by Lucy Adams
“You believe, therefore, that the girl herself might be in danger?”
“I…” Charles hesitated, thinking hard. “I am not certain,” he said eventually. “The man who attacked the hackney was asking questions as to the location of Lord Leighton. I cannot know whether he already knows the location of Lord Leighton and is trying be sure Lady Esther doesn’t know where her father is, or if he is trying to seek the information for himself of where Lord Leighton has gone.”
“I see what you mean,” Lord Wells agreed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “He might well have been trying to ensure that Lady Esther did not know of where her father had gone and was, mayhap, trying to frighten her so that she would not seek him out again.” His eyes flared, and he looked back sharply at Charles. “Do you think that she will do that? That she will now accept that her father is away on urgent business and will merely wait until he returns?”
A broad smile settled on Charles’s face as he looked into his friend’s eyes. “No, I do not think that at all,” he replied with honesty, remembering the tenacity that Lady Esther had shown. “She was very afraid, of course, and yet still had the courage and strength of will to fight off her attacker. Her questions were still many once the attacker disappeared, and I cannot imagine that she will give up seeking the truth about her father.”
Lord Watt nodded, then chuckled. “It sounds as though you are going to have a difficult time with her,” he said with a grin. “You are going to have to stay as close to her as you can, Westbrook. You are aware of that, are you not?”
“I-I am,” Charles replied, knowing that this was what he must do and yet finding something within him beginning to rebel against the idea. “The ton will make a meal of my attentions towards her however.”
“So be it,” Lord Watt replied, shrugging. “She must be kept safe.”
Charles shifted in his chair, his back a little painful still. “It may turn out to be nothing of consequence, Watt.”
“But we cannot take that chance,” Lord Watt determined. “Lord Leighton was a gentleman of great importance to The King’s League. Therefore, we must ensure that his daughter is protected and we must discover where he is at present. I shall have someone sent to his estate at once to see if he is there.”
“And if he is not?”
Lord Watt paused, his eyes narrowing as though he were already considering that there was a good deal of difficulty yet to come. “If he is not at home – and both you and I consider that there is a good possibility that it may be the case – then we shall have to begin some sort of search for him. In the meantime, speak to Lady Esther and find out all you can about her father’s business of late.”
Fully in agreement and feeling a good deal more at ease than he had before, Charles let out a long, slow breath and sat back in his chair, gesturing to one of the servants to bring him another brandy. “And I shall speak to The King’s League about all I have said to you,” he said, seeing Lord Watt frown. “When do we next meet?”
“In a few days’ time,” Lord Watt answered, being the one who coordinated their meetings. “I will wait until the man has returned from Lord Leighton’s estate. That way, we will know for certain whether or not this is a matter of great severity.”
Charles nodded again, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. “I did not even get a chance to step into The Shrew,” he said, apologetically. “I did not manage to look within to see if Lord Breton or Lord Autry were present.”
Lord Watt waved a hand. “That is of no consequence.”
“I think I shall speak to Lord Silverstone and ask him to continue with that,” Charles continued, seeing Lord Watt nod. “I believe my first duty must be to Lady Esther, as you have rightly said.” Something within him shifted as he stated that, thinking of the days to come and knowing that he would have to be by Lady Esther’s side as often as he could. The ton would think him caught by her beauty and would expect him to be courting her just as soon as he could, and he was entirely unused to such a thing occurring. He had never shown particular affection to any young woman, and if he was to do so now, then Charles knew that the beau monde would take note. He would be spoken of, whispered about, and laughed at. There would be gossip and rumors and all manner of suggestions made. He would have to prepare not only Lady Esther for that—but also himself.
“You will be careful,” Lord Watt murmured, as the servant handed Charles his second glass of brandy. “If the man who attacked Lady Esther recognizes you as the man who fought him, then you may have a target placed on your forehead. He may very well seek you out to silence you, knowing that you can recognize him.”
“It would not be the first time such a thing has occurred,” Charles muttered, a little darkly. “But I will be careful, yes.”
“Good.” Lord Watt, seemingly satisfied with this, lifted up his glass and threw back the rest of his brandy. “Now, I must be off. I am to go to Lord Dunstable’s card party, which has already been under way for some hours.” He shot Charles a knowing look. “Which means that there will already be a good deal of liquor flowing–”
“And a good deal more willingness to talk,” Charles interrupted, knowing precisely what Lord Watt had been going to say. “I wish you the very best of luck, old boy.” He lifted his glass in a toast, smiling broadly. “May you have as much truth as their drunken souls are willing to reveal to you.” And with that, he drained his glass and set it back down, hard, on the table.
Chapter Six
It was three days since her ordeal and Esther was still not quite prepared to see Lord Westbrook again. Her stomach was tight with knots, her hands clenching and unclenching as she considered what she was to say. The gentleman was due to call very soon—and she could not be in such a frantic state when he arrived!
“You still look a little unwell, my dear,” Lady Ware murmured, as she came to sit down opposite Esther. “Are you quite certain that you ought to be taking callers?”
