Chapter 1
June 1816
London, England
The Honorable Noah Hughes watchedas his friend, the Earl of Robertson, squirmed in his seat, denying that he was in love with a lady he’d recently met at Lord Fleming’s house party.
“Bloody hell, Robertson. Tell her you love her,” Noah said as Robertson plopped down in the chair opposite him at their favorite club.
Robertson looked at him. “What did you say?”
“You’ve been moping around for the past fortnight, and as far as I can tell, there’s only one reason that would be so. You’re in love with Lady Armstrong.”
“No. Don’t be ridiculous. I admire the lady, of course, but that’s all,” the earl said, trying to sound convincing.
Noah had always been very observant, especially when it came to his friends. He could see how unhappy Robertson had become of late and knew that the earl needed a push to rectify the situation.
“Robertson, you might as well face the facts,” Miles Walker, their childhood friend, chimed in. “I’ve known you a long time, and I’ve never seen you like this, not even when you were courting Miss Grandier.”
“My previous courtship has nothing to do with this,” Robertson growled.
“Exactly,” Noah said. “You were merely disappointed when Miss Grandier passed you over for Evans. This situation is entirely different. It’s a fiasco of your own making. So stop being a bloody fool and go tell the lady you love her before you miss out on the best thing to happen to you.”
Noah watched the emotions cross Robertson’s face as he thought about what Noah said.
“Damn it, Noah. Why are you always so bloody right?” the earl asked as he rushed out of the club.
Noah turned to Miles. “Well, it was about time he did something. He’s been impossible lately, moping around here.”
“Oh? And what about you? What are your future plans? You seemed quite enamored with Lady Williams. What are your intentions toward the young lady?” Miles asked.
What were his intentions? He honestly wasn’t sure.
Noah was seven and twenty, too young to marry in his opinion. A better age would be thirty; at least, that’s when he’d always thought it would be a good time to marry. However, his friend’s question gave him pause. It was true he’d enjoyed his time with Lady Williams while at Fleming Manor. Bettina was witty, charming, had a great sense of humor, and he couldn’t deny she was quite beautiful.
“I’m not sure yet.”
“Really, Noah? Can you honestly say you’re not nursing a tendre for her?”
“Well, I don’t wish to marry yet, and it would be unfair to Lady Williams to give her false hope that our connection might lead to marriage,” Noah said.
“Noah, don’t be a fool like Robertson. You won’t know whether you suit if you don’t court her properly. Take the time to get to know the lady, and then you can decide,” Miles said.
Noah sipped his brandy while his hand slipped into his pocket to make sure Bettina’s letter was still there. He knew the wordsby heart, he’d read it so many times since she left it for him the day she departed the house party.
Mr. Hughes,
I apologize that I cannot deliver this message to you in person, but I must leave the house party earlier than expected. Lady Armstrong and I will be departing at first light.
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our time together, and I very much look forward to seeing you again. I reside with my brother-in-law, Baron Williams, at Crenshaw Manor in Albury.
In friendship,
Lady Williams
Wasn’t it a sign that he’d carried her letter with him wherever he went for the past fortnight? Albury was located not far from Guilford, where he’d attended the house party, and it would only be a day’s ride from London to visit her. Though he hadn’t made plans to see her yet.
What was holding him back? He honestly couldn’t put his finger on it.
