Page 29 of The Lady No One Noticed

“Well, Fergus hadn’t ask me for my blessing to marry Esther, and I obviously couldn’t have refused Ian. We shouldn’t forget that he is decent, titled, wealthy, and a future duke. He would make an excellent husband to Esther,” she heard her father reply and blushed deeply. She couldn’t believe that the prospect of her marriage with Ian was being discussed so openly, and her father seemed to approve of the match.

Am I living in a dream?

Esther knew that this day couldn’t get any better. She was suddenly looking forward to meeting Ian for their planned picnic. Now that she knew that he was courting her properly, she had to make a good impression. She was already falling for him, and she wished he shared the same feelings for her. Why else would he be courting her?

“Don’t look so smug, Esther, I hope you are not forgetting about his roguish reputation. Rogues never change and can’t be trusted at all,” Astrid snickered. Her bitter words forced everyone to turn and stare at her. Esther was upset that her own sister would be so cruel to her. It was as if Astrid simply couldn’t be happy for anyone but herself. Her selfish nature didn’t allow it.

“I hope you are not forgetting that at least Esther is courting someone while you have no offers as yet. You couldn’t hold the attentions of the Duke of Alewood, and you denied all other prospective suitors in search for a duke,” Wilson reprimanded Astrid, and Esther stared at him with a shocked expression.

He had never before put Astrid in her place or scolded her at all. This was a shock to everyone and especially Astrid. Esther noticed how her color faded. She seemed upset and didn’t know how to reply. Esther felt happy that her father had defended her that way but she also felt bad for her sister. After all, Astrid’s nature had been molded by her parent’s overindulgence of her.

Esther knew Astrid was probably feeling left out and overshadowed since she had always been the center of attention.

“Your father is right Astrid; he would obviously not allow Ian to court Esther if his intentions were not noble towards her. You should keep your remarks to yourself,” Hildred chimed in, scolding Astrid even further.

Esther noticed how Astrid remained quiet without bothering to reply. She probably didn’t know what to say since what she had said about Ian was both wrong and rude. Esther believed in her heart that Ian wouldn’t betray her and that he was courting her for marriage because he was interested in her. Ian seemed to enjoy her company immensely.

And at that moment, honestly Esther didn’t care much about Ian’s reputation since he had saved her from a marriage with Fergus.

“I am going to head upstairs now, Mother. Ian is going to take me out for a picnic, and I must dress appropriately,” Esther told her mother suddenly remembering, that Ian would be arriving soon.

Her mother nodded, and Esther made her way back upstairs, already excited to meet Ian again. She couldn’t wait to be in his presence.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Ian woke up suddenly, scrunching his eyes shut as the unwelcome morning light greeted him. He tried sitting up in bed, but his head felt extremely heavy. He was suffering from the repercussions of an excess of drink and felt ill.

“Walder!” Ian called out to his valet, still not willing to stand up.

He heard the door of his room open, and someone walked inside.

“Good day, My Lord,” Walder greeted him with a bow as Ian looked at him with one eye.

“What time is it?” Ian questioned lazily.

“The entire morning has gone by, My Lord, I tried waking you, but you were fast asleep and refused to even open your eyes. You must get dressed immediately, or you will be late for your picnic with Lady Esther.” Walder said, and Ian’s eyes widened.

How could he have forgotten about meeting Esther for their planned picnic? He inwardly cursed himself before sprinting out of the covers and getting dressed quickly. He felt as if a million tiny needles were pinching into his head at once. He was regretting staying out late to drink, but there was no point. What was done was done.

Once he was dressed, he stepped out of his bed chamber, hastily heading towards the dining room for a quick and late breakfast. He was just about to enter when his mother stepped out of the room, intercepting him, and he had to balance himself or else the two would have crashed into her.

“Ian Gilbert, have you woken up just now?” Ian heard his mother ask and sighed dejectedly. He knew she would subject him to a good amount of scolding, and he mentally prepared himself for the attack.

“I slept late Mother, I apologize,” he answered honestly.

“You were out late drinking, weren’t you? You look half foxed Ian, it is evident that you are suffering from a hangover,” his mother exclaimed, sounding slightly disappointed.

“I was feeling a little low, so I went to White’s and met with a friend there. Things got a bit carried away, and I drank more than I intended,” Ian explained truthfully. His mother continued to look at him with a frown, and he knew she was not going to forgive him so easily.

“You are very fortunate that your father isn’t home right now. He left for a meeting in town early this morning. Do you have any idea how furious he would have been if he had seen you like this?” His mother questioned and Ian knew she was right. His father would have probably issued him another ultimatum.

“You are right, Mother, I am at fault. I promise this won’t happen again,” Ian replied, trying his best to rush things along. He was already late and did not wish to leave Esther waiting much longer.

“He is serious about his ultimatum Ian. He asked you to start behaving decently, and I thought you were actually doing it, but now I can see that it was all just a sham you put on, and now you are slowly drifting back into your former ways,” his mother scolded, clearly unimpressed. Ian wished he could reason with his mother about the matter, but it felt pointless. She was set on staying angry with him.

“Mother, I have no idea why you think that, but I must tell you that the Earl of Hathershire has given me his blessing to formally court Lady Esther. I am serious about everything. Last night was just a small mistake because I got carried away after meeting an old friend, and I can assure you it won’t happen again. I am trying my best to act responsibly and won’t disappoint you or Father,” Ian told her, sincerity evident in his tone.

A surprised expression registered on his mother’s face as she heard what Ian said. “Are you truly courting Esther for marriage, Ian? I had no idea you were actually taking your father’s ultimatum seriously,” she said, her tone amazed.