Her Lord's Desire (The Forbidden Saga #3) - Maggie Ryan Page 0,59
finger along the unadorned neckline of her dress, before tucking the handkerchief she still clutched into the fitted cuff of her sleeve which was no longer covered in several layers of lace. “You were right. They were just… a bit too fancy.”
“I may not know much about fashion, but I know this,” Lucas said with a smile. “You have no need for another thing. You are the picture of absolute perfection.”
Lucy felt her tummy fluttering and the heat beginning in her breasts moving up to color her face. She found she had no words.
“And, I must say, your sewing skills have improved greatly,” Lucas said.
Lucy rolled her eyes though she was grateful for the teasing as it finally allowed her to relax. “I can’t take all the credit. Mrs. Bremmer was kind enough to help me.”
“All I can say is Lucas is correct. You are truly stunning, Lucille,” he said. “I’m proud to have the most beautiful bride in the world as well as her enchanting sister with me tonight,” Edward said.
Lucy thanked him, admitting to herself that she was impressed with both men’s appearance. They were wearing their very best evening attire, their shirts were perfectly pressed, the white looking even starker beneath the tapestry of their vests. The trousers and coats of their tuxedos were an ebony black. Both men looked incredibly attractive.
“You look quite handsome, sir,” Lucy said, smiling as she stepped forward to brush a bit of lint from Lucas’ lapel. He smiled and captured her hand, holding it close over his heart. She felt her own heart leap and her smile faltered at the look in his eyes. She pulled her hand away and slowly opened her fingers. A few strands of white lay on her palm.
“Cleo?” she asked, smiling as he grinned.
“Yes, it seems you are not the only kitten capturing my attention,” he said, and she felt the flush grow hotter and the butterfly wings flap faster in her belly.
Louisa’s giggle had Lucy turning to see Edward smiling as if it were very entertaining watching his friend. Lucy couldn’t help but smile back when she realized that she was finding the attention quite captivating as well.
“Come, Lucas,” Edward said, clapping him on the back. “We’ve kept Henri waiting long enough.”
Lucas reluctantly nodded as he accepted his coat that Edward offered. Speaking low so that only Edward could hear, he said, “Truth be told, I’d much rather skip this silly dance. I could keep Lucy here or, even better, take her to Hunter’s Ridge.”
Edward laughed loudly and slapped his shoulder. “First of all, Lucy has earned the right to attend her first ball and you will not be denying her the pleasure. Secondly, I do believe that you are only now beginning to fear that perhaps the charm you’ve always taken for granted might not be enough to claim my ward’s undying affection.”
Lucas shoved his arm into a sleeve and glanced over to where the twins were quietly listening to Mrs. Bremmer.
“As you said before, Edward, this is not a game, so I’d ask you not to make light of it. I’m not about to sound retreat any time soon.”
Edward only laughed again as Lucas finished pulling on his coat and moved toward the women and Mrs. Bremmer.
Anna motioned to Molly who stepped forward, handing the housekeeper some gloves.
“You look lovely, girls,” she said, holding out a pair of gloves to Louisa before turning to offer another to Lucy. “You choices in gowns were perfect as both are beautiful. I am proud of both of you.” Accepting the cloak Molly still held as if unsure whom she should offer it to, Anna passed it to Lucas who smiled and draped it across Lucy’s shoulders.
After giving both girls a final look, Anna nodded. “Now, go along and I hope you both have a wonderful time” Almost as if realizing she was being rather sweet, she wagged a finger and added, “But remember what I said. You represent Wintercrest Manor. Don’t give me cause to add a blush to the cheeks beneath those pretty gowns.”
Lucas grinned as the cheeks on the women’s lovely faces colored.
“Thank you, ma’am, we’ll behave,” the girls chorused together.
Lucas offered his arm to Lucy, pleased that she didn’t even hesitate to smile up at him as she placed her hand in the crook of his elbow.
“I confess I feel a bit like Cinderella,” Lucy said, as Lucas guided her down the stairs to the waiting carriage.