Lord Edward's Law (Women of Wintercrest) (13 page)

He gathered
them both to his side and said, “I believe a celebration is in order.  How would you both like to go out for supper and celebrate our newest scholar?”  Louisa squealed and clapped her hands.  Lucy was also happy and smiled.

“I would love that
, Edward.”  She saw his eyebrow lift.

“Just because you graduat
ed, young lady, doesn’t give you license to forget your manners.”  She blushed, understanding that he was very serious.  She lowered her gaze, no longer so sure she wished to celebrate.  However, seeing her sister looking so hopeful, she nodded.

“Yes
, Sir, I’m sorry.  I…I guess I thought once I actually graduated I…I would be treated as a…a grown up.”  Edward smiled and looked down at the small woman.

“The world may consider you a grownup
, Lucille, but believe me, you are a true little girl now, just as you have always been.  You need a good, firm hand to keep you in line, as has been proven with your recent success.  Can you tell me that you believe you could have done such a wonderful job without being forced to study and study hard?” 

She was an honest girl and had to shake her head
.  “No…no, Sir.  I…I wouldn’t have studied as hard.” 

He nodded.
  “And, tell me the truth, Lucy, what helped motivate you to study as hard as you did.”  She blushed, her hands fidgeting in her skirts as the past few days flew past in her mind.  She saw herself kicking and crying, her bottom lifted as it was paddled, strapped and birched.  She remembered trying desperately to memorize all the equations she needed in order to avoid another spanking. 

She moaned softly and had to finally admit
he was the cause of her concentration in her studies.  “You…you did, Sir.” 

“And exactly how did I motivate you
, Lucille?”  She blushed hotly, every stroke of every punishment flowing through her mind.  She looked up at him and saw the intensity in his eyes.

“
Sp…spankings, Sir.”  Edward smiled and reached out and drew her into his chest.  She laid her head against his chest.

“That’s correct
, Lucy.  You are a very special little girl just like your sister.  You need a strong man to make sure you behave.  Your bottom needs to be paddled and spanked whenever you step out of line.  You might not want to admit it, and I know you have so much more to learn but, little one, if you look deep inside yourself and are honest with yourself, I believe you will find the truth of what you need.”  He paused and allowed his words to sink in.  His glance flitted to his own little-girl wife and saw she was nodding.  He smiled knowing that it was still new to Louisa as well, but that she was finally admitting that she needed what he provided.  He knew she was discovering that she not only needed it; she loved and craved both his harsh discipline and his demands of her body.  She saw him watching her and smiled up at him; concern for her sister written all over her face. 

“Lucy…Lucy, we don’t have to go out….we can just celebrate at home.
  I…I don’t want you to feel ashamed of…of me.”  Lucy heard her sister and knew that her twin just wanted her to be happy.  Lucy felt as if she were spoiling what was to have been a wonderful day.  Steeling herself to be brave enough to face her own life, she pushed away from Edward and turned to her sister.

“I…I want to go out
, Louisa.  Is that all right, Sir?  May we all go out to supper?”  Edward smiled and nodded. “I’d like nothing better than to take the two prettiest little girls out for supper.  We shall have our lunch and then, after Louisa takes her nap, we shall have plenty of time for you to put on your prettiest dresses and we shall have a wonderful dinner.”  He saw Louisa’s smile falter and knew she was about to ask not to have to take her nap. 

He gave her a warning look and shook his head
, “Only after your nap, little lady.  You know you need a nap and I don’t want a cranky, sleepy little girl sitting at the restaurant.” 

Lucy saw her sister flush but nod
,  “Yes, Sir.”  Edward took their hands and led them up the stairs.  He related the news of Lucy’s success to Mrs. Bremmer who was quick to enfold the young woman in a warm hug and praise her.  Lucy was startled, but found it felt wonderful being hugged and after a moment, returned it.  They sat down to lunch and laughed and talked about various things.  Lucy realized it was the most relaxed meal she had taken in the house since her arrival.  When Edward pushed away from the table and held out his hand to his wife, telling her it was nap time, Louisa seemed to want to argue, but sighed and took his hand.  Lucy stood as well and walked with them as far as the hallway. 

