Lillian was by Nesta's side all day, except when she wanted to spend time alone in the garden.
She enjoyed the scented roses and beautiful flower beds. These were beauties that rivaled hers, and here she always came to remind herself.
"An Earl," Nesta said, a bit surprised. "Father is bringing an Earl back with him. He didn't really state who exactly.
Maybe, he had been so overjoyed not to include such details. Could it be someone she knew? Would she be able to tolerate his presence? Maybe he was old like her father. Father said he was young. How then could he be old?"
She did think out loud when alone. Maybe it was why she needed to be alone so no one would think her mad. The flowers were good company.
While she was sure they heard, she deemed them, good listeners, because they never spoke back. Such good listeners, she thought.
Nesta didn't stay long in the garden. Mainly, she wanted to be out under the sun for its light and warmth helped with her mood. For one reclined to the dark for so long, it always welcomed depression.
As she walked into the manor with her maid, she hoped her father brought more than light and warmth.
She hoped he brought love with him. She hoped, and her hopes were stretched. But little did she know like a hand, her hopes had called out to something.
Something unfriendly, mingled with love. Something even she couldn't have guessed.
****************
When Quinn stepped down from his carriage, he didn't expect to be greeted by the sight before him. She was a vision, breathtaking, and exquisite, his heart stopped for a moment.
She stood with servants of Devonshire behind her, and her violet gown made her stand out from the others.
"Father," Nesta said with a smile, as the Earl of Devonshire walked up to his daughter. "It's so good to see you."
The Earl and his daughter hugged, and Quinn watched her father kiss her on both cheeks. Her father moved apart, still holding her shoulder. "You're always a sight to behold."
"Father!" she said, her smile way better than the first. "You flatter."
"I say nothing but the truth."
"Thank you, Father."
The Earl turned, placed a hand behind his daughter, and they both looked at Quinn who stood with two of his servants next to him.
"Meet my business partner, the one I talked about in the letter I sent to you, Lord Quinn Bramford, Earl of Castleberry. Lord Bramford, my daughter, Lady Nesta Weaver."
Nesta curtsied, as did Quinn who then commented on how beautiful her name was.
"Welcome, Lord Quinn," Nesta said. "I trust you had no worries with your travel?"
"None, my lady," Quinn said.
"It's an honor to have you grace our home with your presence."
"The honor is mine."
"My lord," John, the Earl of Devonshire said, "my servants will see to your things. Please, join us inside."
The Earl and his daughter turned to face the manor and began walking up to the entrance, Quinn followed, his eyes trained on them. He caught Nesta glance at him, and he managed a smile once she looked away.
Quinn's servants were taken care of and showed to the servants' quarters, but his man-in-waiting followed close by.
John led the way into the living room, and he offered Quinn a seat.
Quinn sat down mounting his thanks, and looking from the ceiling to other areas within his gaze, he locked his gaze with John and said, "You have a beautiful home, Lord Weaver.'
"Thank you, Lord Quinn," John said. "Would you want something to drink or eat? I could have the cook fix up something."
"I am okay. Thank you."
***********
Nesta loved how composed he was. She couldn't deny that he was handsome, or that she thought him a perfect gentleman.
When he had first stepped out of the carriage, she too had been caught unaware with the air of surprise, and something else. Lust.
No. Women seduced. They never felt lust after men like this. Whatever this feeling was, she tried to ignore it, but she was failing each time the Earl of Castleberry smiled.
Where was he from? Why hadn't she heard of him before? And he was the Earl of Castleberry. How come they had never crossed paths? Or perhaps, they had crossed before, but she was too busy to notice him? No. No one could be too busy to notice someone as handsome as this.
Nesta, on the request of her father, interested the Earl of Castleberry with beautiful notes she had created herself on the pianoforte.
From the looks on his face, she could tell that he was thrilled. However, the way he looked at her made her a bit uncomfortable. It felt like he could see right through her.
His reddish-brown eyes held a spell, drawing her gaze to his every time she deigns to look away. His lips, those lips were tempting enough that she imagined tasting…
No, pull yourself together, Nesta. Pull yourself together. But if she did this, it was with great difficulty that she did.
She kept looking his way, and when he commented on her skills when she was done, it brought a smile to her face.
"Thank you, lord Bramford," Nesta said.
Lunch was splendid. Lord Weaver and Lord Bramford talked a bit about business, and how they could expand it.
Just when she felt she was being left out of the conversation and was thinking it best to take her leave, Lord Bramford called to her.
"My lady," he said. "Forgive I and your father's ranting. I just needed to clarify a few things."
He noticed her, and this made her heart flutter.
"How are you finding your stay here at Devonshire?" Quinn asked.
"Quite okay," she lied.
The quick smile that graced his face and vanished told that he knew she was lying.
"Won't you be coming to London for this upcoming social season?" Quinn asked her.
Her silence made him look to her father, and she moved her gaze too to her father.