Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

J ulian descended the grand staircase of Loughton Grange to a vision of loveliness. Ester awaited him at the foot of the stairs. Her light summer dress flowed elegantly over her figure, leaving her delicate shoulders bare. The curve of her lips held a fervent smile, one that promised welcome but also whispered of secrets. Julian smiled in return. He was privy to those secrets.

As he descended the last few steps, his hands instinctively sought the leather gloves he no longer wore, an old habit hard to break. Ester ascended two stairs and took both of his hands in hers. Julian could not help but experience a momentary frisson of fear. It was a bold act. At least to him.

"There is nothing to fear. And never was. Remember?" Ester reminded him gently.

"I do… but still, it is difficult to override the instincts of a lifetime."

Her grip on his hands tightened, her eyes locking with his. "Then hold my hands tighter," she whispered. "Touch my neck, my shoulders."

She cast a quick glance around, ensuring they were alone, before lowering her voice to a sultry murmur, meant only for his ears. "Touch my chest. Anywhere you please. It will not harm me... Quite the opposite."

Ester's smile was now far from secretive. It was suggestive and alluring. The smile of a woman who knew how to arouse passion in a man. Or at least in this one. That smile was quite the most intensely erotic expression that Julian had ever witnessed.

Eyes quickly skimming the hallway, he leaned forward and stole a kiss. Ester rose to her tiptoes, eager for more, pressing her mouth firmly against his as Julian began to pull away. Perched precariously on the stairs, she began to overbalance. Without hesitation, Julian's arm shot out, catching her by the waist, pulling her body flush against his. Ester had her eyes closed and was laughing softly. She opened them as he caught her, holding her up by his strength alone.

She bit her lip as she glanced up at him with that same intoxicating allure. Keeping one iron-strong arm about her waist, holding all of her slight weight, Julian reached up to caress her face with his hand, his fingertips trailing tenderly along the smooth curve of her cheek. His touch moved with deliberate slowness, followed down the graceful line of her jaw before descending to caress her throat. The world around them seemed to fade.

"Well, if you two aren't the perfect pair of lovebirds! I have never seen such a charmingly matched couple!" came a young, female voice from above.

Julian, startled, nearly lost his hold on Ester, who in her own attempt to step away, found only thin air beneath her feet. A peal of laughter escaped her lips as she clung to Julian for balance.

"Helen! You impossible creature!" she exclaimed, laughing, "you frightened me witless!"

Julian glanced upward to see a young lady gracefully descending the stairs, her gown of pale blue modestly covering her figure. Her hair, a more vivid shade of bronze than Ester's, framed a face of unmistakable resemblance—delicate features, a sprinkle of freckles, and that same dainty button nose. Even without the introduction, her likeness to Ester would have betrayed her as Miss Helen Fairchild, the youngest daughter of the Fairchilds.

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Fairchild," Julian began with a wry smile. "I must apologize for…" Realizing how he must've come across, Julian released Ester immediately, who stepped back onto a firmer footing.

For a moment, Helen's mischievous expression faltered, and she half-raised her hand to her lips. Julian realized that his expression and tone probably gave little away concerning what they were doing. He regretted alarming the young girl immediately.

Ester promptly ascended to the landing on which Helen stood. "Do not be troubled, dearest," she reassured her sister, pulling her into a brief but affectionate embrace. "His looks may be dark, but I assure you, his heart is all kindness."

"Forgive me, Miss Fairchild, or may I call you Helen?" Julian began again, "I fear my manners have grown quite rusty after spending too many years away from the ton. Your sister has graciously pledged to help remedy that," he finished with a smile.

Helen slowly relaxed. She gave an elegant curtsey where she stood, smiling sweetly.

"You may indeed, Your Grace," she replied, a twinkle in her eye.

" Julian , if you please," he said, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "While no ears are here to take offense, I confess I am not yet accustomed to being addressed by a title. It feels most unnatural."

Helen's brows rose in astonishment. "Do your staff not address you by your title, then?"

"I have only three," Julian explained. "And at least two of them tend to make a point to avoid me," he chuckled.

"Three?" Helen exclaimed, her astonishment turning to amusement. "Why, Father employs three men just to manage the stables alone! When I have my own household, I shall have none at all. Well done, Julian! Servants are quite the anachronism, I fear," she said with a mischievous gleam.

"Helen, you cannot say such things to a Duke!" Ester chided lightly but laughed all the same.

"Not a bit of it," Julian responded warmly. "Your view is refreshing and progressive, Helen. Perhaps the world will be a better place with more people like yourself."

