by Ella Edon
He was still above her. Her eyes flew open again, and he was soon staring into beautiful grey ones. Stefan watched as a flurry of emotions passed across her face and through those eyes. He had to crease his brows as he deciphered what those feelings could be. There was fear, panic, and then, maybe, sadness. She had, after all, almost lost her life. He stared at her, her pink lips, her high cheekbones, the flutter of her lashes. Soon he was leaning in, he heard her intake of breath, but he couldn't stop himself. He closed in on her and once again placed his lips upon hers. This time, however, with a completely different intent. She gasped at the contact, and soon, they were both biting at each other’s lips very slowly, uncertainly, still conscious of what was happening. His hands curled into her brown hair, which felt like silk in his hands. So soft. He moaned as he pressed his body to hers, almost entirely lying above her. He felt her fists clench his waistcoat, and then, shove at his chest.
Weakly, he tossed himself aside, landing on the sand. He heard the scrambling noise beside him. Stefan glanced over just as the lady picked up her skirts by the hem to flee. He didn't look up to know what direction the lady took to. Stefan simply lay there, staring at the sun and wondering what madness had fallen on him.
Chapter Three
The emerald petticoat Marlene helped her into seemed too tight. Esther sat down on her bed with a huff. The curtains from the top fell and covered her face. She breathed angrily and merely huffed again. She didn't know how to tell Marlene to help her out of the petticoat.
The maid busied herself, clearing the room. The teacup Esther had just sipped from sat on the stool. Her bed was disarranged, heaps of dresses sat beside the wardrobe — all together, so that it looked like a mountain. Her dancing shoes, ones made of silk and those from glittery cotton sat not so far from the dresses. It was all so much work for Marlene. Esther couldn't imagine telling the girl to do more.
The redhead placed the pillows on the settee. Her small white apron rose as she did and then she twirled with a small smile to look at her lady, and then her smile lessened. "Is there a problem, My Lady?"
Esther blinked rapidly, her eyes widened a bit, and she shook her head. Marlene cocked her head to the side. "Are you sure, My Lady? You look flushed."
Esther cast her lashes down and blushed. "It’s the weather, Marlene. Tis nothing to concern yourself with."
"If it is the cold, then I must get you some soup, My Lady!" Marlene rushed to her side. Esther sighed as she watched the maid gaze upon her with concern.
"I'm alright. Please go on with what you're doing."
"No, no. Your father demanded that I see to it that you get what it is you want at all times, My Lady. If you're not pleased, then I may lose my job."
Esther sighed. The girl seemed so eager to answer to her. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to tell her that she needed to get her into another petticoat. Which meant she would have to remove the dress she wore. It had been so complicated to get into it. She wondered if it would tire Marlene and be too burdensome for her.
"Marlene —"
The entrance door of her bedchamber burst open. Emerging from the lit hallway was her mother, Lady Rose Bowen, Countess of Kendal. Her dark hair was rolled up in style, and her sharp blue eyes, and upright posture that reeked of confidence was contradictory to Esther's soft demeanor. It made her wonder how it was possible that she looked nothing like her mother.
Lady Kendal donned a gold dress with dark dots kissing its sides, lining up its hem in a straight line. Her hair was pinned with silver pins so that its edges winked in the light. Her eyes raked over Esther, and with her lips turned up, she faced Marlene. "The dress seems too dull for this occasion. I want Esther to attract as much attention as she can. This night is for her."
Esther's eyes widened. She shook her head immediately. "Mother, the dress is just fine."
"Nonsense, dear." Lady Kendal picked up her skirts and sat down elegantly beside Esther on the bed, making it dip as she settled. The curtains were falling again, but Marlene held on to it and quickly tied the curtains to the sides before they covered the Lady.
"Esther, this dress is nothing compared to the one your father had made in Paris. The green one, with glittering stones that captures your smile —" Her eyes darted to Marlene. "Get it."
Esther was protesting. "Mother, it seems too elaborate for such a small occasion."
Her mother's eyes widened, and with a fierce grip on her daughter’s shoulder, she turned Esther to face her. "Esther, Lord Nicholas Kel humiliated this family, by calling off the engagement without tangible reason. The ton has been speculating, rumors have gone around, and your virtue is being questioned, my dear. Although you have refused to speak on the issue, I do know that your virtue can never be questioned. I trust you. I understand how deeply you felt for Lord Milway, seeing as he was your childhood playmate. However, he has done this. He has made the ton question who you are. He has broken a promise and has simply said that things cannot work out. The ton seems to think that you are not a proper lady, not well trained. They question me, my motherhood. They question your chaperone. And I will have no more of such talk. It is why we have organized this ball. So that people can see for themselves how well trained you are. And so they also know that the Viscount of Milway has not, in any way, ruined you."
