Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Esther and Ian were so deeply involved in conversation that they failed to notice when the carriage came to a halt.
“My Lord, My Lady, I am sorry to interrupt you, but we have reached Hyde Park,” Ruth’s voice forced them to stop their discussion and acknowledge their surroundings again.
Esther felt both embarrassed and elated at the same time.
It prove to her that Ian also enjoyed being with her so much that he forgot all about the world around them.
Ian nodded as a footman opened the door of the carriage and they exited one by one. The weather was lovely, and it seemed as if all of society wished to enjoy the afternoon at Hyde Park. Several members of the ton were roaming about or were visiting the park with their families.
“It is a little more crowded than usual today,” Esther commented as they made their way deeper inside the park.
“I actually like it better when it is crowded. I enjoy looking at all the happy families around me, it makes me appreciate life all the more,” Ian replied with a smile.
“My Lady, should we lay down the blanket under that tree? It is dense enough to give shade, and the view is spectacular,” Ruth said pointing towards a tree located a little further away.
“Well done, Ruth, yes you may lay down the blanket there. I love that spot,” Esther exclaimed. She loved picnics and was ecstatic that Ian had arranged for this.
Ruth walked forward with a blanket in hand as Ian and Esther followed behind her. The two were silent, simply looking at all the people around them. Once the blanket was set, they all sat down comfortably, appearing content with themselves and their lives.
Ian’s footman placed a large picnic basket on the blanket and Esther looked at it curiously. A small smile appeared on her lips, and she felt Ian staring at her with a questioning expression. She looked up to meet his gaze and found it trained on her.
“Why are you smiling at the picnic basket, My Lady?” Ian asked, his tone humorous.
“My honesty might hurt your honor, My Lord. I should remain silent,” Esther answered with a small laugh.
“Now I am intrigued; you must reveal your secret this very moment,” Ian insisted dramatically. Esther couldn’t help but laugh at his expressions. Her heart was happy that he didn’t mind being involved in playful banter with her and she could simply be herself around him.
“I half expected you to forget to bring the picnic basket,” Esther whispered, trying to stop herself from laughing out loud. Ian looked at her with widened eyes before he started chuckling deeply.
“You wound me, My Lady, you wound me! But I must tell you that the moment I went home yesterday, I informed our cook about our picnic and asked him to prepare an excellent picnic basket for us,” Ian explained seriously.
Esther smiled genuinely before nodding.
“I won’t doubt you again, My Lord,” Esther replied with a small nod, still enjoying the playful mood they were in.
“What if I had actually forgotten the picnic basket?” Ian asked.
“Well, I did think about bringing one, but that would have been rude. So if you had actually forgotten, we would have just sat here talking and enjoying the scenery,” Esther replied honestly.
She extended her hands to take hold of the basket and started taking everything out.
She knew that Ian was looking at her, and his constant gaze was making her flustered.
Despite that, she focused on the task at hand and organized everything.
Once she had divided up the food, she turned around to look at Ruth, who was seated just a little distance away.
“Ruth, can you please distribute this among yourself and the servants?” Esther asked. Ruth took the food with a gracious nod, and Esther turned to look at Ian who was once again staring at her with a confused expression.
“I have never seen anyone do that,” Ian said, sounding amazed.
“What do you mean?” Esther asked as she scrunched up her eyebrows.
“Sharing the picnic food with the servants,” Ian explained, and Esther laughed softly.
“How many picnics have you been on, My Lord?” Esther joked, and Ian couldn’t help but smile at her.
Esther knew that most would not divide the food this way, but it simply felt wrong to ignore the servants.
Ian had brought an abundance, and the two of them would never finish it alone.
It was better to share it rather than let it go to waste.
Esther also felt wrong eating while the people that were there to serve her were just sitting and waiting.
“You are one of a kind Lady Esther,” Ian said, his words soft.
Esther’s heart rate increased at his compliment, as it was evident that he was admiring her.
