Homecoming

by Maggie Ryan

  Lucy was so sated, so completely relaxed, that she fell asleep almost before Lucas had pulled from her, rolling to his back and pulling her to lie cradled close to him. He stroked her hair as she pressed her head to his chest. He held her in his arms, thanking God for the woman that fulfilled him so completely that his heart hurt with the thought of being without her. He ran his fingers through her golden tresses, pressing his lips to her cheek, content to watch her sleep.

  The next morning, Lucy discovered that she loved Saturdays. When she and Lucas finally made it downstairs, it was to discover Edith had packed a picnic basket. She pressed a bun filled with meat and cheese into their hands, teasing that they seemed to have forgotten what time breakfast was served. Lucy had blushed, but Lucas only laughed and reminded the cook that they were newlyweds after all. His grin grew larger as Edith’s own face colored, and she playfully slapped his arm.

  ***

  Lucy giggled as she remembered exactly why they had been so late. Lucas had called for a bath and the tub was waiting as he woke Lucy. He asked if she wanted to continue to sleep or would she rather dress and tour the stables. She had immediately squealed in delight, turning to jump from the bed.

  “Whoa,” Lucas had said grabbing her before she tumbled off the bed. “First, a bath, little one,” he had said. climbing from the bed and lifting her into his arms.

  Though she wanted nothing more than to ride, she understood she definitely needed a bath. Lucas had placed her in the tub and then shocked her by disrobing and climbing in with her. She found she didn’t care that the bath delayed them even further as she discovered how it felt to make love with her husband in the warm water. She had blushed hotly even as she arched her back, moaning her pleasure as she rode her husband until they erupted together. When they finally left the tub and her husband dried her tenderly, he led her back into the bedchamber and pulled a box from beneath the bed. Lucy paused when he handed her the box, remembering the contents of the last two boxes he had produced. Not positive that this large box didn’t also contain something to either use on her or teach her a lesson, she took a deep breath and untied the string. Her hesitancy changed the moment she lifted the lid and she saw the new clothes.

  “I had planned on surprising you with a ride today,” he informed her as she stroked the soft fabric of the new riding skirt. “However, I didn’t stop to consider that your bottom might be too painful for you to ride.” Lucy looked up quickly, her golden hair swishing about her body as she met his eyes.

  “Oh, no, Papa,” she said quickly. “I want to ride. Please, may we?”

  “Are you sure, Kitten? The saddle is pretty unyielding. You will not disappoint me if you wish to wait to ride another day,” he said, leaving the choice to her, as it would be her bottom bouncing in the saddle.

  “My bottom doesn’t hurt anymore, Papa. The wheals are almost gone. Please, please may we ride?” she asked happily, and eagerly stepped into the pair of split-crotch drawers and thick riding skirt he pulled from the box. She was shocked to discover the skirt was really more like the trousers that her Papa wore. Lucas laughed at her comic expression and explained that it would make riding far easier—and actually safer—unless she planned to simply allow her horse to walk. Her joy at thinking of the upcoming ride was evident, and though she giggled as she stepped into the skirt, she was trembling with excitement. Lucas showed her how the outer skirt hid the fact that there were trousers hidden beneath them. He also showed her how the back of her skirt could be lifted, exposing the small loops. He showed her how the trousers easily parted by simply pushing the fabric aside, followed by pushing apart her drawers to bare her bottom if she required discipline.

  Lucy flushed hotly, remembering how she had been made to push her drawers apart and present her bare bottom to her guardian for his discipline at Wintercrest. She was glad when Lucas rearranged the fabric to hide the feature he had required the seamstress to provide. She also loved the soft blue blouse that she tucked into the skirt, despite the deep blue buttons on the shoulders where loops could be secured if she were naughty. Lucas helped her into the boots that Joseph had polished and declared she was ready.

  ***

  Lucas instructed her to go wait in the library while he took the baskets containing their luncheon out to the stables.

  Lucy found her sisters waiting in the library, dressed in similar riding clothes. She was surprised to see Miss Browning and a stranger talking with Frank as she entered the room. Frank smiled and introduced the man as Walter Drakemore, Frannie’s beau, before moving away to speak to Bea. Seeing the governess staring at her, Lucy gave the man a small curtsy.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Drakemore.” Lucy felt a wave of unease flow over her as the man looked her over as if finding her amusing. She realized his demeanor reminded her of Miss Browning, and though he said nothing, she felt as if he were ridiculing her in his mind. “Are you joining us as well, Mr. Drakemore?” Lucy asked, finding that she hoped he declined.

