Page 6 of A Beguiled Gentleman (The Bradley Brothers #1)

Chapter 6

The church was quiet except for the low droning of the vicar at the pulpit. And Hannah was struggling to focus on his words.

This was her family’s first attendance at church since their move, and she was using the moment of quiet reflection to fret over whether or not Lord Noah would speak with her after the service—and if he would give her favorable news regarding her advice to him. It had been a week since their picnic, and it had not left her thoughts.

After listening to Lord Noah discuss his career, she had quickly realized he did not really need her help. At least, not in the way he had thought. She was quite certain he had only taken a hit to his confidence, and she was happy to help in whatever way she could. If her small bit of advice lifted his spirits even a bit, perhaps he would go into his next meeting with a new confidence. He only needed to get back on his feet after Miss Lewiston’s cruel words and rejection.

“Hannah, do you see that young man over there?” Her mother subtly jerked her head toward the left, and Hannah immediately knew to whom she was gesturing. A young man, though old enough to marry, sat with an older couple.

“Yes,” Hannah whispered.

Her mother tilted her chin down, bringing her mouth nearer to Hannah’s ear. “I shall have to find a way to be introduced to their family after service.”

Hannah was tempted to shut her eyes and bemoan another introduction. It wasn’t even that she abhorred meeting people, but with this being their sixth move in three years, she was growing rather tired of people entering her life and then leaving it.

Her eyes left the gentleman and strayed to the box at the front of the church where the Bradley family sat. Lady Chatham and two of her sons, Lord Bradley and Lord Peter, sat with rapt attention to the sermon. And then there was Lord Noah—gazing off into the distance, lids drooping, dark circles shading his eyes, mouth turned down, and stare vacant, as if he were stranded out at sea and didn’t particularly care that he was about to die.

Hannah could only imagine what it would be like to mourn someone as he was. She could almost feel the way he did as she watched him, but the sensation he seemed to be experiencing was also foreign to her. While she had held a small tendre for men in the past, she had known nothing so deep as to elicit the response Lord Noah currently displayed. And truly, she had lacked the time to feel so much affection for a person before. Whenever a man had shown her interest, it wasn’t long before she inadvertently did something to run them off. Like say something untoward, knock them into a mud puddle, or set their hair on fire with her candle as she became distracted. All of which had happened to her. Then, to help Hannah start anew with other prospective suitors, her parents would whisk her off to another home and town and begin it all again.

After what seemed like the longest hour of Hannah’s life, the vicar finally left the pulpit. She looked about, wanting nothing more than to go to Lord Noah and see if he’d had better success with his business since they last spoke. It was all she possessed at the moment—this opportunity to help someone.

Just as her mother turned in the direction of the new family she wished to be acquainted with, Hannah grabbed her arm. “Mother, do you not wish to speak with Lady Chatham?”

“Oh, of course. But we can call on her this week. We need to secure an introduction to that family over there.” She nodded toward the gentleman and the older couple, whom Hannah supposed were his parents.

And then Hannah’s mind sprouted an idea. “I’m sure Lady Chatham knows them. Surely she would introduce us.”

Her mother’s blue eyes lit up. “But of course. I do not know where my head is today. I’m glad you are thinking, for my mind seems to be vacant. Come, Mr. Gibbons.”

Hannah’s father gave a small huff that Hannah supposed was a laugh as he held his arm out to his wife. “Lead the way, my dear.”

She trailed behind her parents, attempting not to seem too eager. Lord Noah was clearly suffering, and here Hannah was, practically buzzing to hear if she had been of any help to him.

Everyone emptied from the church, some parties leaving the grounds and some gathering in small clusters about the grass under the filtering shade of the trees. Hannah glanced about, hoping the Bradleys hadn’t left yet. And then she caught a pair of familiar brown eyes.

“There,” Hannah said, nodding in their direction.

Mrs. Gibbons took a moment to spot them, but when she did, she hurried in their direction. As they neared, Lady Chatham smiled in welcome, but Lord Noah was enthralled with some object in the distance, his eyes fixated yet seemingly unseeing. As Hannah’s mother began her gentle segue into needing an introduction, Hannah moved to Lord Noah’s side, doing her best to hold her tongue. Had he honestly not seen her?

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she cleared her throat. Lord Noah jumped.

