Chapter 3: Meeting

The city was bustling with all kinds of people, market stands, and delicious smells. Lily's mouth watered as she inhaled the scent of honeyed duck and sweet onion. It was amazing here. Lily got excited inside when she took in her surroundings. She knew the feeling was fleeting when she heard her grandmother's words. "Lily dear, we can not dawdle!" Lily returned to reality. "Oh yes, I am being sold off this afternoon." She thought. "Happy 16th birthday to me.."

The 2 story townhome located in the middle of the stuffy city surprised Lily. She was a country girl after all and yet it was charming and had a certain homey feel to it. Her grandmother knocked on the door as an older man with gray hair and a tailored suit opened it slightly. "Can I help you?" He said begrudgingly. "Good afternoon Sir, I am Nanita Thorne and this is Lily Faye Thorne." She is to be betrothed to the young master here.."

"Ahh yes!" The man suddenly had a burst of politeness. "Please come in." "I am Gerald, the young master's caretaker, but you can call me Gerry if you desire young miss" Geralds eyes focused on Lily, measuring her worth by her outward appearance. "This way." Gerald whispered in an almost creepy manner. The house was dark and dreary and smelled moldy. Lily already felt claustrophobic rounding the small corners to enter a library in the back of the house. The room was huge and Lily smiled. She was too poor to learn how to read but always wanted too. She felt a glimmer of hope at something to look forward too. "Young master, she is here." Gerald spoke softly.

A deep and sultry voice pulled me forward into the room and our eyes met. "Hello there."

"Hello" my voice trilled. I felt knots in my stomach and my face felt flushed. I have never seen such a beautiful man in my life. He was very tall. My eyes traced the clothes tightly shaping his muscular body. Up to his knees, his broad chest then his thick neck,.... I gulped as the lump in my throat grew larger. His face was gorgeous. He had honey colored eyes, full pink lips and not a blemish in sight. His jawline could cut glass. His hair was down to his waist, dark brown almost black in color and tied back. He walked towards me, almost floating and turned his head down to look me in my eyes. "Welcome home my beauty." His words melted like soft butter.