At First Sight

She stood outside in the garden watching the stars.  The beautiful sky was clear that night.  Not a cloud in sight.  She was out here because she felt a little crowed in there.  All she saw around her were stunning women and even more gorgeous men.  Of course this was what you expected when you were in this society.  1

Ever since her father died, Emily and her mother worked hard just to get by.  In fact they had spent almost all their money to sponsor her for the season.  The ton was a very expensive place to be in.  But her mother was determined to find her a husband that would take care of her.  Emily on the other hand was happy the way her life was.  Sure it was only her and her mother but she was content.  She only attended this event because she too hoped to find someone with enough money to support her and her mother so that she wouldn’t die in their one room boarding house.  2

She sighed.  She would never fit in.  The women in there were dressed in stunning gowns made of the finest material.  Here she was decked out in a simple creamy white gown.  Sure it brought out the light amber colors of her eyes and her light brownish gold hair.  But to her the women in there were far more stunning.  3

She was brought out of her thoughts when she felt a presence beside her.  She looked over and saw a man dressed in a black tux with a tail and white gloves.  The outfit seemed simple yet so refined on him.  He was around six feet tall, a full 5 inches taller then her.  He had neatly combed jet black hair, which seemed to match with the night sky.  He was standing there staring out at the sky just as she had previously done.  From the angle that she had seen his face, she could tell that he was gorgeous.  4

Figuring that he wanted his privacy she turned around and was about to leave when he held her back.  “Please don’t let my presence disturb you from your star gazing.”5

“Its fine,” She turned around and was struck with the most stunning face she had ever seen.  He was not just gorgeous.  He was beautiful.  His chiseled jaw line was strong which shone with power.  He eyes were as blue as the morning day.  And his smile was dazzling.  “I..I was just going to do the same for you.  I did not want to disturb you.”6

His laugh was deep and all man.  “It would make more sense that since you were the one that was here first it should be I that should leave.”7

She was speechless.  She could not talk.  The words just would come out of her mouth so she just shook her head.  8

He smiled at her.  “How about this, we can both be here and share the sky together?”  She nodded her head.  Once again he laughed that laugh that was so sexy.  “My name is Alexander.  Would it be to forward as to ask for your mi’ Lady?”9

She shook her head.  “My name is Emily…Emily Caritage.”  She handed her hand to him and he brought it up to his lips and planted a soft kiss against the top of her hand. 10

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Cartiage.”  He let her hand slowly slip from his.  “Ms. Cartiage, why aren’t you inside enjoying the entertainment that Mrs. Benson worked so hard to put together?”11

She took and deep breath answered his question.  “I feel so inadequate compared to the other women in there.  They are so stunning and I am so plain.”  12

“Nonsense, you are not plain at all.”  He stared into her eyes and she could have melted.13

She blushed and looked down embarrassed.  “You are just being polite.”14

He hooked his index finger under her chin and lifted it up so that she could see his face.  “I am only telling the truth.  You are very beautiful Emily.”  His close proximity made Emily very nervous but she just couldn’t look away from him.  His eyes were pulling her in.  Into a world that she had never dreamed she would ever go.15

“Do you really think so?”16

“I would never lie to you about this.”  His face came closer and closer to hers with every second.  Until finally Emily could not wait, she lunged forward until her lips met his.  It was rash of her but she could not help it.  The kiss was brief but it was enough.  His lips were soft and warm.  He gently kissed her before she shyly, embarrassed of her actions pulled away.  17

“I’m sorry…I was rash…I should have never done that.”  She turned away from him intending to walk away when he pulled her back.18

“No this is rash.”  And with that he pulled her into another kiss.  This time there was nothing shy about it.  It was full of passion and wanting.  She instinctively brought her hands around his neck and his hand lay gently on her hips.  His lips slowly ravished hers and she whimpered with delight.19

They pulled finally pulled away when they needed to come up for air.  His forehead was resting against hers and he was looking deeply into her eyes.  She shyly smiled and bit her lips out of habit when she was embarrassed.  20

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything?”  They both whipped their heads to the sound of the voice and Emily saw a tall blond standing there with her hands on her hips.  She had blue eyes that looked just liked Alexander’s but a lighter blue compared to his piercing blue.  21

“Ann.  What are you doing here?”22

She raised an eyebrow at him.  “I could ask you the same question.”  She looked from Emily’s flushed looked and Alexander’s messy hair that used to be neatly combed.23

“Ann I would like you to meet a friend of mine Emily.  Emily this is my sister Annabel.”  Emily let go of a breath that she hadn’t known she was holding. 24

Emily curtsied politely.  “It’s very nice to meet you Annabel.”25

Annabel just nodded her head in acknowledgment then faced Alexander again.  “I need to talk to you privately.”26

“Can it wait?”  She shook her head impatiently.  He sighed and turned to Emily.  “I will try to be as fast as I can.  Don’t worry, I will be back.”  He kissed her hand and left with her sister.  27

???????28

She had waited.  She had stood there like a fool waiting for him to return but he never did.  After it became past midnight she dejectedly turned to leave.  How could she be such a fool as to believe him?  All he wanted was a girl to take advantage of and leave.  His sister was probably there to bail him out also when he needed help.  She lay in her bed looking at the ceiling.  She had woken up hours ago but just couldn’t get herself to get up.  She knew she needed to get up and start her chores but her heart felt to heavy.  She had believed him and now here she was, hurt because she believed in things she should not have believed in.  She didn’t even know his last name!29

