Nanny got up the next morning still feeling wonderful about the previous day. She brushed out her hair and wound it up into her usual knot, wondering if she could possibly ever do it again the way the girls had done the previous afternoon. While washing up, she noticed the rings once again, but still couldn't get them off. "Oh, honestly!" she muttered as she worked at them, achieving only a very sore and swollen knuckle for her efforts. "If I have to get them CUT off, Sir Wilkes will not be at all pleased, for sure, sure, sure!"

Giving up the fight with the rings, she ate her breakfast while looking over some of the pamphlets she had picked up the day before, trying to decide where she wanted to go this lovely day. Wilkes had offered to come with her, but she had no intentions of calling him to find out if he still felt that way. After all, it was not up to HER to do the asking for things like this! What if he had changed his mind? What if he changed his mind after she told him she still couldn't get the rings off?

While she was drinking her coffee, a knock came at the door, and when she answered, she found Wilkes smiling at her. "Nanny," he said. "Walter managed to acquire two tickets for My Fair Lady ... not tonight or tomorrow, but the night after that."

"Aoww, well done!" Nanny clasped her hands together, completely forgetting about the rings. "I DO so want to see that play!"

Then Wilkes said, "I've, er, I've made reservations for the two of us to go for dinner tonight to the Rainbow Room, on the sixty-fifth floor of the RCA building, if that suits you, Nanny. I was informed by Virginia yesterday that that was the thing to do and the place to go for dinner and dancing. She said you all had discussed it. I do hope I haven't blundered ..."

To her annoyance, Nanny blushed. "I was told we should go there, too, but really, I don't mean to ..."

"You would rather not? I had hoped perhaps you might enjoy it ..." He looked disappointed.

"Oh, no, no, no, that's not what I meant! Of COURSE I would enjoy it! But ... surely you have other things to do ..."

"There is nothing I would rather do than spend time with you, Nanny," Wilkes said softly, his own face flushing. "Perhaps today we could visit a few of the museums or art galleries, or some other place you wish to see? Before dinner, of course."

"I have some pamphlets ..." Nanny indicated her table, reaching for her glasses.

In moments, the two were seated looking at the various pamphlets and discussing where they should go. Wilkes said they could call a cab to take them to wherever they decided, and have an early lunch somewhere while touring, but added that he thought they should be back at the Plaza by five o'clock to give them time to get ready for the evening.

Accordingly, that is what they did. They started out at the American Museum of National History, then after a quick lunch at a small deli, they moved on to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the new art exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum, the Jewish Museum and the Museum of the City of New York. Although they weren't back until five-thirty that night, Wilkes assured Nanny that there was still plenty of time before their reservation, and said he would be by at six-thirty to escort her downstairs where they would have a cab waiting.

Nanny took extra care with her hair that night, patiently trying to coax it to go the way the girls had done it ... and for the most part was pleased with the result. Just for a moment she wished Eloise were there to help her pull her corset strings tighter, but quickly reminded herself that if Eloise were here, she and Wilkes would not be going out for dinner and dancing. Nanny's whole body quivered at the thought, although she wasn't sure if it was fear or excitement causing it. She carefully set her hat on the loose chignon, hoping it wouldn't all fall down when she removed the hat at the restaurant.

Wilkes arrived at her door promptly at six-thirty, looking very debonair in a black spring coat over his black tuxedo. He surprised her with a bouquet of lilacs, driving the thoughts of the rings out of Nanny's mind yet again. Wilkes admitted shamefacedly that Jean had reminded him of the need to give Nanny flowers. "I know you told Eloise roses were best, but the lilacs have such a ... heady, sensuous smell. They're so very ... springlike, you know."

Nanny accepted the bouquet carefully, hiding her surprise at his use of the word 'sensuous' when connected with HER. "I ... I'll just put these lilacs in water." She breathed in the erotic scent blissfully.

"You're beautiful, Nanny," he said suddenly, after sweeping his eyes down her voluptuous body encased in a long burgundy gown.

Ducking her head, Nanny whispered, "Thank you." The prim, high neckline and long sleeves belied the way the bodice molded and accentuated her ample breasts. Kay had given the dress to her the previous year, after Eloise had shown her the dress Nanny had worn to the Debutante Ball. Nanny now hurriedly found and filled a vase with water and the lilacs, then set the vase on the table.

