Lucy

Although Lucy and her parents arrived very late last night, she sat at the breakfast table just after sun up, staring at the dry toast in front of her. She didn’t know how it had come to this. Either she could be a good daughter, or she could be a good wife, but not both.

Her father claimed it would ruin her life to marry Everett. Lucy had known at times her parents stretched the truth, but she had never before realized that her father was so dishonest, bordering on dishonorable. Her stomach clinched at that. How could she think such thoughts him?

The evidence was in front of her. The most important, most sacred promise that she would be asked to make in life would be to a husband. It was her mother and father who taught her that, yet here they were asking her to deceive a man she had given her heart and promised her life to.

Hot tears gathered behind Lucy’s eyes. She looked at the ceiling and blinked several times to keep them from falling.

Through the doorway on the other side of the room, Aunt Nellie floated in, looking rather like a cloud in a very full blue and white dress. There was plenty of room at the table, and Lucy hoped no one would sit by her this morning. She hadn’t really eaten anything, and she knew she probably wouldn’t. Her heart ached more than her stomach.

She pulled the napkin from her lap. When she looked up, Aunt Nellie stood beside her.

“You poor dear,” she said. Her voice was tender, and her eyes looked on Lucy with compassion. “I can help with this, and I will.” Nellie patted Lucy on the back of the shoulder. “Your parents want what is best for you, but they may have that mixed up with what is best for them. It’s a hard thing to know the difference—for them, anyway.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I don’t think my parents would take your gesture kindly for getting involved.” Lucy thought her parents might think she was disrespecting them to enlist help to go against their wishes. Would they be upset enough to take her away from the party? Would they think Everett put Aunt Nellie up to it, and forbid her from seeing him again?

Aunt Nellie placed a tea setting on the table in front of Lucy. Lights seem to swirl and ripple through the liquid. Nellie set another tea setting down and sat beside her. “I know you don’t have much of an appetite, but have a little sip of this and take courage. All your problems will be solved very soon. You will be both a good daughter and a good wife.”

Lucy startled to hear the words that she had thought only minutes before. “What is it you’ll be able to do to help me?” she asked. “My parents will keep Everett away all night. My mother will walk with me to the ladies’ retiring room should I have to go. My father will bully aged, titled men into dancing with me. It will be the same as all the other balls I’ve attended since my engagement.”

Lucy could feel the tears pooling behind her eyes. Since her father would never agree to a wedding with Everett, and she would never agree to marry an old man, it was likely that she would be a spinster.

“If you only knew the things I could do. Well. You will. Your life changes tonight.”

Lucy looked into Nellie’s face and saw confidence. She took a sip. A bit of courage sparked in her chest. That could be a coincidence. “I hope you’re right,” Lucy whispered.

“Of course I am. It’ll all be set to rights tonight.” Aunt Nellie lifted her cup and nodded meaningfully toward Lucy to do the same.

The hot tea tingled against Lucy’s lips. It tasted like berries and lemon and somehow like sunshine. It calmed her nerves and lifted her spirits. She was surprised when she realized that she’d guzzled the entire cup without taking a breath. She must’ve been hungrier than she thought. Aunt Nellie’s words gave her great comfort. Hope and courage warmed her even as the tea did.

Aunt Nellie patted her hand. “It will all be taken care of today.”

Lucy believed her every word. It would be nice to get on with her life. She knew she should be with Everett, but she hadn’t known how to accomplish that without hurting her parents.

Nellie chuckled a bit. “Would you like another cup?” she asked.

Lucy had always been told that a lady only had one cup of tea at breakfast. But her newfound courage prodded her to do what made her happy. “Yes, please. I would love another cup.”

Aunt Nellie chuckled again. “That’s the way, Lucy. Everything will be fine.” She pushed back her chair and picked up the saucer and cup.

Lucy followed her parents to the ballroom. The music became louder with each step they took, twisting a sick, nervous feeling in her gut. Who had her father talked into coming to this party that she would have to dance with tonight? What was he hoping to achieve through having her marry one of his friends?

Before they descended the final flight of stairs, he stopped and spoke to her. “You will only allow Mr. Hawley three dances.” His tone was stern, and he stared into Lucy’s eyes. “Understood?”

Lucy hated the way her father spoke of Everett with his last name. By the way he stressed Mister, she knew he was expressing his prejudice against him.

“And each time you have to return to sit with us,” her mother said.

Nellie stood at the bottom of the stairs, waving toward Lucy. Although both of her parents nodded ever so slightly in return to the acknowledgement they tromped past her with little more attention. Lucy could tell that Nellie looked past her parents toward Lucy the whole time while they tried to snub Nellie.

“Hello,” she whispered to Lucy when she reached the bottom. “Take a deep breath and be brave, my dear. How would you feel to have Everett all to yourself?”

