Thanks to the grudging agreement of Mrs. Thornton to sit in Nanny's suite for two hours as long as Eloise was asleep and wouldn't likely awaken, and if she could go back to her own suite at 11:30 p.m., Wilkes and Nanny had their 'date' in the Oak Room two nights later, shortly after 9:00 p.m. Nanny, as she was primping after changing out of her usual white blouse and into a light blue satiny blouse, hoped that he wouldn't think she was merely a silly old woman to be fussing with herself!
When he called for her, however, she could only see warm admiration in his eyes... and that caused her to quickly drop her own gaze shyly. In the Oak Room, Wilkes ushered her to a table in a corner away from the usual card game and accompanying smoke, and signalled to the waiter who came bustling up. Nanny placed her purse at her feet, and edged her legs away from Wilkes', although there didn't seem to be much room to move as it was a small table and the two chairs were very close together.
"Nanny? I was thinking of having a rum toddy, but what would you prefer?"
"A rum toddy sounds good, good, good!" Nanny agreed quickly, looking at Wilkes with a slightly nervous smile and twisting her hands together in her lap. It would be nice to have something warm to occupy her hands, for Lord's sake!
The liquor helped her relax, as did Wilkes' easy manner when he began speaking about having to leave the following afternoon for his week of business meetings, and they conversed quietly for quite a while, enjoying each other's company immensely. At one point, Wilkes leaned forward to speak to Nanny earnestly, his hand covering hers... and when he sat back, he kept a firm hold of her hand. Nanny tried tentatively a couple of times to wriggle free, just in case the hand-holding had not been intentional, but his fingers merely tightened around hers, so finally she sat back and enjoyed the sensations as well. Indeed, he spent much of his time wrapping a paper napkin around her fingers one at a time, making it seem as though it was something for his hands to do while they talked. She never noticed when he finally slipped the napkin into his jacket pocket after marking with his thumbnail the size of her ring finger on her left hand.
"I've heard that the happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have," Wilkes said, contemplatively, staring down at their clasped hands and rubbing his thumb gently on her sensitive skin. "It seems to me that you are the... happiest person I have ever met!" Then he added in a low voice, looking at Nanny tenderly, "At least, you know, that is how you appear to me!"
"Aoww, Willy, thank you," Nanny flushed and looked down, and caught sight of her watch. "Aoww my stars, stars, stars, is that the time? It's after midnight! I really should be getting back upstairs, since Mrs. Thornton has gone home, leaving Eloise alone. She's only six, you know. And I suppose I must get to bed before I turn into a pumpkin, for Lord's sake!"
Once upstairs, Nanny unlocked her door then turned to thank Wilkes for the evening. His hands coming up to rest on her shoulders, he drew her closer and kissed her. Nanny's surprise quickly turned into ardour. She tasted the rich flavour of the rum toddy they had had and desire shuddered through her so intensely that she moaned, suddenly confused and afraid. She knew it was dangerous to enjoy his kisses so much, too risky to often permit what could surely become an addictive pleasure. She told herself dazedly that she was grateful, not full of regret, when he released her and whispered "Goodnight, Nanny," before gently nudging her into her suite and closing the door between them.
Wilkes walked jauntily (albeit somewhat jerkily because of his intense arousal after that kiss) back to his own room, feeling as though he should be dancing and kicking up his heels! This last kiss definitely rivalled The Kiss! Judging by her response to his kisses, Nanny might well be disposed to accept his marriage proposal very soon! Perhaps he should consider speaking with Kay if she arrived before he had to leave on the morrow, sounding Kay out as to her plans for Nanny's future looking after Eloise... and he would definitely be looking for rings while he was away now that he had a measurement!
The next morning, Wilkes waited to see Bill arrive with breakfast for the occupants of 1627 before stepping out of his own suite and making his way down the hallway.
"Ah, good morning, Eloise!" he said to the child who was peering around the doorway in his direction. "Up and about early again today, I see!"
"Maman phoned this morning early, early, early, to say she would be here in two days to take me, Eloise, to France with her!"
"To France?" Wilkes parroted, looking at Nanny inquiringly. Was she going too?
"Yes! To Paris," Eloise gave the city its French pronunciation. "Isn't that absolutely divine?" She twirled around giddily.
