Page 23 of The Lady No One Noticed

They both suddenly went quiet, clearly lost in their own thoughts. Now Madeline and Neil were happily married and expecting their first child together, but they had been mortal enemies in their youth.

“It is remarkable where life can lead you,” Esther commented. “I suppose one always ends up with the person one is meant to be with. I’m sure both Madeline and Neil would have scoffed at the idea of being married, but here they are. Happy and in love.”

Ian turned to look at her seriously, and Esther wondered what was going on inside his mind.

Could he be contemplating whether we are meant for one another?

He was a master at concealing his expressions, and nothing was visible from his face. He nodded without replying.

“How is Adam doing?” Esther asked, trying to continue the conversation.

Ian jerked as if struck and his face tensed.

Esther did not understand why Ian had suddenly become so visibly upset. When the carriage halted, she saw that he was attempting to compose himself but had no idea what she had said to upset him.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Reminiscing about their childhood with Esther had forced Ian to think about things he’d rather not have entered is mind. She had casually mentioned that she supposed that one always ended up with the person one was meant to be with. But was that really true? Wasn’t he supposed to end up with Lisa? She was the love of his life, and she was now married to his brother.

If what Esther had said was correct, it meant that he and Lisa were never supposed to be together. That she was simply a passing phase in the long journey of his life. A small chapter in his book holding no worth or measure. It meant that there was someone else out there for him. Could it be Esther? He dismissed the idea immediately. He wasn’t in love with her, he was simply courting her as a way to appease his father. Of course, he liked her and admired her mind. She was lovely too, but there was no way he could fall in love with her. He just had to marry her and sire an heir so he could go back to the debauched form of living her preferred.

He couldn’t help but think where his life would have been if he had married Lisa after all. If Adam hadn’t wormed his way between them and Lisa hadn’t betrayed him so cruelly, turning all his dreams to mud. He would probably have been happily married with several children of his own by now. He would have had a good life, one that would have made him happy, but that happiness was unattainable now.

“How is Adam doing?” Esther’s question had felt like a slap to the face. Although Esther could not know what had happened between the brothers, the last thing he wanted was to speak about Adam. He had avoided seeing him and his wife for three years and he didn’t see that changing in the future.

Ian’s eyes fell on Esther’s concerned expression, and he realized he had remained cryptically silent in response to her perfectly innocuous question. She probably thought he was upset with her or didn’t wish to converse. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. Her company gave him immense pleasure and he enjoyed every moment he spent in her presence.

“My apologies, Lady Esther, my mind had drifted,” Ian said, trying to put her mind to ease. Her confused expression remained, but she smiled, and his heart began to hum. Her smile could brighten the darkest of days. It was absolutely pure, devoid of any artifice.

If only I was as innocent as she is…

“We have reached the museum I believe,” Esther said as the coachman opened the door of the carriage.

Ian stepped down and turned to help Esther. He offered her his hand, and she graciously took it as she stepped down. Ian suddenly felt tingles down his spine at the touch, and it was not the first time it had happened. He seemed to have this feeling whenever he touched Esther and it was disconcerting. He’d been with countless women in the past, and he had never experienced this kind of response to a simple touch.

Ian dismissed the matter. He had not been with a woman for some time and assumed that was the reason for his reaction to Esther. His mind went to his most recent conquest, Viscount Balewood’s wife. He had liked her and the woman had a voracious appetite for bed sport. However, the incident with her was the reason he was being forced to marry.

“Are you well, Lady Esther?” Ian asked as he glanced at Esther. Her smooth white skin was tinged red and Ian wondered if she had felt the jolt at their touch as he had. A blush did tend to creep over her face whenever he touched her. Ian found it extremely attractive and couldn’t help but think about making her blush even more.

She became flustered at his question but finally looked up to reply to him. Ian couldn’t help but find himself getting lost in her deep brown eyes; they were entirely too mesmerizing indeed.

“I am quite fine, My Lord,” Esther answered, a slight stutter evident in her voice. She knew she had to control her reaction to Ian’s touch. Thrills of awareness had raked her system as he had helped her down the carriage and she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. His presence was intoxicating and his touch only made her crave more.

“Shall we go inside?” Ian questioned once again, and Esther nodded her consent.

The two walked inside the magnificent building filled with relics from the Egyptian era. Esther had already visited the museum once before but had wished to come again. Unfortunately, her family wasn’t interested in ancient societies and she had no friends she could visit it with. Ian’s invitation had been a happy surprise, and she decided to thank him.

“Lord Gilbert, I must thank you again for inviting me to the museum. I have been wanting to return for a while now, but had no one to escort me,” she told him honestly and Ian’s brow furrowed before he smiled.

“No need to thank me, Lady Esther. I would be pleased to escort you any time you wish,” Ian replied. Realizing that the words may have sounded to ardent, he added, “You know I enjoy history just as much as you do.”

They examined the exhibits, having lengthy discussions and neither Esther nor Ian seemed to get bored. They were healthy arguments from which both learned something from the other. Esther couldn’t believe that conversing with Ian was so easy. It felt as if they were the best of friends.

“I enjoy looking at the world map,” Ian said as they walked forward to stand in front of a large world map nailed to the wall.

“Why is that?” Esther asked, turning slightly to look at him. He was very handsome today, and she had found herself looking at him as much as the artifacts.

“I think of all the places I have already been and all the places I would like to visit. Travelling gives me immense pleasure, and I enjoy standing in front of the map planning trips to far off lands,” Ian explained, and Esther sighed in reply.