Prolouge
We walked through the hidden path, deep in the bush where we wouldn't be found.
"Willow, the thought of us getting caught is absurd! Maybe somebody catching us would not be so terrifying!" Leon said whilst taking my hand and stroking my face.
"But my Mother and Father! You are not of good wealth and I would bring shame to my family" I was afraid what I said upset him so i peered through my thick eyelashes and gazed into his rich, green eyes to see nothing but sadness.
England, 1822
*
Chapter One
"Willow!" Mother beckoned me from in the grand hall "Are you ready for out outing?"
I nodded, quite excited for i was to visit the new bookstore, i adored books no matter what type. I followed Mother into our horse-drawn carriage lifting the hem of my peach dress which was a bit to immodest for my liking, to step inside the carriage. The dress came above my ankles by about one inch and had beaded design on the the bodice with a draped skirt also with sleeves finishing below my elbows. The dress was beautiful but the neck was also a bit low and was three centimeters below my neck itself! What would the Johnston's think! I silently shook my head.
"We are here willow, my dear" Mother interupted my thoughts and directed me out of the carriage. The bookstore was called Browsers and had books by the thousands.
"You enjoy yourself here whilst I run some errands for Father" Mother rolled her eyes and chuckled at me and my fetish for reading.
"Thank you, Mother! For taking me here!" I hugged her and kissed her forehead affectionately .
"It was my pleasure" Mother smiled before leaving.
My eyes scanned the titles of the books passing title such as; The broad-stone of honour, Magna Britannia, prodromus Entomology and scanned to the back of the room and found a book that caught my eye called The practical tales and interests of our kings. Grabbing the book I sat myself down on a couch of fine oak and soft cushion. I pondered the book for only a minute when a man behind me spoke.
"Enjoying the book? I found that one in particular a time consumer as you read it again and again in interest" the voice said, ringing through my ears.
I spun to find a man by the looks of it he was around twenty. His eyes were a emerald green swirled with a dark, deep green and those eyes were astounding next to his black hair that was a bit too overgrown but looked quite nice on him.
Bowing the man introduced himself "Leon Smithson, I work here" .
"Pleasure to meet you Mr Smithson, I am Willow Wilson" I replied hoping my name did not sound like a joke to him as it did to many others. But he only smiled kindly.
"Please, do not feel obliged to call me Mr. Smithson, my name is Leon"
"But i would never be so rude!" his smirk made me roll my eyes "Fine, if you insist on it so strongly Leon shall be the name I will call you"
"It is a pleasure to meet you Willow Wilson" Leon grinned
I do not know why but him saying my name felt like a fire rising through my stomach.
Leon held his hand out for me to shake and i held his hand gently and paused, holding his hand felt so at home, so natural. For a moment we gazed into another's eyes and eventually I looked away.
"The book, may I purchase it?" I inquired looking down at our hands.
"Yes, just follow me" He dragged me by the hand to the register with my hand in his and my book tucked under the crook of his arm. "Five pound please" .
Handing over the money Leon placed the book into a brown paper bag .
" I must go now, goodbye Leon" I smiled
"Will I see you again?" I nodded and Leon added "Goodbye Willow Wilson"
I gave one last look to that handsome man at the register before going to the carriage and reading my book, silently waiting for Mother. I couldn't wait to see Leon again.
