Blessed Beginnings (Hunter's Ridge Book 4) (4 page)

The conversation didn't go further as Lucas skated up to them and held out his hand. "Please, may I have this skate?"

Ettie giggled and managed to give a curtsy despite the slick ice. "It would be my pleasure, sir."

Lucy watched as brother and sister took a turn around the pond. She'd never been good at lying or pretending to be someone she wasn't. Besides, every member of her Papa's family was well aware that she often had a tender bottom. And, if Ettie truly was thinking of becoming a woman who gave more of herself than most wives, it didn't seem right to keep at least the basic facts of what that life would require from her.

The family spent another hour on the ice, the men taking turns escorting Ettie and Franny as well so that all could enjoy the exercise. Lucy didn't want to chance another fall, so she and Franny skated together as Louisa taught Ettie how to spin. She had to agree that it was a rather spectacular sight and couldn't hold back her laughter when they both fell. Louisa grunted in a very unladylike manner as she regained her feet. Ettie giggled, dusting her hands across the back of her skirts. Lucy didn't comment on the fact that she saw Franny giving a look among the three of them as if wondering why the twins had a far greater reaction to landing hard upon the ice than Ettie had. While Ettie didn't seem to have a problem just blurting out questions, Franny was far more circumspect in masking any curiosity she might have. It truly amazed her at how Lucas' sisters varied in personalities, and yet the entire family made a very loving and accepting group.

As the skating came to an end, Franny continued to watch both of the twins and saw nothing in their manner to indicate they'd been punished. Would she be so able to laugh and skate if her own backside had been subjected to either of those implements? Hearing her name being called, she shook herself out of her thoughts and skated to the edge of the pond to remove her skates. Despite her curiosity, she pushed her questions aside. It was finally time to find and cut the perfect Christmas tree.

A half-hour later, the air was again pierced by a loud cry. "I knew it would be perfect!" Ettie jumped up and down, clapping her hands as she threw her arms around her sister.

"Are you sure?" Franny asked, her eyes on the tree she'd chosen. "I liked the one you picked, as well."

Smiling, Ettie shook her head. "No, Lucas was right. Mine was really tall but too skinny. Yours is nice and fat and will fill up the library corner."

The twins agreed, and once they informed the men that this time they were absolutely positive that this was the right tree, they moved out of the way so that it could be chopped down. Once that was accomplished, the tree was secured to the back of the large sleigh and the group climbed inside. Franny and Ettie shared a fur lap robe and Edward sat across from them, Louisa on his lap, both toasty beneath another blanket. Lucy sat with Lucas, tucked in close to his side as he drove the sleigh home. They all sang carols as the bells on the harnesses jingled with every step of the team of horses. It had been a perfect morning and Ettie's excitement about decorating the tree had spread to them all.

After a hearty lunch, during which they'd described the morning's activities to Bea and Frank, Ettie was not pleased when naptime was announced. "But I want to start decorating the tree!" she said with a pout. "Can't we at least hang a few ornaments?"

"After your nap," Lucas said as he pushed back from the table.

"But I'm not tired!"

"Henrietta, I'm not going to argue with you," her brother said as he stopped by his youngest sister's chair. "Let's not ruin what has been such a delightful day so far."

Ettie understood the unspoken words and swallowed back her protest. It had been a long time since a little one was a fixture of their household but over the last few months, there had been more than one occasion where the fact that her brother would not hesitate to discipline not only his little wife, but his sisters as well, had taught her that tantrums earned a girl a sore behind. She might not wish to nap, but she certainly didn't want to nap with a hot bottom.

"Yes, sir."

"Good girl," Lucas said, bending to kiss her cheek. "By the time you wake up, Edward and I will have the tree set up and bring the decorations down from the attic." He also kissed Franny's cheek, wishing both girls sweet dreams.

Bea walked with her sisters to the stairs. "I'm glad you decided not to argue, Ettie. I'd hate to have you possibly miss decorating with the rest of us."

"I'm just excited," Ettie said. "I don't seem to have the patience that you and Franny do." She sighed as she watched her oldest sister rub her palm across her tummy. "Here I am not wanting to nap and being made to, and yet you are allowed to make your own decisions and you want to sleep."

Her oldest sister gave her a hug. "Yes, I suppose that seems strange but all I can say is that all little ones need rest, and that includes the one growing inside me."

"But I'm not little anymore." Ettie sighed.

"Don't be in a rush to grow up. Growing older brings a bit of freedom but a great deal more responsibility. Enjoy every moment as it comes. Now, off with you two, before Lucas decides we've all dawdled long enough."

