He laughed and said, 'You're so refreshing, a London girl would never think to say anything like that. Besides, the pleasure is all mine. I watched you in the office and I was hoping' that you would go out with me.'
She could feel the color rise in her cheeks as she knew that she was blushing. It was like learning how to date all over again. She had known Peter almost all her life and she hoped that she wouldn't forget what she was supposed to do and say with a date. She never known many men, but it looked as though she would have to learn if she were going to get along in London.
'Think you can stand one more drink before we order? I'll get you something to nibble on in the meantime, but I think we should wait for Jessica and Andrew before we, order the main course. All right with you?' He smiled gently.
'That's fine,' she replied. 'I feel so much better now, I guess I was just nervous back there.'
He motioned for the waiter and ordered two more drinks and when they arrived, he bowed slightly and said, 'Thank you, Duncan.'
Duncan Jones, so that was his name! She was glad that she wouldn't have to ask him or call him Mr. Jones, it would have seemed so rude. They nursed their drinks and waited for the other two; but in half an hour, they still were not there.
'Looks like we have been stood up,' Duncan joked. 'Want to go ahead and order?'
'I guess we'd better. I'd hate to go into work the second day with a terrible hangover and I'm sure that I'll have a gigantic one if we don't eat soon..''
She wondered why Jessica hadn't joined them, but Duncan didn't seem to mind and she was sure that she could trust him and she would see Jessica later at the hotel.
They ate a long, leisurely dinner and talked, mostly about him and the office, what his hopes were and why he was in London and with this particular firm.
'Hope I haven't bored you, you've just about had my whole life story and I know so little about you.'
'There's not much to tell really,' she told him, hoping that he wouldn't pry.
She did tell him that she had been married and had moved to the city for a fresh start and let it go at that. If they were going to see each other again, here would be plenty of time for more extensive confidences.
'There's a quiet lounge with a piano, perfect an after-dinner drink if you're up to it. I know this has been a hectic first day and I don't want to tire you out in the first few hours.'
She laughed, he was being so thoughtful that she nodded and told him that she would stop for just one drink, then she really did have to get back to the hotel.
'Why a women's residence?' he asked. 'Afraid of the London wolves?' His eyes were sparkling, teasing her as he spoke.
'Not exactly,' she retorted. 'I don't know my way around the city, and I wasn't sure where I would he working, so I decided it would be smart to wait'
'Ah, a sensible as well as beautiful girl, you're a rare breed, my dear Gillian.'
They said goodnight to Joseph and the waiter and began to walk up the large now not so crowded, tree-lined avenue. It seemed as though they had walked a mile before they reached a small club and Duncan said,
'We're here!'
'Guess I'll have to get used to walking, the taxi situation doesn't look too promising in London,' she remarked.
'I'm sorry, I forgot you're not used to this yet. Sometimes it's much easier and faster to walk, but you'll learn.'
He didn't let go of her hand when they sat down, but held it tightly.
Her thumb unconsciously rubbed her fourth finger as though she were trying to adjust her ring that was no longer there.
'Your divorce must have been recent,' he remarked, noticing her gesture.
She took her, hand from his and laughed.
'It is, I'm sorry, I do that from habit, my hand feels naked without the ring.'
He leaned over and kissed her cheek and she could feel his warm breath on her neck.
'I doubt that it will be long before there's another one there,' he said earnestly. 'You'd make some man lucky.'
She shivered when he kissed her and he took her again.
'I do intend to see a lot of you'' he murmured, 'every minute I can grab hold of you.'
She squeezed his hand but said nothing, she didn't know what to say.
They sipped their cognacs and listened to the soft piano music. It certainly was a romantic place, dark and intimate and she could hear several couples sitting in the booths as they kissed and talked.
'1 have to go out of town a few days on business,' Duncan told her, 'but I'll be back by the weekend, may I see you then, we could go to a show or whatever you want to do.'
'I'd like that very much,' she said, looking directly into his deep brown eyes. She was glad that she would have the next few days to get oriented, and by the weekend, she would look forward to some entertainment.
'Well, I'd better get you home,' he conceded, 'I hate to, but tomorrow is another working day.'
They took a taxi to the residence hotel where she lived and he kissed her softly, but firmly when they reached the door. His kiss was so tender that it reminded her of the days when she and Peter were dating.
He had once been gentle with her, but she knew that she couldn't think like that if she were to forget and start a new life.
She went to her room and opened the door. Jessica wasn't in yet, but it wasn't that late either. She wished that she had been there so that she would have someone to talk to, someone to answer the questions that were racing through her mind. but she lay down on the bed and soon fell asleep She didn't hear Jessica come in, but first thing in the morning she heard her say,
'Rise and shine… off to the mill to earn our keep.'
Gillian laughed and hopped out of bed, feeling full of vitality and energy.
'Where did you two disappear to last night, we waited for you and you certainly missed a good dinner.'
Jessica didn't reply. She looked at her pleadingly and said after a moment's thought, 'Gil, don't say anything in the office, please, dear, about him and me, I mean. He is in a very important position but he's married and it wouldn't help our situation.'
'I understand,' she told her. 'Are you in love with him?' she asked then.
'Well, darling, I've known Andrew for a long time, between my single lovers, but I keep coming back. He can never divorce his wife, so we have to take our moments when they arise. Hope I didn't shock you.'
'No,' Gillian said, trying to laugh, 'I'm a big girl,' but she wondered if Andrew's wife was the same as Peter had accused her of being, and whether Jessica was anything like the girl Peter had married.
The other woman, she thought bitterly. They were ugly and painful words!
Gillian Blake's second day at the office was less confusing as she got to know more and more what she was supposed to do and the people she was working with.
Jessica seemed to be in the clouds all day and told her that she would be seeing Andrew that night so she wouldn't be going home right after work. Gillian didn't like the idea of going right home so she decided that she would stop just for one drink at the same place she and Jessica had been to the night before.
She had never done anything like this in her life, but Jessica reassured her, telling her that a lot of secretaries went there for cocktails and it was all right if a single girl did stop by.
Her legs were shaking as she walked through the door and she found a table for two in a corner and ordered her drink.
She had never done this before and she hoped that she wouldn't look like a tramp, but she saw other girls at the tables without escorts, so she gulped down her first drink in hopes that it would relax her. She had not been there long when she heard a voice call, 'Miss Blake!'
She looked up and was staring directly at Mr. Wiles!
'Why, hello,' she said, taking another large sip of her drink.
'You with anybody?' he said, but not really waiting for an answer before pulling up a chair.
'No, I was supposed to meet a girlfriend,' she lied, 'but I guess she couldn't make it.'
'It's still early,' he commented, 'and the six o'clock traffic in London can be rough. Maybe she'll get here late. Mind if I join you?' And he had already joined her!