"Shall we?" Wilkes held out the coat she had draped over a chair by the door and she slipped into it, then turned and took his arm, smiling.

Max didn't bat an eyelash as they rode down on the elevator, Miss Thompson beamed at them as they crossed the lobby, and Charlie helped Nanny into the taxi saying, "Enjoy yourselves, you two!"

Nanny couldn't help but wonder what her friends at the Plaza thought of her stepping out with Sir Wilkes ... the likes of him was not usually available at ALL as an escort for women in her position in life! She felt richly blessed ... and more than a little nervous.

When they had handed their coats and hats in to be checked at the restaurant, Nanny took Sir Wilkes' arm again, lifted her chin to rid herself of the butterflies in her stomach, and the two walked in to the Rainbow Room where the music was already swelling softly.

The maitre-d' met them with an obsequious smile. "Welcome, Sir Wilkes ... Madam ... Please, come this way."

He led them to a table near a window. "Is this table acceptable?" At their murmured agreement, he held the chair for Nanny to be seated, then said, "I wish you a wonderful evening."

"This is absolutely divine!" Nanny said, looking at the incredible view of New York at night. Then she faced Wilkes and put her hand out towards him across the table. "Thank you for bringing me here tonight. I ... it's hard to believe this is real, and not just a dream. I'm afraid I'm going to wake up any moment."

"This is not a dream, Nanny. This is very real." Wilkes covered her hand with his and looked at her earnestly. "You look beautiful. Even more beautiful than yesterday, if that is possible."

Nanny flushed, unable to think of anything to say. Fortunately, at that moment, the waiter arrived to take their orders. After fumbling in her purse for her glasses, Nanny was too flustered to choose something to eat the moment she caught sight of the prices. Oh my LORD, this was expensive! "You choose, Wilkes," she said faintly.

"What do you like to eat?" he asked, beginning to fret that he wouldn't pick something she liked.

"Anything ..." cheap, she wanted to add, but daren't.

The waiter spoke up. "If you like seafood, I would recommend the catfish."

Nanny tried to find that on the menu to check the price, but before she succeeded, the menu was taken out of her hands. "Nanny? Do you eat seafood?"

"Aoww, yes, yes, yes," she nodded.

"Very well, Madam. That comes with salad, soup, okra and rice. What would you like to drink?"

"I ..."

"Wine. White wine. The, er, house wine," Wilkes said, quickly. "I will have the same."

"Yes, sir. Very good, sir. I will be back with your wine in a moment."

Nanny put away her glasses, and when she had her wine, she took a gulp to give her some courage, and then smiled shakily at Wilkes. "I'm afraid I'm just not used to such ... elegance."

"It won't take long before you feel comfortable, Nanny," Wilkes smiled. "Look at the view we have of New York City at night ... and look at the view of the nightlife we have here in this room!" He indicated the revolving dance floor where a number of couples were already swaying to the strains of the live big band orchestra.

Nanny watched the dancers for a moment or two, then her eyes widened. Oh my Lord! Was that Mrs. Daniels? The woman turned slightly in the arms of her partner, and Nanny swallowed. It was Mrs. Daniels! She would recognize that botto anywhere! Then she smothered her smile at her naughty thought. After all, Mrs. Daniels really HAD been quite agreeable to her the last time they had met!

Wilkes' gaze followed Nanny's to the dance floor, and he was surprised when he, too, recognized the high society woman ... and the man with whom Mrs. Daniels was dancing. It was one of the men with whom he occasionally had an opportunity to do business ... one with whom he really didn't see eye to eye very often!

The waiter was back, then, bringing them both a garden salad with vinaigrette. The salad was followed by a clear tomato soup. Neither had ever eaten clear tomato soup before and were surprised that it really tasted like tomatoes, even though it didn't look like it. When they were finished with the soup, they were offered a shrimp cocktail, then the main course consisted of barbecued catfish with fried okra and scented rice.

When they had eaten the last bite of the main course, Nanny sat back in her chair and laid her napkin down. "That was absolutely divine, divine, divine! I'm so full I don't think I'm ever be able to move again."

"Perhaps we should ... work off some of that food?" Wilkes stood up and stepped around the table, holding out his hand to Nanny. "May I ask the lady for this dance?"

"I thank you, sir," she said gravely, and came to her feet.

