Page 35 of The Lady No One Noticed

Esther suddenly felt overwhelmed, as if the walls around her were closing in. It was true that she had wished for Ian to court her and enjoyed his company, but she had never before allowed herself to think about being married to Ian. The idea was so alarmingly foreign that her brain failed to grasp it. Or maybe it was because she had been so wrapped up in the prospect of being married to Fergus that such a possibility with Ian had sounded like a distant dream. Now that Fergus was no longer a problem she could imagine herself becoming the Marchioness of Ilenshire. The very name made her heart thud loudly inside her chest.

“If I were in your place Esther, I would never consider marrying such a rogue.” Astrid’s snide tone once again made Esther stop as she buttered her bread. She stared at her sister. She didn’t understand why her sister couldn’t wish for her happiness like she did for hers. Esther couldn’t believe that Astrid did it again. Her sister always managed to ruin her happy mood with her cruel remarks. Esther knew she was only doing it out of envy, but it hurt all the same.

“It is fortunate that you are not in my place then, Astrid,” Esther said softly, trying her best to not allow the matter to escalate.

“I mean, how could you ever trust such a gentleman? Once a rogue, always a rogue! They just create false illusions of being reformed in front of potential ladies but sooner rather than later, they drift back into their former lifestyles,” Astrid went on, and Esther lost all her appetite. The happiness she was feeling moments ago evaporated completely as Astrid’s words struck Esther’s own fears.

“Astrid, I would advise you to stop acting so superior. It is not as if you have a string of proposals waiting for you at your doorstep,” her father snapped at Astrid, his tone sharp and angry.

Esther suddenly let out a sigh. Her father had once again put Astrid in her place. Esther was happy that he was starting to take her into account, but she didn’t want her sister to be mistreated because of it. Esther was a kind-hearted person, and no matter how rude Astrid was to her, she knew that her sister was only doing this out of frustration. Esther had had two failed Seasons and understood the pressure of finding a suitable match. She knew exactly what Astrid was going through and sympathized with her sister dearly, even though Astrid would never allow Esther to comfort her.

“I must take my leave now. I hope you ladies have a good day.” Their father as he stood up from the table and left the dining room. Astrid had turned quiet after he had scolded her, and Esther knew there was no point in trying to converse with her.

“I am going up to my room. I have developed a megrim,” Astrid said and stood up to leave the dining room. When no one acknowledged her, Astrid made a face and left.

“Will Lord Gilbert be calling today, Esther?” Hildred asked.

“No Mother, he’ll be calling tomorrow,” she answered. “I think I’ll paint today. If the drawing room is not occupied, may I sit there?”

“Yes, of course, dear, wherever you please,” Her mother said holding Esther’s hand tight. She smiled before getting up to exit the dining room herself.

Is a courting enough for such a change?

As Esther thought about this, she headed to the drawing room. She hadn’t painted in quite some time and was actually looking forward to spending the day with herself no matter how much she wished to see Ian.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Ian walked in the dining room at Gilendale Manor and found his parents were already seated. Breakfast was spread out on the sideboard, and Ian greeted the two of them enthusiastically.

“Good morning, Father. Good morning, Mother. I hope you two are well this morning?” Ian questioned before sitting down beside his mother.

“We are well son, how are you?” His mother asked, pouring tea into Ian’s cup.

“Must you even ask Grace? Look at him; he looks exceptionally bright this morning,” his father joked, and Ian smiled as he took the tea from his mother.

“I look bright every morning, Father, I’ll have you know,” Ian replied, sounding amused.

“Well, I must congratulate you on your courtship with Lady Esther. You have chosen yourself an excellent young lady,” his father bellowed, clearly ecstatic about the match. Ian knew it was probably because his father and Wilson Chapple were old friends and business acquaintances. The families knew each other quite well, and this match between him and Esther would only solidify their existing bond.

“Thank you, Father, though I do not remember announcing my courtship. May I ask how you discovered the information?” Ian asked, knowing it was a pointless question. His mother must have gushed on and on about Ian taking Esther on a picnic yesterday. He turned to look at his mother with an accusing stare. She laughed.

“I know that you think I told him but, I did not. He read it himself in the gossip column.” Grace informed, and Ian raised an eyebrow disbelievingly.

“I had no idea you read the gossip columns, Father,” Ian said, dumbfounded. He had no idea what to be more worried about, his father knowing about his courtship or the entire ton talking about it. Ian knew that it was exactly what he had wanted. A public courtship that would end up in marriage as soon as possible to save his allowance from being cut off. Though now that it was actually happening, his emotions were running rampant.

“Yes, you and Lady Esther are mentioned in great detail in today’s column,” his mother said before picking up the paper from the table and handing it to Ian. Ian read the piece with a hilarious expression before putting it back down.

His parents looked extremely happy about this match, and Ian was glad that he had given them some peace of mind. They had been worried about him, and he had only made things worse for them in the last three years by his unnecessarily bold and indecent actions. He knew he was only doing this to fulfill his father’s ultimatum but he was glad that he could give his parents some semblance of happiness. Esther was an angel, and his parents would like her immediately.

“I am just glad that you picked a sensible young girl who comes from such an excellent family,” the duke chimed in, and Ian nodded, already aware of this.

“I wanted to talk to you about something Ian,” Grace said, and Ian sensed a hesitation in her tone that had been absent earlier. He looked at her with a questioning expression and nodded, indicating for her to continue.

“I am hosting a soirée in five days’ time, and I have already invited the Hathershires,” his mother said and Ian visibly relaxed. He had expected to hear something unbecoming, but this was actually an excellent idea. A soiree would allow their families to interact and give Esther and Ian more time with one another.

“That is wonderful, Mother. I am sure it will be a great success,” Ian told her with a smile, actually looking forward to attending it.

“Ian, I have invited your brother and both Adam and Lisa have agreed to come. I ask that you put aside your differences and attend the event. I know that you haven’t met them for the last three years, but they are family, Ian. You can’t avoid them forever. I’m sure it will be easier to face them with Lady Esther by your side” Grace went on, trying her best to explain the situation to him.