Love at First Glance Page 3

  She pushed away from the table. As a second thought, she came back to the table and kissed her father on the cheek. She didn’t want him to send anyone after her. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to know what she was up to that day. Nothing was going to get in the way of her going to see Johnathan.

  She had the car ready to take her to town. She would have it drop her off at the market so it would appear that she was spending an ordinary day in town. Lillian would then make her way to Ranger’s Inn to meet up with her suitor.

  She made it up to her room to freshen up before leaving.

  There was a knock at the door.

  “Come in.”

  She saw Elizabeth peek from around the corner of the opening door.

  “Milady, is there anything that I do to help you with your day? Your father said that you were going in to town.”

  “Come all of the way into the room and close the door, Elizabeth.”

  Elizabeth did as she was asked.

  “Do you have anything special you would like to do today, Elizabeth?” Lillian asked as she dabbed perfume behind her ears and on her wrists.

  “Well, not in particular, Milady.”

  Lillian turned around in Elizabeth’s direction. “Can I count on you to keep a secret?”

  Elizabeth smiled sweetly and Lillian knew she could.

  “Of course you can.”

  Lillian turned back to her vanity and continued to primp. Elizabeth came over to her and helped her pin and tuck her hair.

  “I am going into to town today. And I need you to come with me so it looks like any other ordinary trip into town.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Surely I will. I can think of a few ways to spend my time.”

  “Perfect,” Lillian said, happy that her plan was coming together.

  “May I ask what else is to this secret you are asking me to keep, Milady?”

  When Johnathan Bailey’s face came to mind, Lillian suddenly felt hot and flushed.

  “His name is Johnathan Bailey. We met last night at the party and he makes me feel-,”

  “No words necessary, Milady. I can tell by the way that you are blushing that he has you smitten.”

  It felt like a load off to talk about Johnathan with someone. Lillian knew that she couldn’t share anything about him with anyone, at least not just yet.

  “I don’t know where this is going, but I had to go and meet him. I didn’t want to hurt Mother’s feelings by inviting another suitor to call on me when she went through so much to set me up with Cyril Aimsley. “

  Elizabeth put the finishing touches on Lillian’s hair.

  “Besides, we are not sure where things are going with Mr. Bailey. So it’s best not to give too much information before we really know.” Elizabeth put a comforting hand on Lillian’s shoulder.

  Lillian knew exactly what Elizabeth meant by the statement. She was correct.

  “Thank you, Elizabeth. My hair looks perfect. I’ll be waiting for you downstairs in the car.”

  “I’ll be right there, Milady. Let me just grab a few things.”

  Lillian was able to leave without a hitch. No one asked many questions about her and Elizabeth leaving.

  The ride to the village of Lanchester was not a long one. But the time seemed like an eternity.

  Once they reached the village, Lillian could finally breathe. She didn’t know what to expect, but being in the village was a step closer to being near Johnathan. She made a plan to meet Elizabeth back near the market in three hours. They would exit the market to make it look as though that was where they had been the entire time so when the chauffeur picked them up, nothing would look suspicious. Until then, Elizabeth was on her own free time.

  Lillian waited for the chauffeur to drive off back in the direction of the manor. When he did, she and Elizabeth went their separate ways.

  Lillian walked the streets of the village until she reached the Ranger’s Inn. Her heart pounded knowing that Johnathan was so close.

  It dawned on her that she didn’t know what room he was in. As a proper lady, she certainly couldn’t be seen going in and asking for a man’s room and she certainly couldn’t be seen going up to his room for a visit.

  She decided to go inside of the inn and sit down for a cup of tea and wait to see if he arrived.

  Lillian indulged in her tea as her mind twirled about what would happen this afternoon between the two of them. Then she realized that maybe she shouldn’t put too much into it. Maybe he just wanted to meet for lunch and chat over a meal to get to know her better.

  Or maybe he wanted to lure her to his room and make sweet love to her.

  Just maybe.

  Lillian had never laid with a man and had always thought that she would wait to give her virginity to the man that would be her husband. That was the way that it was written, but meeting Johnathan Bailey made her want to rewrite the entire story.

  She sat near a window that allowed her perfect access to see passersby on the street. For the next few minutes, she watched as people walked by. Children ran carefree and couples walked by hand in hand. She marveled at the way that times were changing. The war was sure to change society even more.

  It seemed like the entire world passed the window before she saw his slender figure coming down the street. He caught sight of her through the window and when their eyes met, Jillian’s heart began to race.

  Waiting for Johnathan to walk through the door, Jillian was filled with the strongest anticipation. Would he live up to all of the daydreams that she’d had last night since their dance?

  Seeing him again was the thing that made their secret meeting all worth it.

  “Lady Lillian,” he said in a velvety baritone as he approached.

  He was even more handsome than she remembered from the night before.

  She continued to sip her tea as he took a seat.

  “Hello, Mr. Bailey. It’s so good to see you.” Lillian tried to keep her cool as best she could. After all, she was a lady.

