Her Lord's Desire (The Forbidden Saga #3) - Maggie Ryan Page 0,69

listening to the conversation of the twins with Edward, he wondered if Lucy was even aware of the immensity of what Edward had done. Not only in refusing Reed’s request, but in allowing Charles and, he had to admit, even himself, the opportunity to vie for her affection. Did the beauty before him realize the enormity of the gift she’d been given? One that very few women in the world were ever offered? Cinderella may have been given a glass slipper but Lucy had been given something far more precious, far more magical. She had been given the gift of choice.

Chapter 15

Only Lucas’ upbringing and respect for Edward allowed him to behave like a gentleman. After picking at the food on his plate, he’d finally allowed it to be taken away the moment Lucy announced that she couldn’t swallow another bite. He managed to beat Charles to her side by the barest margin only to find the man practically performing a solo dance around the perimeter of the dancefloor following their every step to assure he was right there the moment the last notes of the violin faded away.

Every time he saw Lucy being led onto the dance floor by another man, his instinct was to pull her away. Every time he caught Edward’s amused glance, he wanted to throttle his best friend for deciding to be soft-hearted at a time when Lucas wanted him to flat out declare that Lucas was his one and only choice for his ward. Each time the professor turned headmaster approached Lucy to claim yet another turn, he wanted to tell him to bugger off. He wanted her back in the carriage seated next to him. He wanted her trembling hand on his arm so that he might hold it under his and offer her comfort. He wanted her to look up at him as she had earlier, to see the fear disappear from her eyes and then to be filled with wonder. Hell, he wanted her teetering on a ladder so he had reason to pluck her from its rungs and spank her bottom for being so careless and to show her that he was the one she should choose. What he did not want, what he could not stand for another moment, was to see Charles Lloyds bend to kiss her.

As the evening progressed, it seemed to become apparent that all besides Lucas understood that Lloyds was to be declared the victor in claiming the sweetest prize at the ball. Lucas gritted his teeth as he watched Charles escorting her onto the dance floor yet again.

“It seems Charles is taking every opportunity to press his advantage,” Lucas heard Edward speaking behind him, turning to see him and Louisa watching the couple waltz away.

Despondent, all Lucas could do was concede. “I swear it wasn’t for my lack of desire, Edward,” he said. “I wanted to be the one to teach her to purr. I wished it with all of my heart and soul.” They stood watching as the young couple seemed lost in each other while the music moved them about the floor. Eleanor joined them and smiled, as she too saw the couple dancing.

“Don’t fret so, my dear Lucas,” she said, placing her hand on his arm, “remember that there are many special little ones awaiting their own papas.”

“I hope they’ll find them, Eleanor, but I’m afraid it won’t be me,” Lucas said, wanting to look away from the only woman he’d ever wanted, but unable to do so.

“Perhaps not tonight,” Eleanor said softly, patting his arm. “Give yourself some time and then perhaps you might come visit me as you promised.”

Lucas finally glanced over at her but knew he didn’t appear as a man anxious to make such a visit. At that moment his only desire was to claim the kitten with whom he had fallen in love. “I believe it is time I return to Hunter’s Ridge.”

Edward took a long moment looking at Lucas, yet not speaking. “What is it? Are you questioning the fact that if I can’t have her, I still wish her to find happiness?” Lucas asked calmly though it took a lot of effort not to rant and rave like the disappointed boy in the schoolyard who discovers he’s the only one not chosen to play. “Even if it is with Charles?”

“No, what I’m questioning is why you can’t see that this ceased to become a battle a long time ago. You may have begun thinking