Chapter Eleven

             Lillian held Allister’s hand as she stepped down from carriage and stared up in awe at the large home before them. It was beautiful and intimidating all at the same time, much like the man that resided within its halls. She took a deep breath as she looked at the giant structure. It was tall enough to cast a shadow over the front steps that led up to two large oak doors. She looked around at all the windows facing out and lost count of how many rooms that would mean it held. The stone walls were probably the most welcoming thing about the home. A sandstone that gave the building a strange aura of peace and tranquility.

            Her fingers itched with the need to paint the beauty before her and she had only seen the outside. She could only imagine the inside of the home before her and suddenly she began to shrink. Allister felt her hesitation and glanced down at her curiously.

            “What is it little lamb?”

            “What am I doing here Ali? Look at this place! I don’t belong here. We should just go home.” She whispered and pulled against the hand holding hers. Allister held fast and forced her to his side, keeping a firm hold on her elbow so she wouldn’t run. He smiled brightly at her and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

            “Nonsense Lily. You belong in a palace, being treated like the princess you are. Now enough self-doubt, let’s go greet your dark prince. Who by the way you better introduce me to again quickly or you’ll be left without an escort for the remainder of the week.”

            Her eyes widened at his words and she turned her gaze back towards the home in front of her. Drake was striding casually towards them, but she could see the aura of anger surrounding him as he gazed at Allister. She hoped he wasn’t too upset to find out they hadn’t been completely honest with him. Although in her defense she had been about to tell him the truth when he kissed her. Her cheeks flushed at the memory as her eyes subconsciously fell to his lips.

            She had to snap out of her daze as he reached them and gave a small bow to the pair. He looked at Lillian with so much heat that it made her melt internally. Then his eyes glanced at Allister’s hand placed at her elbow. He frowned as he looked at Allister.

            “Mr. Winters, I was unaware that you had been sent an invitation.” He practically growled and it made Allister grin in triumph and Lillian blush brightly. She had to clear the air quick before something happened. She thought Allister deserved a small throttle for his antics, but Drake looked closer to murder. She held out her free hand towards Allister and gave Drake a small smile.

            “I never got the chance to explain to you before my lord. Allister here is my cousin and is acting as my chaperone for the entirety of the Season.”

            She watched as some unreadable emotion flashed through his eyes as he looked over the man. Then he gave a silent nod, but didn’t respond beyond that. His eyes moved past her and it caused the other two to turn as well. Two other carriages were arriving behind them and Lillian was sure she heard a groan come from Drake. She turned her gaze back to him and read how uncomfortable he was with all of this. She understood now, this was all his mother’s doing and he had probably invited her as a shield. She wasn’t sure whether to be elated or dejected at the realization.

            The small group waited as the carriages came to a stop and several people emerged from them. Allister leaned close to her ear, catching Drake’s attention immediately and making him tense. Cousin or not, he was still unhappy with how close this man was getting to Lillian.

            “That would be the Earl of Hampton and his two children. Lady Victoria and Lord Charles. The other is Lady Charlotte, wife of Lord Diggs with her lovely daughter Lady Odette.” He whispered into her ear, how he knew this was a mystery to Lillian. However she didn’t question his wisdom right now as it would benefit her. She watched as Drake welcomed the other guests and felt a small stab of jealousy at how eager the two girls were. She already knew that she was the eldest of the three women and it left her feeling like an outcast once more. At twenty-three she had been older than all the debutantes, but hadn’t thought much of it until now. Maybe it was more of a drawback than she had first thought.

            She felt a deep depression settle within her as Drake offered his arm to Lady Odette and the group made their way to enter the building. She looked at the other two women with a small amount of envy. Lady Victoria was beautiful with her mass of black curls that were swept back from her face, showing off her bright blue eyes. She was tall and curved in all the ways Lillian’s small frame was not. Despite her being near five years Lillian’s junior, the woman’s body was more matured.

            Her eyes then roamed over Lady Odette’s profile and her heart sank further. She was even more attractive than Lady Victoria. Her hair was a deep auburn and blazed in the sun’s vibrant light. Although her body was not as generously proportioned as Lady Victoria’s, it was still appealing. Lillian sighed quietly, but not softly enough it seemed as a warm hand covered hers and gave a small squeeze. She looked up at Allister and he grinned while leaning closer and whispering low in her ear once more.

            “Cage that jealousy little lamb. Not only are you more beautiful than these girls, you are also more the duke’s type. So sheath those claws for now.” And despite her worries his words made her giggle. He could always read her like a book and it made her even gladder that he was here in her aunt’s stead. Her laughter reached Drake’s ears and he gritted his teeth knowing it was that man making Lillian laugh. This was going to be a long week.

