that this could possibly grow into a love match, no matter what Amelia believed and she wasn't about to start thinking foolish thoughts now.
Adam didn't love her and it was doubtful that he ever would. The best she could hope for was that he wouldn't send her away, though he was probably considering it. Why else would he have stayed away from her for so long?
By the time she had finished dressing for dinner after a less than restful nap, Lucy was in a true state of depression. Not even the softly glowing candles on the Christmas tree could lift her spirits. Though she did admit that the house looked lovely, all soft and glowing, a rather cheery scene. Somewhere in the distance, she heard the childish cries of Amelia's children, and Lucy imagined them racing through the house with unbridled excitement. It was Christmas Eve after all, a time for miracles and love and joy and family.
But not for her. Lucy wasn't foolish enough to think that she'd receive her heart's desire for Christmas. She was not that fortunate and never had been.
Earlier while Elsie had been fussing over her like a mother hen, a wish, one so deep and strong and powerful that it shocked her, had stolen over Lucy's heart seemingly out of nowhere. In that moment, Lucy's heart overpowered all and wished that someday, somehow she might win Adam's love. Not just his affection and caring, but his heart, the whole of him. And in return, she wanted him to accept her love, because Amelia had been correct in what she'd said earlier. Lucy did love Adam, even though she had no idea how it was possible or when it had happened.
That was her Christmas wish and now, standing here by the tree, waiting for the rest of the family to join her, her heart and mind ached with the realization that his love for her was one wish that would never be fulfilled.
With a sigh, she smoothed her skirts, knowing that, at the very lest, Adam might desire her once he saw her in her new finery. One of the gowns Madame Delphie had created for her had arrived by courier earlier in the day, and it was just as exquisite as promised.
The garnet-red satin gown fit Lucy's body perfectly, hugging her curves and flowing around her like river. The bodice laced daringly up the back, and her breasts were so tightly confined that they rose higher than she'd ever seen them before. The vivid color complimented her complexion and from somewhere Elsie had produced a diamond and ruby necklace that caught the light whenever she moved. Matching earbobs hung low, caressing her bare shoulders and a bracelet, set with smaller gems, shone on her wrist. Even Lucy had to admit that she looked exquisite, like a diamond of the first water - something she had never been in her entire life.
Everything about her was daring, risqué, and perfect for the wife of the Devil Duke.
However, she had yet to see Adam all day, which was curious and more than a little distressing. Even if he no longer wanted her for a wife, she had no doubt that he would make a good show of it through the holiday season. It simply wasn't done to get rid of one's wife until after Twelfth Night at the very earliest.
Tired of waiting and not hearing Amelia and her family draw any closer to the ballroom, Lucy decided to go in search of someone . Surely not everyone was otherwise occupied tonight, and, well, dinner was to be served soon.
Lucy had not taken more than three steps when she heard the door open on the other side of the room, the one that led to the gardens where she and Adam had walked on their wedding day. Turning back, she was surprised to see not Adam but rather her uncle, wet and dripping with snow, crossing the room, a nasty grimace on his face.
"Greetings, your ladyship," he snarled and Lucy froze with fear. She didn't like the slightly maniacal look on his face. "Enough with the dress-up and pretending you're a lady. I think we both know you're a whore at heart, and it's time you
Adam didn't love her and it was doubtful that he ever would. The best she could hope for was that he wouldn't send her away, though he was probably considering it. Why else would he have stayed away from her for so long?
By the time she had finished dressing for dinner after a less than restful nap, Lucy was in a true state of depression. Not even the softly glowing candles on the Christmas tree could lift her spirits. Though she did admit that the house looked lovely, all soft and glowing, a rather cheery scene. Somewhere in the distance, she heard the childish cries of Amelia's children, and Lucy imagined them racing through the house with unbridled excitement. It was Christmas Eve after all, a time for miracles and love and joy and family.
But not for her. Lucy wasn't foolish enough to think that she'd receive her heart's desire for Christmas. She was not that fortunate and never had been.
Earlier while Elsie had been fussing over her like a mother hen, a wish, one so deep and strong and powerful that it shocked her, had stolen over Lucy's heart seemingly out of nowhere. In that moment, Lucy's heart overpowered all and wished that someday, somehow she might win Adam's love. Not just his affection and caring, but his heart, the whole of him. And in return, she wanted him to accept her love, because Amelia had been correct in what she'd said earlier. Lucy did love Adam, even though she had no idea how it was possible or when it had happened.
That was her Christmas wish and now, standing here by the tree, waiting for the rest of the family to join her, her heart and mind ached with the realization that his love for her was one wish that would never be fulfilled.
With a sigh, she smoothed her skirts, knowing that, at the very lest, Adam might desire her once he saw her in her new finery. One of the gowns Madame Delphie had created for her had arrived by courier earlier in the day, and it was just as exquisite as promised.
The garnet-red satin gown fit Lucy's body perfectly, hugging her curves and flowing around her like river. The bodice laced daringly up the back, and her breasts were so tightly confined that they rose higher than she'd ever seen them before. The vivid color complimented her complexion and from somewhere Elsie had produced a diamond and ruby necklace that caught the light whenever she moved. Matching earbobs hung low, caressing her bare shoulders and a bracelet, set with smaller gems, shone on her wrist. Even Lucy had to admit that she looked exquisite, like a diamond of the first water - something she had never been in her entire life.
Everything about her was daring, risqué, and perfect for the wife of the Devil Duke.
However, she had yet to see Adam all day, which was curious and more than a little distressing. Even if he no longer wanted her for a wife, she had no doubt that he would make a good show of it through the holiday season. It simply wasn't done to get rid of one's wife until after Twelfth Night at the very earliest.
Tired of waiting and not hearing Amelia and her family draw any closer to the ballroom, Lucy decided to go in search of someone . Surely not everyone was otherwise occupied tonight, and, well, dinner was to be served soon.
Lucy had not taken more than three steps when she heard the door open on the other side of the room, the one that led to the gardens where she and Adam had walked on their wedding day. Turning back, she was surprised to see not Adam but rather her uncle, wet and dripping with snow, crossing the room, a nasty grimace on his face.
"Greetings, your ladyship," he snarled and Lucy froze with fear. She didn't like the slightly maniacal look on his face. "Enough with the dress-up and pretending you're a lady. I think we both know you're a whore at heart, and it's time you
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