  “I would think it would be obvious, as I am dressed for riding am I not?” Walter asked. Lucy saw Frannie flush a bit, her face showing her embarrassment at his words.

  Miss Browning smiled as she shook her head in amusement. “I hope you’ll be able to enjoy your outing, Lucille,” Lucinda said, with a smile, “all that bouncing about in a saddle on what must still be a tender bottom will test your love of riding, I’m sure.” Lucy couldn’t believe the gall of the woman, as she made the statement knowing that Mr. Drakemore could easily hear her. Flushing hotly, she said nothing, but was extremely grateful to see Lucas enter the room.

  “Walter,” Lucas said, as the man stepped forward to shake his hand. While it was clear to Lucy that he had no problem showing his contempt for her, his entire demeanor changed the moment the two men shook hands.

  “Good morning, Lucas,” Walter said. “I’m delighted that you allow me to join you and your lovely family today.” Lucy watched as the man turned to smile at Frannie. “It’s always a pleasure spending time with your lovely sister.”

  “I’m glad you are able to spend the day with us,” Lucas said, as he took Lucy’s hand and drew her close to his side. “Have you met my wife?”

  “Yes, Frank made the introductions,” Walter said. “Lucinda informed me of your recent marriage when I last called upon Frances. Congratulations, your little bride is quite beautiful. I can understand your decision to wed quite quickly despite the normal convention of society.”

  Lucas didn’t allow his displeasure at the man’s words to show in his expression. “Thank you, I agree that I’m a very lucky man to have found Lucy.”

  Walter’s smile made Lucy’s skin crawl. “I apologize if I arrived too early this morning. It was kind of Miss Browning to entertain me while we waited, though I know she was preparing to go into town for the weekend.”

  “I'm sorry if we kept you waiting or inconvenienced Lucinda. As I told our cook, we are newlyweds after all,” Lucas said, not noticing his wife’s blush or that she no longer seemed as excited about the day’s outing. “The horses should be saddled by now; shall we?”

  At his words, everyone started to move from the library. Lucy looked over her shoulder and saw that Miss Browning was smiling at something Mr. Drakemore was saying. Lucy wondered what else the governess had chosen to share with the man. Shuddering, she tightened her hand around her husband’s.

  Ettie bounced beside Lucy, carrying a thick blanket for the picnic, a smile on her face showing her excitement as she began to chat about her favorite horse. Lucy listened, but also realized that while Bea seemed to be lit from within with happiness at spending the day with Frank, Frannie wasn’t even smiling, though her hand was tucked into the crook of Walter’s arm as the group made its way to the stables. Surely sweet Frannie could not be attracted to that awful man. Lucy felt a growing sense of unease but remained silent, not wanting to mar what she hoped would be a wonderful outing.

  Lucy put Walter from her mind the moment she
entered the stables. She was enthralled as she walked down the middle of one of the large buildings housing the horses. Though she didn’t see Diablo, there were many beautiful animals within the stalls. She was instantly drawn towards the end of the stables where the beautiful palomino seemed to be searching for her. The horse nickered at her as if welcoming Lucy to pet her. Lucy did so, running her fingers down the velvet skin of her face before bending forward and kissing the horse. “Good morning, Delilah,” Lucy said softly. “Do you want to go on a picnic?” Lucas smiled at hearing the question and seeing her gently stroking the horse.

  “Does she want to join us, Kitten?” he asked, as he handed Lucy a small apple he had plucked from a nearby barrel. Lucy placed it in her palm, giggling as the horse tenderly took it from her.

