(18th century romance)

The stars never came out last night, not that Elijah Moore was paying any attention, of course. Poppy Chrestwhile sat with her friends on the evening room settee as they talked in quiet tones. In her second Season and at the ripe age of twenty, Poppy held the raptured attention of the newly presented young ladies of the Season, about what he was unsure.

At the moment he was quite content watching her from his position on the other side of the room, his attention only partly on the men around him talking about the upcoming polo game.

"Why Moore, if I hadn't known better I would think you were smitten with at least one of those ladies, if not all four." Lord Hurst, Poppy's uncle, murmured good naturedly under his breath as he took a sip of his lemon water.

Elijah blinked as he turned back to the three men around him. He shook his head and afforded them a small smile. "As tempting as they are you know my availability to marry is nonexistent."

Mr. Davis, Elijah's childhood friend and neighbor, chuckled as he took a sip from his glass. "Perhaps but we all know as men we cannot curb the effects of beautiful ladies such as they are."

Lord Hurst chuckled as well. "Be careful how you speak, my boy. My niece has been known to feel when others are speaking of her. Almost as if she were in possession of divine intervention. "

The fourth man of the group, Sir Brookham, sniffed, his own eyes on the women but not with as respectable a look as one would feel comfortable with. "I, for one, could do away with such tittling conversation and speak with them directly."

The three others shared a look. Davis, keeping a smile off his face, nodded and took a step back.

"By all means, Sir, show us how it is done for it seems we lack in the ways of proper conversation with such respectable woman around."

Ignoring his implication, Brookham took it as encouragement and did just as he stated, marching right up to the smiling women. Elijah was lucky to spot Poppy shamelessly toss her head back gracefully as he laughed openly with her friends before Brookham blocked her from his view.

Not wanting to feel the second-hand embarrassment of Brookham's rejection, Elijah turned back to his friend and Lord Hurst. But the smile on the uncle's face and the look in his eyes almost made Elijah change his mind about where else to turn his attention.

"My boy," Lord Hurst chuckled as he shook his head slightly, "you can not fool me. And I feel confident enough to say I am not alone in my assumption." He shared a glance with Davis who smiled as equally knowing of the Lord's meaning.

But Elijah just sighed. "Lord Hurst, as much as I esteem your niece must I remind you both," he glanced at his friend with a hard but pleading stare, "that I am off the market for a very solid and viable reason. I do not wish to put her through that which would make her feel as if she were wasting away her days." He turned and nearly smiled at perfectly catching the moment Poppy turned Brookham away. "No, she deserves much more than that."

Davis shook his head and let out a low breath. "You, my friend, are lost to her." He took the last gulp of his drink before setting his glass aside, "I suggest you ask her what she would like to do with her in place of you choosing for her. Now if you could excuse me, your mother has been awaiting my presence in hopes of catching up on the well-being of my horses." He nodded and with a small smile turned to leave.

Lord Hurst raised his brows in agreement. "You have wise friends. I suggest you take heed."

Elijah was about to ask for the topic to be dropped when there was a shriek from the other end of the room. The ladies. Everyone's attention turned to the group of girls who were once giggling now stood with faces of shock. Poppy stood in front of the three younger girls, her face stern and her posture guarding.

Elijah wasted no time walking over to them, assessing the situation. "Ladies, I hope it is safe to assume all is well?" He cast a cold look to Brookham who neither acknowledged his arrival nor cared to explain himself and the look of anger on his face.

Poppy let out a breath as she met Elijah's gaze. "If only it were. I fear Sir Brookham has taken leave of his senses."

One of the girls behind her, Miss Court, held onto Poppy's arm as she spoke up. "As you can see, she wears his drink quite well. Pity wine red is no longer in the height of fashion."

Poppy tried to smile but it was tight and her head was bowed. Elijah moved his eyes from her blushed cheeks and long lashes down to the rest of her as discreetly as possible.

Sure enough, Poppy's front was doused with a sizable splash of bright red. Elijah all but nearly punched the man right then and there. He turned to the silent disturber and nodded to his butler to fetch his things.

"Excuse me Sir, but it seems you have overstayed your welcome. Please allow my man to see you out."

