Homecoming

by Maggie Ryan

  Homecoming

  Hunters Ridge, Book 2

  By

  Maggie Ryan

  ©2014 by Blushing Books® and Maggie Ryan

  All rights reserved.

  No part of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  Published by Blushing Books®,

  a subsidiary of

  ABCD Graphics and Design

  977 Seminole Trail #233

  Charlottesville, VA 22901

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  is registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office.

  Ryan, Maggie

  Homecoming: Hunter’s Ridge, Book 2

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-62750-500-0

  Cover Design by ABCD Graphics & Design

  This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as Blushing Books' or the author's advocating any non-consensual spanking activity or the spanking of minors.

  Table of contents:

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  A note to my readers

  Maggie Ryan

  Ebook Offer

  Blushing Books Newsletter

  Blushing Books

  Chapter 1

  They watched as their valises were loaded into a carriage and their many trunks secured to the bed of a larger wagon that had arrived to take them to Hunter’s Ridge. Molly kept hold of Lucy’s hand as Lucas made sure each item was securely loaded. He had greeted one driver warmly before they both walked back towards the women.

  “William, I’d like to introduce my little one, Lucille Rose, and this young woman is Miss Molly Saunderson, Lucy’s nanny,” Lucas said.

  Lucy understood by the way Lucas had introduced her and Molly that there was not to be a single moment’s doubt about their status at Hunter’s Ridge. Though she had lived at Wintercrest Manor, where every servant knew that her twin sister, Lady Louisa Wintercrest, was to be treated as nothing more than a small, cherished little girl, for some reason Lucy was a little disconcerted to know that Lucas had not wasted a single moment to make her place known.

  “Lucy, this is Mr. William Grover. He has been in charge of the stables, as well as served as our family’s driver ever since I was a small boy. His wife is a marvelous cook, and his son, Joseph now serves as my valet.” She looked up to see Lucas smiling down at her before lifting his eyebrow in a silent question.

  Lucy blushed prettily, knowing again by his words that she would always be expected to show proper respect for the older gentleman, despite the fact that he was employed by her husband. Properly brought-up young ladies were also expected to have learned and to display impeccable manners. Though Lucy was a titled woman of upper society, she was in truth her husband’s little child-bride. Feeling her husband’s eyes still on her, Lucy knew this was but the first of Lucas’ employees that she must meet. She dropped into a proper curtsy as the driver smiled down at her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Grover,” she said, softly.

  “Welcome to Hunter’s Ridge, Miss Lucy,” William said. “Everyone has been quite busy preparing for your arrival. It’s our hope that you’ll be happy in your new home.” His words seemed to soothe Lucy as her posture relaxed just the tiniest bit at his friendly greeting. He grinned down at Lucy. “I expect my Edith will be thrilled to see you, Miss Lucy. You are so tiny that she will constantly be pressing you to try all her dishes, in an attempt to fatten you up. She packed a wee basket, just in case you get hungry before we arrive home.” He was rewarded with a smile and a delightful soft giggle from the beautiful young woman as she spied a rather large wicker basket that sat on the floor of the carriage. William welcomed Molly and then helped her into the carriage, passing her Cleo’s box. A sudden roll of thunder caused all eyes to look to the sky. Dark clouds were rolling in, the first splatters of rain sounding on the top of the carriage.

  “It’s been raining for the past week,” William said, as he moved to attempt to shield Lucy from the weather. “I’m afraid the roads are quickly becoming almost impassable. Perhaps we can outrun the worst of the storm.”

  Lucas nodded and surprised his wife when he stepped into the carriage, taking a seat across from Molly before turning to speak to his driver. “Then let’s be on our way,” he suggested. “I’m anxious to show my bride her new home. It’s been too long, and I’m looking forward to one of Edith’s delicious meals.”

  William grinned in pleasure. “Well, Sir, you’ll soon have all you can eat,” he said, shocking Lucy into a startled squeal as he simply picked her up with two large hands around her waist and placed her onto her husband’s lap inside the carriage. He watched as Lucy’s face flushed scarlet at his action, and he chuckled. “Like I said, Miss Lucy, you are truly a tiny little chit of a girl.” William smiled and shut the door, signaling to the driver of the luggage wagon that they were prepared to leave.

  After just a few moments, Lucas felt his little one straining to bend forward to look out the window. He grinned and released her so that she could kneel up on the seat, her face delightful to watch as she absorbed as much as she could of her surroundings. The road around the train depot was full of wagons and carriages, as well as men on horses. The atmosphere was one of orchestrated chaos as drivers tried to find their passengers and merchandise was loaded onto heavy carts to be taken into the town proper.

  People of all descriptions were milling about, hurrying either to get into closed carriages or into larger wagons that didn’t offer much protection from the continuing rain. Lucy realized that though she had seen only a small number of people during the days of their journey, the train obviously had held many more. She couldn’t help but smile at seeing small children splashing in puddles as they played on the train platform, oblivious to the distressed look on the faces of the adults attending them.

  She watched several carriages pulling away as the platform gradually cleared. Lucy turned her head to watch a carriage pass, wondering if perhaps it held her new friend with her own Papa. “Did you see Emmie?” she asked, turning to Lucas. “Do you know where she and her Papa live?”