They walked onto the dance floor, then he drew her into his arms and Nanny was caught unaware by a sudden wave of lust as a jolt of sexual awareness hit her. Who would have suspected that she would fit against him so perfectly, as though they had been custom-made for each other? Her hand felt hot in his, and he pulled her closer as they moved to the music. They turned in the shadows at the edge of the dance floor and her hip shifted against his for a brief, incendiary moment. Nanny closed her eyes and struggled to stay calm.

Then Wilkes bent his head and nuzzled her ear, murmuring, "You're a good dancer, Nanny! And you feel wonderful in my arms ..."

Nanny's heart started thumping wildly. "Don't ..." His breath feathered over her skin and desire flowed hotly through her veins. "Please ... don't ... please ... Sir Wilkes ..." If he kept up this tortuous flirtation, she was going to absolutely die! She could barely move as it was. Imagine how THAT would look, collapsing in the middle of the dance floor in public, for Lord's sake!

"Please call me Wilkes," was his whispered plea. "And Nanny, I really, REALLY want to kiss you. I NEED to ... right here ... right now ...."

"Ohhhh ..." The syllable came out a soft, helpless invitation, and he promptly took her up on it, their mouths fusing together even as they continued to sway in time to the music. Nanny's only thought was to cling tightly to him so she wouldn't slide into a melted puddle at his feet.

"Excuse me ... but aren't you Sir Wilkes ... from the Plaza Hotel?" Mrs. Daniels' strident tones broke Wilkes and Nanny apart quickly, Nanny almost staggering as she thrust herself out of his arms.

"Yes, yes, I am!" Wilkes said, hastily gathering his self-control. He bowed slightly in Mrs. Daniels' direction, ignoring the limp hand she held out. "Mrs. Daniels, I believe?"

"That's right." She looked pleased that he remembered her. "Oh, and this is ..."

"Mr. Jamieson." Wilkes nodded at the other man coolly. "We've met."

"Sir Wilkes." Mr. Jamieson returned the nod distantly. He studied Nanny for a moment, then looked back at Wilkes with his eyebrow raised insolently. "I understand you didn't take early retirement when it was offered to you last fall. I would have thought that once you hit sixty, you'd want to stay in England with family. I do know you go back often. You went over Christmas Day, didn't you? I hadn't heard you had come back. I KNOW you weren't back in February, because I needed to be in touch regarding some other matters. However, I see you finally made it back to New York ... and now I guess I know why. It looks as if you have found other pleasu ... or ... perhaps this is your older sister?"

Nanny's hand clenched at her side, and she almost swung at the man. How DARE he? Then his words sunk in. Wilkes was just SIXTY? Oh my Lord! She was almost SEVENTY!

"Jamieson ..." Wilkes sounded almost threatening.

"Sorry, old man," Mr. Jamieson smiled thinly. "I guess you're not exactly YOUNG, so no one can be accused of cradle-snatching."

"My sainted Aunt Fanny!" Nanny burst out, her fury boiling quickly.

Now Mrs. Daniels focussed on the hussy with whom Wilkes had been so scandalously making a public exhibition of himself and who now seemed to be set on raising an outcry on the dance floor, and realized with shock that she recognized the woman. "Nan ... Nanny? REALLY?"

"Mrs. Daniels." Nanny's chin came up and her eyes flashed. She would not back down.

"Her name is Elizabeth Anne," Wilkes said hurriedly, then realized he had no idea what her last name was. "If you will excuse us?"

Taking Nanny's arm, he led her back to their table, but not before hearing Mrs. Daniels exclaim, "Well, I NEVER! And she's wearing RINGS! He couldn't have MARRIED the woman, would he?"

"Wouldn't put it past him," her companion grumbled.

O o O o O o

Nanny and Wilkes sat in silence at their table for a moment, looking out over the twinkling lights of the city. At last Nanny murmured, "Your ... business associate ... said he had thought you would retire?"

"Yes. My sister wants me to ... says the flying back and forth so often between England and New York City was getting too much for me. When I turned sixty last year, the plan was for me to retire and remain in England, with family."

"But you didn't ..." Nanny longed to ask why, but felt she didn't have the right.

"No, I didn't. By then, there was another ... interest ... to keep bringing me back to New York." Wilkes' hand covered Nanny's left hand which was resting on the table, and his thumb began to caress it.

Nanny's heart jolted, then started racing as she stared down at his hand on hers. Timidly she looked up. "Another interest?"

