Chapter 25: Innocent invitation

Eve had hoped that her words would be enough to shrug Mr. Humphrey away from her and would send him on his way, but it seemed like he was too intent on walking her back home.

"I think Miss Barlow is right, Mr. Humphrey," stated Mr. Sullivan, the polite smile still etched on his lips, "She and I have matters to discuss, and it would take time. I don't think it would be right to have a respectful gentleman like yourself following us. If it makes you feel better, I will make sure to see that the lady is safely seen at her house."

Before Mr. Humphrey could say something more, Mr. Sullivan offered a slight bow, and both he and Eve started to walk away from there.

Eve didn't turn back to look at Mr. Humphrey, and while looking ahead, she said, "Thank you for that, Mr. Sullivan."

"You are welcome. Though I do not blame him, you are a lovely woman and anyone would enjoy your company," Noah complimented Eve, and her cheeks turned slightly red out of bashfulness.

It was because Eve was aware that Noah Sullivan wasn't someone who handed out compliments, especially women, as they hoped to catch his attention one day. He was a gentleman compared to most of the men she had met until now.

Eve waved her hand, which held the umbrella, "You are being generous, Mr. Sullivan."ᴘᴀ ɴ ᴅᴀ n ᴏ ᴠᴇʟ

"I am not," replied Noah, looking at her. The soft smile on his lips didn't leave, and Eve cleared her throat before asking him,

ραꪒⅆα-ꪒꪫꪥꫀ​ꪶ​ "The head guard addressed you as Duke. Did your father pass down the title for you to take over the position?"

"He did," Mr. Sullivan nodded, and Eve, who was walking, stopped and offered a deep bow.

"Congratulations on taking the position as Woodlock's Duke, Mr. Sullivan," Eve wished him.

"Thank you, Miss Barlow. I can only hope to uphold and do justice to the title," replied Noah as they walked.

"Is it any different? From being a normal person to becoming a Duke?" Eve asked in curiosity. pᴀɴda nᴏvel

Noah held a thoughtful expression on his face for a second before he shook his head. "I don't think I noticed any difference apart from the duties that come from being a Duke. But I am guessing that I will be frequenting to Meadow to discuss things with the magistrate."

That meant she would be able to see the man more, thought Eve to herself, and she smiled with that thought.

"How was your job interview today?" Noah inquired, noticing her carrying a box tied in a cloth and her umbrella.

Eve beamed at his question like an excited child. She said, "I finally got the job."

"That is wonderful. Congratulations, Miss Barlow. It is well deserved," Mr. Sullivan looked pleased. "It is good to know that your hard work has finally bore fruits. God bless the family who decided to hire you as a governess. It must be a kind family."

Eve smiled, unsure if the word kind was suitable to be used for the family, but remembering the little girl, she nodded in agreement. She replied,

"Yes, the little girl to whom I am acting governess to, she is a well behaved child and doesn't trouble me."

"I am happy for you. This is something you have been looking forward to for more than five years, is it?" Asked Noah, and Eve nodded.

"I am too," replied Eve, and as she said this, her stomach growled. It was loud enough for the man walking next to her to hear it, and a chuckle escaped from his lips. "My apologies," she awkwardly smiled.

"Please, don't be. It seems like you have been too immersed with your new job and forgot to have your meal?"

Already known to be clumsy, Eve decided only to smile and decided not to explain the mishap that was caused in the Moriarty mansion.

Noah then offered her, "How about I treat you to the inn's food today? It was unfortunate that I wasn't able to invite you to the celebration of me becoming a Duke. As friends, we should celebrate that you are officially a governess and I am a Duke."

"Friends?" she hadn't meant to blurt it out.

Noah smiled at her, "I am sure that a Duke and a governess can be friends."

"We can," replied Eve in slight awe.

Though Eve and Noah spoke to each other, there had been no label between them until now. Hearing they were friends brought a smile to her lips.

And as delightful as Noah's offer sounded, Eve wasn't sure if it would be proper for her to accept it. After all, they were both unmarried. But at the same time, no woman in her right mind would refuse a meal with the handsome and kind man.

"You do not have to worry about the inn. It will be the one which is popular and not in a dark corner," said Noah, already considering her feelings and his words made her smile.

"Forgive me, Mr. Sullivan. I would, but my aunt might worry if I don't return home on said time," replied Eve, hoping Mr. Sullivan wouldn't take offense to her refusal. "But, maybe some other time?"

"How about lunch on Sunday? You can extend my invitation to Lady Aubrey. And Eugene, was it?" Noah made sure he got the man's name right, and Eve nodded. "Let us have lunch together, this way there is no need for your aunt to worry," he assured her.

A smile spread on Eve's lips, and she nodded, "They would be delighted to join you for lunch. Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Sullivan."

As they continued to walk, silence came to fall between them. The chatter of people, the sound of the carriage wheels, and the clopping of the horses' hooves surrounded them.

As they neared her home, Mr. Sullivan said, "You are brave to have spoken to a head guard like that today. Did the scene that took place make you uncomfortable?"

Eve slightly pursed her lips and nodded, "It did. I do not understand how people can treat each other like this. Do people's lives not matter?"

Noah's face looked as if there was a faint smile, and at the same time, it wasn't. He replied, "Every life matters. But the world we live in, it runs differently. There is more bad than there is good. It is why we need to preserve the little light that still exists. What we can do is watch our backs and the ones we care about, without getting into light."

"Like getting into trouble with the head guard," Eve murmured to herself, and her eyes met Noah's black eyes.

It was just that she knew if one day she would be dragged into the cage, she would want someone to stand up for her and stop the guards.

"You have a kind heart, Miss Barlow," remarked Noah, and they stopped near the front of her house gate. He looked straight into her eyes and said, "But you should know that coming under the radar of authorities' eyes will get you into trouble."

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