  “No, Lucy, I didn’t see the Northbridge’s carriage. They live just outside of town, as Lord Northbridge purchased a new residence when he opened his law practice. It won’t take them nearly as long to get home. I fear that with the inclement weather of the past week, it will take us even longer than normal to reach Hunter’s Ridge.”

  “There are just so many people. I have never seen so many traveling together,” Lucy said, though her experience with travel had been somewhat limited due to her youth and station. Her family hadn’t traveled far from their home during her childhood. Her move to Wintercrest to live with her Uncle Edward had been the furthest she had traveled until she had boarded the train with her new husband.

  Lucas saw the wonder in her eyes and chuckled, enjoying showing her new things, teaching her all that the world could offer. “Yes, Lucy, the train makes traveling more accessible to everyone. We could have traveled by carriage, but I thought you might enjoy the experience of traveling by tr
ain.” Seeing agreement in her sweet smile, he couldn’t help teasing her a bit. “Besides, Kitten, I fear the beds in an inn would not sway and make you squeal in pleasure.”

  Every exposed inch of her skin flushed a beautiful pink. She gave a quick glance towards Molly and saw that her nanny was looking out the window and not appearing to be paying attention to the newlyweds. Lucy lifted her eyes until she met Lucas’ twinkling ones. “I’m glad you chose the train, Papa. I’ll never forget our journey or everything I’ve learned as we’ve traveled.”

  Lucas felt his cock twitch in his trousers at both the words she spoke, as well as the unspoken ones whose meaning only the two of them would understand. He loved seeing the gleam in his Kitten’s eyes and would be willing to bet a goodly sum that her drawers were becoming a bit damp. “Neither shall I, my love, and I promise you have many, many more lessons to learn.” He watched as she seemed to quiver and he grinned. No, his little one had only just begun her schooling in pleasure.

  As their carriage moved farther away from the depot, the scenery around them began to change. Through the continuing rain, they could see rolling hills and thick forests lining the road, with only the occasional house discernable through the trees. After an hour, the carriage left the main road and pulled into a long drive that meandered up a steep rise.

  Lucy had settled back against her seat but suddenly bent forward when lush pastures began to appear. She gasped, seeing a huge black stallion gallop along the fence as if challenging the horses pulling the carriage to a race. She smiled at the pure beauty of the magnificent animal. Lucas saw the horse as well. “That’s Diablo,” he said, and she turned her face to him. “He likes to believe he is the king of the stables.”

  “He certainly looks like he could be,” Lucy said as the horse reared and whinnied, his front legs pawing the air, his power evident. “Oh, my, he is so beautiful. Do you know who owns him?”

  Lucas nodded and chuckled. “Yes, little one, you’ll find that kittens aren’t the only animals that belong to your Papa. Diablo is but one of many horses on our estate.” Lucy’s mouth dropped open as her eyes took in the fields and pastures spreading in all directions.

  As if realizing that the Lord had returned home, the rain stopped as abruptly as it had begun. Lucy watched the horse lift his head, shaking it vigorously, as if to remove the water from his mane. She smiled, her hand reaching out towards him, as if wishing to stroke his velvet face. She turned back to Lucas. “This … this is Hunter’s Ridge?” she asked, softly.

  Lucas grinned and pulled her onto his lap before bending to kiss her forehead. “This is part of it, Kitten. I’m happy to see you excited about your new home.” She gave a small nod at his comment, but her eyes remained on the magnificent horse. Lucas saw her lean forward, as if to get closer to the stallion. “Lucy, Diablo is a fitting name for that animal. He is indeed magnificent, but he is far too much for my little one to ride.” He saw the disappointment flash across her face. “He is strong-headed and extremely difficult to control. I promise, there are other horses that you may ride after I have seen how experienced a rider you are.”

  She was somewhat mollified in hearing she would indeed be able to ride but a little upset in hearing that he doubted her abilities. She had ridden horses ever since she was a small child and was positive she could ride any horse. “Louisa and I are very good horsewomen,” Lucy said. “I’ve been riding since I was a little girl, and ...”

  “You are still my little girl,” Lucas said firmly, before his tone lightened. “Your Papa knows how much his little one enjoys riding,” he said, in a tone that caused her cheeks to color again as she remembered being taught to ride her husband, seated astride his lap, his shaft buried deep inside her body. Lucy couldn’t stop a slight shudder from flowing over her at the memory of the intense pleasure her rides had given both of them.

  Lucy looked up at her husband as his tone became firm. “I will decide exactly how experienced you are, Lucille,” Lucas said, cutting her off, even as he felt her stiffen in his arms. No longer teasing, he put a finger under her chin and forced her eyes to his. “Young lady, if I ever catch you near Diablo—or anywhere near the stables without my permission—I guarantee I shall roast your rear so badly you wouldn’t be able to sit in a saddle for a week.” Lucas kept his eyes on hers as his hand dropped to slip beneath her, cupping a small cheek. “Do you understand me, Lucille, or do I need to give this little bottom a sample of what to expect if you decide to test my words?” His fingers splayed further as he gave the cheek a gentle squeeze. He heard her small moan, her body trembling slightly in his hold.

