[excerpt] (19 page)

After absorbing Duncan’s explanation and another glass of champagne, Raven cried, “I don’t understand. I feel so cheated.” Raven looked to Lucian out of habit. She looked at him for everything in her life and didn’t realize how much she actually depended on him until that second. “André, I’m so sorry you’ve been alone for so long.” Raven placed both her hands on his face and held him steady, gazing into his deep blue almost black eyes. She kissed him chastely on the lips and then hugged him with as much force as she could muster.

“You’re going to love me to death, little beauty,” André whispered, as he returned her hug.

Lucian and Duncan joined in, all of them crying like a bunch of drunken fools.

After a moment of awkwardness, realizing how they appeared, Lucian backed out of the group and with a giant grin and reddened eyes said, “This is the best night of my life. I’m going to bed now before anything happens to change it. See you all bright and early for my wedding.”

He heard Duncan snickering as he left, saying, “Hopefully, tomorrow night will top this one.”

Chapter Nine

When the front door opened and closed, André stuck his head over the upper balcony and watched a man, he assumed to be Father Butler, his white chasuble and bible in hand being a dead giveaway, examine all the pictures in the main entry. He yelled down, “Good morning, Sir.”

Father Butler looked up. “Lucian! So good to see you, son. Are you all prepared for today? Do you and I need to have
the chat
?” Father Butler asked, sincere.

André choked back laughter as he hurried down the stairs to greet the man. “Father, I’m sorry, Lucian is still upstairs. And not that you heard it from me, I believe you’re a day late on the chat, Sir.” André extended his hand to the priest. “André St. James at your service.”

“Lucian never told me he had a twin brother.”

“No one bothered to tell us either, Sir.” Father Butler gave him a quizzical glance. “’Tis a long story, Father. When we’ve more time I’ll explain it to you. May I escort you to the gardens? Would you enjoy a glass of champagne? Molly, Duncan, and Payton are all ready out there waiting for our bride and groom.”

“Where’s my girl?” Father asked wearing a smile fit for the bride’s father.

“Hopefully up. I’ve not seen her yet.”

“I’ll wait here for her. Thank you. And I’ll have that champagne.” The twinkle in his eyes shone bright.

****

Serina wasn’t sure how she ended up here...in this enchanting home with a man that she had fallen head over heels in love with in a matter of weeks. Oh, but she did love him. He gave her a feeling of warmth and security she’d never known. And when he kissed her…

Deciding she had to make this a reality, she picked up her pace and stopped her daydreaming. Padding over to the dresser, she noticed a small, white silk package with a note beside it.

August 30, 1896

M’lady, Serina Spencer,

This morning you will fulfill my destiny. You are my treasure, which I will protect, love and cherish with my heart, my soul and my life. You are my very heart’s desire. My eternal love is forever yours. You are my Garden of Eden, Serina.

Lucian

Within the box, lay a strand of pearls with a trillion shaped solitaire that hung from the center of a gold slide. Serina stared in awe at the necklace and smiled. She set the necklace aside, got cleaned up and started doing her hair which was never an easy task. The length alone became a battle as she pulled it up into a Grecian style twist with long loose tendrils falling down and framing her face and longer curls sweeping down her back. Make-up came next. No easy task again, especially when she rarely wore it and had no idea how not to end up resembling the circus clowns or worse, the corner tart. Her mother taught her what to wear and made her memorize each compartment of her compact so she would know where to apply what. When she finished, she glanced into her looking glass and prayed.

The dress was the last thing to do battle with, and there was, indeed, a battle. Raven and Molly insisted that the gown be just a bit on the snug side, to hold a few things in place. There would be no repeat of Lucian and hers first meeting with the robe. After some very intense minutes of wiggling, stuffing and cursing, Serina triumphed and managed to get into the dress and still be able to take a deep breath without losing any buttons.

The champagne satin, two-piece dress had been in Serina’s family from the sixteenth century. The princess-cut undercoat gave her the appearance of being slightly taller. She loved that. The back of the gown had ruffled layers that cascaded the way a soft waterfall would flow behind her. The sheer lace overcoat fastened in the front with one pearl button and it lay just off the shoulders. Marching back and forth in front of her mirror, and doing an occasional spin to see the gown’s swirling movements, Serina admired her reflection, then glanced at the wall clock, which ticked towards her future.

