by Ella Edon
Stunned by how easily he threw those words at her, Esther looked up at him. Around them, a few stares were directed towards them, but most were focused on the lady whose debut it was. She swallowed hard and gathered her reply. "How I am, Lord Milway is no concern of yours. Excuse me."
He blocked her path and she stopped. "Don't run away, Esther. It wouldn't hurt if we talked, would it? Dance with me."
"No." She blinked. Being close to him made her uncomfortable. It made her stomach tie in knots. She wasn't sure why. "Lord Milway, I must go."
She knew he was smirking, but she didn't dare look at his face. She didn't want to remember how he had broken her heart. Better to lose herself among the guests at the ball while she recovered from this chance encounter with Lord Milway
"Lady Esther." She looked up to see the Duke standing there. Stefan. She hadn't seen him in days. She hadn't seen him when she arrived. He looked dashing, no longer stressed, and his eyes locked with hers. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine," Nicholas said on her behalf She backed away. "Lady Esther and I were simply talking."
"I doubt that the lady is much interested in a conversation with you, Lord..."
"Milway," Nicholas narrowed his eyes.
Esther watched Stefan as slowly, his gaze hardened. Esther didn't know what was to happen, but she didn't want a scene to be created. She would rather be outside with Stefan than create a scene with Nicholas in a ball.
"Lady Esther was not done talking to me. It's rude of you to interrupt. And who do you think you are?" Nicholas snarled lowly.
Stefan smiled, although it seemed forced. "The Duke of York."
Nicholas gazed at him briefly and then shook his head. "Lady Esther and I are fine."
Esther creased her brows, Nicholas sounded possessive, jealous maybe. He wasn't happy that Stefan had come to her rescue. It made her almost joyous. Did it mean he still felt something for her? She wasn't sure, but she was curious to find out.
Staring at Stefan, one thought came to mind. His proposal. His proposal to court her. A small smile danced on her lips. And did it mean that the moment Nicholas saw that she was desirable to other gentlemen, then he would want her back?
"The lady is safe with me. I was only asking for a dance." Nicholas exhaled roughly, his gaze on Stefan.
She giggled softly. If she showed Nicholas that she didn't care so much, perhaps it would intrigue him. And perhaps he would run back to her, begging. Finally deciding what to do, she turned to face Stefan.
"Your Grace, I'd love to have that dance." She smiled.
Stefan creased his brows for a second, before he smirked, playing along. He offered her his arm. She placed her hands in the bend of his elbow and smiled lovingly at him. Leaving Nicholas stunned and confused, Stefan led her to the center of the room so they could dance.
* * *
As she danced with Stefan, all Esther could think of was the shocked stare Nicholas was sending her as he stood not so far away. He was astounded that she was dancing with someone else, and it made her happy.
"Have I mentioned that you move with grace?" Stefan smiled.
"Perhaps once, Your Grace."
Stefan twirled her around, so her back was to him. Their hands moved together as well as their bodies. As they twirled apart, Esther grinned. Stefan laughed at her glee.
When the waltz ended, Esther had her eyes only on Stefan. His easy smile as he had twirled her around remained and his blue eyes captured her. She had long forgotten that Nicholas existed.
They headed away from the dance floor, both of them still grinning. "I think the waltz is my new favorite dance."
"As it has always been mine," Esther stated.
"Would you like to take a walk in the garden? Just you and I, alone?"
Esther turned to the Duke. Her gaze went around twice before she spoke. "It isn't appropriate that I be found alone with you."
Stefan raised a brow. "If you're found. We just need to be away from here is all. But if you decline, then it is fine as well."
"Then, I still decline."
"Very well, My Lady." Stefan nodded curtly, a smile dancing on his lips. "When did you realize your talent for dancing?"
She blushed. "It's not quite a talent, as everyone dances. I just know how to move well."
"That is a talent, Esther."
"I learned how to waltz at a young age. As the only child, I picked up things early. Perhaps it’s because I've been going at it for quite some time." She looked around casually, scanning to see if people were watching. Thankfully, no one was.
Stefan gazed at her, smiling. Then he asked again. "Will you walk with me through the garden?"
Esther felt her heart drop. She did want to walk with him, but she had been advised to stay away from him by her friends. And she didn't know what her parents would think of him once they heard that they spent so much time together. She didn't want to be seen as another of his mistresses by anyone.
Stefan's smile faded, he narrowed his eyes, and his lips thinned into a straight line. "Are you ashamed to be seen with me?"
Esther's eyes widened. "Stefan..."
"You are. I understand." He forced a smile. "Excuse me."
Before he could walk away, Esther gripped his arm. "Stefan, you can't blame me for how I feel around you. My reputation has been shaken by Nicholas calling off the engagement after I fled in tears. They believe I am at fault for the horrible end of our engagement. And you, you have a reputation that precedes you. What if people think that I am another of your mistresses when they see us together? And word goes around about it?"
