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“What can I say, her taste is impeccable.” At Lucas’ chuckle and lifting of his almost empty glass, Edward smiled as he reached across to freshen his guest’s drink. “And as long as you’re in the confessing mood, you might as well admit you’re just jealous.”
“Consider my confession complete,” Lucas said. “Last time I was at Wintercrest, you were fighting off the rather determined mothers of the ton as they pressed their precious daughters upon you. Tell me how exactly did you manage to snag not one, but a set of such perfect femininity.” Settling back in his chair, he warmed the glass of brandy between his palms as he waited for the lucky bastard to fill him in on what he’d missed in his time away.
Once Edward finished telling of how he’d met Louisa and their rather rapid courtship and marriage, he then told him about the tragic accident that had caused the death of the twins’ parents. Lucas watched as his lifelong friend’s expression turned somber. “It was actually quite eerie,” Edward said, the amber liquor in his snifter remaining untouched as he absentmindedly swirled the brandy while memories played in his mind. “I made a vow to Joseph accepting the responsibility of Lucille as well if anything happened to him and his wife, Ruby. I truly never expected to have to keep that promise within but a few weeks after I’d wed her sister, but fate doesn’t really give a damn about what we expect does it?”
Lucas shook his head, both men sitting quietly for several minutes. Finally, he looked over to meet Edward’s gaze again. “They might be identical in appearance, but they are different. Your little Louisa is the quieter one. She has an air about her that has one thinking of serenity.” Chuckling, he shook his head. “Lucy, on the other hand, has a fierce spirit. Despite her attire and her obvious submission to authority, I believe she is far more the hellcat than the kitten,” Lucas observed.
Edward’s knowing grin confirmed his agreement with his observation. “You haven’t lost your astuteness, my friend. Though Lucille has certainly come a very long way since she’s become my ward, there remains a band of steel beneath her soft exterior. But, when have you ever run from a challenge?” Edward asked. “I don’t see Charles running, and believe me, every bit of this is new to him. I suppose the question is which one of you can teach steel to bend but not break?”
While Edward was still smiling, Lucas knew the question was a serious one and with the mention of the professor’s name, he also understood that Edward was not going to simply hand him his approval on a silver platter despite their history together. His first impression of Charles Lloyds hadn’t been all that high though he had nothing to truly base his feelings on. However, hearing the man tell his story in the parlor and seeing the obvious approval in Eleanor’s expression, he realized that both she and Edward truly respected the quiet teacher. And the fact that Charles had spoken frankly, effectively firing the first salvo, he had to give the man far more consideration that he’d thought. Rather unused to competition, Lucas smiled, finding himself looking forward to the challenge.
“Don’t worry about me, Edward,” he assured his friend. “I have no intention of hurting your kitten.” He paused as Edward rolled his eyes. “I warn you though, I do have the intention of making her purr.”
“I would expect nothing less, Lucas, but let me warn you,” he said, leaning forward, his voice firm and tight. “I have come not only to respect Lucille, but to love her as well. I think you would be a perfect mate for her, however, do not take advantage of my friendship. There will be no dalliances here. You are not to attempt to win her if it is only to put another notch in your belt. She is not one of Eleanor’s students. Her spirit is indeed strong, but she is an innocent and, Lucas, she shall remain so or you shall deal with me.”
Lucas heard the warning and understood. He nodded and setting his snifter back onto the table between them, he stood. “I understand, Edward,” he said, “I give you my oath that I will behave myself.”
Edward nodded as he tossed back the rest of his drink. The men extinguished the lamps, left the study, and climbed the stairs, giving a final good night as Lucas turned to walk toward the guest chambers while Edward turned in the other direction toward his room. As Lucas undressed and moved to extinguish the lamp, he added a final vow to himself, “I will heed your words, Edward, but I promise you this… I will win her heart.”
* * *
The next morningLucy found herself wondering where Lord Huntington and Edward were, but was grateful to be able to make her apology to Mrs. Bremmer without the man bearing witness. The housekeeper seemed pleased with the exchange, but that didn’t keep her from plopping her charge back down on the settee and handing her the mended dress. Lucy sighed seeing that more than half of her stitches had been removed. As Louisa sat sewing a tapestry in a chair nearby, Lucy redid her work. The next time Anna checked, Lucy watched, massaging her fingertips as several stitches were again removed. Clamping her mouth shut, Lucy simply accepted the dress for the third time.
