Chapter Seven

Drake felt his restraint thinning further as he silently watched the pair. Where exactly had this stranger come from and why did Lillian seem so familiar with him? He had been dancing with…Victoria? God, he couldn’t even remember the chit’s name-when he had seen Lillian throw herself against this newcomer. He had watched as the man wrapped her in his arms and whispered close to her. Drake had felt his blood heat at the sight and had almost abandoned the girl on the floor to go after Lillian. As soon as he could he left the girl on the side and moved towards Lillian.

             He had been disappointed to see her drag the stranger onto the dance floor. He had never seen her eagerly dance with anyone other than him. So he had stood to the side and watched the pair dance. Not liking how Lillian’s eyes were sparkling in happiness as she spoke with the man. To his shame he had hissed when the man dipped Lillian. For two reasons, one in anger at the man’s audacity. Two, and more shamefully, in desire as he was in view to see Lillian’s exposed flesh.

            He hadn’t been able to take it any longer and had gone over to rescue Lillian. He was sure that having so much attention directed at her was getting tiresome. He was always there at her side when men got too familiar and this time would be no different. Oh how wrong he was. He had watched in shock as the man effortlessly guided Lillian away from him, and she had willingly gone. Furthermore, he was not pleased that the man had been so informal when addressing her. Referring to her as Lily, a nickname he had only ever heard her family speak.

            He growled softly as he recalled subtly following them and watching them out on the terrace. They were too far away to hear, but he watched as they spoke, carefully reading Lillian’s body language. When she crossed her arms it made him smile, that meant she wasn’t falling for whatever this Allister was saying. He had almost shouted in rage as the man wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. He had to turn away as Lillian-his Lillian, had placed her head against the man’s chest.

He took another sip of his champagne, watching the blasted woman as she laughed at what Mr. Winters said. He had only ever seen Lillian this happy and excited when she was with him. The fact that she was clinging to the arm of someone else left an acid taste in his mouth. He felt a familiar instinct take over as he watched the two together, mainly Lillian’s behavior. Some primal part of his brain shouted,

‘Mine!’ Which angered him more as he neither had, nor wanted, any claim to the woman present. He reasoned that because she was his friend it was natural to be protective of her. This, and only this was why he was growing so angry at the man’s attentions. It had nothing to do with him wishing it was his arm Lillian was clinging to, or looking at with those sparkling orbs that made spring dim in comparison. No, it was a friend’s worry nothing more.

He looked over this new man carefully. Although Lillian seemed taken with the man, he didn’t seem like her type at all. The man seemed far too young and unsettled to truly appreciate and care for Lillian. Lillian would need a strong partner, someone who could protect her through life’s hardships. Someone who wouldn’t suppress that amazing wit and uniqueness about her. A man that could make her smile every day, because she was the most beautiful when she was smiling. Someone who would be there for her to wipe away her tears and fill her with the love she deserved. Someone like…

            ‘Someone like you?’ The thought came to him unconsciously. He frowned as he mulled it over. Drake was never one to let his feelings control him and certainly now wasn’t any different. Then his eyes looked to Lillian again and felt his grip on his glass tighten as she leaned her head against the man’s arm. That was it! He slammed his drink down and took a step towards them, with the full intent of ripping her away from the other man.

            He managed to stop himself just in time and took several deep breaths to calm down. Maybe it would be best if he just left and let them be. Besides, this is exactly what he wanted. Someone to take notice of Lillian and to start openly courting her so she could make a decent match. He looked at the pair once more and noticed how Lillian’s cheeks turned a bright pink and she shook her head. The action made Drake smile as he thought of how prone she was to blushing. His smile quickly melted into a growl as the man, Allister, lifted her chin up and leaned far too close.

            He was silently telling Lillian to push the man away. To slap him and call him a cad before running to the safety of Drake’s arms. He started when he realized the direction of his thoughts and growled, this time at himself. He had to control himself and he had to do it now! It was ridiculous that he was behaving this way. He had never lost his composure around anyone and he was never one to fall for jealousy. Why was he even jealous? He repeated once more as he turned his back on the two, that this was what he wanted.

