Chapter 9

It was a few days after the party, and William had invited her and her family to the theater, mentioning in his letter how watching her talk so fondly about the theater made him think about going to one together.

Though Esther had been to the theater plenty when younger, her mother completely barred her from attending any more shows after her first Season. It was perhaps because of the change in Esther's behavior—Lady Seymour certainly blamed the theater for her daughter's dramatic behaviors.

But there Esther was after so long, watching people file in and take their places before a beautiful, grand stage.

Adam approached her with a slightly bemused expression. "Why Harriet insisted on dragging me along is beyond me. I have absolutely no interest in theater."

"She couldn't resist the opportunity to share her passion with you," Esther told him kindly. "Indulge her. You'll thank me for it."

"You should listen to your sister," Harriet agreed. "And besides, it's high time you expanded your horizons, Adam. Who knows, you might discover a newfound appreciation for the arts."

"I doubt it," he replied with a wry grin. "But I suppose I can endure a night at the theater for the sake of familial harmony. We should thank the Duke for inviting us."

"Thank you, Adam," Esther said sincerely. "I promise we'll make it worth your while."

Something behind Esther caught Adam's attention, and he looked at her before nodding his head towards the door. When she turned around, it was none other than William making his way over to them, and he looked even more handsome than ever before.

He was clad in a tailored coat of midnight blue adorned with intricate silver embroidery, and a crisp white cravat perfectly tied at his neck. Another gentleman accompanied him in a black coat with gold accents. He was shorter, and his auburn hair was slicked back.

Following after were his sisters, their attire equally refined and sophisticated, befitting their status as members of one of the most esteemed families. Their gowns, crafted from the finest fabrics and adorned with delicate lace and embroidery, spoke of wealth and refinement.

"Good evening, Lady Esther," William said with a hint of appreciation as he gave her a quick once-over. "I trust you're looking forward to tonight's performance?"

Esther curtsied and hid her blush behind her binoculars. "Good evening, Your Grace. I'm quite excited. It's been some time since I've seen a Shakespearean play."

"Lady Esther," Sarah said neutrally with a nod. "It's lovely to see you again."

Esther sensed the undercurrent of doubt in Sarah's greeting, though she maintained her composure. She understood winning over his sisters would not be an overnight success.They might have made a step toward a friendlier direction, but there was much work to be done. Especially if she wanted to make the duke's sisters believe her.

"Thank you, Lady Sarah," she replied. "I'm delighted to join you all for tonight's performance."

The Barton sisters greeted Harriet and Adam as well with the same level of cordiality. Adam, typically easygoing and affable, seemed unusually quiet as he exchanged pleasantries with William and his friend.

William took the opportunity to introduce his companion to everyone, someone that Esther only faintly recognized. "May I introduce you to Duncan Finch, the Marquess of Norbury, an old and trusted companion of mine."

Adam offered a polite nod of acknowledgment, though his expression remained guarded.

Harriet greeted Duncan with a warm smile, extending her hand towards him. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Norbury."

"Likewise, Lady Linfield," Duncan replied smoothly.

"Duncan, this is Lady Esther Arnold. I believe you two already know each other."

"Only at balls when us youngsters run away from our parents," Duncan quipped in a more informal tone than Esther would expect from a nobleman, but she finally remembered him in bits and pieces. "William has told me about you. You've had a positive impact on him."

William nudged him in the ribs and glanced at her. "Do not give his words much thought."

Esther nodded, and they all filed into the aisle to find their seats.

Duncan and Marina were already striking up a conversation, and Esther could tell the Barton sister liked her sister-in-law much more. The mundanity of the scenario felt real to Esther at that moment. She wished she had an easier time getting along with his sisters, and found herself regretting the reputation she'd made for herself.

"We will be there." William guided Esther to the row behind his sisters. "I want to enjoy today's performance without their discussions interrupting the show."

"A sudden interest in the arts, Your Grace?" Esther raised an eyebrow.

"You enjoyed the discussion with my sisters. I want to see what the fuss is all about," he said dismissively and sat down beside Lord Norbury.

"May I ask why?" Esther sat beside him.

William thought about it for a second. "Just curiosity."

As the curtains rose and the performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream began, Esther found herself utterly captivated by the spectacle unfolding before her. The actors took to the stage with gusto, their performances infused with energy and enthusiasm that drew her deeper into the story.

Unable to contain her excitement, she leaned towards William and shook his arm. "Isn't the cast wonderful?" she whispered eagerly, unable to suppress her admiration. "Their delivery is simply impeccable."

"They're very talented," he replied, his gaze fixed on the stage.

As the performance continued, Esther couldn't help but take note of every single thing she liked, pointing it out to William at every chance she got.

"Did you hear that?" she whispered eagerly. "The way they delivered that line was simply perfect."

"Yes, I heard," he replied softly, his tone indulgent. "They're doing justice to Shakespeare's work."

And so the performance continued, with Esther's enthusiastic commentary occasionally puncturing the silence between them.

