Protecting Lady Esther (The King's League)

“I must consider it to have been so,” Lord Westbrook agreed. “Knowing that the cipher was of the utmost importance and that there was no time now to hand it to The King’s League, Lord Leighton did the only thing he could think of and disappeared.”

“He was trying to both protect me and do his duty to his country,” Esther whispered, her heart aching for her father. “My poor, dear papa. If only he had told me, then we might then have worked together to ensure that he was free from danger.”

Lord Westbrook smiled and shook his head. “You are much too precious to have risked that, my dear lady,” he said, his voice filled with a tenderness she had not expected to hear from him. “I can well understand Lord Leighton’s motivation. To have something so precious within one’s life that they cannot imagine being without it is an overwhelming emotion that directs one’s purposes in a way that they would not expect.” He looked away, then darted his gaze back to her again, looking a little abashed. “I will continue to be by your side, Lady Esther, to protect you and to ensure that your father is discovered safely, but I must also now put to you the question that I began with.” Clearing his throat, he swallowed hard, evidencing his nervousness. “What say you to my courtship, Lady Esther? Will you accept it?”

Esther took in a long breath, letting it fill her lungs and filling her with the reassurance that she needed. Now that she knew the truth in all of its entirety, she could not help but be grateful to Lord Westbrook all the more for what he had done. He had come to her aid and had refused to leave, knowing more about her situation that even she did. Now he had told her the truth. He had wanted her to understand everything so that she would no longer be caught up in confusion but rather so that she could see clearly. The trust he had in her spoke to her heart, warmed her soul, and spread life all through her.

Her answer was immediate.

“Of course I will, Lord Westbrook,” she told him, seeing how he blinked in surprise. “You did not think that I would refuse you, did you?”

“I…” Lord Westbrook stumbled to a stop for a moment, looking still a little unassured. “I could not be certain, Lady Esther. There is more to my life than there first appears, and I could not be sure how you would react when you heard of it.”

She pressed his arm again, wishing she could find a way to express herself a little more carefully. “I think you the most wonderful of gentlemen, Lord Westbrook. You have defended me, protected me, and kept me from my own foolishness. To know now that you are doing the King’s work, that you are protecting England from the attacks of its enemies – how could I turn from you now?” His eyes met hers and she saw them practically glow, his lips curving into a smile that spread heat all through her. “I have a great admiration for you, Lord Westbrook and would be glad of your courtship.”

Lord Westbrook let out a long breath, clearly more relieved than he had been willing to reveal at the first. “Then I am glad to hear it, Lady Esther,” he answered carefully. “But I must be honest with you again also. I do not intend for this courtship to come to an end once your father is safely with you again.” He stopped and turned to look at her, his dark brown eyes swirling with unspoken emotion. “I fully intend to continue our courtship until it reaches its inevitable conclusion.”

A frown marred her brow, confused by what he meant.

“An engagement,” he said, seeing her lack of understanding. “I offer you my courtship with the intention of both engagement and marriage, Lady Esther.”

“I see.” Her heart began to beat furiously, making her wonder if he could hear it. Heat infused her cheeks as she dropped her head, feeling a little embarrassed at the emotions that ran through her.

“If you do not wish to accept me with this new knowledge, then I quite understand.”

Esther’s head flew up, her eyes widening. “You quite misunderstand me, Lord Westbrook,” she exclaimed, seeing the slight sadness about his mouth. “It is not that I consider refusing you, but rather that I am overwhelmed with what you are offering me.” Her voice softened, her whole being alive with the urge to tell him the truth that was within her heart. “You are quite wonderful, Lord Westbrook. I have spoken of how I admire you but I will be honest with you now and state that my heart is also involved.” Her cheeks grew hot, but Esther forced herself to continue, not holding anything back. “I have come to find your company prized higher than any other,” she said, looking up into his face. “I have found myself sorrowful when we must part. In short, Lord Westbrook, I must be truthful and state that my heart holds a deep regard for you that continues to grow with every passing hour. I accept your offer of courtship, Lord Westbrook, for it is more than I have ever allowed myself to hope for.”

