Lucy's Journey Home (Hunter's Ridge) (20 page)

“Lucille?” he said surprised to see the small woman alone in the hall.  “Is there something wrong, sweetheart?  Where is your nanny?”  Lucy’s eyes were riveted to the slight of the leather in his hand knowing it was most likely going to be applied to Emmie’s already paddled bottom.  Her face turned scarlet even as she shook her head, her own hands going behind her to cup her own bottom.  Stefan saw her fear and went to one knee before her.

“Shh, little one,” he said reaching out to place his free hand on her cheek.  “Look at me, honey,” he commanded softly and when she forced her eyes to his, he smiled gently.  “This strap isn’t for your little bottom, Lucy.  Emmie has need of a final lesson before we depart the train.  I know it is frightening but also know you understand the need for such lessons.  Do you need me to help you find Nanny Molly or your Papa?”  Lucy shook her head again.

“No…no, Sir…I…I…she is in her room.  I…I was just returning some yarn to Miss Bertha.” 

Stefan nodded and bent forward to place a gentle kiss on her cheek.  “That’s fine.  Now, go find your nanny and don’t fret over Emmie.  I promise she will be just fine even after I strap her bottom.”  Lucy nodded for the final time and Stefan stood and put his hand on the door knob. 

Lucy shuddered and then turned and ran the short distance to Molly’s room.  She burst through it not wanting to witness Emmie’s Papa entering Miss Bertha’s room. 
Molly was buckling the last valise and looked up to see Lucy return.  She was about to thank her when she saw her face.

“Lucy, what’s wrong?  Did something happen?” 
Lucy shook her head too stunned to talk about what she had just seen.

“No
o…Nanny Molly… but,” she said, unable to confess what she had seen. 

“
You were gone an awfully long time, young lady.  Did you and Emmie say your goodbyes?”  Lucy felt her face flame.

“
Ummm, no…no, Miss Molly.  Emmie…she was in the co…corner and…and her Papa…he…he had a strap.”  Molly shook her head.

“I’m sorry to hear that, sweetie but I’m sure she will learn to be a better little girl.  Did Miss Bertha have anything else to say?”  Lucy’s face turned crimson as she once more felt the impact of all that Emmie’s nanny had said to her.

“Ummm, she…she said thank you and…and I should always drink my milk and not fuss about it anymore.”  Molly looked down at the blushing little woman wondering how such a simple piece of information could have affected Lucy so greatly.  Without being able to discuss it with Bertha, Molly simply nodded.

“Well, that’s good advice. 
Do you think you will take Miss Bertha’s words to heart and stop making faces when you drink your milk?” 

“Oh, yes, Miss Molly,” Lucy answered with absolute sincerity
, especially when the sound of a high-pitched wail reached them from behind the connecting wall.  Knowing what was the cause of the continued cries, Lucy shuddered, her eyes clenched shut. 

Molly bent to give Lucy a quick hug before taking her hand.  “
Never you mind what’s happening to little Emmie.  You are being my good girl.  Come along, we still need to pack up your Papa’s room.”  Lucy obediently followed her nanny, her mind whirling with all sorts of things she had learned on this trip and grateful to put some distance between them and the sounds coming from Bertha’s room. They stepped into the corridor and saw Lucas coming towards them.  Lucy was grateful his hands carried nothing that could be used on a naughty bottom.  He looked down at his bride and his smile turned into a look of concern.  They entered the room and Lucy was startled when Lucas bent down and placed the back of his hand against her forehead. 

“
You look quite flushed, Kitten.  I hope you aren’t coming down with something.  Perhaps I should take your temperature.”  Lucy’s color deepened even further as she shook her head.

“No…no, please.  I…I’m fine, I promise I don’t feel ill, Papa
,” Lucy assured him.  Molly spoke from where she had been packing his clothes into a large valise.

“I’m so sorry, Sir.  I’m afraid I packed the
thermometer box in with Lucy’s things.  If you want, I can run back to my room and get it though I don’t believe Lucy is ill.  She is flushed because she witnessed Emmie’s Papa preparing to give his little one a strapping.”  Lucas nodded, understanding how such a sight could cause his own little one much concern.  He knew there was no time to make sure her flush wasn’t connected to some illness as he had seen Mr. Brannon waiting for their luggage when he and Stefan were returning to their compartment.

