Noelle made her way back to the Spencer residence , lost in thought . Mary was already home from meeting Alan Marshall and had cooked a full spread for dinner . Every dish leaned sweet - just the way Noelle liked it . After days of sour , puckering meals at the Ashford residence , even the memory of the food there made Noelle's stomach churn . Noelle wrapped her arms around Mary . " Mom , you're the best . " Mary caught the hurt in Noelle's tone and teased , " What's wrong ? The Ashfords are filthy rich . Don't tell me they didn't even let you eat what you wanted . " She'd meant it as a joke , but it struck right at Noelle's sore spot . The Ashfords had never flat - out stopped Noelle from eating what she wanted , but Sabrina had insisted that she sit at the table for every meal just to flaunt her place in the family . The dishes on the Ashfords ' dining table were Sabrina's way of unsettling Noelle . They were a reminder of where they stood in the Ashford family - Sabrina high above , and Noelle far below . When Noelle suddenly fell silent , Mary realized she had hit a nerve . So , she quickly pulled Noelle into a seat and steered the topic away . " Noelle , did you see Sebastian at the Cole residence today ? " She wasn't just making small talk . After all , the Cole family's influence was rising fast . With Sebastian's birthday having attracted a crowd of well - wishers , they'd probably been swamped , and Noelle might not have had a chance to meet him . Noelle picked up her cutlery , sliced off a piece of glazed rib , and set it on Mary's plate . She paused , then said , " Yeah , I saw him . " Mary's face lit up . If Noelle had met Sebastian , it meant the Coles hadn't played any of their usual high- society games . Mary softly asked , almost tiptoeing around the question , " Do you see yourself with Sebastian ? " The question nearly made Noelle choke . She burst into a fit of coughing that didn't settle until she took a long gulp of water . Instead of answering Mary's question , she countered with one of her own . " Mom , the real question is , do you think Sebastian would ever like me ? " Her question made Mary pause , and her cutlery froze mid - air . After a moment of thought , Mary said , " He probably does . After all , the Coles were the ones who'd brought up the marriage . If he doesn't like you , why would he propose ? " In fact , the proposal had come the same week that news of Conner's accident broke . Chapter 17 2/2 Mary simply hadn't brought it up right away . After all , she knew how deeply Noelle and Conner had loved each other . With his accident still fresh in Noelle's mind , she might've taken offense at the proposal . Noelle picked up another piece of glazed rib but lost her appetite halfway . She set it in her bowl , her expression clouded in thought . Mary was right . If Sebastian didn't have feelings for her , why would he have proposed? Meanwhile , Mary couldn't make out what Noelle was thinking . So , she simply urged her to eat . " Noelle , didn't you say you love my glazed ribs ? Come on , have some more . I've been making them for you every day . " Noelle suddenly looked up and fixed her gaze on Mary . Then , she asked , " Mom , does Sebastian have some kind of hidden illness ? " Noelle had spent the past few years tucked away at the Ashford residence , rarely going out and barely socializing . Not to mention , she had little interest in the gossip circulating through Norland's elite circles and knew even less about it . Maybe Mary knew more . But Mary frowned , puzzled by the sudden question . " Why are you asking that out of nowhere ? " There have always been rumors though . People say Sebastian isn't in the best health . " She hesitated , her expression turning serious . " Noelle , did you notice anything ? The more I think about it , the stranger it seems . " The Coles are one of the most powerful families in Norland . Why would they suddenly propose this marriage ? I haven't seen Sebastian in years . Could there actually be something wrong with him ? " Noelle's mind drifted back to the moment outside the Cole residence . He had looked so pale and hollow that it had unsettled her . It was as if he could barely breathe . Self - reproach washed over Mary . She slapped her thigh and said , full of regret , " This was careless of me ! If Sebastian really has some hidden illness , I'll help you call off the engagement . Don't worry . I'm not letting anyone take advantage of you . " Warmth rose in Noelle's chest as she watched Mary get so worked up . Anyone else in the world might turn on her , but not Mary . Chapter 18 1/2 Chapter 18