Claimed (The Women of Wintercrest #3) (11 page)

Lucy stood at the top of the stairs.  She felt incredibly nervous a
s she placed one hand on the banister and lifted the heavy length of her gown with the other.  She took the first step and carefully descended the long staircase.  Seeing the people waiting at the bottom, she hesitated.  As if sensing her presence, Lucas was the first to lift his eyes and lose his breath.

Lucy blushed as
she saw his face light with a smile.  He gave her a small bow.

“You are stunning, Miss Furniss,” he said softly.  At his voice, the other three people turned as one.  Lucy smiled at the sight of her sister.  Louisa wore a gown of sapphire blue and
was a reflection of her twin’s beauty.  Her blonde hair had been curled and flowed around her delicate shoulders like a curtain of gold.  For a moment, the sisters had only eyes for each other.

“
You look just like Mother,” they said in unison.  Their smiles and giggles broke the tension, though both felt the tears prick their eyes with the memory.  Louisa hid her surprise at seeing the dress her sister wore.  It was not the same as the one that had been fitted earlier in the week.  Gone were the flounces at the wrists and neckline.  Gone was the heavily embroidered belt that had originally cinched the waist. Edward stood next to his wife, his arm around her, as he gazed up the stairs at his ward.  She was incredibly beautiful, the green silk of her simple gown hugging her tiny body in all the right places.  Her hair was piled on top of her head with tendrils curling down her neck to frame her heart-shaped face.   He gave her a bow as well.

“Lucas is correct.  You are
truly stunning, Lucille,” he said.  “I’m proud to have the most beautiful bride in the world as well as her beautiful sister with me tonight.”  Lucy smiled at his praise and completed her descent.  Lucas took Lucy’s cloak from Anna and draped it around her.  He still could not believe the change in her appearance.  He had become accustomed to seeing both the girls dressed far simpler and far younger.

Lucy was just as impressed with both men’s attire.  They were wear
ing their very best evening attire, their shirts stark white under their pinstriped vests.  The trousers and coats of their tuxedos were a midnight black.  Both men looked incredibly attractive.

“You look quite handsome, Sir,” Lucy said
, smiling as she stepped forward to brush a bit of lint from Lucas’ lapel.  He smiled and captured her hand, holding it close over his heart.  She felt her own heart leap and her smile faltered at the look in his eyes.  She pulled her hand away and slowly opened her fingers.  A few strands of white lay on her palm.

“Cleo?” she asked
, smiling as he grinned.

“Yes, it seems
you are not the only kitten capturing my attention,” he said, enjoying the flush as it gradually climbed up her slender neck to bloom across her cheeks.  Edward heard his wife giggle and he smiled.  It was truly entertaining watching his friend constantly trying to impress himself upon Lucille.

“Come, Lucas,” he said
, clapping him on the back.  “We’ve kept Henri waiting long enough.”  Lucas reluctantly nodded as he donned his coat.  If truth be told, he had no desire to attend this ball.  He would much rather keep Lucy at Wintercrest Manor, or even better, take her to Hunter’s Ridge, where he felt she belonged.  Knowing he had no chance of getting his wish, he offered his arm and placed his hand over hers when Lucy slipped it into the crook of his arm.  Mrs. Bremmer smiled as the foursome prepared to leave.  Only the color of the dresses the girls wore was different.  She had been surprised, but very pleased, when Lucille had requested alterations to her far more elaborate gown.  Seeing the twins standing together, she knew neither needed anything to enhance their natural beauty.

“You
look lovely, girls,” she said.  “Your gowns are beautiful.  I am proud of both of you.  Now, go along and I hope you both have a very lovely time.”

“Thank you,
Ma’am,” the girls chorused together, both hearing the catch in her voice and smiling as she tried to hide her emotions.

“I confess I feel a bit
like Cinderella,” Lucy said, as she and Lucas waited until Edward had entered the carriage after his wife.  Lucas smiled, knowing her love of reading and praying she was considering him for the part of her Prince Charming.  He took her arm to help her into the carriage and watched as she placed her small foot on the step.

“Ah, my dear, I fear you have forgotten your glass slippers,” Lucas teased
, and was pleased when she turned to look back at him and smiled.  He climbed in and took a seat next to her across from Edward and Louisa. Once the carriage door was closed, Henri climbed onto his seat and flicked the reins.  The carriage lurched and began to roll forward.

“Papa,” Louisa said
, as she laid her hand on his arm, “I hope our carriage doesn’t turn into a pumpkin at midnight.”  Lucy looked at Lucas and couldn’t suppress the giggle that bubbled from her throat.  Lucas smiled down at her again, thinking of the wonder of twins and the invisible bond they shared.  When she caught her breath, Lucy explained to her sister that she, too, had been thinking of the fairy-tale story.  Edward squeezed his wife’s hand and assured her that she would have a safe journey home as he had no intention of letting his princess leave his sight.

When they arrived at the Eddington estate, both girls were awed into silence.  The drive was lined with hundreds of candles and every window seemed to glow as if to welcome them.  The girls had the curtains at the windows pushed aside as they took in all that they could.  As Henri drove the carriage closer to the front door, Edward gently pulled his wife’s hand from the curtain.  When Lucas saw the motion, he did the same with Lucille.