"Divine, divine, divine," Nanny said, briskly, "And I'm sure the two of you will 'ave a marvellous time!"
"Er, you are not going, Nanny?" Wilkes asked.
"I 'aven't been asked yet." Nanny shrugged, but he detected in her eyes a faint hurt. "Kay might 'ave need of my services in France, but she 'asn't said anything yet."
Now Wilkes was cursing inwardly because he had to be out of town the day Kay arrived and for the following week, which made him realize that he would be missing quite a bit of possible quality time with Nanny... alone. He resolved to see if it was at all possible to hurry his business so that he might return to the city as soon as possible, preferably shortly after Kay and Eloise left so as to maximize his time with Nanny.
Accordingly, upon completion of his work, Wilkes found himself back in New York City in a record four days. He was most delighted because, along with his work, he had managed to accomplish the very happy task of purchasing an engagement ring and a set of wedding bands to match. Now to get his courage up to ask Nanny for her hand in marriage!
That very afternoon, after setting his suitcase inside the door of his suite, he retraced his steps down the hall and knocked on Nanny's door. After waiting for what seemed a long time, he knocked again, a trifle impatiently. Wasn't anyone at home? Not even the dog? There was no sound of barking from behind the door. He checked his watch. Half three. Once more, he knocked... and the door swung open to reveal a tousled, sleepy-eyed Nanny who stifled a shriek upon seeing him.
"Sir Wilkes! Aoww, my Lord! I must say, I wasn't expecting to see you for a few more days..." She tried frantically to smooth her hair down, tucking a few stray strands behind her ear.
"I disturbed you, Nanny... I do apologize!" Wilkes said repentantly.
"Naow, naow, naow, it's all right. I was, er... trying to read..." She held up the reading glasses dangling from the chain around her neck, then smiled ruefully, "but I'm afraid I found the book rawther boring, boring, boring."
Wilkes chuckled, then said, "I was, er... wondering if Kay and Eloise are still here in the city."
Nanny shook her head. "Naow, they left yesterday," was her brief response.
"So they will be in France now?"
"I believe they were going to London, first." Nanny said steadily, but again he caught sight of dim pain in her lovely blue eyes.
Unable to stop himself, he took her hands in his and said urgently, leaning a little closer, "Nanny, why do you not go with them? Kay does invite you, as a member of the family, does she not? Did you, er, choose to stay behind this time?"
Nanny's eyes fell. She took a long breath, then firmed her lips and looked back at him, determination in her eyes. "I was not given the choice this time, as per usual. But 'ad it been my choice, I would have chosen to, er... stay 'ere... with... well... I 'oped I might see..." Her voice trailed off and she flushed, looking away again.
"You... hoped...?" Wilkes prompted her. Then he eased the way by saying softly, still holding her hands tightly in his, "I am hoping you were going to say that you hoped you might see... me, perhaps?"
A fleeting smile of agreement crossed her face, but she didn't look at him. Instead, she studied his tie.
"Nanny, would you do me the honour of dining with me this evening in the Rose Room?" Wilkes asked, plunging directly into the question he wanted to ask.
Her eyes raised to his almost incredulously, then they sparkled with her joy. "I would love, love, love it, Wilkes!" she breathed.
"You would? Splendid!" Wilkes beamed. Her eyes were simply magnificent when she was delighted! "Seven o'clock?"
Nanny nodded, her heart suddenly lighter than it had been for days. Wilkes squeezed her hands one more time, then raised them to his lips before releasing her and whistling happily as he went back to his room. Both of them could hardly wait for the intervening three hours to pass before they could be together again... alone!
Dressing carefully for her dinner with Wilkes, Nanny applied a bit of eye shadow, mascara and blush as well as her usual lipstick, and smoothed the elegant jacket of the new royal blue dress that made her look much slimmer than she was in reality. She had seen the dress in the store window a month ago and hadn't been able to resist trying it on, then buying it after seeing herself in the mirror. She hadn't been sure if she would ever have the opportunity to wear it, but now was thrilled that it was a dinner with Wilkes which would be the first occasion. All her extra effort getting ready for the dinner was repaid with interest the moment she opened the door to Wilkes and saw his eyes widen and heard his breath hitch as he took in her appearance.
