by Maggie Ryan
Though she wasn't entirely sure what he meant, she yawned and nodded, closing her eyes, content as she snuggled in his embrace. The clomping of the horses' feet and the gentle sway of the carriage drew both her and Louisa into sleep.
Edward spoke quietly. "I remember another carriage ride much like this one."
"I do as well, and seem to remember you warning me to treat your ward with respect," Lucas said, grinning. "I hope you agree that I have."
"No question of that. It's obvious to all that you and our Lucy were meant to be together. Now it is only a question of whether any of Stefan's choices meet with your approval."
Lucas was silent for several minutes, his hand gently stroking down Lucy's back. "That remains to be seen, but I promise, just as I wanted Lucy to make her own choice, it will be up to both Franny and Ettie to choose."
"And if Ettie chooses as we both believe she might?" Edward asked, his eyes dropping to his own little one cradled in his arms.
"Let's not cross that bridge until we come to it." Lucas sighed as he shook his head. "There are many men out there. It would serve her well to be allowed to meet those who prefer what's considered a more 'acceptable' lifestyle."
"I agree, but remember, as men who need our mates to fulfill two roles, it would not serve her well to be denied what her heart and soul might need to be truly fulfilled."
"It's a hard path, Edward," Lucas said quietly. "Being able to give so much is a rarity, and Henrietta is so very young."
"No younger than our girls were," Edward pointed out. "Though you still seem hesitant to admit it, your Ettie has far more experience in this dynamic." He held up his hand when Lucas seemed about to protest. "Not actual experience mind you—I've no doubt she is innocent in the ways of a man and a woman—but still, growing up in such a household does give her the advantage of knowing that the choice is available, and not something to be ashamed of should she choose it."
"I'll grant you that, but the girl has only seen the very basics. There's a huge difference between hearing Lucy being scolded, or even witnessing her being spanked, and seeing her sister actually presenting herself for severe or intimate discipline. Playing with dolls is fun, but is she truly prepared to play far more adult games?"
The question remained unanswered as both men thought about the fact that the women they both held were still learning about the depth of their own submission.
As the carriage climbed the steep hill leading to Hunter's Ridge, Lucas spoke again. "I'm just praying that Frances finds happiness. God knows she deserves it."
"As you said, we'll just have to wait and see," Edward said, and then quietly added, "And pray that she doesn't allow what happened to keep her from giving another man a chance to provide that happiness."
Once home again, sleepy girls were carried upstairs as Frank escorted his wife to their own rooms.
At Lucas's assurance that he'd tuck Lucy into bed, Molly helped Franny and Ettie, the younger girl almost asleep on her feet as the cone of candy was taken from her hand and placed on her dressing table. Molly unbuttoned the gown, then loosened and removed the tight corset. Ettie sighed deeply, her hands rubbing up and down her ribs. Molly smiled as she pulled a nightgown over Ettie's head and guided the sleepy girl into bed.
"Sweet dreams, little one," she said, tucking her doll into her arms before extinguishing the lamp and moving into Franny's room. Franny had already undressed, hanging her dress up properly, and was already in her nightgown, sitting up against the headboard, a book in her hands.
"You need to go to sleep, Franny," Molly said softly.
"I will, I promise. I just want to finish my journal entry while the evening is still fresh in my mind."
Nodding, Molly bent to kiss her cheek. "Not too late. You can always finish tomorrow."
"Yes, Ma'am. Good night, Molly."
"Good night, Frances. Sweet dreams."
As Molly shut the door and went to the kitchen for a last cup of tea to be shared with Joseph as they'd arranged, she was smiling. It amazed her that girls raised in the same house could be so different. Despite their differences, each one of Lucas' sisters was special in her own way. Bea was thoughtful and self-assured, her intelligence obvious as she and her husband planned for their house to be built. Franny was quiet and yet had a heart of gold. She'd do anything necessary to make sure her family was happy. Molly knew the girl enjoyed losing herself in a book, and often could be found scribbling in her journal. Despite that entire sordid ordeal with Walter Drakemore, Molly hoped that Franny would find a man who could remind the kind soul that life was to be experienced and not just allowed to pass by. And Ettie? Oh, that one was a little spitfire. She bounced through life, her pleasure in all she experienced making others experience it all over again. God help the man who decided he could contain that endless ball of energy. If Molly knew anything, it was that it was within Ettie to be as stubborn and naughty as Lucy and Louisa combined.
