for meeting me today, Lord Noah.”

“Yes, of course. Now—” He faltered, wanting to insert some sort of exposition about the opportunity of working with her. His mouth hung open like an oaf. “Goodness, I do not think I am capable of this.”

“You only need to practice,” she assured him. “Try something like this. ‘Thank you for meeting with me. Now, take a seat and we can discuss the details of the legal help your client needs.’”

“That’s it? That’s all you think I should say?”

She rubbed her nose, but it was only a pretense to hide the smile he saw peeking out from behind her hand. He was sure of it.

“What else do you need to say?” she asked, dropping her hand. “I feel that makes your point clear while still being polite.”

“But it’s so boring!”

“Believe it or not, I do not think business meetings are meant to be exciting.”

Noah propped his hands on his hips, pulling his gaze from Miss Gibbons and staring out at the choppy waters. “It cannot be that easy. Surely there must be more to my problems than that.”

She gave one of her shoulders a small lift. “Certainly that isn’t all. But it is a good beginning. My father is a very successful businessman, Lord Noah, and I have told you what I have observed of him. Now we won’t know if you will have success unless you try. The question is, are you willing?”

“It will cost me nothing but restraint on my part. Of course I will try, but I seriously doubt the effect it will have.”

“Do you promise to tell me if it works?”

He pulled his head back. “Of course.”

“Do you promise?” Her eyes lost a bit of their playful countenance as they narrowed on him.

“I would not be so little as to withhold congratulations for your efforts if it is effective. In fact, I would be tempted to throw a party in your honor if it works.”

Miss Gibbons watched him for a moment, then picked up her skirts again, walking back toward the trail leading to their picnic. She spoke over her shoulder. “A party will not be necessary. A simple thank you will suffice.”

Goodness, this young woman would keep him on his toes.