He smiled slowly at her, and her heart turned over and seemed to stop.

"Aoww, I meant to return your rings!" she said in a rush, snatching her hand from his and beginning to fight again to slide the rings off her finger. Whether it was the heat in her body or her nervousness, Nanny wasn't sure, but the rings remained stuck fast.

"Return them?" Wilkes sounded puzzled. "They're yours, Nanny."

"But you can return them to the store." she argued. Then, as she tugged vainly at them, she began to babble. "They're much too fine an imitation to leave with me. What if I lose them?"

"LOSE them? My dear woman, I hardly think that's possible when they're firmly on your finger!" Wilkes sounded amused. Then his face changed imperceptibly. "Imitation? You think these are imitation? Do you mean ... not REALLY an engagement and wedding ring?"

"No, I mean not real stones ..." Nanny continued to struggle with the rings.

"They're not imitation. They're real," Wilkes' voice was gentle with understanding, but firm. "That is a real diamond, Nanny, and those are real sapphires ... sapphires the very colour of your eyes."

"Oh my LORD!" Nanny stopped twisting the rings and stared at him in horror. "REAL? Sir Wilkes! If these are real, they must have cost ...."

"They did," he interrupted dryly, "so kindly stop fiddling with them before you manage to get them off and lose them. Although even if you happened to do that, I wouldn't say a word. They are yours, Nanny. Not mine. Yours."

"Oh my LORD!" Nanny repeated, staring at her hand as if she wanted to cut it off and throw it far from her. "REAL?"

"And Nanny ... Elizabeth Anne, I'd like to make them real in another ..." Wilkes began hesitantly, but was interrupted when the waiter materialized at their table.

"Dessert, Madam? Sir?"

"Yes, yes, yes," Wilkes said, almost impatiently, waving the man away. "Anything. Thank you."

"Very good, sir. Our specialty tonight is a soufflé ..."

"That sounds delicious," Nanny said primly, folding her hands in her lap. She looked composed enough, but inwardly she was still shrieking with the shock of finding that she was most probably wearing hundreds, if not thousands of dollars worth of jewellery on her one finger. She had not been paying much attention to Wilkes when he had spoken just before the waiter had arrived, so when the man left, she looked at Wilkes and said, "S ... Wilkes, I simply cannot accept these rings ... not to KEEP, for Lord's sake! I - I thought you were going to return them in a day or two!"

"You ... you can't accept them?" Wilkes' face paled a little.

Then the waiter was back with their dessert, a delicious-looking soufflé made of cherries, hazelnuts and chocolate. "There you are!" he said with a flourish. "May I get you some coffee?"

Nanny nodded dumbly, staring down into her lap, still twisting the rings ... the REAL rings ... around on her finger.

"Very good, Madam. For you, sir?"

"Tea for me, please," Wilkes said after clearing his throat.

In silence once more, the two ate the dessert and drank their beverages. Nanny was now feeling that the entire evening had been a miserable failure. When Wilkes mutely offered the wine bottle, she held out her glass to be refilled. Why not? She drank it down and, not noticing his slight smile when he filled it up again, had another gulp.

"Nanny? Would you care to dance again? REALLY dance this time ..." Wilkes asked, a twinkle in his eyes.

Nanny hiccupped, then clapped her hand over her mouth in shame and horror. "Oh, Willy, I cannot apologize enough ...!"

He chuckled and stood up, holding out his hand. "Come. I think we both need to dance, and to allow ourselves the opportunity to enjoy this evening as it was meant to be enjoyed."

Nanny allowed him to lead her to the dance floor, reflecting that it was a good thing he was such a gentleman ... such a wonderful, sweet, loveable gentleman. While they were dancing, she closed her eyes and imagined that they were young and in love, with nothing to keep them apart. It was absolutely divine. She could have continued dancing in his arms for the rest of the night and for a good part of tomorrow as well!

O o O o O o

It was quite late when they returned to the Plaza. Nanny rummaged in her purse for her key, then fitted it into the door.

"Allow me," Wilkes murmured. He opened her door for her, and handed her back the key which she placed carefully in her purse.

"Thank you, Wilkes ..." she said faintly, holding out her hand to shake his. "I'll ... I'll try to remove the rings tomorrow morning, and will get them to you ..."

