A Truelove of Turtle Doves

Chpt 33 - His Motivation

"Guys, I need your help with something."

My statement received three very different responses.

Josie snorted. "When do you not need our help?"

Lauren gasped dramatically and clapped her hands together. "Ooooh, sounds gay, I'm in!"

Ed looked vaguely amused. "What is it you require?

I took a deep breath. "So, you know the dance that's held in the town hall-"

Two very loud squeals cut me off as the sisters rushed over to me, snatching an arm each and dragging me out of the drawing room, Ed following behind us.

They were talking so fast that I couldn't understand a word they were saying as I practically stumbled down the hallway towards my room.

Upon reaching it (in record time, I might add), they all but threw me inside, Josie catching Edward's wrist and yanking him through the open door before she almost slammed it shut.

Ed was rubbing his wrist and grumbling, but the sisters paid him no mind.

"Okay, lover-boy, spill the beans," demanded Lauren.

I huffed. "You know that that was what I was trying to do, right? Before you interrupted me."

Josie waved me off, sitting on my bed, "Well, we could have been overheard. It's more private in your room."

"She has a point," added Ed, who, as always, was dutifully standing by the door.

He seemed more... unnerved than usual, though.

"Thank you, Ed darling. So. Spill it."

I cast one more glance at Edward, who seemed to be avoiding my line of sight, before I sighed.

"Francis invited me to the summer dance at the town hall tonight, but I've now realised that... well..." I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly, "I don't know what to wear."

Lauren, not one to waste any time whatsoever, rapidly tore open my wardrobe doors and began sifting through the numerous items of clothing. "I have been waiting to dress you up since forever! Finally, my time has come!"

Josie laughed slightly.

"Oh really?" I questioned, my eyebrows raising.

I was a bit unsure about what Lauren clearly had planned.

It was Josie who spoke up in her place. "It's true. Ever since Ed got us to ballroom dance she's been hoping that we will get an excuse to not only dress ourselves up, but dress you up too."

"Wait, dress you guys up?"

"Indeed," joined Ed, who had another amused expression on his face, "You didn't think that we wouldn't be going for a least a couple of hours, did you?"

I suppose it was stupid of me to think that they'd pass up an opportunity to party. Lauren was all for showing off her newest suit designs, Josie loved the gossip and free food and drinks, and Ed... well, he just seemed strangely eager to go too.

"Right! I have a few ideas, and it's lucky that I prepared for this in advance because this is incredibly late notice. I mean, come on, (Y/N)! The morning before the dance? Seriously? And you say you're organised! Pffft! Clearly not!"

Lauren's ranting made me smile slightly. It was just like her to get worked up about this. 

Although I suppose I am too.

Yes, admittedly, I had the whole of yesterday and the day before that (after Francis had left, of course) to ask for their assistance on this matter, but I'd tried to figure it out myself. Needless to say, it hadn't gone too well. I'd been too much of a nervous wreck to even pick a decent outfit - constantly thinking of Francis and what he would wear and whether he was going to like what I was wearing.