  “Yes, Papa, she wants to go and hopes that Sampson is coming as well.” Lucas nodded as one of the stable boys walked his horse to where the couple was standing. Lucy greeted Samson, feeding him an apple after Lucas had passed it to her. She stroked both horses as they waited for the remaining horses to be saddled. She watched Lucas lift Ettie and settle her into her saddle, bending close and speaking softly to her. Lucy had heard that the last time Ettie had ridden, she had been thrown and knew he was making sure his sister was felt comfortable about riding again. The answer was obvious, as Ettie’s head bobbed in the affirmative, her hand stroking her chestnut mare as she waited for the others to mount. Lucy smiled and then squealed when she was lifted up onto Delilah by her husband’s strong arms. As she straddled the horse, she felt strange for just a few minutes as she adjusted to sitting astride the horse, rather than riding sidesaddle. She immediately felt more stable, more in control as she clasped her thighs to grow accustomed to her seat. She smiled at her husband. “This is wonderful, thank you, Papa,” she said, the joy shining from her eyes. Lucas nodded and then mounted his own horse.

  “We’ll start in the training ring,” he said, wanting to make sure Lucy was able to control the horse as well as being comfortable in the saddle. Lucy saw Walter roll his eyes as he passed her, obviously questioning her ability to ride and showing his displeasure at the leisurely pace. Lucy ignored him as she and Delilah walked around the large ring. Lucy looked at the middle of the ring seeing an arrangement of several jumps and hurdles. She felt an urge to guide her mount over some of the jumps to prove to Walter that she could ride, and Lucinda’s statement had been untrue. Before she had a chance, Lucas urged Samson into a trot and Delilah picked up her own pace. It didn’t take long before Lucy realized that the movement was causing her bottom to bounce uncomfortably in the saddle, her cane wheals beginning to burn a bit. She slowed to a walk and saw Lucas coming up beside her.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, seeing the discomfort on her face. Lucy blushed, nodding, though speaking softly so the others couldn’t hear.

  “My … my bottom hurts a bit,” she admitted.

  Lucas understood and nodded. “Do you wish to stop?” he asked, not truly surprised when she immediately shook her head.

  “No, Papa. I want to ride. Perhaps we could gallop?” she suggested.

  Lucas thought for a moment, knowing that, despite the increased speed, the gait was smooth and wouldn’t irritate her bottom as much as the bouncing of a trot. “Are you sure?” he asked, and she nodded again.

  “I’d like to try, Papa, please?” she asked.

  Lucas nodded and turned to address the others, noticing that Ettie’s face was a bit pinched. Though she had assured him she was ready to ride again, he could see that she was a bit apprehensive. “Lucy would like to gallop. Do you wish to join us or simply walk up to the higher pasture for our picnic?”

  Bea turned to Frank. “Would it be okay if we gallop, Sir?” she asked, and Lucy noticed the respect in her voice.

  “Whatever you wish, my dear,” Frank said, and she smiled up at him. Frannie had also seen Ettie’s discomfort and volunteered to walk her horse with Ettie and meet them at the pond where they usually picnicked. Ettie gratefully accepted the offer, the matter quickly decided. Walter sighed, agreeing to walk with the girls, his displeasure evident, though only Lucy seemed to notice.

  A stable boy opened the gate to allow the horses to leave the training corral. The ride was all that Lucy had dreamed. All thoughts of Lucinda and Mr. Drakemore disappeared as she and Delilah streaked after Lucas, following his lead. The wind streamed through her golden hair that almost perfectly matched the color of her horse’s mane. Though her bottom did hurt a bit, she would not have stopped for the world. As it was, they reached the meadow far too soon. Lucas drew to a stop and motioned for her to do the same. Lucy wanted to ignore him; the distant meadows seemed to be calling her to come explore, but she obeyed and was soon helped from the saddle. The moment her feet touched the ground, she rubbed the back of her skirt to relieve the ache. Hearing Lucas chuckle, she gave him a sheepish smile and watched as he secured their horses and then helped secure Bea’s after Frank helped her from the saddle. The four of them stood talking about the ride and the beauty of the pond as they waited for the others. Hearing hooves thundering, they all turned to see the three riders galloping towards them.

  Lucas moved to help Ettie dismount as she pulled her horse to a stop. “What happened to walking?” he teased, as the thrill of the ride reflected from her shining eyes.

  “Mr. Drakemore doesn’t like walking,” she explained with a giggle. “It’s okay because it helped me forget my fall. It was wonderful to gallop. Oh, Lucas, I forgot how wonderful these riding clothes are. I can control Bess so much easier and feel safer.” Lucas was pleased and kissed the top of her head before leading her horse to where he and Frank had tethered the others. Ettie joined Lucy as they looked to see Frannie still seated on her horse. They were the only ones close enough to hear Walter’s comment when he told Frannie he thought it highly inappropriate for her to wear the new riding skirt.

