The Lady No One Noticed

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

“Lady Hathershire! How delightful to see you after so many years.” Lady Danbury’s high-pitched squeaky voice cut through Esther’s eardrums and directly assaulted her brain.

It had only been ten minutes since they had stepped inside Almack’s but the number of people she had been forced to meet standing beside her gregarious mother, was perplexing for her introverted self.

“Since when do you address me as Lady Hathershire? Five years in Paris have turned you into a proper Lady after all,” Esther’s mother, Hildred Chapple, replied, sounding pleased to come across her childhood friend.

The numerous chandeliers present in the hall illuminated the entire place with bright amber light.

Esther developed a headache before leaving the mansion, and the throngs of people she was suddenly surrounded by only worked to increase the pain.

The bedazzled gowns, facade of politeness, the very act put on by the ton at such high society events had never before appealed to her.

“Hildred, Paris is nothing short of heaven. Get your daughters married as soon as possible so next time we can visit the city together,” Lady Danbury remarked, her tone dreamy as if still reminiscing about her time spent in the city of love.

“Oh, Genelia, I am trying my best to get them married. You know my Astrid, of course.” Esther’s mother turned with a beaming glance towards her younger daughter and smiled like a proud mother hen. “She received multiple tempting offers last Season, but we are waiting for a loftier match.”

Hildred expounded on Astrid’s beauty. Esther wasn’t surprised when her mother did not even mention her. After two failed Seasons and no potential matches waiting for her, Esther was used to being overlooked.

“My darling Astrid, Hildred wrote to me about your unparalleled looks and the astounding success you achieved. I can see she did not exaggerate. And I must say that any man that has the pleasure of making you his wife would be the most fortunate man on earth. You are nothing but an absolute pleasure to look at,” Lady Danbury continued, her string of praises for Astrid’s beauty making Esther feel ever more insignificant.

It was undoubtedly true that Astrid was classically beautiful with her shining blonde hair and crystal blue eyes.

Her milky skin was smooth as porcelain, and her figure was trim and compact, adding to her stunning looks.

Despite having endured such effusive praise for her sister all her life, Esther suddenly felt glum.

She had spent her entire life overshadowed by her two absolutely mesmerizing sisters.

Her older sister Madeline was just as beautiful as Astrid, both having taken after their mother.

They all shared the same exquisite features that could bring any man to his knees.

However Esther, who had taken after her late grandmother, was unlike the rest. She was plain and ordinary, with simple brown eyes and curly brown hair that looked unnecessarily dark against her pale white skin.

Thus, no one cared to take much notice of her, especially when in the presence of the other Chapple women.

Madeline had completely ruled the ton when Esther had been launched into society and had secured the affections of Neil Hundley, the remarkably wealthy earl of Willmeade, and had been married almost immediately.

Last Season, Astrid had made her debut and had instantly taken the limelight.

Esther was once again forced to shrink in a corner and remained there.

Esther came out of her reverie as Astrid’s dulcet tone rang in her ears.

“You are too kind. Lady Danbury. I only have God to thank for granting me with this beauty,” Astrid replied, appearing ever so modest, and Esther tried her best to not roll her eyes.

Astrid had been taught to behave like the sweetest angel in public, but only Esther really knew her true nature.

She was simply playing a role to find herself a wealthy, titled husband by pretending to be kind and demure.

“I am stunned that you did not marry right after your first Season. I am certain you had a plethora of suitors waiting at your doorstep,” Lady Danbury commented, looking curious.

Just like Esther’s mother, Genelia was a notorious gossip, always trying to ferret out details about absolutely anyone of consequence in England.

“Oh, I had offers aplenty, but Lady Danbury, doesn’t a beauty like me deserve nothing less than a duke?

” Astrid replied giggling, concealing the truth of her words by pretending it was naught but a jest. Esther sighed inwardly since having to tolerate this sham of a conversation was nothing short of torture.

She watched the hearty interaction between Genelia and Astrid with a strange feeling taking root in her bosom.

She wasn’t jealous of her little sister but rather solemn for her own lot in life.

The two women were talking like long-lost friends despite the significant age difference between them.

