Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Ian noticed Esther was distracted. He was rambling on when he noticed that her attention was elsewhere. Esther’s expression was strange. He noticed that her eyes were locked somewhere else, and he couldn’t help but follow the direction of her gaze.
To his utter surprise, his eyes landed on Lisa, who appeared to be watching them pointedly. He locked eyes with her briefly, then turned to look at Esther.
“Do you know that woman?” she asked without a moment’s delay. Ian sensed a difference in her tone. Ian couldn’t blame her since Lisa was staring at him in an odd manner. He mentally cursed her for worrying Esther and knew that he had to explain things.
“Yes, she is my brother’s wife,” Ian answered, giving no other details.
He wasn’t sure if it was right for him to tell Esther about his past with Lisa. If he told her, she might better understand the reason he had acted so badly over the past three years. It would clear several things between them, which was something Ian wished to do.
“Adam? I haven’t seen him since we were children!” Esther exclaimed as if the thought had just hit her. “You two were so close.”
Ian noticed how Esther’s tense expression had visibly relaxed after he explained who Lisa was. She was a pure soul and couldn’t even imagine the hidden stories behind possible facades.
“Yes, we were close back then,” Ian replied, a fake laugh escaping from his lips.
He still couldn’t believe that Adam had betrayed him in such an ugly manner.
He had loved his brother with all his heart, and he knew that Adam loved him too.
Though today, the two brothers were separated because of a woman.
A woman who wasn’t even worth it, Ian was coming to believe.
“I haven’t seen him in London at all. You haven’t mentioned him either,” Esther remarked. Ian was aware that she was intelligent and had excellent observation skills. She remembered small details and must have obviously noticed Adam being out of the picture.
“We have been estranged for the last three years, and he lives in Bath now,” Ian replied, unable to keep the bitterness out of his tone.
He no longer shared the same relationship with his brother, and he had no desire to conceal that fact from Esther any longer.
She was the kindest woman he had ever come across and would never think badly of either Adam or him.
“Would you like to tell me why? Esther asked, then quickly added, “Only if you want to, of course. I have no wish to pry.” She wasn’t asking him for the gossip, for he knew that Esther was not a fan of gossiping. She never said anything bad about anyone and never spread rumors.
Ian decided to tell Esther the truth. She deserved to know his history with Lisa and how she had betrayed him alongside his own brother.
After all, he wished to marry Esther, and even though it was a marriage for his own benefit, he did not want to cause her any pain.
Esther had become a friend, and Ian knew she would understand.
“I would like to tell you,” Ian said, his tone hesitant because he was slightly scared of Esther’s reaction.
Esther smiled as she devoted all her attention to him. Ian sighed deeply as her honey brown eyes looked at him unblinkingly. Her stare made him forget all else.
“My Lord?” Esther asked and Ian came out of his trance.
Ian cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed of being caught in the act of staring at her.
“Lady Lisa and I …” Ian began but had to suddenly stop as a hush settled around the ballroom.
Esther’s gaze wavered as she, too, noticed the sudden silence that had descended.
They followed everyone’s gaze and Ian raised an eyebrow as he saw his mother walking elegantly towards the dance floor.
Once she knew she had everyone’s attention, she finally addressed her guests.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, first set is about to begin,” Grace said, and Ian noticed how Esther’s face turned up into a smile. He knew that she loved dancing and was quite skilled indeed. The story about his past could wait. Now was the time to share happiness and make new memories.
“May I have the pleasure of escorting you in the first dance of the evening, My Lady?” Ian questioned Esther formally, extending one hand in her direction.
“It would be my pleasure, My Lord,” Esther answered, placing her small hand in his larger one. Ian once again felt a familiar spark course through his system as he held Esther’s hand. As the set was about to begin, the two made their way to the dance floor alongside several other couples.
The music started, and Ian and Esther started twirling around the room, losing themselves in the rhythm of the music.
Neither of them actually needed words to converse since their eyes said it all.
Ian could see how thrilled Esther was to be dancing with him, and he was thankful to have a chance to share this moment with her.
“Dancing is truly the best feeling in the world,” Esther said happily.
“Yes, it is exhilarating, especially if one has such an enchanting partner,” Ian replied with a wink.
“Are you trying to tell me that you enjoy my company, My Lord?” Esther questioned with a laugh. Ian noticed that her color was high, and her face glowed differently. He knew it was because she was truly happy.
“I always enjoy your company the most, My Lady,” Ian replied with a smile, successfully making Esther blush at the compliment.
The two continued to dance and converse, oblivious to those around them.
Esther couldn’t deny that what she shared with Ian was indeed extraordinary. The electric connection between their touch couldn’t be ignored, and Esther felt jubilant in his presence. It was as if he was the only person in the room, and she had no desire to be with someone else.
Before she had met Ian again, she had enjoyed dancing when given the chance.
Now, she knew that dancing as she knew it was nothing compared to partnering Ian.
It was he that made things around her sing and caused her heartbeat to accelerate.
It was Ian who made her blush with only a tiny wink in her direction.
It was Ian who only needed to look at her for butterflies to emerge into her stomach.
Ian was the only thing that mattered, and Esther had no idea how to classify the feelings that were growing in her heart with every passing day. She had no control over them, and she didn’t even wish to.
Everything about him made her feel complete.
From the way he joked with her casually as if they were long-lost friends, to the way he smiled at her when she said something sweet.
She loved how he never treated her like everyone else did, how he enjoyed conversing with her about books and history.
She loved his laughter, his walk, his hands, his face and every tiny detail about him.
She loved how he always smelled of sandalwood and how handsome he looked when he came to call upon her.
She loved… Esther suddenly stopped in the middle of her thought process. Had she been listing everything she loved about Ian? Did she love him?
As she stared into his hazel irises, looking deep into her soul, Esther came to a sudden realization. A realization that sucked the very breath out of her. A realization that was frightening yet made her feel complete. A realization that she knew was true.
She was indeed, madly, truly, completely in love with Ian Gilbert. She had fallen for him, and now there was no going back, no escape. She had given herself, heart and soul, to him.
Ian knew that he no longer viewed Esther as just a woman he had to marry to please his father.
He could no longer deny the fact that he had developed strong feelings for her.
Feelings that had emerged because of her beautiful personality.
He not only enjoyed her company but also valued her as a person.
He respected her immensely and was sure that marriage with her would be the best decision of his life.
“My Lord, why aren’t we talking?” Esther suddenly asked, and Ian looked at her with an amused expression.
“Because we are very busy dancing and staring into each other’s eyes longingly,” he replied, and Esther blushed at his words. He loved making her blush and could imagine doing it for the rest of their lives.
Ian suddenly wondered if he could ask for Esther’s hand in marriage without telling her the truth.
He was no longer marrying her for his own selfish reasons but was actually interested in her as a person.
She was no longer his means of saving his allowance.
He actually wished to make her his wife and share a life with her.
Ian was afraid that if Esther found out his former intentions, she would never forgive him.
After all, she had been genuine in their dealings, and he had initially thought to use her for his own gain.
He did not wish for her to leave him and knew that it was better to keep the matter a secret.
After all, his intentions had altered, and the past was simply the past.
“I believe the set is about to end, My Lord,” Esther said, looking at Ian. He could sense the disappointment in her tone and felt quite the same way. Having her in his arms was indeed the best feeling in the world.
He decided against telling Esther the truth since his feelings had changed. He did not wish to lose her. Esther would never have to know just how much of a cad he really was.