Page 52 of The Lady No One Noticed

“To adjust my mind around this concept of marriage, Mother. I don’t think I am ready,” Esther replied in a hushed tone, not knowing how her mother would react to her words.

To her utter surprise, her mother got up from her position on the chair opposite her and came to sit beside her instead. She took Esther’s hand in hers and looked at her with motherly affection. Esther was stunned at this contact since she had never done anything of this sort before. She had never shared an affectionate relationship with her mother, and this felt foreign. Esther knew that her mother loved her but had always been unable to openly express it.

“Esther, do you love Ian?” her mother suddenly asked, shocking Esther completely. She stared at her mother with widened eyes, not knowing what to say or how to answer this question.

“Mother, I don’t know,” Esther answered hesitantly, stuttering slightly.

“You can be honest with me child,” her mother said in a soft whisper. Esther felt tears sting her eyes as a sudden surge of emotions coursed through her heart, making her feel weak.

“I think I do,” She replied softly.

“It is either a yes or a no, Esther,” Hildred replied, urging her even further.

“Yes,” Esther said, at last, unable to believe that she was acknowledging her love for Ian this openly, especially in front of her mother.

“If you truly do love him, then everything will be all right eventually. Don’t worry and allow yourself to feel. I am here beside you, no matter what happens,” her mother said, and as Esther listened to her, she knew that her mother was right. Things would eventually be well; all she had to do was wait.

The last week had been extremely busy for Ian. His father had suddenly started to take him seriously once again after his engagement with Esther was announced. It felt as if he had finally started trusting him and was no longer hesitant to give him responsibilities. On the one hand, Ian was glad to finally feel worthy again. His position in society was getting better with every passing day and he felt as if this engagement had been the solution to all his problems.

On the other hand, he had never been more scared. He hadn’t met with Esther in the past week for he knew she was busy with shopping and wedding preparations. He was no longer unsure about marrying her, but he still didn’t know if she was happy about the wedding. Her expressions on the day of their engagement had perturbed him, but they hadn’t had a chance to speak privately.

“My Lord?” Walder’s voice brought him out of his reverie.

“Yes, Walder?” Ian questioned, still slightly dazed.

“Your father has called you into his study,” Walder informed Ian. Ian nodded and started walking towards his father’s study at once. In the past week, his father had been discussing the family business with Ian in great detail. Ian had been working alongside him, and he thought that whatever his father had to say was going to be about that.

He entered the study and his eyes immediately fell to the man who was seated at the chair at the opposite end if the table. As Ian walked, forward he realized that the man was Mr. Dursley, their family solicitor. Ian scrunched up his eyebrows, not sure what the meeting was about but walked forward to greet his father anyway.

“Father.” Ian addressed his father and nodded at Mr. Dursley before sitting down beside him.

“Ian, how are you this morning, son?” The duke questioned with a smile.

“Very well,” Ian replied shortly, knowing full well that this was no time for small talk.

“Ian, we both know that you are the future heir to the Gilendale Dukedom and will be handling this position after me.” His father began, and Ian grew even more confused. He had no idea where his father was going with this, though he was glad that he had come straight to the point.

“Yes, Father.” Ian replied, willing for him to continue.

“My son, you have made me immensely proud by changing your ways. When I asked you to return to London immediately alongside me, I never expected you to listen. I never even expected you to follow my orders. Though, I can’t explain how glad I am to see that you not only did everything I asked, but did it with great perfection. Lady Esther is truly a gem and will be an excellent duchess for you and our legacy,” his father announced, and Ian felt even better. He knew that the only reason behind him changing was his father’s ultimatum, but his parent’s pride and trust in him were something he had always wished for and desired. Ian had been away from them for too long and was happy to make up for the lost time.

“Thank you, Father,” Ian answered, not knowing what else to say.

“Now I want you to know that I have decided to step down from some of my ducal responsibilities, and hand them over to you. Everything I own is yours, son, though I have asked Mr. Dursley here to make official papers so that things could be transferred over to you legally. I want you to slowly adapt to the role of a duke, so it doesn’t come at you all at once. I believe that you will be able to process it much better this way,” his father explained, and Ian watched as Mr. Dursley gathered a set of papers and placed it on the table in front of Ian.

Ian had no idea how to react. He was aware, of course, that he would inherit the Gilendale dukedom someday, but his father giving him some of his responsibilities showed how much he trusted him. It made Ian feel elated. Words escaped him, so he simply took hold of the papers and signed them.

“Father, I wish I had the words to thank you for trusting me,” Ian admitted, once the formalities were done and Mr. Dursley had left.

“I don’t need you to thank me, son, I only need you to take your responsibilities seriously, as you have started doing,” his father announced, and Ian nodded.

Ian’s mother walked in silently.

“Well, have the papers been signed?” she asked, and Ian nodded as an answer.

“Yes, my dear,” the duke replied lovingly. Ian noticed the way his father always looked at his mother with love. It was evident that they adored each and their successful marriage was indeed an inspiration to Ian.

“I am so proud of you, Ian. I am certain that you will not disappoint your father,” his mother said with a smile.