Page 30 of Royal Academy

He made a face, “That is a lie. I’m fine if you can go back a century or two.”

The bus had begun to unload and the three of them found that the next hour was spent making sure that boys were rooming with boys and girls were in with girls. There was more than one group that needed sorting.

By the time Lia made it back into the room assigned to her she unpacked and was sorely late for dinner. Rather than rush and throw her new gown on. Lia took the time to shower, shave, and steam her dress. She carefully applied the thin layer of makeup just as Craig and Rachel had taught her.

Her long hair with a bit of styling cream was left in waves of glorious auburn curls and to top off the ensemble she wore her crown. It was an older style one that he mother had favored. Lia didn’t remember anything about the queen she had died when Lia was born.

But Benedict had some memories that he had graciously shared with Lia. She felt that through her brother she knew a little about the kind woman that had made her life possible.

Once she slipped her feet into some nude pumps she eyed herself in the mirror.

Her dress clung to every curve she had. The material was thin but not see through, and Lia worried that if the ballroom was too chilly she might be shining her high beams. There was nothing to be done about that now, she was more than a little late.

Blowing one last kiss to the mirror, Lia grinned and made her way to the ball.

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