            If only he could actually believe that. He decided it was best if he took his leave now before he made a complete a*s of himself by attacking Mr. Winters. He turned to do just that when a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He looked back to see a smiling Jacob at his side.

            “Jacob, it has been awhile since I have seen you at one of these events. Where exactly have you been hiding?” Drake said with an easy smile. Just thankful for any distraction that would take his mind off that woman and her new companion.

            “Apparently I should be packing up those crates and sending them your way. I have to say, I didn’t expect you to turn the young lady around so soon. She is the belle of the ball and more popular than any other debutant this Season.” Jacob laughed and Drake stiffened. So much for taking his mind off the woman. Jacob indicated with his flute towards Lillian who had now been joined by several other suitors. One of which was Lord James, eyeing his new competition with open hostility.

            “I have a feeling that by the end of the week one of those fine lads will have claimed her hand. Shall I send the silks now or will you give me a chance to say goodbye to those profits.” Jacob asked while chuckling and taking a sip of his champagne. Unaware that his words had struck a nerve inside his friend. Drake was grinding his teeth and glaring hard at the small group gathered around Lillian. He was even more enraged when he noticed that she seemed to use Mr. Winters as a shield from the others. A role that was usually his each night.

            “I wouldn’t pack those silks just yet Jacob. The bet was to help her into society and to make a decent match. Those young fops may not even try for an engagement until the very end, if at all.” He ground out, missing the look his friend shot him before a knowing sparkle lit the man’s gaze. Drake was unaware that Jacob had just assessed the situation and planned to torment his friend for his own amusement.

            “I wouldn’t count on that. Seeing how many men are vying for her attention, it would be foolish to waste even a minute of capturing the beauty’s heart and claiming her. No doubt that man attached to her realizes this and that’s why he won’t let her out of his sight.” Jacob casually said while glancing at Drake, silently laughing at the look that crossed the duke’s eyes. The man was damn near ready to kill every other man in the room. He chuckled and patted his friend on the back.

            “I should have known better than to bet you on that girl. Just look at her. She is such a pretty thing. Surely she will make a good wife. Shy demeanor with plenty of pleasant features for a man’s eye to appreciate. Maybe I should swoop in and steal her away myself. I’m sure I could find some amusement with her.” He teased, knowing that he was stroking the fire inside of the man next to him. His suspicions were confirmed when Drake turned his angry gaze away from the woman to glare Jacob. In a dangerously low voice Drake hissed,

            “Careful where you step there friend for you are entering dangerous grounds.”

            To which Jacob merely shrugged and turned from his friend.

            “It doesn’t matter in any case, for it seems she quite taken with the man by her side. I doubt that at this point any gentleman could steal her from his side.”

            Drake glowered at the group as his friend walked away, those words ringing through his head. This Allister character was indeed keeping Lillian close and she seemed to be perfectly fine with this. Drake cursed under his breath and made his way towards the group. It was time to speak with Lillian and to see just how ‘taken’ she was with this man.

Author's Note

Sorry that this one is a bit shorter but I decided to split this chapter because it was growing too long. So please review and let me know what you think! I really appreciate feedback and kind of rely on it so I would love it if you took the time thank you!

Reviews

[Melodycraft]

What? New chapters already. I feel like I'm being spoiled. I was hoping I might get a chance to hear what Drake was thinking at all this! Release the green eyed monster!

[AtomicPuffin]

thanks and I already put chapter eight up too. I plan to let everyone hear Drake's inner thoughts throughout the story after all he is VERY important lol and I'm enjoying writing his internal conflict. I just hope I do it right ^^

[Melodycraft]

It was perfect. I love reliving all those same events through his perspective, because I now what is actually being said over between Lil and Ali, so it makes it really funny to watch it get interpreted through the jealousy googles. Ha!