Love at First Glance by Dominique LeSane Page B

business all on my own. I’ve see the stress and struggle my father went through to build it from the ground up. He’s a tough, hard working man that came from nothing and has built something to sustain his family. But as I said, he is an adventurer. He never likes the same thing for too long. He is considering selling the stores and then starting a new business here in England. I’m not sure what though.”
                The servers came around and took the plates from the second course and replaced them with the new plates for the third course.
                Charlotte and Daniel just looked at each other and did not speak a word.
                “Well, I want to know when anyone is going to address the elephant in the room?” blurted out Olivia.
                Kate giggled and Charlotte gasped.
                “Olivia, if you’d please be on your best behavior ,” Daniel admonished.
                “Oh Father, please. If no one else will ask, then I will.”
                Olivia turned to see the expressions on everyone’s faces. They all seemed to be mortified except for Johnathan who turned to look her directly in the eye and stated, “Sure, ask me anything. I am an open book.”
                A look of mischief plastered on her face, Olivia asked her question.
                “How is it that a nobody like you got into my mother’s high society soiree?”

 
    Chapter 16

                “ Johnathan , you don’t have to answer that,” Lillian said sternly. She glared at her sister who feigned innocence.
                Lillian looked around the table to see if anyone was going to come to her defense , but what she saw was that her family all had their attention on Johnathan , desperately awaiting an answer.
                Johnathan put down his fork and paused. He picked up his napkin, wiped his mouth, and pushed his plate back.
                It seemed that he was making them wait, delaying the inevitable. Charlotte and Daniel were stoic, Katie and Olivia shifted in their seats.
                “Lillian, I have nothing to hide. It’s no problem. Like I said, I’m an open book.”
                Lillian sighed. She expected him to be drilled with questions, but never to be put on the spot like this.
                “My aunt is Lady Winifred Donoughly . She volunteers at the hospital with the Countess’ friend Lady Birchway . You are acquainted with Lady Birchway ?”
                Charlotte nodded. “I am. We are very close friends.”
                “Lady Birchway invited my aunt to accompany her to the soiree, but my aunt could not make it and asked if I could attend in her place. She thought that it would be a great way for me to meet more people in the village where we reside. My aunt is always going on and on about how I should settle down. I never thought that I would go to the soiree and meet the love of my life.”
                Olivia rolled her eyes. “Uncouth Americans. Never would a proper Englishman take an invitation that was not made especially for him.” Kate and Olivia laughed.
                “I am proud to have lived in America for so long. I think being British and living in America gives me the best of both worlds.”
                “Well, since we are asking questions, I have one of my own.”
                Everyone turned to Victor who had been quiet during the questioning. They were surprised that he had even asked anything.
                “Sure thing, Victor,” Johnathan said confidently.
                “I have done my research on you. I understand that your parents are going through some financial difficulties. Could it be that your aunt wanted to play matchmaker so that you could link yourself with a family that has money in hopes that we could