by Ella Edon
However, before she turned away, he saw the red that kissed her cheeks. He almost laughed. Bloody hell, only three days of staying away from women and he was acting a fool after a simple closeness to Lady Esther. He clicked his tongue. After she got her Lord Milway back, he could be his old self again. But for now, he couldn't let her off. He wanted to make sure she wouldn't be another Agnes. He watched her horse ride away until all he saw was the dust that arose at the wake of its feet.
Chapter Nine
Esther left her horse with George, the stable boy. He took the reins and headed towards the stables. Hitting the sole of her boot against the earth, she walked through the doors and into Kendal Manor. Her mind was clouded as she walked on. Stefan had come to the orphanage. It was a surprise as he had not visited in days. Of course, she had been well aware as she had been watching and waiting for his arrival. Then he had the nerve to show up and tease her, to try and make her feel flustered. She had tried so hard to act indifferent, but he was not one to back down so easily. She clasped her hands together and stared at the floor. His presence had affected her greatly. She thought his disappearance meant he was not going to bother her anymore about courting. But it seemed he was far away from giving up.
"Esther?"
Esther raised her head, turned around slowly, and saw her mother standing by the staircase. She had on white muslin, she stared around, as though expecting to see someone. When she saw no one, she turned back to Esther. "Why do you stand there, gawking? If a servant sees you in such manner, there would be another gossip about Lord Milway."
But what was wrong with her was far from concerning Lord Milway. She shook her head slightly. "I'm fine, mother."
"I hope so. How was your day, darling?"
Esther nodded quietly. She made her way to the stairs, a small smile on her face. "It was uneventful. Except for poor Augusta who caught a pox."
"Poor child. Will she be fine?"
"She will."
"Oh, thank goodness." Lady Kendal smiled. Although her mother and Esther contradicted each other most times, they were quite close. Lady Kendal made sure to engage her daughter in her day by day activities. Even when Esther was not forthcoming with how her day went, Lady Kendal made it a priority to question her till she spoke. Eventually, Esther started talking.
"I'm glad you came home early. I told you I needed help choosing a dress for a ball."
"Yes mother, you did."
"Lady Alastair is throwing a ball for her daughter. We are going. I received an invitation today. "
Esther began walking up the stairs, and her mother followed behind while talking. "Lady Alastair throws the best balls. It will be graced by so many nobles, within and outside Somerset, darling. We must have the finest dresses on. I checked your wardrobe and nothing seemed suitable for this event. I sent Marlene to tell the seamstress at Old Street to sew you a fine one."
Esther stopped walking. "Mother, I have lots of clothes. And I don't think we need to dress so much as this is supposed to be a debutante ball. All eyes should be on her daughter. She's only come out to the society for the first time and would be seeking a suitor."
Lady Kendal ran up the two stairs that separated them and gripped her shoulders. "That's the point, my darling. The ones who would grace this ball are gentlemen seeking wives and ladies seeking husbands. Amalia can only accept one hand in marriage, darling! Don't you see? This is the perfect place for you to replace Lord Milway and put whatever lingering doubts the ton has about you to rest."
Esther closed her eyes, took in deep breaths and finally, stared at her mother with a tight smile. It was better she feigned that she agreed to whatever her mother said rather than argue with her. Arguing would only mean nothing as her mother was quite persistent. As she smiled and nodded, she realized that she really needed the Duke of York. Not only to get Lord Milway back, but to also get eyes off of her and relieve the pressure from her mother.
* * *
The dress from the seamstress at Old Street arrived two days after — to Esther's surprise. She stood in her room, with Marlene and her mother helping her test the dress. She had on only a corset and a petticoat. She stepped into the wine-colored dress, letting Marlene help her to slip her arms into the sleeves. She waited while Marlene did up the long row of silk-covered buttons, and then she tied the silk bow that wrapped around Esther’s waist.
From the mirror, she saw her mother watching with creased brows. " Make it a big bow. I want to be able to see it from here."
Marlene fashioned the bow in different ways until Lady Kendal found it to her liking. "Perfect!" she declared at last. "This is lovely, my darling. You are most assuredly ready for the ball."
By the time Esther left for the orphanage, the sun had already set. But she was quite insistent on going for she wanted to know how Augusta was doing.
She tied her horse beside the house and walked into the orphanage. The hallway was quiet, but for the voice that echoed in it at intervals. The voice sounded very familiar, and she knew just where it was coming from. Only she was curious as to why the voice echoed. She followed the voice, walking towards the large room at the end of the hall. She stopped by the door and opened it gently, so as not to make much noise. The door opened slowly, and she peeked inside. To her astonishment, the children were sitting in a close circle around the Duke as he read from a book. She had understood he did not like to read aloud.