Esther smiled and nodded. “Yes, Aunt,” she said, forcing a brightness into her voice. “I am quite recovered, I assure you,” she stated, aware that she still had not, as yet, decided how she was to remove her aunt from the room so that she might talk in private to Lord Westbrook. “I feel quite well.”
“Hmmm.” Her aunt regarded her with a calculating eye. “Your eyes still hold a little greyness beneath, and there is a flush to your cheek,” she said, warning in her voice. “But if you believe you are well enough to receive him, then I shall not argue with you.” Her expression softened somewhat, her eyes holding a hint of curiosity. “You were very pleased to accept his request to call upon you, I think.”
Esther’s embarrassment flooded her at once, knowing that she had been glad to accept his request, but not for the reasons her aunt might have thought. “It is my first gentleman caller,” she said, quickly thinking up an explanation. “Therefore, it is quite understandable that I should be pleased, is it not?”
Her aunt laughed and nodded, easing the tension from the room at once. “I suppose it is, yes,” she agreed, her eyes twinkling. “I do recall when my own daughters behaved in much the same fashion.” She smiled fondly at the memory. “Allow me to advise you, Esther, that should you find a gentleman that you consider most highly and that you find to be genteel and amiable, then you should have no hesitation in considering courtship, should he ask it of you.”
“I shall, Aunt,” Esther replied quickly, aware that her cheeks were still flushed and finding the idea of Lord Westbrook walking in to find her so all the more mortifying. “But I am not about to have a regard for the very first gentleman to show me interest, Aunt, no matter how kind or amiable he might be.”
Her aunt laughed and nodded. “That is very wise, my dear,” she said, making to say more but prevented from doing so by the door opening and the butler walking in with a card in his hand. Knowing that it was to be Lord Westbrook being announced, Esther rose immediately, smoothing her skirts and feeling her heart quicken its pace in
anticipation. He walked in and bowed towards Lady Ware, his eyes fixed upon her for a moment, before seeking out Esther thereafter.
She curtsied quickly, thinking that he was more handsome than she recalled. With a strong jaw and a steadiness about his dark brown eyes, a shock of thick, dark hair and broad shoulders, he gave her the distinct impression that he was a gentleman of firm character. He was not the sort of gentleman who made a determination only to then fall away from it. If there was something in his mind to do, then he would do it without hesitation, continuing on until the matter came to a satisfactory conclusion.
“Thank you for calling on me, Lord Westbrook,” she said, as her aunt gestured for him to sit down. “I do hope that you have had a pleasant day thus far.” It was not the best of remarks and certainly nothing more than a trivial comment, but Lord Westbrook seemed to accept it regardless. He sat down carefully and sent a broad smile in her direction, which—for whatever reason—sent her heart fluttering like the wings of a bird.
“I have had a very pleasant morning,” he said, as her aunt rose to ring the bell so that the tea trays might be brought in. “The day is very fine indeed, and it is a pleasure to now be in such excellent company.”
Much to her astonishment, Esther found herself blushing a little at this, surprising herself all the more in the way that her heart seemed to soar to the clouds. This was nothing but foolishness, she told herself determinedly. Lord Westbrook was here merely to speak to her about what had occurred some days ago and just because she discovered him now to be a handsome gentleman did not mean that she should react any differently.
However, her aunt, whose sharp eyes missed nothing, let a small smile cross her face upon seeing Esther’s reaction and, thereafter, turned towards Lord Westbrook with a suggestion in hand.
“It is a fine day indeed, Lord Westbrook,” she said, as the maid brought in the tea. “And this townhouse has a very fine garden, I must say. It makes it a lovely place to wander when one wishes to step out of doors.”
Lord Westbrook smiled back at Lady Ware, whilst Esther concentrated solely on removing the redness from her cheeks by sheer willpower alone. “It sounds quite lovely,” he said, with a glance in Esther’s direction. “Perhaps I might see the gardens one day.”
“My niece will show you around them for a few minutes before the end of your visit,” Lady Ware said, with a careless wave of her hand in Esther’s direction – as though this were a mere triviality. “If you would care for it, that is?”
Lord Westbrook did not hesitate, but accepted Lady Ware’s invitation at once, leaving Esther to merely smile and nod, praying desperately that she would be able to keep her composure.
“Well, Lady Esther, I am glad to see that you are recovered so.”
Esther glanced up at Lord Westbrook as they walked together, taking what was their second turn about the gardens. They had not spoken much at the first, for Lady Ware had been present with them but was now sitting quietly on a bench and allowing, therefore, both Esther and Lord Westbrook to walk and talk alone.
“Your bruises are faint,” she commented, aware that if she looked closely, there were still some marks on Lord Westbrook’s face. “You are recovered also?”
“I am.” He cleared his throat, his hands behind his back as his eyes turned towards the path ahead of them. “I must tell you, Lady Esther, that I have not yet managed to make any significant progress into the identity of the man who attacked the hackney.”
Esther looked up at him, realizing that she had not told him of one significant detail. “I would not have expected you to be able to do so,” she said, not wanting him to feel any sort of anxiety. “However, I do believe that I have not told you of one important detail, which I must now recount.” Hesitating, she glanced up to see his eyes fixed upon her, a seriousness about his mouth. “The man who attacked the hackney had a long scar running down his cheek,” she continued, hurriedly. “I caught sight of it in the dim light.”
