Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Esther walked inside the brightly lit drawing room right after breakfast. The sun imitated Esther’s mood. Even though it had been two days since her sister’s ball, the effects had not worn off. She still could not seem to forget the dance she had shared with Ian Gilbert.
Astrid’s voice forced Esther to return to the present, and she looked up at her sister, who was seated at the opposite end of the room.
“Your color looks dull,” Astrid sneered in a malicious tone. Esther refused to reply to the remark knowing that her sister enjoyed taunting her to make her feel inferior. The two had always had a strained relationship, and Esther no longer cared about it.
Their mother entered the drawing room just then, chirping like an early morning bird. She looked around briefly before her eyes settled on Astrid. She beamed before walking ahead to sit beside her at the settee.
“Oh Mother, I know it has been two days since the ball, but it feels like only hours ago that I was dancing in Christian’s arms,” Astrid sighed deeply, reminiscing the wonderful evening.
“You do two make the most mesmerizing couple, my darling. I must tell you that you were the envy of every girl present,” her mother declared with pride.
Esther sat there listening to the two, knowing perfectly well that she had no place in their conversation. She, too, had danced with a handsome gentleman who would one day be a duke, but her mother did not take notice of that.
‘’I am sure I will be the envy of the entire ton when I stand at the altar beside Christian,” Astrid sighed standing up and twirling about the room.
“Now, Astrid, don’t be overconfident,” Hildred admonished. “Even though I have complete faith in your abilities, don’t forget the duke hasn’t yet called on you.”
“Oh, he will Mother. I am certain he will call on me today and I will further entice him. You will see, he shall propose very soon,” Astrid reassured her. Esther knew that Astrid could bring many a man to their knees, and the duke would likely be no different.
“If that is the case, then it seems like we will be blessed with two weddings at the end of the Season,” her mother said while clapping her hands giddily.
Astrid, who was still twirling around, swishing her gown in all directions, stopped mid-way, and turned towards her mother. Esther, too became attentive, wondering what her mother was hinting at. Esther felt a knot grow in her chest and feared she knew what her mother was referring to.
“Two weddings?” Astrid questioned sounding confused. “Did we manage to find a match for Esther at long last?”
Astrid’s questions caused Esther’s breath to catch painfully.
“Well, Baron Dunshire was greatly impressed with Esther. I would even say he is infatuated. He made it clear that he means to ask for her hand very soon,” her mother announced, looking pleased with herself.
Esther’s world toppled upside down at the revelation. No, this could not be her fate. Her eyes glossed over as she imagined what life with Fergus would be like. She was speechless with revulsion.
“Really, Mother? Well, I supposed that is good news,” Astrid said, wholly unimpressed with the caliber of Esther’s alleged conquest.
“Of course it is! You have no idea how burdened I was over Esther's prospects.
I simply couldn't allow the Hathershire name to be tarnished by having a spinster daughter. That is why I talked to your Father and had him approach the Baron,” her mother went on.
And while Esther was hurt by her harsh words, she could only focus on the fact that her mother had proposed the match herself.
How could the woman be so clueless about her own daughter's feelings?
“Why, that was a brilliant idea Mother. I was a trifle worried that Esther's situation would harm my own chances at making a splendid match. After all, no Hathershire daughter has ever been called a wallflower or become a spinster. Esther would have been the first, and my goodness, how disgraceful it would have been,” Astrid replied with a saccharine sweetness that belied the poison of her statement.
But Esther didn’t pay attention, for she was too distressed.
“Well, it is disappointing that he is merely a baron, of course.
And his financial conditions might not be exactly desirable, but I am sure the dowry he will receive through Esther will help matters.
Esther will make him a sound and dutiful wife.
It isn't as if she will be called on to socialize as much as you will be, Astrid, for Fergus does not possess a wide aristocratic acquaintance. And he has stated that he quite likes her plain looks, so it will be good all around,” her mother stated and Astrid laughed in agreement.
“Have you both forgotten that I am in the room? Or do neither of you care how hurtful your words are?” Esther gasped. She abhorred how casually and cruelly they discussed her faults and future.
“Oh, come, Esther, don’t act like a petulant child,” Astrid said with a huff. “Nothing we said was untrue, and you might as well face it or you will end up a pitiful spinster."
“Your sister is right, Esther. Fergus is your only hope, no one else has looked your direction in three Seasons. You must recognize your limitations and understand that we only want the best for you and our family,” Her mother said softly, almost as if trying to console her.
“You are well aware of how the ton works, Esther," Astrid stood up and walked to Esther.
She sat next to her and patted her hand in an uncharacteristically warm gesture.
Then she ruined the moment by saying, "A woman going on to her third Season seldom makes a match, especially if they lack beauty.
You will be doomed to a life of spinsterhood if you refuse to marry Baron Dunshire.
I should think you'd be willing to marry anyone to avoid that awful state. "
Esther snatched her hand away and chided herself for a fool. How could she have thought for even a moment that her sister had any warm feelings towards her?
Esther abruptly stood up, startling both her sister and mother. Her hands were balled into tight little fists at her sides, and her eyes blazed with fury.
