by Maggie Ryan
“Since when have you run from a challenge?” Edward asked with a grin. “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?” Lucas knew Edward was not giving him his complete approval. Hearing the story in the parlor told him that Edward respected the teacher. Unused to competition, Lucas found 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.” Edward leaned forward.
“I would expect nothing less, Lucas, but let me warn you,” he said, 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. 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 then stood.
“I understand, Edward,” he said, “I will behave myself.” Edward nodded as he tossed back the rest of his drink. The men extinguished the lamps and headed towards the stairs. As Lucas undressed and went to bed, he added a final statement to himself, “I will heed your words, Edward, but I promise you this…I will win her heart.”
The next morning Lucy made sure to make her apology during breakfast. Mrs. Bremmer was pleased, but still plopped her back down on the settee and handed 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, 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.
Lucas found the girls and smiled at the sweet scene. He first went to look at Louisa’s work. Every stitch was beautifully placed and he praised her work. She gave him a smile and quietly thanked him. He then turned to Lucille.
“I thought you finished your mending last evening, Lucille,” Lucas said. He was surprised when she lifted her eyes and glared at him.
“I did, but Mrs. Bremmer is not as appreciative of my efforts as you are of Louisa’s,” she said, her tone indicating her anger. Lucas appreciated spirit but he was far less accepting of obvious anger.
“Careful, little one,” he said. “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 in the future if your tone does not change.” Louisa gasped softly, but Lucy only nodded and dropped 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 as she realized he meant what he said.
“Yes, Sir,” she managed to say, if only in an effort to keep her bottom safe. Lucas nodded and considered the matter closed.
Over the next several days, Lucas discovered that winning her heart was not going to be easy. 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 anytime he passed her something on the table or continued to address him as Lord Huntington with a voice that sounded like it was dripping maple syrup. 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 her beautiful eyes.
Originally, Lucas had been unconcerned about Charles Lloyds. However, as several evenings passed with Lucille’s 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; Edward was still in town with a client. 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. He had seen Lucille saying good night to Charles the evening before. After the man left, Lucas, from the shadows of the parlor, saw the girl reach up and touch her cheek. He instantly knew that regardless of how innocent Edward thought the girl was, she had obviously just been kissed. He shook his head, fearing that he was falling further and further away from her mind. He was surprised when he found himself thinking about what was best for the girl. Was he simply trying to win her because he hated to lose? Would she be better off with Charles?
Lost in thought, Lucas’ reverie was interrupted by the faint and distant sound of feminine giggles. He looked behind him, but saw nothing. He looked all about, but again saw nothing that could have produced the very delicate, nearly imperceptible laughter. Then it came again, and realizing that it was off the path, he walked softly towards the feminine voices. Pausing before a large weeping willow tree, he recognized that the sound was coming from behind its branches.
“He kissed me,” he heard Lucille confess, and he froze in place.
“Who kissed you?” Louisa asked.
“Louisa!” Lucille said as if she were shocked. “Charles, of course, who else might have cause to kiss me?”
Louisa smiled and teased, “Our Lord Huntington?” Lucy felt her entire body flush remembering how she felt whenever the man was near her.
“No, of course not. It was Charles,” Lucy said firmly. Louisa giggled.
“Well, what was it like?” Louisa asked, and then giggled. “Did it make your tummy tingle?” Deep inside their secret place, Lucy blushed and then shrugged.
“It was nice, I guess,” Lucy said.
“Oh,” Louisa said, shaking her head. The first time Edward had kissed her, she felt as if she would simply burst into flames. Lucy sighed at her sister’s lack of enthusiasm.
“It was only on the cheek, Louisa,” Lucy defended herself. “I…I wasn’t expecting it. I’m sure it will be better if he does it again. I…I certainly didn’t tingle.” Lucas almost laughed. If this was her reaction to her first kiss by a man who was constantly calling on her, then he felt hope bloom again. Hearing the tone of her voice, he knew that Charles was not the man for her. The gloves were coming off, he decided. He would no longer stand in the background. It was past time for him to step up and teach the little kitten how she could be made to purr. Not even realizing that he had answered his earlier questions, Lucas had decided he was the better man for a certain little tiger. With a plan in mind, he slipped away, leaving the girls to their secret place.
The next day, Lucy was sitting in the library reading a book while waiting for Louisa to join her. A small cry caused her to look up.
Her eyes flew open and she jumped up from her chair. “Oh, you are precious,” she cried, as she ran to the small white bit of fluff wobbling into the library. She soon had the small kitten scooped up in her hands and was pressing her nose into the soft, white fur. “Where did you come from?” she asked the kitten, as she looked around. She stiffened slightly as Lucas walked into the room. Her eyes narrowed at his smile.
