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“Remember, Lucy, Cinderella only had her fairy Godmother to help her. You, kitten, not only have me, you have the strength of a lioness.”
She looked up at him and saw his jaw had relaxed, his smile was genuine, and the gentleness in his eyes calming.
“Make Cleo proud,” he said softly.
When he stepped back, offering her hand to Edward to take, Lucy lifted her head and straightened her shoulders. And when Edward turned her toward their host and hostess, Lucy smiled and dropped into a curtsy before rising to accept the kisses Lord Eddinberg pressed to each of her cheeks.
“You look lovely, my dear,” Lord Eddinberg said.
“I’m so glad you could come,” his wife said, giving Lucy a welcoming smile.
“It’s very kind of you to invite me.”
Lady Eddinberg smiled and reached out to give Lucy a quick hug. “I think we’re going to become good friends. And, just in case we don’t have time to talk later, please have a very good time.”
“Thank you, I’m sure I shall,” Lucy said and realized she meant it.
* * *
After Lucas gavehis own greeting, the four were free of the reception line and stepped into a large room that had been cleared for dancing. Edward watched as the girls took in everything, their eyes wide with delight. Several servants offered trays of tidbits as others served glasses of wine. If Lucy seemed surprised when he plucked two glasses off a tray and presented one to Louisa, she managed to suppress it. He grinned, thinking that she had probably imagined being offered a glass of milk. Taking his cue from Edward, understanding that this was a special evening, Lucas soon had a glass in each hand and turned to offer one to Lucille.
When his friend’s smile dropped from his face, Edward turned to see Charles walking toward Lucille. The man’s face showed the depth of his desire for the young woman. Edward watched as Charles reached out and drew Lucille into his arms, and when he dropped a kiss to her cheek, he was a bit shocked at the man’s arrogance. However, when he saw her blush and then smile, as well as saw Lucas’ glare, he simply grinned and didn’t step forward to interrupt. This was a game that needed to be played through to its ending. He’d only step in to referee if absolutely necessary
Lucille was soon dancing with Charles as Lucas stood with two glasses in his hands. He wasn’t aware of Edward until he heard him chuckle. “Don’t tell me the hunter has lost the edge,” Edward teased, as both of them looked across the dance floor as Lucy was twirled and moved about the room.
Lucas lifted the first glass to his lips and quickly emptied it. As he began to sip from the second, his lips turned up in a smile. “Oh, believe me, Edward, this hunter never loses the scent of his prey,” Lucas said, and put the empty glasses onto a nearby table.
Edward and Louisa watched as he practically stalked out onto the floor just as the music ended the dance. He was soon holding Lucille a bit too close and informing Charles that he was sure he had this next dance. Edward and Louisa watched her sister’s face and saw her flush. She looked beautiful and unsure of what was happening.
“Seems, I was too long in line, Edward,” Lord Eddinberg said as he and his wife joined the couple. “Your lovely young ward needs no introduction at all.” Edward smiled and shook his head. He pulled his wife closer to his side. “It appears she is going to ruffle quite a few roosters’ feathers before the night is done,” he added as additional men were taking advantage of the fact that Charles and Lucas had allowed the subject of their attention to remain unclaimed.
“This is exactly why I plucked my little lady straight from her father’s lap,” Edward said, and bent to kiss her gently. “I will never regret claiming her as mine before another man could even set his eyes upon her.” Louisa blushed and smiled as he wrapped both arms around her and pulled her against his chest.
Eddinberg clapped him on the back. “As did I, my boy,” he said with a chuckle, and pulled his own smiling wife onto the floor.
“I’m glad you did, Papa,” Louisa said with a contented sigh. “I don’t think I would have liked having men fight over me like that,” she giggled and pointed toward the floor. Lucy was standing with her hands on her hips, shaking her head as Lucas and Charles were obviously exchanging heated words.
Edward grinned and shook his head. He watched as a man he knew was a prominent barrister bowed to Lucy and then observed in amusement as his ward nodded and was soon being whisked away from the two rivals. He heard Louisa giggle again at the looks on Charles and Lucas’ faces when they realized that Lucy had tired of their discussion over her dance card by choosing an altogether different man.
“I fear it will be a long night,” Edward said as he pulled Louisa onto the floor.
“But, Papa,” she said as he started the dance, “it won’t be boring.”
“Too true, my love, too true,” Edward chuckled, and danced his bride around the room.
* * *
Lucy’s mindwas whirling as she was expertly guided to weave among the other couples dancing around them. She had not stopped dancing from the moment Charles had led her out onto the dance floor. She had lost sight of both Charles and Lucas when she had agreed to be whisked away from their argument. Knowing it improper, she tried to hide her smile of amusement. Mr. Birkenstone, her current partner, seemed very pleased to have been able to tempt her into a dance. As he twirled her past Lord and Lady Wintercrest, he tilted his head and gave them a nod. Lucy saw her sister smile and returned it.
Some of her earlier fear had dissipated with the sights and sounds that surrounded them. As they once again danced past Charles and Lucas, Lucy smiled and admitted to herself that while Lucas presently looked a trifle bit cranky, he too had a part in making her feel as if perhaps she did belong here after all. When the music drew to a close, Edward walked toward them.
“Good evening, Nathaniel,” he said as he shook the man’s hand. “I see you’ve managed to draw my ward away from both Charles and Lucas.” Nathaniel bowed his head in acknowledgement.
“Only because both were fools to leave such a prize unattended, sir,” he said with a chuckle before turning to smile at Louisa. “Louisa, you are absolutely charming this evening. Is your papa ensuring that your own dance card is filled or might I have the privilege of escorting you for this next dance?”
Lucy watched with interest, his request presented in a way that left no doubt that the guest list did indeed include adults familiar with the lifestyle that her guardian and her sister shared. She saw Louisa blush, not responding to the man’s question verbally, instead, looking to her husband. Edward gave her a smile, even as he placed her hand into Nathaniel’s offered one.
“I’d love to,” Louisa answered, now that she had been given permission. Edward took Lucy’s hand in his, and as soon as the music started for the next dance, the two couples joined the men and women swirling about the floor.