"Yes, of course. If that is your wish. Good night ... Elizabeth Anne." He took her hand and tugged lightly, stepping closer to her as he drew her to him. Then his lips were on hers again. Nanny moaned softly as she wound her arms around his neck and met his passion with all the fire in her own body that had been building over the last few days. It was an intimate kiss, a kiss that could lead so quickly and easily to ...., well, to where Nanny wasn't sure she was quite ready to go. Not yet ... no, not yet ... not yet ...

Nanny pulled back, sucking air into her lungs. Wilkes' chest was shaking a bit, too, and his breath came raggedly. He ran a slightly shaking hand over his head. "I ... I wasn't ... I didn't know ... Perhaps we should ..." His eyes flickered into her room, then down to the floor.

Despite all the emotions reeling through Nanny, she almost smiled. They COULD take it further. They were certainly old enough. They were alone. They had no responsibilities tonight OR for the next few days! Excitement rippled through her, quickening her pulse again and stealing her breath. And with the excitement came fear ... fear that maybe she wasn't ready, despite everything. "We - we probably shouldn't ..." she said breathlessly, wondering if she hoped he would agree or disagree.

Still breathing hard himself, Wilkes sounded almost resigned. "Right ... we ... we probably ... should ... not ..."

Trying not to sigh with disappointment, Nanny said hesitantly, "There ... there is always ... tomorrow ..." She didn't want to, but she couldn't help but wonder if he had ever thought about the age difference between them ... if he knew or cared about it! What if ... what if he thought about it and, well ... decided he did NOT want someone nine years older than himself? What if his family felt the same way as his business associate obviously had felt?

"It's just ... I've been wanting to kiss you for a very long time now." Wilkes admitted huskily, and her fears and doubts began to subside slowly.

Nanny swallowed hard, then whispered, "We haven't known one another for a very long time."

"That's my misfortune ... and I'm hoping we ... might correct that. In the next few days. Before Eloise returns ... you know ..."

Touching his face timidly with her hand, Nanny said, "I'm not sure ..."

Wilkes sucked in his breath, then let it out slowly. "You kissed me like you were sure!" His heated gaze again swept over her face, focussing on her lips. His eyes had darkened with the passion he was feeling, and she instinctively felt that he was distancing himself from the emotions he was struggling to contain.

She felt all hot and flushed. Where was the gentle, almost timid Wilkes she had thought she knew? "Sir Wilkes ..."

"Shh," he said, drawing her close once more, his lips grazing her neck just above her coat collar. "It's all right. I won't push. Not tonight. Just kiss me again, Nanny."

She did, her heart bursting with a new sensation, an urgency that made her nervous. Oh, she wanted him, needed him ... but it was out of the question! He was a KNIGHT! Not only was he above her station, but she was much too old for him, much, much, much! Again her body reacted to his touch, and it took all her efforts to turn her head away from his voracious kisses that had grown in intensity when she had yielded to him. She pushed at him weakly with her hands. "I ... I can't ..."

"If ... if you're worried and ... afraid ... about, well, about being ... intimate ..." Wilkes was breathing hard, trying to control himself. "I don't expect that ... not yet ..." His hands remained linked around her back, holding her close enough that she could feel his arousal.

Nanny flushed. Not YET? "I'm ... I'm not so much afraid of ... intimacy ... for Lord's sake!" she mumbled. "I just ... well, you do things to me, just by looking at me, that make me BLUSH! I've never had that happen before."

To her utter amazement, Wilkes started to laugh. Just a little chuckle, but it was still enough to light up his face, and he became again the beloved companion of the last few days.

Nanny slumped against him, no longer able to fight her own longings. "I don't want to be like this," she sighed and tried to explain. "I WANT us to ... like each other. I always have, for Lord's sake! I'm just so ... nervous ... of what I'm feeling. It's ... it's not LADYLIKE to feel these things ... to want these things ... to need more, more, more ..."

Wilkes lifted her chin and looked at her intently. Then his hand cupped her cheek. "What we're feeling is normal ... the kind of thing we all hope to feel at least once in our lives. Elizabeth Anne, there is no shame in being attracted to someone ... and in following the dream of a new beginning ... even at our age." The husky urgency in his voice offered her his promise. "Good night, Nanny. I'll see you tomorrow." He gave her a little push into the suite. "Go ... before I join you."

Reluctantly, Nanny went.

O o O o O o To be continued......