Page 36 of The Lady No One Noticed

Ian felt a ringing in his ears, and his blood began to boil at the mention of their names. He knew that his mother was right, and there was no way that he could ignore them forever, but that did not mean he would meet them willingly. He had been so hurt and angry at them that he hadn’t even attended their wedding. He had refused to put himself through the misery.

“I understand, Mother. I will think about it,” Ian said shortly.

“Promise me you will Ian? It would be the talk of the town if you are absent from your own family event,” his mother pleaded, and Ian once again knew she was right. He couldn’t possibly skip an event hosted by his own mother, especially when he was in town. He couldn’t find an excuse to leave town in the middle of a courtship with Esther either. His parents had trapped him, and he knew there was no escape.

“I promise, Mother. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some matters to attend to,” Ian stood up, with no clue about where to go to or what to do. The only thing he knew was that he had to leave the house. He made his way back upstairs and headed straight to his room, where Walder was straightening his belongings.

His blood was boiling at the prospect of being in the same room with Adam after all that time. The fact that Lisa would be there too was making him even angrier. The two people who had singlehandedly ruined his life were walking back into it once again.

Ian knew that he had to calm down or else he would end up doing something stupid. This wasn’t the time to let his heart and emotions rule his decision. He had to think rationally.

“My Lord, is something the wrong?” Walder asked, correctly judging Ian’s thunderous expression.

“Prepare my riding breeches,” Ian ordered and Walder hurried away. Ian couldn’t stop thinking about his brother and Lisa. Ian knew his mother was right, he couldn’t possibly stay away forever. So he decided that he had to focus on Esther now.

Walder walked back inside the bed chamber with Ian’s clothes, and he quickly changed.

“Where are you headed off to, My Lord?” Walder asked, concern in his voice. Ian tried to calm down a little, not wanting to worry the man.

“Everything is fine Walder, I am calmer now. I will be fine,” Ian confirmed before heading out of his room and Gilendale Manor. He walked towards the stables, not knowing where to go. The only person that came into his mind was Esther. Whenever he was in Esther’s presence, he felt considerably at peace. She made him feel like a different person altogether. A better, more sane version of himself.

Ian had never felt that way before. He had always been restless. In her presence, all his worries would subside, he would lose himself in her soft voice and forget about the world around them.

Ian determined to go see her. He knew that he had told her he would call on her the next day, but he was sure that it would be a happy surprise for her. Just the thought of visiting her turned his sour mood considerably better.

Esther was seated comfortably on a high stool with a canvas placed in front of her. She was facing the window, trying to soak in as much sunlight as she possibly could. The canvas displayed an array of colors, and Esther was pleased. She was painting the scenery from her picnic in the park yesterday.

“My Lady, that is beautiful,” Ruth exclaimed as she walked inside, and her gaze fell on the painting placed before Esther.

“Really, Ruth? I feel like something is missing...” Esther sighed, trying her best to give it the final touches that would improve it.

“I am sure you will only make it more lovely,” Ruth confirmed before walking to the couch and sitting down there with a book in her hand.

Esther looked down at herself and noticed that her yellow dress was spotted in paint here and there. She had forgotten to wear the apron, and now her dress was soiled. Her hands were covered in paint too, and she was certain that even her face was a mess. The neat chignon Ruth had tied her hair in had come apart and now hung loosely at the nape of her neck. She didn’t mind. Painting required a little sacrifice, and Esther enjoyed it immensely.

“My Lady, you have a caller,” the butler announced.

Who could be calling in on me at this hour?

She knew that Ian was supposed to call on her tomorrow, and she had interacted with no other gentlemen.

“Who is it?” Ruth asked, from her position on the couch.

“Lord Gilbert,” the butler announced, and Esther looked at him with widened eyes. She couldn’t possibly see Ian in this state. She looked horrible, and Ian would probably think she had no manners.

“Ruth, what do we do? We can’t turn him away, and I can’t see him looking like this!” Esther exclaimed.

“My Lady, we can’t keep him waiting, and trust me, you look perfectly fine. I am sure Lord Gilbert will like this surprise.” Ruth consoled, and Esther hoped she was right. She had no other choice after all.

“All right, send him in,” Esther ordered with a sigh.

She quickly stood up and put aside the brushes and palette. She tried miserably to straighten out her appearance as much as she possibly could but knew it was of no use. Before she could do anything more, loud footsteps reached the drawing room and soon enough Ian entered. Esther looked up and was met with an amused smile dancing on Ian’s lips, and she no longer cared for how she looked. Ian’s presence was the only thing that mattered.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Ian reached the Hathershire Manor in a daze, still unable to get a hold on his anger. He knew that it was not healthy, but he had no control over his emotions. The only thing that was driving him was the fact that he would soon see Esther.

“Please follow me to the drawing room, My Lord,” the butler said once he had announced Ian’s arrival.