Page 59 of The Lady No One Noticed

“How do you know?” Ian couldn’t help asking, extremely confused.

“Lady Beatrice, the biggest gossip in London, told me the day I went to Lady Juliet’s tea party. It was why I was so troubled that day. On top of that, the announcement of our sudden engagement confused me even more,” Esther answered, and Ian nodded in understanding. He knew who Lady Beatrice was, but still couldn’t imagine how she found out about it. The truth was, he didn’t care at all. He was simply glad that Esther knew, which meant that one problem was out of his way.

“I am glad you know about that, Esther. Though there is one thing I have realized, that I was never actually in love with Lisa. It was simply an infatuation. I couldn’t understand it at that time since my pride was bruised, but now I understand it perfectly,” Ian informed Esther, wanting her to know every single thing about him.

Esther nodded without replying, and Ian went on.

“It was the reason that I left society and became a rogue. My reputation declined significantly, and there were rumors all over England about my rakish reputation. I didn’t mind, and no one stopped me. However, all that changed when I suffered an accident after a tryst with Lady Balewood. I was wounded and hurt, and it took about two weeks for me to heal completely,” Ian said, leaving out the more sordid details for the time being.

She once again stayed quiet, and Ian noticed how expressionless her face was. For a second, he thought she was trying not to laugh but dismissed the idea.

“My parents found out and gave me an ultimatum. If I didn’t return to London for the Season and find myself a respectable wife by the end of it, my father would cut off me off entirely. I knew that I had no choice but to set out for London. Thus, I straightened out my appearance and came back here in search of a suitable wife.”

Ian felt a certain weight lifting off his chest as he continued with the story.

“Jack is an old friend of mine, and I reacquainted with him at White’s. I told him about my situation, and he advised me to marry a wallflower. According to him, courting a wallflower was much easier since most are desperate to get married. I could accomplish my goal quickly and get on with my life. Then I saw you at Madeline’s ball and noticed how uncomfortable you looked with Fergus and hated how he was treating you. I discovered you were a wallflower and decided to court you. I enjoyed your company and loved conversing and dancing with you. As I started calling in on you and we went out together, my feelings began to change. I was certain that you would be an excellent wife. Though what I didn’t realize was that I was falling in love with you.”

Ian said everything quickly and almost whispered the last words. He noticed that Esther sucked in a sharp breath at his words and stared at her hands in her lap.

“Esther, I never planned to fall in love with you. It was unexpected, but now I know that love is supposed to be unexpected. We cannot plan it for fate has already done that for us. I was foolish, Esther, very foolish. I should have told you everything the moment I understood, but I was scared that you would hate me. I thought you would never understand. Esther, you have no idea how deeply I feel for you. I would die if I were to lose you. Esther, please don’t leave me. I love you,” Ian said, his voice breaking. It was difficult for him to keep emotions out of his tone. He stared at Esther, willing for her to say something but she remained quiet.

“Esther, I will do anything for you. Let me prove it to you. I will do anything for you, my darling. I am ready to give up my title, my wealth and all my lands for you. We can move to America and make a life for ourselves there. We could live happily there with one another, not caring about anything or anyone else. Just say the word, and we will do it,” Ian said.

He meant every single word he uttered because he now knew that the title or the money didn’t matter to him at all. The only thing he wanted was Esther, the only person he needed was her. She was the source of his peace and happiness, and he would do anything for her. He continued staring into her eyes as she finally looked up at him, her face a picture of heartbreak. If she agreed to be with him, he was ready to accept any conditions she would establish.

Esther stared into Ian’s eyes, and the only thing she saw in them was sincerity, honesty and, love for her. She could see that he meant everything he had said and would actually give up his dukedom and all his father’s money if she would ask him to.

Esther couldn’t deny that she was madly in love with him. She, too, couldn’t imagine a life without him. Since the day she had met him again, her love for him had only grown.

“Do you really have nothing to say, Esther?” Ian whispered, his face expressing the pain he felt.

Esther wanted to speak but felt as if she couldn’t. Tears were threatening to escape her eyes, and she was trying her best to stay strong. She didn’t wish to break down in front of Ian.

“All right, Esther. You don’t have to say anything to me. I understand your decision, and I respect it. I just want to apologize for being the cause of your hurt. I am sorry about everything wrong I did. I love you, Esther, and thus I am willing to set you free. I can never force you to marry me when you do not want to. I will take the blame, and no one will ever say anything to you, I promise,” Ian whispered, a lone tear escaping his left eye as he said those words. He stood up from her bedside and turned around to leave.

Esther stared at him with widened eyes, unable to believe him. She knew that Ian could easily marry her since they were engaged. Esther would never tell anyone what had actually happened that day, and Ian was in a position of power here. The mere fact that he was ready to leave her for her happiness made Esther’s heart swell with love. She no longer had any doubts about Ian’s love for her. She knew that he was honest. He loved her just as much as she loved him. She could no longer control the tears that were threatening to escape and allowed them to flow freely.

“Ian, stop,” Esther whispered, her voice soft. He immediately turned around and sat down beside her again, hope shining in his eyes.

“Yes, my love?” He said, his tone affectionate. With his hand he wiped the moisture from her face, making Esther feel more loved than she had ever felt in her entire life.

“Do you have any idea how much I love you?” Esther questioned, her voice breaking up because of the sobs.

“Do you really?” Ian questioned, his voice overcome with emotion.

“I am madly in love with you, Ian, and I can’t live without you either,” Esther whispered as she noticed how Ian’s handsome face turned up into a radiant smile. He looked like she had made him the happiest man alive.

Ian moved even closer to her and leaned in a little. Esther understood his intentions and turned up her face to look into his beautiful hazel eyes. Her heart thudded into her chest as Ian came forward and engulfed Esther’s lips with his.

She opened her lips beneath his, allowing him to deepen the kiss. He kissed her desperately, stealing her breath and pouring every word of love he had confessed into the joining of their mouths.

Heat rushed through Esther so swiftly that she trembled. Her fingers curled into the front of his shirt and for a startled instant, she did not know what to do. Then his lips moved over hers again and instinct overcame her uncertainty.

Ian released a rough sound from the back of his throat before his tongue touched hers. It sent a violent thrill through Esther, but she welcomed him eagerly, learning the shape and taste of his kiss while he taught her how to answer it.

Esther lifted both hands and buried them in his chestnut hair. She pulled him closer, needing to feel that he was truly there and that he belonged to her.

Ian kissed her harder.