Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Esther stood up from her chair, happiness radiating from her face. She couldn’t believe that Ian was calling in on her.
“Send him in,” she ordered since her mother seemed incapable of replying.
She turned to look at Esther with a confused expression but did not look pleased.
Esther shrugged. She was delighted enough for the both of them.
Her mother went to stand beside her as they waited for Ian to enter the drawing room.
Astrid just sat there, looking too astounded to move.
Esther’s heart thudded in her chest as Ian walked inside, looking even more handsome than he had at the ball.
Sunlight made his chestnut brown hair appear a shade lighter and his eyes gleamed when they fell upon her.
Esther’s eyes widened as she saw the bouquet of flowers he was clasping in his right hand. She adored pink camellias.
“Lady Hathershire, Lady Esther, Lady Astrid,” Ian addressed each one of them formally as a charming smile graced his lips. “I hope you all are doing well.”
“Yes... yes, we are, My Lord. I hope you are well too,” Esther’s mother responded, her breeding superseding her astonishment.
“I am, thank you.” He answered before turning to face Esther. “These are for you, Lady Esther.”
He extended the bouquet of flowers towards her. Esther noticed that Astrid’s face was now showing incredulity. Esther thought she was most likely upset that the marquess had not made a similar gesture to her.
As she took the flowers from Ian, his hand brushed hers slightly, and her entire body came to life.
Thrills of awareness coursed through her, and she gasped slightly at the touch.
It felt as if tiny sparks of electricity had emerged out of his hand and were piercing her skin in the most pleasurable way.
She looked up to stare at his eyes and noticed he was looking at her with a strange expression.
Esther stopped breathing for a second and she felt heat rising in her cheeks.
“Would you like some tea, Lord Gilbert?” Her mother asked, interrupting their moment. Esther took the bouquet and backed up a little, trying to regain her balance. She was flustered and was trying her best to hide her emotions.
She still couldn’t believe that not only had Ian called on her but also brought her flowers. No gentleman caller had ever done that before. Her heart was giddy with happiness.
“I would love some tea, My Lady,” Ian answered graciously and Hildred went to the door to inform the servants.
“Please have a seat, My Lord,” Esther said, motioning towards the chair that had just been vacated by Fergus.
She resumed her seat beside Ian, feeling like she was in a dream, whereas Fergus was her worst nightmare.
Fergus was a vile, abhorrent man who inspired nothing but disgust, while Ian was the personification of a gentleman.
Esther sighed as he looked at her with an admiring gaze.
Ian had noticed how Esther had blushed deeply as his hand had touched hers slightly while handing her the flowers.
He had enjoyed her reaction. He hadn't been around anyone who would go crimson at such an innocent touch in a very long time. All the female interactions he had had recently had been with rather bold women who knew exactly what they wanted and how to get it. Esther’s shyness and innocence were extremely attractive, and Ian felt fascinated with her.
“We were not expecting you, My Lord,” Lady Hathershire said as she sat down stiffly in front of him.
Ian noticed how Lady Hathershire and her youngest daughter's expressions were somewhat bewildered.
It was evident that they were not used to Esther having a gentleman caller and weren't sure what to make of it.
On the other hand, Esther looked delighted, and her happiness was the only thing that mattered to him now.
“I was sure Lady Esther was expecting me,” Ian said, still looking at Esther. He raised his brows questioningly, willing Esther to acknowledge that she indeed had wished for him to call on her.
“I wouldn't say I expected it, My Lord, but I am happy to see you again,” she said softly, and Ian felt his heartbeat accelerate. He didn’t know why her reply mattered so much to him, but he was pleased.
“I am glad, Lady Esther. I hope to be a regular visitor in the future,” he said, confidence oozing from his tone. He heard Esther’s sharp intake of breath at his words and smiled at her reaction. It was exactly what he had been hoping for.
He noticed how Astrid’s expression had turned positively bitter at his words, and that Lady Hathershire was trying her best to decipher his meaning.
“You are, of course, always welcome, My Lord. Our families are such old friends,” Esther’s mother replied.
Hildred knew how to be gracious even though her consternation.
However, Ian bristled at her intimation that his visit would be one of friendship.
The woman obviously did not see Esther in the same way she saw her other daughters, and it rankled him that Esther's own mother did not see her worth.
Esther couldn’t take her eyes off Ian as he engaged her in conversation. His charisma was bewitching, and Esther noticed that even her mother and Astrid couldn’t help but be fascinated with him. He had successfully incorporated them in the conversation and was extremely pleasant with them.
Has he truly reformed?
Esther hoped it was true. She did not wish to be caught up with a rogue or fall in love with a man who would never love her back. She hoped his intentions to be pure, devoid of any artifice.
“Do you play the pianoforte, Lady Esther?” Ian asked as his eyes fell on the grand piano.
