It took everything I had to gather myself. I couldn't avoid him, not even if I wanted to.
With steady steps, I made my way back to the dinning room and was greeted by an enchanting voice playing over the gramophone.
The silky voice made my hairs stand on end. The lyrics were an ode to a love story. Not mine, I thought as I slowed my steps and halted in the doorway.
There he was gazing out the window with a glass of bourbon in his hand and a faraway expression plastered all over his face. He looked downhearted.
" You look sad," I said as I walked inside the room, as he turned to me smiling. On any other day, he would have fooled me, but at that moment I noticed that there was a certain bitterness in that smile.
" No. Just wondering if the table is sturdy enough," He quipped as she placed the glass on the window sill, and turned to face me.
" It's solid oak. I think it's safe to say, it's sturdy enough," I quipped back, and glanced at the table. He'd finished setting it up. I hadn't done much, other than polishing the glasses.
He nodded, humming, " An accurate observation. We should get dressed," He glanced at his watch, with furrowed brows," They should be here in thirty minutes," He added as he pushed himself off the bay window, and ambled his way towards the door walking on the opposite side of the table.
Following him with my eyes, I watched him saunter out of the dining room, dejected.
It felt unreal, or at least I hoped it was unreal how bad things were between us.
When I walked back inside the room, I went through the motions and pulled out a long-sleeved paisley blue dress, and the sandals he'd gifted me the night of the charity ball. I stared at my reflection, reminiscing on the moments my mother wore the very same dress. It was one of her favourites.
It wasn't the most glamorous outfit, but it covered what it needed to be covered, and didn't look half bad. With that thought in mind, I reached for the door and opened it to step out, hoping that the night wouldn't turn into a fiasco.
Misfortune seemed to follow me incessantly, I thought when Mason appeared at the door at the same time as I did.
Clearing my throat, I was the first one to move and caught a glance of his bedroom, before he shut the door behind him.
" Why do you have purple curtains?" I asked as we walked side by side towards the kitchen.
" It was supposed to be your bedroom," He said as he shoved his hands in his pockets, smiling.
" I don't like purple," I giggled, fidgeting with my hands, trying to figure out what should I do with them. I had no pockets, no belt loops.
" Try telling Enid that," He quipped as we both stepped into the corridor leading to the kitchen and the delicious smell that wafted to my nose made me drool.
" You haven't eaten your sandwich," He noted halting his steps a few paces away from the kitchen.
" It wasn't mine," I whispered, hugging myself, still unsure what to do with my hands.
He hummed, smiling," Have you eaten anything today apart from breakfast?" He asked with quirked brows.
" No. I was busy, doing this and that," I whispered glancing towards the kitchen. Even though we were just speaking, the thought of Enid coming out of the kitchen and catching us, made me anxious.
" Let's see what's for dinner," He said with levity as he tipped his chin towards the kitchen, and moved his feet.
" Well, well," Enid amusedly said as we stepped into the kitchen," Look who has finally decided to grace us with their presence," She added chuckling, as she slipped out of her apron, and passed it to Mason.
" I need to get changed. Could you please help Harriet place everything on the trolleys and take it to the dining room," Enid said as she wiped her hand on the tea towel, a little frantic.
" Sure. What's for dinner?" Mason asked as he slipped the apron over his head and slowly made his way to the kitchen counter.
" Beef tartare, confit leg with rabe, and chocolate mousse," Enid replied as she made her way out of the kitchen, while Mason began loading the food on the trolleys with Harriet.
" Mr Kinnaird, " Harriet raised her head, and paused to look at me when the knock on the door trickled through to the kitchen.
Sighing," Do you mind getting that, Lily, " He said as he turned around holding a big tray," I'll be there in just a minute," He added as I made my way out of the door.
Angst quickly crept up on me, and I had no clue as to why. My stomach was in knots, as I approached the large mahogany door, with measured steps.
With one deep breath, I reached for the door and opened it, only to be greeted by a very spiffy-looking couple and a young man in his early twenties.
" Oh, dear" The woman exclaimed, bringing her hand to her mouth, embarrassed, " Darling, I think we got the wrong house," She added tittering, " We do apologise for the intrusion, dove," Dove? What? The heavy northern accent indicated that they were the people we were expecting.
" Is this Kinnaird residence?" She asked before I even had a chance to gather my witts.
" Yes. Good evening, Mr and Mrs Withmore. I'm Lily. Please, do come in," I politely said as I stepped aside to allow them to come in.
" Darling, isn't she such a sweet little dove," She said, giggling as they stepped inside along with the young man, who just nodded and tipped his hat in greeting.
" Yes, yes darling. She is lovely. Now, if you don't mind where is Master Kinnaird, young lassie," Landore asked as he helped his wife take off her heavy fur coat, and handed it to me.
" In the kitchen, " I stammered, pointing in the general direction of the kitchen and praying for Mason and Enid to come to my rescue, or anyone, for that matter.