Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

N oelle stood at the side of the main ballroom at Willis’ Rooms, surveying the crowd before her. She had asked around as surreptitiously as she could about Cooper Hartwell’s suspected activities. She had heard from their sole remaining maid who had heard from another maid who had heard from her lady that the lady’s mother, Lady Burton, had invited him to her charity event held for the orphans at the hospital in St. Giles.

Noelle was well aware that this event was constructed only to give Lady Burton something to do and help others believe she was a most benevolent benefactor.

But if it helped others in the process, then so be it.

Noelle, of course, would be unable to add anything of significance to the purse for the orphans, but her presence here would have to suffice.

Her perusal of the room had to pause for a moment, however, when she was joined by one of her closest friends, Hattie George, daughter of Lady Burton herself.

“Hattie, how lovely to see you!” Noelle said with a large smile for her friend.

“I am so glad you came,” Hattie said, taking her hand. “I was worried there would be no one in this room worth speaking to.”

“I always find events such as these of great interest,” Noelle said, “for it is not just the usual invitees that we typically find in attendance.”

“Do you notice how divided the room is?” Hattie whispered. “It is as though we asked the ton to stand on one side and the newly rich on the other. Although, there is a great deal of interest from one side in the other.”

“The unfamiliar holds great intrigue, is that not so?” Noelle said with a raised eyebrow.

“This is true,” Hattie agreed. “Anyway, this is the last event that we will attend, let alone host, before we leave for the country. Will you be staying in London?”

“No, I do not suppose I will be,” Noelle said, bitterness touching her lips. For they would not be leaving simply because the Season was over. Instead, it was because they would have to sell their London home and retreat to the one property left – the entailed estate, which they couldn’t sell even if they wanted to.

Which they didn’t, for that would be saying farewell to all they had ever held dear.

“If you and your father are alone for Christmas, you know you are always welcome to come stay with us,” Hattie said cheerfully. Noelle appreciated this, for Hattie was the one person she had trusted with a few of her secrets, including the fact that they were in debt—although she hadn’t told her just how much so.

“Thank you, Hattie, that is kind,” Noelle said, although her attention suddenly wavered.

She had been looking for Cooper Hartwell since she had arrived, based on the description she had been provided. Noelle had assumed that when she was finished with this conversation, she would have to seek him out, but it didn’t seem that was going to be necessary.

She knew the moment he entered the room. The crowd seemed to part as he walked through them, his enigmatic authority causing a stir. That wasn’t the only reason he captured her attention, however. The moment Noelle caught sight of him, her stomach twisted into a ball of knots, for she had to prevent herself from walking toward him.

It was the first time Noelle had seen him, yet she knew it was him before Hattie even said anything.

He was tall, his shoulders broad, his dark hair swirling over his forehead in a swoop. As he passed, his eyes flicked over them, and Noelle had to force herself to swallow when she saw the glint in those navy blue eyes that passed over her.

“Cooper Hartwell,” Hattie confirmed. “Mother will be absolutely thrilled he attended. He is always known for his generous donations.”

“Do you know him well?” Noelle asked once she found her voice, and her friend shook her head.

“No. Mother has suggested inviting him to a few house parties, but Father will not hear of it – at least not yet. I do believe that he is weakening. Soon, we will be unable to ignore the fact that there are men such as he who have wealth far greater than those such as my father and yours have ever had.”

Or their ancestors ever did.

“Do you believe it?” Noelle asked. “That such men could threaten our way of life?”

“It is not as though they are going to inherit a title or enter the House of Lords,” Hattie said with a shrug. “So no, I do not believe so.”

Before Noelle could continue, Hattie sighed, and Noelle followed her gaze across the room to where Lady Burton was waving her hand toward Hattie, the feathers on her hat bobbing emphatically with the effort.

“My mother is calling for me, likely to have me try to charm some young man into parting with some of his riches. I do not know why she continues to believe I can do so. She is far too used to my sister. Hermione is much better at such flirtations than I could ever be. She must have already been put to work.”

“Be yourself, Hattie, and they will be charmed,” Noelle said with a parting smile to her friend before she slipped into the crowd, trying to make herself invisible. Lady Burton had hired artists for the event who sat in the middle of the room, painting anyone brave enough to pose as a subject. It was actually rather intriguing.

She caught sight of Mr. Hartwell and stopped near him, pretending to watch one of the painters at work as she eavesdropped on his conversation.

“Trenton,” he was saying in a low voice that Noelle could only just make out. “Not helpful.”

“You said you were trying to find a wife!” the other man exclaimed, his accent rough and his tone pleading. “This girl seemed desperate.”

“ She was desperate for a man. Her father is half as wealthy as I am. They don’t need me. The family has to be desperate for my wealth to agree to me. The woman can’t be invested in this relationship. I’m not a monster.”

Well, this was interesting. Why would a man like Cooper Hartwell seek a bride – and a bride who required his riches?

“How long ’til you’ll be rid of the girl?”

My goodness, was he planning a murder?

“Until after Christmas. By then, I should be able to make my connections and let her go quietly. We’d agree on a reasonable explanation to prevent scandal.”

