Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Esther quickly changed into a clean frock and washed the paint off.
There was no time in mending the sorry state of her hair thus Ruth simply tried to make the loose chignon a little presentable.
Once she was ready, she ran down the stairs and found Ian waiting for her.
As she entered the drawing room, she saw her mother, who was seated in front of Ian, the two involved in conversation.
“Esther, how could you leave Lord Gilbert all to himself?” Her mother exclaimed as soon as she laid eyes on Esther.
“I apologize Mother, it was only for a short time,” Esther placated, despite knowing that Ian must have filled her mother in with the situation already.
“Yes, he was kind enough to explain the state of your dress, but we can’t leave a guest, especially Lord Gilbert, waiting alone,” Hildred said, standing up from her chair, and Esther nodded.
“It was no trouble, Lady Hathershire. I feel almost at home here,” Ian said with a smile in her direction. “Shall we depart?”
“Enjoy yourselves,” her mother chimed in before Esther could speak, a huge smile visible on her face.
“Thank you, Lady Hathershire,” Ian said graciously with a small bow before leading Esther out of the room.
A short while later, Esther, Ian, and Ruth entered Gunter’s tea shop.
It was decorated tastefully in a variety of pastel colors and smelled of sweet flavorings.
The scent of fresh tea brewing spread out through the room, and Esther breathed in deeply.
She loved this place and always enjoyed coming here.
Being here with Ian made the experience all the more special.
“Why don’t you two ladies tell me your order, and I’ll go place it while you find us a table?” Ian said, turning around to face Esther and Ruth.
“I’ll have pineapple,” Ruth said, without a moment’s delay. Esther laughed knowing how much Ruth loved everything about pineapples and always went for the exact same flavor.
“And you, My Lady?” Ian asked, turning to look at Esther with a charming smile.
“Why don’t you surprise me? Let me see if you can predict my taste,” Esther said playfully. Her spirits were high, and she was enjoying herself. This was truly one of the best days.
“I will honor this challenge you have imposed upon me and will try my best to emerge victorious,” Ian said with a laugh and went off towards the counter.
Esther and Ruth surveyed the area and found a table located towards the left.
Luckily it already had three chairs available, and the two of them quickly sat down.
Esther’s eyes were trained on Ian’s back as he conversed with a man that worked at the shop.
She still couldn’t believe that she and Ian had come this far.
It felt like only yesterday that they had met again at the Willmeade Manor at Madeline’s ball.
She had been enduring Fergus when her gaze had fallen on Ian who was seated just opposite from her.
It truly felt as if fate had connected them.
“Lady Esther, can I say something?” Ruth’s voice brought Esther out of her reverie, and she turned towards her.
“Must you even ask, Ruth? Of course you can,” Esther replied with a smile. She and Ruth had always enjoyed a close relationship.
“I have never seen you this happy before. These days it feels as if you glow differently; your heart is full. Your eyes shine, and everything about your personality comes to life,” Ruth said, and Esther stared at her, stunned.
Ruth had never before complimented her this way or told her something this deep, thus Esther was caught off guard.
She was generally introverted and didn’t express her feelings or thoughts so openly, so Esther was even more touched.
“You really think so, Ruth? Why do you think this is the case?” Esther asked, holding her breath hoping for the answer she was thinking of.
“Don’t you already know that, Lady Esther?
It is all because of Lord Gilbert! His presence in your life has made you happy, much happier than you were in the past.” Ruth answered, making Esther blush, although she knew that she was right.
Ian’s presence had worked wonders, and Esther could feel a change in both her heart and nature.
“I feel that way too. I enjoy his company Ruth and feel like he truly values me. He is not vain and shallow like other men of the ton; he does not care about looks alone but is actually interested in having a conversation with me. When he is around, I feel full, I feel whole, like I can be truly myself around him. That I do not have to pretend to be just a face without a brain but can actually express my views and opinions about everything.” Esther rambled on, realizing every good thing about Ian all at once.
It was as if she was acknowledging all of this for the first time, but her subconscious mind had already registered every word and made her admire him.
“I agree, My Lady. That is why I believe he truly is the right gentleman for you,” Ruth said and Esther turned crimson.
Esther knew that Ian was indeed the right gentleman for her, and marriage with him would only give her happiness. She could imagine an entire lifetime with him, a happy one. One that would be filled with laughter and joy.
“Thank you so much for all the love you give me, Ruth. Thank you for always guiding me through the hurricanes that come into my life,” Esther said, tears brimming in her eyes.
“Ladies.” Ian’s smooth voice brought them out of their trance, and Esther immediately composed herself before turning around to face him. He was standing by the table with three fruit ices in his hands. He extended the pineapple-flavored one towards Ruth, who took it with a smile.
“Thank you ever so much, My Lord,” she said graciously.
Esther looked closely to judge what flavor Ian brought for her. He extended a red-colored ice towards her, and she took it with a curious expression.
