“Very well, my Lord.” Estelle replied, curtsying one more time. Weston sighed and turned to the entrance one more time.Still feeling her piercing gaze on the back of his neck, he pulled the doors open and closed them behind him.
Later that evening, he was riding back to Estfield with Charles, narrating all that had happened.
Charles used his free hand to push his brown hair back as the wind continued to trudge through it.
“So, she did nothing to stop you, the maid?” Charles asked.
“No. You would presume that strange, wouldn't you?”
“Or she doesn't have the power to stop you even if she desperately wanted to. You didn't have the gall to face your wife when she woke up, so you snuck out. If she could beat you, she would.” Charles said.
“Sheisfierce.” Weston continued.
“I have seen Estelle around the halls. She was always meek and gentle. It is nice to know she has a fierce side to her.”
Weston threw Charles a surprised smirk.
“What does that mean?”
“It means we will no longer be discussing this.” Charles replied, his voice solid. Weston smiled and intensified his riding speed.
“Does this mean you're ready to let go of Eliza after all?” Charles asked after a while.
“It is not that easy.” Weston replied.
“I know, but so is life.” Charles said, just as the manor came into view. A few more minutes and they will be washing their hands at the stables.
“Mother is arranging a private dinner tonight. You must attend.”
Weston expected Charles to counter with another proposal or announce that he had another engagement. It shocked him mildly when he agreed.
“Are you sure?” Weston asked, turning to his friend. “The maids do not eat with us, so Estelle won't be there.”
“Keep this up, and you will not have a friend by daybreak.”
Weston stifled a chuckle.
They continued to ride in comfortable and slowed-down silence. The servants got the horses from them as they climbed down and proceeded to the manor.
“Charles is joining us tonight.” Weston announced as he got closer to the drawing room. He could see his mother sitting in the distance, facing two people he couldn't recognize from afar.
“That is wonderful. The more the merrier.” Lady Beatrice replied.
Charles frowned as he got closer.More?
“I thought this was a private dinner, is it not?”
“Well, there isn't much we can do when guests decide to grace us with their presence, now, is there?” Lady Beatrice said again. Weston shifted the remainder of the curtain, blocking his view once he got close enough to do so.
He could see the three guests perfectly now, and the amused intrigue he once had disappeared from his face.
“Weston, I assume you remember the Duke and Duchess of Thornewood?” Lady Beatrice asked, gesturing towards the guests.
Weston comported himself instantly and made a slight bow. The Duke and the Duchess did the same in response from their seats.
“And, of course, their daughter.” Beatrice continued, gesturing towards the last guest on the edge of the long sofa.
“Lady Helena Waters.”
