The Temptation of a Gentleman (8 page)

Tabitha folded her arms with an incredulous smirk. “Somehow I doubt that. Tell me, are you on a case?”

Noah coughed. “What are you talking about?”

Though he assumed his parents might have guessed about his duties in the War Department over the years, neither one had ever confronted him about the life he lead. It was a subject they all avoided, for both their sakes.

She folded her arms. “Don’t pretend as if I don’t know what you and Audrey were up to all those years. If you’re here to catch some spy, at least I have a right-”

“
No spies, Mother. I promise you that,” he interrupted as he took her hands. “I’m here because I’ve neglected Woodbury too long. And you.” He saw the lingering doubt in her eyes.

She pursed her lips. “If you’re truly here to take up your duties, I’d be happy to arrange for a party in your honor. You’d have the opportunity to meet the country folk and local gentry, as well as do whatever
other
activities you’re trying to keep from me.”

Noah laughed at her saucy expression, but was touched by her offer. She loathed a crowd now, it troubled her to be surrounded by people without his father beside her. In life she hadn’t depended on the man for support, but in death she longed for what she’d taken for granted. So did Noah.

“
We could even invite the Ives family,” his mother continued with a sidelong glance at him. “It’s been some time since I saw Lady Charlotte.”

The thought of Charlotte coming into his case and his home left him uneasy. The last person he wanted to see was the woman he planned to marry when Marion filled his every thought.

“
No, no parties right now.” He waved off her suggestion. “If you’d like to host a small event, perhaps we could have a picnic with a few selected families from the shire. There will be plenty of time for parties and balls later.”

“
Later when you make your offer for Charlotte?”

Noah stiffened at this second mention of his future bride. How he’d tried to keep her from his mind, her and his blasted promise. It was impossible.

“
When I return to London at the end of the month I intend to speak with her father,” he admitted.

Tabitha sighed. “Well, I’m pleased with your choice, of course. There’s nothing unpleasant about the young woman. But as I look into your eyes, I wonder if this is the right decision for you?”

“
Why would you say that?” Noah’s tone was sharper than he’d intended it to be. His mother’s concerns were valid. Plus, there was that twinge of guilt he felt. He’d been trying his best to forget the other woman existed, let alone that he planned to marry her.

“
Although I encouraged her to match for other reasons, Audrey found love. And she’s never been so happy or content,” his mother said. Her eyes grew sad when she continued, “But Ginny did as she was told and matched with a man who could bring her the security I thought was so important. She’s miserable and blames us…
me
for her lot in life. I don’t want another one of my children to make that same mistake.”

Noah thought briefly of his youngest sister, Ginny. Before his father’s death, his mother had been much more driven to marry her children to mates who would move them forward in Society. Ginny had obeyed, and now was truly miserable with a man who didn’t love her.

“
I’m certainly not Ginny. And I’m sure I’ll grow to love Marion.” He stopped in horror as he realized he’d said another name instead of his intended’s.

“
I mean, Charlotte,” he corrected, but his mother’s gaze was already honed in on him and there was a startled look on her face.

“
Noah…”

“
I’m sorry.” He set his cup down. “I would love to continue this discussion, but I have something I must do before supper.”

With that, he walked out on his mother. He heard her call his name one more time as he hurried down the hallway, but strode on. Once he’d reached the front door, he whistled for Phantom to be brought to him. As he rode off, he shook his head. He’d never left his mother like that before. It was wrong. But she said things that hit too close to the mark. Things about marriage. Love.

Love was something he didn’t want to consider. It didn’t fit into his carefully laid plans.

***

Marion tossed the book in her hand aside, letting out a soft curse as it hit the floor and skidded under a chair across the room. As interesting as the matchmaking attempts of
Emma
were, Marion could no more concentrate on them than she could a boring treatise on commerce in modern England. All she could manage to think about was Noah Jordan.

“
Ridiculous girl,” she chided herself softly. “As if a man like him would ever think twice about a no one like you.”

“
Beg your pardon, miss?”

Marion turned with a blush at being caught muttering to herself. “Nothing, Sally,” she said to the girl at the door. “Was there something you needed?”

“
There’s a message for you, miss.” Sally held out a silver tray with a note.

Marion barely resisted the urge to grab it greedily. “Thank you.”

When the other woman was gone, she turned the letter over to look at it carefully. Her name was written in a bold hand across the face of the envelope and her heart began to beat faster. Noah, only Noah would send her a message.

She nearly tore the note in half as she opened it and threw herself into the nearest settee. As her eyes scanned the paper, she noted the strength that even his handwriting exuded.

Meet me in the rose garden, N.

She read it over once more. Her father and Lucas had gone out for a few hours, so she had time for a secret meeting. She thrilled at the adventure of that thought as she stuffed the note into the pocket of her pelisse. As she hurried into the foyer, Sally looked up.

“
Is everything all right, miss?”

Marion turned back. She had to calm down or the whole house would suspect her! The smile on her face seemed false and stiff, but she said, “Oh yes, just going for a stroll in the garden.”

“
Very good, Miss Marion,” the girl said with a tiny curtsey. “You just seem a bit flushed.”

“
It must be this humid heat.” She waved her hand around in the air. “Perhaps I’ll find some relief in the shade.”

