Lucy sat in the master bedroom waiting for Alexia to arrive. This was a day she never thought she would see. The way the elder lady Donovan had clung to her only child, Lucy was sure she was headed for spinsterhood.

The door opened and Alexia entered looking quite radiant in her golden dress. Lucy rolled her eyes at the lateness of the hour but held her tongue as she noted the worried look on her wards face.

Smiling cheerfully, hoping to lighten her mood she stood and clucked her tongue at the time.

“Well there you are. I’ve been waiting for you. It’s time to get you ready for your husband now.”

Alexia giggled nervously and Lucy snorted in laughter, she herself had never been married but being the daughter of a lusty Irishman she well knew what went on between a man and woman on there wedding night.

She waved a hand to the vanity table indicating her to sit.

When she didn’t move Lucy peered into her face noting the look of nervousness creasing her brow.

“Now, now, don’t go worrying about what’s to come. If your anything like your mum you’ll…” she leaned forward to whisper something in Alexia’s ear.

Blushing Alexia stared at her companion and burst into giggles. Lucy grinned and pulled her over to the vanity so she could remove her headpiece.

“Now,” she began her fingers deftly plucking out pins as she removed the veil and allowed Alexia’s dark locks to fall in tumbling waves around her shoulders. “what have your mum and uncle told you about what goes on between a man and a woman on there wedding night?” she teased.

Alexia’s face flushed as she stood and turned, Lucy tugging the ties to her gown open and removing it. Her heart beat a little faster in her chest.

“I swore this took ages to put on and yet so easily and quickly does it come off…” She gazed at herself in the mirror her eyes wide and slightly fearful.

Lucy placed the gown carefully in a trunk and turned to her young mistress. “Don’t worry so. You’ll be fine. Just remember what I told you.”

They both burst into a fit of giggles just as the door opened and Dimitri walked in. Lucy gave Alexia another quick hug and nodded a curtsy to Dimitri as she slipped out the door, closing it firmly behind her.

At once Dimitri could see her nervousness and stepped forward, his hand reaching out to stroke her face. “You’re more beautiful every time I see you.” His words made her already warm face pinken and she held his hand in hers a moment before moving away to the bed.

She lay back against the headboard her eyes staring at her toes. She was still nervous but then Lucy’s words came to mind and she couldn’t help but grin.

Across the room she could hear the sounds of him disrobing and her grin faltered a bit. Her mother hadn’t gone into specifics with her. She hadn’t really wanted her to marry at all so had kept her relatively innocent. Her mothers many suitors had always left the manor happy though and if her Uncles thinly veiled displeasure was any indication of it, she knew what went on with them must have been more then the few kisses she’d had.

Dimitri’s sudden appearance beside the bed brought her out of her reverie. Climbing in the bed he scooped her into his arms and kissed her passionately, her arms wrapping around him as she returned his kiss.

Downstairs the reception had come to a close. The guests that lived nearby had departed for there homes and those who would be coming to tomorrows crowning ceremony and lived too far away were safely ensconced in the guests rooms.

The servants were finishing up the cleaning and had begun to relax as the household wound down.

Lucy poured drinks from the half empty bottles at the bar before sitting down to a game of chance. The maids collected the left over pies and cakes, tossing out the half eaten ones and passing out the rest to the staff.

Though the night had ended they still had much to prepare for the morning’s ceremony, but that could wait for a bit. For now they relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company. They were all careful to stay away from a certain wing of the house and were sternly watched by Corrinne who secretly hoped that a new arrival or two would soon be in the making.