Lucy couldn’t stop the automatic reaction. The moment she imagined him kissing her, a huge smile broke across her face, and her heart felt buoyant.

“There you go. That’s the smile to wear at the ball. Be patient. Don’t lose hope or your smile. Oh, tonight’s the night.”

Yes, it was. Lucy determined within herself that if her parents continued to disallow a wedding with Everett, she would take him to Scotland.

The ballroom had been closed up all day for a special unveiling. Lucy could see why. The festive decorations took her breath away. The oblong room had a massive chandelier in the center with arms of extra lights reaching out from the main body toward the ends of the room. The orchestra was set at one end of the room and tables set for refreshments were at the other. Chandeliers hung above both of those ends as well. Huge golden chains affixed all three of them to the ceiling. Tapered red candlesticks were lit along the arms, and jeweled prisms hung below, reflecting the light. Garlands of mistletoe hung and looped from branch to branch in the center of the room.

The center of the floor had been chalked in an intricate design of swirls and flowers—white roses and violets. The guests clustered around the edges, admiring the general splendor.

Lucy found herself looking into Everett’s eyes from across the room. Even as he began moving her way, his gaze was fixed on her as he wove through the crowd. At times, only his eyes and forehead were above the heads of those he passed. At other times, she could see the smile on his face as he came closer.

She felt a pinch on her arm and turned as her mother was motioning her to follow.

Aunt Nellie stepped between them. “Lady Radnor, I’ve been meaning to thank you for attending the past Full Moon Ball. It’s always . . . thought-provoking to have you attend my little parties.” Nellie followed Lady Radnor, and Lucy followed her, slowly.

Everett caught up before they found seats and offered Lucy his arm. “I only got here an hour ago. I’m sorry I’ve missed having time with you.”

Lucy brightened even more. “I would have liked that, but I’m sure my parents would have found a way to keep us apart.”

“Maybe a lock and key?” he retorted.

Lucy laughed. “They might have resorted to that.” She wanted to secure key dances with him. She was sure he’d ask as he always did, but up ahead she saw her father select a grouping of seats and then turn toward her.  It was unseemly, but she would secure the best dances now. “Shall I save the first dance, the supper dance, and the last dance for you Everett?”

He barked a laugh. “Yes. Exactly those. One day, we’ll not be parted,” he said as he leaned toward her.

“Sit,” her father said.

Everett bowed to each of her parents, greeted Aunt Nellie and then kissed Lucy’s hand, his lips lingering much longer than seemly. “I’ll come to collect you for the promised dances.” He enjoyed the reddening of Lord Radnor’s face and the surprised look on his wife’s face.“Thank you,” Lucy said.

“Hmm, there are only three chairs,” Aunt Nellie commented. “Not to worry.” She pulled a chair from the group behind them and set it next to Lucy for her to sit in. She stayed until Everett returned for his first dance with Lucy.

After the dance, Everett returned Lucy to her parents then went to stand by Henry. Aunt Nellie was also standing on the other side of the room near the refreshments with four cups of punch in front of her. She handed one to Everett and another one to Henry, who stood beside him. She picked up the other two and walked to Lucy, passing her a cup of punch. “Drink up. You’ll need this very soon.” Then she left walking quickly to where May Cottrell was sitting and handed her the final cup as other servants scrambled around the ballroom handing out punch too.

Excitement bubbled through Lucy as she sipped on the drink. She felt as if she should jump up and run across the floor. Where to? She wasn’t sure. She looked at May, and she too was standing at the edge of the dance floor, probably awaiting Saalfeld to escort her. Then Lucy saw Everett and Henry drain their cups and place them on the table. Lucy quickly finished hers and handed it to a passing servant. Peaceful warmth was spreading through her.

Saalfeld walked through the forming sets, straight for May. Everett was still standing near the refreshment table, his eyes locked on hers. He seemed to be trying to come for Lucy for their next dance, but two of her father’s friends were talking to him. His expression was distressed or anxious. Although she could tell that he was trying to leave, one or the other of them stepped in his way. Just another tactic by her father. Sets had formed on the floor and the music would start up soon. If he didn’t break away soon, they’d miss the supper dance.

Anxiety gripped her chest. She could hardly breathe. She couldn’t wait for Everett—she’d meet him halfway. It seemed that May had the same notion and walked out as Lucy did. Lucy could hear her mother hissing behind her, but she paid no mind. She had to go now. Her heartbeat raced and she was compelled to move. She didn’t run, but she felt as if she was a horse, straining to be released.

Beneath the main chandelier, her shoe caught in the hem of her dress. Lucy knew she was falling, but she couldn’t regain her balance and her knees hit the floor. The compulsory desire to reach Everett continued to force her movement. She tried to crawl, but her dress was in the way. Saalfeld diverted from his path toward Lucy and extended his hand to help her up.