“Well?” she asked, and Ian laughed before sitting down.
“Have a taste and judge the flavor for yourself,” he said, indicating that he too could play a little game. Esther laughed before doing as he said.
“Is this a blend of lemon and strawberry?” She asked, her eyes alight with laughter.
“Yes, it is,” Ian confirmed with a nod.
“I am impressed. I would never have thought to combine the two. The flavor is divine,” Esther said, and Ian looked at her with a victorious expression.
“I am happy that I successfully completed your quest,” Ian joked, making both Esther and Ruth laugh. Anyone who saw them would see that Ian and Esther were quite interested in one another.
Ian couldn’t believe that only this morning, his mood had been considerably sour.
As he laughed with Esther, all his worries and fears faded away just as he had expected.
The soiree didn’t seem like such an awful situation anymore, for he knew it meant he would get to spend his time with Esther.
He could simply avoid his brother and focus all his attention on her.
She would certainly make his time worthwhile and help him keep his anger at bay.
“No wonder this place is always crowded. These ices are wonderful,” Ian said surveying the constantly increasing group of people inside the shop. Everyone was searching for an unoccupied table.
“Yes, I absolutely agree,” Esther replied without a moments delay. Ian smiled at her serious expression as she focused on the fruit ice slowly melting in her hands.
“My Lady, do you know…” Ian leaned in to tell Esther that her fruit ice was melting when his hand accidentally brushed hers, and he had to stop mid-way.
Thrills of awareness coursed through his system at the touch, for they had both removed their gloves whilst eating, and the feeling intensified as Esther looked up that very moment to gaze at him.
Her brown eyes made him forget all else.
“You were saying something, Ian?” Esther questioned huskily, and Ian knew she felt it too.
Her dilated pupils and breathy tone were evidence of her feelings for him.
He tested his theory by surreptitiously moving his finger along the back of Esther’s hand.
Her breath caught as he continued to stroke her soft skin.
He was correct, every touch that sent a shock through his system had the same effect on her.
“I think I have forgotten,” Ian replied in a whisper.
How could an innocent touch in a public place and the sound of his name on her lips send such desire through him?
Earlier, he had dismissed the feeling as being a product of being without a female to warm his sheets for too long.
Now he could no longer lie to himself. He was attracted to Esther.
Though with Esther, it wasn’t simply lust. He wanted her for a certainty, but his desire was heightened by knowing her.
She had a way about her that always brought out the best in him, and he knew that no one could ever come close to making him feel the same way.
With her, he wasn’t driven by insanity or impulse but peace and rationale.
It showed how perfect she was for him, and Ian prized her for this.
“Are you woolgathering again?” Esther’s soft voice forced Ian out of his thoughts, and he smiled at her reference. Ian loved that she could tease him and make him smile.
“I am afraid I was, My Lady. For the second time, I believe?” Ian joked.
“My, you must find my company exceedingly boring to become so inattentive. I am crushed,” Esther said dramatically.
Her jest made him laugh and he realized something else.
That she had grown comfortable enough in his company to tease him.
It pleased him to know that he somehow calmed her as she did him.
“Never that, Esther. You could never bore me. In fact, you quite excite me,” Ian replied, leaning closer to her, but not close enough to cause comment, and pitching his voice low.
Esther drank in his scandalous words like cool water.
Her pulse accelerated and she longed for him to close the distance between them and kiss her, society be damned.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the jingling of the bell on the front door of the shop.
Both Ian and Esther unconsciously turned to look at the sound and both were dismayed to see that Fergus had entered the shop.
Ian saw that the man still looked as if he had just woken up from a night of carousing.
As usual, his clothes were wrinkled and his hair was disheveled.
Ian turned to look at Esther, who was watching Fergus with a solemn expression.
Ian knew that her kind heart probably felt sorry for the man, even though he didn’t deserve her sympathy.
“Are you well, Esther?” Ian asked, slightly worried for her.
“Yes… I am fine,” Esther replied but Ian was unconvinced.
Just then Fergus turned pointedly in their direction, a rather odd expression settling over his features as he noticed them. He stared at both Ian and Esther strangely. Ian glanced at Esther and he noticed a shiver run through her. She was clearly repulsed by Fergus’s unceremonious stare.
Ian impulsively covered Esther’s hand with his, not caring if anyone saw.
He needed to let Esther know that she wasn’t alone.
He wished for her to understand that he would protect her from anything.
He would stand beside her as they dealt together with Fergus and any other problem that might come their way.
Esther must have understood his touch because she gazed back at Ian, a small smile returning to her lips as she gently squeezed his hand.
“You must not worry about the baron any longer. He is in the past. I will never let him hurt you,” Ian consoled Esther, who nodded, having full faith in Ian’s words.
These new revelations were enlightening and rather shocking to Ian himself but felt he could do nothing but open his heart to them.