When Lucy looked up at the sound of footfalls, it was to see Lord Huntington entering the room. She watched as he approached Louisa’s chair and asked to see her work. Lucy knew that, unlike her, Louisa was an expert seamstress. The colors of her threads popped off the linen, bringing the scene to life. Every decorative stitch was beautifully placed as well.
“This is Wintercrest,” Lucas said, with a smile.
“Yes, or rather, I’m attempting to depict the gardens of the estate,” Louisa said, running her fingertip over the raised bumps of hundreds of tiny French knots in different hues of pink that made up the hydrangea blossoms that bloomed in beds near their willow tree.
“I recognize the pathway that runs along the bottom of the terraces. You do beautiful work, Louisa.”
Lucas’ praise had Lucy’s eyes dropping to her work. Instead of vibrantly colored threads, her needle held a single gray strand. There were no intricately worked designs, only a line of boring stitches and even those weren’t perfectly placed. Sighing, she unthreaded her needle, using its point to pick out the last few stitches she’d made, saving Mrs. Bremmer the trouble.
“I thought you finished your mending last evening, Lucille,” Lucas said.
Lifting her eyes, she glared at him. “I did, but obviously Mrs. Bremmer is not as appreciative of my efforts as you are of Louisa’s,” she said, her tone indicating her anger. She saw the smile leave his face.
“Careful, little one,” he said. “I appreciate your spirit but am far less accepting of useless anger. I saved your bottom last night because I accept the blame for tearing your dress. However, don’t think I won’t hesitate to tend to it myself in the future if your tone does not change.”
Louisa gasped, and Lucy’s mouth opened to protest, but at the sight of his eyes and his unflinching expression, she closed her mouth. And when the brow over his right eye lifted, she swallowed hard and nodded, dropping her eyes back to her lap. She was angry but also felt a bit guilty as she remembered he had stopped Mrs. Bremmer from spanking her. Her face flushed at his veiled threat and her blood rushed through her body, her tummy feeling as if the butterflies had left Louisa’s tapestry to settle inside her belly. Lord Huntington might be a total stranger to her, but she had absolutely no doubt the man meant exactly what he’d said. Remembering that Edward had said they’d been friends since childhood and Mrs. Bremmer had mentioned knowing the man since he’d been in short pants, it was obvious Wintercrest Manor was not only familiar, it was his second home.
“Yes, sir,” she managed to say, if only in an effort to keep her bottom safe.
Bending down, Lucas looked at the seam she’d been repairing. “There is beauty in all things no matter if elaborate or simple, Lucy, and pride to be found in all jobs well done.”
She was surprised at his words and was about to nod when he pointed at the few stitches she’d just redone for the fourth time.
Smiling and lowering his voice as if conveying some great secret, he added, “Those remind me of the flagstones lining the garden paths…” Pausing, he waited until she raised her gaze to his before adding, “You know, serviceable even if a trifle crooked.” He grinned when she growled.
As he straightened and picked up a book off a table, she couldn’t help but regret she hadn’t ‘accidentally’ stabbed him with her needle. Perhaps doing so would allow some air to escape the insufferable man.
* * *
Over the next several days,Lucas discovered that winning her heart was not going to be as easy a task as he’d originally thought. Lucy made every attempt to avoid being in his presence. When they ate their meals or whenever he did manage to be in the same room, she was unerringly polite. Lucas found it somewhat amusing at first but quickly found himself irritated by her constant curtsying, thanking him profusely for every little thing he passed her while at the dining table, or continuing to address him as Lord Huntington with a voice that sounded like it was dripping treacle. He did not complain or reveal that he was unamused, but would catch Edward looking at him with a knowing smile. Lucy never went far enough to warrant discipline, but he found himself thinking more and more about upending the small woman and trying to spank some sense into her. He found he missed the spirit in her voice and the fire in her beautiful eyes.
Originally, Lucas had been unconcerned about Charles Lloyds. However, as several evenings passed with Lucille being escorted by him to the neighborhood park or even on long walks through the gardens surrounding Wintercrest, he did begin to wonder what he was doing wrong.
Lucas also became aware that, even as he was watching Lucille, Louisa was watching him. He found he approved of her sister’s diligence, understanding that Edward’s wife simply wanted what was best for her sister. One afternoon, Lucas returned to the house earlier than usual leaving Edward in town where he had a meeting. The house was too quiet. He sighed to himself, wondering how he could get past Lucy’s barriers. He went through the house and out into the gardens, walking down the paths and chiding himself for his inability to form a plan.