“You always look like you could use a good cuddle,” he said, and watched her face color. Lucy looked at the kitten she was stroking and knew she should put it down and ignore the man, however, the small animal gave a soft mewl and then licked her finger with its tiny pink tongue. Lucas saw
her reaction to the animal and wished he had thought of licking her finger. He felt himself becoming aroused and quickly brought himself under control. He was saved from speaking when Louisa joined them and immediately squealed her delight. The girls were soon seated on the settee, the small bundle between them as they stroked the kitten.
“Oh, Lucy, it is so cute,” Louisa said, and looked at Lucas. He again knew why Edward had picked the young woman. Her face was shining with joy, all over the presence of a tiny cat and her sister’s obvious happiness.
“I thought Lucy might enjoy a kitten and be willing to call a truce,” Lucas admitted. Louisa smiled.
“It is such a sweet offering, Sir,” Louisa said, aware that his words had caused her sister to stiffen. “Have you picked a name, Lucy?” she asked. Lucy shook her head, still trying to decide if she was angry with Lord Huntington. Lucas walked to the settee and bent to stroke the kitten with his finger. His nearness made her skin hot.
“How about Charles?” Lucy said, looking at Lucas with a fake smile on her face.
Lucas didn’t bite. “Well, that’s as good a name as any, Lucy,” he said, as he kept his eyes glued to hers. “However, little one, she might prefer a girl’s name as she is soft and tiny and beautiful. This little kitten is definitely not a mangy tomcat.” Lucy flushed realizing he was teasing and yet she felt herself holding her breath.
“Breathe, Lucy,” he said, as he smiled and dropped his eyes back to the kitten. She managed to take a much-needed breath and felt a bit silly. No matter where the kitten had come from, her heart was already lost.
“What about Cleopatra?” she asked, finding herself a bit tired from the effort required to ignore Lucas. He was a man that simply could not be ignored forever. Lucas lifted his eyes back to hers and smiled. Lucy felt her stomach flutter.
“That’s a beautiful choice,” he said. Louisa remained still and quiet, though she was definitely aware of the conversation. Lucas smiled again and then stood.
“Thank you, Lord Huntington,” Lucy said softly. “I…I hope Ed…I mean, my guardian…allows me to keep her.” Lucas found himself extremely glad he was able to reassure her.
“I’ve spoken to Edward, Lucy. Cleopatra is yours if you want. Consider her a new beginning for us.” Despite the shiver his words caused, her smile lit the room as she scooped Cleopatra into her lap. Lucas saw Louisa smile broadly at him and he winked at her. She clapped her hand over her mouth to stifle her giggle and he grinned just as broadly. “She is your responsibility as well, Lucy,” Lucas warned her. “I don’t want Mrs. Bremmer angry with us because Cleo causes her additional work.”
“Yes, Sir,” Lucy said quickly. “I’ll do everything for Cleo, I promise.” Lucas knew she would be as good as her word. He was more than pleased. Not only was it clear she adored the gift, she had called him ‘Sir’ without her usual false sweetness. His determination increased. He would never be content with hearing the word spoken so sweetly only this one time.
The girls were fussing over the kitten when Edward found them. He smiled at the joy emanating from both of them. He drew Louisa away from the kitten as he pulled her onto his lap. After giving her a kiss, he bent to whisper in her ear.
“Should I get you a kitten as well, little lady?” he asked. Louisa smiled and shook her head. She lifted herself to whisper in his ear.
“No, Papa, I have you to cuddle.” Edward was enormously pleased and was soon pressing his lips hard against hers. Louisa felt the familiar tingle of arousal flow through her body. Even as she returned the kiss, she had a moment’s thought as to how her sister had described her first kiss from Charles. She knew that only a few weeks ago, Lucy would have settled for almost anyone that could take her from Wintercrest. She prayed that her twin would no longer wish to do so. She deserved happiness and Louisa wanted her to wait however long it took until she found her heart truly captured. Her thoughts left her sister as Edward kissed her again. Lucas smiled at the two. Edward might demand his wife be his child-bride, but it was obvious to anyone that saw them together that he loved her with all his heart.
The presence of Cleo did lighten the mood between Lucy and Lucas. She no longer went out of her way to avoid him. Lucas was pleased, but realized she was still accepting invitations from Charles. The man always seemed to be joining them for dinner and then escorting Lucy out for long walks and ice-cream cones. During one of his endless visits, Charles had presented Lucy one evening with the gift of a stuffed mouse on the end of a stick. Lucy was delighted but Lucas wanted to throttle the man. Lucy was his kitten!
