Esther turned to Bernard, staring at him with wide eyes whilst Agnes clapped her hands together, her face glowing with joy.

“Oh, Bernard! How wonderful!”

Bernard shrugged his shoulders, his eyes on Esther. "What do you say, Lady Esther? I know we do not know one another all that well, but I know the kind of woman you are, and I am sure we shall do quite nicely together."

Esther felt as though someone was squeezing all the air from her lungs as she stared at Bernard. She heard his words as though they were coming from far away, buzzing around her head. Trying to take deep breaths, she found she could only take short, shallow ones, beginning to feel a little dizzy.

“Here.”

Esther looked down to see the Duke bending on his knees in front of her, pushing a whiskey glass into her hands.

“Take a sip,” he said quietly, looking into her eyes. “It will help.”

With a trembling hand, she lifted the glass and took a small sip, the liquid burning her throat and electrifying her senses. Catching her breath, she felt Amos take her other hand, his thumb rubbing the back of her hand gently.

“Are you all right?” he asked, his hazel eyes focused on her face.

Esther nodded, her own eyes focusing on the glass in her hand and not on his handsome face. He was close enough for her to reach out and touch his cheek or his hair, even though she had just had a proposal of marriage from Bernard.

“Thank you,” she whispered, handing him back the glass. Getting to his feet, Amos walked back over to his chair, leaving Esther feeling a little bereft.

“Are you well, my dear?” Agnes asked, moving to sit next to her goddaughter. “I know this is quite a lot to take in, and ultimately it is your decision.”

"What choice do I have?" Esther asked, helplessly. "Not that I don't appreciate your offer, Lord Heber, because of course I do. It is most generous of you."

“You will be a great match, my dear,” Agnes said, softly. “I know Bernard will take good care of you.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Esther replied, a soft smile on her face. “Yet, I do not want to deprive Bernard of the chance to marry for love, to marry someone of his own choosing.”

Bernard got to his feet, coming forward to take her hand. "Pray, do not concern yourself with such things," he said, gently. "It is high time I took a wife, and if my mother approves of you, then that is all the confirmation I need. I am sure we shall suit. What do you say?"

Esther took a deep breath. “May I think about it? It is all so sudden, and I must confess my head is spinning. I think you will make a fine husband, and it would please me to get to know you. However, I do not want to make the wrong decision.”

“Of course, my dear,” Bernard replied, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. “Take all the time you need.”

“Please just give me a few days to take all of this in,” Esther said, pulling her hand from his. “I shall not keep you waiting long.”

“But where shall you stay while you consider his offer?” Agnes asked, frowning a little.

Amos cleared his throat. “She can stay here,” he said, firmly. “The ruse can continue for a few more days, just until you make your decision.”

Esther sagged a little in relief, thanking him profusely. “It will just be a few days, Your Grace.”

“Take as much time as you need,” Amos heard himself say. “It is an important decision and not one to be rushed.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Esther repeated, finally able to lift her eyes to his. A spark shot between them, and she dropped her gaze again, rising to her feet as she excused herself. She had responsibilities in the morning and needed her rest. Embraced by Lady Heber, she spoke quietly to Bernard for a few moments before leaving the room. As Esther left, she sent the Duke one final, enquiring glance over her shoulder.

None of them saw the shadow of a maid scuttling along the floor who, only moments earlier, had her ear pressed to the door.

Amos could not sleep. He tossed and turned long after the household had gone to sleep. He told himself it was the shock of finding out that Mrs. Edwards was, in fact, Lady Esther Bertram, but it was something more than that. When Bernard had proposed marriage to her, he sat as though pinned to his chair, with something like ice racing through his veins. He had forced himself to look at her face, seeing her astonishment, and then her gratitude. Something had kicked him in the gut, and he couldn’t explain his anguish.

Amos threw an arm over his eyes, his mind tormenting him further. He knew that by both his words and his tone, he had expressed a wish to never marry the lady, but when Bernard had put his own proposition forward, he had found himself regretting his haste. The woman was beautiful and hardworking, taking on paid employment in order to escape from her ruthless father. She was not a feather-brained miss whose only goal in life was to marry for money; she was much more than that.

If he was honest with himself, he had been intrigued by Lady Esther, catching himself wondering how long her hair was and whether it curled when it was down. Of course, at the time, he had considered her a servant in his household, so he had pushed thoughts like that away. But now, knowing that she was a lady, that changed things. Then why had he appeared so disgruntled over the idea of marrying her to save her reputation? He groaned, punching the pillow as he grew frustrated with his own behavior. Regardless of how he felt, it was too late now. Bernard had proposed first and, as a gentleman, he would say nothing until she had made her decision. Rolling over, he tried to put her from his mind and eventually drifted off into a dreamless sleep.