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“You only sit during the carriage ride. Once we enter the queen’s drawing room, you will not sit until we are finished. When we return you should immediately change into your ball gowns.” Elizabeth opened the door and walked to the steps. She glanced down to see Will pacing in the hallway. “Are you ready to see your sisters?”
“Yes,” he answered, staring up at her. A slow smile crossed his face. “You look…”
“Thank you.”
Elizabeth waited at the top of the steps while Ellie and then Lucy walked down the stairs. The entire time, Elizabeth prayed neither woman would trip and fall down the steps. As Lucy reached the bottom riser, Elizabeth started her descent.
She hated court dress but she would never tell Ellie or Lucy that. A nervous energy filled Elizabeth as Will held out his arm for her. She was not certain if it was his touch or just the presentation creating this disturbance.
They arrived at St. James Palace a few minutes later after a quiet carriage ride. After walking into the long Gallery, they waited. Elizabeth attempted to ignore the pain in her back by watching Will. He barely moved during the two-hour wait.
Finally, Ellie was called for and Elizabeth’s stomach knotted. “Don’t forget,” she whispered to Ellie as she straightened the feathers in her hair, “you must walk out backwards. Never turn your back to the queen.”
Ellie’s eyes watered as she walked into the Presence Chamber. Just after Ellie left, it was time for Lucy to go.
“I know, Elizabeth. Don’t turn my back on the queen,” she said with a smile.
Elizabeth had no idea how Lucy could be so calm about this. At her own presentation, Elizabeth had felt much more like Ellie. But Elizabeth had had her mother to depend on for advice.
“They will do perfectly,” Will said.
Within a matter of moments, it was over. Ellie returned to the Gallery with a look of shock upon her face.
“She kissed my forehead,” Ellie said.
“You are the sister of a duke. As such, you are nearly royalty.” Elizabeth watched as Lucy returned with almost the same expression on her face as Ellie had shown.
“I just met the Queen of England,” Lucy whispered. “The queen.”
Elizabeth smiled at Will, who appeared quite proud of his sisters.
“Thank you,” he said as Ellie and Lucy clamored into the carriage. “They could never have managed this without you.”
“You are welcome. But you might not want to thank me,” Elizabeth said. “By giving them their come out and the ball, they may never wish to leave England.”
Will stood at the threshold to the ballroom as the crowd grew larger. Elizabeth had informed him that most of the ton had accepted his invitation, but he hadn’t realized just how many people that entailed.
He couldn’t even remember half the names of the people he’d been introduced to this evening. There were dukes, earls, viscounts, and a rumor that the Prince Regent himself might make an appearance.
“Everything is perfect,” Elizabeth said as she reached his position. “Ellie and Lu
cy did so well today.”
“All thanks to you,” he replied.
He could never have managed this without her. And tonight, she looked radiant in her pale green silk with an embroidered peacock at the hem. The neckline of her gown plunged dangerously low, displaying the fine curves of her breasts. While a part of him wanted to cover her so no one else could see, the lecherous part of him wanted to slide the sleeves down and let that dress fall to the floor.
“Do you think Ellie and Lucy are enjoying themselves?” she asked softly.
Will blinked and attempted to focus on the conversation, and not think about how he’d like to enjoy her tonight.
“Yes,” he said absently.
“Your Grace, I believe you are woolgathering.” Elizabeth glanced around the room. “It is time for you to dance.”
“Is that an invitation?” The idea of her body being closer to his sent desire straight to his loins.
“Absolutely not. The first dance belongs to Ellie, and the second to Lucy.”
