Nesta turned her gaze to her window, she looked at the night sky, and she knew tonight, she wouldn't need their aid to sleep.
Somehow, her worries seemed to drift, and less and less she worried. Father looked more joyful. Love felt close. Was it with him? Was he her future?
Nesta's eyes closed, and for once, she submitted to sleep so quickly. She woke not at intervals, but at dawn. She did dream about the Earl and she remembered her dream.
Lillian didn't wake her up. She woke simply from the eagerness to be sure that this was all real.
She stayed up wondering when Lillian would come to prepare her so she could go downstairs to be sure her father was around...to be sure there was an Earl in Devonshire, one that held a spell over her.
Her mind fluttered. It wanted to fly like something would to freedom. There was a knock on the door and Nesta said almost hurriedly, "Come in."
Lillian walked in, somewhat surprised her mistress and best friend didn't let her announce herself.
"I could have been someone else. You're awake. Good morning, my Lady."
"Was it a dream?" Nesta asked.
Lillian shook her head.
Only if Nesta knew.
************
"Your father left so early, and he's been gone for so long, don't you think?" Quinn asked Nesta as she showed him around the estate.
Lillian and Quinn's man, Preston Lynchfield were a few steps behind.
"He and his man of business are checking on the tenants to be sure they are lacking in nothing," Nesta said.
"He does that from time to time, and if things are hard for them, he covers their rent and tries to provide them with things to do."
"So thoughtful of him," Quinn said.
It was noon and gray clouds hid the sun.
"Do you like to ride?" he asked her.
Nesta thought to be honest. No need to lie to him. "Only on my father's estate. So many consider it unladylike."
Quinn chuckled. "And you always consider what people say?"
Nesta nodded. "Yes. Don't you?" It was the proper way to keep one's self in check.
"No."
She looked at him with curiosity. "You never think it's okay to sometimes consider the words of others?"
"Not at all."
"I wonder how you do business, then," she said and looked forward.
"You seem disappointed," he said.
"No. Just surprised. It's not every day you meet someone who thinks the opinion of others does not matter. I wonder what kind of lover you are. That's if you have a lady."
"That's easy to answer. If I have a lady, I would share my heart with her. So, literally, her thoughts, said and unsaid words will all have to be listened to."
Nesta smiled. "You're probably just telling me what I want to hear. Every man does that. Men naturally are liars."
"Well, not every man makes use of his brain. And yes, most men are liars. But not all. Some are selfish. I am selfish for instance. When something belongs to me, something of great value, I wouldn't want to share it."
"And the things of lesser value?" Nesta asked.
"They can be traded. They may have less value, but that doesn't mean they should go at a cheap price. Things like gold, diamonds, and all that can go."
"Gold and diamond really do hold value. How could you say they value less?"
"Here's a theory to understand my meaning. Whatever can be bought, for me, has less value. No matter the price.
Those things that can't be bought, they hold the most import. Life for one, it can't be bought. Love can't be bought. Although, some claim it to be.
They merely deceive themselves. Many things can't be bought. And that also includes the heart and loyalty of a lady."
"You're wise and smart."
Quinn put on a small smile. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, lord Bramford," Nesta said.
"Please, call me Quinn."
Now, were they to drop the formalities? Nesta wondered what sort of gentleman he was for him to do business with her father. Hadn't he heard the rumors? Then she remembered he just said he doesn't consider the words of people.
Maybe he was an egomaniac. Maybe he was a fool or just the opposite. Best she asks him. Best she gets that over with.
"You said you never consider the words of others," Nesta said. "Is that why you chose to do business with my father?"
"Yes," Quinn said.
"You sound like there's more." She glanced at him.
Quinn smiled. "Has anyone ever told you that you're a smart lady?"
"No."
"You're smart, Lady Weaver."
Her heart did skip with such compliments, and she found her face betraying her with a smile.
Later, they went to the stables, and Quinn placed both hands on her waist. His touch did things to her senses. The way he lifted her made her feel delicate.
He set her on her horse, her cheek flushed. Quinn took the reins of the horse and handed it to her, his gaze not leaving her.
"Thank you," Nesta said.
Nesta watched him mount a black horse, Preston and Lillian mounted horses too. They set their horses into motion, and out of the stable, they rode accompanied by two of her father's guards.
They covered much of the grounds, and Nesta found an impressive look on the Earl of Castleberry's face when he saw how vast her father's estate was.
Nesta wondered what it would be like to ride alone with this gentleman? Would he take advantage of her being without her maid? Was he really a gentleman? Was he truly who he said he was?
Her mother had taught her never to come to a conclusion about someone until she had spent considerable time with them.
Was this Earl different from men of outstanding title? Or was he in the guise of someone else?