Lady Esther inclined her head. They were moving away from the dance floor, but all eyes were still on them. Stefan stared down at the delicate lady standing with him. Her lips were pressed in a thin line. Lips that he had kissed. Her long lashes moved as her eyes went downward.
He didn't know what was going on. He wasn't one to listen in on the gossip, but hell, he was curious about her. Her name was on the lips of so many.
"Why arrange a ball for you in the middle of the summer?"
Lady Esther shrugged. "Because I'm the only child and the Earl of Kendal may do as he pleases."
"Very well, and does the ball please you?"
"Of course, it does. It is for me."
Stefan watched as Lady Esther kept her gaze carefully away from him, somewhat cautious. He smiled. She definitely remembered what had happened days ago at the river. It was quite strange that they had shared that kiss, but he wanted to do it again. And maybe he would start by being a gentleman and apologizing. He cleared his throat, but as he was about to speak, she spoke up.
"You are coming to visit the children at the orphanage?"
He grinned. "Indeed."
"Because you feel is it your duty as Duke or because you want to help them?"
"Because I know that it is what's right. Those children deserve to be looked after. I see you like them as well, My Lady. You've given up your time to care for them."
She nodded. "The children need love. They need to know that someone cares."
"Of course."
"I only began to see you at the orphanage two days ago. I was quite surprised." Esther’s cheeks flamed as she mentioned the day that they had met for the first time.
"I hadn't known you had seen me at the orphanage. You were quite focused."
"I did see you." She clasped her hands together.
Stefan watched her.
"So...at the river...I —"
"Yes?"
She nodded and tilted her head sideways. "What happened at the river...was...not deliberate."
He almost laughed at how vulnerable she seemed, trying to bring up their kiss at the river. Seeing this as a great opportunity, he spoke first. "Why did you run off so suddenly then? You should have stayed back and told me this. You went running off, which made me think you enjoyed it quite well, My Lady."
She looked up with her eyes wide. Was she surprised that he remembered? Or was she shocked that he was teasing her?
"What were you doing there that day? Surely, you should have known that the rocky hill made the river low and that one could slip." He smirked, excited as her cheeks reddened. "And I remember saving you, and I got no appreciation for my effort now did I? Lady Esther?"
He liked seeing her so unsettled, flustered. He went on. "You look beautiful, Lady Esther. A walk in the garden, perhaps?"
Her eyes widened. Stefan wondered what she was thinking, but he could indeed guess. She shook her head. "I'm afraid I'll have to decline your offer, Your Grace."
"Of course, you would."
"Thank you for saving me, Your Grace. It was an honest accident. I was not trying to have myself killed," Lady Esther clarified, not looking into his eyes. It was as though she had imagined that he thought she had been trying to end her own life. He cocked his head to the side, wondering why she would think that.
From what he had seen through the night, with men trying to get close to Lady Esther, meanwhile she was obviously ignoring them, he could tell she was not betrothed to anyone. Neither did she seem to be quite eager, as she never gave anyone a chance to talk to her. But she looked sad. He had never seen her smile truly through the night. Something bothered her. Also, she didn't seem free with him. Spinsters who were open for suitors didn't behave so uptight. Merely looking at her, he could tell that she wanted to be anywhere but there.
"Is there a problem, Lady Esther?"
She blinked, but not fast enough as he saw her glistening eyes.
"Your Grace, I would very much like to be excused as I have guests to attend to."
He stepped closer, knowing fully well that she was looking for a means of escape, and he tried pulling her closer. She moved back instantly, not allowing herself to get too close. With one nod and a barely audible mutter, Lady Esther walked into the crowd. He could still see her. Only he didn't run after her. He wouldn't, not until he knew her well enough, not until he knew about her, just like she knew about him. But that would have to wait. He had an appointment with Claude Guerrero.
After Claude rolled off him, he lay still, staring at nothing but thinking about Lady Esther. She had clouded his thoughts all night, and he was sure she would continue to do so for the rest of the night and the approaching morning.
He sat up, slipped into his breeches, then his boots. Once he had these on, he stood up. Claude sat on the bed, both her arms were pressing into the mattress, her bosom was left bare, like she was showing them off, trying to call him back into bed.
He shook his head. "I have to go, Claude. Next time when you're in London, send me a message."
She tossed her red hair, hair that looked like flames, aside. "I most certainly will, Monsieur."
Her accent, the dripping French, lingering in every word, had always made her so attractive. But not today. This time all he saw was Lady Esther. He needed to be home.
He moved back, slipped into his cotton white shirt, took his coat from the settee, and with just a nod, he left the room. As he stepped out of the entrance of her little home, his footman, Richard, greeted him with a toothy smile. "Your Grace."
Stefan barely nodded as he stepped into the night and swiftly swung into his carriage. "Take me home, Richard."
Richard nodded again, his smile still on. "As you wish, Your Grace."
As Richard drove into the night, Stefan relaxed in the carriage. He rubbed at his temples and recognized just how exhausted he was. He needed to get home. Despite his blunt insistence on not getting married, he didn't want to openly disrespect his mother by staying out too late or not sleeping at Sands Castle. That would mean he was outright disobeying her. He didn't want that.
The wheels rolled to a halt and Stefan looked out, only to see that they had arrived at Sands Castle. He alighted the carriage and walked to the door. He pushed the double French threshold open and stepped in. The butler, Alfred, walked out of the salon, and on seeing him he bowed. "Your Grace. Thank the heavens! You’ve returned. The Dowager would like to see you."
Stefan nodded once and headed towards the salon. He stepped in with his hands stuck in the pocket of his breeches. The Duchess sat on the lone chair beside the hearth, rocking back and forth whilst knitting. The house seemed very quiet. Perhaps his siblings had gone to sleep. He took a seat and rested his elbows on his thigh. "Mother, you've sent for me."