“It will have to wait, Molly.
I can see how seeing a strap could trouble my Kitten,” Lucas said and Lucy nodded in agreement.  He hid his smile as he gave her a kiss and stood.  “If Lucy has a fever, you shall discover it when you take her temperature at home before her nap.”  Molly was pleased that he didn’t appear upset.

“Certainly, Sir,” she said and resumed her duties as Lucas picked Lucy up and sat her in the middle of the bed. 

“You sit here and stay out of trouble, Kitten.  I’ll go get Cleo and her box so that you can guard her until we depart.  I’d hate for her to get lost in all this chaos.”  Lucas also heard the distinct sounds of a thorough strapping being given on a small bottom as he retrieved the cat.  He didn’t mention it to his wife as he returned to his room and placed Cleo onto Lucy’s lap.  Lucy seemed to relax as she began to cuddle the small animal, taking comfort in her pet.  Lucas helped Molly check the room to make sure nothing had been left behind.  When Molly knelt to look under the bed, she picked up a thin piece of wood that appeared to have broken off from a longer branch.  The tip was split and ragged.  Seeing it in her Nanny’s hand, Lucy blushed hotly knowing exactly where it had come from and why it was ragged.  Her calves seemed to start itching beneath her stockings until Molly simply dropped it in the waste bin beneath the desk without saying a word. 

“I believe that is all, Sir,” Molly said and Lucas nodded.  It had been an eventful trip and one that he would never forget. 
A part of him wished he could keep his bride in this one small room but knew he was also anxious to introduce her to her new home and to his family.  His thoughts were interrupted when Mr. Brannon appeared with two other porters.  After gathering Lucas and Lucy’s luggage, Molly escorted them to collect the remainder from her room.  She saw Lord Northbridge exit Bertha’s room, the strap still in his hand.  He nodded at her and she managed to return the nod, her own face flushing.  She could easily hear the sounds of Emmie sobbing and the soft murmur of Bertha as she attended to the punished girl.  None of the porters made any sort of sign that they were aware of what had obviously happened.  Stefan informed them that their own luggage would be ready shortly and was assured that the men would return as soon as they settled Molly with Lord Huntington’s luggage.  Molly quickly gathered her string bag and her cloak and then followed the men to where they would place the luggage in order for her to be able to watch over their belongings until the train pulled into the station. 

Lucas
went to the bed and sat down, pulling Lucy onto his lap.  She immediately relaxed against him.  Lucas placed a kiss on the top of her head and felt his wife quiver.  He smiled, tightening his arms around her.  “Did your first train trip meet your expectations, Kitten?” Lucy blushed as her mind left her thoughts of what she had seen and filled with the memories of the trip. 

“It far exceeded them, Papa.”  Lucas chuckled and
lifted her chin with his fingertips.  She was simply precious, her eyes seeming to sparkle, though her cheeks were very pink.

“I’m pleased, Kitten, but are you sure you feel well?  You are still very flushed
; is your tummy bothering you?”  Lucy closed her eyes briefly as her stomach flipped but not from illness.  She had spent the time on the bed thinking of nothing but her own bottom and all the possibilities she had never before considered.  It wasn’t her tummy that was causing her color to deepen.  It was the realization that she was tingling between her legs and aching for her husband to take her.  She felt naughty for feeling aroused when she knew that Emmie had undergone such an embarrassing punishment.  She knew she could never discuss her conflicting feelings with her husband.

“I’m sure, Papa.  I…I guess I’m just a little scared.”  Lucas kissed her forehead.

“There is no reason to be frightened, Lucy.  You know that naughty girls need to be disciplined to teach them to be better little girls.” 

Lucy knew he didn’t understand.  Her heart began to beat faster in her chest. 
In addition to being confused about the way her body responded to embarrassing things, she was realizing that it would not be long before her world would not be confined to only her Papa and her nanny.  In a very short while, she would be the newcomer in a place where everyone knew each other.  Her new home would be the same home where the present occupants had spent their entire lives.  She would not only be the stranger who had wed the Lord of the Manor, she would be that same Lord’s little child-wife.  She felt her eyes tear and her heart stutter in her chest.

