Chapter 6: Bewitched

Liliana's POV

Climbing into the cab, Liliana hastily proffered her destination to the driver.

"Willard Hotel. I believe on Pennsylvania Ave. Near the White House."

"Yes, ma'am. Should we drive by the Washington Monument or the Lincoln Memorial? Oooo-weee. You look to be dressed for a night on the town, which in my book calls for an extra special ride."

Smiling appreciatively at the compliment, she tipped her head and replied.

"Let's take the Lincoln. The cherry blossoms might be starting to appear. Such a romantic time of the year."

The driver smiled into the rearview mirror. The two quickly fell into easy conversation about the cabby's wife, his grown children, and the price of gas. Coming to a stop alongside the curb in front of the Willard Hotel’s entrance. Liliana grew suddenly nervous. The ornate canopy leading up to the heavy brass doors was only steps away. Glancing back to the driver, she reached up and repositioned her hair.

“You look fine. It's been a pleasure driving you here. May he turn out to be everything you deserve.”

Liliana exited quickly from the vehicle and made her way into the front lobby. Across the polished marble entrance, the impressive front desk beckoned. Again, feeling insecure and out of place, she stepped up to the two gentlemen behind the counter.

"Ah, Ms. Farley. Mr. Xander is expecting you."

Seconds later, a mature gentleman in a distinguished uniform gestured for Liliana to follow. A little-girl giggle attempted to escape as she pinched herself. Darick Xander clearly moved in a crowd Liliana only skirted around.

"Please follow me this way.”

Rounding a marble pillar, their footsteps fell in hushed reserve upon the ornate red and gold carpet covering the long corridor stretching to an arched opening at the far end.

‘Mr. Xander and I are meeting for drinks. I believe in a bar called the Round Room. Is that where we are heading?”

"Yes; however, Mr. Xander has reserved one of the few private suites off the bar. He has also requested one of our famous mint juleps to be brought over if it suits you."

Liliana could feel the presence of Darick Xander everywhere. As her eyes landed on the objects along the passage, she wondered about the life the man led. Everyone catered to the smallest of his wishes without him even being present.

With every step, her sense of hearing sharpened. She thought for a minute she could hear slow and steady breathing belonging to Darick Xander. It felt as if each breath drawn was another pulling her closer. Step by step, her entire being filled with an oppressive awareness.

"Here we are. Mr. Xander should be arriving momentarily. Your mint julep will be brought in shortly."

The porter leading the way stopped in front of an inconspicuous entranceway that opened into a smaller oak-paneled sitting area. Looking around, Liliana smiled at the choice for a quiet drink. It had the feel of a private library tucked away in a historic mansion. Subdued lighting softening lines, thick carpeting quieting footsteps, and lots of wood to hushed spoken words.

Settling on one of the settees, Liliana graciously accepted the cool drink brought to her on a small engraved silver tray. Her murmur of ‘thank you’ was politely accepted with a nod from the waiter.

"Is everything to your liking? There are other spots we can go to in the hotel."

Turning towards the entrance, Liliana was staggered by the utter magnificence of the man. His dark hair was rakishly parted, with a small fringe falling to the peaks of his eyebrows. Sharply contrasted was his skin which appeared silver against the dark jacket buttoned across his chest.

"Darick! Hello. I didn't see you coming in. Yes. Yes. This drink is delicious. Something about a house specialty."

Having jumped up, Liliana moved towards the man and leaned in to place a warm kiss on his cheek. The smooth skin was pleasantly cool and undeniably soft under her lips.

Pulling away, she gasped audibly.

“Your jacket is brilliant. This is not a reproduction. It’s a Napoleonic military jacket which has been restored with stunning accuracy."

The man smiled and motioned for the two to sit down. As Liliana was tucking her feet under, she uncomplicatedly splayed out the ornate silk skirt of her dress. Darick Xander watched with appreciative interest as he settled in the seat across.

"Well done. Yes. This is a period jacket from the early 17th century. My valet keeps telling me I need to donate my entire collection of military jackets to some museum. He's quite tired of tending to them. Tell me why you know so much about this piece?"

