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I was wearing a formal outfit. I had golden, fringed epaulets at my shoulders and a bold, green sash across my chest. There was a tack in there, with the newly formulated crest of Littlefeld. And a cape. Yes, a cape.
I apologized as I surveyed myself in the mirror, trying to explain I’d had a bad week, and they were all very accommodating and soothing. Of course you have, sir. Don’t give it another thought, sir.
I got the strong impression they were patronizing me.
Oh, well. They could think what they liked about my life. I knew the truth.
Finally, they escorted me out in the hallway and I waited there for Eleri. We were going to be going upstairs together to the ballroom. We’d be announced, and then we’d walk in together. Then we’d go to the front and bow our heads while a ceremonial scepter would be used to formally declare us duke and duchess. Then I’d give her off to Devlin, and then she’d dance with him, and then she’d have a dance with each of the princes and finally one with me.
We’d practiced this yesterday, in between my having meetings with the driver who was going to be with Devlin and Sinclair. I’d had to really alpha the hell out of him, making sure that he wouldn’t be swayed by either of the princes trying to make him do anything. Hopefully, they wouldn’t order him to drive the car if they thought it was broken down.
I fiddled with the cape, which seemed a little over the top. I had seen these formal balls before, of course, and they were the definition of over the top.
Eleri did not come out.
Inside her room, I could scent her, and she smelled like she was frustrated and stressed out.
I went to peer in, but a staff woman at the door told me there was no room in there for anyone else and to just be patient, they had this under control.
So, I waited.
I could hear voices through the door, talking about sewing on sequins and jewels falling out of tiaras and smeared lipstick. Sounded like they were having disaster after disaster with Eleri.
Someone came down to fetch us. They spoke to me, as if I was to blame.
“Look, there’s some delay,” I said. “But I don’t know what it is and they won’t let me in.”
The staff member looked me over disdainfully. “Well, what should I say?”
“That we need a few minutes?” I said. “Do you want to talk to someone in the room?”
“I was told to collect you, sir.”
“Well, I have to wait for the Duchess,” I said. Even though she wasn’t actually a duchess yet.
The staff member left.
Five minutes passed and then the staff member came back down with a more senior member of staff, who didn’t talk to me at all, but just barged into Eleri’s room. From within, there was a lot of discussion and the senior staff member walked out, hurried up the steps, and the first staff member went after them, looking utterly confused.
The senior member was back momentarily, with a tiara in hand. She went back into the room and then came out carrying a tiara and a jewel, which had apparently come out of it. She looked at me, shaking her head. “They think they can glue a priceless piece of art. Glue.”
“That, um, probably needs to go to a jeweller.”
“Exactly,” she said, hurrying up the stairs, muttering under her breath.
Several moments later, Eleri appeared in the doorway, holding the skirts of her dress.
She was a vision.
Her hair was up and woven around the tiara on her head, little tendrils framing her face.
Her dress had voluminous skirts and delicate details. It was light blue with layers of tulle. The bodice was covered in glittering sequins that came up over one shoulder. Her other shoulder was bare.
She smiled at me and I wanted to go down on my knees in front of her. She always looked good, but she was stunning right now. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my life. I couldn’t believe I got to escort her in to the ball. “There were wardrobe issues,” she said.
“I heard,” I said, looking her up and down.
“Is it okay?” She lifted her bare shoulder, looking worried.