"N...Nanny, you look... resplendent," he managed to stammer. "I mean, not... not that you don't always look, you know... lovely... but..."
Her chuckle stopped him, and after a moment he grinned sheepishly. "It is indeed an honour, Nan, to escort you downstairs," he said sincerely. "No wonder Kay keeps you shackled to Eloise so that no man dares snatch you from her employ... if I am not careful, another man will be trying to steal you from me tonight!"
Now Nanny blushed and fumbled for her purse, biting her lip as she slipped the key to the suite into it. She hoped she could survive this evening without making a fool of herself, and still have beautiful memories to cherish for the rest of her life! "My sainted Aunt Fanny, Sir Wilkes, you won't 'ave to worry about that 'appening ever!" The moment those words left her lips, she cringed inwardly. Did that sound as if she was planning to be firmly stuck to him for the rest of his life? She had meant to just say tonight... hadn't she?
"I sincerely hope you are correct," he said firmly, thinking of the engagement ring safely tucked in his inner jacket pocket. "Shall we?"
Nanny slipped her arm into the crook of the elbow he held out to her, and they stepped out. Nanny was so deliriously happy she could only pray that her admiration, awe and yearning for the knight escorting her this evening was not displayed too, too, too obviously on her face. How attractive that would be for Sir Wilkes to be forced to view, for Lord's sake!
Dinner was absolutely wonderful, surpassing anything Nanny had ever experienced. For the first time in her life, she was treated as someone more special than anyone else in the world; her every whim was indulged, her every utterance given Wilkes' complete attention, her every movement followed by admiring eyes. In return, she exerted herself to do the same for him, with the result that dinner was indeed an experience the two would never, ever forget. Both fell more and more deeply in love with the other.
Once again, Wilkes captured her hand while they were drinking their coffee after the meal, and his fingers were warm and caressing as they smoothed over hers and curled around to hold her hand firmly imprisoned in his. He was certain now that he would ask her to marry him when they got upstairs to her suite, and he was very hopeful indeed that she would say yes! He helped her stand when it came time to leave, and they walked out of the restaurant hand in hand... both of them quite certain that this night was not over yet. The desire that had heightened over dinner kept their hearts beating faster even now, their bodies primed for the lovemaking that seemed destined to happen. Tonight.
As they were leaving the Rose Room, however, the night desk clerk hurried up to them breathlessly. "I've been trying to locate you, Nanny," he said. "You just got a telegram from overseas!"
Nanny's face paled after she had ripped it open and scanned the few lines, and she swayed a bit.
"Trouble?" Wilkes asked worriedly, his arm on her elbow to steady her.
"I... I don't know," Nanny murmured, re-reading the telegram. "I do 'ope not, but..." She read it a third time, then looked at Wilkes helplessly. "It's from Kay. I... all she says is to come to England right away – to a certain 'otel where she 'as booked a room... she said I'm needed urgently and to come as soon as possible. What if... what if something 'as 'appened to Eloise?"
Wilkes looked around and saw that the desk clerk had stepped away so as not to appear to be listening. He thought furiously for a moment, but couldn't think of what to say next.
Nanny took a couple of tentative steps towards the elevator, then faltered and half-turned back to Wilkes.
"What is it, Nanny?" Wilkes asked.
"Should... do you 'ave any idea 'ow I might get in contact with someone overseas? When all I 'ave is the name of the 'otel?"
"Are Kay and Eloise staying at that hotel she has given you?"
"I don't know!" Nanny admitted again. "It's entirely possible, but..."
"Well," Wilkes said practically, "I suppose we should go up to your suite and ring the hotel. Kay should be there, I would think, and if so, you can get your answers directly from her."
"I suppose so..." Nanny, almost worried sick now that something was drastically wrong with the little girl she had loved and looked after for six years, hurried to the elevator and stood twisting her hands around the straps of her purse while waiting for the lift to reach the top floor, the telegram still clenched in one hand.
Fumbling with the key, Nanny dropped it when she finally got it out of her purse, and Wilkes' warm, steady fingers covered hers and took the key from her, inserting it in the lock and opening the door. He followed her in, and ushered her over to the sofa where she could sit and talk on the telephone. As Nanny was too, too, too flustered to dial the overseas operator, Wilkes took the liberty of doing it, reading the hotel name from the telegram he had had to ease from Nanny's now icy fingers.
