Her Lord's Desire (The Forbidden Saga #3) - Maggie Ryan Page 0,60

your Prince Charming even if for far too short a time,” Lucas said, as he took her arm to help her into the carriage. She hesitated, looking back at him, and he could have kicked himself for reminding her that he wasn’t the only man vying for that coveted role. Forcing himself to smile, he gestured toward where a slender foot was poised on the step to the carriage. “Ah, my dear, I fear you have forgotten your slippers,” he teased, pleased to see glance to her feet and then at him, smiling as she acknowledged the velvet, emerald green boots were definitely not made of glass.

Once she was settled on the seat opposite Edward and Louisa, he entered to sit beside her. Once the carriage door was closed, Henri climbed onto his seat and flicked the reins. The carriage lurched and began to roll forward.

“Papa,” Louisa said, as she laid her hand on his arm, “I hope our carriage doesn’t turn into a pumpkin at midnight.”

Lucy looked at Lucas and at his grin, she allowed the giggle that she couldn’t suppress to bubble from her throat. Lucas’ chuckle joined hers, making her laugh even more delightful. While she attempted to catch her breath, Lucas explained that Louisa’s comment was just further proof of how connected twins were as Lucy, too, had just been speaking of the fairy-tale.

Edward bent to kiss his wife’s forehead. “You have no need of a pumpkin, my love. Consider me as your fairy Godpapa as I have no intention of letting my little princess out of my sight. I promise you will have a safe journey home, my dear.”

Louisa giggled and Lucy smiled, and when the carriage hit a rut, bouncing her into Lucas, he was extremely pleased that she didn’t feel the need to pull away.

When they arrived at the Eddinberg estate, Lucy and Louisa’s chatter ended as both were awed into silence. The drive was lined with hundreds of candles and every window seemed to glow as if to welcome them. The girls had the curtains at the windows pushed aside as they took in all that they could. As Henri drove the carriage closer to the front door, Edward gently pulled his wife’s hand from the curtain. Lucy found her fingers taken by Lucas, his hand totally engulfing hers as he followed suit.

“Girls,” Edward said softly, but capturing their attentions instantly.

Lucille expected him to encourage them to behave and no doubt remind them of the consequences if they disobeyed.

“I want you both to know how honored I am to escort you this evening. You have both worked so hard and I am very proud of you both.”

Though Lucy knew she most likely should have learned by now that Edward was constantly capable of doing the unexpected, she was both surprised and pleased by his praise.

“Thank you, Papa,” Louisa said and slipped her hand into his.

Lucy looked at Lucas and then at her guardian. “Thank you, sir, for everything. I shall do nothing to bring you shame,” she promised.

Edward smiled and reached out to pat her hand. “I know you shan’t, little one,” he said again, then looked between the twins. “You’ve both have changed a great deal since you arrived at Wintercrest. Now, let us go see if this ball is anything like the one in your books, shall we?”

The girls both nodded and were soon being escorted up the stairs to the veranda. The front doors were standing open, flanked by tall candelabras and urns of flowers that filled the air with their sweet scent. Lucy was extremely nervous, and felt the flutters in her stomach multiply the closer they got to the door. Despite her dress and the compliments she had received, she felt far more like an insecure young girl than a grown-up woman. Stepping inside and joining the reception line, Lucy began to tremble. The constant murmur of the crowd seemed to disappear though Lucy could see lips moving as they conversed, she simply could no longer hear!

“Lucy, what’s wrong?”

Startled, but realizing that she couldn’t be deaf if she heard Lucas’ voice, she felt her face flush as she shook her head, grateful when Lucas didn’t push her to answer. Instead, he placed his free hand over hers and gave her fingers a squeeze.

“There is no reason to be frightened, little one. I would never let anything harm you,” he said, the very thought of her being injured physically or emotionally stirring an instinct he’d never felt before