“Oh yes, she is quite skilled at it. If you had arrived little earlier, you would have been able to see the performance she put on for Baron Dunshire,” Hildred immediately answered, stressing Esther had played for Fergus.
Esther knew why she was doing that. She wished for Ian to know that Esther had another suitor.
Esther felt extremely annoyed but did not comment.
“Indeed. I'm sorry I missed it. I hope to have the opportunity to hear you play soon,” Ian said, not taking his eyes off of Esther.
“I would love to play for you, My Lord,” Esther answered feeling thrilled at the prospect of playing something he would enjoy.
“Lady Esther, I wondered if you would like to accompany me to the Egyptian Museum tomorrow? With your mother's permission, of course,” Ian asked, glancing deferentially at her mother.
Esther was taken off guard by the offer. Calling upon her was one thing but asking to escort her to the museum was another matter entirely. Appearing together in public would cause speculation among the ton. Esther’s heartbeat accelerated at the possibility that Ian intended to court her openly.
“I’m thrilled you remembered our conversation, My Lord,” Esther sighed unable to believe he had made note of her words.
“How could I forget? You have a sparkling wit, Lady Esther,” Ian replied without a moment’s delay and Esther seemed to forget how to breathe.
As soon as she regained control of her emotions, Esther turned to her mother and said, “I am sure mother will allow the outing.” She prayed the woman would see that there was really no reason to refuse the Marquess’ request without causing offense.
“Of course. I’m sure Esther will be delighted to join you, My Lord,” her mother replied woodenly.
“I would,” Esther said turning to look at Ian with a smile, hoping she was managing to contain her excitement in front of him.
Ian nodded then took out his pocket watch from his coat and glanced at the time.
“The hour grows late, I must be off,” Ian said standing up. Esther’s heart fell but she knew he couldn’t stay any longer. The rules about visitation were stringent in these circumstances.
“Thank you for calling, My Lord,” Esther said, standing up beside him.
Ian was much taller than her and she had to tilt her head to look into his eyes.
His hazel irises shone brightly and made Esther feel at ease.
They contained an odd sense of tranquility that descended into Esther’s soul, making her feel as serene as the morning sky or the sea after a storm.
Ian bowed with a smile, the perfect gentleman. He turned around to leave and both Esther and her mother walked him to the door. Esther stayed in the entryway until he was out of sight, and then practically floated into the drawing room.
She sighed and felt as if no one suited her better than Ian did. He seemed to understand her like no other and didn’t judge her as the rest of society did. He valued her for her intellect, her words, and her nature. To him, she was so much more than just a wallflower with two failed seasons.
“How long are you going to stand there mooning?” Astrid’s grating voice forced Esther to turn around and return to the drawing room. She could have said something taunting to Astrid but didn’t wish to ruin her own mood by starting an argument.
“I hope you are not fooling yourself into thinking that he is actually interested in you, Esther. He is nothing but a rake, and I am sure he has disappointed many young ladies unwise enough to fall for his practiced charm,” Astrid commented in a decidedly malicious.
Esther controlled her rising anger, willing for herself to remain calm in the face of her sister's attempt to put her in her place.
“Or perhaps he has reformed and is no longer a rogue,” Esther retorted.
“Well, even if that were the case, why would he be interested in you? He is handsome, titled, and most importantly, heir to a dukedom. Do you honestly think the Marquess would choose a wallflower with two failed Seasons? It would make much more sense for him to set his sights on me, but of course, I would not welcome his attentions as I already have the Duke of Alewood interested in me,”
Esther felt every word that Astrid said like a punch to her heart.
She couldn’t believe her own sister could belittle her so ruthlessly.
She knew that Astrid had become excessively opinionated with her success as a debutant, but her cruelty was unwarranted.
Her attack put into words Esther’s own fears. Why would Ian want to court her?
“Esther, I believe that Astrid is trying to say that we don't want you to get hurt by setting your affections on someone unworthy," Hildred interjected, deliberately ignoring insults that Astrid heaped upon Esther.
"I don’t want you to forget that Fergus is keen on making you his wife.
Do not discount him because he isn't as charming or handsome as the Marquess.
At least we know Fergus' intentions are noble, my dear.”
Esther was appalled that her mother would prefer that she marry Fergus.
He was a toad in his own right, but when held up against Ian, he couldn't even compete.
She could understand Astrid's vitriol; that could be from petulant jealousy that Esther had a worthy suitor.
But she could not fathom why her mother would still rather she marry the Baron.
Having nothing else to say to either her mother or her sister, she retired to her bedchamber.
Esther rang for Ruth. Together they went through Esther's gowns, searching for the perfect dress for her visit to the museum with Ian on the morrow.
Ian may not be intending to court her in earnest, but that did not mean that Esther couldn't pretend that he did.