  “If you would love to join me, we can take a walk. It’s a beautiful day.” Johnathan held his hand out, waiting for hers. She put her tea cup down and put her hand in his. His grip was reassuring.

  “You look lovely today,” Johnathan said as he took in the vision of Lillian in her navy blue dress. She liked the most stylish of clothing and she chose a simple classic look of a silk dress with an embroidered collar. She had her hair pinned up perfectly, but somehow a few stray strands of her strawberry blonde hair always seemed to find a way down to frame her face.

  “Thank you. It certainly is a beautiful day today.” She let Johnathan lead the way.

  He led them through the village towards a small cottage.

  “You know that I’ve never done this before.” For some reason, Lillian felt the need to make that fact very clear.

  Johnathan squeezed her hand in his. He didn’t say anything.

  They turned down an alley way and once Johnathan looked around to make sure that no one was watching, he took his key out and opened the door.

  “Won’t you come in?” he said in a pleasant tone.

  The sound of his voice was soothing and Lillian had to admit to herself that she was enraptured by his American accent.

  “Is this where you live?” Lillian asked.

  The cottage was humble on the outside, but inside, it was immaculately decorated. It was obvious that it was done with a woman’s touch. Lillian was intrigued.

  “Well, of sorts. My father purchased it for me when I told him that I wanted to have a home here.”

  Johnathan took the wrap that was around Lillian’s shoulders and helped her over to an arm chair where she could have a seat.

  The chair had gold arms and maroon velvet upholstery.

  “Thank you,” Lillian said as she took a seat. “But if you don’t mind me asking, how did you happen upon Lanchester? Most people don’t come here to visit and then live.”

  Johnathan shrugged. “I was on my way to London
and had to take a train from Lanchester. I sort of fell in love with the place when I came here. It’s charming. Not all of the hustle and bustle of London.”

  “I do agree. I love the provincial life here. Although I love a trip to London like anyone else, I don’t know that I would choose to live anywhere else but Lanchester.”

  There was a break in the conversation and both of them stared at each other, waiting for the other to speak.

  Lillian burst out in laughter first, followed by Johnathan. It was a perfect ice breaker.

  “I don’t know why I invited you here on a whim like I did last night.” Johnathan was making his way across the room to the chair where Lillian sat.

  “I’m not sure either. Like I said, I don’t normally do this. You know, go home with strange men.”

  Johnathan gave her and understanding glance. “Believe me, Milady, I don’t pass judgment either way. I’ve been in my share of awkward situations.”

  Somehow his confession made Lillian feel better about standing in the parlor of a man that she didn’t even know.

  The attraction between the two of them filled the air. Lillian could barely contain herself and she wasn’t sure what she wanted to happen in that moment. All she knew was that she wanted something to happen between them in the small amount of time that they had together that afternoon.

  Chapter 6

  Lillian rose from her seat and began to tour the cottage. It was far from the opulence in which she was used to living. But something about the house spoke comfort.

  “Where did you say that you were from?”

  Johnathan poured himself a glass of scotch. “I was actually born here in England, but my parents moved to America when I was just a baby. I lived all over. We traveled much of my childhood before my parents settled in Ohio.”

  “Interesting. I’ll have to hear about your travels someday.”

  Lillian ran her hands over the gold embellishment of the fireplace mantle. “This is beautiful. Such a quaint little place.”

  Johnathan sipped his drink, all the while keeping his eyes trained on Lillian.

  “I know it’s definitely not the luxury that you are used to living in, but I like it all the same.”

  Lillian turned to Johnathan. “Oh, I really didn’t mean anything by that comment. I’m sorry if I’ve offended you.”

  “I’m not offended,” Johnathan said with a laugh. “I am pretty well off if you really must know. Besides, it takes a lot to get an invitation to your mother’s parties. By the way, how did your date go last night?”

  Lillian didn’t know how she wanted to respond to his question. It put her in an awkward position. She nervously smoothed her hair.

  “Mr. Aimsley is a charming young man,” was all she could think to say.

  Johnathan put his glass down. “Is that all that you can think to say about him? Charming?”

  He was approaching her and as he did, Lillian felt a sudden surge of passion. It was getting in the way of her ability to think, her ability to reason, and her ability to speak.

  “Well. I don’t know what else to say about him,” she finally replied.

  By the time she did, Johnathan was standing so close to her that she could smell the scotch on his tongue as his warm breath tickled her cheek.

  “Did dancing with him make you feel like you did when you were with me?”

  Lillian shook her head, trying to look away from Johnathan. She was scared that if she looked in his eyes, she would be ready and willing to do whatever he asked of her.

  “I didn’t think so.” Johnathan tilted Lillian’s head up so that their eyes would meet.

  “Lady Lillian, would you let me kiss you?”

  Lillian nodded.

  His lips were soft and thin. He tasted like scotch and peppermint. She had never been this close to a man before and she had certainly never kissed a man like the way that Johnathan was kissing her right now. She wasn’t sure what to do next.

  She needed air, but didn’t know how to get it. Johnathan’s arms were wrapped around her and he was pulling her even closer to him.

  “Are you mine for the next few hours?” he asked.

