Her Lord's Desire (The Forbidden Saga #3) - Maggie Ryan Page 0,62
smile and drop her own curtsy, her cheeks also flushing as she smiled at her guest and thanked him softly. Could she be like Louisa? Were there other women attending the ball who were child-brides as her twin was? Before she could look more closely at the women around her, her attention was captured by her host speaking, feeling her face heat at his question.
“Don’t tell me that your sweet little ward did something so naughty that you didn’t see fit to allow her to attend our party, Edward,” Eddinberg said.
Lucas’ chuckle snapped Lucy’s gaze to him. “It’s not funny! He thinks I’m… naughty!”
Lucas’ eyes shone in amusement. “You must be smaller than I thought as he obviously can’t see you there,” he said pulling her around from behind him. “Of course, if you don’t sheath those claws, you’ll be proving him correct,” he teased before, with a tilt of his head, he silently instructed her to listen as the conversation continued in front of them.
“I had so looked forward to seeing her again and hearing her progress. I’ve already had to reassure a gentleman that she was expected, and I can’t bear the thought of disappointing him. Your headmaster has been wearing a hole in my floors awaiting her arrival,” Lord Eddinberg chuckled.
Lucy shot Lucas a gaze when she heard his intake of breath only to see he no longer appeared quite so amused. She wasn’t about to comment on that fact as she’d totally forgotten that Charles was not only going to attend, but had obviously arrived ahead of them.
“It seems that Charles is quite infatuated and has done his best to consume all of Lucille’s free time,” Edward said. “I assure you, sir, that no one has a proper claim as yet. Lucille was very excited with your invitation and is quite looking forward to enjoying her first social event.”
Edward stepped to one side and Eddinberg smiled seeing the subject of their discussion clutching the arm of a huge man.
As Lucas stepped forward, Lucy attempted to step back, seeing that she was next in line to offer her greeting. Lucas bent close to her.
“Remember, Lucy, Cinderella only had her fairy Godmother to help her. You, kitten, not only have me, you have the strength of a lioness.”
She looked up at him and saw his jaw had relaxed, his smile was genuine, and the gentleness in his eyes calming.
“Make Cleo proud,” he said softly.
When he stepped back, offering her hand to Edward to take, Lucy lifted her head and straightened her shoulders. And when Edward turned her toward their host and hostess, Lucy smiled and dropped into a curtsy before rising to accept the kisses Lord Eddinberg pressed to each of her cheeks.
“You look lovely, my dear,” Lord Eddinberg said.
“I’m so glad you could come,” his wife said, giving Lucy a welcoming smile.
“It’s very kind of you to invite me.”
Lady Eddinberg smiled and reached out to give Lucy a quick hug. “I think we’re going to become good friends. And, just in case we don’t have time to talk later, please have a very good time.”
“Thank you, I’m sure I shall,” Lucy said and realized she meant it.
After Lucas gave his own greeting, the four were free of the reception line and stepped into a large room that had been cleared for dancing. Edward watched as the girls took in everything, their eyes wide with delight. Several servants offered trays of tidbits as others served glasses of wine. If Lucy seemed surprised when he plucked two glasses off a tray and presented one to Louisa, she managed to suppress it. He grinned, thinking that she had probably imagined being offered a glass of milk. Taking his cue from Edward, understanding that this was a special evening, Lucas soon had a glass in each hand and turned to offer one to Lucille.
When his friend’s smile dropped from his face, Edward turned to see Charles walking toward Lucille. The man’s face showed the depth of his desire for the young woman. Edward watched as Charles reached out and drew Lucille into his arms, and when he dropped a kiss to her cheek, he was a bit shocked at the man’s arrogance. However, when he saw her blush and then smile, as well as saw Lucas’ glare, he simply grinned and didn’t step forward to interrupt. This was a game that needed to be played through to its ending. He’d only step in to referee if absolutely necessary