He lowered his head, his voice too quiet for Noelle to hear the rest of the conversation, but she had heard enough. Perhaps Cooper Hartwell might have more to offer her than simply assistance retrieving their lost investment. A family desperate for wealth? She was part of one. A woman who would not be too invested in the relationship? She was the girl. She only had to ensure that her family didn’t walk away without compensation.

“Mr. Hartwell, is it?” she said, boldly stepping beside him.

He tilted his head toward her, taking his time perusing her from her head to toes and back again before his lips curled in greeting, although not quite a smile.

“I do not believe I have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance,” he said, his voice more cultured than it had been before when speaking to his brother, low and rumbling, stirring some previously dormant desire deep in her core.

“I am Lady Noelle Sinclair,” she said. “I believe you know my father, Lord Walters.”

“I have heard of him,” he said, his navy blue eyes glinting immediately in recognition. Noelle wasn’t sure if that was a good sign or a bad one, but she would have to accept it.

“I understand this is rather untoward, but would you come to speak with me somewhere more private?”

“Will your father be accompanying us?”

“No. But he will approve of what I must speak to you about. I can promise you that.”

“As much as doing so is likely a rather poor decision on my part, you have me intrigued, Lady Noelle,” he said in that deep voice that caused her very soul to vibrate. “And that is a feat, indeed.”

Cooper followed the mysterious young woman through the ballroom, out the doors, and into a small alcove overlooking the gathered crowd below. It would be the perfect place for a tryst, not that he was out to ruin anyone. He was here to entice a young lady, not entrap one.

However, if there was ever a temptress, she was walking in front of him, the picture of grace and elegance. Her presence effortlessly commanded attention, as she had approached him with confidence yet without a hint of arrogance.

Her auburn hair was pulled back away from her face into a low chignon at her neck in the polished style of the day. Unruly tendrils escaped it, however, as though she had a spirit within her that was trying to break free.

As much as he enjoyed watching her walk before him, he longed to see her face again. He recalled the luminous skin that glowed naturally over high cheekbones, a delicate nose, and a well-defined jawline, with deep, expressive, warm brown eyes gazing up at him. Full and naturally tinted, her lips curved into a smile that lit up her face, even if he could tell she had ulterior motives in mind. What those were remained to be seen.

When she finally found a place in the shadows that she deemed appropriate, she stopped and turned to him as she sat.

He had no choice but to obey, even though it put them in decidedly close proximity.

“So, tell me, Lady Noelle,” he drawled, wanting to set her in as much unease as he felt, “what can I do for you?”

“I have a problem,” she said promptly.

“Doesn’t everyone?”

“They do. That is exactly the point.”

“Continue.”

He couldn’t decide whether he wanted her to get straight to it or draw this out to give him additional opportunity to listen to her speak. Which wasn’t like him at all. Usually, he didn’t stand for bullshit.

“You have a problem as well,” she continued, and he couldn’t help but smirk back at her.

“Do I, now?”

“You do. I overheard you speaking to your brother.”

“You were listening to me?” he made a tsking sound, chastising her outwardly, even though he was cursing his brother and himself inwardly. He should have known better. Someone always overheard things at such events. He should have left Trenton at home.

“I was standing near you and couldn’t help but hear,” she said with a shrug. “It wasn’t purposefully. That is why some conversations are best to be had in private. As we are doing now.”

He could only nod, his jaw tight. She was right, even if he didn’t like it.

“I am guessing that you have brought me here because you have a solution to both of our problems?”

“Ah, Mr. Hartwell, luck alone did not create your success.”

“Most assuredly not.”

“Well, then, my bright investor, here is the situation.” She took a breath, and for the first time, Cooper saw the vulnerability hovering in her eyes, and he realized that it would cost her to share this piece of information with him. “You were involved in an investment recently that turned out to be nothing more than a scam.”

“Sanderson’s railroad,” he said curtly, annoyed all over again.

“Yes.” She nodded. “My father was part of that as well. Do you see any scenario where we will ever see this money again?”

“No,” he said, pursing his lips. “We were all fools for providing any bit of our wealth. Albert Sanderson is gone and our money with him. It’s not worth the effort to chase him down.”

“I was afraid you would say that, although I had hoped that a man like you might better understand how we might recover it. It might not be worth your effort, but it could mean everything to my father.”

“If your reason for bringing me here is to try to convince me to help you, then I am afraid that I will have to disappoint you,” he said, finding that she wasn’t the only one who might be disappointed. He had been hoping she had a more intriguing offer.

The truth was, he was becoming bored with his usual business plans, and he had rather hoped that Lady Noelle might have something of interest for him. But it was just the usual – someone searching for a bleeding heart that he most assuredly did not possess.

“That is not all,” she said, placing a hand over his when he stood to walk away, holding him there. He tried to ignore the tingle where her hand had touched his.

“No?”

Was that his heart rate increasing in pace? Usually, only the thrill of a new business deal caused it to pick up.

“I have a proposal for you, Mr. Hartwell,” she said, meeting his eyes.

He should walk away. What could this girl possibly have to offer him that he could be enticed to accept? Yet he couldn’t seem to tear himself away.

“Yes?”

“Marry me.”