Chapter 11: Leaving

Nesta held a wet brush up to the painting of a green landscape on a canvas in the studio, the light from the window behind her helped her eyes search for errors, she found none.

Satisfied, she set down the brush, and looked at the painting, she nodded with approval.

He was leaving tomorrow, Nesta thought. Lord Bramford was leaving tomorrow. A month had been too short.

A month to some would be too long. Not for someone like him. He had so much grace, she knew she would miss him when he left.

He was probably attending to business, trying to fix anything that would make him have so much to do.

Well, at least, he had focus, and she did not. He had invaded her mind, and she wondered how she had perfected the drawing of a green landscape when he was all that she thought about. It couldn't be so. It shouldn't be.

Nesta stood from the stool and moved it aside. She took some steps back still looking at the painting, it had been a place from one of her dreams.

Probably not real. And last night, she thought she did have a funny dream. Quinn had kissed her.

Nesta laughed at the thought. It couldn't be. He was too gentle for that. But was he really? She had watched him looking at her lips lately.

She found him admirable. She hadn't been kissed before, but Nesta believed she knew how it was done.

"Goodbye," she whispered. It would be best said with a kiss, and a hope of a reunion.

He had invited her to London, but her father, he hadn't said anything about her coming.

Time passed when Nesta asked Lillian in her room, "Why is he leaving so soon? Don't you feel he's leaving so soon?"

"My lady," Lillian said. "He probably has loved ones to return to. Business…"

"Most likely business," she said. "He's always busy."

"You know how these men are. At least, he takes good care of his affair, and he's not like some lazy kind of lord."

Nesta placed both hands on her hips, she let her gaze fall to the floor.

"I have good news," Lillian said. "The tailor sent word that all your gowns are ready."

Nesta looked at her. "Do you think we'll have that much like we did here? What if he is so much busier in London."

Lillian sighed. "Clearly, you enjoy his company. You could just ask him."

Nesta nodded. "Yeah. Maybe."

***

During lunch, Nesta tried not to look at Lord Bramford. She didn't have the appetite, but the knot in her belly was telling her otherwise, so she forced down food till she finished it.

Once her plate was cleared, dessert was served, and she ate that and washed it down with some wine from her glass.

Eating was one way for Nesta to deal with frustration. While she struggled to hide it, it was beginning to show on her face. Well, she hoped no one noticed.

Nesta went to the piano after dessert. She let her fingers travel across the keys, creating sweet sounds to drown out the stubbornness of hers, letting the hopes of a better note cloud her mind and focus, she closed her eyes and saw his face.

He wasn't yet gone. Why did she miss him so much? It felt like she had a broken heart, and she wondered if this was what it felt like? The hurt, the pain of longing after more, the desire to be more.

But it hadn't been like this a month back. Then, she would have happily accepted any guy who came to her with the hopes of marriage.

But something, whatever it was, had presented someone perfect for her. Father seemed happy, and he spoke about the fruit his business was bearing in London.

"I'll be joining him in London," the Earl of Devonshire said to his daughter when she came to seek him out in the evening.

"And I'd like you to come with me. I hadn't been sure on the matter when he first presented it, but now, I am. I want you to come with me."

"Was it your idea to invite me, or his?" Nesta asked, wanting to know if it had been her father's idea.

"Mine," John Weaver said, Nesta masked her disappointment, "but mostly his." Her face lit up. "He presented it to me, and I said why not.

You've long been absent from other company, save for that of your maid, and the servants. I can tell you've not been happy, and I apologize for the grief I cost you.

I should have earlier listened to the voice within and not been with the Dowager, but the deed is done, and I'm sorry it almost ruined us both.

I'll long to see you smile and joke again. I'll love to hear you say witty things like you always did, and be yourself again."

Nesta pitied her father. Having to face all those lords and ladies every time he went to London alone.

Well, not this time. She was his only daughter, and his pride. It's why she had earlier kept herself from any lord, and why she still preserved herself from being ruined by one in close proximity.

Nesta had charmed and been alone with lord Bramford, but he hadn't attempted anything. He was tactful around her, but the way he holds her and stares into her eyes, it told of hidden passion.

"It wasn't your fault, Father," Nesta said. "I could never fault you for falling in love. Mother would understand."

The Earl shook his head. "I have you. I'm not alone."

"But not always. You need love, and I'll be glad if you find it again. At least, one that's true this time."

Nesta and her father laughed.

"His presence has truly been a blessing," John said. "I've been getting invitations for this London season."

Nesta maintained her smile. "That's pleasing news."

"Yeah, it is." The Earl smiled at his daughter. "So, don't let me say it again. Tell Lillian to start packing your things. Lord Bramford leaves tomorrow to start preparing his home for the season, and to do attend to some business.

I'll have to wrap up with a few things with the tenants and my man of business before we finally decide to leave.

It shouldn't take more than two days after lord Bramford has gone."

"Okay." Nesta curtsied. "Thank you, Father." She walked out of the room.

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