Her Lord's Claim (The Forbidden Saga #4) - Maggie Ryan

Prologue

Louisa waited for a moment before placing her own hand on Lucas’ arm, causing him to look down at her. “Please don’t give up so easily, Lord Huntington,” she said softly. “The clock has not yet struck midnight.”

Lucas finally rewarded her with a wry smile as he shook his head. “As your husband just said, this isn’t a battle nor is it a fairy-tale.” Taking her into his arms, he stepped out onto the floor not wishing to ruin the evening for this very special woman. “Edward is an incredibly lucky man to have found his own princess who is not only beautiful and wise, but may have the one thing that I need.”

“What would that be?” Louisa asked.

“You know Lucy better than anyone. I’ve watched you two communicate without even speaking, I’ve seen the awareness of each other you have before the other even steps into the room. As much as I concede that Edward is right, I am as well. I’d rather walk away if that means Lucy is happy even—”

“For such a huge man, you are acting like some inexperienced little boy,” Louisa said, ignoring Lucas’ look of disbelief at her audacity in cutting him off. The music ended but they still stood face to face as she shook her head and sighed. “Lucas, Lucy was happy when you gave her a kitten. She was happy when she enjoyed a walk in the park with Charles. She is happy when we play with our dolls or when she gets lost in a good book. My sister is very happy when Mrs. Bremmer allows her to drink anything but milk with her meals. What I’m trying to explain is that happiness is something that can be found in so many things both big and small, Lucas.” She paused to look across the dance floor and Lucas followed her gaze to where Edward was listening to something Eleanor was saying, but as he caught his wife’s eyes, his entire face lit up as did the small woman’s standing beside him as she returned her gaze to him.

“I’m not saying it’s not wonderful to be happy, it is. But to settle for happiness would be to deprive yourself of so much more. The feeling you have when you wake up beside the one person on earth who has not only claimed your heart but your very soul? That, Lucas, is pure joy. Did it never occur to you even once that perhaps no matter how happy Lucy is, she is waiting for the right prince to find her?”

This feeling was a new experience for Lucas. Though he had never lacked for female attention, he had also never been scolded in such a polite manner. Looking from one sister to the other, he felt a surge of hope and realized that he’d been about to surrender far too soon. “Thank you, Louisa,” he said. “You’re absolutely right. Let me take you back to Edward—”

“I can find my own way to Papa,” Louisa said, pressing her hand against his chest to give him a shove. “You, sir, have a princess to claim.”

He’d only partnered with Lucy for a few dances out of the dozens she had enjoyed. On the first dance, she had still been a bit unsure of herself and he had made every effort to offer her support and encouragement. Another had seen her smiling and happy, her nervousness forgotten as she enjoyed the ball. Every dance had been memorable, but this one was the most important dance of his life.

“I told you that you would be the belle of the ball, Lucy,” Lucas said, before pulling her into his arms for this dance. She blushed which he found charming and Charles’ eyes shot him daggers which he completely ignored. Lucas continued speaking as he led her through the intricate steps of the dance. “It’s hard to remember my frightened little kitten. I suppose I no longer need to worry because all I see now is the lioness I knew you had within you.”

Lucy looked up at him, her violet-blue eyes locking onto his. She stumbled a bit but his hand at her waist steadied her easily. “You’ve captured every man’s heart tonight—including mine.”

Her gorgeous eyes widened and her lips parted but nothing came out as she stumbled again. Lucas accepted the blame as it was his duty to lead her, to make the dance flow as effortlessly as water and yet he’d failed. Louisa’s words had given him hope, but