Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Ian reached Hathershire Manor after having headed home to wash up and change after leaving Jackson’s.
He had no idea what suddenly had made him so certain about marrying Esther, but something had indeed.
It was probably George’s words and affirmation about Ian never having been in love with Lisa.
He still was not convinced that he loved Esther, but now he had no choice but to consider the possibility.
The one thing Ian did know was that he enjoyed being with Esther and had feelings for her.
He couldn’t classify those feelings, but he knew they existed, and he could no longer ignore them.
“Lord Gilbert.” The butler greeted him with a formal bow as soon as Ian entered the main doors of the manor. “I am afraid that Lady Esther is not at home.”
“I am here to see Lord Hathershire. Is he home?” Ian asked after a moment’s pause, his thoughts still on Esther.
“Yes, My Lord, he is. I will escort you to his study,” The butler answered, and Ian breathed a sigh of relief. This was his moment of courage, and he did not wish to waste it.
The butler took Ian to Wilson’s study, and Ian remembered the last time he had been here.
Today, Ian needed to have a much more serious discussion with him.
Marriage was not like a courtship. Marriage was real, something that actually mattered, something that would change the course of their lives forever.
The butler announced him and Ian walked inside confidently. The familiar surroundings greeted him.
“Lord Hathershire,” Ian said. Wilson looked up at once, shut the ledger he was reading and stood up from his chair with a smile. Ian felt as if he was expecting him. He was an experienced man and he probably already knew why Ian was here. This fact unsettled Ian even further.
“Lord Gilbert, what a pleasant surprise,” Wilson said as he walked out from behind the table.
He came to stand right in front of Ian, and Ian smiled at him.
He was trying to appear calm even though his brain had turned to mush.
His heart was accelerating, yet he knew he must act like he was in command.
He had a certain position to maintain, even in front of his future father-in-law.
“How are you, My Lord?” Ian asked respectfully, and Wilson smiled.
“I am good, my boy. Would you like a drink?” Wilson suddenly asked, as if knowing that he might need one for the conversation that was about to happen. Ian nodded gratefully, without saying anything.
Ian walked forward to sit down on the couch as Wilson moved towards the sideboard.
Ian watched Wilson take out two glasses and pour scotch in both of them.
He picked up the glasses and walked back to where Ian was seated, handing him one of the glasses.
Once Wilson was seated comfortably opposite Ian, he raised the glass to him as if in a silent toast.
The two men drank in silence for a few minutes. Ian had no idea how to start the conversation, while Wilson seemed in no hurry at all. It was as if he was allowing Ian to take as much time as he needed to prepare himself for the question he had to ask.
“I heard Lady Esther isn’t at home,” Ian said, wanting to say something to kill the silence that had descended between the two men.
“Yes. She’s out somewhere with her mother and sister. Some tea party, I believe,” Wilson replied casually.
“I see,” Ian said, not knowing what else to say.
“Were you here to see her and came to me instead when you found out she wasn’t home?” Wilson suddenly asked, and Ian looked up from his glass to stare at him.
“No, My Lord, I came to see you,” Ian replied easily.
He knew this was the moment. He had to show courage and be done with it.
Wilson would never say no to him. A man like him wanted his daughters to make prominent matches, and Ian held an excellent position in society.
No other suitor could reach Ian’s social status.
“Do you have something you’d like to discuss?” Wilson asked, staring at Ian pointedly, helping him along.
“Yes, My Lord, I need to ask you something important,” Ian finally said, placing his glass on the table between the two men. He leaned forward slightly, trying to appear sedate yet in control. His expression was calm though it was entirely the opposite of how he felt on the inside.
“I am listening,” Wilson said, mirroring Ian’s posture.
“I would like to ask you for Lady Esther’s hand in marriage,” Ian said his voice unwavering. He had no idea how he had blurted out the words or how he had remained so calm about it. His pulse was constantly rising, and he was trying his best to keep his nervousness from his face.
Ian noticed how Wilson’s face changed into a comfortable smile as if he was expecting nothing else. He sighed deeply before sitting back up straight as he continued to stare at Ian.
“Ian, may I tell you something?” Wilson asked, and Ian looked at him quizzically.
“Of course, My Lord,” he answered as he picked up his glass from the table and drank the remaining contents in one go. Ian didn’t want to hear anything Wilson had to say unless it was to acquiesce to Ian’s request, but Ian had to be polite.
“When I went to my father-in-law to ask for Hildred’s hand in marriage, I was extremely nervous.
It took me a full thirty minutes to gather the courage to face the man and an extended thirty minutes to finally ask.
When Neil came to me with the same question, it took him about an hour to finally get to the point.
Today, when you entered this room, I had a feeling that you were here to ask me exactly that.
Though what I didn’t know was that you would ask me this soon,” Wilson went on, and Ian couldn’t help but smile at the story.
“I am just as nervous, My Lord,” Ian said honestly, finally relaxing a little. It felt good to know that he wasn’t the only man who had been nervous in such a situation, that other men before him had gone through similar feelings.
“I am sure you are, but I can see certainty shining in your eyes. This shows me that you are firm about this decision, and no matter how nervous you are at the prospect of marriage, you will always stand by my daughter. Isn’t that right, Ian?” Wilson asked, his words firm and clear.
