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His interest was piqued; could he somehow lure Esther away from her family, as Christmas Day and the days after it were days for family celebrations. If he truly just needed to shame her, a seduction at the pleasure gardens was the best place for it.
But again…ruination or not.
While he made up the request for admission to the ball, his indecision kept with him all through the day to the afternoon when he left for the Harewood house. The sun was out, a pale silver disk, but was warm enough to keep the snow clouds away. Descending from the vehicle, he went to the door and greeted the footman.
Miss Smith came down with a tempered smile, “Good afternoon, My Lord. Lady Harewood will be down shortly.”
He found a curious undertone in her voice but dismissed it; he was still conflicted about if he should ruin Esther or not. When he spotted her coming down the stairs in a full grey ensemble ,he decided that just shaming her would do.
His lips flattened a little as by now, he was sure he would have met the Duke or at least her mother. Why wasn’t he meeting either?
“My Lord?” Esther asked her delicate brow knitting. “Is something amiss?”
“Not…particularly,” he said but felt it prudent to mention his concern. “But is your family away again? Shouldn’t I have met them by now?”
Esther's expression dimmed, “Mother and John are out again, but if you want to meet them, they would be back this evening.”
The undertone of her words told him that she did not want him to meet her family—and Felton did not have an issue with that. He did not want to get too entangled with the matriarch and the Duke because he knew his intention for Esther was not a good one.
But they wronged Catherine; they humiliated her. ‘Tis my duty to show them the error of their ways.
“Very well,” Felton said and extended his arm.
He led her and Miss Smith to the carriage and into the vehicle before joining them. Managing to school his face into one of nonchalance, he asked, “How was your evening? Did you enjoy the gifts?”
Instantly, her face went warm and he knew she had read some of the erotic novel. Which part did she read, he wondered, the kissing under the stars or the lovemaking in Nathaniel’s bed? Perhaps the wicked kiss the Lord had given Madeline with her legs around his ears?
“There were all delightful, My Lord,” Esther said, “Thank you. May I ask, why did you not tell the confectioner that I wasnotyour wife?”
Felton shrugged a little, “It would have taken more explanation than I had been in the mood to give. It was just easier for her to take it that we were wed. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable; please believe me, that was certainly not my intention.”
Her colour petered out of her face, and Esther looked pleased, “I assumed it was all in jest.”
Folding his arms, Felton said, “I—” he paused. “—The war changed me, My Lady. When I left, I was young and unwise, I never expected to see what I did see. I do not want to abuse your sensibilities, but war stripped me of a lot of things. At my darkest moments, I believed all hope for a normal life, for peace, marriage, and even hope and love were past my reach. My sense of humour changed as well. I truly did not mean any harm in that jest.”
Esther reached over and grasped his hands, “I am so deeply sorry that you lost so much to make us gain even more.”
Oddly touched, Felton lightly squeezed her hand, “Thank you.”
“So,” her expression cleared, “How did you find the cake?”
“Truthfully, I have not touched it yet,” Felton replied while holding her eyes, “It seemed to be the kind of lovely confectionery that calls for company; which, sadly, I don’t have.”
Concern marked her wide eyes, “Surely not!”
“I am a solitary creature, My Lady,” Felton replied wryly. “Or perhaps you haven’t noticed.”
“Before you left,” Esther said, “Did you not have friends?”
“Not much,” Felton replied while taking a glance out the window to see that they had arrived in the park. “And those I did have, drifted away.”
“Are you a part of White’s? Brooks?” Esther pressed. “Surely other Lords would understand who you are and recognize you for it?”
Rubbing the middle of his palm, Felton said, “Idespisethose places. It's just idle chit-chat and gambling. I hate the smell of cigars and I believe that those clubs brew adultery because of the influence of single men,rakehells, who brag about their loose women. I do not keep company with men who break their vows.”
Admiration lit Esther’s face, “That is another attribute I respect, I prize loyalty.”
Instead of replying immediately, Felton glanced out the window and noted that they were near a pond. Reaching up quickly, he rapped on the roof and the carriage slowed to a stop. Facing Esther, he asked, “Would you walk with me for a moment?”