“You are very kind, My Lord,” Esther said, trying to meet Ian’s enigmatic gaze. It was always difficult for her to look him in the eyes during such conversations.
The two busied themselves with eating, and Esther thought the food was excellent.
“The food tastes delicious, My Lord, you must thank your cook for me,” Esther complimented.
“I’ll certainly do that. I am sure a compliment from you will make his day.
Though I agree, my parent’s cook is remarkable.
I have actually known him since I was a young boy and I even wanted to bring him to Ilenshire Manor with me.
Though Mother swooped in and forbid him to even step foot out of the Gilendale Manor,” Ian told her with a laugh.
Esther couldn’t help but notice the glint in his eyes whenever he mentioned his childhood and family. It showed how much he loved them all and enjoyed being with them. Esther, too, loved her family, although they had never been very close.
“You must have had a lovely childhood,” Esther replied with a huge smile.
“I did, My Lady, indeed,” Ian replied, and the two continued talking as they ate.
Ian told her more about his childhood, and they once again discussed the happy moments they had shared at Hathershire Manor.
It was fate that had connected them once again.
Esther felt as if the stars up above had aligned to bring them together.
She knew it sounded poetic, but everything with Ian was as perfect as poetry.
Ian was looking at her with a sly smile that Esther couldn’t understand.
“Is something amiss, My Lord?” Esther asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
Esther watched as Ian searched through his coat pockets and took out a handkerchief. He leaned in slightly towards her and extended his hand.
“You have some butter smeared on your chin. If you’ll allow me…
” he said before gently wiping away the butter from her chin through the handkerchief.
His touch made her shiver. Esther breathed in sharply at his closeness.
Her chin tingled and her senses were suddenly flooded with a strong whiff of sandalwood.
The masculine scent heightened her senses, causing her heartbeat to accelerate.
She couldn’t believe that Ian was this close to her and was staring into her eyes unblinkingly.
As she looked into his hazel eyes and breathed in his heavenly scent, she felt as if everything in the world was right.
Ian’s nearness was making her body hum, her heart flutter, and her breathing irregular.
He was doing things to her that she couldn’t even understand.
He was bringing light and warmth in her life and heart and something she didn’t even know she had desired.
The two broke off their stare as Ruth cleared off her throat loudly.
She reminded them that their private moment was not so private after all.
They were sitting in a public park, and if anyone saw them in such a position, it would create a scandal, especially considering Ian’s rakish reputation.
Esther tried to compose herself, silently wishing that Ruth had allowed the moment to go on a bit longer.
Ian mentally cursed himself for leaning so close to Esther.
It was wrong to be this close to her even in private, but it was unthinkable in public.
He had been mere inches away from Esther’s, and all he could see was how luscious they were.
He had never noticed this before, and now that he knew, he couldn’t stop looking at them.
He wondered what it would feel like to kiss her.
The thought surprised him for he had had no intention of ever feeling attracted to Esther.
Nonetheless, he couldn't deny the fact that there was a spark between them, one that she felt too.
He had never been this close to a young lady who was so innocent and pure for him, except for Lisa.
Those lips were only made to be admired from afar.
These newfound feelings excited him, enthralled him, made him feel something unimaginable.
He wished to touch her, though he knew that it was inappropriate.
It was probably the reason it was all so exciting.
She was forbidden, and hence Ian wanted her.
“My Lord, shall we stroll through the park? The weather is quite fine,” Esther asked, and Ian turned to look at her.
“Absolutely,” he answered, standing up at once.
Esther stood up beside him, and once the picnic was packed away, the two began to walk through the park, followed by Ruth acting as chaperone.
Ian hated the need for a chaperone but knew it was necessary for young ladies to protect their virtue and reputation.
“I wish I had my canvas. I would sit right here and paint this scene,” Esther said casually, clearly in love with the day.
“You paint with watercolors, My Lady?” Ian asked, simply finding a topic for conversation.
“Yes, My Lord, do you paint too?” Esther questioned, turning to look at him hopefully.
