The Decoy Date

Chapter Twelve

This dress is definitely not as good as the one I'm wearing for the wedding. Imogen looked at herself in the bedroom mirror, turning this way then that way trying to get a better look around the back. When Charlie had asked her to go to the exhibition opening at The British Museum, she'd gone into her wardrobe and found nothing suitable to wear; she didn't own any dresses other than the one she was wearing to Daisy's wedding and she didn't want to mess that up and none of her other clothes were right for a black tie event, either too scruffy or too faded. With no other option she'd turned to the internet.

At the fifth site she visited she found what she was looking for, it was a lace dress like the one for the wedding but in black with three quarter length sleeves and a thin brown belt around the waist. In the pictures it looked perfect on the model and for the first time in her life she bought a dress on impulse. However now it had arrived and she had it on, she was regretting the purchase. It was a lot shorter than she'd expected, cutting into her thighs halfway up rather than just above the knee and it was a lot tighter than she'd expected, hugging her body like a glove and sticking to all of her curves. Studying herself in the mirror, she couldn't see past the pair of legs protruding from the bottom of frilly lace or the bulge of her hips as they blossomed from beneath the thin belt holding her waist in.

The doorbell rang three floors below her making her jump. "Too late now anyway." Imogen sighed, slipping her flat ballet pump shoes on – high heels and alcohol were a definite no-no; besides following recent performances she wasn't planning on drinking much at all tonight – and grabbed the black clutch she'd borrowed from Jess. One last glance in the mirror wasn't the confidence booster she was hoping for, heading downstairs nerves built uneasily in her stomach before she reached the door and took a deep breath, opening it wide.

Charlie was stood in a black suit and crisp white shirt, she smiled as she thought he looked incredibly dapper, as he turned back towards her she saw he had on a thin, black neck tie and was a little disappointed not to see him in a bowtie. As he gazed at her shock was replaced by a slow sexy smile and speechless awe, his eyes met hers and he began to grin.

"What do you think?" She waited nervously for his reaction and hoped she hadn't over done it with the dress; why hadn't she just gone with the black trouser suit, it was a lot more elegant. His eyes swept over her again as he searched for the right words.

"You look stunning, absolutely beautiful. I'd have worn something similar myself, but I think that would have taken everyone's attention away from the exhibit." Imogen burst out laughing and took the arm he offered her, she was instantly more relaxed by the time they got into the black cab waiting on the curb.

"I thought you might be wearing a tuxedo, I'd readied my d**k Van Dyke cockney impression but I can't really do it now you're not wearing a penguin suit." They had set off through the streets of North London towards Euston Station and to the museum beyond.

"I loved the film when I was growing up, Molly and I used to pretend we could tidy our rooms by clicking our fingers like the children in the film and then every time there was a chalk drawing on the pavement we used to run and jump into it, hoping we'd get inside it. It's a jolly holiday with Mary!"

"I know Daisy and I actually wrote a letter hoping we could get a nanny like Mary Poppins but we never did. Every time I see d**k Van Dyke I burst out laughing at that awful cockney accent he did. Meery Poppins!" She made an awful cockney impression that matched the Americanized version in the film, they continued comparing impressions and songs throughout the taxi ride and in next to no time were pulling up outside the museum.

Charlie got out of the cab and held the door open for her, she followed and waited as he paid the driver. Once again he held out his arm for her but this time she took his hand in hers and intertwined her fingers with his. They were supposed to be dating after all. They made their way up red-carpeted stairs and walked into the main reception where their tickets and bags were checked and their coats taken. The red carpet led through a set of glass doors and she and Charlie followed a few other sets of guests through.

They were both met by hundreds of people dressed in suits and evening gowns, women in black dresses carried trays of champagne flutes around the room, Charlie reached for two and passed one to her. Men dressed in green soldier uniforms and tin hats offered trays of canapés and appetizers as they wound through the groups of people. The great hall was full of world war one memorabilia; propaganda posters, vehicle manuals, uniforms and displays of trenches.

Imogen took a sip of champagne and felt the bubbles burn the back of her throat as she looked around the room, amazed at the amount of people gathered around. She'd never been to anything like this, she usually avoided social occasions as it meant dressing smartly but she felt right in place in her new dress and had forgotten all the worries she had about her appearance. Charlie kept a hand on the small of her back, warmth radiated from the spot and she relaxed into the night.

"Hey you two, I wondered when you were going to show up. Adam's gone off to sort out some problem and I have no idea who anybody is. Wow, you look amazing Imogen, that dress is beautiful!" Molly came up to them with a half-empty champagne glass in hand, she was wearing a floor length sapphire gown that matched the colour of her eyes and her hair was curled into loose ringlets. She gave Imogen a quick hug and kissed her brother on the cheek before grabbing another full glass from a passing waitress' tray.

"This place is amazing, I've never been before and all these people. Adam must be pleased." Imogen continued to look around the room in awe of all the displays; the building itself was magnificent, vast and echoing, the ceiling seemed to go on forever.

"It's really beautiful isn't it, but there's been a problem with one of the exhibits so Adam's had to go and sort it out. He could probably use your help Charles, I'll take you over he's only in the next room. Charlie turned to Imogen and gave her an apologetic look as his sister began to drag him away by his shirt sleeve.