"It seems as if everyone enjoyed the party," Joseph said, when she walked into the kitchen. "I've found some gingerbread."
Accepting the cup of tea as well as his tender kiss, Molly smiled. Thoughts of the other girls fled as she looked into his eyes. "Perhaps I'll tell your mother she needs a new hiding place."
"Do that and I won't share," Joseph teased, breaking off a piece and holding it to her lips. As the house's occupants settled into sleep, their duties done, the young couple spoke softly, sipping tea and nibbling on stolen gingerbread until it was gone—only to find far more pleasure in nibbling on each other's lips instead.
Chapter Thirteen
Saturday was a perfect day. The wind had stopped blowing and the sun was shining. Despite the cold, the moment naps were over, the family gathered outside. The snow was glittering and just seemed to call for play. Such days were rare and were to be treasured. When Edward suggested a contest, the others quickly agreed.
"Is there going to be a prize?" Ettie asked.
"And what would you wish it to be?" Edward asked. "Remember, it might not be you who wins."
"Hmm, perhaps the winner gets to choose the next activity when we play?"
"Sweetie, I adore you, but I draw the line at playing with dolls."
Lucas laughed as Ettie giggled. "I didn't mean that sort of play, Uncle Edward. If I win, I want to go into town. I need some more ribbons."
"Ettie, there are plenty of ribbons in the closet," Franny said.
"Perhaps she means the ones she hopes to find in a certain store?" Lucas suggested, wagging his eyebrows and making his sister giggle.
It was agreed that the winner would be allowed to choose an activity they'd all enjoy. That settled, each of them chose a spot away from the others to begin making creations out of snow.
After an hour, and a few hasty trips inside to gather more items, the contest was declared over.
Lucy stepped away from the snowman she had made and smiled. The snowman wore one of Lucas's scarves around his neck, and a huge carrot protruded from his white face and a basket full of carrots hung from his twig hand.
"Is that supposed to be me?" Lucas asked as he came over to see her finished sculpture.
"Yes. You always give me carrots to feed to the horses. Do you like him?"
He bent to give her a kiss. "Very much. We'll take the basket to the barn in a while. Come and see mine."
She giggled when she saw that their minds had obviously been on each other. A small snow lady stood beside one of the paths, a white pinafore adorning the front and a pink bow stuck on top of her head. Instead of carrots, the snow lady held a basket of apples. Walking around the creation, Lucy gasped. Not only had Lucas stolen a pinafore, he'd also stolen a pair of her ruffled drawers. "Papa! People will see!"
He chuckled and bent down to whisper in her ear. "At least I didn't use a pair of your split ones." He gave her cheek a kiss and then whispered even more softly, "Or a nappy."
Lucy couldn't help but giggle as she added the apples to Lucas's basket before they w
alked through the gardens, admiring the others' efforts.
Edward had built the largest snowman, an old top hat adding to its height, a fluttering newspaper spread along the stick arms. Louisa's had everyone smiling, as she had created a pair of snow ladies—obviously representing her and her twin.
Franny had been very creative, her snow lady was not truly standing. Instead, she appeared to be sitting on the rock wall, looking down at the open book on her lap. Lucy thought it was just perfect. Ettie flung her hands wide when they rounded the corner to see hers. A small snow lady, the size of a child, was standing with upraised arms, a bough of evergreen hanging from her hands. In front of it stood a rather lopsided pile of snow decorated with bits of holly, red berries and bits of spruce stuck into the snow.
"Very cute," Lucas said, and chuckled. "I get the hint, Ettie. We'll look for a tree."
"Today?" Ettie asked eagerly.
"Not today, but soon. I promise."
Lucy thought her cleverness deserved to win—until the group turned the last corner to judge the next one.
