Chapter 21
Lilith paced around her room wondering what she was supposed to wear for her late lunch with Kent.
The gowns were so beautiful, she was so indecisive.
"What on earth am I going to wear?" She thought to herself falling back on her bed.
"I don't want it to be too much or too little either. It needs to be just right." She thought loudly.
She tried on some of the gowns but so far one was too casual and the other was something you'd wear to a ball. It was way too serious.
A knock came at the door startling Lilith from her thoughts.
"Miss? Are you in there?"
"Oh yes, I am."
"Someone is here to see you."
Lilith's heart pounded heavily in her chest. "Could it be Kent?" She thought to herself, smiling eagerly.
"I'll be right out! Is the Lord Kent?" She asked, smiling until her cheekbones hurt.
"I'm afraid not Miss."
"Oh-" Her voice dropped a few pitches, her tone indicating sadness.
"May I come in Miss?"
"You may. I need help with something."
The person came in as Lilth bent down to pick up a pillow that had fallen.
"Would you please help me with my corset?"
"Of course." The familiar voice said.
She walked to the mirror, her head bent down as the person tightened up her corset.
She stood there looking at her ground fixated not even noticing when the person called her continuously.
"Miss!" The person said, shaking her strongly.
She looked up suddenly out of her trance looking at the person behind her.
"Beth!" She shouted in surprise, her eyes widening.
Beth laughed, opening her arms to give Lilith a big hug.
"I never expected to see you! I'm so elated." Lilith said bursting with joy.
"I had resumed yesterday then I thought to give you a big surprise today. I didn't know you'd be so glum and not even notice until you saw me in the mirror." Beth said her mouth turned to a pout.
"I'm sorry," Lilith said, hugging her tightly. "It wasn't intentional I promise. I was just thinking about it a lot and I thought you were someone else."
"Of course," Beth said, rolling her eyes. "You thought I was the Lord and your expression and tone turned inside out when you found out it wasn't me."
Lilith laughed, throwing her head back. "We have a late lunch planned today and I have nothing to wear." She said plummeting her body onto the bed.
"Nothing to wear?" Beth said, looking in shock at the wardrobe filled with clothes.
"They may seem like a lot but none just fit the occasion."
"It's just lunch, Lilith."
Lilith stuffed her face into her pillow groaning.
"I'll help you pick something," Beth said with a wide smile.
"You will?" Her eyes were shining. "Thank you so much, Beth."
Beth helped Donna pick a simple yet beautiful dress. The base, rich linen of sky blue, and the bodice with stringed beads around the sweetheart neckline, bow strings at the hands, and a bow just below the corset.
"Oh Beth this is beautiful," Lilith said, turning around in circles.
She then put on some simple flats, leaving her hair as it was in the morning.
A knock came at the door.
"Miss?"
"Yes?"
"The Lord is back and waiting for you in the garden."
"Oh thank you."
Lilith let out a deep breath, patting her red cheeks slightly.
"Look at you all reddened," Beth said with a smile.
"Oh please. How do I look?" Lilith asked, giving her a big spin.
"All good. Now go."
Lilith let out a deep breath finally making her way to the garden.
She let out a gasp seeing the beautiful garden. The flowers were in full bloom and butterflies and the birds were chirping sounding delightful today and in the middle of it, all was Kent.
Her pupils dilated as she hungrily drank in his figure. She stood in a trance as she took in every bit and spec of him.
Kent noticed a very heavy stare and he turned to meet Lilith's hungry eyes.
"I apologize if I'm late." He said, flashing a big smile at her.
"It's alright. You're just on time."
They smiled at each other. Lilith walked slowly to the table in the hope Kent moved out of a chair for her to sit down.
"Thank you." She said sweetly.
He gave her a napkin which she set on her lap and he began to explain the food on the wide table.
"This is some kale seaweed salad and a side of berries and these are some crackers with cheese." He paused holding up a bottle of wine. " I can't quite remember what flavor this wine is but it has been said to be the best of the best and the other things are just an assortment of fruit and sorbet."
"They all look ravishing," Lilith said ogling the food.
"You truly do," Kent replied, looking at her.
"What was that?" She asked, confused.
"Nothing of the sort. It wasn't important. Let's eat." He said, grabbing his fork and digging into his chicken.
An awkward silence followed.
"You-" They both said at the same time.
They laughed.
"You can continue," Kent said smiling.
"The steward said you had some urgent matters to attend to. Have they been resolved?"
"Oh yes. I do hope so. It was Miss Donna's father I had a meeting with."
"Miss Donna from the ship?"
"That one precisely. Donna had told her beloved father that you pushed her off the edge into the sea and tried to strangle her."
"But I didn't," Lilith said furrowing her brows.
"I know. We all know. But a privileged man chooses to believe his snobby stuck-up daughter over everyone."
"So what'd he say?"
"Oh not much. He just made some false allegations."
"Oh." She said chewing slowly.
"How'd you like the food?"
"It tastes nice."
"Thank you for this," Lilith said, flashing a smile at him.
"For what?"
"For making time for me out of your busy schedule to eat with me even though you owe me nothing."
"It's alright. I love to eat with you. It's calming."
They ate in comfortable silence enjoying each other's company.