Page 12 of The Lady No One Noticed

Though she was supposedly a sheltered miss, gossip traveled deftly throughout the ton and Esther knew all about Ian’s roguish reputation. A man as charming, handsome, and wealthy as him would undoubtedly be popular amongst the women. He was everything a woman could desire. A gentleman with a subtle hint of wildness about him probably made him irresistible. Her mother had said on several occasions that reformed rakes made the best husbands.

Though Esther wasn’t sure if it was true. She knew the repercussions of associating with a man of the likes of Ian Gilbert could be dire. If anything amiss happened, she would be ruined. Being a wallflower was far better than being involved in a scandal. Aside from her dowry, her only commodity was her purity.

“No, I can’t trust a man like Ian. How would I ever know if he was sincere,” she whispered to herself, deciding to stay away from the devilishly handsome man.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Esther was brought back to the present with gentle tapping of silver upon crystal. Everyone turned to see Neil standing at the head of the table, clicking his knife against his wineglass. A hush fell over the dining room, everyone waiting to hear what their host had to say.

“First of all, my lovely wife Madeline and I would like to thank all of you for accepting our invitation to this special soirée,” Neil started, sounding humble. Esther knew that Neil was a good man and an even better husband. She smiled at his kind words before he continued.

“I have been told by several highly esteemed ladies in attendance tonight that Willmeade Manor looks lively once again. That Madeline has bestowed magic onto the place and turned this manor into a happy home.” Neil said, looking affectionately at Madeline, who was seated beside him at the table. She was smiling beautifully as she looked up at her husband. Anyone would conclude the two were clearly in love. “It is true indeed. Madeline has turned this house into our home and my heart into her sanctuary. She is the most beautiful thing in the world, and I am happy that I can call her my wife. That is why I would like you to be the first to know that Madeline and I are expecting our first child,” Neil announced with a glowing smile.

Everyone clapped as soon as the words left Neil’s mouth. Hildred stood up from her seat, her face a mixture of surprise and happiness, and walked quickly to Madeline’s side, who stood up. The pair hugged tearfully. Esther could see that her mother was beaming as if the news had made her the happiest woman in the world. A slew of congratulations started pouring across the table, directed at Neil and Madeline. Her father also stood up from his seat and slapped Neil on the back before engulfing him in a manly hug. Esther’s eyes glossed over as she looked at the happy moment unfolding in front of her eyes. While she was delighted for her sister, she couldn't help but think that this kind of announcement might never be in the cards for her at all.

Neil turned to face the table once again, raising his glass in the air in a toast.

“To Madeline,” He said lovingly, holding his wife’s hand. Everyone raised their glasses, and a loud array of ‘here, here’ was heard at the table before everyone drank to both Neil and Madeline and their impending happiness.

“May the ball begin,” Neil announced once the cheering had died down.

Men all around Esther offered their elbows to the ladies they wished to dance with, and the ladies took them graciously. From the corner of her eye, Esther noticed how the Duke of Alewood had also stood up, extending his hand for Astrid. Astrid looked up at him with a stunning smile before taking his arm to be escorted to the ballroom.

Her mother and father linked arms as well before exiting the dining room right behind Neil and Madeline, who led the queue.

“Lady Esther?”

Esther heard her name being called and knew it was Fergus without a doubt. She turned to him, and her worst nightmare had indeed come true. Fergus stood there with an arm extended towards Esther. The inquisitive tone in his words had been evident to Esther, and she knew he expected to partner her in the first dance.

She took his arm dejectedly, knowing there was no polite way to refuse. No one else would be asking her to dance anyway, so she might as well dance with Fergus and get it over with. She stood up and Fergus immediately linked his arm with hers before smiling. Esther cringed as once again since his close proximity resulted in her smelling the stale alcohol on his breath. She knew it would be even worse as they faced each other on the dancefloor.

They followed the queue and reached the ballroom just as the set was about to begin. Esther immediately understood that the first dance was going to be a cotillion and smiled slightly. She loved dancing. She knew that she was a graceful dancer and enjoyed it immensely, even though she got little practice. She tried to be happy about the fact that she was at least getting a chance to dance.

The couples stood facing each other on the dance floor. She stepped forward, and to her utter horror, Fergus stepped on her foot rather than stepping back. She decided to ignore the mistake, but it continued throughout the entire set and Esther had grown crimson with embarrassment. The other dancers looked upon them with condescending disdain. She couldn’t wait for the set to be over so she could go stand in a corner to fan her hot cheeks.

Ian stood silently in the corner of the room watching the dance floor. He hadn’t danced at a formal event such as this in the last three years but was still confident of his immaculate skills. When on a dance floor, he ruled it, it was in his blood and he considered himself a master of the craft.

Ian noticed that as soon as he had stepped foot inside the ballroom, his eyes had immediately swept the entire place searching for Esther. He didn’t exactly understand what that meant, but he was certainly drawn to her. He found her eventually, dancing the cotillion with the same man who had accompanied her during dinner, her face tense and flushed. Within a few seconds of watching them, Ian understood why. Her partner was a terrible dancer. He could see Esther’s graceful movements, but she could not make up for the man’s bumbling steps.

What in the world is a woman like her even doing with such a simpleton?

He stifled the urge to push aside Esther’s partner and take his place. A dancer as elegant as her needed a partner that could match her step to step.

The set finally ended, and Ian saw Esther quickly give a short curtsy before scurrying away from the dance floor, clearly embarrassed. He wished he could just walk up to her and ask her for the next dance, but she was unchaperoned at the moment, and he didn’t wish to make a misstep so early in his reintroduction to society. It was true they had known each other all their lives, but the setting was formal, and she was an unmarried lady. He could not simply walk up to her, not with his notorious reputation.

Ian had a strong intuition that Esther was a wallflower. He knew she must have debuted at least two seasons ago, yet no other gentleman approached her or even seemed to notice her. Fergus was probably the only man willing to marry her, and she was being forced to interact with him. He had seen how frustrated she had been during the dinner, and it was apparent that she did not enjoy his attentions. This meant that Esther was an easy target, a woman he could court and marry in no time at all. She seemed sensible and would make for a good wife, or more appropriately, a good mother for his heir. Ian knew what he had to do next. He simply needed to confirm his suspicions and put his plan into action. It would take no effort at all.

“My dear Ian!” A loud voice called his name, and he looked up to see Wilson Chapple striding toward him. He truly liked the man and smiled before walking forward to greet him with a hug.

“My lord,” he said, addressing Wilson respectfully.

“I haven't seen you in years, my boy,” Wilson commented, smiling with open affection. Ian knew that he was simply making conversation and was not trying to bring up his past or his tarnished reputation.

“Well, a man must return home sooner or later,” Ian replied, knowing it was the truth. He couldn’t have stayed away from society forever, and neither could he remain unmarried for eternity. Even if his father hadn’t given him an ultimatum, Ian had always known he would have to do his duty eventually. The threat of being cut-off just made that time now.

“I am glad you are back Ian; you know I have always cared for you like a son,” Wilson said with no hint of deception in his words.

“And I have always respected you like my own father,” Ian replied in kind. “How are your family?” Ian questioned trying to find a way to bring up Esther.