"Do neither of you have any regard for my feelings at all? You sit here and smugly discuss my marriage prospects, then proceed to insult me mercilessly. Do you truly not think I have a heart or a mind that can be wounded by your words?" she demanded.
Twin spots of angry color had emerged on her cheeks, and her breaths were coming in quick bursts as if she had expended all her energy in lashing out at her tormentors.
“Esther, calm yourself at once," Hildred commanded.
"You know that we love you and only want what is best for you.
We may have spoken harshly, but it was only to help you understand that the baron is truly your last hope of having a home and family of your own.
We don't want you to throw that away because he is not as handsome or charming as you would wish. "
Her mother's words did not have the soothing effect she intended and only served to further spurn Esther in resisting.
“I am certain you both failed to notice that the Marquess of Ilenshire asked me for a dance last night. A waltz as it happens. He seemed to enjoy himself greatly and expressed an interest in seeing me again,” Esther informed them with all the haughtiness she could muster.
“Oh, Esther. You must know he only did that out of pity. I would wager that Neil put him up to it. Do not be so foolish as to think it was anything else,” Astrid laughed.
Astrid's words hit their intended mark with deadly accuracy, and Esther almost recoiled as if she had been struck. Esther was about to reply when the butler entered the room. The man must have felt the tension in the air, but he betrayed nothing.
“Excuse me, My Lady," he said, bowing respectfully to Hildred. "Lady Astrid has a caller. Should I send the gentleman in?”
“Who is it?” Astrid’s mother asked impatiently.
“The Duke of Alewood, My Lady.” The butler replied.
Astrid turned around with a huge smile and squealed like a little girl.
“Send him in right away,” Hildred ordered. Then turning to her daughters, she snapped, “I expect you both to behave like the ladies you are. No more bickering. We are being visited by a duke, for heaven's sake.”
Esther returned to her seat. She would not cause a scene in front of the duke. She strongly believed that an outsider should never see what went on in a household, even if servants tended to gossip and news spread like wildfire, which she tried her best to stop from happening too.
The Duke of Alewood entered looking as handsome as he had at the ball. He was dressed in his riding breeches, and Esther saw how Astrid beamed at him. Her mother stood up to greet him.
“Your Grace, we are so delighted to have you at our humble abode,” Hildred said with deference and a curtsey. Her mother was nothing if not gracious.
“The pleasure is mine, Lady Hathershire. Your lovely daughter enchanted me so that I simply had to pay her a visit,” Christian answered charmingly before turning to smile at Astrid, who had also stood when he entered.
“Please have a seat,” Hildred said and motioned towards the chair placed just beside Astrid.
Christian sat and elegantly angled his body towards Astrid.
“I shall ring for refreshments,” Hildred continued, pulling the bell.
She ordered before resuming her place and indulging in conversation with Astrid and Christian.
Esther sat a little distance away and watched the trio speak about inane but socially acceptable things such as the weather and of course the ball at Willmeade Manor.
Esther noticed how Astrid commented about almost every lady in attendance in a rather snide manner.
She wondered how anyone could fail to see the bitterness that resided in Astrid's heart.
She was overlooked entirely. She did not attempt to contribute anything, and no one seemed inclined to include her. They were content conversing with one another and ignoring her existence. She felt more invisible than ever.
After the allotted quarter of an hour, the duke stood. “I must take my leave now, ladies, although it pains me to do so. I have taken quite enough of your time already.”
“I was delighted with your visit, Your Grace,” Astrid cooed, standing up beside him. She looked up at him with a dreamy smile.
“I look forward to seeing you again soon, Lady Astrid,” the Duke of Alewood said as he turned around to leave. Astrid and Hildred waited until the heard the front door close before they both whooped with glee.
“Didn’t I tell you he would come today, Mother? Did you see how he looked at me? I declare he is already half in love with me!” Astrid exclaimed as she perched on the edge of her seat.
Her mother laughed happily and lightly touched Astrid’s shoulder and even Esther couldn’t help but be happy for her sister.
Unlike Astrid, she was not a bitter person, and no matter how troubled their relationship was, she loved her little sister.
She wanted the best for Astrid, and the Duke of Alewood seemed like a decent enough gentleman.
Esther was certain that he would make an excellent husband to her.
“I must tell Ingrid, Chelsea, and Susan. I will go meet them at once. They will be so envious,” Astrid said as she stood.
Astrid's hateful friends’ comments at Almack's came back to Esther, and she couldn’t help but feel her hurt all over again. She was once again upset about the fact that Astrid had refused to defend her that day, making her forget that she had just been happy for her.
Emboldened by her outburst earlier, Esther resolved to confront Astrid. “Astrid, might I have a word with you before you leave?” Esther asked as she followed her sister out of the room.
“What is it?” Astrid questioned, clearly annoyed. She stopped at the bottom of the staircase and turned to face Esther, all but tapping her foot in impatience.
Esther knew her sister viewed her as nothing more than an irritation and Astrid’s evident dislike of her steeled Esther’s resolve. This confrontation was long overdue.