****

“Knock, knock, Luce. Can I come in?”

“When did you start asking, Ray?”

“I’m practicing so I don’t waltz in on you or Serina. I’ve witnessed enough of you two, and I’d rather save my eyesight. Going blind by your own overactive sex life is one thing—losing your sight because of someone else’s, well ’tis wrong.”

Lucian opened the door to see his sister standing on the other side looking more beautiful than he ever remembered. “What may I do for you, my little beauty?”

With a quick kiss on his cheek, she began fixing his buttons on his cuffs, then she moved on to perfect the knot on his tie. “Today’s only the most important day of your life. Are you nervous?” she asked as she plopped down atop his feather bed and sank a good six inches into the mattress.

“Not when you put it like that! Ray, what do I do about André now that we almost know for sure he’s our brother? I asked Duncan to stand up for me. Now I feel obligated to have André. Help?” Lucian sat down on the bed next to Raven holding his face in his hands.

“You have a very nice option, dear brother...ask Duncan if he wouldn’t mind sharing you. I’m sure that with everything that happened last night he would completely understand.”

Lucian wrapped his arms around his sister and held her for a few minutes without either of them saying anything, or needing to. “I’ll ask Duncan. Ray, you know just because I’m getting married it doesn’t mean…”

Raven tapped her fingers to her brother’s mouth.

“Shush, my favorite imbecile. We really need to get you downstairs. There is this woman waiting for you, and I fear if you don’t light a fire under your arse, she’ll marry the wrong man. Your twin, my twin, our twin, what the hell do we call him?” She pushed at him to get up.

Lucian got up off the bed and held his hand out to her. “Shall we?”

“Thought you’d never ask. I love you, Luce.”

“You better!” Lucian answered following on her high heels.

“Imbecile.”

****

In the garden, Lucian approached Duncan. Before he could get a word in edgewise, Duncan jumped in. “Luce, we need to talk. Can I ask you something most personal?” Duncan tossed his arm around Lucian and walked him to the water’s edge so they could have some privacy. “How would you feel about two best men? It wouldn’t be right to leave André out. Luce, you’ve been like my little brother since the day you were born, and I’m honored to stand up for you, but André really is your brother.”

“Old man, your generous offer leaves me speechless.”

“I’ll believe that when I see it.”

Lucian laughed hard. “I’m the fortunate one to have you by my side today and in my life.” Lucian embraced him as if he never wanted to let go of the man. “I should go speak with my twin. Oh, that’s going to take some getting used to. See you at the podium in a few moments?”

“Luce, if you say anything to make me cry, so help me God.”

“Duncan, you’re the best. I mean that.” Lucian swatted his friend’s back as he walked away.

Duncan turned away wiping his eyes.

****

Concealed by thick pricker-bushes, Olivia Spencer dabbed at the bloody tears that stained her cheeks with her black hankie as she watched her daughter’s wedding get underway. How could her daughter do this to her? Not invite her own mother to her wedding? She’d bloody well waited twenty-one years for this day! She’d almost gotten over the fact that Serina threatened to call the Sorcerer’s Squad on her. She knew Serina would never really do it, not to her—her own mother. Olivia worked up a mist as she swatted at bugs, trying to get a glimpse of the man that had stolen her daughter’s heart. “Blimey, if this doesn’t warm me cockles, nothing will!” Olivia blinked and rubbed her eyes. On the opposite side of the lake stood two identical men, both who looked hauntingly familiar. Then Olivia remembered them.

Royals! Holy shite!

Thinking back she remembered their aunt had been a wretched creature, full of guile.
Oh, what is her name? She’s named after a flippin’ tea cup or a plate—got it, Chyna! I should have smashed her to
smithereens. Wench never paid me for my potions.
“My dear daughter, you need to learn if you’re to make accusations you need to follow through with them. Life is full of consequences and this is a hard one you’ll learn.” Requital time approached as Olivia weaved her hands in the air, and directed a curse that would put a halt to the royal bloodline for some time to come. Serina would learn one way or another to respect her mother and the royals would soon find out money couldn’t buy everything. Still perturbed, Olivia closed her eyes and fashioned a dress worthy of a royal wedding. With a snap of her fingers, she glanced down at the luxurious gown and its accessories.

