Page 54 of The Lady No One Noticed

Ian once again felt the very familiar shock that always ran through his body whenever he touched Esther.

“How have you been, My Lady?” Ian asked as they walked about the ballroom.

“A little busy with the preparations and dress fittings, but I have been well. And you, My Lord?” Esther asked, and Ian turned sideways to glance down at her. She had looked up at him as she asked the question, and Ian could see the affection in her eyes.

“I have been busy too. I am sorry I couldn’t come to see you,” Ian said honestly.

“Oh it is perfectly all right, My Lord. You have no need to apologize,” Esther said with a smile. They stopped after walking a few steps and stood facing one another. Ian only wanted to be with her alone. He had no desire to introduce her to anyone or even mingle with the guests. If he could, he would send everyone home and spend the rest of the evening with Esther only. Every conversation with her made him feel complete, and he craved that feeling.

“Do you like the necklace?” Ian asked, staring at the pearls and diamonds that were beautifully displayed on Esther’s neck. He had noticed the low neckline of her dress and how splendidly it accentuated her collar bones. He felt desire pooling inside his body. Esther’s hand instinctively went up to touch the necklace, and she thumbed it delicately. Ian wished to follow her movements with his own hand, but he couldn’t possibly touch her in a ballroom full of guests.

“I love it, My Lord, thank you so much,” she replied with a shy smile. Before Ian could say anything, Lord and Lady Walter walked towards them and congratulated them on the engagement. It was probably an signal, for everyone in the ballroom, one by one, came to congratulate them. Ian was upset that there was no way he could get a private moment with Esther but he had no choice but to play the part of the newly engaged Marquess.

The few moments of privacy with Ian had been the highlight of the evening for Esther. She knew that everyone congratulating her was sincere in wishing them the best. She was enjoying herself and the attention she received alongside Ian, but her heart was still distressed.

Adam and Lisa were also present at the ball, and Lisa look magnificent. Ian hadn’t glanced at her once, but Esther still felt insecure.

Esther wanted Ian to introduce her to them, but it hadn't happened yet, and it disturbed her, for one thing was certain: everything Lady Beatrice had said was true. There was no other explanation for Adam and Lisa to avoid them. Esther remembered how close the brothers had been during their childhood. Only something as significant as a woman coming in between them could strain the relationship they shared.

Thus, Esther decided to take matters into her own hands.

“My Lord, shouldn’t we…” Esther started to ask Ian to introduce her to Adam and Lisa when his confused expression forced her to stop. She had no idea what he was staring at but she noticed was that he suddenly looked apprehensive.

“My Lady, if you could excuse me for one moment. I promise I’ll be right back,” Ian said, his words rushed. Esther couldn’t understand why he was acting so hastily. Before she could say anything, he turned around and walked quickly in the opposite direction, leaving her worried and confused.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Ian couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw a man dressed simply in a white shirt and trousers, enter the drawing room. Is it Jack? He thought praying to the Gods for it to be someone else. He hadn’t invited Jack to the party, but news of the engagement ball had been circulating all around London, and Jack must have heard.

Jack was the only person who knew why Ian had started courting Esther and even though Ian was no longer the same man and had no such intentions, Jack didn’t know that. Ian hadn’t had a chance to speak to him recently because of everything going on. Between his newly discovered feelings for Esther, the return of Adam and Lisa to London, the engagement, and his new duties, Ian hadn’t had a moment to breathe freely.

He kept looking as the man staggered around the hall, his back to Ian. His movements clearly indicated that he was drunk. Just then, the man turned around, and Ian cursed softly to himself. He no longer had any doubts about his identity.

“My Lord, shouldn’t we …” Esther’s soft voice reached his ears, but he couldn’t turn to look at her. Jack’s presence at his engagement ball, especially when Esther was beside him, was cause for great distress to Ian. He had no idea about how to handle the situation. He knew that he needed to immediately escort Jack to a more private location and ask him to leave.

The man had been drinking and when he was drunk, he had no control over his tongue. Ian was worried that he would end up saying something he shouldn’t in front of Esther and he never wanted a pure soul like her Esther’s to be hurt. Ian never wished to cause her pain and did not want to become the cause of her grief.

“I will return shortly,” Ian said and turned around to walk towards Jack. He had seen the confused expression on Esther’s face, but he didn’t have the time to stop and explain. The only thing he knew right now was that Jack needed to be sent away. It was all that mattered.

He had only turned to look at Esther for a moment, and now Jack was out of his sight. Ian’s heartbeat was accelerating, simply thinking about everything that could go wrong if Esther somehow met him. Just then, he spotted Jack standing by the refreshment table.

Ian walked towards him quickly and held his elbow from behind. “Jack,” Ian hissed, trying to keep his voice as soft as he possibly could. Everyone in the crowd wanted to meet and congratulate him, and he needed privacy to deal with Jack.

“Ian, my friend,” Jack shouted excitedly as he turned around to look at Ian. Ian could smell the alcohol on his breath and immediately noticed the stutter in his voice. It was evident that he was foxed.

“Don’t say anything, just come with me,” Ian said, not wanting to attract any more attention. Jack dramatically said ‘shh’ and placed a finger on his lips. He started laughing loudly, and Ian walked towards the terrace, quickly holding Jack’s arm firmly in his grip. As they inched away from the party, the crowd began to thin, and Ian sighed in relief. He turned around to look and was glad that no one was following them. Jack was not in the state to be allowed to meet his guests. Ian was certain that he would end up revealing something unnecessary, and it would ruin everything. Esther was to never meet him.

Ian brought him to the terrace that overlooked his mother’s lavish rose garden.

“Jack, why are you here?” Ian said dropping Jack’s elbow and turning around to face him. He watched as Jack staggered towards the railing of the terrace and stood there, supporting his weight on it. His eyes were drooping dramatically as he was probably unable to keep them open because of the amount of alcohol in his system.

“I came to congratulate you, my friend,” Jack slurred, and Ian rolled his eyes.

“Thank you so much for the warm wishes, Jack. I will meet you at White’s tomorrow, and you can congratulate me further. Though for now, I need you to leave,” Ian said, his patience running thin. He had promised Esther he would be back in a moment.

“But Ian, I came here to tell you something very important,” Jack said, his voice growing mysterious.

“What is it?” Ian questioned impatiently, taking out his pocket watch to check the time. He noticed it was getting late, and Esther would be wondering about his whereabouts.