“Oh, Miss Gibbons.” His eyes widened, and he put a hand to his head. “Please, forgive me. Apparently I was lost in thought.” He lowered his hand and gave a forced smile.

“Nonsense,” Hannah allowed, waving him off. “It is a lovely day. I will not hold a grudge for being in raptures over it.”

Lord Noah’s smile altered, one side of his mouth falling while the other remained in a sad smirk. “Yes. It is a lovely day. I need to do better in attempting to enjoy it. Speaking of which—” His smile brightened, and he took a small step toward her. “I meant to tell you that I have secured a case.”

“Oh?” Hannah felt herself lean nearer as her heart quickened. “I am very glad to hear it.”

“As am I. I was beginning to worry—” he rubbed his mouth as if to hide his words from those around them—“that I might end up destitute.”

Hannah’s eyes flicked to his parents before she could think, and a wry smile spread over her lips. “I highly doubt destitution would be your lot in life.”

“You are correct, of course. It is only . . .” He paused, then lowered his voice. “I wish to make a life for myself. What sort of respect would I earn from a woman if I allowed my parents to supply me with everything? Though, that is the opposite of what Margaret . . .” His words trailed off, as did his gaze, fading into oblivion.

“So, tell me more about this case, if you would be so kind.” If she could get his mind off this young woman, he could begin to move on. It would take time, but perhaps she could help him along in this respect as well as his career. Rather altruistic of her, really.

His gaze snapped back to attention. “They return for another meeting this week. Do you have any more suggestions?”

“From me?” She couldn’t keep the shock from her voice.

He frowned. “Why do you sound so surprised, Miss Gibbons? I secured a client, therefore, whatever input you gave me was clearly effective.”

“I just don’t know what else to say. I gave you my opinion, but beyond that, I do not know how I could be of further help.”

“How about this?” He cupped his chin, leaning back as he looked at her. “I shall continue to keep you abreast of my affairs, and if I hit a snag, you can come to my rescue with more of your brilliant advice.”

Hannah felt her mouth twitch. “Do you always have such a sweet temperament, Lord Noah? For I do not know how I have become so deserving of it after the way things began between us.”

His eyes lowered. “You said you did what you did because of a desire to help me, did you not?”

“I did,” she said with a nod. And she meant it. Watching that woman crush him beneath her heel without an ounce of sympathy had been more than Hannah could bear.

“Then there is nothing else to discuss.” He turned a smile at a passerby before giving her his attention once more. “I feel horrible about the sullen mood I displayed at my father’s home, not to mention the horribly rude accusation. I do not want you to have a negative opinion after that encounter. This is the true me, Miss Gibbons. Well, as best as I can be at the moment, at least.”

“I am surprised you are being so vulnerable with me,” she said, her voice low.

He shrugged. “Why?”

A shocked laugh escaped her. “Because that is simply not how things are done in society. Men do not ask for women’s advice in business matters, and they certainly do not speak of their faults.”

He wore a bemused smile as she sputtered and rattled on. Then he said, “I like you, Miss Gibbons. You are a worthwhile confidant and incredibly entertaining to tease.”

She attempted to scowl, but her smile won out. “And you are quite insufferable.”

He leaned near her, his hair tumbling over his brow. “But you are intrigued, are you not?”

“I will not dignify that with a response. You are entirely too cocky as it is.”

“Ah, so you are intrigued?”

She scoffed. “No. I did not say—”

“If you fear I will become cockier, then you must have been about to give a favorable response. Otherwise, you would have given me a negative one and humbled me.”

The contradiction of this man was astounding. One moment he looked as if he might break, and the next he was smiling and teasing. Perhaps it was his way of coping, so she would play along for his sake. It wasn’t often someone quickly took to her as a friend, and she wasn’t about to forsake the opportunity.

“Don’t look now,” Lord Noah said, interrupting her thoughts. “But I believe your mother is cooking up a match for you.”

Hannah didn’t even turn to look. “I am not surprised. I have made things difficult, I fear.”

“Oh?” His brow creased.

She nodded as her gaze drifted over his shoulder. “I am trying my best to behave while in Warthford.”

Lord Noah chuckled. “If this is your best, your worst would certainly be a sight to behold.”

“You have no idea,” she said under her breath.

Hannah’s mother waved from across the grass.

“Please excuse me, Lord Noah,” Hannah said. “I am being summoned.”

He chuckled once more. “I wish you luck, Miss Gibbons.”