Quinn's night was not going as he had expected at all.
All these people were just after his life, he had tried to escape several times in search of the only woman he wanted to see but they always managed to find their way back to him and as the gentleman he is, he could not shout at them, send them away or say hurtful words to them either.
He looked around looking for Tessa who was supposed to be helping him but she was nowhere to be seen. He was still looking around in search of Tessa while mindlessly nodding to what the lady with a crooked voice and her tactless, doll-faced mama were saying when he heard the familiar heartbeat that basically stops his own if he has any at all.
There she was, the woman who fills his thoughts and has an undeniably amount of control over him as she made his way to where he was standing.
Sometimes he could not help but wonder if the control she has over him is natural or the effect of her powers. But he had been with her all her life even without her knowing and he knows for certain that she was not aware of her powers.
She looked absolutely gorgeous! He could see the extra makeup she had on her face. He smiled at her as she made her way to him with such fierceness and he knew at that instance that she was his saviour from the torture of these people.
Their eyes met and she smiled at him knowing he was happy to see her.
"Lady Nesta," He called as soon as she reached him and all the other ladies turned to look at her.
Some were screeching while some were whispering amongst themselves how beautiful she looked and how they could not compare to her, this set of people made their way back to the party while the screeching set had to be distracted and escorted away by Tessa while they continued to grumble.
"My lord," Nesta greeted with a curtsy while Quinn nodded his head at her.
"You came a little bit later than usual, hope all is well?" he asked her
"Yeah, my maid wanted to glam me up for the prospective young lords present at the ball as it stands that I am not yet married nor engaged so I am still available in the marriage market."
She explained to him while also hinting at him of her decision to be courted by other men and to indirectly tell him to ask for her hand.
"Ohh, Lillian has surely made an effort this time around." Quinn said instead with a bewildered look on his face suddenly at a loss for words.
He knew people will talk if they had all just came back for the season and he is already proposing, they might believe there is another scandal and he does not want her reputation to be tarnished.
"Of course she did, she believed I am to be properly courted like any other lady before I finally get married so giving other men the chance to spend time with me sounds like a good idea to her.
She even said I might find one that will interest me and get married. What do you think, Lord Bramford, do you think I will find one that interests me well enough to get married to?" Nesta asked him, trying to know how he feels about her giving other men a chance.
She could see that he was entirely thrilled by the news, he was stunned when she told him and she thought her father might actually be right about him delaying because he wants to court her properly. This is going to be an interesting season for the two of them.
"One that might interest you? I wonder who that eccentric man would be. If you are to be properly courted, it means any eligible and available young men could come calling, right?" Quinn asked
"Yes, my lord. And a lot of men would actually come." Nesta replied with a light smirk on her lips.
"Hmm, if those are the only requirements then I am eligible and available to join my lady." He said, slightly bowing to her which made her chuckle at his playfulness.
"Of course, you are welcome to join but I should warn you, these men know exactly how to perfectly court a lady.
What to say, where to say it, where to take her and most especially how to ask for her hand. I am not quite sure you will do well, considering the fact that you have not been amongst society for a long time, you might not know the trend and they will outshine you and just to inform you, I go for the best of things. So, are you up for the challenge?" she asked him giving him a wink
"Never been the one to back down, my lady. And don't worry yourself too much, I do know what the trend is these days, don't forget I have an ally you consider trendy yourself." Quinn said as he nodded his head towards Tessa's direction. Nesat smiled, agreeing to that fact.
While the two were busy talking and engaging themselves in a conversation, the young lords who have been awaiting her arrival decided to try their luck with her this time, not ready to back up and allow Quinn have her to himself like they did at the last ball.
A few of them start to walk up to her to ask for a dance, wondering if she would be hostile like she was the other night but they couldn't help but try their luck.
"Lady Nesta, Lord Bramford" Lord Martins greeted as he nodded his head at the two of them. "May I have this dance with you?" he asked lifting his hand up for her to put hers.
"May the best man win." Nesta whispered to Quinn as he watched her being led to the dance floor and swayed around by another man except for himself. He consoled himself by saying it is just a dance and kept his eyes on her the entire time, not that she too could take her eyes off him. The two were apart but they were connected.