Noble audibly snorted; it was all well and good for young women to believe in love at first sight, (although Noble doubted that any of their sisters did,) but luckily Ford and Noble were more realistic. Maybe Swann did believe in love at first sight, though. He didn't have to be smart — he just had to be a decent husband for Verity. (Noble's expectations for potential brothers-in-law had really gone downhill after the nothing of a season and especially after the kidnapping.)

"Maybe he has a bit of a savior complex going on," Noble suggested, "He rescued her at the Sanditon and decided he's in love. That's fine." It was also stupid, but it was fine. It was harmless. And Swann probably was harmless — Noble just needed to convince himself.

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