Esther felt like all the wit and charm were given to the rest of her family, and she was left bereft of these endearing qualities.

“I absolutely agree! Don’t worry, sweet child; with that face and form, you will surely land the most handsome and richest duke in England,” Lady Danbury assured Astrid, affectionately placing a hand on her shoulder.

“My, my Genelia, we have been standing here talking for ages when we have other people to meet. Come and stroll about the room with us,” Hildred interjected without even once looking in Esther’s direction.

Then, Lady Danbury herself turned around and her eyes suddenly met with Esther’s.

“You must be Esther, I apologize for not addressing you earlier, but I got completely engrossed in the conversation I was having with your sister.” Genelia smiled at Esther, although Esther knew that what she really meant was that Esther was clearly not attractive enough to be worthy of notice or conversation.

“Of course, Lady Danbury, I am glad to meet you again,” Esther replied graciously, her manners always perfect. She remembered her visits to the Danbury residence as a child. The woman had always fawned over Esther's sisters, leaving Esther to sit alone staring out a window.

“So am I, dear child. You look… um well,” Lady Danbury remarked, struggling to find a word that might fit Esther’s plain looks. Esther felt a surge of pain shoot through her heart as even someone as loquacious as Lady Danbury would find no greater compliment for her than appearing to be healthy.

Esther did not reply and tried to hide her emotions with a slight smile.

She had a soft heart that tended to bruise quickly, and she had never fully learned the art of totally hiding her feelings.

Madeline often told her that her every emotion was boldly displayed in her eyes and that Esther must learn to create a more serene countenance.

Though Esther had tried, she never fully succeeded.

She was unlike her sisters, who had easily mastered the art of camouflaging their thoughts with bland expressions and demure smiles.

“Let us promenade,” her mother said and proceeded to lead them about the room, greeting anyone of consequence along the way.

Almack’s was the stage where eligible young ladies displayed their charms. Only the wealthiest families were given vouchers by the patronesses.

Securing entrance to the venerable assembly rooms cemented a family's status within society.

With Lady Danbury’s addition to their trio, Esther was silently pushed back.

She didn’t mind as she was more comfortable in the shadows.

Her mother only introduced her around as a matter of form, not out of any hope that Esther would engage anyone's interest. It was only the start of the Season, yet it was evident that Hildred Chapple had no expectation of her middle daughter marrying well.

Esther had not interacted with a single soul within one round of the ballroom, but Astrid’s dance card had been filled completely.

Every time a handsome, young, and most importantly titled gentleman would ask her for a dance, she would smile politely and raise her gloved hand to present her dance card.

On the other hand, Esther’s dance card was absolutely empty since no one bothered to ask a wallflower like her for a dance.

Esther was so lost in her thoughts that she failed to notice when the trio walking in front of her suddenly stopped, and she bumped straight into Astrid’s back.

“Watch where you are going Esther, this is no place for such boorish behavior,” Astrid snapped in annoyance, but she didn’t even bother to turn around.

“I apologize. I must have been woolgathering.” Esther replied, her tone apologetic.

“Lady Hathershire, Lady Danbury, Lady Astrid I hope you are well,” Lord Monteburry greeted the three ladies, easily ignoring Esther just like everyone else. Esther finally knew why they had suddenly stopped as she looked at the man standing before them.

“We are well, My Lord, how are you?” Astrid replied sweetly before anyone else could speak.

“I am well too, Lady Astrid, could I have the pleasure of a dance tonight?” Lord Monteburry questioned without wasting another second.

“I am afraid all my slots are taken, My Lord, do forgive me,” Astrid replied, a tinge of disappointment evident in her tone since Lord Monteburry was known to be wealthy and was undoubtedly handsome.

“Oh, it is perfectly all right; no need to apologize. I should have known to approach you earlier,” Lord Monteburry said in his absolutely perfect gentlemanly manner.

“But perhaps you can ask Esther. I am sure she has an empty slot,” Astrid suddenly said, turning around slightly to Esther. Esther knew perfectly well why Astrid had suddenly put her on the spot like that; she was trying to embarrass her.