“Have a good nap
, Louisa,” she said as the two walked up the stairs.  Louisa gave her sister a smile and a small wave.  Lucy continued down the hall and entered the library.  She began to comb the shelves for a book that would allow her to enter a world that didn’t reflect her own.  She wanted to read of princes who saved the poor girls of the world and made them princesses.  She wanted to read about heroes who were strong and tall and who made every woman want to be chosen to be his.  She wanted to read about love and happiness.  She giggled, realizing that she wanted to read anything other than a column of mathematical problems.  Realizing that her school days were indeed over, she smiled brightly.  She pulled her choice off the shelf and then settled back in the chair, her feet tucked up beneath her and opened her book.  After half an hour she found the story wasn’t holding her attention.  Her eyes were drooping closed.  She yawned and discovered she was very tired.  All the tension of the past several days was finally affecting her.  She rose, replaced her book on the shelf and walked up the stairs.  Louisa might not have wanted to nap but Lucy found she wanted nothing more.  She entered her room and slipped out of her shoes.  She began to lie down on the bed and winced as her corset pinched her waist.  Sighing, she pulled the bell cord for Molly, suddenly envious of the way Louisa was allowed to dress.  It must be lovely to be able to go without the horrid constricting corset all day.

Molly entered and helped Lucy undress.  As Lucy gave a huge sigh once her corset was removed and then laughed, Molly smiled understanding the discomfort.  She thought it silly to wear something that was obviously so uncomfortable
, simply for fashion.  She laid the corset aside and tucked her mistress into bed.  Lucy was asleep before Molly left the room.  The door shut quietly and Molly gave a small squeal when she practically ran into the Lord of the house.

“Oh ex
cuse me, Sir,” she said as she gave a quick curtsy. 

“No, excuse me
, Molly.  Is Lucille feeling unwell?”  Molly smiled and assured him,

“Oh no
, Sir, she is just very tired.  I believe she’ll feel much better after she’s had a nap.”  Edward nodded and agreed; after all, his wife was always well rested and happy after she spent a few hours snug in her crib.

“Very well, thank you
, Molly.”  She curtsied again and then returned to her duties.  Edward paused at Lucy’s door, his mind once more turning to possibilities for her future.  He smiled thinking how lovely the girls were and though he knew he’d be quite happy to have Lucy under his roof indefinitely now that she understood the rules of the manor, he also knew that in order to allow his ward to truly find her own happiness, he’d have to find the perfect man and set her free.  With those thoughts, he walked to his study and began to compose a letter -- one he hoped would set Lucy onto the path best suited for her.

Lucy awoke a few hours later, feeling far more rested and excited about the outing.  She again called for Molly and the two girls chatted while they worked to prepare Lucy for an evening out.  As Molly held up yet another dress that Lucy considered, she was thinking of exactly what her twin would be wearing.  She had seen Louisa dressed in juvenile clothing when they attended church but would Edward also require she enter a restaurant dressed as a child?  She blushed at the thought and again wished she could speak to her sister about the choice she had made. 

“Please, Miss Lucy.  You must decide.  It wouldn’t do for you to be late for your own celebration,” Molly pleaded as she pulled another dress from the wardrobe.  It was a lovely sapphire blue with white lace at the cuffs and throat.  Lucy nodded and agreed that it would do nicely.  She was soon laced back into her corset and holding her breath as Molly pulled hard on the laces.  Once they were tied, several undergarments were stepped into and garters tied around stockings, the dress was finally slipped over her head.  Lucy stood still as Molly worked the dozens of tiny buttons into their loops down her back.  It took another half hour before her hair had been brushed and arranged into a pleasing hairstyle.  As Molly pushed yet another pin into her scalp and Lucy yelped, she thought of her sister’s hair.  It was always either loose and hanging down her back, tied back with ribbons, or plaited to keep it out of her face.  Lucy realized she couldn’t remember the last time she had seen Louisa dressed up as an adult woman.  She had even worn a very simple white dress for her wedding, though her obvious joy had made her a stunning bride.  Lucy was declared ready and thanked Molly for her assistance. 