Knock. Knock.    30

“Come in.”  It was her mother.  31

“Are you ok honey?  You are still in bed?”32

“I feel a little sick today mother.”  Of course she was lying.  She just didn’t feel like getting up.  “Maybe it was something I caught last night.”33

Her mother came up to the bed and felt her forehead.  “Hmmm.  It does seem a bit warm.”  Emily smiled inside.  That was her mother.  Never asked questions but just trusted her.  34

“Don’t worry mum.  I will be up in a few.”  35

“Of course you better.  Besides you have somewhere to go and I have great news!  This might be your big chance.”  36

Emily sat up.  “What is it mum?”  Her mother seemed so excited.  She didn’t know why she didn’t notice it before.  The smile on her face nearly gave it away.  37

“There is an invitation from Lord Hamilton to you!”  Her eyes were wide with surprise.  The Lord Hamilton!  From what she heard, he was the riches man from these parts.  What would he want with her?  38

“Are you sure mum?  Maybe its at the wrong address.”  She didn’t even know who Lord Hamilton was.  She never met him before.  39

“No honey see,”  Her mother then bought out form her pocket a letter.  It was in an elegantly decorated envelope and had an elaborate seal.  “it said, to one Emily Cartiage.  That’s you.”40

What was she going to do?  It was her.  At her address.  “Ok mum, I’ll go.”41

Her mother got off the bed.  “OK well the invitation says to be ready at one.”  Walking away she heard her mother happily mumble something along the line of, “You must have made quite an impression on him my dear.”42

Yes some impression.  She has never even met him.  Who was he and why did he want to have dinner with her?  The ton was a very confusing world to be in.  This would be her one and only season that she would ever be in again. 43

??????44

She was prim and proper dressed in her red dress.  It was not an evening gown like the one she wore last night.  It was made more to be on the go.  Her mother had called her to tell her that the carriage was here and she quickly put on the make-up that she did wear.  45

The carriage ride was quiet.  She tried to ask the driver if he knew why Lord Hamilton wanted to have dinner with her and all her said was, “Sorry Miss but I was only told to come pick you up and bring you to mi’ Lord.”  That was the end of that conversation.  When they arrived at the estate she was awe stricken.  The estate was grand and magnificent.  The grounds were beautifully decorated with a lush garden.  The mansion it self was marvelous.  46

The driver, Hanson, helped her down and she stood there not knowing what to do.  When he started walking she just went by instinct and followed.  He led her to the house and through the doors.  The minute she entered the house she saw maids and butlers running all about.  One of them ran up to them.47

“Hi, I’m Mrs. Diana, you must be the lovely Ms. Cartiage.”  Emily felt a little left out.  Here everyone seemed to know who she was, but she had no clue who they were.  “Lord Hamilton is still out hunting for the afternoon.  But he had said that if you were to come before he returned, you should just make yourself at home.”  Then with that the maid led her through the eccentric halls and finally to a room.  “You can get refreshed and ready through that door.”  She pointed to a door across the room that seems like a mile long.  “By the time you get dress and ready he should surly be back.”  48

“Dress?”  Wasn’t she already dressed?49

“Yes sweetly.  Dress proper for dinner.”  Emily panicked.  She had not thought of bringing anything else for this trip.  She only had this dress.  Then before she could say anything Mrs. Diana had left.50

????51

It was 6 and she was all ready.  She had panicked before when she didn’t have another dress to change into but to her surprise, there was a beautiful pastel pink dress all laid out for her on the bed.  It was just her size also.  This Lord Hamilton must have planned everything.  She put up her hair elegantly and let a few strands fall down the side of her face.  She walked down stairs and found the kitchen, which Mrs. Diana had shown her earlier.  It had a table set for two with candles and flowers arranged on the table.  But still no Hamilton in sight.  52

“Emily.”  That voice.  She knew that voice.  She gulped and turned around.53

“Alexander?”  54

He smiled and stepped forward which was countered when she stepped back.  “Emily please.”55

“No.  You promised you would come back.”  She felt tears welling up in her eyes.  “No.”56

“Please Emily let me explain.”  She didn’t answer but just waited.  “My talk went longer then expected.  I came back Emily.  I swear to you I came back, but by the time I came there you were already gone.  I feared you would think I stood you up so I invited you here tonight.”57

“This is your house?”  He nodded.  “You’re Lord Hamilton?” 58

He bowed.  “Alexander Durston at your service or as some people might call me, Lord Hamilton.”  Her hand flew to her mouth as she gasped.  He was the renowned Lord Durston.  “Please Emily, forgive me.  I never meant to make you feel that way.”  He pleaded to her with his voice, eyes, and heart.59

How could she resist.  She knew in her heart that he was sincere.  She smiled behind her tears.  “Of course I forgive you.”  She ran up to him and hugged him tight.  60

She let go and looked lovingly into his sky blue eyes.  That was the minute she knew.  That she had fallen for him at first sight.  “I think I love you.”61

He smiled.  “I think I love you too.”  He then cupped her cheek caressing her skin with his thumb.  He brought his lips to hers and kissed her with all the passion that he had, pouring all his love into her.  Emily received and gave back her love as well.62