Although her mother spoke on, Esther’s mind was once again clouded. Nicholas had bedded another. He had never truly loved her. Not as much as she had loved him. Her eyes welled up, and her hands trembled against the silk of her dress. She stared blankly at her fingers, and all she saw was his betrayal. And his betrayal included him announcing that their engagement was off, whereby she had immediately fled the ballroom. He had humiliated her, telling everyone that it simply wasn’t a match, which left Esther open for judgment. She clutched at her dress, forcing herself to hold back her tears. Though it had been weeks, what Nicholas had done still hurt. She had never kissed any gentleman or let any gentleman as close as she had allowed Nicholas. Never, except for that stranger from a few days ago. She gasped, as her eyes widened. Her tears dried up. She brought her fingers to her lips and touched them slowly. She remembered the blue-eyed stranger who had kissed her by the waters, so slowly, so...uncertain of her.
"Esther!" her mother's harsh whisper grazed her ears. She jerked up, her eyes widening even more. Her mother creased her brows. Then let them soften gradually. "I understand that Nicholas has hurt you, but you must learn to keep your emotions hidden. You cannot let his words get beneath what people should see. You must show the world your strength, my dear."
As her mother said those words, Esther found herself questioning them. She hadn't been strong for weeks, nor did she feel that way at that moment.
* * *
"Don't worry, Esther," Lady Alastair said, touching her arm lightly. "You will find another suitor."
Esther’s smile was polite, brief, fleeting as she nodded and walked on. It was her ball. The ball was for her to socialize. It was like re-debutante for her. Her parents were trying to see if anyone else could be interested in their daughter. But she wasn't interested and didn't want to be involved with anyone. Esther was through with hoping for love. It wasn't real. Everything that happened with Nicholas was proof. Maybe Anne found love, and maybe Katherine did, too. But she was neither of them.
"Oh, Henry, why make mockery —"
"I make mockery?! Dear wife, your words harm me."
"Do they? Your words harmed me. You said the first dress made me look — old. That was unkind."
"I'm sorry it seemed so. I was simply honest. We did promise never to lie to each other, no?"
Anne's chuckle made Esther turn just in time to see Anne hooking her arms around Lord Richmond and step farther away. They looked so happy, just like she and Nicholas had been. She remembered how he'd hold her hand and talk about how delicate she seemed. "You are so delicate. I'm never letting go of you. I fear you'd come to harm if I do." He’d say. All lies!
Lord Richmond would never
let his eyes wander away from Anne, and Anne did feel his eyes on her, which made her cheeks heat up at intervals. Watching them, Esther felt suffocated. She deserved to be happy, too. But it simply wasn’t for her.
"Esther!" Anne cried before she could flee. Lord Richmond stepped forward, his arms firmly on Anne's back as his wife walked closer to Esther and engulfed her in a hug. Anne couldn't stop herself from grinning. "You look beguiling."
Esther felt her cheeks heat up. Her hair was left to tumble down her shoulders in waves, her body held firmly within a green embroidery gown, with white stones at its waistline and a petticoat that made its hem so buff. It was a beautiful dress. However, she didn't know if it was beguiling.
"Lady Esther." Lord Richmond bowed, smiling.
Esther curtsied in greeting. "Lord Richmond."
"The ball is wonderful."
"Indeed, it is." She nodded, looking around.
Anne turned to Lord Richmond briefly, perhaps to whisper in his ear. But as she raised her hands, her bracelet clung to his blue coat, and all three of them froze. Esther made to step in and help, but Lord Richmond's lips dissolved into a smile. He stared down at Anne and sighed. "I presume that even my coat seeks you, perhaps more than I."
Esther held her breath and stepped back as Anne lost herself in Lord Richmond. Seeing them together hurt her. She swallowed hard and turned abruptly to leave them to themselves. She walked across the ballroom, her lashes casting down at even the littlest eye contact with anyone. She could see the judgment in their eyes, some pity, and some uncertainty.
"Lady Esther."
"You look lovely."
"Look here, dear, this is my son..."
"Lady Esther, I'm Lord Lamb..."
"Lady Esther, how is it that you shine brighter than the stars..."
It was all too much. Their voices, their efforts to engage her. Who were they?
She stopped, her heels halted and Lord Lamb let himself move a tad bit closer to her. "You look lovely. Would you care to take a walk in the garden?"
Esther swallowed hard. It was too soon to give anyone a chance to court her. Not after Nicholas. She casted her lashes down and rubbed her hands together. "Lord Lamb, I — I can't quite take a walk, I have to attend to so many people. As you know well, this ball has been organized for me."
"We know what the ball is for, Lady Esther. It's re-debutante. Your family wants you to find another suitor. And I assure you that if we perhaps talk, we can get to know each other well enough — to know if we are good together—"
"Lord Lamb." Esther closed her eyes and breathed. She didn't need this. She didn't need him to throw her reality harshly at her. "Pardon me, but I have to excuse myself."
She turned immediately, ignoring his call. However, when she made to step forward, her eyes landed on the tall gentleman standing at the far end of the ballroom room, watching her. His sandy blond hair was swept back, glimmering under the light, his blue eyes fixated on her. The green coat he wore, lined finely with cream-colored embroidery seemed to be a match with hers. He looked familiar, like someone she’d met before. She gasped, almost stumbling. He was the one who had kissed her at the river. Their eyes locked, her breath seized.
