Page 68 of The Scholar's Key
“Do not go to London yet. I am to return to Castleton with Ashford shortly. Will you come with us for a short time?”
“Why?”
“Because you are good company. Because I feel that you need some levity right now. And because I should like you to see me off before I travel to Spain.”
“Are you truly going to do that?”
“Of course.” Eric grinned. “It’s the adventure that I’ve always dreamed about – even if you do not understand it yourself. Now, take a day or two to say your farewells to our aunt and uncle, allow them to understand how grateful you are for all that they have done for you, and then we shall leave for Castleton together. How does that sound?”
“I suppose it sounds all right.”
“Good,” Eric said with a smile. “It will all turn out as it should, Noah. You will see.”
Somehow, Noah didn’t quite believe him.
CHAPTER24
Noah couldn’t stop thinking about Percy.
Which was why, despite his better judgment, he agreed to see her just one last time before he left Bath – and all of the memories it held.
He wasn’t sure how to make it happen but was pleased when Ashford agreed to arrange their meeting, for no one would question Percy wanting to spend time with her friend, Lady Covington.
Noah was making his way through Milsom Street when a figure ahead of him made him stop directly where he stood in the middle of the busy street.
When he realized the identity of the woman walking closer toward him, he wanted to turn around and run the other way.
But it was too late. She had seen him.
“Noah! How are you?”
He took a deep breath, stepping to the side of the pavement to allow pedestrians to pass by while he made his greetings.
“Lady Turner. I am well. How are you?” he said, showing no signs of the familiarity she was bestowing upon him.
“I am fine. It is so good to see you,” she said, a slight smile on her lips. “It has been so long.”
“So it has.”
“What has happened since…”
“Since you married?” he finished for her, raising a brow. He looked around her to see that she was alone, but for a maid who was following behind with what appeared to be purchases. Leticia had always enjoyed the finer things in life – hence, why she had married someone with much more title and wealth after Eric had turned her down.
“I am researching and writing,” he said, desperate to finish this conversation. It was so strange seeing her again. He had remembered her and their relationship as so much more heightened. And yet now, seeing her, he felt… nothing. It was more so that he was already on edge about his upcoming conversation with Percy – one in which he was going to tell her goodbye. He didn’t need this now. It was an inconvenience over anything else.
“I see,” she said, not quite masking the grimace which he knew was because he was working. “And have you married?”
“No.”
Her face fell, and it was then he realized that she did, at least, feel some guilt at what she had done to him.
“How is Lord Turner?” he asked, doing his utmost to be polite.
“Fine.”
The conversation was stilted, and as Noah stared into the face of the woman he had thought he loved, a realization settled upon him – he had never loved her. Not like he had loved Percy. Letitia – Lady Turner – was beautiful, yes, but beauty faded in time and that was not what drew Noah to Percy. It was her spirit, her joy for life, her ability to love everyone around her. Which was why it would hurt so much more when she left him than it had when Letitia had done the same.
“I best be going now,” he said, tipping his hat toward her. “Goodbye, Lady Turner.”
