by Lucy Adams
“I-I think that he is very amiable,” she said, struggling to find the right words to use. “I would have no objections, if that is what you mean.”
Lady Ware laughed and shook her head. “No, that is not what I mean at all, my dear girl!” She turned to face Esther, looking at her fondly. “Now, I know you have been concerned about your father’s absence from town, but I am quite certain that he will return very soon – and what better news could he return to than to discover that his daughter is being courted by someone as eligible as the Earl of Westbrook!” Lady Ware’s eyes shone. “But,” she continued carefully, “I would not like you accept him if you feel nothing but a general appreciation of his character. That does not lead to a happy marriage, as far as I am concerned. So,” she continued, her voice growing a little firmer, “I must ask you again, my dear. What do you wish me to say, should he ask?”
Esther smiled softly, appreciating her aunt’s concern. “I think very highly of Lord Westbrook,” she said with honesty. “I find him considerate, kind, and very attentive. He is witty and intelligent and does not speak to me as though I am of lesser intelligence than he!”
Lady Ware smiled and nodded, seemingly finding satisfaction in this answer.
“I would prefer a little more time in order to increase my acquaintance before such a question is asked,” Esther finished, well aware that Lord Westbrook had already anticipated that such a thing would have to occur. “But I would have no hesitation in asking you to accept him, Aunt.”
“Then I shall be glad to do so,” Lady Ware answered softly, looking at Esther with an almost motherly tenderness. “He is a good man, I think.”
“I think so too,” Esther answered, only for the gentleman in question to appear only a few steps away, his eyes fixed upon hers. Knowing it was time for their dance, Esther turned to greet him, feeling her stomach tighten with lingering nerves.
She need not have worried.
Dancing the cotillion with Lord Westbrook was one thing but stepping into his arms for a waltz was quite another. For some reason, she found it very difficult to speak, her heart beating quite furiously and her mind ablaze with all manner of fears. Would she step on his feet? Would she manage to somehow tread on her own gown and make an utter fool of herself? Would their dance be awkward and unsteady, making her the laughingstock of the evening?
However, her fears were laid to rest the moment Lord Westbrook took her in his arms. He was sure and steady, dancing with a gentleness she would not have expected from him. Leading her across the floor, he twirled her with precision and poise, allowing her to finally relax in his arms.
“I do hope you have enjoyed this evening, Lady Esther?”
The dance had come to a close, and she was now walking alongside him, her hand on his arm, as they made their way to one of the tables laid out for couples to seat themselves at.
“I have,” she agreed with a quick smile. “You are already acquainted with the gentlemen I danced with, I think.”
Chuckling, he nodded before helping her into a seat. “I am indeed,” he said, releasing her from his arm. “All excellent gentlemen, I must say.”
“Mmm.” She did not know what to say, looking at him and seeing the slight gleam in his eye that she did not quite understand.
“Allow me to fetch you something to eat, and then we can discuss matters,” he continued, his smile fading away to be replaced with an altogether more serious look. “There are some developments that I think you ought to be aware of.”
She nodded, her stomach tightening uncomfortably as he walked away, leaving her to sit alone for a few minutes. She did not allow her eyes to leave him but rather continued to watch him, taking in his strong frame and allowing the reassurance that he was there to help and support her to wash over her.
And to protect you, should it be required, she reminded herself, her fingers twisting together. He is your ally, Esther. No matter what he reveals to you, you know that you are able to trust him.
Thus satisfied, Esther bolstered her courage and managed a quick smile as Lord Westbrook returned, gesturing for a footman to bring them both something to drink. Grateful for a quiet table near the corner of the room, Esther looked about at the rest of the guests, seeing how some had sat together, leaving four, six, or eight persons altogether at one table. She was very glad to be as alone as she could be with Lord Westbrook, feeling the weight of her worries begin to bear down on her again. It was easy enough to forget her troubles and fears when she was caught up in dancing and conversation, but now looking into Lord Westbrook’s face and seeing his stern expression, they returned to her again with force.
“My man has returned from your father’s estate,” he said slowly, making Esther clasp her hands together even more tightly. “He was not at home.”
It was as though all the air in the room had been pulled out from it at once, for Esther struggled furiously to get her breath as shock ran straight through her. She had been suspecting as much, of course, but to hear the confirmation that her father was not at home was terrible news.
“I am sorry to shock you further,” Lord Westbrook continued, reaching across and pressing her hand lightly, blocking the view from the rest of the guests by keeping his back to them, “but there is something more.”
She dragged in air to her burning lungs, trying desperately to fill them. Lord Westbrook waited for a moment, before seeing that she was struggling and, in one swift action, picked up her glass of ratafia and pressed it into her hands. Esther drank deeply, putting down the glass just as soon as she was finished and nodding towards Lord Westbrook, feeling a little better than before. “What is it that you have discovered?” she asked, her voice hoarse. “Pray do not hide it from me. I am quite all right.”
Lord Westbrook hesitated, sighed, and then nodded. “Your father’s study has been ransacked.”
Her hand was at her mouth, her eyes flaring wide.