"Oh no, Darcy. Ye may not be so obstinate as to tell me to leave you at such a state?!" The Duke's voice came off with a forced feminine tone. It made her, as well as the children laugh. He went on. "And I am a little overwhelmed by such things you have given me. Oh, dear Elizabeth..."
"Nothing he says to them is in that book. He has been doing this to make the children laugh," Lady Kinross said as Esther walked in and closed the door behind her.
Esther smiled at the lady. Of course, she knew the Duke was only making the children laugh. She had read Pride and Prejudice more than once, and she knew that whatever scene he was creating was not in the book.
"And Mr. Bennet said to his daughter...’Goodnight, my dear.’ The end." The children clapped their hands together to show their appreciation.
Lady Kinross thanked the Duke right before she said to the children. "Up! It’s time for supper."
Esther moved away from beside the door and pulled the door open so the chattering children could walk pass.
"Lady Esther!" they called at intervals as they walked by and waved.
"You didn't read to us today."
"Read to us tomorrow."
"Of course, I shall," she responded to Evangeline. The other voices came, and she responded to each of them until they were all out of the room. Lady Kinross walked behind them. Esther sighed against the door and pulled it open to walk out as well when strong arms gripped her forearm, pulled her back, and the door shut before her.
Blinking rapidly, Esther turned. The Duke stood behind her, with a firm stance.
"Your Grace." Esther swallowed. She had planned to avoid him. After making her feel so flustered the previous time they met, she didn't want to feel that way around him again.
"You seem to be avoiding me, My Lady."
She cast her gaze down and shrugged. "Pray tell, why you would think such?"
"Because it's obvious."
"That is apparently not a reason."
"I know. Give me a reason not to think such. Sit with me. Let's have tea."
Esther's eyes widened. "It is inappropriate that we both sit like this for tea. Behind these closed doors...with the Duke of York. That would definitely be my undoing. I won't ruin my reputation, Your Grace."
"You have, without getting to know me properly, painted an image of me in your head, Esther."
At that, she lifted her gaze to look at him. He looked more stressed than he had the last time she had seen him. His blond hair was swept to the back; his beard had grown past the usual light one he often kept, there were dark circles under his eyes. He
looked tired. He was exhausted.
With her brows creased, Esther gestured to the single, double settee at the end of the large room. In between was a table, a teapot, and two teacups.
"The tea must be cold. But we may sit."
The Duke raised a brow, showing his surprise. "It isn't cold. Lady Kinross brought it in not long before you arrived. Are you sure you want to sit?"
Esther nodded. "Indeed."
He gestured for her to walk by. "Ladies first."
Blushing, Esther walked around the end of the room, by the window and sat on the settee hidden behind the wall. The Duke took the seat opposite hers, but still, he frowned. He must have been wondering how and why she decided to seat for tea. The Duke made to pick up the teapot, but Esther stopped him immediately. "No, I'll do that."
She quickly poured tea into the two teacups. Stefan took one as she placed the teapot down. She took one and relaxed against the settee. She watched quietly as the Duke took a sip, closed his eyes, and relaxed. He needed rest.
"I wonder why you're suddenly comfortable sitting here with me," he mused.
She smiled. "Lady Kinross isn't one to gossip."
"And are you comfortable sitting here?" He sat up, opening his eyes.
"You should sit back and relax, Your Grace. You look exhausted. Perhaps you've overworked yourself. In the past few days, you've looked so tired. I wonder why."
He didn't relax; he sat up even more. "I have three requests before I relax and respond to your questions. One,” he said and raised his index finger. “Call me Stefan. Two, always call me Stefan. Three, you'll answer my questions as well."
She blushed. He made her laugh. Why was he so funny? "Very well. Stefan, you should relax. And of course, I will answer your questions if you answer mine."
With a smug smile, he relaxed into the settee. "When you asked that I keep away from my...extra activities if I wanted to look worthy of courting you, I did exactly as you requested. Seeking a means to get used to not doing anything at the usual time for my extra activities, I realized that there was a lot I wasn't doing, not only as the Duke of York, but as a son, and as a brother.
"I hadn't been teaching William what he should know about becoming a gentleman. I haven't been very supportive of my sister, Alexandra. I have been openly disrespecting my mother. Certain works were left undone. I've taken time in the past days to do those things that needed doing. Such as knowing fully well that I won't get married, I should teach William the ropes as he is the next Duke of York. That, as well as running the duchy, has occupied me of late. I come here usually to relax before I head back home."
All the while he spoke, she had been staring, simply staring. And now that he was done, she wasn't sure of what she wanted to say. But she was in awe and started shaking her head. She sat up. "Why wouldn't you want to get married?"
His eyes darkened. "I don't want to. The idea of giving one person my heart seems impossible. I won't do it."
