Chapter 52

Eve looked at Noah from the corner of her eyes. The way he said it quickly, it was as if he didn’t like the idea of them being a couple. She and Noah took their seats at the table, sitting on opposite sides while facing each other, and the woman took their order and left to inform the cook in the kitchen.

Mr. Sullivan was a man whom Eve admired, and held high regard for him. It wasn’t like she was in love with him, but at the same time, she couldn’t help but question if Mr. Sullivan found her unsuitable to be his life partner. Was there something disagreeable about her?

Eve’s blue eyes wandered around where they sat before they came to settle on Noah, who was already looking at her, and he smiled at her kindly. She smiled back at him.

“Have you been here before?” Noah asked her. When the woman returned to the table with two glasses of water, they thanked her.

“This is my first time,” answered Eve, and Noah looked slightly surprised.

“You picked this place as if you have already tried and tasted the food. What made you choose this?” Noah took a more relaxed posture by letting his back lean against the wooden chair.

“Someone I know spoke very highly of this place,” Eve picked up the glass of water to her lips and took a sip.

The woman was her friend and enemy, Heather, who liked to show off to her on how good her life was. The woman had boasted about how she and her husband came here once every three weeks to eat.

“If it is someone you know, then this place must indeed be a commendable one. Not to mention, there are already a decent number of customers at this hour,” stated Noah, his eyes observing the customers seated and talking whilst they waited for their food. “It is a pity that your aunt fell ill and she couldn’t join us along with your coachman. Hopefully she feels better soon.”

Eve agreed, “I hope for the same. How do you feel about the position of Duke? Has it been well and easy?” She inquired.

“More than well. I spent a lot of time in the study room. Going through the information about the town which were stored by the previous Dukes,” replied Noah, and he placed his hands on the table’s surface. “The beginning month or year is never easy as it will take time to adjust and the people to get adjusted to how we work. Is it the same for you?”

“In being a governess?” Eve asked Noah, and he nodded. “I think on some level, but I think a week more everything should be much more smoother. The little girl whom I teach, she’s been able to pick up quickly.”

“That’s good to hear. I know it isn’t easy when it comes to handling children, but knowing you, you must be excellent at it.”

As this was the first time for her to be sitting alone with a man, without Lady Aubrey or Eugene around, it would be a lie if Eve said she wasn’t slightly nervous. Clearing her throat, she said, “Will you excuse me for a moment, I would need to take a visit to the powder room.”

“Of course,” replied Noah, getting up along with Eve, and she left the table.

Outside Lily’s Inn, a posh-looking carriage driven by four horses stopped right in front of the inn. The coachman of the carriage quickly jumped from his seat and opened the carriage door.

The coachman bowed his head and announced at the door, “Master Vincent, we have reached the inn.”

Vincent stepped down from the carriage, unbothered about the dust settling on his spotless black shoes. Miss Rosetta, still in the carriage in a terrible mood, gathered the front of her dress, and when she stepped down, she noticed a wrinkle on her dress and started to make it proper.

Ready to scold Mr. Moriarty, whom her father had decided for her to meet, she turned, only to have her mouth hang open. The man had distinct coloured hair, and his facial features were sharp and strong. He looked like a sculpture that had come to life.

Blown away by the good-looking man, she decided to put his earlier rudeness behind her.

“This is the Inn where we will be having our meal today,” stated Vincent, looking at the surroundings before his coppery-brown eyes fell on the brattish young lady, who now sweetly smiled at him.

Miss Rosetta had never seen a man this handsome until now, and she decided to put her learnings into good use. She bowed at him, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Moriarty. I am Rosetta Hooke. I am glad that our parents made this arrangement for us to meet today.”

“I know,” came the uninterested words from Vincent, and he turned to look at the entrance of the inn, “I am famished.”

Miss Rosetta coyly tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear and then said, “I am not particularly hungry, but I would be more than happy to join y—” she stopped talking when her eyes fell away from the man to look at the surroundings. “This is not Hollow Valley.”

“This is Thresk Hill, milady,” it was the coachman who cleared her doubt.

The young lady nervously laughed and turned to look at Vincent. She sweetly expressed, “We are supposed to have lunch somewhere in Hollow Valley. What are we doing here, Mr. Moriarty?”

“To eat. You aren’t too bright, are you?” Vincent asked her, and Miss Rosetta’s face turned bright one more time.

Miss Rosetta crossed her arms and said, “I am not going to be having my lunch in this wretched looking place. I demand that we leave for Hollow Valley now!”

“Briggs, park the carriage,” ordered Vincent, making his way towards the inn’s entrance. The young lady looked at him with disbelief when he said,

“You can either eat here, or starve. Suit yourself.”