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 l
ittle 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.”