Page 133 of Loyally, Luke
At least, she hoped.
Father welcomed everyone, thanked all who helped make the evening possible, and then waved his hand for the music to begin. The sound of strings filled the space with a sense of magic. Lights glowed down on the golden floor. Pale blue banners brought a celebratory air, and slowly, led by her parents, couples filled the dance floor.
She closed her mind off to the fact that she stood alone. Other people chose not to join in and they framed the dance floor, speaking to each other and apparently enjoying the luxury and elegance of Carlstern Castle’s finest.
“You look stellar, of course.”
Ellie turned to find Maeve walking forward, her deep green gown a perfect complement to her dark hair and unique green eyes. A definite ten walked beside her. Dark hair. Dark eyes. Skin the color of dark bronze. Where did she find him? On a beach in Italy?
“As do you.”
“And this is Marco.” Maeve braided her arm through his. “We met while watching a performance ofThe Barber of Sevillelast week.” Maeve leaned forward, her brows giving a little shake. “He doesn’t speak a lot of English, but we’ve managed to communicate in other ways.”
Ellie caught her laugh with her hand. “He certainly increases the visual value of the room.”
“Doesn’t he?” She sighed and looked up at him. Even the lost and somewhat overwhelmed look on the man’s face failed to mar his near perfection. Maeve smiled. “I am so proud of you. Walking down thosesteps on your own with the confidence of a queen. You stole the air in the room.”
“I know my ability to breathe was certainly coming in short supply.”
“You were amazing. You are amazing.” Maeve’s expression turned uncharacteristically somber. “And you’re a wonderful princess on your own too. You’ve proven that already.”
“I know I’ll be fine on my own, but I don’twantit to remain so.” Ellie pinched her hands together in front of her, wishing so hard her knight-in-fuzzy-flannel would toss all care aside and sweep her off her feet. “And right now the idea of being on my own for the next several hours isn’t appealing at all, especially with a dance floor.”
Maeve opened her mouth to respond when her attention fixed on something just over Ellie’s shoulder. A slow smile curved her lips. “I don’t think you’re going to have to worry about that.”
Ellie stared at Maeve for a second and then turned.
A wave of warmth rushed through her, yet her body froze to the spot.
Standing at the top of the stairs, looking every bit the part of a gentleman, stood Luke Edgewood. Gone was the flannel, and she couldn’t really say she was sorry, because Luke Edgewood in a tux left her dazzled. He’d shaved his beard close, giving off more of a five-o’clock shadow look, and the cut of the suit highlighted those exemplary shoulders of his.
“Whew,” Maeve muttered. “There ain’t nothing wrong with that view.”
Ellie gave her head a little shake in response, her attention fixed on Luke like he’d stepped right out of her daydream into reality. Because, in a manner of speaking, he had.
He tugged at the sleeve of his jacket and scanned the room, the slight movement and deep breath he took the only hints of his discomfort.
A gasp of air burst from her in disbelief and she stepped forward, drawn to him.
The motion caught his attention and his gaze flitted to hers, then held. His focus moved from the crown on her head all the way down her gown and back up, a wonderfully crooked tip to his lips spreading in time with the appreciation in those eyes. Without another moment’s hesitation, he descended, his focus never wavering.
She felt like the only person in the room, and in this case, she didn’t mind at all. Being the center ofhisattention placed her in one of the best seats in the house.
The closer he came, the more his body relaxed and his smile grew... and the more she started to believe it was actually happening.
“I think Marco and I will leave the two of you to”—Maeve waved a hand—“stare?”
Ellie spared Maeve a look as her friend moved to the dance floor, and then Luke was standing in front of her, real and smiling and wonderfully dashing.
Oh, he looked even more attractive up close.
“Hi.” The word trembled out on a whisper.
He dipped his head, never breaking eye contact. “Hey.” His simple response, uttered low and slow, sent a delightful tingle up her neck. Paired with his hooded look, she nearly melted to the floor in a heap of blue satin and happiness.
“You’re here.”
He nodded. “I can’t say I fought a horde of monsters to get here, but I did see my life flash before my eyes a few times.”