“I
…I know but…but I’m not scared about Emmie’s str…strapping.  I just feel scared about leaving the train.  I…I can’t help it,” Lucy said, her heart in her throat, her eyes telling the truth.  “I…I love you so much, Lucas, and want to… to be what you desire me to be.  But…but what if your sisters don’t…don’t understand that you are…are also my Pa…Papa?  What if they hate me or…or pity me for…for…oh, God, what if your servants laugh at me?  I…I can’t do this.  I…I don’t know what… what to do…how to be…”  Lucas held her closer, his hand running down her back, petting her as she often petted Cleo to calm her.  Instead of calming, Lucy began to cry softly and he knew exactly how frightened she truly was.  He would not chastise her for using his Christian name, not this time.  He could feel her shaking and see the confusion and fear in the depths of her violet eyes. 

“Lucy, don’t cry.  They
won’t be able not to love you.  I love you with all of my heart.  I know you are scared and think I don’t understand, sweetheart, but you are simply going to have to trust that I won’t let anything bad happen to you.  Hunter’s Ridge is your home now and I will continue to teach you all you need to know to be happy and feel safe there. You have already learned a great deal and I love you very much.”  He rocked her gently, his arms securely around her.

“But…but what if…if I do something wrong? 
Will… will you…punish me…I mean…will they…they see?”

“Lucy, you are going to make yourself truly ill with all this worry,” Lucas said
, again lifting her chin so that she must look up at him.  “I understand you are confused about what to expect but, little one, you are wasting time with all these ‘what ifs’.  While I will never mind answering your questions, there is no reason for me to do so when you are well aware of the answer.  If you are naughty, you will be punished regardless of who might witness your discipline.  You know deep in here,” he said pausing to tap his finger against her heart, “that you must be punished in order to free yourself from the guilt that would consume you.  Lucy, you are a special type of woman; never be ashamed of the need you feel to submit so completely to your Papa.”  Lucy nodded, agreeing with all he had said and wondering how he could know so much about her deepest, darkest desires when she remained so confused about herself and her body’s reaction to everything this man said or did to her.  Lucas bent forward and kissed her softly.  “Now, dry your eyes and let’s go say our goodbyes to Emmie and her Papa.”  Lucy allowed him to wipe her eyes with his handkerchief.  Taking a deep breath, she nodded and he stood and placed her onto her feet.  After putting Cleo in her box and securing it closed, he put Lucy’s bonnet over her head and fastened her traveling cloak around her shoulders.  He bent to kiss her softy.  “You just concentrate on being my good girl and know that Papa and Nanny Molly will take care of you, okay?”  She blushed but nodded.  Lucas took her hand and they left their compartment for the last time, her eyes sliding to see Miss Bertha’s door open, the room empty. 

As they entered the next car, Lucy
saw Emmie standing by herself, looking out the window as the train began to slow.  “May I go to her, Papa?” Lucy asked softly. 

“Yes, Kitten
. I think she needs a friend right now.” Lucas released her hand and walked to where Stefan stood.  Stefan explained what had happened in the hallway and was grateful that Lucas assured him that Lucy would be none the worse for the experience.  They both watched as Lucy walked to the window, and without a word, slipped her hand into Emmie’s and gave it a squeeze.  Emmie turned to her, her eyes filling.  Lucy leaned closer until the girls were standing, heads tilted against each other’s, their small hands linked tightly.  A bond had formed that would never be broken, a bond that assured a friendship that would go much deeper than most as it allowed each to share even the most private, most embarrassing and most intimate details of their lives with each other.  Lucy understood now why Louisa needed her own friends before her sister had joined her at Wintercrest.  No woman on the planet needed a true friend as much as the women who lived their lives serving their husbands and Papas in the dual roles that the lifestyle required.  Lucy was incredibly grateful she had found Emmaline Northbridge and hoped Emmie felt the same way.

“I love you,” Lucy whispered as the train pulled to a stop.

“I love you,” Emmie whispered back as their Papas joined them and took their hands to lead them off the train.  Lucy was immeasurably relieved to see Emmie give her Papa a smile as he bent to kiss her softly.  Understanding bloomed as she realized that just as she was forgiven and her slate cleaned after each punishment, Lord Northbridge extended the same love and forgiveness to Emmie.