Beautiful man

Nesta shook her head. "No, they don't."

Tessa beckoned one of the servants, and he approached with a tray with two wine glasses. Tessa took both glasses and offered one to Nesta.

"Thank you," Nesta said.

"It's so that you don't get a chill," Tessa said. "I'm not sure what it's made up of, but it's a pretty effective drink. Try it."

Nesta tried it, and it warmed her lightly. "It tastes heavenly also." She noted Tessa's blinding smile.

"If for anything, I'll say you emerged stronger from whatever happened to your dad. Some things are there for us to learn, and others, well, who knows?"

Both ladies laughed.

"I'm really happy to have you here, Nesta," Tessa said. "I hope you and I can get to go out more often."

"Sure," Nesta said.

They spoke at length, getting to know themselves, and Nesta realized Tessa was more interesting than she looked. She had the air of someone who was serious, but underneath that was all gold. Nesta smiled and was confident enough to make Tessa laugh.

"What trifles to enjoy in London this season," Tessa said. "The desirable looks of men and possible suitors, and the gossip of ladies. The balls, the garden parties, the picnics, and almost endless social events. All posing to be a perfect distraction. I trust you like shopping?"

"Yes, I do," Nesta said.

"Good."

"Are you in the marriage market?"

Tessa laughed and took her hand and they both walked inside. "You don't want me to rob all the pleasures of the ladies, now do you?"

And Tessa was such a lady. She was so perfectly structured, and beautiful, Nesta felt her own beauty seeming to fade around her.

"No, definitely not," Nesta said, laughing.

"Good. We'll be the best of friends," Tessa said.

"I'll look forward to it."

"You ladies decided to join us," Quinn said.

"You stingy men had the conversation all yourselves," Tessa said. "I had to seize the opportunity to get to know Nesta. You have a gem in your daughter, my lord."

John smiled. "Thank you, lady Bamford."

"How long are you both staying?" Tessa asked.

"Hopefully, for the entire season," John Weaver said.

When it was time to get home, pleasantries were exchanged, and the Earl of Devonshire's carriage was waiting in front. Brother and sister saw them to their carriage, and Nesta and her dad drove off.

As they moved into the street, Nesta asked her dad, "Did you know he had a sister?"

John shook his head. "I couldn't do an investigation on the man. He was just someone I wanted to do business with. Desperate times. But it seems there is so much about him that we don't know. Usually, it's always like that. He has invited us to his house, and he has made us meet his sister."

"What do you think about them?"

"They are open enough, I think. I mean, if they have something to hide, then it's probably with good reason. No one likes anyone prying in on their secrets, you know."

"Yeah. I have been thinking of him of late," Nesta said, hoping to clarify the air before her father misunderstands her. "A family from high society that's been around, one we didn't know of."

"According to him," John said, "they pretty much like to keep to themselves. Nothing interests them that much. He seems to know what everyone wants, and you may find this hard to believe, but he knows how to get the hardest of men to work with him. So many are employed in his business, and I must say, I was scared when I approached him."

"You went to him?"

"Yes. A friend suggested it to him. Our business was running to the ground, and little was coming from the estate. So I went to him, and without hesitation, he accepted. It made me happy. I can't believe he chose to partner with me. You must know that I waited weeks, hoping I wouldn't be rejected. I'm glad things walked out fine in the end."

"His sister really cares about him. She may be coming around more often."

"Well, she'll always be welcomed whenever she does come."

*******

"I saw him, Lillian," Nesta said as Lillian helped her out of her clothes. "He looked more handsome than ever. It seems business did drain him back then at Devonshire. Now, he seems more splendid and more beautiful."

"Should the term beautiful be used for a man?" Lillian asked.

Nesta laughed. "I don't care. He stands out, that's all."

"I'm happy that you're pleased."

"He has a sister."

Lillian put Nesta's gown in the closet. "You didn't know that?"

"More like I failed to ask. She would be coming around. I'm sure you'll see her."

When Nesta laid on her bed, she thought about her evening, her time with Tessa, and the moment she couldn't have with Quinn. Devonshire offered a lot of privacy. There, father retired to bed early, and she loved the time she spent with him. By now if it was at Devonshire, she would be talking to him, or they would be at one of their games.

He was fun to be with, and his home was beautiful. Everything had style, and compared to the homes of most high lords, the Earl of Castleberry, his home did stand out. His sight had warmed her heart this evening, but she wasn't pleased with the fact that they didn't talk.

She met his sister. And at least, if there was nothing else she learned this evening, she learned that there was much she didn't know about him. Nesta closed her eyes, picturing his face, and soon she found her sleep. She sought-after him in her sleep, and she found him in her dream. Him being the center of her dream made her night all the more beautiful.

Nesta's lips curled into a smile, and she slept on.

A/N: Hello. Thank you so much for waiting for me. It's been already a year. Sigh but guess what? We have resumed writing now. Hope to see you all at the end. Thank you for your support