She tilted her head to the side and watched him. Had he been hurt maybe? Had someone broken his heart just like Nicholas has broken hers? She decided not to ask further. Perhaps he was still healing.
"I always wanted to have siblings. But Papa often says they tried, and it never worked out."
Stefan broke into a grin. "They are quite amazing when they aren't bugging you to defend them, that is."
She giggled at his tone. "How many do you have? Two?"
"Three younger siblings. There are Robert, William, and Alexandra."
"So, you're the first child."
His lips turned down in a sad smile, but he neither responded nor objected. Esther sucked in a breath and forced a smile. "You're a good elder brother. Teaching William the ropes."
"He is enthusiastic about learning and that has kept me eager."
"William — as well as all your siblings — are so lucky to have you, Stefan," she whispered. Because somehow, he was hurting. She didn't know why, but she knew that behind the cheerful, flirtatious gentleman whom the world knew, was one who had been hurt. Maybe more than she.
After watching her for a while, Stefan sat up, placed the teacup on the table, and clasped his hands together. "I'm still so flabbergasted that you've sat down here to have tea with me. This is not a dream, is it?"
Esther giggled. "It is real."
"If this is a slumber, do not awake me, I beg."
"You do need a nap. You look exhausted. You've worked too much. You need time for yourself, Your Grace."
He gave her a look. "We agreed on Stefan." "Stefan, you need to rest. Don't overwork yourself."
"How many days left before your response?"
She sighed. "Six days."
"I've kept my word."
She shrugged. "We'll see."
The teacup was empty by the time she looked into it. Tea with the Duke had indeed been exciting. Talking to him made time run by without one noticing. Esther placed the cup on the tray and rose. "I must head home now."
Stefan rose as well. "As should I."
With Esther walking in front, they headed towards the door. The hallway was empty. They walked down out the entrance door and headed for their horses in silence.
"You often take a carriage. You didn't today?"
"I decided to bring Black, so we could ride side by side."
His words stunned her. She wasn't sure if it were genuine or part of his charm. Either way, it warmed her heart. She, however, said nothing in response.
"Will you take some rest when you get home?"
"Because you have asked it of me, I will." He smirked.
She watched the path she walked on carefully because she didn't want to trip and have him holding her so close again. He walked beside her the entire time on the way to her horse, never touching her. "Let me help you up."
She turned away from him to hide her blush. "I can do well on my own, thank you."
The Duke nodded but still stood by and watched her climb on. "I always wondered, how is it possible that you are always coming here alone? A lady of noble birth is hardly ever without a chaperone."
She gave him a small smile. "It is an exception. A special request I made to my parents. They trust me and they allowed this little freedom. Besides, Lady Kinross is almost always with me."
“I see. I’m glad that she wasn’t with us today.”
With this, he walked away to get on his horse. As she watched his back, she cursed herself for feeling so flustered anytime he came too close. When he got on his horse, hers walked to where he stood and together, they rode away from the orphanage.
When they parted ways at the market, and he headed east, her cheeks were flaming red from all his talk. At the entrance door of Kendal Manor, as Ferdinand handed her a letter from her friend Katherine . She opened the letter, which was an invitation to tea the following day. She ran with it, for fear that she would be seen all flustered.
* * *
Somerset Castle was as always, ever glowing. Esther was seated on the veranda, a small round open space with a roof on top. In the center of the space was a white, round table with white chairs to suit. The roof covering them prevented the sun from burning their skin, but even as they sipped afternoon tea, Esther felt the heat.
"I haven't seen you ladies in a long time, and I thought we'd meet up for tea." Katherine smiled. She was seated opposite Anne. Her golden hair was pulled into a neat bun at the back of her head. Her glittering earrings reflected on Esther's hand when she turned. She looked beautiful, shining, and radiant.
Anne, on the other hand, had her hair, as always tumbling down her shoulders, its waves covering the uppermost part of her dress. As the Duchess of Richmond, she hadn't changed a bit. She was still the Anne they had always known before her marriage to Henry Huntington.
"I've been busy with certain things. I haven't really had time for anything. I didn't know running a duchy was so involved. It’s quite the task."
"My father travels a lot. So, I do know how tedious it can be," Katherine
added.
Esther watched their exchange for a while. And as they sunk deeper into talks about Duchy, it reminded her of Stefan.
"...have you?"
"...Esther?" Anne tapped her as she was closest to her. She blinked rapidly and darted her gaze between her friends.
"Are you well?" Katherine inquired, setting her tea aside.
"I'm fine — just a little stressed. The orphanage keeps me busy. You know," she began, smiling. "Ever since I began devoting my time to the children, it has been fulfilling. I think I found my favorite place."
