Sneak preview of my new Ghoulcy fic- Lucy meeting Max for the first time ✨
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“Would you care for a dance, my Lady?”
Lucy turned from the approaching form of her cousin, her answering smile practiced and perfect. Was it…
No, it wasn’t the brunette stranger from before.
She didn’t know this gentleman.
No… perhaps not a gentleman at all.
He was a military man, in regiment red. Norm had mentioned them, hadn’t he?
He was quite lovely, with a nervous smile and an upright demeanor, and Lucy nodded, curtseying politely and abandoning her cousin with a soft wave.
The stranger leaned in, conspiratorially. “You looked in need of rescue, if I may be so bold.”
Ah. Not subtle enough.
She needed to be cautious, lest she set tongues wagging.
“He is my cousin,” she smiled, “though I do so love to dance, so I thank you for the opportunity to do so.”
“I’m unpracticed, I’m afraid,” the officer admitted, and his tone set her heart in a fast staccato. “Far more marching in the Regiment than dancing.”
Sweet.
It was her first thought as she looked at him, as she led them towards a less… front and centre dance position. Not hidden enough to cause scandal, but just enough to ensure his mis-steps wouldn’t be noticed. He didn’t seem to realise, though, swallowing hard as the soft, slow music started up. The lamps here were warmer, casting light upon his features in a way that made his dark skin look as if it glowed from within.
“Step your foot back, like so.”
She coached him. Led the dance, talking to him softly throughout, instructing him to bow here, to hop there, to take her hand, her elbow, her waist.
Part way through his attention waned, and whilst his foot stepped upon hers she followed his gaze, catching him looking across to another officer, smiling widely at the two of them.
“A friend of yours?”
He nodded, blushing deeply at having been caught. Lucy wasn’t sure he’d even noticed that he’d stepped upon her toes.
“Indeed, My Lady, I admit he was the one who noticed your plight, who… encouraged me to come over.”
She hummed, turning on the spot alongside the other women.
“And did you wish to come over, or is this merely a gallant rescue of a young Lady?”
She was flirting. He was refreshingly unaware, and she felt more… herself. Not fully, of course, but a little less nervous of etiquette.
It helped that he was lovely to look at. That his hands were strong in hers, that his smile felt as if it hid no secrets or scheming.
A visitor to their world, rather than a resident.
The officers would be in high demand, tonight. The uniforms always brought a giggling quality to the younger set, though she had to admit this young man filled his quite nicely.
“I…” his words trailed off, nerves and uncertainty tightening his tone.
It was a mere rescue, after all.
“You need not be polite, young officer,” she attempted to smooth, “it was a happy rescue and an enjoyable dance nonetheless. Let me know if you wish for an introduction to any young ladies and it would be my-”
“I thought you were the prettiest thing I’d ever seen.”
Oh.
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