Lord Westbrook nodded. “That is useful indeed, Lady Esther.”
“No, but you do not understand,” she interrupted, turning to face him and looking up earnestly into his face. “He was the very same gentleman who called upon my father only a few days before.” She watched Lord Westbrook closely, seeing how his eyes flared in astonishment. He blinked rapidly, his gaze turning away for a few moments before returning to her.
“You are quite certain?”
“Indeed,” she answered. “More than certain. But, unfortunately, before you ask, I do not know what he spoke to my father about. Although, my mind considers this gentleman to have been something of a threat to my father, which might then explain the reason for his departure from this house without saying a word to me about it.”
Lord Westbrook nodded slowly, rubbing his chin with long fingers. “I understand what you mean, Lady Esther,” he said slowly. “This gentleman visited your father, and then Lord Leighton is gone from your house without leaving you a note or speaking to you of it – which you state he would always have done.” Seeing her nod, he continued quickly, “You believe that your father is not at his estate, as he wrote to your aunt, and the reappearance of this scarred gentleman is proof of it.”
“Precisely,” Esther said quickly, awash with relief that Lord Westbrook seemed to understand her. “That is it entirely.” A frown developed between her brows as she continued to study his features, seeing how his brows lowered, how his own eyes became puzzled, and how his expression darkened. “But I do not wish to put an unnecessary burden upon you, Lord Westbrook. This is naught to do with you.”
His response was immediate, for his eyes shot back to hers and before she knew what he was doing, his hand was holding hers tightly, his fervency evident almost at once.
“I have every intention of aiding you, Lady Esther,” he said in a low voice, his eyes searching hers as though he wanted to see her trust in him beginning to settle there. “You need not fear that I am about to turn away from you nor leave you to struggle through this alone. I am quite determined, Lady Esther. You need have no fear about that.”
As she looked up into his face and saw the determination there, Esther felt her heart sink back into her chest with relief. There was no fear there now, no anxiety that she would be left to discover the truth about this assailant on her own. Lord Westbrook was, for whatever reason, more than willing to aid her in her search for the truth.
“You are very kind, Lord Westbrook,” she told him, her voice rasping just a little. “Your goodness reveals itself, and I am truly in your debt.”
He smiled and something hot ran straight through her. “But of course, my lady,” he murmured, bowing over her hand and making her blush just a little. “However, I must inform you that, if I am to aid you, then I must be at your side very often.” His hand let hers free, and Esther clasped her hands together, her stomach suddenly tightening.
“What do you mean?” she asked, a little confused. “Do you mean that—?”
“The ton will notice my interest in you, Lady Esther,” he said bluntly. “I have no intention of removing myself from your side until we discover the truth about your father and ensure that the man who attacked you is no longer a threat. Therefore, you must be both willing and prepared to have the beau monde believe that I am truly interested in courtship.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks caught fire, as she dropped her head, more than aware that this would bring Lady Ware a good deal of delight.
“It may lead to something more…permanent also,” Lord Westbrook continued, his voice a little thick now. “I will not press you for such a thing nor will I state that it is my intention, but I fear that circumstances may change significantly, and then there may be cause for us to commit to each other in a way that we had not perhaps intended.”
Esther did not know what to say, her thoughts flinging themselves at her over and over as she tried her best to understand what Lord Westbrook was saying. If they were to work together, if they were to seek out her father an
d discover who her attacker had been, then there was a chance that they might have to become engaged. It would satisfy the beau monde and ensure that her reputation remained intact, but it would also mean that she would have to consider marrying someone such as Lord Westbrook.
To her surprise, the thought did not bring her any sort of displeasure but rather a small thrill of delight.
“I am a little surprised that you would be so willing to do such a thing, Lord Westbrook,” she told him, looking back up at him and seeing how he looked away from her. “If this is to be a consequence of your willingness to help me, then I would not have it forced upon you. It is not something I expect from you nor—”
“I must marry at some point in my life,” he interrupted, finally looking back at her. “There is no reason why someone such as you, Lady Esther, could not fulfil such a position in my life. Therefore, if it comes to it, I have no concerns as to such a thing occurring.”
Greatly surprised at this admission and even more astonished at his openness when they were not even particularly well acquainted, Esther found herself nodding wordlessly, aware that her aunt would soon be approaching.
“Then it is settled,” he said, with a quick inclination of his head. “I should like to call upon you again, if I may?”
“I should like that very much,” she told him.
“Good.” His smile was a little tight, perhaps betraying the nervousness or anxiety that had filled him only moments before. “I will also state that a man has been dispatched to your father’s estate, to confirm whether or not he resides there.” He spread his hands. “They have not returned as yet, but I shall inform you the moment they do so.”
Her heart beat painfully at the thought of her father, making the rest of what had been said disappear entirely from her thoughts. “I have not heard back from him,” she informed Lord Westbrook, whose brow was beginning to furrow once more. “I wrote to him some days ago, but as yet have received no response – although it is perhaps a little too soon to expect such a thing.”