  “I prefer you dressed appropriately, Frances. I also find it improper for a woman to ride astride. If you wish to dress and ride like a man, Frances, then you shouldn’t expect help in dismounting from your horse.” Frannie had blushed, but when Frank saw her still seated and Walter tethering his own horse, he stepped forward and lifted her from the saddle. Frannie thanked him as he took the reins from her and secured her horse with the others. Lucy and Ettie looked at each other, both shocked at the man’s rudeness but simply taking Frannie’s hands as she joined them.

  They all gathered on the blanket and were soon passing containers of the various items that Edith had prepared. Lucy saw Bea speak to Frank and then fix a plate of his requested items. His fingers stroked hers as he took the plate, smiling and thanking her. Lucy looked up to see Lucas also watching the couple, a smile on his face. He looked to see Frannie fixing a plate for Walter and saw that she wasn’t smiling when he took it from her without speaking and began to eat before she was settled next to him. Lucy picked up a bunch of grapes to offer them to Lucas. He pulled her onto his lap, plucked a grape from the bunch, and held it to her lips. She giggled but accepted it and then fed him one. Despite the fact that she had again seen the disapproving look in Mr. Drakemore’s eyes, she was happy that her husband was being so playful, and she relaxed against him. Ettie settled next to them, giggling when Lucas popped a grape into her mouth. Lucy smiled; the sun felt delicious upon her face and she closed her eyes, enjoying being away from the house with her husband and new family. After they all had eaten their fill, they stood, deciding to take a walk down to the pond. Letting the others walk further away, Lucas pulled his wife to stand before him, his arms wrapped securely around her waist.

  “We often swim here,” Lucas informed her as she looked at the clear water. She giggled at seeing a fish jump in the middle of the pond and imagined it nibbling at her toes. There were several tall boulders to one side, and one of the many large trees that shaded the water held a rope.

  “Do you swing from that?” she asked pointing to the rope.

  “Not for yea
rs,” he said, with a chuckle. “I probably should have it taken down. It is most likely quite rotten by now.”

  Lucy turned her head to smile back at him, giggling as she imagined him as a young boy, whooping as he swung upon the rope before dropping into the water. “Please, Papa, don’t remove it unless you hang another. I’d love to watch you someday,” Lucy suggested, and he chuckled again.

  “Perhaps,” he said, remembering the thrill of releasing the rope and falling into the cool water. “We shall see, when it is warmer.” He knew they would come back, just the two of them, and when they did it wouldn’t just be so that he could swing from the rope and impress his bride. Though boyhood had its pleasures, being a man offered a great deal more. He could easily imagine stripping his bride nude and swimming in the lake beside her and then making love to her as the sun dried their skin. Until then, remembering the intense pleasure he had felt as they made love in the small tub, he decided that he would continue to join her in her own bath.

  “Thank you,” she whispered as contentment filled her. “This is perfect.”

  Lucas was happy that she was so pleased. “I believe my girls deserve a day of nothing but fun,” he said, looking down towards the shore where his sisters were walking. “You all study so hard and are usually so very good. It pleases me to be able to see you relaxed and carefree.” Lucy nodded, realizing that she did indeed feel happier than she had since they left the train. The absence of both her nanny as well as Miss Browning permitted all of the young women to simply relax and have fun, the carefree day allowing them to connect as loving siblings. She leaned against him, her back of her head resting against his chest. Lucas breathed in the scent of her hair, his lips brushing against her ear. Lucy shivered, her nipples instantly peaking under the silk of her blouse. She gasped when she felt his hand moving down her back and then under the flap of her skirt, sliding into the opening of her inner trousers, slipping into her split drawers to cup her naked bottom. Despite the fact that they had made love earlier, she felt her stomach quiver and her sex moisten. She lifted her head, turning to see him looking at her. The desire in his eyes made her heart beat faster. She couldn’t have moved if she wanted, but prayed the others remained unaware of what was happening as they walked along the shore of the water. Lucas kept her in place, one arm around her waist pulling her bottom up against his crotch.