Secrets & Scandals •Anthony Bridgerton•

Diamond Of the First Water Part IV

Diamond of the First Water Part IV

Ester was thrilled to discover the many suitors lined at her doorstep. Many handsome, intelligent suitors. However, something was wrong to her. Their eagerness, their quick approach for her attention. She needed someone to court to eventually wed but not someone so quick that not even twelve hours had passed had she been involved in before they were willing to jump in front of a carriage for her.

Eventually the line of suitors died down around lunch and she was eager to escape the confines of her run down home. So she decided to see what Daphne was up to. She decided this time that she would take a walk to her house, as she was eager to feel the warm sun unlike the dust ridden carriage her father always forced her to take.

Although, as she found herself nearing closer to Daphne's home, she found herself starring at its beauty and no longer felt the desire to engage in conversation with her dear friend. She was removed from her negative thoughts when she heard behind her the voice of Cressida Cowper, and her ladies maid.

"Oh Ester! How lovely to see you!" Cressida, was always a rather odd friend to have. The kind that would be there to listen to you if something were the matter, but more so the kind to tell everyone else what it was you were bumbling about. She was tall, extremely so and had high cheekbones and pin straight blonde hair with the most piercing blue eyes Ester had ever seen. Sometimes, she would refer to her as a cat.

"Oh Cressida, how lovely to see you again! How was France?" Cressida giggled like a school girl and went on about France's latest fashion.

"Oh, Ester you would have loved it there. The music, the food, the people! The romance! My mother and I would frequent a little cafe in Paris that was magnifique!" Ester wanted to roll her eyes. She knew Cressida was terrible at languages in school and was shocked she had the nerve to speak the delicate language of French out in public. She once told the teacher she looked like a pig during lessons.

"I believe I would have! You'll have to tell me all about it! Planning Mariana's wedding took most of my holidays." Cressida smiled and looped their arms together, walking her to what Ester remembered was the path to the park.

"Oh, I do love weddings. I dare say, speaking of weddings, did you hear about the Duke of Hastings?" Ester raised her eyebrow and shook her head no.

"He's to stay even longer! He's yet to leave Grovonor's Square. Or so Ellie has been told by a servant of his household."

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It was not but a week later from Lady Danbury's ball when Ester, Juliana Sloehigh and Jacob Sloehigh all attended the Opera. It was the most popular event this week, and the only one Ester was able to attend. She fashioned a plain simple, navy blue silk gown with white gloves and a white fan. Her hair was put nice into a bun up atop her head with blue viola flowers within her hair. Just before entering the theater she was able to reach Daphne.

"Well? How was it?" Ester said, seeing the lines on Daphne's pale forehead near her sunlight red hair.

"Oh, it's awful. He just won't leave me alone and I can't send him away because I know Anthony has scared away all my suitors. I have no other choice but to entertain his nudges." Ester gripped Daphne's hand.

"I promise you, many more will come. It's all just eager young boys anyways." Daphne put on a tight smile. Ester could tell that the daunting and ever near Lord Berbrooke was starting to affect her normally cheery disposition.

"How have the suitors been for you?" Ester smiled.

"They've been kind. However, none that mother or father have found worthy of a match. However there is one, his name is Lord Henry Thorne. He has taken over his father's estate this past winter while we were out at Charles place. Apparently mother approves due to his large income of 30,000 a year. Enough to make her skirts twirl I guess."