"My parents. They were tapestry and fabric, restoration experts. I spent many days in their shop living in another time period. They were sent items from all over the world. The Louvre. The Vatican. The National Museum. You name it. I learned more about history thru the pieces that came into their shop than I ever learned from a book. That is until I was fourteen.”

Pausing, Liliana lifted her drink and watched the man from under her lashes.

"What happened to your parents? It sounds like your childhood was charmed."

"It was. My father and mother were like no one else I’ve ever known. Instead of visiting the displays of world-famous museums, I got to climb into the exhibits. Playing in a timeless bubble for a few minutes. Touching the intricate details of history.”

Standing, she walked around the small table positioned between them and leaned in, touching the coat's lapel.

"May I? Inside this jacket, there will be an inconspicuous slit thru which a small bag was hung. It may have contained a map or a pocket pistol."

Fishing her finger along the man's chest, she became instantly aware of his shattering masculinity. Smells of dark patchouli, sandalwood, and black amber filled her nostrils. Fighting to bring her focus back from the earthy aroma, she exclaimed.

"Ah-ha. Here it is. See this small slit?"

Her finger ran back and forth through a small hole in the jacket's woolen fabric. Rubbing softly against his ribcage, a soft chuckle tickled Liliana's ear. Hastily, she moved away, putting a hand to her mouth and laughing.

"I'm sorry. I instantly get carried away to a different time and place when I see a period piece like this."

Still smiling, Darick replied.

"It is refreshing. You are a very intriguing woman. Tell me more about your parents."

Looking deeply into Darick's eyes, Liliana lifted the veil of sorrow that had been placed there years before. A view that no man had ever ventured to see beneath.

"They died suddenly when I was fourteen. It was supposed to be a quick trip for them to a private client in Italy. I was left at home with our housekeeper. They were found dead in a hotel. No one has ever been charged with their murder, and because I was such a young girl, there is not much more I know."

A tear spilled over onto Liliana's cheek. Turning away, she lifted her hand and quickly brushed away the damp trace lift behind. Darick Xander rose and moved toward Liliana, extending his hands in her direction. Without pausing, she stood and let her body be encased in his arms.

"Let's go for a walk. Death is a complicated experience. I'm very sorry your parents are not here to see you in this gorgeous dress which was once worn by Audrey Hepburn."

Gathering up her wrap and purse, Liliana surprisedly replied.

"Yes. It is. One of the many pieces left behind in my parent's estate. I've still only been able to go through a fraction of the items boxed up and in storage.”

Exiting the hotel, the two moved along the wide promenade created in front of the building.

"Let's catch a cab and go walk along the reflecting pond. A violinist usually plays inside the Lincoln memorial. The cab I was in took me by earlier, and we might just see the beginnings of the cherry blooms."

A short time later, they found themselves walking along the pathway between the towering memorials of the Capital. The full moon had continued to rise, bathing the ground in frosty bright light.

"Come look. The reflection of the two monuments is still and clear on the pool's surface."

Darick Xander slowed, staying away from the water, and called over to Liliana. His arm extended and one finger curled slowly in and out drawing her back to his side.

"Come this way. Henry Bacon once told me some secrets about the Lincoln memorial. Let's go see if any of them are true."

Derrick moved further along the path, teasing Liliana with a wickedly playful glint in his eyes. She stopped momentarily and remarked to no one but herself.

"What do you mean, Henry Bacon? He's dead. The Lincoln memorial was his last architectural project."

* * *

Hours later, Liliana dropped back against the pillows of her bed with a smile. Her feet had barely touched the ground climbing up the steps leading to her apartment.

Darick Xander was the most intoxicating man she had ever gone on a date with. He had been an impeccable gentleman. All the while oozing unadulterated sensuality. When the night was finally over, he had gently placed her in a cab alone and given the address to the driver.

Yawning, she turned over and caught the first rays of the sun beginning to lighten the sky. It had been too easy to lose track of time while they were together. Would she ever recover from the bewitching spell he cast?