Page 65 of The Scholar's Key
Percy stepped forward with her mother but turned to Noah. “Will you call on me?”
He shook his head slowly, the triumphant haze of the night dissipating as reality began to settle in once more. “I do not think that is wise.”
“Noah—”
But her mother shut the door before she could finish, leaving him standing out in the mews alone until he began the walk home.
He wasn’t sure what she had wanted him to say, but the truth was, she was better off with a man like Lord Stephen – even if she didn’t realize it yet.
* * *
“And then hewhat?”Cassandra listened to her tale with rapt attention. Percy was sitting next to her on the sofa, her voice low as she whispered her story. When she was finished, Cassandra sat back, blinking. Percy knew her friend wouldn’t have been shocked by her indiscretion – if anyone could understand, it would be Cassandra – but likely, rather by the part Noah had played through the story.
“I don’t understand,” Cassandra said, waving away the pastry tray when a maid brought it in and placed it in front of them, her face turning rather green. “Why would he not say anything? Or offer for you? I do not believe Mr. Rowley is a man who frequently beds various women – one would think it would mean something for him to do so. Besides, I have seen the way he looks at you.”
“Like what?”
“Like he loves you.”
“He does not!” Percy practically yelled, which only made Cassandra grin even wider.
“Do you love him?’
“I—I enjoy his company. I long for his touch. I feel safe with him. I know that he will take care of me and never allow any harm to come to me. I don’t feel that with Lord Stephen, but nor do I feel excitement with Lord Stephen either. The risk with him is not worth the potential reward. Lord Stephen… he makes my skin crawl, to be honest.”
“What does that tell you?”
Percy sighed. “I would like to get to know Noah better. But I need to answer my father tomorrow, and meanwhile, Noah will not even speak to me. While I am not sure if he loves me, I do have the feeling that he cares for me. Something is holding him back.”
Cassandra pursed her lips. “I think I know what it might be.”
“You do?”
“You cannot tell him that I told you. I only know because Devon told me, and I shouldn’t be breaking his trust. But I can see that you think this is about you and I need you to know it is not.”
“Very well,” Percy said, slightly uneasy that she could be causing controversy between Cassandra and her husband, but she couldn’t help the clawing need to know more about Noah’s past.
“Noah was all but betrothed to a woman. He did all as was proper. He courted her, spoke to her father, and considered their marriage all but complete.”
“But?”
Cassandra winced. “But then she met his brother, Eric, and realized just how handsome and single he was. She decided that he was the better brother.”
Percy gasped. “He took his brother’s intended?”
Cassandra shook her head. “Not purposely. Eric had been away and hadn’t realized that she and Mr. Rowley had an understanding. As soon as they met, they began a flirtation – although once he learned the truth, he put a stop to it immediately, of course. However, it would explain why Noah doesn’t believe that you would be interested in him over another.”
Percy wrinkled her nose. “Why would he think I would do the same as this woman?”
Cassandra shrugged. “Why wouldn’t he? It was what he knew to be true in the past so he likely has no cause to think it would be any different this time. Also, while Mr. Rowley is a pleasant man in all ways, he does not exactly stand out, nor does he have a title to attract women. Have you given him reason to think that you might choose him over another?”
Percy considered her actions with him the night before — even as she bristled at Cassandra’s description of Noah, though she could see why Cassandra might believe what she did. One didn’t see the true side of Noah until looking closer.
But in answer to Cassandra’s question, certainly, Noah must know that she would never give herself to a man if she had no intention of pursuing anything further with him – wouldn’t he?
“I told him that I cared for him,” she said. “I even asked if he had any thoughts about a future with me.”
“And then?”