Ester's smile was a candle beside the sun compared to the grin that appeared on Helen's face. She bounded down the last few steps playfully.

"Mama has invited me to take tea with her on the lawn. Shall I see you both there?"

"We were just on our way," Ester answered.

Helen nodded, then skipped ahead with the careless grace of the young.

"A delightful girl," Julian remarked, watching her go.

"A ray of light," Ester agreed. "She has only just turned nineteen. I am quite glad that her debut can take place without the threat of scandal hanging over it."

Julian turned and offered his arm to Ester. She took it with a smile, and they walked after Helen Fairchild, though at a more sedate pace.

"I think I understand now why you were willing to sacrifice so much," Julian said softly. "A girl like that, so young, so full of hope—it would be cruel indeed to burden her with the harshness of the world."

"She will know none of it. Thanks to you," Ester replied, her eyes glowing warmly.

Julian could see the difference in her from the woman he had rescued from the lake a month ago. The guarded wariness ever present a touch behind her gaze had faded—the heavy mantle of responsibility for her family had lifted. Now, her spirit was free, and her true nature—so radiant and kind—shone through. To him, she was a vision. A goddess. That he was drawn to inexorably.

"I cannot claim all the credit," Julian murmured. "When you first met me, I was mired in darkness, believing I would ruin any soul I touched. It was you who lifted me, who pulled me from the shadows."

Ester smiled and Julian felt the simple expression lift him. He was acutely aware of the gentle pressure of her hand on his arm—it became the center of his awareness. He watched her as they walked through the house towards the sitting room, which allowed access to the lawn through a pair of French Doors. She moved with grace and dignity, chin lifted and profile as close to perfection as anything Julian had ever seen. As they stepped out onto the patio, a gentle breeze stirred her auburn hair. She closed her eyes briefly, her lips curving into a serene, contented smile.

Julian could not help but smile as well, captivated by the quiet joy that radiated from her. He was overcome by the pure, simple happiness of the moment.

"We are over here, Essie and Julian !" came Helen's voice, mildly teasing.

"Helen! That is no way to address a Duke. The correct address is Your Grace!" reproached an older woman hushedly.

"Mama, Julian himself gave me leave to use his name," Helen complained.

"When in private and there are none who would take offense," Ester added.

"We are in private!"

"And there is one here who does take offense," chided Lady Janet Fairchild.

She sat next to Helen at a wrought iron table atop a circular paved area in the middle of an immaculate lawn. A gardener with a scythe was trimming the verges, and somewhere, a bee buzzed among a flowerbed that bordered the lawn.

Lady Janet Fairchild had a slender figure and bronze hair. It became plainly visible that it was from her the two sisters had inherited their high cheeks and button noses as well as their bright emerald eyes. She was beautiful, but it was as Ester's beauty, matured and seasoned into dignity and grace. Unlike Lord Kendrick, she appeared rather easygoing and full of life. She smiled politely at Julian.

"Good day to you, Lady Janet. What a delightful abode you have here! A testament to your impeccable taste, no doubt," Julian declared with a charming smile.

"Oh, you are too kind, Your Grace," Lady Janet replied coyly. "But alas, this is merely our family's southern refuge. You should see our ancestral home in Cheshire—it would quite steal your breath."

"I shall count the days until I am graced with that privilege then," Julian responded smoothly.

He and Ester seated themselves at the table. Lady Janet signaled to a servant who carried over a gleaming silver tray. The delicate clink of metal and porcelain accompanied the scent of fresh tea, and a tantalizing array of sandwiches appeared on the tiered stand before them.

"I suppose we shall be here in the south for some time yet to come?" Lady Janet asked as the tea was being poured.

Her eyes flitted from Julian to Ester and her meaning was clear.

Julian leaned back slightly, a faint smile curving his lips. "While I would never wish to prevent you from returning to your beloved home, I would spend as much time as I can with my own beloved before that day," he replied.

Ester blushed a becoming shade of pink and lowered her head.

"Oooh," Helen cooed behind her hand.

Lady Janet gave a small smile and nodded in approval.

"When my husband is feeling better, I am certain he and yourself shall have much to discuss," Lady Janet said.

It was Julian's turn to smile coyly.

There was, of course, a single matter which he was keen to discuss with Lord Percival Fairchild, of Kendrick Priory. The matter of his daughter's hand in marriage. Julian felt his throat tighten at the prospect, his heart flutter. There was no reason to suppose that Lord Percival would refuse to give his consent but that did not stop Julian from catastrophizing. He did not know what he would do in that circumstance.