“For Cleopatra,” Charles had laughed when Lucy had pointed the stick towards Lucas before dangling it in front of her kitten. Everyone except Lucas had laughed as Cleo immediately pounced on the mouse. Lucas found that his friend was not going to take sides, either.
“I’ve known you forever,” Lucas said one evening over their after-dinner drinks. “I know how you think, and, Edward, I can’t believe you have allowed your ward all this freedom. What happened to the stern guardian you used to be?” Edward laughed loudly and slapped his friend on his back.
“Don’t blame me for your failings, Lucas,” Edward said. “Feeling like you are fighting a losing battle, do you?” he asked. Lucas shook his head knowing Edward was baiting him.
“No, just wondering how long you intend this game to go on. I’m telling you, Lucy is not truly interested in that teacher!” Edward didn’t laugh this time, as he knew his friend was serious.
“I’ve promised both Louisa and Lucille that I would not be quick to force Lucille to accept some man simply because I chose him,” Edward admitted. Lucas was a bit surprised but nodded.
“That’s admirable of you, Edward,” he said and then laughed. “Doesn’t do me any good, but hell, it is admirable. There aren’t too many men that would take the feelings of their wives much less their wards into account in making such a decision.”
“Well, we both know these two females are not like any others,” Edward said, and refilled his friend’s glass. “That’s what makes the battle worth the effort.” Lucas had to agree, though he didn’t have to like it.
Chapter 8
Only a week was left before the opening ball. Edward decided to make his announcement that night after dinner. Once the four had gathered in the library, he pulled his wife down onto his lap. Louisa smiled and snuggled into his chest. Lucas saw how easily the young woman accepted the role Edward desired. She seemed the perfect little lady for his friend. He found her quite charming and beautiful in her childish dresses and bows. He could easily imagine how Lucille would look dressed the same, though he considered her quite beautiful just the way she was.
Edward began to speak. “Girls, I have an announcement to make,” he said and watched as both girls turned their full attention to him. “We will be attending the opening ball of the season on Saturday.” Louisa squealed and clapped while Lucy’s mouth dropped open.
“Oh, Papa,” Louisa said, “How wonderful! Who…where?” Edward laughed and stilled her questions with a kiss. He noticed that his ward had still not said a word.
“Lucille? Does it not please you?” he asked. Lucy flushed and looked away. At his announcement, her first thought had been on how people would whisper about her behind her back or even in front of her. She didn’t want to go to any party where she was dressed like a little girl. She had only just begun to be at least a bit comfortable when walking out with Professor Lloyds and that was just to the neighborhood park or in Edward’s back gardens. With a start she realized that Edward was waiting for her answer.
“It sounds wonderful, Sir,” Lucy said though she didn’t sound like she believed her own statement. Louisa looked across the distance and saw her sister’s sadness.
“Lucy, it will be fun,” Louisa said. “There will be lots of pretty dresses…” her voice trailed off as the realization hit her. She turned her face to her husband’s. “Papa, will we…may we…” she attempted but Edward interrupted her.
“Oh, thank you, Papa,” Louisa said almost bouncing with glee. “See, Lucy, we will have new dresses! There will be music and dancing and food,” Louisa said, and then giggled. “I bet there will be lots and lots of men there who might want to meet you!” Lucy looked at her sister as if she were speaking a foreign language. Men who attended formal balls certainly did not want to meet women like her. Lucas saw her discomfort and went to sit beside her on the settee. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn’t even realize it until he spoke.
“Lucille,” Lucas said softly, “tell us what is frightening you about this invitation.” Lucy looked at him and then had to look away. She had seen no humor in his eyes but knew he’d find her reason silly. She gathered Cleo from the fancy basket that Lucas had given her where the kitten had been sleeping and held her on her lap.
“Little one,” Edward said softly, “I thought you’d be excited. This will be your first party of the season. There is no reason to be nervous. You’ve already met Lord and Lady Eddington and they are hosting this ball.” Lucy looked up, remembering meeting the couple the day she graduated and Edward had taken them out for a celebratory dinner. She had thought them nice at the time.
“I…I don’t want to…to wear a little-girl dress, Sir,” she finally said. She expected him to laugh off her fear. Edward looked down at his wife and saw that she understood her sister’s concern. Remembering that it was a ball, Edward smiled to reassure Lucy.
“Lucille, you will have your choice of gown.” He saw her look of surprise and continued, “…within reason of course. I want my girls to feel beautiful, though I don’t believe either of you need fancy dresses for that. I’m aware that you are courting, Lucille,” he said, and saw her flush. “You deserve to have a wonderful, magical night before you become an old married woman like my little lady here.” Louisa smiled and reached up to kiss Edward’s cheek.