"Oh, look at those costumes," she whispered eagerly. "They're simply exquisite, don't you think?"

"Mm-hm," he hummed softly, and it was then she realized that his attention was no longer on the show.

It was on her.

She turned to confront him for missing the show but caught a glimpse of something in his eyes that made her pause—a hunger, raw and primal, that sent a shiver down her spine. At that moment, she realized she had forgotten the intimacy of their proximity, the closeness of their shared space. His eyes darted to her lips, then back to the stage, focusing on the performance again.

She stilled as she realized she was still clinging onto his arm, her heart pounding against her bosom that was practically pressed against his bicep. His free hand, now on her wrist, sent a shiver up her spine. She hadn't realized how she'd gotten in his space amid all the excitement.

As Esther put some distance between them, her attention ostensibly fixed on the performance unfolding before her, she couldn't shake the subtle sensation of William's fingers tracing gentle circles on her wrist. Each touch sent a ripple of warmth through her veins, distracting her from the actors on stage and drawing her focus inexorably towards him.

"Your Grace…" she whispered, her voice coming out shakier than anticipated.

This time, William leaned in. "Yes?"

She frowned, cursing under her breath, because he was acting like there was nothing out of the ordinary.

"S-So, I am quite fond of this scene. Oh, I really like how that dialogue was delivered."

As Esther struggled to regain her focus on the performance, her frustration mounting with each passing moment, she had almost managed to forget about William's hand resting on her wrist.

"Oh, also—" She felt a subtle movement, a stealthy shift of his fingers as he slid his hand from her wrist to her knee, cutting her off.

The unexpected touch sent a jolt between her thighs. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she turned to look at him, her expression a mix of fury and astonishment.

How dare he!

Her gaze bored into his, her eyes blazing with an intensity that matched the fire burning within her. "Your Grace, I think you have forgotten to focus."

"I am focusing."

"Really? Am I being… too much of a distraction?" She gave him a smirk.

But even as she spoke, she could see the hint of mischief playing at the corners of his lips. It was clear that he knew exactly what he was doing, and the realization only served to fuel her frustration further.

"Careful, Esther… my friend might hear you if you speak any louder."

The sudden feel of his lips against her ears made her shift in her seat, and she worried that someone might see. She knew it was too dark for anyone to notice, and that everyone was focused on the stage, but her anxieties remained.

Esther turned away from William with a racing heart at the unexpectedness of his actions. As he continued tracing circles on her knees with relentless persistence, she felt her cheeks grow warm. She shifted in her seat, her breaths coming in shallow gasps as she fought to regain control of her emotions.

Is this what he meant by punishment? Had she broken a rule lately?

Unable to bear the mounting tension any longer, Esther glanced up at William, her eyes pleading for him to stop. At that moment, she felt as though she were teetering on the edge of a precipice, poised between the safety of restraint and the intoxicating allure of abandon. She knew she should resist, to push him away and reclaim her autonomy. But as she looked into his eyes, she couldn't help but feel a lustful push, drawing her inexorably towards him like a moth to a flame.

With a trembling sigh, Esther closed her eyes, her resolve crumbling in the face of William's shameless pursuit. She knew she was playing with fire, dancing dangerously close to the edge of the abyss. But at that moment, all she could think about was the overwhelming desire that pulsed through her veins, urging her to surrender to the pull of passion.

"Y-Your Grace…" she whispered, appalled at her own voice, for it sounded more like a plea than a threat.

William's hand confidently slid above her knee and… that was it. She covered her mouth with her hand as his fingers stopped only inches away from a sensitive spot on her thigh.

As if William sensed her limit, he made a conscious decision to relent. With a gentle yet deliberate movement, he withdrew his hand from her knee, breaking the tension that had enveloped them.

Esther's cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment as she felt the weight of his touch lift off her skin, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable. She cast a furtive glance at him for the ironically merciful yet punishing decision. Now, she was left yearning for more, but it would be too risky to continue.

She hated him for it.

For a moment, they sat in silence, the air heavy with unspoken words and unfulfilled desires. Esther could feel the heat of his gaze on her, his presence looming large and formidable beside her. She dared not meet his eyes, afraid of what she might find lurking in their depths.

"Yes, what was it about the actors you were saying?" William teased.

She would give him a piece of her mind after this was over.

As the final curtain fell and the audience erupted into applause, Esther rose from her seat, her mind still reeling from the whirlwind of emotions that had gripped her throughout the performance. She turned to William with an upset expression, her lips parted as if poised to unleash a torrent of words upon him.

But before she could utter a single syllable, she felt a gentle hand on her arm and turned to find William's sisters joining them, their expressions filled with excitement and chatter. Marina, Juliet, and Sarah crowded around them, their voices mingling in a cacophony of laughter and conversation.

Esther's initial impulse to confront William was momentarily forgotten as she found herself drawn into the lively banter of his sisters. Marina, ever the outspoken one, regaled them with her thoughts on the performance, her words flowing freely as she dissected each scene with animated gestures. Juliet and Sarah, meanwhile, chimed in with their own observations, their voices filled with youthful exuberance as they shared their impressions of the play.