"I proposed something to you, in order to have Lord Milway at your feet again, pleading for you to take him back. Your shaking reputation is the reason why I want to help you. That, as well as the sad state you were in during the early weeks. I proposed this, not because I truly want to court you, Lady Esther, but because I want to help you have Lord Milway again. Do not think that it is anything more."
With those words, Esther was struck on the inside. For some reason, his words had hurt her. They had hit her like an iceberg, and she struggled to breathe.
Do not think that it is anything more...
She felt sick again. She felt that he just saw her as a weak lady who he felt needed his charity. She hadn't asked for his help. She hadn't pleaded with him. She never approached him for anything. He had approached her, asked her to accept him so he could help her. And she didn't need him, did she?
Nodding once, Esther walked around him and headed for the garden. She needed space away from him. She scoffed as she walked past people. To think that she had wanted to accept his proposal to help her, and then he had thrown it all right back at her.
She was a charity to him. Pulling open the door that led to the garden, she stepped out angrily and shut the door behind her. She hoped that no one followed her. She walked towards a chair at the end of the garden, beside a hedge and took a seat. She sighed. How much she wished everything in her life could go smoothly.
The sound of a soft footfall averted her attention. She looked up to see Nicholas, advancing towards her with a smile on his face. His hands were in the pocket of his red breeches. "You look sad, Esther. Did the Duke say something to annoy you? "
She blinked once, not quite understanding his question. But as the words struck her, she clenched her jaws. Stefan had indeed annoyed her.
"Esther, are you well? Do you perhaps want to talk about it?" His voice was low, soft, caring, just like she remembered.
"I'd like to be left alone, Nicholas."
Nicholas walked closer — ignoring her plea to be left alone. He stopped by the chair and raised his hands to his mouth. "Do you remember, Esther? How we used to go horseback riding together? You always enjoyed those moments. How often do you go horseback riding in the open field now? Just to enjoy the wind?"
She didn't understand what his motives were, but she knew that he was tormenting her by reminding her of old times. Did he n
ot know that was insensitive? And she had asked to be left alone. And to think that her heart still skipped anytime he was close. Esther stared down, her heartbeat hitting hard. Her eyes watered as she remembered what he had done to her.
"Nicholas, I need to be alone."
"Of course, you did leave the Duke to be alone," came his reply.
So he was jealous. It was why he had followed her and why he kept mentioning the Duke. Esther raised her skirts slightly and stood up. "What is it you want, Nicholas?"
"To know how you're doing."
"I'm fine. You may leave me be."
"You miss me." He stepped closer. His eyes were glimmering with want. He was taunting her. Was he not? Could it be possible that he still desired her? Esther swallowed hard. She didn't want to lose her resolve around him so easily. She might have wanted things between them to get back to how they were, but he had hurt her. He needed to suffer, as well.
Nicholas stepped closer, a smile on his face. His hands moved mid-air and made to hold her. Esther knew he was coming closer to her, and she wanted to step away. She wasn’t sure she wanted him too close yet, but all her strength was gone —
"Lord Milway, I'd advise that if you want your bones intact, you will step away from her." Stefan's voice interrupted his thick baritone, cutting heavily through the cool air calmly but steadily.
Esther blinked. Nicholas froze mid-stride. "And why would I do that? Who are you to interfere?"
"Lady Esther and I are in courtship."
Nicholas went rigid now. He stared at Esther, shock marring his features. And when he didn't move, she pushed him away because her resolve was back. "Please, stay away from me, Lord Milway."
Esther hadn't been happier to see Stefan than she was at that moment. He stood behind Nicholas, tall and brave. She walked away from Nicholas and went to his side.
Only as Nicholas turned did she realize what Stefan had said. She opened her mouth to snap at him for doing such, but Nicholas' words beat her to it.
"You're in courtship? Impossible. How can he request to court you?" Nicholas shook his head and stepped forward a little, his brows creased with worry. "Esther, you can't accept to let him court you—"
Those words angered and delighted her. Did he mean that no gentleman had a right to be close to her? Driven by pure pride and the need to hurt Nicholas as badly as she could before she finally accepted his subtle plea for them to get back together, she spat out the words. "What goes on between the Duke and myself concerns no one. I have accepted to let him court me, and I do not regret my decision."
"Esther? What is going on?"
Esther whirled around. A small crowd consisting of her mother, Lady Alastair, and her two friends — Anne and Katherine— stood behind her, all wide-eyed and stunned. Explaining to all of them what was really going on was going to be difficult. And with Lady Alastair standing there, one thing was sure. She had just announced her courtship with Stefan to the ton.