As they stood to leave the room, Molly s
poke quietly, “I’m very happy for you, Miss Lucy.  I was worried you might not pass even though we all knew you worked very hard.”  Lucy blushed knowing the entire house was well-aware of what all had transpired the past several days.  She found she couldn’t fault Molly and smiled,

“Thank you
, Molly.  I’m very, very glad as well.  Perhaps I can stay away from that horrid study from now on.”  Molly was shocked at the casual way the words were spoken, but couldn’t contain a small grin.  They were both smiling as they descended the stairs.  Edward was at the bottom of the stairs and heard their laughter.  He looked up and saw exactly what his own wife would look like, if he desired a grown woman.  Lucy was radiant, her skin glowed and the dress floated around her.  She saw him looking up and faltered until she saw he was smiling.  She smiled back and was soon standing on the last step.  He still towered over her and she was suddenly struck by his size.

“You look lovely, Lucille,” he said
, taking her hand and walking her into the parlor.  She saw Louisa jump up from a chair and smiled.  Her sister’s dress surprised her.  She was wearing a dress that was more age appropriate, though Lucy noticed her curves were still soft and it was obvious she wasn’t corseted.  Louisa’s hair was also tied back at the nape of her neck to hang in soft curls down her back.   

Louisa
saw her sister perusing her attire and blushed knowing exactly how she must appear to her twin.  Through her embarrassment, she forced herself to smile. “I love that dress, Lucy.  It is so beautiful on you.”  The sincerity of her sister’s compliment caused Lucy to smile, her heart full with love for her sister.

“You look quite pretty as well
, Louisa.”  Louisa flushed, knowing she didn’t look nearly as gorgeous as her twin.  In fact, dressed as they were, it would be unlikely that anyone would consider them to be anything more than close relatives. 

Edward didn’t give them time to become uncomfortable.
  “It’s time to go, girls.”  They followed him out of the house and were soon in the carriage.  Lucy watched as her sister sat next to her husband, her small hand on his arm.  She watched as Edward smiled down at his wife and then moved to place his arm around her and draw her closer to his side.  Louisa sighed in contentment and Lucy understood the two truly loved each other. 

The dinner was a success.  The girls were amazed at how beautiful everything was
, from the fine linens to the flowers that adorned each table.  Soft candlelight bathed the room with a soft glow.  They looked about the room, full of women in beautiful gowns, escorted by men in their best attire.  The atmosphere was hushed but elegant.  Edward allowed them each a small glass of wine in order to participate in the toast of her graduation.  Louisa pushed him by pouting when he refused her another, but he bent towards her and whispered something in her ear.  She flushed, shook her head quite vehemently and was perfectly behaved for the rest of the meal.  They were eating dessert when a couple approached their table.  Edward stood and shook the hand of a tall, older man.

“Good evening
, George.  It’s lovely to see you again, Lady Eddington.”  Edward kissed the woman’s cheek and she smiled.

“Thank you
, Lord Wintercrest.  It’s lovely to see you as well.  How nice to see you out and about with your lovely bride -- and who is this lovely young woman?” she asked, her gaze taking in the two very beautiful girls seated at his table. 

Edward smiled and introduced his
ward.  “Let me introduce my wife’s twin sister, Miss Lucille Furniss.  She has come to live with us and has become my ward.  Lucille, this is Lord and Lady Eddington.” 

Lucy nodded her head
trying to decide if the woman addressing her was also considered her husband’s little girl.  The woman was tall and elegant and spoke easily but there seemed to be something about the couple.  After a moment, she realized she hadn’t responded to the introduction and flushed.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said using her best manners.  The couple smiled down at her.

“We are celebrating Lucille’s recent graduation,” Edward explained.  The woman clapped her hands and her husband smiled down at her.