Page 4 of The Lady No One Noticed

“I am much better now Walder, you need not worry. I can take care of a few things; they have been neglected long enough already,” Ian answered, sounding determined. His voice had gained back its former strength after a hearty cup of tea and he stood without falling down.

“As you wish, My Lord, I’ll attend to it at once.” Walder bowed and hurried out of the room.

Ian took a few steps towards the full-length mirror placed at the side of his room to view his reflection. To his surprise, he only saw a few bruises and healing cuts here and there. His brown hair looked longer than usual, and he remembered that he had already been in need of a trim before his accident. It was now decidedly too long to be fashionable and two weeks’ worth of stubble decorated his face.

He knew he should have bathed and changed into more formal attire, but he did not need to impress anyone. After all, who was going to see him here? He was all alone, and no one was coming to visit. Thus he stepped out of his bedchamber clad in a plain cotton shirt and trousers. He walked the short distance to the study and found Walder, just as a footman hurried in with a flustered look on his face.

“My Lord, your parents, the Duke and Duchess of Gilendale, have just arrived. They wish to see you immediately,” the servant informed him in a hushed whisper.

Ian’s face was the perfect picture of horror. He had no idea how he would deal with the disaster that had just shown up on his doorstep.

CHAPTER THREE

Esther woke up with an aching head from a sleepless night. Everything Astrid’s friends had said about her still swirled in her mind like a violent storm. Despair at ever finding a match or fitting into society settled upon her by the time the sun rose.

“Lady Esther, it is almost the time for breakfast, and you are not even out of bed. Shall I prepare a bath for you?” Ruth, her lady’s maid, questioned with concern.

“I have a megrim Ruth, I am going to forego breakfast. I’d like stay in bed a little longer,” Esther replied, unwilling to step out of the comfort of her sheets.

“Do forgive me, My Lady, but your mother sent me up to help you dress and get you down for breakfast as soon as possible. Your father wishes for everyone to be at the table today,” Ruth interjected, her tone slightly hesitant. Esther plucked her head out from under the covers and scrunched her eyes at the brightly lit surroundings.

“Why? What does father need?” Asked Esther, still not coming out of the sheets. She was trying to find a way to stay in bed despite the order that had been issued.

“I don’t know, My Lady. So shall I?” Ruth asked once again, and Esther scrunched up her face in both confusion and agony.

“Shall you what?” Esther asked deliberately trying to prolong the matter.

“Draw you a bath, My Lady,” Ruth answered sounding a bit exasperated. She was slightly older than Esther and ever so polite. Ruth’s mother had worked at the Hathershire manor but had passed away last year. Esther had known Ruth since childhood and had wished for her to become her lady’s maid. Ruth’s calm and kind nature complimented Esther’s, and the two understood each other perfectly. If there was anyone in the house that Esther felt comfortable with, it was Ruth.

“Yes, please do that, Ruth,” Esther finally agreed and stepped out of her warm, comfortable bed. Her bare feet met with the cold floor, but she didn’t mind since the jolt helped her wake faster. After the bath had been filled, Esther stepped behind the embellished Chinese screen that hid the tub from view. Ruth helped her shed her simple white cotton nightgown, and Esther sighed as she submerged herself in the fragrant, steaming water. Ruth had added her favorite bath salts and she luxuriated in the scent of roses and gardenia. For a few precious moments, she just enjoyed her bath before she had to ready herself to meet with her pretentious family, who never really understood her at all.

Once she was finished, she was quickly dressed in a pastel pink frock that complimented her skin nicely. Ruth used her deft fingers to style Esther’s hair into a neat chignon that accentuated her high cheekbones. Esther smiled, feeling that she might look almost pretty, and stepped out of the room. She swiftly descended the long staircase to reach the breakfast room downstairs.

“Good morning,” Esther murmured as her eyes fell on her father, Wilson Chapple, her mother, and Astrid, who were already seated at the table enjoying breakfast. She took note of how they hadn’t bothered to wait for her arrival before they began their meal.

“You are late,” Her mother barked, never missing a moment to criticize her.

“I am precisely on time, the rest of you were early,” Esther retorted, not in the mood of taking unreasonable comments at this hour. Her headache was already giving her a good amount of trouble and her mother’s snide remarks only worsened it.

“It’s fine. Just sit,” her father interjected, motioning towards the seat she usually occupied. Esther helped herself to some tea and a scone before settling herself at the table. They ate in considerable silence for a time, and Esther wondered why she had been summoned so urgently. She was just about to question him regarding the matter when he finally decided to speak.

“You ladies must be excited for Madeline’s birthday ball.”

Esther controlled the urge to roll her eyes. All her family ever wished to discuss was parties, balls, and potential matches for Astrid.

“I am giddy with anticipation Father; I can’t wait to attend the grand affair,” Astrid gushed, looking ethereal as the early morning shone upon her pale-yellow morning dress.

“Good, good, I expect you to conduct yourselves well. Your sister now holds an enviable position in society as the Countess of Willmeade,” her father added, once again displaying his obsession with lofty titles. He himself being a prominent earl, believed that his family must only associate themselves with other titled and wealthy people. This was a fundamental reason he congratulated himself for Madeline’s match to an earl. He wanted all of his daughters to make advantageous matches.

“We will be beside her throughout the event Wilson, you don’t have to worry. Besides that, I have prepared my daughter well, and I am certain she will be a perfect hostess,” Hildred replied placing an affectionate hand on her husband’s arm as he beamed at her.

“It has recently come to my knowledge that the Duke of Alewood will also be in attendance,” her father said, and Esther finally knew why she had been summoned to breakfast. Her father wanted everyone present to announce that little tidbit.

She looked up from her plate and noticed how her father’s gaze was directed at Astrid, who was smiling as if she had just been complimented by the queen. It was evident what her father was hinting at. He wished for Astrid to pay special attention to the duke.

“Thank you for letting me know that father,” Astrid answered with a charming smile. No one even glanced at Esther. They did not believe that she had the potential to land a duke, and it was evident in the way her father had only looked at Astrid when making the announcement. Despite being used to such behavior, it stung.

“I believe a new gown is in order, Astrid,” her mother said excitedly, holding Astrid’s hand from across the table. Astrid laughed happily. Nothing pleased her more than shopping unless it was flirting with a handsome aristocrat.