Bea and Frank had worked together, and the entire group was silent as they gazed at the pair of snow people. Though not as adorned as some of the others, it wasn't what they were wearing that had the group in awe. It was the fact that, cradled between the two, supported by twigs that were representative of their arms, was a small bundle of snow wrapped in a blanket. Tiny black currants had been used as eyes, which appeared to be gazing up at the frozen couple.
"Beatrice… Frank?" Lucas said, turning from the scene to see his sister being held in Frank's arms.
"Yes," Bea said with a soft smile.
"You're going to be an uncle," Frank added, his own grin huge.
Shouts and cries filled the garden as the couple's announcement took hold. Bea was gathered into her brother's arms as he gently hugged her.
"You'll make a wonderful mother," he said, kissing her cheek. "I know our parents are looking down on you right now and smiling."
Bea returned his kiss, wiping a tear off her cheek before being surrounded by the others.
"Congratulations, Frank. We'll get that house finished as quickly as possible," Lucas went on, hugging his brother-in-law.
"We've got time," Frank said. "We were going to wait until Christmas to announce it but I've seen you giving your sister a few odd looks lately."
Lucas laughed and nodded. "Well, she has seemed more tired than usual, and a bit put off her food. Her choosing water over wine last night had me wondering. I couldn't be more pleased."
"I hope it's a girl," Ettie said. "I've got lots and lots of little dresses she can wear." At Frank's gasp of exaggerated horror, she giggled. "I guess a boy would be okay."
"Maybe it will be twins," Edward suggested, causing everyone to look at Lucy and Louisa, and Lucas to laugh at the true look of horror on Frank's face.
"Chin up, old man, twins can provide twice the fun."
"Twice the trouble you mean," Frank grumbled, then smiled as Louisa and Lucy giggled. "Of course, with this family, we won't want for help."
"I declare Bea and Frank the winners," Ettie said, surprising her brother.
"That is very unselfish and generous, Ettie," Lucas said, giving her a hug.
"They deserve it, because they are giving us all a prize," Ettie said, giving the snow family another look. "Besides, I'm sure that Bea is going to need to do a lot of shopping now that there's a baby coming."
Bea laughed, rubbing her tummy. "It will be several months, Ettie." At Ettie's sigh, Bea announced her choice as the winner. "However, I will need some more yarn. I want to make the baby a blanket, so if everyone agrees, shopping it is." While she and Frank returned to the house along with Franny, the others walked to the barn to distribute the carrots and apples.
"She's beautiful," Louisa cooed as she fed an apple to Delilah. "I can see why you love her so much."
"Yes, she is wonderful," Lucy agreed. "Samson is her husband. We have lots of horses, and even one that is expecting a baby." She paused, looking towards the stall where she had seen Diablo, her cheeks flushing as she looked up at her husband.
"Diablo has been returned to his own stall. I'll tell you just as I've told Lucy. Neither of you are to go to any of the barns without permission. Diablo is a stallion that doesn't care that you might think he's sweet, or wish to feed him a carrot. He's strictly off-limits, is that understood?"
"Yes, Uncle Lucas," Louisa said, having heard from her sister that she'd received quite a paddling for having paid Delilah an illicit visit. She had commiserated with her twin when she also learned that Lucy would be receiving far worse tomorrow.
"And Kitten," Lucas said, handing her another carrot, "remember, the foal isn't ours."
"I know, Papa, but you promised I can see it before the owner takes it away."
They fed the last of the treats to Bess, Louisa stating that Ettie's horse was also beautiful, before returning to the house to warm up, leaving the snow people to decorate the garden.
After dinner that evening, Ettie announced she needed to go upstairs to start making her shopping list and work on her Christmas presents. Bea and Frank were congratulated again as they retired early. Franny went with them, saying she had a few things to do herself. Lucy and Louisa sat at the table working on the jigsaw puzzle, their Papas reading newspapers in chairs across the room.
Fitting another piece, Lucy looked at her sister. "Are you glad you came? I mean, I am so glad you've come, but I got you into trouble the other day."
"You didn't get me into trouble, silly," Louisa assured her. "We were both guilty of disobeying Molly." She paused and shook her head. "It's still hard for me to believe how much Molly has changed. She's a real nanny now, just like Nanny Bremmer."
