“Oh, Daniel,” Eva sighed.
“Your Grace?”
“I’m fine, Molly.” Eva waved her hand at the maid. She reached for the second bigger box and opened the lid. Inside was a wooden box. With gentle hands, she lifted it out. The top and one side were glass and inside, Eva could see a small stage. Porcelain figures appeared to be dancing inside a miniature ballroom, each so delicate they almost looked real. Musicians held their instruments as if they were about to play.
“There is a handle to wind, your Grace.”
Both Hannah and Molly now stood close, eagerly looking at the box. Molly was pointing to the back.
Eva quickly turned it and the sweet sound of a minuet filled the air. Inside the case, the little figures began to turn as the floor moved beneath them.
“It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” Eva couldn’t take her eyes off it. Everything was so perfect, each detail exquisite.
“Here, let me put that pretty box on the side table, your Grace. We must finish your dressing now.”
Bemused, Eva let the maids help her to her feet. She stood, unmoving, as they finished fussing with her dress, then placed the necklace around her neck. The love she shared with Daniel humbled her and she felt warmth spread through her body. Soon there would be another in their life. Eva placed a hand over her stomach. Their child, created out of love.
“Your gloves, your Grace.”
Thank you,” Eva did not even glance in the mirror as Molly ushered her out the door. Thoughts tumbled through her head. Only Daniel would know what a musical box would mean to her. Touching the heart at her neck, she went to find her husband.
Daniel had been pacing at the bottom of the stairs for several minutes when he finally heard Eva call his name.
“Daniel.”
She was a vision, a siren sent to enslave him. Wrapped in satin the color of the deepest ocean, he could see the curves of her breasts above a fitted bodice. The skirts fell in a waterfall of rippling silk and each step she took outlined the length of her legs. The hem lifted slightly at the front and was caught in place with tiny sparkling diamonds and Daniel was vastly relieved to see an underskirt of darker blue beneath. Had he glimpsed her skin, he would have carried her straight back to whence she came and slaked the lust gripping his body. Her maid had piled her luxurious locks high, leaving one long ringlet to rest on her shoulder. Light glinted above, picking out the small diamonds tucked into the sable curls. He noted the heart necklace resting on her creamy skin.
“You look beautiful, my love.”
She took the hand he held out to her. “And you are so handsome, my love.”
Eva had never spoken to him so openly and it warmed him to his toes.
“Thank you for my gifts” Standing on her toes, she brushed a kiss over his lips, then ran a hand over his chest, which made him suck in a deep breath. “The music box, Daniel, it is the most beautiful thing I have ever owned.”
“I saw it and thought of you.” His eyes roamed her face.
They stood toe to toe, both her hands in his, pressed against his chest, their eyes focused solely upon each other.
“Are you scared, Duchess? Are your knees quaking beneath that lovely gown?”
“Not now, standing in your arms. All my fears flee when you are near.”
“Then I will make sure to stay close.” His kiss was soft and achingly sweet and left them both breathless.
“The first guests have arrived, your Grace.”
With reluctance, Daniel placed one last kiss on his wife’s lips before turning to face his grandmother’s butler.
“Come, love, let us greet our guests.”
Daniel felt Eva stiffen as he led her forward. “All will go well, sweetheart. I am here at your side, as is your staunchest ally.”
“Our grandmother really is sweet, you know, Daniel.”
“If you say so, my love.”
Minutes later, they stood beside the Dowager Duchess, who was dressed in a stunning shade of emerald with a turban to match. Around her wrists and neck, she wore rubies.