“The staff have, I believe, written of this to your father but have not received a response,” he continued, having spoken at length to Mr. Peel. “The butler states that they cannot see if anything has been taken and, indeed, are not certain what precisely Lord Leighton kept within his study, which is why they require him to come and search the study for himself.”
“Goodness,” Esther whispered, her heart squeezing painfully. “If I had known of this before, then I would have thought that this would have been the urgent business he spoke of.”
“But it is not,” Lord Westbrook reassured her. “The staff say that they have not heard from nor seen Lord Leighton since he left for London. Therefore, your instincts have been proven correct, Lady Esther.”
This did not comfort her in the way that Esther had expected. “Which is to say that he is missing,” she said slowly, tears suddenly burning in her eyes. “I do not know where he is gone and neither does my father’s staff.”
Lord Westbrook’s hand settled on hers again, forcing her to look into his eyes and to gather her composure just a little. His eyes were earnest, his expression warm and filled with concern for her.
“You know that I have promised to aid you, Lady Esther, and I again give you my word that I shall not rest until I find your father. I believe that he has gone into hiding.”
Esther blinked. “Hiding?”
“It would explain the mess at the study,” he said slowly, as though explaining something to a child. His eyes held hers steadily, evidently perceiving the shock that was running through her and wanting to help her as best he could. “Your father’s staff say that they cannot see anything else in the house that was touched, save for the study. Therefore, there must have been something within it that was being searched for.”
“Something that my father wanted to keep hidden,” Esther whispered, slowly beginning to understand. “And the man with the scar mayhap wanted to find it.” She looked into Lord Westbrook’s eyes and saw him nod, a tiny smile capturing the corner of his mouth.
“I do not think it a coincide
nce that your father quit the townhouse the day after he met the man with the scar,” he said quietly, as Esther dragged in another shuddering breath. “Thereafter, we know that this man tried to find out the whereabouts of your father from you, Lady Esther. Perhaps your father has something that this man wants and cannot get without discovering where Lord Leighton is at present.”
Esther nodded and dropped her head, rubbing her temples with one hand, feeling Lord Westbrook’s hand tighten on hers as though he wanted to reassure her still further. Everything became hazy for a moment as she tried to make sense of things, tried to let her mind wrap itself around everything that Lord Westbrook had revealed.
Her heart began to ache painfully, fearing for her father’s safety. Where was he? Was he well? Was he safe? She had no idea what it could be that her father had that demanded him to leave London so quickly, had no suggestion of what this precious item might be, and yet it was clearly of such great importance that he had been forced to flee.
“I do not understand,” she whispered, her voice filled with sorrow. “Why could he not simply tell me of his troubles? Why did he have to hide them from me?”
“Because he wanted to protect you,” Lord Westbrook gently said. “You must not hold that against him, Lady Esther. I have no doubt that whatever your father has done, it is in order to protect his family.” He smiled reassuringly, squeezed her hand again, and then let it go, sitting back in his chair.
“But there is nothing I can do now to help him!” Esther exclaimed, as a sudden feeling of hopelessness flooded her. “I do not know what it is he has in his possession nor do I know where he might be so that I could check on his wellbeing! I do not know who is chasing him nor how I am meant to stop them from their task, so that I might have my dear papa returned to me!” Desperate, she gazed up into Lord Westbrook’s eyes, hoping that he might have some answers for her, that he would be able to give her some hope.
Instead, Lord Westbrook merely smiled at her, his expression gentle. “I think, Lady Esther, that you ought to merely allow yourself to get over the shock of what has been revealed,” he said quietly, his tone jarring her. “This has been a great surprise to you, I know, but I must insist that you do nothing for the present.”
“I cannot!” Esther said stiffly, rebelling against what was, she knew, sensible advice.
“But you must,” he answered steadily, looking at her without reproach. “Let this news enter your heart and mind until you can think on it without overwhelming emotion. It will mean that we shall not act rashly as one might otherwise do. Thereafter, we shall discuss matters and think of what we might do together.”
Esther bit her lip, the pain tearing at her, but she did not let it go from between her teeth. Instead, she contemplated Lord Westbrook, taking in the calmness of his gaze and the quiet reassurance that seemed to exude from him. She wanted to fight against him, wanted to demand that they think on matters together and come up with a plan immediately, but she knew that she could not. His advice was wise indeed.. She had to allow herself a little time to understand all of this, to know what it was that she now faced.
“Perhaps I should inform Lady Ware of what I have discovered also?” Lord Westbrook asked gently, seeing Esther’s indecision. “Do you think it wise to include her?”
Esther shook her head. “Not at the present,” she said, her voice hoarse. “I do not want to upset my aunt at this present time, not when she has so many responsibilities. She is solely my guardian at the moment and, to be truthful, Lord Westbrook, I do not want her to remove me from London.”
“Do you think that would occur?”
She nodded fervently. “My aunt would take me to her husband’s estate until she could be certain that my father was safe and that all was at an end,” she said, knowing that Lady Ware would do everything she could to ensure Esther was not at risk. “But I do not want that, Lord Westbrook.”