As soon as she touched him, blinding white light flashed, turning the boughs of mistletoe above her to a brilliant silver that seemed to engulf her and Lord Saalfeld. Her whole body was alive with passion. Saalfeld seemed to be the same, and they kissed—-deeply, wonderfully. She opened her eyes when their lips parted and he was looking at her with love.

Lucy heard Everett before she saw him running toward them.

“I’ll kill you, Saalfeld. Remove your lips from her.”

Lucy looked in time to see Everett reaching for Henry, but May stepped between them and held her arms out to deflect him, her palm pressing the center of Everett’s chest. Again, the mistletoe flashed a blinding light. Immediately, Everett pulled May to him and kissed her soundly. Lucy was happy for her friend to have found love with her . . . she stopped herself before she could say fiancé . . . with Everett.

Every candle in the ballroom blinked out. Lucy was still within Henry’s arms. It didn’t matter if there were light at all. She lifted her hand toward his face, feeling his ear and then his jaw. All was well in Lucy’s life. The candles guttered back to life, bathing the ballroom in a rich glow.

Aunt Nellie was standing beside her, muttering. “Well, what a mix up this is. Who would have thought that each would touch the wrong one? And yet, here they are completely love-crossed.” Dozens of servants circled the room with teacarts. “A special toast to our hosts,” Nellie called out. “Please take a fresh cup.”

Confused guests stepped forward, accepting the drink. Lucy had no idea what had just happened either. Cora and Simon hurried to join them in the middle of the room.

“I demand Lord Saalfeld marry my daughter,” Lord Radnor shouted from the far side of the room. “He mauled her in front of all these people. The only justice I will accept is a wedding as soon as it can be arranged,”

“Yes, my darling. As soon as possible,” Henry said, lifting Lucy’s hand to his mouth for a kiss.

Her heart burned with excitement at the prospect.

“First, a toast! To the Duke and Duchess of Hertfordshire,” Nellie said.

Lord Radnor took a drink then shouted again. “Have you a chapel, Your Grace?”

Simon didn’t answer but lifted his cup. “And a toast to the happy couples!”

Those in attendance raised their cups and then drained them. A hush fell over the crowd. They talked in quiet groups as if they were waiting for the ball to start.

Aunt Nellie looked inside Lucy’s cup. “Did you drink it all?” she asked.

“Oh, yes. I loved it. Almost as much as I love my Henry.” Lucy’s face tipped up toward him, and he placed a kiss on her nose.

Everett and May joined the group. “I’m so happy for you, Lucy and Henry,” May said. A surprised look came over her face. “We should have a double wedding. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

Before Lucy could agree, Aunt Nellie interrupted.

“Did you drink all of your tea too?” She peeked to look inside May’s cup and then Everett’s.

“Yes.” Everett answered. “It’s all gone. Thank you. It was very good.”

“Why don’t you all sit over there and . . . plan the wedding?” Cora pointed her friends across the room.

Her friends began to walk away, and Lucy was happy to comply. She’d go anywhere with Henry.

Cora waited until they were two steps away, and turned back to Aunt Nellie. “What

happened?”

“I might have given them a special punch. I was just trying to help.”

“What does it do, and how long does it last?” Simon asked.

“I guess there was a little too much magic in that one.” Aunt Nellie looked overhead and mused aloud in response. “Oh, dear. The mistletoe is a little magically charged all by itself. I imagine it enhanced the potency of the love potion. I’ve never had that happen before. Well, now I know.”

“And how long will it last?” repeated Simon.

“For the couples, a few hours or a lifetime. The potion would have worked swimmingly had they touched the correct person first, but that went all awry very quickly. I blame it on Lucy tripping on her hem.” When no one agreed with her, Aunt Nellie continued, “Some of the guests will forget the past half hour and the next.”

“Some?” Simon repeated.

“It will take another dose in the morning, but even then most will maintain some memory of the events. Still, better than nothing.” Aunt Nellie nodded hopefully.

“Why didn’t they forget?” Cora asked, pointing toward the two spellbound couples, who were holding hands, touching noses, and whispering in each other’s ears.

“I suppose the magic of love is stronger than the magic of forgetting.”

It hurt Cora to see her friends so mixed up. “Will they stop?” she asked.

Aunt Nellie looked at the couples then back at Cora. “No. No, I don’t think they will.” Nellie laughed behind her hand. “It’s sort of humorous. Oh, Henry’s kissing Lucy again. Well, her parents have a point, don’t they? Weddings seem in order.”

Cora looked at her with utter dismay as Simon walked to the center of the room and tried to separate his friends from the women they were mistakenly enamored with.

