Page 58 of The Lady No One Noticed

“Have you really?” Adam asked, disbelief shining in his voice.

Ian nodded and extended a hand towards Adam.

“I should have done it long ago, brother,” Ian said, and Adam stared at his hand for two seconds before holding it enthusiastically with both his hands. He was just about to say something when the door of the guest bed chamber opened, and Mr. Oliver walked outside with a smile on his face.

Ian’s attention shifted towards the physician, and he swiftly walked in his direction.

“She is much better now, Lord Gilbert, and I am happy to inform you that she is also awake. You should go see her,” The physician said, and a smile quickly graced Ian’s lips. He couldn’t believe that Esther was awake. This meant that her head injury was healing well, and she would be better soon.

Ian was hesitant, knowing that Esther probably didn’t wish to see him but knew that he needed to go anyway. After all, how could he stay away from the woman who was the one and only love of his life? Ian knew that he needed to see her, no matter how the events would unfold.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Esther groaned softly as her entire body shouted in agony. Every muscle and joint was hurting. She had no idea that one could even feel this way.

“My Lady, how are you feeling?” Ruth asked as soon as she heard Esther’s groan.

“Awful, can you help me sit? I am tired of lying on my back.” Esther said, her voice sounding hoarse even to her own ears. She knew that she had been unconscious for the last three days and was staying at Gilendale Manor. Her mind had registered a few events as she drifted in and out of consciousness. The one thing she remembered significantly was Ian’s presence beside her whenever she had opened her eyes.

Ian was always there, holding her hand and whispering to her. She didn’t remember his words or anything he had said but she knew that he had been extremely worried about her. Still, she remembered everything that had happened at the terrace three days ago perfectly well. Every single word said by Jack was still etched into Esther’s memory, and there was no way she could ever forget it.

“Absolutely, My Lady,” Ruth replied as she moved towards Esther. She picked up a few pillows and repositioned them on the bed behind Esther. She then held Esther’s shoulder with one hand and took hold of her hand with the other. Esther felt as if all strength had left her body. She breathing heavily due to the effort but was finally settled comfortably. Every movement caused a surge of pain through her body, and her scalp felt as if needles were being pierced into it.

The pain receded once she had adjusted to her new position. She sighed in relief and moved her hand to touch the bandage on her head. She had no idea how she looked but assumed absolutely awful. Her long chestnut hair was open behind her back and she wore a soft white cotton nightgown.

“Thank you, Ruth,” Esther said once she had rearranged the bed to suit Esther’s comfort. “Can you make me some of your herbal tea? I think it might help with my headache.”

Ruth nodded at once and started preparing the tea. Esther sat there resting her head on the pillows. She closed her eyes, wishing for every awful memory to go away. She still had no idea how she had fallen down but knew it was probably because of her frenzied state. She had been crying heavily and had perhaps lost focus and direction.

“There you go, My Lady.” Ruth came back towards Esther and handed her a cup of hot, steaming herbal tea. Esther took the cup and inhaled the calming aroma.

“Thank you,” Esther said softly and watched as Ruth went about the room straightening things out.

That was when Ian entered. She had been expecting him to come to her sooner or later. The physician must have informed him that she was awake. Ian’s face brought back everything once again, and Esther turned away, not willing to look at him. He had shattered her heart, and she wanted nothing to do with him. She didn’t care that they were engaged or even that she loved him. The only thing she knew was that she had been nothing but a means to an end for Ian. He had only wanted to marry her to fulfill his father’s ultimatum.

“Esther,” he whispered softly as he walked towards the bed but stopped mid-way. Esther knew he was probably scared of coming too close, knowing that she was angry with him. She was glad that he looked guilty. It was his fault after all.

“What do you want, Lord Gilbert?” Esther addressed him formally, not wanting to be personal with him. The affection between them had ended from her side, and she wanted things to remain as proper as they possibly could.

“I just want to talk to you Esther, please,” Ian said and whispered the last word. Esther’s heart went out to him as she stared at his troubled face. It was clear that he had hardly been sleeping at all. She knew that he had been beside her day and night, praying for her quick recovery.

“But I do not wish to talk to you, Lord Gilbert. Please leave me alone,” Esther said, her own heart breaking in two. She might have been angry with him, but she couldn’t deny her love for the man.

“Esther, please just give me five minutes. I only want to explain everything to you,” Ian said, his face displaying an array of emotions. Esther knew that she needed to hear him out for her own peace of mind. She needed to know what he had to say, or else she would continue wondering about everything.

“Only five minutes,” She said softly and watched as relief overtook Ian’s desperate expression. These five minutes could make or break them, and Esther had no idea what she wished for.

Ian couldn’t believe that Esther had agreed to converse with him. Just the fact that she had given him five minutes of her time meant the world to him. Everything she had heard from Jack three days ago was simply outrageous, and he would have understood if Esther had rudely turned him away.

Ian watched as Ruth picked up a few things and quietly left the room, leaving him alone with Esther. He had no idea why Ruth had allowed it today, but he was grateful for the privacy. He would be much more comfortable telling the truth to Esther if there was no one in the room except the two of them.

Ian walked forward to sit beside her on the bed. She looked beautiful, her hair tied loosely at her nape. Ian was so happy to see her look better. He extended his hand to take hers in his like he had done countless times in the three days she had been unconscious, but today she hastily snatched them away. Ian didn’t blame her. He had hurt her terribly and she had every right to want to stay away from him.

“Your five minutes have started, Lord Gilbert,” Esther said, and Ian sighed deeply. He had noticed how she was making it a point to address him formally even though they were alone. Ian was certain that she was only doing it to prove to him that there was nothing left between them.

“Let me first tell you what happened three years ago. I was going to tell you why Adam and I were estranged at the soirée, but the dance floor opened, and I decided to tell you later. Though honestly, I was scared to tell you the truth,” Ian began, but Esther interrupted him.

“I already know what happened three years ago,” Esther told him, and Ian stared at her with a lost expression. He had no idea how Esther knew about it. His parents couldn’t have told her, nobody in Esther’s family knew about it. His father had made sure that the matter was kept a secret.