Red with some unknown rage, Brookham left with a huff, leaving the party to slowly resume. But not everyone was so lucky as to be able to continue on as if nothing happened. Elijah turned to the women, seeing Davis had come to ease the minds of the younger ladies. He didn't miss the hand of Miss Court on his friend's arm or how close they stood together. Elijah made a mental note to bring up the new debutante the next time his friend dared to lecture him about the feelings women. To be sure.

Elijah reached out and brushed Poppy's arm lightly in hopes of not startling her. "Are you alright?"

She looked up and nodded but looked almost close to tears. He had never seen her weep in all the years he had known her. What had Brookham said to cause such a strong willed woman to look so crestfallen?

"Physically I am fine. I am a bit shocked and not at all accustomed to feeling ashamed. A dress can be replaced or fixed but your mother's party will surely be the talk of the area for quite some time."

Elijah offered her a small smile. "Something I assure you my mother will not at all be bothered about. In fact, she will see it as something of an exciting mission. You know her, she will not take lightly to rumors and false words being spread about the young woman she has come to care for as her own daughter. She will see to it that it is quieted and put to right."

That made Poppy smile. "Thank you. Though I am sorry to have caused such a scene."

Before Elijah was able to ask what it was the happened exactly, his mother came bounding over, her arms open wide and her face all but full of pity. Poppy shared a knowing look and shy smile with Elijah before turning to the matron.

"My dear, sweet girl. However dreadful that man busied himself with soiling your dress."
Poppy shook her head. "I fear I have ruined your party just as much."

Lady Moore waved her hand dismissively. "None of that now my dear. Your dress will be seen to if not replaced and all will go on as if nothing happened."

Elijah gave Poppy a look of deep agreement, nodding with his brows pinched, making Poppy smile.

The matron continued. "Now come, I believe one of Eli's sisters has a few dresses left behind in one of their rooms. I will see to your change of clothes and prompt return to the party."

Before any objections were heard, Poppy was all but rushed out of the room with his mother close by alight with excitement as if she were young again. Elijah smiled as they left, catching Poppy's eyes as she turned back to look at him. He raised his brow and nodded once and she smiled coyly in return before turning to his mother with face aglow with gratitude.

The sound of Davis laughing with the younger ladies brought Elijah back to the party. He joined them noticing Davis and Miss Court step apart ever so slightly. It didn't take long for the group of them to forget about the bumblings of the incident and to focus on the light of the party. But Elijah was not all too keen on forgetting the incident all too soon. He wished to know what happened, not only to ease his mind but to make sure that it did not happen again.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Poppy smoothed her hands over the soft fabric of her borrowed dress. The lavender didn't wash her out but made her hair look darker and her eyes lighter. Lady Moore stood behind her, holding her shoulders and smiling like a girl three times her junior. Poppy couldn't help but smile back, a blush racing across her cheeks.

"If my son still refuses to get his head out of the clouds to see how beautiful you look then I have my mind set to beat the boy."

Poppy laughed lightly. "Matron you are too kind. And you know my thoughts when it comes to your son. He is doing what is best for him and his new role as Lord of Gallington."

"Pshh, none of that my dear. It is Agatha to you and you know it. And as for Eli." Agatha sighed. She turned Poppy to look at her, reaching up to tuck one of her dark stray hairs from her fair brow. "He knows not what he wants. He thinks he is being wise with his newly appointed title but he forgets that my husband, God rest his soul, admitted to needing me before he too was burdened with such a grand position. We Moores were not born to be in high society without the aid of a steadfast companion."

Poppy blushed again. "You are kind to think me a worthy companion to your son. But I do not wish to be seen as too forward."

Agatha let out a chirp of laughter, her slight frame moving to lead Poppy back to the party below. "If I may be so bold; I fear if you are anything but he will very nearly make the mistake of never finding a more wonderful Lady of Gallington."

Poppy thought of Agatha's words as she joined the rest of the party. With a kind pat on her hand and a knowing smile, Lady Moore went to join her friends. Poppy stood off to the side as Miss Court finished a beautiful piano piece and was bowing to applause. But it did not take long for Poppy to find Lord Moore, Elijah, who was already looking at her, a slight smile present on his lips.

Suddenly the room was too small, too hot, too loud. With swift steps, Poppy exited the room and out onto a small veranda, the wind of the night pulling at her dress slightly. She closed her eyes and proceeded to take deep breaths, the pinch in her chest slowly ebbing away. With the apparent approval of his mother, how could Poppy not finally let herself warm to the idea of seeing herself with Elijah?