Sally nodded as she returned to her duties. “I hope so, miss. Have a nice walk.”

Marion nodded, then turned and strolled casually to the door. Seemed she had much to learn about sneaking around. She didn’t want the household to become suspicious of her activities and report them to Josiah Lucas or her father.

Once she was outside, Marion gave two quick glances around, then took off at a brisk walk toward the rose garden. Noah had chosen a spot that was close enough to the house that it seemed casual, yet private enough where they could talk.

When she finally reached the small area where tended roses bloomed in their last gasp of summer, Marion didn’t see Noah. With a frown, she took a few more hurried steps through the bushes.

“
You look as though you’re trying to escape a fire, not meet a friend.”

Marion spun around to find Noah sitting on one of the low benches in the middle of the garden. He was sprawled out with one foot pulled up on the bench. He held a red rose in his hand. As she took a step closer, he held it out to her.

“
We’ll have to work on the expression of panic on your face, as well,” he teased as she took the flower with a blush.

“
I’m sorry.” Marion sat down on the bench, but left a respectable amount of distance between them. “I was just so happy to get your message. After you left yesterday, I wasn’t certain you’d come back, at all.”

A guilty look crossed his face. “I’m sorry to have worried you, Marion. You must understand your proposition surprised me. I needed some time to consider your request.”

“
And have you had enough time now?”

He nodded slowly. “I believe so.”

She waited for him to continue, but he was silent. In frustration she asked, “Well, what was your decision? I don’t think I can bear the tension any longer.”

He let out his breath slowly and nodded. “You were very honest with me yesterday, Marion. You shared an embarrassing secret about your father and Mr. Lucas, and then a pleasant one about your aunts. I assume that means you have some level of trust in me.”

Marion bit her lower lip as she thought of some of the details she’d left out when she’d told Noah about the marriage arrangement she so wanted to avoid. But that wasn’t a matter of trust, that was a matter of avoiding complete humiliation.

“
Do I take your silence to mean that you don’t trust me?”

Marion shook her thoughts away. “Oh no, I
do
. I wouldn’t have asked for your help if I didn’t.”

“
Good.” Relief swept over his face. “Then I feel I can trust you, as well. What I’m about to tell you is something very few people know. I need it to stay that way.”

Marion’s eyes widened. “I won’t breathe a word.”

“
I’m afraid I’ve been misleading you.” Noah held her gaze. “I’m not here in Woodbury for the reasons you believe me to be.”

She was drawn in by the serious seductiveness of his tone and the gleam in his eyes. “Then why are you here?”

“
Marion, I’m a spy for His Majesties War Department. I’m here on a case.”

Noah had been forced to tell people about his role in the government before. Most took the news with the seriousness afforded it. Marion tilted her head back with a peal of laughter.

“
Marion.”

He glanced around to make sure her outburst hadn’t drawn unwanted attention to them. Had she become hysterical after the stress of the past few days?

“
You know.” With a sigh, she wiped away her tears of mirth. “If you don’t want to help me, you only have to say no. You don’t have to concoct some kind of silly story meant to impress and mislead me.”

Noah opened and shut his mouth. Women cooed over him, they fawned over him… they did
not
laugh at him.

He stood up. “I-I’m not concocting a story. I’ve served the government for ten years.”

She giggled.

“
On dangerous missions,” he insisted.

She nodded as she tried in vain to control her laughter. “I’m sure you have.”

“
I kept the Prince Regent from being assassinated not one year ago!” His voice went up two levels as his frustration grew. With a grimace, he checked the immediate area for listeners.

Marion looked at him with pinched lips and eyes full of wonder, but didn’t say anything for a moment.

“
Well?” he snapped.

“
I’m trying to decide if you’re being serious or if you’re simply daft.” She folded her hands on her lap. “I no longer think you’re lying, though.”

“
Well, thank God for that.” With a grunt, he threw himself back into the seat. “I so enjoy being called crazy rather than a liar.”

“
I’m sorry, Noah,” she said with a small smile for his sarcasm. “You must admit it’s difficult to believe.”

He frowned. It had never been difficult for the women he’d told before to believe. In fact, they’d been so impressed with the fact that many had fallen into his bed because of his status in the Department alone. But Marion wasn’t like those women. Marion wasn’t like anyone he’d ever known.

“
I can see why it might be difficult for you to believe,” he said through clenched teeth. “But I promise you, it’s true. I can provide references if you wish.”

When she looked closely at him, something in her face changed. “No. I believe you. I’d forgotten yesterday…”

“
What about yesterday?”

“
Yesterday there was a moment where you looked so dangerous.” She shivered. “I can believe you’re a spy when I think of how you appeared in that instant.”

Noah’s blood moved quicker through his veins at her words. There was something very sensual about her finding him dangerous. Something that made him want to prove just how dangerous he could be.

He cleared his throat. “A-at any rate, the reason I’m telling you this is because I need your help.”

“
My
help?” Marion eyes widened. She’d been so focused on him telling her about his secrets that she’d almost forgotten how they related to her.

“
Yes.” Noah smiled as if he could read her thoughts. “I’m here in Woodbury not only to begin my duties as Marquis, but because I’m hunting a dangerous man, a man who may have committed a murder.”

Now she again wondered if he was teasing her. “Are you trying to impress me by being vague?”