His broad shoulders moved, shifting in between people, trying to get past them, but his eyes were on her. He was coming over to her. The gentleman who had kissed her was heading toward her. Her heartbeat increased, hammering against her chest. He was coming close. She panicked. Her lashes fluttered as she blinked hard and stared around. Lord Lamb stood by the corner. She watched him grab a drink from the butler and sipped. He had approached her before, and surely he wouldn't mind saving her. She moved through the crowd, nodding at them until she got to where Lord Lamb was. She tentatively touched his arm. "Lord Lamb, would you like to take...take that walk?"
Lord Lamb's green eyes lit up, his smile turned eager, and he nodded his head vigorously —"There you are, My Lady! Come now, Colin, you're urgently needed, come on," a voice interrupted. An elderly lady in red gown hooked her hands around his and pulled him along. Lord Lamb, who had initially wanted to protest, stopped when the lady spat some words in Portuguese.
Esther raised her hands in the air and let them fall to her sides as Lord Lamb walked further away from her.
"Esther, thank goodness I've found you," Katherine's voice interrupted. Esther blinked as she stared at her friend. Katherine had a wide grin on her lips.
Esther's gaze moved from Katherine to the stranger, who had stopped to talk to someone. A lady in a yellow gown. She watched as the lady touched his left arm and left it to linger suggestively. Her eyes moved around lazily, and even when the gentleman tried to step away, the lady did not let her hand fall.
"Why do you look at the Duke of York in such manner, Esther?" Katherine's voice called.
Esther cast her lashes down, rubbed her hands together, and felt the heat on her cheeks.
"Esther, no. Pray tell, do you find him attractive?" Katherine whispered.
Esther's gaze snapped to her friend. Her first instinct was to deny. "Oh, no. I was simply curious. I've never set my eyes on the gentleman before." Oh, she hated lying! Why hadn’t she just admitted she was curious about him?
"Oh. Well, that is the Duke of York, and he is bad news..."
She had heard about the Duke of York before. Only she had never seen him. His reputation preceded him, but she wanted to be sure. "Is that him?"
"Yes."
Word of his wicked ways spread across the ton like wildfire. She had heard of him, had heard how he was with women. No wonder he had kissed her — all the more reason she needed to stay away from him.
As if reading her thoughts, Katherine said, "Stay away from him, Esther. Men like him are much worse than Lord Nicholas Kel, Viscount of Milway."
She didn't need to be told twice. She needed to stay away from the Duke of York.
* * *
Regardless of the occasion, Anne had always been the free spirit amongst them. She could don a dowdy-looking dress and roam the streets. She could run around barefooted and still be satisfied. It was why Anne was the one to pull both her and Katherine to the dance floor and twirl around giggling as the music played. They held their hands together and moved in a circle, laughing and humming along.
Esther let her giggles feed the air. The ton stood by, their noses up as they watched them play like babes. Esther was quite conscious. It mattered to her what people said because it was important to her family. The House of Kendal had always kept a reputable name. And as the only child of her parents, it was her duty to do well and act appropriately.
Anne and Katherine were in fits of giggles. While everyone watched the three judgmentally, Esther soon stopped dancing in circles, bringing them all to an abrupt halt.
Anne and Katherine were too caught up in the adrenaline rush. But she was quite aware. She turned to walk away from the scathing eyes of onlookers but was stopped when a shadow blocked her path, before she could step away. The Duke of York stretched his hands before her and bowed. "May I have this dance?"
Chapter Four
Sweat beads dotted her temple, she clasped her hands together and cast her gaze down, her long lashes fluttering and her cheeks flaming. He knew that she had been trying to avoid him all night, but he had made up his mind, and once he did so, nothing ever stopped him. He had sworn that he would speak to her before the night ran out. He was curious to know the lady whom he had kissed at the river.
His hands were still outstretched, hers were still clasped together, and people were watching.
"My Lady?"
"Your Grace," she replied but didn't look up.
Ah, so she knows who I am now.
He smirked, and when he was about to speak, a small hand caught him off-guard by slipping into his large one, perfectly and fascinatingly, fitting in so well that it looked as though that was where it was meant to be. He stood straight, knowing full well that this meant she would dance with him. He held her hand and led her t
o the center of the room. Many pairs had taken to the dance floor, so all attention was not on them.
His mother had been sent an invitation to this event. He didn't know the spinster for whom the ball was organized, and he barely cared about anything happening until he saw her standing under the chandelier, talking to Lord Lamb. She had looked so lovely under the light in a green dress that made her look like she was destined for the spotlight, and with her wavy brown hair tumbling down around her shoulders. Her smile was shy. She didn't like looking anyone in the eye. He had watched her cast her gaze down as she spoke to Lord Lamb, but he wanted to look into her eyes again just as he had by the river, even though it had been for a fleeting moment.
