Page 22 of The Scholar's Key
“Oh, my lady, I would never—”
“Of course. But just in case,” Percy said, knowing that as loyal as her maid was to her, if she thought that Percy had serious interest in Noah, it would be running through the house quicker than a mouse in mid-winter.
“Ah, here comes James as well.”
“James?” Noah repeated.
“The valet.”
“Right.”
“James, this is Mr. Rowley,” she said, introducing him to the servant, who bowed. “Mr. Rowley, James is prepared for you in one of the unused bedchambers.”
Noah looked from the valet and back at her. “Where he is going to cut my hair?”
“Yes. James is very talented. Not to worry, I have ensured that you are in the best of hands.”
She beamed at him with what she hoped he understood was encouragement before he sighed and left. Percy sat down to wait for him, pulling out the latest book of their club as she did so. She had to admit that while Hope’s pick was rather sweet and cheerful, it was not nearly romantic enough for her liking.
She wondered how long James and Noah would take.
She couldn’t wait to see what he looked like.
For the benefit of their ruse, of course. And nothing else.
* * *
Noah staredat himself in the vanity mirror in front of him as the servant stood behind him, his tools laid out before him. Was his appearance truly so contrary that he required such a drastic change?
“Mr. Rowley,” the valet said politely, “before I begin, do you have a preference in what I do? Lady Percy has provided some direction, however, I would prefer to have your permission—”
Noah waved his hand in the air. “Whatever she said is fine.”
“Very well. If you would like me to change anything as I proceed, please do say.”
Noah nodded as the valet began. He was slow yet meticulous, and Noah began to ease slightly into the chair, no longer quite as concerned that the man might butcher him or, worse yet, be unsure of his way with the blade and cause irreversible damage. If Percy said he was the best, he would have to trust that he was the best.
“Would it be possible to remove your spectacles?”
Noah nodded, even though it meant that now he was truly giving all of his trust to the man, for everything past his nose was obscured.
“Very well,” he said setting them down. “Go ahead now. Tell me when I can return them. Did you know the first wearable glasses came into being in Italy in the 13thcentury? Glass blowers made lenses of different thicknesses for wearers to try. It would be another four centuries, however, until an extension was added over the ears.”
He looked up, sensing James staring at him as he remained motionless, holding a razor in his hand. Noah realized he wasn’t sure how to respond.
“As you were,” Noah said.
About an hour later, James stepped back away from him. “I believe I am finished now, my lord.”
Noah reached out, finding his spectacles and sliding them on his nose, blinking as he stared at himself in the mirror. He recognized his face, but even it appeared altered with the change in his style. He tilted his head, studying himself.
“Is it satisfactory?” the valet asked.
“Yes,” Noah said, nodding, for it was. He couldn’t say exactly why, but it was a good change. The valet had reduced his sideburns and modernized the style of his hair on top so that it was longer over his forehead compared to the sides, which were cut shorter. The small bit of facial hair he had worn for years now was gone, and he rubbed his hand over his clean-shaven chin.
“Thank you, James,” he finally said. “You did well.”
“Of course,” the man said as he tidied his tools and Noah eased himself out of the chair and walked toward the staircase, back to where Percy would be waiting. His stomach did an odd dip and roll, as he worried over what she might think when she saw him, how she would react… and why her opinion mattered so much to him.
