Page 13 of The Lady No One Noticed

Ian’s eyes were constantly on the lookout for her, and from the corner of his eyes he noticed how she had gone to stand at the very end of the ballroom, in a secluded nook. She was alone, which indicated she had no friends in attendance, which seemed strange. The lack confirmed Ian’s suspicion that she was a wallflower. No friends and no suitors.

“My family is well, and I know yours is too since, I see one of them almost every other day,” Wilson replied with a laugh.

“You and Father have always been close,” Ian said, his mind grasping for a way to bring Esther up naturally. “Lady Esther was sitting opposite me during the dinner, she looks well,” Ian finally commented, trying to sound neutral.

“Oh Esther. Yes, yes, she is fine.” Wilson replied shortly without prolonging the matter.

“This isn’t her first Season, is it?” Ian questioned, trying to figure out the theory he had just formed was correct.

“No, it is her third. We are hoping she will make a match this Season with a distant cousin, Baron Dunshire. You must have seen Fergus too during dinner, as my wife ensured he was sitting beside Esther,” Wilson elaborated, and Ian nodded, finally understanding. Esther’s family was trying to force Fergus down her throat to save them the embarrassment of a failed third Season. Ian had never felt happier. He thought the stars had suddenly aligned.

“Yes, of course, I saw them dancing earlier as well. Oh, I see Lady Esther standing over there. I shall go and greet her. After all, we were childhood friends.” Ian said casually, motioning towards Esther. Wilson turned, following Ian’s gesture, and nodded.

“Absolutely, son. I'll reintroduce you,” Wilson replied, and the two men made their way toward Esther. Ian smiled at how easy it was to obtain a formal introduction.

Esther lamented her lack of appetite at dinner and cursed Fergus one again. She was quite hungry but didn’t dare leave her spot for fear that Fergus would find her and insist on another dance. The embarrassment of the first one was enough to last a lifetime, and she had no wish to repeat it.

She tried to ignore how Astrid and several of her pretentious friends had been giving her snide looks, clearly laughing at her misery, so being alone at the moment suited her mood just fine. Esther was about to set out in search of some refreshments when she saw her father walking towards her accompanied by the man that made Esther’s heart accelerate wildly. The mere sight of him dressed smartly was enough to cause her breath to quicken. She stood still, unable to move at all.

“Esther, my dear,” her father greeted her cheerfully, and Esther smiled up at him. “I am sure you remember Lord Ian Gilbert, the Marquess of Ilenshire.”

Esther wished to say something witty, but her tongue refused to comply. It felt as if Ian’s gaze had captured her voice. The intensity of his unblinking stare was not lost on her. She felt her body growing hot as a blush stained her neck and cheeks. She couldn’t believe that a simple look could make her feel so utterly exposed.

“Lady Esther, how do you do?” Ian asked, his voice smooth and buttery, like caramel. It flowed directly through Esther’s ears right into the depths of her heart. Could a voice really make her lose all sense? Where were these emotions emerging from? She had never before had such feelings for Ian, or anyone else for that matter.

“I am well, my lord, and how are you?” She was finally able to squeak out.

“I am well, thank you. It has been a long time since we last saw each other. We must do some catching up. May I have the pleasure of dancing the next set with you, Lady Esther?” Ian asked, his tone charming.

Her eyes widened. Why would a gentleman like him, who was wealthy, extremely handsome, titled, and the heir to a Dukedom, wish to spend time with her? Knowing that he was a notorious rake, she didn’t believe he had honorable intentions, and it would not reflect well on her character if she were seen dancing with him. So, she decided to refuse him even though her feet twitched to be back on the dancefloor.

“My lord,” she began, but stopped as her eyes fell on Fergus, who had just spotted her and was now quickly making his way towards her. Esther knew he was coming to ask her to dance. She would not dance with him a second time or her name would be linked to him, and everyone would assume that he was courting her. She couldn’t have that.

“I would love to dance with you,” Esther finished, shooting an alarmed look towards Fergus. She decided it was much better to dance with a rogue than him, no matter what people thought.

Ian extended his arm and she took it with a charming smile, his touch sending waves of tingles down her spine. She had the fleeting thought that she had just traded one devil for another.

CHAPTER NINE

Ian guided Esther to the dance floor just as a waltz started. She stopped breathing as one hand slid into hers and the other snaked around her waist. The two began to move, encircling the dance floor as if they were one being. She noticed how his movements were swift and agile, yet sophisticated. It was as if he was born to dance and as if she was created to dance with him.

“You are an excellent dancer, my lord,” Esther praised him. It was something sorely lacking in her life, so she always made sure to give it to others.

“You are very kind, my lady. You are quite an exquisite dancer as well,” Ian replied, effortlessly executing a flawless turn.

“Thank you, I enjoy dancing very much,” Esther said honestly. She noticed how comfortable she felt dancing with Ian, as if they had already done so a dozen times, although they had never actually met as adults.

“What else do you enjoy?” Ian suddenly questioned, catching Esther off guard. No one had ever asked about her interests before.

“Pardon me?” She asked, uncertain she had heard the question correctly.

“What are your other interests, Lady Esther?” He asked once again, without hesitation.

“I, um, enjoy many things,” Esther answered, not knowing what to say. Though Esther couldn’t deny that being asked about herself was strangely pleasing, she was at a loss as to what to tell him for fear that he would ridicule her.

“Do elaborate. I am all ears,” Ian prompted her.

“I enjoy painting, and I absolutely love reading,” Esther answered stating the two things she enjoyed most.