"Oh, I shall say it! I am sure Papa will be keen to give his blessing to Jul— His Grace and Helen. And then perhaps we can turn our attention to my debut?" Helen said carefully, glancing at her mother.

Lady Janet gave the younger daughter a pointed look. "One thing at a time, Helen. At present, your sister's matters take precedence."

"Of course, Mama," the girl sighed with exaggerated patience,

"Has any thought been given to Miss Helen's debut ball as yet?" Julian inquired curiously.

Lady Janet offered a gracious smile, though there was a flicker of hesitance in her eyes. "Not so. There have been... other matters demanding my family's attention, unfortunately."

"And I would not have my troubles overshadowing Helen's debut," Ester put in, her voice taking on a softer note.

"In that case, I should be glad to host," Julian chimed keenly. "Theydon Mount would need a little sprucing up, of course, before it is fit for such an occasion, but I should be honored if my title and home could be of use to the Fairchilds."

Lady Janet's face lit up with delight, but it was Helen who positively sparkled, clapping her hands together in excitement. "Oh, can we, Mother? A debut at a Duke's estate! Oh, how magnificent it will be! Just think of it—a castle! I will be the talk of the ton for centuries to come!"

Julian chuckled. "I must confess, the place is somewhat under-staffed at present, but I shall see to that immediately. I will write to my butler, Mr. Crammond, and have him begin the necessary preparations if it is all well with yourself, Miss Helen. I am quite certain we can have Theydon Mount returned to its former glory before long."

Julian found a simple pleasure in being able to help bring happiness to another. For so long, his life had centered on himself and his own woes. Then, Ester had unsuspectedly, and quite nearly, fallen into his lap. The Fairchild's were good people, trying to live a quiet, decent life. They had been uprooted by one man's wickedness, but he sensed it had not left them jaded or cynical. He felt at home among them, relaxed in a way that he had not been at any previous point in his life. He doubted that his title would have as much pull with the local ton as the Fairchild's assumed. He was known as the Ghoul and the Phantom locally, after all. But he was still a Duke. Some would attend because of his rank. Some would attend because of their own curiosity. It did not matter. Helen would have her debut among the great and the good of society and this would go a long way to helping her chances of finding a suitable husband.

They talked and drank tea for a while longer. Julian enjoyed the inconsequential nature of the conversation. Enjoyed secretly holding hands with Ester beneath the cover of the tablecloth, and touching feet. Enjoyed the sunshine and the comfortable feeling of acceptance.

A servant came out from the house to announce that his lordship had retired for a few hours to recover his strength. Julian had hoped to secure Lord Percival's blessing that morning and felt a moment's disappointment at the delay.

"Why do you not show His Grace some of the excellent grounds we enjoy here," Lady Janet suggested to Ester. She then turned to Julian. "They are not my own gardens—rather a sample of the inventive nature of my two daughters during their short stay here. But they are excellent nonetheless with an extremely handsome woodland adjoining."

Ester agreed and rose gracefully, almost immediately after her mother had spoken. Julian also rose. Once again, he offered his arm and Ester took it. They walked together across the lawn and towards a set of mossy steps that led down to the gardens.

"Thank you for that," Ester whispered as they strolled, "for offering to host Helen's debut. I know she was apprehensive about holding it here, in a house belonging to another. And we did not know when we would be going home."

"It is nothing. But I think I shall require the help of the architect of these splendid gardens in preparing the house for guests," Julian smirked. "Besides, you know its current state well enough."

"I do. And I would be more than happy to lend a hand," Ester chimed.

Julian nodded absently. "As Duchess, it will be one of your duties."

Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she smiled down. Then, she paused and spun daintily to face him. "You know, you have intimated that you would speak to my father about me… but you have yet to actually ask me," she pointed out with an arched brow.

"That is correct." Julian gave a soft chuckle. "But I shall. Once your father grants his blessing."

Ester giggled and skipped down the steps that they had just reached. Beyond was a paved path that wove between artfully placed flower beds and bushes. Somewhere out of sight came the tinkle of running water. Trees loomed in the middle distance, the green jumble of an English woodland.

"And what if I do not give my permission?" Ester called over her shoulder with a playful lilt.

Julian followed her at a more sedate pace. "Then I shall be compelled to win you over," he replied.

"Compelled?" Ester laughed, "I am sorry that you have to be compelled ."

"Compelled by the demands of my heart. A heart that cannot contemplate life without you."

"And yet you have known me for but a month or so. That is hardly enough time for such sentiments," Ester replied, folding her arms in challenge.

"I knew it from the first night I carried you home."