"I'll be fine, Charles." She smiled cutely at him, finding his name hilarious; he tried to scowl but it turned into a smile. Imogen took another sip of champagne and watched as Molly led Charlie to the other side of the great hall, she sighed and took another look around the room. She took a second glass of champagne from a nearby waitress and headed to the closest exhibition, it was about life in the trenches. As she began reading the literature alongside the photograph, she felt the presence of someone standing next to her, thinking Charlie had returned she looked up and smiled only to find a stranger smiling down at her.

"Fascinating display isn't it?" His deep, low voice caught her by surprise, he looked at her with such intensity she found it hard to turn away. His black hair shone almost purple in the lights over the displays but there were a few grey strands at his temple that suggested a maturity and experience. He smiled a slow sexy smile that twinkled in his eyes as he reached a hand forward for her to shake.

"Jack Livesey."

"Imogen Jones" She took the hand and shook firmly, loving the heat she received from the touch of his skin. He gazed into her eyes as he held onto her hand a little too long, Imogen looked away as her cheeks flushed with heat and let go of the man's hand. She listened as he talked about the display and how he had helped create it, she was amazed at some of the stories he told her and found herself feeling increasingly attracted to the man she hardly knew anything about.

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Charlie rolled down his shirt sleeves and pulled his jacket back on, when Molly had said Adam needed help he hadn't thought that would mean lifting boards and holding them up while Adam drilled them into place. He pulled his tie out of the hole between his third and fourth buttons and straightened it, then he brushed the sawdust from his trousers and followed Adam back out to the main exhibition hall.

"Thanks for the help Rambo, I was in a panic when I got here and found it wasn't finished." Adam clapped Charlie on the shoulder and led him back into the bright lights and chatter of the busy room. He began to scan the room looking for Imogen, he checked where she'd been standing when he left her and began to panic when he couldn't spot her. There were too many people in the room and most of them were wearing black like she was and he just couldn't make her out.

He searched again, looking at each of the displays until finally he spotted the lace dress and her brown hair, relief flooded through him until he saw a man standing next to her, chatting to her and her laughing in return. His heart dropped a little as he realised he had no right to be annoyed or angry at her for talking to other men, they weren't really dating but that wasn't enough for him to not feel a little hurt and jealous that she was flirting with someone else, he had invited her here.

Charlie set out across the room heading in Imogen's direction, they were supposed to be here together, his sister and Adam thought they were here together, thus they should be together. He grabbed a champagne flute and drank the whole contents in one gulp ignoring the burning in his throat and the bubbles that fizzed up his nose. In his anger he began to push through the crowd, not bothered about knocking people over or spilling drinks down suits and dresses; he only cared about getting to Imogen.

When he finally reached her he pushed the man with black hair and a tailored silver-grey suit out of the way and pulled Imogen towards him by the waist. He pushed his lips to hers, crushing them in a kiss so passionate and forceful he thought he might hurt her, but knew he hadn't when she responded in the same hot and fervent way. When Charlie thought he might pass out from lack of air he pulled back and looked deep into her eyes, they were dazed and confused mirroring exactly how he felt. When he moved from in front of her, he made sure he kept touching her; his hand rested on her waist and pulled her gently to lean on him.

Charlie smiled to himself as he saw the man's reaction, he was shocked and surprised caught off guard but it wasn't long before he was smiling again. He reached into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and pulled out a business card, holding it between his index finger and his middle finger he extended his hand towards Imogen.

"Here's my card, just in case your . . . situation changes. It was a pleasure to meet you Miss Jones." The man thought about taking Imogen's hand to kiss it goodbye but thought again as Charlie pulled Imogen closer to him. He watched the man march off and join a group of women, they all giggled as he said something and Charlie felt his grip tighten further until Imogen stroked the hand he had rested on her hip.

"What was that for?" He turned away from the man and looked down into Imogen's face, she still sounded a little breathless and her cheeks were tinged with pink as her blush began to fade slightly. He smiled at how adorable she was when she was nervous and embarrassed and lightly touched his lips to hers again.

"I don't know, I just thought a boyfriend would kiss his girlfriend when he returned to find her flirting with another man. Who was he anyway?" Jealousy tinged his voice and he felt a little disgusted with himself for letting the green-eyed monster take control of him. Why was he feeling so possessive over Imogen, it's not like they were even dating; they had never said that they'd be exclusive in their dating, Imogen could talk to other men if she wanted to. The thought made his stomach turn cold and he reached out his hand to take hers again, reveling in the warmth it instilled in him.

"Jack Livesey, he's something to do with the museum. He came over to talk to me while you were gone." She looked up at him and smiled, but there was something different in her eyes like she was thinking about him instead of Charlie. He really didn't like that and had to force himself to keep the jealousy at bay, there was no need to lose control here. He had another month of dating Imogen before he had to let her go, a thought that sat heavy in both his mind and the pit of his stomach; he was going to make the most of the next four weeks starting with tonight.

"How about a dance? We should practice before the next lesson really." He was grateful as she followed him out to the dance floor, the music had started while he'd been helping Adam and a few couples had took to the floor as some traditional music from the first world war era played. He pulled Imogen into his arms and began to sway allowing all the tension and jealousy slip away as he held her close. He closed his eyes and sighed, perfectly content once again.