Claimed (The Women of Wintercrest #3) (10 page)

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 sur
prised 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.

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 beg
an 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, Pap
a,” 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. 

“
I believe both my girls deserve to have new dresses for their first ball,” he said.  “There is plenty of time for a seamstress to come and make both of you new dresses.”  Louisa smiled.

“
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, “t
ell 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 lo
ok 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.

“Papa, we are the same age, you know,
” Louisa laughed and smiled, and after another moment, Lucy did as well.

“Thank you, Sir,” Lucy said
, and Lucas could tell she was already imagining her gown.  He grinned and decided to push his advantage.

“I’d be honored to escort you, Lucille,” he said.  Lucy seemed surprised and felt her face heat as she looked at him.  Having an escort had never occurred to her.  She turned her gaze to Edward.

“Will…do you think Char…I mean, Headmaster Lloyds will attend?” Lucy asked, and didn’t see Lucas grit his teeth.  Edward saw his friend’s tension and had to stifle his grin.  The man was as besotted with her as the newly announced Headmaster.

“I’m sure he shall be, Lucille,” Edward said
, having already requested the Eddington’s extend him an invitation though he would never admit it.  Lucas shook his head slowly.  Lucy turned to Edward and smiled.

“
Sir, won’t the four of us be going in the carriage together from here?”  Lucy asked.  Edward nodded and she smiled as she turned her attention to Lucas.  “Then I won’t really need an escort.  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.

“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 there will be many an admirer to ensure your dance card is full.”  Lucy actually giggled at the thought.  Now that she would be allowed to help choose her dress, a real woman’s ball gown, thoughts of a night full of dancing and fancy food filled her with anticipation.

“Thank you, Sir,” she said.  “I gladly accept the invitation.”  Edward couldn’t hold back his laugh.  Louisa giggled as well
, knowing 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.  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 knew he was serious.  He watched as they looked at each other and then both nodded and answered in unison.

“Yes, Sir.”  Lucas smiled
, as he witnessed the way of twins.  He was disappointed that Lucille had not consented to his offer of being her escort.  Ever since 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.

The following day found both girls in the library
, where several bolts of fabric were strewn about and the game table was covered with patterns.  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.  The girls looked frightened for an instant, as if they might actually be escorted naked to a formal ball.  Louisa finally giggled at the image.

“Mrs. Bremmer is right, Lucy.  You pick first and then I’ll pick,” Louisa offered.  Lu
cy picked up a bolt of sapphire-blue fabric and then saw her sister’s face.

“This is perfect for you, Louisa,” Lucy said
, knowing it was the one her sister favored.  Louisa smiled and Lucy knew she had made the right decision.  This was a very special night for her sister.  Lucy knew her sister 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.  She walked across the room and picked up a bolt of red silk.  Mrs. Bremmer stood and quickly took it from her.

“Red is not a color for young girls,” she said and handed the fabric to the seamstress and g
ave her a look of loathing.  “I can’t imagine why it is even offered, and 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 fabric.  She was also embarrassed that the seamstress was smiling and nodding her own understanding of the veiled reference to a red, spanked bottom.  Lucy reluctantly turned towards the remaining bolts.  Louisa had thought the red a beautiful piece; the shade was the color of a fine wine.  She saw her sister’s disappointment and offered her the blue fabric.

“No, Louisa, that one is for you,” Lucy said.  She saw
Cleo playing among some bunches of ribbons on the floor and bent to pick her up.  The cat mewed at her and she smiled.  As she looked at her pet, she made her decision.  She turned and stroked a piece of green that matched Cleo’s eyes.  Louisa clapped her hands and assured her that the dress would be beautiful.  Mrs. Bremmer sighed, glad that the decision had finally been made.

Another hour found the patterns had been chosen and altered slightly by Mrs. Bremmer.  Though Edward had allowed the girls the freedom to choose their party dresses, she knew he would certainly not approve
of such a daring neckline or bared shoulders towards which Lucy appeared to be gravitating.  Louisa had surprised her twin by choosing a pattern that seemed awfully simple and unadorned, unlike the ball gowns that were the current fashion.

“Louisa, your Papa said you could pick whatever you wanted.  Why do you want such a chil
d…um, I mean simple, dress?” Lucy asked, after seeing the final sketch Louisa had handed to the seamstress.

Louisa gave her sister a smile.
  “This is what I want, Lucy.  I would feel silly and uncomfortable in a fussy dress.  I…I want to make Papa proud of me,” Louisa said, and then showed the first sign of hesitancy.  “Do…do you think it will be ugly?”

Lucy
smiled and gave Louisa a hug.  “It will be a beautiful dress, Louisa,” she assured her.  “You make anything you wear beautiful.  I know he will be happy with your choice.”  Louisa smiled and felt the same.  Lucy watched as the final notations were made on the sketch she had chosen.  The dress was far more fashionable than the drop-waist dresses she wore every day.  She couldn’t wait to try it on and feel like a grown woman once again.

Anna was very pleased when the girls did not
argue about her requirements for changes to the patterns. She knew that Edward’s warning was constantly with them and neither wanted to miss the party.  The seamstress made her final measurements, amused that the girls were truly the exact same size.  She promised to have the dresses ready for the first fitting in two days.  Final alterations would be done in plenty of time for the party.  Though she secretly wished that Lord Wintercrest had hired her at least a week earlier, he had been understanding and was being more than generous to compensate her and her staff for the rapid turn-around.  She was extremely busy during every Season, dressing many a young woman.  She gathered her supplies and hugged the twins.

“You will be
the belles of the ball, girls,” Mrs. Palmer said.  The girls smiled and thanked her, as Mrs. Bremmer finally led her from the house and sent the girls to lunch.  By the time she had tucked them both into their beds for their naps, Anna found she almost wished she could crawl into her own.