Nanny struggled to talk with the desk clerk at the hotel, but couldn't make herself understood on the rawther noisy line. When the desk clerk asked her to repeat herself for the fourth time, Nanny mutely passed the receiver to Wilkes, a pleading look in her eyes. Long, frustrating moments later, Wilkes slammed the telephone receiver down and smothered a curse. Kay was not at that hotel, although it was true that she had booked a suite in her name for a week beginning the next night. The desk clerk had no idea where the woman who had booked the room was now, whether or not she had a child with her, what the state of health was of either woman or child, and furthermore, he was "not at liberty to give out any more information than that over the telephone." After saying this, the clerk had disconnected.
Nanny nodded jerkily when Wilkes passed on the meagre bit of information he had managed to get and, unable to sit still, began to pace the floor, a frown on her face, as she nibbled on her thumb. Wilkes, looking at her, quickly realized that Nanny might not be able to negotiate the ins and outs of aeroplane travel on her own in the state she was currently in. Of course, by the time she got a flight over to England, she could well have recovered somewhat... although if she never heard any more from Kay, she would continue to fret about the child's welfare. He hesitated a moment, then announced, "Nanny, I'm going to fly to England with you tomorrow, just in case there is something I might be able to do to help."
"Aoww, Sir Wilkes, no, no, no! I couldn't possibly ask that of you!" Nanny said, but he had seen the relief flare in her eyes.
"Tosh, tosh, tosh, Nanny, you did not ask it of me, I offered. Freely. I was going to go anyway, you know. In another couple of weeks. I can go now. I'll spend one night in London... just until you have met with Kay and we learn the reason for her telegram. If there is nothing more I can do, I will arrange for my late brother's driver to pick me up and take me back to the estate."
"Are you sure, sure, sure?" Nanny asked falteringly. "I... I would not want to put you out..."
"Anything I can do to help, I will, Nanny. Shall I arrange for our aeroplane tickets now?"
"Please..." she begged him, and he fought down the urge to gather her close and kiss her trembling lips until she was smiling and happy again. This was definitely not the time for kisses, nor, unfortunately, for engagement rings.
It didn't take long until he had arranged to have two tickets waiting for them at the airport at four the next afternoon, for the flight at six in the evening. He knew it wouldn't take Nanny long to pack her things, so didn't urge her to start, although it might have given her something useful to do. Indeed, far into the night she continued to pace the suite and wring her hands, occasionally bursting out with questions that he tried patiently to answer, all the while tamping down his growing desire to kiss her until she forgot all her worries. He offered her a drink, but when she took the brandy, she only had a few sips before setting the glass down and apparently forgetting all about it.
At last, seeing Nanny was exhausted yet still too upset to rest without something to relax her, Wilkes drew her down to sit beside him on the sofa and encouraged her to take off her shoes and put her feet up with an afghan to cover her legs. He soothed her with wordless crooning, cradling her in his arms, smoothing her back with his hand and letting her find a bit of comfort and rest in his compassionate embrace. Gradually her trembling eased and she relaxed against him. When she finally was sleeping soundly, he carefully shifted so that she was lying on the sofa, and then he arranged the afghan over her shoulders as well as her legs, kissed her cheek softly, and let himself out of her suite without a sound.
Wilkes snatched a bit of sleep himself in the few hours left of the night, but woke early. He then busied himself packing up his own belongings for the summer and writing letters to his business associates in North America, offering sincere apologies for the lack of notice but stating firmly that all further concerns must be referred to the main office in England from now on, as he was retiring effective immediately. A final couple of telephone calls were to the vicar of the parish in which his castle and the family estate were located, as well as to the Archbishop of Canterbury who happened to be an acquaintance of his.
Then he spent the next hour pondering the workings of Kay's mind... a woman who would treat someone like Nanny with such carelessness! Nanny had been abandoned in New York City without even the dog or turtle, since Eloise had insisted they go with her to Europe, then had been summoned with no information as to the reason or health of the child she loved... And why would Nanny put up with such treatment for any length of time? Perplexed, Wilkes shook his head. Women! He would never understand them!
O o O o O o to be continued