"Miss Chrestwhile?"

Poppy started. "Yes?"

Elijah came into view and she relaxed. He smiled at her as he openly took in her new dress, but not nearly as grotesquely as Sir Brookham had. Poppy blushed as she looked down and turned back to look over the balcony.

"You look radiant. I have seen that dress on my sister but I can say now that she is happily married that it is a great deal more becoming on you."

Poppy laughed. "You are lucky she is not here to hear you say that. Lottie would surely put you in your place and have you compliment her and her fans for the rest of the evening."

Elijah came to stand next to her, his hands behind his back as he gazed out at the gardens with her. "Yes and what a frightful night that would be."

The two of them chuckled quietly before a comfortable silence fell around them. The sounds of the party drifted out reminding Poppy of what had happened earlier. Her face must have darkened because she felt a hand on her arm causing her insides to dance along with the music inside as her eyes looking up at him shyly.

Elijah reached up and gently caressed the worried crease on her brow, his own brow furrowing. "Miss Chrestwhile, Poppy, I hope you know you are welcome to tell me anything."

Poppy smiled sadly, nodding her head as his hand fell to take her hand in his. "Thank you, but I do not wish to awaken that of which your mother so effectively laid to rest."

Elijah tried to smile but his mind was not put at ease. "Poppy, please. It was because of me this happened. Not only did I invite him, but I fear our conversation beforehand may have instigated his actions."

Poppy cocked her head to the side. "I do not think anything you could have ever said would have caused him to act as he did." She turned back pulling her hands from his.

Elijah let out a breath and searched her face. "Would I be too bold to ask what it was that he said?"

Poppy laughed nervously. "I will save you the embarrassment of the finer details, perhaps for a later date." She took a deep breath and glanced at him apprehensively, but he reached out and placed his hand atop hers. She pressed on.

"Sir Brookham is a rake dressed in gentleman's clothing. He disregarded the presence of the other girls and sought me out directly. He then proceeded to assume I knew who he was and that I would wish to be acquainted with him."

Gently, Elijah closed his hand tightly around hers in encouragement as her voice hardened.

"He proceeded to talk over me, insult the party and its guests, and to top it all off he labeled you as an undeserving school boy who will never live up to his father's name or legacy. I-" She looked up at him and lifted her chin just slightly, "I could not very well let him go on so I tipped his glass onto my dress. It was one of the other girls who cried out. But I was just pleased that it quieted him. So, yes, I am to blame for the disturbance."

With a smile, Elijah just about laughed out loud. His chest swelled with pride as he stepped closer. "You never fail to impress me, Poppy."

Poppy's face pinched in confusion. "But I can not have you to tell anyone I ruined my dress on purpose and caused a scene. I fear to cast a shadow on the image your mother seems to have of me. Nor do I wish to plant a seed of doubt of your ability to take charge of your inheritance by explaining the reasoning behind causing-"

"Poppy," Elijah whispered, taking another step forward, he could feel the warmth from her breath hit his chin, "Have I ever told you that you worry far too much for such a woman as yourself?"

"And what kind of woman is that Eli?"

Warmth spread throughout him as she uttered his childhood nickname. "Strong. Witty. Independent. Smart. And decidedly beautiful." He reached up and stroked a dark curl from her brow, his heart pounding.

Poppy stared up at him, her mind bringing up what Lady Moore had said earlier. A corner of her lips lifted as her eyes flickered to his lips. "Are you going to kiss me, Eli?"

His own dark eyes flickered to her lips as a smile crossed his face. "Someone may see us."

"Then you will have to do right by me and salvage my reputation."

"Marriage to me will not be easy."

Poppy smirked. "I'm up for the challenge."

Neither one knew who moved first as the space between them vanished. Lips against lips, the two of them soon forgot about the party and the stained dress and the looming inheritance. They found themselves lost in each other's embrace, the need to be closer, to be one, ever growing. But air was needed.

Once Elijah pulled away only just, he searched her blushing face, his breath mingling with hers as they both came to terms with the amount of passion they shared in that one kiss. Poppy smiled up at him and Elijah couldn't stop staring. Of course, the stars never came out last night, they were in her eyes the whole time.