Silence met her words. Lord Westbrook stared down at her, his expression one of mild astonishment. Esther, fearing that she had said too much and revealed more than she ought, grew embarrassed and made to turn away, only for Lord Westbrook to capture her hand.

His head lowered. His hand rested on her shoulder. His lips brushed hers.

And then, it was over. The air seemed to be warmer, the day brighter and the colors and fragrance all the more beautiful. Dazed, Esther leaned on Lord Westbrook’s arm a little more, seeing how his smile was one of sheer tenderness.

“Let us pray that your aunt did not see such an action,” Lord Westbrook murmured, his eyes teasing. “But I could not resist, Lady Esther.” Reaching out, he let his fingers brush down her cheek, making her skin tingle with the awareness of him. “You speak more openly than I am able to, Lady Esther. Do not for a moment think that I am unaffected by you. I have struggled with what I feel and what my duties are, but my heart will not permit me to remain silent. My affection for you is growing, just as you say your regard has done for me. I did not think I would ever have such joy when it came to seeking to court a lady, but now that I have asked it, now that you have accepted me, I find that my heart is singing so loudly that I am certain all can hear it.”

Esther laughed softly, wishing she could step into his arms and have him hold her close. This was more wonderful than anything she could have thought of, more glorious than her happiest thought. Lord Westbrook cared for her, just as she cared for him. Even in the depths of her struggle, in the sorrow and confusion as regarded her father’s whereabouts, there came a deep sense of happiness that clung to her, refusing to let her go. No matter what happened, she would have Lord Westbrook by her side, as her stalwart and her companion, and that knowledge brought her such joy that she could barely speak.

“We should return to your aunt and inform her of our news,” Lord Westbrook murmured, letting his hand drop to his side before turning and offering her his arm once more. “Of our courtship, I mean, nothing more.”

Esther smiled and took his arm, feeling a new intimacy growing between them as they fell into step. “What must be done next, as regards the cipher?”

Lord Westbrook sighed and shook his head. “The other gentlemen continue with their search for the scarred man, and for your father. We have looked for clues in both Sir Taylor’s home and in the study of your father’s but have found nothing. However, now that you may be in danger, Lady Esther, my sole duty is to you. I shall ensure that you leave the house in safety and return to it in the same manner.” His eyes grew serious as he looked down at her. “And if you will permit me, I shall speak to the butler and ensure that a guard is kept outside your room every night. I shall be discreet, of course, but it must be done.”

Feeling more and more reassured, Esther nodded and saw him smile briefly. “I thank you for all of your help, Lord Westbrook,” she murmured, speaking more quietly as they drew near the carriage. “You have done so much for me already and now to become something all the more permanent within my life is an extraordinary gift.”

He chuckled, smiling down at her. “Then I suppose I should be glad of your foolishness that night, Lady Esther,” he said, making her laugh. “Else we might never have reached this moment.”

“That is quite true,” she agreed, teasing him. “But it seems my foolishness had a purpose, and so I shall not regret doing what I did in attending The Shrew alone.”

“No, nor shall I,” came the reply, as the door to carriage opened and Lady Ware looked out expectantly, a broad smile lingering on her lips. Laughing at her aunt’s hopeful gaze, Esther hurried forward, ready to share her news and her happiness and silently praying that, sometime soon, her father would be present also so as to give Lord Westbrook his blessing.

Chapter Eleven

Charles rose to his feet, frustration building within him. “I must go,” he muttered, as some of the other gentlemen continued to talk amongst themselves. “I am to collect Lady Esther and Lady Ware.”

Lord Brandley nodded and slapped Charles on the shoulder. “Do not try to be too dismayed,” he said. “We will find something.”

Gritting his teeth, Charles waited until the urge to retort back harshly had passed. It was not Lord Brandley’s fault that their investigations had come to naught. It had been ten days now since their last meeting, and in that time, he had seen someone shoot at Lady Esther, had managed to secure their courtship, told her of his growing feelings, and now spent his days taking her wherever she might wish to go. She was barely out of his sight, which was a relief as it meant he could always be assured of her safety, and indeed, it had given rise to a closer intimacy between them, but still their lack of progress in their investigations burned at him.