Esther couldn't help but be swept up in the energy of their conversation, her earlier frustrations momentarily forgotten in the company of the vivacious siblings.

As they made their way out of the theater and into the cool night air, she found herself caught up in the infectious enthusiasm of the moment. The streets were alive with the hustle and bustle of the city, the air thick with the scent of flowers and laughter.

She glanced over at William, his features softened by the glow of the streetlights, and felt a surge of warmth in her chest for him despite her earlier annoyance.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone streets of London, Esther found herself strolling along the bridge with William's sisters, her gown swaying with each step. Harriet trailed behind them, her laughter ringing out like delicate chimes in the evening air.

"My dear Esther, is there any sight more enchanting than London at dusk?" Marina remarked, her eyes twinkling with admiration as she gazed across the river Thames.

Esther smiled in agreement, her heart warmed by the camaraderie of their little group. "Indeed. The city seems to take on a magical quality as night falls."

Duncan, William, and Adam followed behind, trying to catch up to the women, who walked with incredible speed, unbeknownst to themselves because of their discussions.

"Ah, the gentlemen can hardly keep up." Marina chuckled. "We were just admiring the view, were we not, Esther?"

Esther nodded.

Duncan grinned. "And yet I daresay it pales in comparison to the radiance of the ladies in our company tonight."

"Flattery will get you everywhere, Lord Norbury." Harriet chuckled

As they continued their leisurely stroll along the bridge, the group fell into easy conversation, sharing stories and laughter beneath the canopy of stars.

With each step, Esther felt a sense of gratitude wash over her, grateful for the warmth and companionship of her family and friends. As they reached the end of the bridge, she turned to her companions with a smile.

"Thank you for a delightful evening," she said, her voice soft with emotion. "I cherish moments like these more than words can express."

Her sentiment was met with nods of agreement and affectionate smiles, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that united them.

As they walked through the streets, Duncan, William, and Adam fell into a discussion about work and politics, their voices blending together in a symphony of animated conversation.

Duncan leaned in with a thoughtful expression. "Politics have been particularly tumultuous as of late," he remarked, his tone tinged with concern. "The tension between the Whigs and Tories seems to grow more palpable by the day."

William nodded in agreement, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Indeed," he replied, his voice measured. "Navigating the intricacies of political alliances can be quite challenging, especially when one's livelihood is at stake."

Adam listened intently, his gaze thoughtful as he considered their words. "I can only imagine," he said, his tone respectful. "Managing estates and businesses in such uncertain times must require a steady hand and keen foresight."

William inclined his head in acknowledgment, a hint of pride in his expression. "It's certainly not without its challenges," he admitted, his voice tinged with determination. "But I believe in taking a proactive approach to governance, ensuring that our interests are protected and our investments safeguarded."

Duncan nodded in agreement, a note of admiration in his voice. "You've always had a knack for strategic thinking, William," he remarked, his tone sincere. "It's no wonder your estates flourish under your stewardship."

Adam raised an eyebrow. "Word around is that the latest business dealings with His Grace have not been going well."

William's brow furrowed. "It has been a little more work than most days, that is all."

Duncan and Adam exchanged concerned glances, their expressions mirroring William's unease.

"What do you mean?" Duncan asked, his tone laced with apprehension.

"The truth is," William admitted, "my efforts to secure certain business ventures have been hindered by… external factors."

He hesitated, searching for the right words to explain the situation without revealing too much.

"It's my courtship with Lady Esther," he confessed finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "The rumors surrounding my relationship have cast a shadow over my business dealings, making it difficult to negotiate with potential partners."

Esther, who had been listening in silence, felt a pang of realization pierce her heart. "I had no idea," she murmured, her voice barely audible above the din of the street. "I never realized…"

Adam nodded once, his respect evident in his words. "Very well, Your Grace."

William nodded. "Nothing I would sit to think about much. I have it under control."

As the weight of his confession settled over her, Esther found herself plunged into a whirlpool of conflicting emotions, her mind swirling with thoughts she had long suppressed.

As she stood lost in her thoughts, she was startled by his sudden appearance at her side. His presence broke through the haze of her introspection, and she found herself momentarily at a loss for words.

"Esther, are you all right?" William's voice was laced with concern as he regarded her with a furrowed brow.

Esther's initial impulse was to brush off his concern with a flippant remark, but something in his earnest expression gave her pause. Instead, she mustered a small smile and replied, "Of course, William. Just lost in thought, as usual."

"You're quite the enigma, aren't you?"

"For you, Your Grace." She shrugged. "Or I'm simply out of your league. Are you not used to grasping complex concepts?"

William laughed, instead of retorting. "Unbelievable."

It was the first time she'd heard him laugh.

Esther felt a rush of warmth spread through her at the sound. Yet, her heart felt a little heavy as she watched him.