"Lord Weaver," Quinn said.
"We had a slight issue a year back," John said. "A matter of false accusation, so to speak. It ruined my standing and that of my daughter to society. We barely get invitations. So we don't find a point in going."
We never get invitations, Father. Not barely, Nesta corrected in her mind.
"Well, I'll be starting this season's ball," Quinn said, "and you both are my honored guests."
Nesta and her father briefly looked at each other.
"Lord Weaver," Quinn added. "Our partnership would ensure less and less of your appearance. Surely, you'll make out time to honor my invitation?"
"It would be my honor," John said. "And also, whenever you've gathered your strength, my daughter will show you around."
"I'll be delighted to have her."
Nesta felt her heart skip a beat.
***********
"Did you see how handsome he is?" Nesta said to her maid, Lillian. "I couldn't take my eyes off him."
"Nor could he take his eyes off you." Lillian smiled and helped her mistress out of her gown.
"You noticed," Nesta said, slightly turning to look at Lillian. She returned her gaze to the window.
"I sure did."
"I thought my mind was making that up. I didn't think someone of note like him would notice me.
He's invited me and Father for this upcoming social season. Somehow, I think he would use his influence to host the first ball of the season. Makes you wonder how powerful and wealthy he is."
"I'm glad he strikes your fancy."
Nesta, finally out of her gown, turned to Lillian. "Strikes?" she asked. "He more than strikes my fancy. I think I'm crazy over him."
"But you just met him?" Lillian said.
"Does it matter? I have only one worry, and that's not even it."
"What then worries you?"
"I fear in the presence of other ladies, I may be less conspicuous."
And such were her fears. With the likes of other striking and beautiful ladies in London, Nesta feared his focus may shift.
"I'll advise you not to get your hopes up, then," Lillian said. "Keep to yourself until he makes his intentions clear."
"I don't even know how long he's staying. What if I end up falling in love with him? What if I'm getting into an irredeemable state for this… I don't know, Lillian," Nesta said.
Then, Nesta looked to her maid.
"What if I tried to seduce him?" she asked.
"That would be unladylike," Lillian said. "And desperate."
The obvious answer seemed to be like a knife to Nesta's heart. Best she removes the thought.
Then, it surprised Nesta that weeks back, a man she wouldn't have considered because she hadn't seen him, now, she had him at the center of her thought.
Nesta moved to sit on the bed, and Lillian moved to keep her mistress's things in order. She was busy thinking what it would be like to have such a gentleman by her… Was he even a gentleman?
"Do you think he strikes you as a gentleman, Lillian?" Nesta asked.
"I think so," Lillian said.
Nesta shook her head. "Wait and see, Lillian. If London hasn't seen his likes, this season when they do, he'll be the talk of the whole city and beyond."
The Earl of Castleberry joined Nesta and her father at dinner. Nesta noted her father seemed more confident as they talked over meals while she carefully noted the Earl, hopeful to catch something, things she may have initially missed.
All she saw were grace, beauty, and style. Just when the conversation would seem to want to settle between himself and her father, he always remembered her existence and would ask her a thing or two about this or that.
Nesta was glad that she was able to put in her thoughts to certain subjects, and to some things her father disagreed, the Earl heartily agreed and even defended her by giving reasons she didn't know did exist.
This made her smile every now and then, and she kept feeling a warm sensation in her, something she wasn't used to.
The Earl of Castleberry didn't drink so much like her dad had become used to whenever he wanted to forget the shame the Dowager Viscountess had cost him.
However, tonight, maybe it was because of the joy of meeting a new partner, Nesta's father drank little so he doesn't appear drunk just when they were trying to have a civil conversation with the Earl.
Most of the conversation was animated, and although idle, it had a certain grace to it.
Before time, Nesta's father voiced his tiredness and bid his daughter and guest goodnight, and they too bid him goodnight. Nesta felt entrapped. Now, she was alone with him. Now, words left her.
"I should be going to bed too," Nesta said and took to her feet.
Quinn stood from the table. "Thank you for such a beautiful night, Lady Weaver."
Nesta curtsied. "Hope you find your room okay?" So much had been put into its decor, she thought.
"I couldn't have asked for a beautiful accommodation, and such thoughtful and caring hosts."
Nesta smiled. "Goodnight, lord Bramford."
"Goodnight, my lady."
Nesta walked up to the stairs and was joined by her maid Lillian who stood lurking somewhere as was the custom in case Nesta needed her.
Up the stairs and in the confidence that she was out of earshot, Nesta said to Lillian who now walked beside her, "I'm going to dream about that handsome face tonight. I'm positive about it."
Lillian laughed a little. "As you should, my lady."
"I barely dream, you know. I just have desires that keep me up, late at night. Tonight, I'm very confident I'll sleep sound."
Behind closed doors, as Lillian prepared Nesta for bed, Nesta asked, "What if I wake up tomorrow and all this was just a dream? What if Father is still in London? What if this is my mind playing tricks on me? What if—"
"Sorry for interrupting, my lady, but I'm real, you know?" Lillian said.
"What if you're part of my world, and the real Lillian is at this point sleeping, or it's dawn in that world and you're about to wake me up?"
They both flashed smiles at each other.
"Sleep now, my lady," Lillian said. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Lillian."
Lillian walked out of the room and gently closed the door.