“Damn, I’m good.” Olivia evanesced.

****

“Serina,” Father Butler yelled at the top of his lungs, “move your dainty
arse
, little girl, if you’ll still be wanting to wed the poor, wilting man outside. ’Tis rather warm out.” The pounding of the knocker called Father Butler towards the door.

“Father, who’s here?” Serina peeked over the banister.

Father grabbed the handle and pulled the heavy glass door inward. Squinting away the sun’s rays he focused on a woman dressed in a black satin gown, a black veiled hat that could have used trestles for support. It was that bold. A frilly, black lace parasol twirled above her. At first he thought the glass distorted the woman’s figure, then upon taking a closer look, he realized it was not the case.

“Oh dear Lord! Livvy?”

“Thomas, you know the lord has naught to do with the likes of me.”

Father Butler gripped the knob tighter.

“Are you going to just stand there or allow me in, Thomas?” She prodded him with her parasol.

“Mum?” Serina’s throat tightened around the very word. Her eloquent descent down the stairs took a nasty turn. Before Serina blinked, she was moving faster than a snowball on a mountain barreling down the slopes going head over heels.

With the flick of her wrist, Olivia plucked Serina from mid-air before she splattered upon the bottom step.

“Such a graceful entrance, Serina. Did I or did I not try to send you to charm school?”

Disoriented and disheveled, Serina wobbled to the hallway mirror, one shoe on, one shoe lost. “You look as if you’re dressed for a funeral, Mother. Did someone die?”
Or am I about to?
Serina didn’t give her a second glance. With no time to waste, she redid her hair, straightened her gown, and climbed half way back up the steps after her shoe. “I feel like bloody Cinderella. Don’t you dare turn me into pumpkin.”

“Weddings—funerals, they’ll both be the death of you at some point. Oh, you’re welcome, Serina, for saving you.”

“I wouldn’t have fallen if you hadn’t shown up. What do you want?”

“What every mother wants, to walk her daughter down the isle and meet the new in-laws of course.”

“I’ll be taking that trip down the isle with Serina, Livvy.”

“How utterly inappropriate, Thomas.” The woman stomped her umbrella on the floor, hitting Father Butler’s toes on the last blast.

Father Butler cast a scornful shot her way.

“Oops!” Olivia gave Father Butler a side-glance, pulled her shoulders back, and said, “Let’s get this fiasco over with.”

“To argue would only hasten the inevitable. ’Tis either her way or no way. Right Mum?” Serina looked at Father Butler with a grim face. “Shall we?” Serina held her hands to Father Butler and her mother. “This day started out so nicely.”

“I’ll not ruin your wedding, Serina. I’m just curious.”

“Curiosity killed the cat, Mum. How many lives have you got left?”

“Enough!”

Lucian, André, and Duncan stood at the podium, waiting…

Within moments, Lucian caught sight of Father Butler as he escorted his blushing bride...And some strange woman dressed like the Grim Reaper’s mistress, down the garden path.

Serina gave Lucian an ill-fated grin.

Serina?

Don’t ask, Lucian. Pretend you don’t see her.

Hard not to. Serina?

My mother.

Splendid, I’d love to meet her.

You say that now.
Serina rolled her eyes and trudged forward trying not to allow her mother to mar her day. She set her sights straight ahead and focused on Lucian. He was the only person here who mattered.

I did not think it possible for you to look any more stunning, beautiful, radiant, gorgeous…

Flattery, my love, will definitely get you everywhere this night. Sorry I’m running a tad late. You see—I had a minor spill when Mummy popped in. Thank you for the note and necklace this morning. I can’t wait for this to be over so you and I can, well, you know.

I do...Wait, that part comes in a few minutes. I know exactly how you feel, trust me.

Serina could feel the color rising to her cheeks, and she didn’t want that to happen. She already had enough make-up on to paint her portrait. And that wasn’t the only place the heat pooled. The whole idea of not wearing any drawers to surprise her new husband may not have been in her best interest when she realized how very moist she’d become. Suddenly she didn’t think she could hold out until after the ceremony.