“Girls,” Edward said softly
, but capturing their attentions instantly.  Lucille expected him to remind them to be good and she well knew the consequences if they disobeyed.  She should have learned by now that he was constantly capable of doing the unexpected.

“I
want you to know how honored I am to escort you this evening.  You have both worked so hard and I am very proud of you both.”  Louisa and Lucy both blushed and were both surprised and pleased by his praise.

“
Thank you, Papa,” Louisa said and slipped her hand into his.  Lucy looked at Lucas and then at her guardian.

“
Thank you, Sir, for everything.  I shall do nothing to bring you shame,” she promised.  Edward smiled and reached out to pat her hand.

“I know you shan’t, little one,” he said again
, amazed at how incredibly different she looked and at how far she had come.  “I know you will both remember that you are my good little girls.  Now, let us go see if this ball is anything like the one in your books, shall we?”

The girls both nodded and were soon being escorted up the stairs to the
veranda.  The front doors were standing open, flanked by tall candelabras and urns of flowers that filled the air with their sweet scent.  Lucy was extremely nervous, and felt her stomach flutter more the closer they got to the door.  Despite her dress and the compliments she had received, she felt far more like an insecure young girl than a grown-up woman.  She didn’t even realize that her grip on Lucas’ arm had tightened or that he could both see how her face had paled and feel how her body trembled.  Stepping inside and joining a line of people who were greeting the host and his wife before being announced to the room’s occupants, she heard the sound of music in the background and the murmur of many voices.  As Lucas followed Edward and Louisa towards the front of the line, he became aware that the voices were dropping away at the sight of the incredibly beautiful twins.  He protectively laid his free hand over Lucy’s trembling one and gave it a squeeze.  Lucy suddenly felt like she didn’t belong here and that these people knew it.  She watched as Edward shook Lord Eddington’s hand, kissed his wife on her cheek and then turned to present Louisa.  Louisa dropped into a perfect curtsey and accepted the kiss Lord Eddington gave her cheek. 

“You are even more beautiful since the last time I saw you,” Eddington said
approvingly.  “Edward, your little one does you quite proud.”  Louisa blushed but was pleased to hear his approval.  She felt her husband step closer to her and took the opportunity to slip her hand back into his.

“Thank you,” Edward said with a smile.  “Your own little lady looks like an angel this evening.”  Lady Eddington smiled and dropped her own curtsey
, as she had been taught.  Her husband and she might be hosting the ball, but she was still as much his little one as the other women in attendance were to their own husbands. 

“
Don’t tell me that your ward did something naughty and was not allowed to attend, Edward,” Eddington said, seeing that Edward had only one girl on his arm.  “I had so looked forward to seeing her again and hearing her progress.  I’ve already had to reassure a gentleman that she was expected and I can’t bear the thought of disappointing him.  Your Headmaster has been wearing a hole in my floors awaiting her arrival,” he chuckled.  “I knew she would turn many a head, Edward, but admit even I am surprised that you have allowed her to be spoken for so soon.  Couldn’t you wait until I had the pleasure of presenting her tonight?”  Edward chuckled, and knew that Charles had arrived ahead of him. 

“
It seems that Charles is quite infatuated and has done his best to consume all of Lucille’s free time,” Edward said.  “I assure you, Sir, that no one has a proper claim as yet.  Lucille was very excited with your invitation and is quite looking forward to enjoying her first social event.”  He stepped to one side and Eddington smiled seeing the subject of their discussion clutching the arm of a huge man.  Edward turned and motioned for Lucas to step forward.

As Lucas stepped forward, Lucy
attempted to step back, seeing that she was next in line to offer her greeting.  Lucas bent close to her.

“Remember,
Lucy, Cinderella only had her fairy Godmother to help her.  You, kitten, not only have me, you have the strength of a lioness.  Make Cleo proud,” he said softly.  She looked up at him and saw his smile and the gentleness in his eyes.  He watched as her head slowly lifted and her shoulders straightened.  He stepped away as Edward took her hand and turned her towards their host and hostess.  Lucas smiled, seeing Lucille give the perfect curtsey, and watched as Lord Eddington kissed her on both cheeks.  As Lady Eddington greeted her, Lucas knew she would do quite well.  He was introduced, and the four were soon past the reception line and stepping into the large room, which had been cleared for dancing.  Lucas 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 Edward plucked two glasses off a tray and presented one to Louisa, she managed to suppress it.  Lucas 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, he soon had a glass in each hand and turned to offer one to Lucille.  His pleasure slipped as saw Charles walking towards Lucille.  The man’s face showed the depth of his desire for the young woman.  Lucas saw him reach out and draw 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, Lucas felt his heart stutter in his chest. 

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, seeing his friend glaring across the dance floor as Lucy was twirled and moved about the room.  Lucas seemed to remember where he was and 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, th
is 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.  Louisa watched her sister’s face and saw her flush.  She looked beautiful and unsure of what was happening, as additional admiring men began to gather around her. 

“Seems, I was too long in line, Edward,” Lord Eddington 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.

“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 felt his love as he wrapped both arms around her and pulled her against his chest.

Eddington 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 towards 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.  Louisa giggled again at the looks on Charles and Lucas’ faces when they realized that the object of their desire was no longer witnessing the argument over her dance card.