“In a completely unacceptable way,” Nellie added quickly. “I just have put a little too much love in the punch.”

“You literally make it with love?!” Cora thought she must have misheard or misunderstood.

“Yes. I told you I did.”

“I thought that was just an expression.” She threw her hands in the air.

“It will last at least twelve hours—sometimes it lasts forever. Love is an unpredictable and sometimes fickle emotion.”

“No! May is my life, my soul, my very heart. I’ll love her until I die!” Everett shouted while kneeling in front of her.

Simon grabbed Everett’s arm again and moved him to the other side of the room.

Lucy was thrilled when the orchestra started playing, and Henry led her toward the floor. “I’m happy to escort you on the supper dance,” he said.

Cora stepped up beside her. “I think you’re promised for this dance,” Cora reminded Lucy.

Lucy looked up with a pout on her face. She really hoped she wasn’t. She twisted the ribbon on her wrist and looked at the little book. Everett’s name was scrawled across that line. She had promised him that dance earlier in the evening when she had no idea how her life would change. But, promise she had. “I’m sorry, but I’ve given this dance to another.”

“Perhaps he’d understand—”

Cora interrupted him. “You’ll see each other later. I’ll walk over there with you, Lucy.” She hooked her elbow with Lucy’s and spun her away.

Lucy craned her neck to see Henry one more time. Her heart pattered. He was so handsome. She reluctantly continued to the other side of the ballroom. When she reached Mr. Hawley, she thought he looked as if he’d rather dance with someone else too. His eyes watched May walking out to dance with Henry.

A wild idea took root in Lucy’s mind. She smiled brightly. “Good evening, Mr. Hawley. I believe this is our dance.” She tried not to take note of the quizzical expression on Cora’s face.  

Mr. Hawley extended his arm, and they joined a set. Lucy leaned close before the dance started and said, “Would you mind very much if we joined that set over there?”

When Everett looked, a broad smile overcame his face. “I wouldn’t mind at all,” he said.

They turned around and in a few steps joined the same set where Henry and May were waiting. Although they nodded politely, acknowledging all the couples, Lucy sensed that a special greeting from Henry and May was directed back toward them. She was thrilled at the special recognition. At that moment, Cora and Simon stepped up to the group, and Simon whispered to one of the men. He in turn bowed to the duke and duchess, then took his partner’s hand and led her to a different set, making room for Simon and Cora in their circle.

Lucy was happy to have her dear friends in the same set, but it was Cora who had forced her away from Henry just moments ago.  She tried to shake that off, knowing that it was only for the rules of polite society that she honored the names on the dance card. At least when they switched partners, she would be in Henry’s arms for a moment.

The music started, and Lucy bowed to her partner. She turned to her right looking in Henry’s eyes, then bowed deeply to him.

The first series of steps engaged her only with Everett. Mr. Hawley was an able dancer, and she was at ease with him. Perhaps that was because she had danced with him so many times in the past. There had to have been many balls in the last two years since her come out. That must be it.

“How is your mother? She was such a dear to me when I visited in the summer,” she asked as two of the couples met in the middle and turned in various formations. There was something about that visit. Her heart beat faster, but she couldn’t quite remember—it was like having a word on the tip of your tongue and not being able to say it. Something seemed terribly important.

“She’s doing well. Are your parents with you tonight?” he asked. A little wrinkle creased between his eyebrows as if he were disturbed.

It was endearing, but she really shouldn’t think such a thing. It would be unfaithful to Henry.

In the next series, Lucy turned to her corner and took Henry’s hand. She felt—oh, it was really silly—but she felt some longing at having given up Everett as her partner. She quickly pushed that thought aside and concentrated on the excitement of being near Henry.

She concentrated on her waist where the warmth of Henry’s hand let her through the circular steps. As they paraded around the circle, she searched her mind for something to ask him. It troubled her that she knew very little about him. She straightened her shoulders and decided that she should learn more.  But still, for two people who were so deeply in love as they were, they should have an intimate knowledge of each other.

Stop thinking that way, she scolded herself. Her stubborn heart whispered that she knew it was true. I’ll learn about him tonight. As they settled back into their original positions the dance required that Lucy leave him behind and circle in the middle as a star with the other ladies.

She planned what to ask him when she returned to him. Who were his family? She remembered May saying something about Henry’s mother, who had moved back to Germany.  Another question she wondered about—where did he spend most of his time? Surely he had an estate nearby since he had attended so many events. Again, Lucy recalled May had said something about property in England and in Germany. The next question she would ask him was what he’d liked to do for a diversion. In some random conversation that she had had with May, Lucy remembered May saying that she was possibly a better shot than Henry was.

Why should May have so much information when Lucy did not? She would rectify that tonight.