  “I … I understand, Papa,” she said quietly, dropping her gaze from his unwavering one. Having made his point, he bent forward to kiss the top of her head. “If you are my very good girl, then Papa will find you a nice, safe mount, and we can ride together.”

  Lucy frowned in disappointment but knew better than to argue. She didn’t want some stodgy old steed that would barely walk. When she rode, she adored galloping through fields, the wind blowing her hair as the horse ran free. Lucy kept her eyes on the stallion until they turned the bend and he disappeared from view. A short while later, their pace slowed even further as the horses strained to pull the carriage up a muddy incline. Lucy suddenly gave a shrill shriek as the carriage came to a stop with a jerk and seemed to tilt precariously, as if threatening to turn over.

  Lucas was shocked when she pushed off his lap and began to claw at the door, as if desperate to escape the security of the carriage. “Lucy, honey, calm down,” Lucas said as he attempted to return her to his lap. She screamed again and then practically fell out the door when it was pulled open. She flew from the carriage, almost knocking William from his feet, his own face showing his surprise. He automatically reached out and captured the small woman before she tumbled face-first onto the muddy road.

  “Shhhh, Miss Lucy, you’re safe, shhhhh,” William crooned as he pulled her to him and stepped back, allowing Lucas to climb from the carriage. He watched as Lucas immediately gathered Lucy into his arms, lifting her up and holding her close to him, ignoring the mud her shoes splattered onto his clothing. He stroked his hand down her back and also made soothing sounds until the small woman began to calm. She stopped screaming and whimpering, finally wrapping her legs around her husband’s waist and sobbing against his neck. William didn’t speak as he lifted Molly from the carriage and carried her to the side of the road.

  “Thank you, Mr. Grover,” Molly spoke softly, noticing his stunned expression as his eyes returned to where Lucas still stood, holding his sobbing wife. “Lucy lost her parents in a carriage accident not long ago,” Molly explained. “She only survived because she was thrown from the carriage when it began to roll.”

  “Aye, poor little thing,” William said, understanding the beautiful young woman’s terror. “What a sad thing for our precious girl.” William didn't set Molly down until she could stand on the thick grass. Though wet, it provided a far more stable surface than the slick mud of the road. Molly kept her eyes on Lucas as he patiently and quietly continued to soothe his frightened bride.

  It was obvious what had happened. The carriage had hit a rut that collapsed even more with the weight of the carriage. With the mud sucking at the wheel and the horses pulling against that suction, the carriage had twisted just enough for the wheel to snap, unbalancing the carriage, which was now tilted at an angle. The horses were well-trained and stood quivering in their traces, not attempting to flee. William walked around the entire carriage before stopping to soothe the team of horses. As his voice reached Lucy, it seemed that his soothing words joined her husband’s own gentle assurances. She finally calmed, her tears ending. She lifted her head, to find her husband smiling down at her, his eyes full of concern.

  “Are you going to be okay?” Lucas asked, lifting his hand to run the pad of his finger down her cheek. She quivered at his touch, her blonde head bobbing a bit.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, and
would have said more but he moved his finger to tap against her lips.

  “No, sweetie, there is no need for you to apologize. I’m so sorry the wheel broke and frightened you so. It is an unfortunate accident, but Lucy, I understand your fear. You are safe now; nothing is going to hurt you,” Lucas assured her, before bending to press his lips against her forehead, cradling her close to his chest once more. She trembled for a few more minutes before relaxing against him. Lucas stood holding her, keeping her safe until he felt he could release her. He slowly slogged his way across the road to where Molly was standing, the mud sucking at his boots with his every step. Lucas set her down on her feet, his hands holding her waist until he was sure her legs would hold her. “Stay with Molly,” he said gently. “I need to speak with William.”

  Molly smiled at her, moving to tuck a strand of Lucy’s golden hair behind her ear from where it had clung to a tearstained cheek. Molly bent and kissed her cheek, taking her hand and giving it a small squeeze. Lucy managed to give her a soft smile before turning to watch as Lucas and William inspected the damage.

  As the two men determined what needed to be done, the wagon carrying the luggage caught up with them. The driver set his brake and climbed down from the tall seat, joining the other men.

  “Nothing to do but replace the wheel,” William said, and Lucas nodded. It would mean either a trip back into town or to his home for an extra wheel, otherwise another form of transportation had to be provided. He looked at the luggage wagon thinking perhaps he could place Lucy onto it, but besides being completely loaded, it had no covering and the weather looked as if it could pour again at any moment.

  Sighing, he turned to William. “There isn’t room for all of us on the wagon, besides, I’m not sure Lucy is ready to go on. There’s no need for us all to stay here. I fear we haven’t seen the last of the rain. I want you to take Molly and go on to the house. Ask Agnes to help Molly prepare water for bathing and have hot tea ready when we arrive. Gather what you need and bring Samson. Bring as many boys you believe will be necessary to get the carriage wheel replaced. I’ll stay with Lucy. We can take refuge in the carriage if it should rain again.”