“I am afraid not, but I would love to see some of your work. Would you mind doing a small exhibition for me?” Ian teased, his eyes shining although he was actually interested in Esther’s work. He had a feeling that she was talented and that her paintings would indeed be worth viewing.
“I fear they will not be enough to impress the Marquess of Ilenshire,” Esther replied jokingly, forcing a frown on her gorgeous features.
“I will be the judge of that, so there is no point in trying to demean your work in front of me.” Ian scolded mockingly, and Esther smiled at him.
Ian was becoming used to that smile. It was indeed beautiful.
He enjoyed Esther’s company immensely and her presence made him feel at peace.
She would wrap up all his worries in that smile and take them far away from him.
Ian had never thought that he could enjoy the company of a woman again out of bed.
He had never even considered the prospect.
After Lisa, every woman had simply been a means to gain pleasure and satisfaction, but with her, everything was different.
The fact that he wanted to be with her despite knowing he couldn’t touch her, kiss her or be with her was shocking even to himself. He found the change in him perplexing.
He could easily imagine being married to her because he knew she would make a lovely wife. The thought of coming home to her every day made him extremely happy. He would be able to kiss those luscious lips, be with her, simply look at her and have playful conversations with her all the time.
Esther was still speaking when she noticed that Ian was not listening to her. She turned to look at him and saw he was probably lost in his own thoughts as a dreamy expression was spread onto his face.
“My Lord?” Esther asked, stopping mid stroll, and turned to look at Ian. He probably heard her or finally noticed that he was walking alone because he stopped too and turned towards Esther.
“I am so sorry, My Lady; you caught me woolgathering,” Ian replied with a soft chuckle. Esther smiled before replying.
“I was under the impression that gentleman did no such thing.”
“Well, then I must be the first gentleman to get caught in the act,” Ian answered effortlessly, sounding slightly amused.
Esther let out a peal of laughter at his words and immediately put both her hands on her face, clearly horrified.
She looked at him with wide eyes unable to believe that she had been so careless.
It was unappealing for young ladies to let out loud giggles or squeals of laughter in front of gentlemen.
It was considered unladylike, and she did not wish for Ian to think that she did not possess proper manners.
“Why do you suddenly look so horrified?” Ian questioned, scrunching up his eyebrows.
“I apologize, My Lord, that was very unbecoming, I am sure,” Esther replied, her voice apologetic. She couldn’t meet Ian’s gaze, afraid of seeing disappointment in his eyes.
“Lady Esther, can I tell you something?” Ian said and continued staring at her until she finally looked up at him.
“Of course, My Lord,” she answered hesitatingly, unsure about what Ian would tell her.
“I adore your laughter. You should never think twice about laughing when in my presence. I would appreciate it immensely,” Ian explained.
Esther sucked in a sharp breath at his words, her heart thudding loudly in her chest. She couldn’t believe that Ian was so kind to her. She was so flustered at his praise that she couldn’t do anything but nod. Words escaped her.
“I believe we should make our way back to the carriage now,” Ian stated, and Esther nodded once again, silently walking beside him. They drove in silence except for a few casual remarks about the scenery passing along the way. The ride was short, and they soon reached Esther’s home.
Esther remained silent as Ian walked with her to the main doors of the manor. The pair stopped and faced each other, neither of them willing to say goodbye.
“I had an excellent time today, My Lord. Thank you for the picnic,” Esther said, not wanting to bid him farewell so soon. It was as if no matter how much time she spent with him, it would never be enough.
“I had an excellent time too, My Lady. Thank you for allowing me the pleasure of your lovely company,” Ian replied making Esther blush once again.
“I am glad you feel that way,” Esther said, not knowing what else to say but simply wishing to prolong the conversation.
“I will call on you in two days’ time, if I may?” Ian asked, and Esther looked at him with a smile.
“I shall look forward to it, My Lord,” she answered before walking inside the house after one final glance at Ian.
She was already counting the minutes, and two days seemed ages away.