The carriage rolled smoothly along the wide road, wheels.
Noel sat on the forward-facing seat, alone. He had almost insisted on riding by himself when he thought an argument about seating would flare up again, and for once they had listened.
He leaned back against the squabs with his arms folded loosely across his chest. The silence was almost peaceful.
Evelina sat beside Arthur on the opposite seat. She kept her promise by remaining silent. Her hands were folded in her lap, eyes fixed on the window, though Noel could see the way her fingers twisted the fabric of her skirt every few seconds.
Arthur sat beside her, with his eyes fixed on Noel.
Noel enjoyed the quiet for perhaps ten minutes. Then curiosity got the better of him.
He shifted.
"Where exactly are we headed?" he asked.
Arthur's lips curved.
"A restaurant first," he said. "You barely ate at breakfast. I won't have you fainting from hunger before we reach your house."
