Love at First Glance
Page 7
Olivia turned to see the expressions on everyone’s faces. They all seemed to be mortified except for Johnathan who turned to look her directly in the eye and stated, “Sure, ask me anything. I am an open book.”
A look of mischief plastered on her face, Olivia asked her question.
“How is it that a nobody like you got into my mother’s high society soiree?”
Chapter 16
“Johnathan, you don’t have to answer that,” Lillian said sternly. She glared at her sister who feigned innocence.
Lillian looked around the table to see if anyone was going to come to her defense, but what she saw was that her family all had their attention on Johnathan, desperately awaiting an answer.
Johnathan put down his fork and paused. He picked up his napkin, wiped his mouth, and pushed his plate back.
It seemed that he was making them wait, delaying the inevitable. Charlotte and Daniel were stoic, Katie and Olivia shifted in their seats.
“Lillian, I have nothing to hide. It’s no problem. Like I said, I’m an open book.”
Lillian sighed. She expected him to be drilled with questions, but never to be put on the spot like this.
“My aunt is Lady Winifred Donoughly. She volunteers at the hospital with the Countess’ friend Lady Birchway. You are acquainted with Lady Birchway?”
Charlotte nodded. “I am. We are very close friends.”
“Lady Birchway invited my aunt to accompany her to the soiree, but my aunt could not make it and asked if I could attend in her place. She thought that it would be a great way for me to meet more people in the village where we reside. My aunt is always going on and on about how I should settle down. I never thought that I would go to the soiree and meet the love of my life.”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “Uncouth Americans. Never would a proper Englishman take an invitation that was not made especially for him.” Kate and Olivia laughed.
“I am proud to have lived in America for so long. I think being British and living in America gives me the best of both worlds.”
“Well, since we are asking questions, I have one of my own.”
Everyone turned to Victor who had been quiet during the questioning. They were surprised that he had even asked anything.
“Sure thing, Victor,” Johnathan said confidently.
“I have done my research on you. I understand that your parents are going through some financial difficulties. Could it be that your aunt wanted to play matchmaker so that you could link yourself with a family that has money in hopes that we could bail your family out?”
Johnathan smiled, but Lillian could not believe what she was hearing.
“You all should be ashamed of yourselves! Is it not enough for this man to love me?”
Charlotte shook her head. “Lillian, my dear. You have a lot at stake here. Your brother poses a wonderful question of your beau. Johnathan, if you please, we would love to hear more about your intentions with our daughter.”
It was her polite way of saying that he had better answer the question.
“That is certainly not the case. When I first laid eyes on Lillian, I was smitten. I actually thought that I would not be accepted by her family and I was ready for that. I come from parents that work hard. We did not inherit our status or our all of our money. We live comfortably. They have provided many opportunities for me in my life. That does not mean that I am willing to take from anyone else, let alone that woman that I am madly in love with.
“I would love the opportunity to court her openly. I know that I may not be the kind of man that you intend for her, but I can say that I am honest and caring and that I have the best intentions for her.”
When Johnathan spoke, he looked her parents directly in the eyes.
Olivia and Kate shrank back into their seats without another word to say. Victor simply nodded. Charlotte expelled her extra energy by folding her napkin and placing it neatly on the table.
Daniel was the only one to speak. “I can appreciate you being honest with us. But I’m sure that you can see how we would be concerned about the man that has captured our dear Lillian’s heart.”
“That I can understand,” Johnathan responded.
“With that being said, I would like to extend my blessings in your courting my daughter. With the understanding that we will have you under our watchful eye.”
Charlotte looked at her husband, but didn’t dare show her disapproval too much for his decision.
“Now the men will retire to the library for a few cigars and some Cognac.”
Victor and Johnathan rose from the table at Daniel’s request, leaving the women to stay at the table together, stewing in the aftermath of the inquisition.
Chapter 17
After introducing Johnathan to her family, Lillian found it hard to speak with her sisters. She couldn’t believe that they had treated her so badly, but she was happy that they had gotten the obvious awkwardness out of the way. It ended up clearing the air and it was just what she needed if she was building a relationship with Johnathan.
Daniel hadn’t said much else about Johnathan and Lillian courting and Charlotte stayed closed lipped about it as well. She had even offered to have Johnathan’s family over for dinner once they returned from America.
Lillian found great peace in the fact that her parents knew that they were courting. And Johnathan turned out to be much more charming than she ever imagined.
She was completely surprised when Johnathan asked for her hand in marriage. She knew that their relationship was going toward that and she knew that it was something that she wanted.
But when he invited her over to his cottage and there were rose petals everywhere and candles lit, dancing around casting shadows on the wall, Lillian knew that she’d found love.
Johnathan had taken her by the hand and spoke the most beautiful words that she’d ever heard.
“Lillian, you are the most beautiful woman I know. Your heart is kind and pure and I’d like to the recipient of the love you have to give. I asked your father for permission to be your Prince Charming. He agreed and if you would agree as well, I would love to make you my wife.”
Tears streamed down Lillian’s face. She had waited so long to hear those words spoken to her. She’d even started to believe that she would never find her Prince Charming. But she had and the wait had definitely been worth it.
Her heart swelled and she spoke the words effortlessly.
“Yes, I would love to become Mrs. Johnathan Bailey.”
And Lillian knew that her life had changed forever for the better. She was most happy that love had found her and that it wasn’t some fairy tale that was unreachable.
Love was everything she’d hoped it would be. And she’d would live her life happily ever after.