"I know. It took me a while as well, but by the time our train trip was over, I had almost forgotten she used to be my maid. Who knew she'd be able to handle a tawse with every bit as much expertise as Mrs. Bremmer?"
"That's because she used to help Nanny Bremmer with me once you came and Uncle Lucas knew he needed his own nanny."
Lucy snuck a glance towards the men. "Are you worried about tomorrow?"
Louisa shook her head. "Not really. It's not as if I'm not used to making an atonement every week. Papa started requiring I have a weekly session even before you left Wintercrest."
"I didn't know that!"
"I suppose, since you weren't yet wed, it wasn't something Papa wished to share."
Another glance towards the men was made before Lucy leaned a bit closer to her twin. "Did it bother you when my Papa put me on my knees? I mean, when I had to make my penance after Nanny Molly punished us?"
Louisa's hand moved to cover her sister's. "No, Lucy. It's different now, easier even, knowing that this is something we share as well. I admit, I was a bit worried when you saw me making mine, but we both know our Papas share the same ideals. As for tomorrow, will your Papa punish you in your nursery, or his room?"
"Neither," Lucy whispered. "There's a room upstairs. It used to be the old nursery, the one Papa's mother used at times. That's where the crib you're using used to be. Papa had it changed into a-a parlor of sorts." She paused and felt her face heat. "Some of the furniture would be found in a parlor—but most, well, Papa had it specially made. I-I hope you don't think it is too awful."
"What are you little ones talking so seriously about?" Edward asked, causing both girls to give a start when they realized he had approached the table without their knowledge.
Lucy was trying to think up some response when her twin answered. "About our atonement tomorrow, Papa."
"Ah, I see," he said, moving to take one of the empty chairs after brushing her cheek with his lips. "I suppose that is to be expected. Do you have any questions you need answered?"
"No, Papa," Louisa said as Lucas joined them. "I was just telling Lucy that I've been presenting myself for atonement for months now. I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable about tomorrow."
"That's considerate of you, Louisa," Lucas said. "I've asked Lucy to remember that even though we don't hide our dynamic, weekly atonement is something we keep private. Molly is the only other person who knows what takes place."
"I understand, Uncle Lucas," Louisa said, her own cheeks flushing a little. "I won't say anything to your sisters."
"I know you won't," Lucas assured her, as he fit a piece into the puzzle before lifting his eyes. "There is no need to worry. After services and luncheon, Nanny Molly will take you upstairs and prepare you before you go to the punishment parlor. I assure you that anything that occurs remains between the room's occupants. Now, your Papa told me that he requires you to spend some time in reflection before he joins you, and I want you to know that the same is required of Lucy." He looked up as Molly entered the room. "Ah, and another requirement is that Lucy retires earlier on Saturday evenings. She has a journal that needs to be completed before tomorrow."
Louisa smiled. "I do, as well."
Edward and Lucas looked at each other, both shaking their heads. "It seems as if we could be considered twins as well," Lucas mused.
"That, or just Papas who learned from the very best," Edward said, and as Louisa stood and bent to kiss his cheek, Lucy was doing the same to her Papa.
"Good night, ladies. We'll be up in a while."
"Good night," the girls chorused, each taking one of Molly's hands. Though atonement would not really take place for hours yet, the ritual was already beginning.
Once upstairs, they were taken into Lucy's nursery after Louisa had gone to Edward's room to get her journal. The twins sat quietly at Lucy's desk, writing without speaking, confessing naughtiness and acknowledging the need for the expected atonement.
Lucy sighed as she marked a spot at the bottom of the last page, the skin of her bottom crawling for an instant, as if it knew the harsh price to be extracted tomorrow. Closing her book, she handed it to Molly. As Louisa finished her own entry, Lucy was changed into her nightgown, the thin fabric doing nothing to conceal her puckered nipples or the fact that she wore nothing underneath. Once Louisa was dressed in a similar gown, the two hugged each other and wished sweet dreams as Molly first tucked Lucy into the big bed across the hall before tucking Louisa into Edward's bed.