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            There was another woman waiting for them inside the foyer and by the resemblance, Lillian knew it was the Duchess Wilshire. Lillian swallowed as she looked into the cold, violet eyes of the woman before them. Drake clearly got his striking attraction from this person. Her black hair was naturally curled and strangely left to fall about the woman’s bare shoulders. Lillian had never seen someone carry themselves with so much assurance and intimidation. She felt like shrinking into a ball as the woman’s eyes swept over the guests before landing on her.

            Lillian had no idea what was going through the woman’s mind, but she could guess. No doubt Lady Elena was trying to understand why a commoner had dared to step over her threshold and would demand that Lillian leave. She was looking at Lillian with such a cold and calculation look that made Lillian feel so small. Lady Elena must think she was a sneaky mouse trying to weave her way into her son’s fortune…actually that was probably what all of London was thinking. She swallowed and began to shake as Lady Elena continued to silently stare at the strange girl until recognition struck her.

            Lillian was all kinds of surprised when the woman’s face broke into a wide smile and in two steps she moved in front of Lillian. Lady Elena grabbed Lillian’s hand and pulled her from Allister’s side, who was also too surprised to react fast enough. Lillian almost stumbled at the force of the woman’s grip. She looked up and squeaked as she was nose to nose with the Duchess. Lady Elena examined her even more closely, making her other guests stare in confusion and Drake to roll his eyes and mutter in warning,

            “Mother.” Lady Elena ignored her son, but pull back from Lillian and smiled at all the guests in greeting, still latched onto Lillian’s hand.

            “Welcome everyone. I am so honored that you could all come. Please, allow my servants to show you to your rooms. I am looking forward to this week, we shall all become such close friends.” She turned back to Lillian and smiled brightly while giving her small hand a tight squeeze.

            “Very close.” She whispered and Lillian blushed. What was wrong with this woman!? Lady Elena waited until the other guests had moved off towards the guests’ bedrooms, refusing to release Lillian at all. Drake glared at his mother and tried to drag her away before she humiliated him.

            “Oh hush child. I’ve the others, but this girl is a mystery and I have always loved a mystery. You do too don’t you Drake.” Elena gave her son a knowing smirk and he growled before turning and informing them that he had work and would see them at dinner. Elena merely laughed and turned back to Lillian.

            “You’re Lillian right? Do you mind if we drop the formalities for the week. Society’s rules are dreadfully boring and will only put a damper on this week’s fun. I would love it if you called me Elena as well, no doubt we won’t need titles soon.” She smiled, her eyes shining at Lillian with such warmth that it strangely reminded Lillian of her own mother. She relaxed slightly at the woman’s lack of hostility, even though she was still completely confused. Lady Elena turned to look at Allister for the first time and frowned. Not needing to be asked he bowed and introduced himself.

            “Your Grace, I am Allister Winters. Lillian’s cousin and chaperone for the week.”

            Elena’s eyes looked him over and then she smirked and placed a finger against her lip in thought. The way her eyes were gleaming reminded Lillian too much of Allister and a warning sounded within her brain.

            “My but aren’t you a handsome gentleman. No wonder my son was in such a foul mood when he arrived. No doubt he was worried you would try to steal this lovely ladies heart in his absence.” She purred and Allister actually blushed slightly as he chuckled in reply and Lillian knew her face was bright red at this point. Lady Elena nodded at them both and finally released Lillian’s hand and clapped her own two together.

            “Well my darlings, please allow Jives here to show you to your rooms. Rest up and I shall see you at dinner. It will be nice to have such a handsome pair at my table. It gets so lonely here with only the brood-master as company.” She waved them off and in a twirl of skirts left them. Allister slapped his hand over his heart and grinned at Lillian.

            “I’m in love!”

Reviews

[Toonsgirl]

I know how Lillian feels. I'm 26 and I'm the only one who doesn't have a boyfriend/husband.

[Melodycraft]

Omg! I love it! I wondered how Allister would react to Elena since they have similar personalities. Too funny. Dying to know what was going through Drakes head during all this. Ugg, other pretty girls so stressful for Lily. Also I hope she does get to draw this week. I like that detail...I think Drake does too. Wait does she still have that drawing of Drake in her pad?
Yay!

[AtomicPuffin]

Lol I'm glad you like Allister n Elena together. Lol melody stop reading my mind, its like you know what I have planned already

[Melodycraft]

*busted shaking gifts under the tree, trying to figure out what is inside*. I'll just slide this back under the tree and wait for Christmas morning....which is now cause more chapters are up!

[AtomicPuffin]

yup, hope you like them.