Page 51 of Royal Academy

CHAPTER 22

Lia held as still as possible while the maid styled her hair into a cascade of perfect ringlets. The dress she had chosen to wear was a deep oxblood color. Her fair skin was the perfect contrast to her deep red hair and the dress.

The bodice was fitted with elaborate beading and then flared out at the waist. Sleeveless, the dress showed Lia’s beautiful shoulders and arms to perfection. With her long black gloves, she was a vision of loveliness.

“My dear, you are stunning!”

Lia caught Queen Stephanie’s eye in the mirror and smiled shyly. “Thank you, and you look beautiful tonight, Queen Stephanie.”

“Just Stephanie, dear, we are going to be family soon.”

Lia nodded.

“I just wanted to see if you would like to wear this ruby necklace. It would be incredible with your dress.”

Lia looked at the gorgeously cut stones in awe. “I couldn’t!”

And then with a sigh, she looked over at the jewels she had planned on wearing. Her father had never lavished jewels on Lia.

“You will,” Stephanie insisted.

The maid moved out of the way for the queen to place the necklace around Lia’s throat. It was the perfect length and looked like it was made for her dress.

Lia lifted a hand admiring how beautiful it looked.

“Thank you, so very much!”

“Thank you, Lia. My stepson has never been happier and we have you to thank for that.”

Lia reached out her hand and Stephanie took it with a comforting squeeze.

By the time Lia was completely ready her nerves had settled a bit. Hank had come out from under the bed to eye her critically.

“Well? Will I do?” Lia asked the finicky cat.

Hank tilted his head to the side as if considering and Lia laughed. It was then that the door to her room opened and Nick stepped inside. He froze the moment he saw her. This was another one of those times that would be frozen in his mind for always. He would remember the sparkle in her eyes, the faint blush on her cheeks, and the way her breasts rose and fell with every inhalation.

“You are stunning,” his words came out as more of a growl, and he certainly felt primitive towards her.

Lia smiled wide, “You are looking particularly handsome this evening.”

He glanced down at his tuxedo that fit like a glove. “This old thing?”

She laughed.

“Thank you for wearing my gift,” he murmured when he got close enough to kiss her neck just above the rubies.

“Gift?”

“I will admit that I asked Stephanie to bring them because I was worried you wouldn’t accept them from me. But they are yours, and there are many more. My grandmother and mother’s jewelry collections were left to me for my wife.”

Lia felt overwhelmed, “But what if I lose something or break it?”

He caught her to him, “They are only things Lia, nothing is more important than you are.”

Leaning down he softly kissed her lips so as not to disturb her lipstick.

They made their way down the stairs and were announced together as they made their way into the dining room. It was there that they met Luke and Benedict. The three friends together were hilarious and kept Lia laughing all through the meal. It was a lighthearted fun something that Lia had experienced far too few of.

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