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Lucy seemed surprised and when she turned to look at him, Edward understood the thought of having an escort had never occurred to her.
“Will… do you think Char… I mean, Headmaster Lloyds will attend?” Lucy asked.
Since her head was turned toward him, Edward knew she wasn’t aware that her question had the muscle in Lucas’ jaw clenching as he gritted his teeth. His reaction had Edward stifling his grin. The man was as besotted with her as was the newly announced headmaster.
“I’m sure he shall be, Lucille,” Edward said, having already requested the Eddinberg’s extend him an invitation though he saw no benefit in admitting doing so.
Lucas shook his head slowly, looking from the woman he desired to gape at Edward as if silently asking if the man knew he was basically offering up the professor on some sort of platter. Edward just grinned broader. As he’d told Lucas, the only victories worth winning were those requiring a well-planned attack.
“Sir, won’t the four of us be going in the carriage together from here?” Lucy asked. Edward nodded, practically strangling on a chuckle as he saw her smile and turn her attention to his unsuspecting friend.
“Then we shall all be really escorting each other won’t we? I wouldn’t want to hurt Headmaster’s Lloyds’ feelings. I’m sure you understand, Lord Huntington,” she said. “Isn’t that the proper thing to do, Sir?” she asked Edward.
Make that a well-planned attack as well as the ability to alter a perfectly executed campaign to overcome the occasional setback. “I suppose that will be fine, Lucille,” he answered, knowing his friend would certainly not appreciate his concession. “It is kind of you to not wish to hurt either Charles or Lucas’ feelings. I’m certain that they shall both make it a point to entertain you at the ball.” He saw Lucy’s face split into the happiest smile he’d seen since Cleo had become hers. He found he couldn’t help but tease his friend just a bit more. “Regardless, Lucille, I feel certain that the moment you enter the ball, you will find many an admirer anxious to ensure your dance card is full.”
When Lucy actually giggled at that possibility, Edward considered his announcement to finally be the success he’d sought.
“Thank you, sir,” she said. “I gladly accept the invitation.” Edward couldn’t hold back his laugh. Louisa giggled as well, experience teaching her exactly who did the accepting in their family.
“You are welcome, little one,” Edward said, and then continued, “I want to remind you both. Any naughtiness between now and the time of the ball and you will not only have your bottoms spanked, you will stay home. And though I’m sure I don’t need to point out, I also expect both my girls to be on their absolute best behavior during the ball. Don’t make me regret allowing either of you to play dress-up and attend the party by having to lift your new dresses and spank you.” Both girls looked at each other and then at him, both nodding and answering in perfect unison.
“Yes, sir.”
* * *
Lucas smiled,as he witnessed the way of twins. He was disappointed that Lucille had not immediately consented to his offer of being her formal escort. Ever since the night that Charles had told Edward that after discussing it with Lucy, he would be pleased to accept the position of headmaster, it seemed he was around even more often. Though it continued to annoy him, seeing Lucy smile he knew he couldn’t be angry with her. She was obviously quite excited and he knew he wouldn’t be the only man aware of her petite beauty once she arrived at the ball. He looked down to see that Cleo was climbing onto his lap, her little nails poking through the fabric of his pants. He gently plucked her off and smiled. Even Lucy’s little pet didn’t bother to hide her claws.
Chapter 12
Monday found both girls in the library, where several bolts of fabric were draped over every available piece of furniture and the game table’s surface was covered with so many patterns that the forest green felt was completely obliterated from view. Mrs. Bremmer sighed for the hundredth time as both girls seemed quite incapable of making any sort of final decision. She heard the seamstress going over the same ideas she had already covered twice. Finally, Anna clapped her hands loudly to get their attention.
“Girls! Unless you want to either go naked to the party or wear a dress you currently own, I suggest you decide what you want. Mrs. Palmer and her staff will not have enough time to make one dress let alone two if this continues,” Anna said.
Lucy stared aghast at the housekeeper for an instant, actually imagining walking into a formal ball wearing nothing but her birthday suit. When she heard a giggle, she snapped her head around to look at her twin.
“I’m sorry, but you should have seen your face,” Louisa said not sounding the least bit apologetic. “Don’t be so gullible, Lucy,” Louisa giggled again. “Papa wouldn’t allow either of us out of the house without the proper clothing. But, I’m afraid Mrs. Bremmer is right. You choose first and then I’ll pick,” Louisa offered.
Feeling a tad bit foolish, Lucy perused the choices again, finally picking up a bolt of sapphire-blue fabric and then saw her sister’s expression. Draping a length over her arm, she held it up against Louisa. “This is perfect for you, Louisa,” Lucy said, knowing it was the one her sister favored. Louisa smiled brightly and Lucy knew she had made the right decision. This was a very special night for her sister. Lucy knew Louisa had grown accustomed to her life and that she even found happiness in it. However, she was seldom out of the house and Lucy wanted her to remember the ball for a long time. If anyone deserved to have a magical night, it was her twin. Spying a bolt practically hidden beneath another, Lucy walked across the room and pulled it free only to have the cloth immediately taken from her.
“Most definitely not,” Mrs. Bremmer said, her gray head shaking. “Red is not a color for young girls,” she said and handed the fabric to the seamstress and gave her a look that Lucy was all too familiar with.
“I brought a wide range of choices upon Lord Wintercrest’s request,” the seamstress said appearing completely unfazed by Anna’s disapproving scowl.
“Regardless, I’m positive that Lord Wintercrest would not appreciate either of his girls wearing red unless he placed the color on them himself. Choose something else, Lucille.”
Lucy flushed, knowing exactly what part of her anatomy could easily be turned as red as the silk fabric. She couldn’t help but wonder if Mrs. Palmer had any idea that veiled reference had Lucy instantly visualizing that the only red she’d be wearing would be on her spanked bottom unless she made another choice. Giving the red silk a final glance, Lucy reluctantly turned toward the remaining bolts.
“It was a very pretty color though. It reminds me of the fine red wines that are in the cellar,” Louisa said, moving to stand beside Lucy. “Here, take the blue, Lucy. I’ll choose something else.”
“No, Louisa, that one is for you,” Lucy said. She saw Cleo playing among some ribbons that had fallen to the floor and bent to pick her up. The cat mewed at her in distress. “Shh, it’s all right,” Lucy crooned softly as she gently removed a ribbon that clung to one of Cleo’s paws. “There now, perhaps you’d best play in your basket.” After placing her pet on the pillow in her bed, Lucy straightened and smiled. Walking to a bolt that was leaning against the fireplace, she made her decision. Stroking the green fabric, she said, “What about this?”
Louisa clapped her hands. “Oh, it’s beautiful. It matches Cleo’s eyes perfectly!”
Mrs. Bremmer sighed, obviously relieved that the decision had finally been made. Or at least the fabric choices. Exactly how that cloth was going to appear proved yet another dilemma.
“Child, are you trying to put me in an early grave?” Anna said, plucking yet another pattern from Lucy’s hand. “You will not be wearing a gown with such a low neckline or one that has no sleeves. How on earth do you expect to keep it up?”
“I assure you, Mrs. Bremmer, my designs and my staff’s tailoring would assure the young lady would not be… shall we say, in danger of exposure?”