  Lillian was breathless. She nodded.

  “No, Lady Lily. I need to hear you say it on your own.”

  Lillian couldn’t take it. She would pledge whatever he asked. “I am yours for the next few hours. Yes, Johnathan. Yes.”

  She wasn’t sure what she’d gotten herself into, but Lillian was ready to take the journey with Johnathan wherever it led.

  Chapter 7

  Lillian could barely contain herself but she didn’t want to seem too forward. It was already enough that she was willing to hop into a stranger’s bed so quickly. She never knew that she had it in her.

  Part of her wanted to pull back and the other part of her wanted to dive in head first and through caution to the wind.

  For once, she wanted to completely break the rules and discover the happiness and euphoria that she’d been longing for.

  She resolved to let Johnathan lead.

  “I’ve never made love to anyone before.” Lillian wasn’t sure if she should have confessed that to him in the heat of passion.

  “It’s okay. I can teach you if you let me.”

  Lillian wanted that more than anything.

  Johnathan kissed her neck and trailed kisses up to her earlobe as he expertly unbuttoned her dress. Lillian had never been ashamed of her body before, but suddenly she felt a bit self-conscious.

  As if Johnathan could read her mind, he commented, “You are beautiful. Let me see you.”

  He stood back and admired Lillian as she disrobed. Her dress fell first, then her slip and undergarments. She stood there in all of her glory, naked as a babe as he looked on in awe.

  Johnathan walked over to her and gently moved her hands that she had crossed to cover her bosom.

  She was suddenly shy and terrified to let Johnathan see her naked body.

  “Come here, my love,” he beckoned to her.

  Lillian walked over to him. Johnathan held his hand out for her. “You are an amazing woman. Why cover up your body like that?”

  “I don’t know. It just didn’t feel right letting you look over me like this.”

  “Lillian. A woman is made for a man to admire. Your shapely hips. Your beautiful red hair. Your rounded, full breasts. Lady Lillian, you are gorgeous. I was taken by you immediately when I saw you.”

  As he spoke, Johnathan undressed as well. His words comforted Lillian and made her want to hear more. She suddenly felt empowered and free after hearing Johnathan speak.

  She helped him pull the last of his garments off and they were standing there in the parlor admiring each other’s natural beauty.

  Johnathan picked Lillian up and carried her down the hall to a bedroom. He laid her on gold sheets made of silk.

  “I know this may be a bit much to say so early, but I could quite possibly be falling in love with you, Lillian. Do you believe in love at first sight?”

  Lillian lay there beneath her lover. She wanted to believe that he would be gentle and loving for her first time.

  “I do. I do believe in love at first sight.”

  Johnathan smiled as he whispered in her ear each thing that he planned to do to her. Lillian was ready for it to happen. She wanted him to make love to her. She wanted to feel every inch of Johnathan’s body on hers.

  When he entered her, Lillian was sure that the stars had descended from the heavens. His length fit inside of her perfectly. Lillian lay still at first, then her hips began to move with Johnathan’s.

  His thrusting motions were sweet and gentle. Lillian could feel him inside of her, passions exchanging from one body to the other.

  Lillian could do nothing but hold on to him tightly and call out his name. Pain gave way to bliss as he made love to her until his body shuddered and hers did as well.

  “I’m almost positive that’s what love feels like,” Johnathan said trying to catch his
breath. He pulled Lillian closer to him and lay there with her tucked safely under his arm.

  “It’s very close to the way that I imagined it to be,” she replied. There was a rush of feelings taking over and she wasn’t sure exactly what she was supposed to do with it. She hadn’t counted on meeting a man that she would be carelessly throwing around the word Love with.

  “Very good.” Johnathan kissed her on the forehead and gently moved a lock of hair out of her face.

  Lillian giggled. “How often do you meet a woman and fall in love with her so quickly?”

  Johnathan shook his head. “Never.”

  Lillian nodded and just lay there enraptured in the moment.

  “Lady Lillian. I know this will sound strange, but I would like to keep this, this relationship that we have between us for now.”

  Lillian sat up and looked Johnathan in the eye. “Any particular reason why?” she said, eyebrow raised.

  “No one would believe that you and I met and fell in love so quickly. I would hate to interrupt your world and I’m not sure if your parents would be so ready to meet the man that has deflowered their daughter. I think it best that we get to know one another first. We already know that there is the potential for a great love here, I would just like for it to develop on its own.

  “I believe that love shouldn’t be forced. It should be allowed to develop between two people naturally. Nothing forced. And I believe that it could happen between you and I.”

  Johnathan caressed Lillian’s face, planting small kisses on her cheeks and her jawbone.

  He was almost too good to be true.

  “I would love that,” came flying out of her mouth before she could contain herself.

  “I wish you could lay here with me all day, but I know that you must get back home. When can I see you again?”

  Lillian quickly tried to figure out how she could get away from the Manor to see Johnathan again.

  “I can probably get away again on Friday to London. I’ve been telling my mother that I would like to go to the tailor for a few new dresses. Maybe you could meet me there?