Chapter Twelve
The ladies behind them gasped. Stefan turned after Esther had. He was certain they had heard everything that Esther had said. He didn't care how they received the news. He didn't care what anybody thought of him. But, for some reason, he cared what Esther would say. If she would deny him, and say it was all a lie to push Lord Milway away as he was harassing her, or if she would play along, defending him. Prove everyone wrong in his name. He knew he would do the same for her, as he had grown fond of her, protective of her. As protective as he would be to his...sisters. It was why when he had seen her situation with Lord Milway, he wanted to save her. Lord Milway was teasing her. And he knew she was going to fall for his tricks. And just like that, he had swooped in to save her. Save her from breaking down the moment when she realized that all Lord Milway wanted was an assurance of how she felt for him.
He didn't want to speak, didn't need to. He wanted her to speak.
"Mother," she said finally after a brief silence.
"What is going on here?" Lady Kendal queried.
Esther shrugged. "Lord Milway was simply disturbing me. And His Grace saved me."
"His Grace?"
"Yes."
"Oh dear," Lady Alastair touched her chest and chuckled. "I thought she'd said they were courting. I must be old! I hear a lot of things oddly."
"Oh, no. Your hearing is perfectly fine, Lady Alastair. His Grace has requested to court me, and I have agreed."
He didn't know what he was expecting, but he didn't expect that her mother would break into a grin. She was the only one amongst those who stood before them to actually act happy or feign it. Lady Kendal walked up to her daughter's side and smiled at the ladies behind her. "The Duke is indeed courting my daughter."
Lady Alastair creased her brows. "When, Rose? You never informed me that the Duke came to seek permission."
Lady Kendal gave an apologetic smile. "We did not want to steal Lady Amalia’s thunder, darling."
Esther sent Stefan a perplexed look, which he understood very well. Her mother was playing along and that was good for them. Lady Kendal turned to Nicholas, who still stood behind, shocked. "Lord Milway, Esther is now promised to another, so I'd implore you to stop pursuing her."
Lady Kendal smiled at Stefan affectionately, as though they were well acquainted. "You both must come inside, my dears. Lady Amalia is about to have her first dance."
Esther exhaled. She was beside him, so close to him that he could tell how nervous she was. Especially, with the two ladies whom he knew were very good friends of hers staring at her in confusion. The golden-haired one didn't hide her snarl towards Nicholas. He was sure she wasn't fond of him. The dark-haired one was more stunned. With one brow raised, she stared questioningly at Esther.
Stefan slipped Ester’s hand into the crook of his arm, just as they began to walk inside. She turned to look at him. And then he sent her a small smile. She blushed and nodded once then looked away. He smirked. He could make her red with even a genuine smile.
He chuckled and looked up. By the corner, he caught Lord Milway, staring at him, dazed. He must have seen the exchange between Stefan and Esther. Feeling happy, Stefan walked into the ballroom with Esther beside him, their hands clasped together.
"That was quite an announcement," he sighed once they were out of earshot of others.
Her mother was leading Lady Alastair over to where her daughter was. But Lady Alastair kept turning to look at him. He knew how much she had wanted him to fall in love with her daughter. He scoffed. He wasn't even in love with the lady he was pretending to court. Esther's two friends had gone along to find their partners. Lord Richmond and Lord Bowmount, respectively.
"You made the announcement."
"Because Lord Milway was taunting you. I did it to scare him off. I didn't know you would eventually play along."
"Well, I wanted to prove to Nicholas that he's not the only man who...sees me as desirable." She swallowed hard as her neck heated up and spread to her cheeks. "He made a statement that...that had irked me. It was what made me say such things. I was furious."
He stopped walking, behind the gathered crowd that stood to watch Lady Amalia dance with her father. Then he turned so Esther could face him. "Esther, you are desirable. Whatever Lord Milway says doesn't matter. That gentleman is a bloody fool."
"That man is the reason I've agreed to this charade."
Stefan chuckled. "You've hurt me now, My Lady."
"Then you must be careful, so I don't do it again."
Stefan pouted, and with one nod he turned back to watch the dance.
"Stefan, I do want Nicholas back. I'm doing this because I hope he realizes that he loves me as much as I loved him."
He turned to stare at her so that their eyes locked. "I want him back. And I've agreed to this charade because of him." She went on, uttering the words as if she was trying to persuade someone.
Stefan thought Lord Milway was a bloody fool. He didn't deserve her, but clearly Esther was determined to have that man back in h
er life and his promise was to reunite them. Perhaps Lord Milway loved Esther, but then what was the reason for their split? Something of great importance must have happened. He truly wanted to know. And he would. Until then, he would keep to his promise because, after Agnes, he had sworn that no one would suffer the same fate as she did.
"You will get Lord Milway back. Because he will come running to you and begging for your love."
Esther smiled. "When Nicholas realizes his feelings for me, Stefan, we will end this." She faced forward. "We will have to be ready to end this anytime soon because I know that Nicholas still cares very much. And I have seen enough evidence of his feelings tonight."