Ian had no idea whether he was asking him or making sure but whatever the reason was behind his question, Ian knew he could never in a million years hurt Esther. Not intentionally at least.
“That is right, My Lord,” Ian answered simply.
“In that case, you have my blessing, son,” Wilson replied with a smile before standing up and moving forward to hug his future son-in-law. Ian felt as if he had conquered a war or climbed the tallest mountain in the world. The feeling that coursed through his system was out of this world.
As their carriage made its way home, Esther felt lost. Everything Beatrice had said continued circulating through her brain, making her feel sick to the core.
She didn’t know if Beatrice could even be trusted, but Esther had a feeling that the woman wasn’t lying to her.
After all, what benefit would she gain by telling Esther false tales?
In her heart, Esther knew that every single word had been factual.
The way Lisa had looked at Ian last night was proof enough.
The one thing that continued bothering her was why Ian had not told her the complete truth himself.
She knew the soirée was not the place to do so and that she was overanalyzing things, but she couldn’t help it.
“Esther, where are you lost to?” Her mother’s voice broke into her thoughts, and she looked up to find Astrid and her mother staring at her.
“I was just thinking,” Esther replied shortly. She had no wish to interact with anyone, especially her mother and sister, who were discussing every woman at the tea party.
Just then, their carriage came to a sudden halt, and the three women had to steady themselves to prevent themselves from falling.
“What is the matter?” Esther’s mother called out. Just then, a footman walked to her side of the carriage and addressed her through the window.
“My Lady, it seems as if there is another carriage in front of the house that is preventing us from moving forward. It will only take a few moments to clear it,” the footman explained, and Esther’s mother nodded in understanding.
“Who could be here at this hour?” Astrid asked, probably wondering if it was some gentleman coming to call on her.
Esther moved towards the window and looked outside. She immediately knew who it was. Ian was here, and it was probably the first time since they had met that Esther was not glad to see him.
“Lord Gilbert,” Esther replied as she sat back on her chair, her brain going hazy.
She was already troubled about everything Beatrice had told her and had no wish to see Ian in such a state of mind.
He was very observant and would notice her mood in seconds.
She could ask him about Lisa. It would be too direct question, and she couldn’t risk offending him unreasonably.
“Oh that is lovely! He probably came to call on you and thank goodness we got home before he could leave,” her mother exclaimed, and Esther smiled slightly.
Astrid had a sour expression on her face, but Esther ignored her.
She was too troubled already and had no time heed to her sister and her constantly changing moods.
Soon enough, his carriage was moved a little further up towards the mansion so their carriage could enter the premises. Esther got down from the carriage and made her way inside the manor beside her mother.
“Lady Esther, your father asked me to send you into his study as soon as you came back home. He is waiting for you,” the butler told her, and Esther stared at him with widened eyes. She was certain that Ian would be there with her father in the study, and she didn’t wish to see him at all.
“Is Lord Gilbert with him?” Her mother asked as soon as she heard the butler delivering her father’s instructions.
“Yes, My Lady,” The butler replied, and her mother turned to look at her with a radiant smile.
Her heart was already in a state of dread, and she didn’t wish to subject herself to anything further.
She made a silent prayer for everything to go smoothly.
She already had been given way too much information about things she had had no intention of knowing and didn’t want to go through that feeling again.
“Esther, I have a feeling that this means something good. Hurry, my dear, go there at once,” Her mother said giddily, confirming all of Esther’s fears. Ian in the study with her father only meant trouble, the kind of trouble she wasn’t prepared for as yet.
She slowly made her way towards the study, her heart racing with every step she took. She finally reached the door and knocked slightly, praying that the men inside won’t hear it so she could flee to her room.
“Enter,” her father’s loud voice came from inside, and Esther frowned, her prayer having gone unanswered.
She opened the door and stepped inside, her eyes immediately falling to the couches where her father and Ian were seated.
The two men stood up to greet her as she entered.
Her father had a huge smile on his face, which was slightly disturbing.
When, she turned to look at Ian, he was staring at her already.
A small smile was playing at his lips, and Esther felt the very familiar surge of butterflies in her stomach as she locked eyes with him.
She was used to feeling this way every single time she saw him.
He invoked intense emotions in her, feelings she didn’t even know existed.
“Esther, my dear! We’ve been waiting for you,” her father said, sounding excited.
“We just returned father, I came as soon as the butler informed me that you wished to see me,” Esther replied, her voice small.
She had no idea what to expect of this visit or why her father seemed so happy.
He had already given Ian permission to formally court her, so this was something else.
She came to stand beside her father, a little distance away from where Ian was standing.
She looked at the two men, but neither said anything.
She waited inquisitively, loathing the tension that was building inside the room. It felt as if secrets were brewing just beneath the surface, and no one was informing her about them.
“My darling daughter, Lord Gilbert asked me for my blessing to ask for your hand in marriage, and I have told him yes. Congratulations on your engagement,” her father announced, and Esther felt as if the ground beneath her feet had been stolen away.
She stared at her father with widened eyes, her already accelerating heartbeat rising even further.
This was far bigger than anything she could have expected.