“Nor do I.” There was something in his voice that made her shiver, a thrill running down her spine despite the sorrow and fright that still ran around within her. She said nothing but simply looked up into his face, seeing his gentle smile and feeling it flood her soul with reassurance.
“You should eat something,” he said after a moment or two. “Regain some of your strength. I know that this has come as a great shock to you, but I admire your determination and your courage, Lady Esther. I am sure it will serve you well in the days and weeks to come.”
“And may I thank you for your dedication to me, which has been borne out of my own selfish foolishness,” Esther answered, a touch of color in her cheeks. “It was only by chance that you met me, and since that moment, I feel as though I have dragged you into these circumstances without your consent.”
“Do not allow yourself to be so concerned,” Lord Westbrook replied, reassuringly. “I do not feel anything but contentedness in being able to assist you, Lady Esther. Now,” he continued, sitting back in his chair and smiling reassuringly. “Let us eat and talk of something else. Tomorrow, I shall call upon you again, if I may, and we can walk to the bookshop and discuss matters again, if you wish.”
“I would like that very much,” Esther said quickly. “Thank you, Lord Westbrook…for everything.”
He inclined his head, smiled, and then picked up his glass. “You are most welcome, my lady,” he murmured, before draining it completely.
Chapter Nine
“It is very good of your aunt to allow us to walk together.”
Lady Esther threw Charles a quick glance, her eyes dancing with good humor. “I believe she approves of you, Lord Westbrook,” she replied before looking over her shoulder. “Besides which, it is only a short distance between the carriage and the bookshop and no doubt, she will join us there soon enough.”
Charles grinned, aware that he was becoming rather fond of Lady Esther’s company. She was a remarkable young lady. Even though she was afraid and upset over her father’s disappearance, she did not allow it to dampen her spirits. Instead of giving into her fear completely, she was now using her fright to bolster her courage and her singular determination to find out what had happened to her father. He found such a spirit to be truly impressive.
“How do you fare this afternoon, Lady Esther?” he asked, concerned for how she might be feeling at present. “I know that you are determined to find your father, but I must wonder whether or not the shock of what you have been told of has yet passed.” Searching her expression and seeing how her green eyes lit up as she smiled, he felt his own heart lift, finding her beauty a little overwhelming.
“I am a little better than last evening,” she answered. “I was very shocked at your news and, of course, wanted to find something to do almost at once, for I felt quite helpless in my lack of action.”
“That is understandable,” he said quietly, glad that she was being honest with him. “I hope you understand my reluctance to allow you to form a plan last evening.”
“Yes, I do,” she replied with a softness in her expression that touched his heart. “I did not want to do as you asked, but the wisdom of it became clear to me very soon afterwards. I retired later than I expected but could not sleep, such was my upset. However, now that I have had time to consider matters, now that I can begin to surmise as to why my father might have left London, I can think of what must be done in a much clearer manner.”
He nodded, relieved that she understood. “And have you had any particular thoughts as to what must be done next?” he asked, wondering what she had been thinking of.
To his surprise, Lady Esther nodded, her steps slowing as they drew near the bookshop. “It is very simple in one way,” she answered, her eyes flicking to his before flying away again. “We must discover what my father has in his possession that is putting him in so much danger.”
Charles bit his lip, anxiety writhing through him in a sudden, forceful manner. Of course, he knew precisely what it was that Lord Leighton had and had been able to surmise why the French were now searching eagerly
for him, but he had not yet decided to tell Lady Esther of The King’s League. However, if she had made such a decision, then surely it was best to tell her everything?
“You do not agree?”
Realizing that he had been frowning and looking away from Lady Esther, Charles threw his gaze back towards her and tried to smile, lifting one of his shoulders. “That is a wise thought, yes,” he said quietly, his anxiety rippling through him as his mind began to force him to speak of The King’s League. “But I believe, Lady Esther, that I may already know what item your father possesses that is putting him in so much danger.”
Lady Esther’s eyes flared wide, and she took a step back, now close to the bookshop door.
“We should speak inside,” he continued quickly, gesturing to the door. “If you would—”
A strange sound caught his ears, just as Lady Esther frowned and waved her hand across her face, as though trying to ensure a bee or wasp made its way past her. Charles frowned heavily, every single sinew of his body tensed with a sudden, horrified awareness.
Everything seemed to slow. His eyes caught sight of the wooden bookshop door, taking in the small gouge that had not been there before. He heard Lady Esther muttering something about the buzzing and—in that moment—reached out and grasped her arm, tight. Without explanation, without taking the time to explain, he hauled her against him, opened the bookshop door, and then thrust her inside.
The door closed behind him with a satisfying click, allowing him to breathe for what felt like the first time in days. Letting go of Lady Esther’s arm, he sagged back against it, closing his eyes and swallowing hard as relief poured into him. She was safe.
“I do hope there is going to be some explanation for the way you have just handled me, Lord Westbrook!”
His eyes flew open to see Lady Esther staring at him with wide eyes, her brow puckered and one hand rubbing at her arm where he had grasped it. His mouth went dry as he realized that he must have hurt her, reaching for her only for Lady Esther to step back, clearly confused.