At First Sight

When Eleanor first saw him, she knew. That he was different, that he was special. That he was the one for her. It wasn't as simple as love at first sight, because it wasn't possible for her to love someone she'd never met. It was a gut instinct that told her that it would be love, whether either of them liked it.
And then, when they met - properly, as a young woman should meet a man, introduced by her father as she walked with him on their way to the market.
'This is Master Tobias Gorse,' her father said. 'He came recently to town on a matter of business. I hear that his connections are quite extraordinary.'
Eleanor nodded and smiled politely, but when he kissed her hand she felt as though a lightning bolt had struck her straight in the heart. She hoped her father would attribute her sudden blush to the warmth of exercise. Tobias gave her a smile that suggested he knew otherwise, which only made things worse.
'A pleasure,' she murmured, pleased by how evenly her voice came out. And with just the right mix of formal civility. Her manners had always been impeccable, and it was reassuring to know that she could rely on at least these instincts in a moment of stress.
'The pleasure is entirely mine,' Tobias replied. Her father smiled in approval at the exchange. 'And truly sir, you do me too much credit. I am the son of an old family with old friends, none of which I can claim as any personal success.'
'Good breeding is always a personal success,' her father interrupted jovially. Eleanor turned her head to hide a smile - Tobias still saw it. She blushed harder.
'Are you quite alright, Miss Aberfeld?' He prompted, glancing up at the sun as if to guage its heat. 'I do believe you look a little flushed. Perhaps you should rest a moment in the shade.'
'Oh, we really must be going on,' she replied quickly. The only faintness she felt was caused by the odd intensity of his eyes. She looked away before she could be drawn in. 'It is market day after all, and I was hoping to purchase a - a new ribbon for my Sunday hat.'
'No no, dear,' her father insisted. 'Give me a moment to send for a carriage. We shall attend the market next time - I am sure your hat looks quite alright as it is. Master Gorse, I do hate to impose, but I shall only be away for a moment...'
Tobias smiled again, looking terribly trustworthy.
'There is no imposition, sir,' he said. 'I would be ashamed to leave a young woman alone in a moment of distress. If you would consent, I should be honoured to remain by her side until a more suitable method of transportation can be secured.'
Eleanor hoped that she looked grateful as this relative stranger took her arm and led her to where a wide-branched tree overshadowed a low wall. Her father, as ever far too willing to trust a family name, rushed off the way they had come. Eleaner waited until he was out of sight before she pulled her arm free.
'I do not need to be fussed over,' she said. The man just smiled some more. 'And it is hardly appropriate of my father to leave me in the care of a perfect stranger. I wish he would show a little more decorum.'
Tobias laughed now, throwing back his head and letting the sound wash around them. Eleanor felt her blush deepen, a thing she had thought impossible until that very moment. He leaned against the tree trunk, looking at her with the oddest expression.

'I do believe we know each other, Miss Aberfeld,' he said finally. 'Do not shake your head - of course we have never met. But tell me, when you look into my eyes. Do I truly seem to be a stranger?'
'Master Gorse,' she protested quietly. 'I do not feel this is an appropriate conversation.'
'Forgive my being forward,' he added without feeling, 'but please, answer me this. Look at me once more. Say truthfully that you do not recognise something in me and I will never speak of this again.'
Eleanor's heart beast nervously fast but she shook her head.
'I cannot imagine what you mean,' she said. The lies burned her tongue but she made herself say them. It was easier than admitting to something so ridiculous. 'I am sorry, sir, but I must ask you to desist.'
His frown was sudden and bewildered - he had not been prepared for her denial. His expression was almost comical and she ducked her head to hide her smile. There was no need to act with compliant obedience as he expected.
'My apologies,' Tobias said briskly. Eleanor glanced up through her lashes, and saw hurt on his face. He hid it quickly, but it had most certainly been there. 'I have behaved improperly. Allow me to assure you that it will not happen again.'
'You are completely forgiven,' she said lightly, drawing a fan from her purse and half-hiding behind it as she watched him withdraw. He continued to make polite conversation - about the weather, and the market, and the colour of her Sunday hat. She answered him equally, with the same distant disinterest. Her father returned quickly, carriage rattling on the road's pitted surface.
'I do hope you are feeling well again soon,' Tobias Gorse said, as he handed her up into the carriage. Eleanor wished that it were not too warm to wear gloves. She would have liked to avoid the little jolt that his touch gave - immediately her face was red again.
'Thank you,' she replied softly, turning to look through the window on the carriage's other side. Her father did not see that anything was amiss, and chatted amiably for a minute before Tobias politely reminded him of his daughter's condition.
'Indeed!' Rupert Aberfeld clapped his new acquaintance's shoulder, thanked him once more, and then signalled the driver to move on. The lane widened enough that they could turn around - suddenly Tobias was visible through Eleanor's window, and his eyes bored into hers, filled with accusation. A little guilt blossomed in her stomach but she set it aside, turning her attention to her father's idle chatter and at least pretending to put Tobias Gorse from her mind.