As they watched the play, she could hear giggles from both her sides from time to time. She could hear teases. Ones that were whispered but somehow made it to her ears.
It made her think of Nicholas. Often more times than not, he had made flirtatious advances in public, subtly, but still, it made her feel that people were watching her.
The moment the actors stepped in a long line to bow to the audience, Esther stood up, eager to make an escape before the exit doors became too crowded. She walked past her friends with a smile on her face, trying to ease their worried looks. "I'll see you outside," she muttered as she squeezed past them and headed to the door just as everyone rose to applaud the actors. The moment she was at the door, an announcement was being made. She sighed in relief and walked out of the theatre.
She ran down the stairs, heading towards her carriage. Her last step on the last stair was halted when strong arms gripped her forearm and whirled her around. She gasped as she stared at the Duke.
His blue eyes narrowed in on her. He pulled her to the side of the theatre and blocked her path, so she'd have nowhere to run. With him standing so close, she felt breathless, uneasy. She was more conscious of him now than she had been previously. She cast her lashes down, unable to look him in the eye.
"Your Grace, what is it that you want?"
He placed a hand behind her head, on the wall. She backed up a bit, and he stood still, watching her silently. His eyes flicked over her, and when she squeaked, he smirked and spoke. "I have a proposal for you, Lady Esther."
Esther swallowed. But she didn't speak; she wouldn't until he was done.
"You said you want your life back to how it was. You want Lord Milway back, don’t you?"
She stared at him silently. He smiled, the curve of his lips was alluring. And he spoke slowly, even with his deep baritone. "I want to help you get Lord Milway back."
Her eyes widened at that. She looked up to meet his gaze. "What? How?"
"I would have to court you…"