Ettie rolled her eyes and giggled but hurried up a few steps before turning back. "I love you, Bea."

"I love you too. Sweet dreams." Bea blew her sisters a kiss before moving towards her own room.

Ettie gave Franny a smile before entering her bedroom. It was still hard to believe that the sister she had played with was going to be a mother soon. Life seemed to be changing so fast and yet she was looking forward to every moment. Let others like Franny stand still and ponder what might come. She, for one, wanted to meet every new day with her arms spread wide and a smile on her face.

Chapter Three

Molly was in the kitchen preparing two bottles of milk at Lord Huntington's request. He and Edward had led the girls upstairs to the nursery. She smiled as she waited for the milk to heat. Seeing the twins being rocked and fed before their naps had become one of her favorite sights. As much as she'd come to adore caring for Lucy and, during the time of her visit, for Louisa as well, being privy to the more intimate moments when the girls were being cared for by their Papas never failed to move her heart. She loved to see the twins cradled on their Papa's laps, the two large men relaxing from their duties as businessmen and simply enjoying the women they'd give their very lives to protect.

Joseph walked into the kitchen as she was carefully transferring the milk into the bottles. "Ah, the only thing sweeter than mum's treats is my sweet Molly," he said, giving her cheek a kiss.

"Joseph!" Molly mock complained, her blush showing her pleasure as she quickly glanced around the large room to where his mother was busy directly the scullery maids in cleaning up after the noon meal. Joseph just grinned and she shook her head. The two had become as inseparable as possible when not tending to their chores. Though it wasn't a secret by any means, Molly still felt bashful about his parents knowing they were falling in love.

"Ach, don't mind the boy," Edith said as she turned from the counter. "He's just hoping to butter us both up to better his chances at sneaking a treat."

A deep chuckle showed that her son accepted his mother's words even as he went to her and gave her a hug. "Who can blame me when you always hide the biscuits and swear everyone to secrecy?"

Swatting at her son's hand, Edith shook her head. "Molly has chores to do and I'm sure that if you don't have any, your father can find something to occupy your time. Idle hands are the Devil's workshop, you know."

"I was just on my way to the boot room," Joseph said. "Of course, if I were holding something in my hands, the devil wouldn't have a chance..."

Molly giggled as the cook rolled her eyes and then went to a large crock on the counter. Handing her son two biscuits, she shooed him from her domain. "Go on with you then. Never have it said that I wasn't protecting your soul."

Once the handsome young man had left the room, his mouth full of oatmeal and raisins, and his exaggerated moan of pleasure having every person in the kitchen giggling, Edith went to Molly. "He's right, you know," Edith said quietly. "That son of mine is very sweet on you."

"I-I… you don't mind?" Molly asked, her hands shaking a bit as she finished closing the bottles.

Edith gave her a hug. "Not at all. His father and I would be honored to have you as our daughter."

Molly shook her head. "He hasn't said anything about that possibility."

"Lass, I'm telling you, that boy is in love with you for more reasons than thinking you are a soft touch."

With a large smile, Molly wiped the bottles with a towel. "I hope you're right."

"I'm positive I am, and also positive I need to make a double batch of biscuits this afternoon and find a new hiding place since that son of mine now knows which crock to open."

Molly giggled. "Do wait to hide them until I come back down. I can't imagine tea without a treat… idle hands and all." The two women laughed as Molly left to take the bottles upstairs.

She entered the nursery to see that both of her charges were being prepared for their naps by their Papas. Louisa was lying on the padded bench top covering shelves at one end of the room, and Lucy was on her changing table. Both were naked and both had long glass tubes protruding from their bottoms. Their soft whines had her shaking her head. She would have thought both women would be well accustomed to having their temperatures taken as it was a daily occurrence. Low male voices murmured soothing words but she knew the thermometers would remain in place until the two papas decided to remove them, and not a single whimper would hurry the process.

Placing the warmed bottles on the table set between two rockers, she went to turn down quilts and sheets in each of the cribs. She made sure that Louisa's horse stuffy and Lucy's stuffed cat were ready to be cuddled and that both of the girls' pacifiers were waiting to be suckled.

"Molly, could you find me the arnica cream?" Lucas asked as he gently removed the thermometer and wiped it down before reading it.

Molly brought the jar and then gave a soft gasp when she saw the condition of Lucy's small bottom. "How on earth?"

"She fell while skating," Lucas explained, tracing the bruise that had begun to color Lucy's skin. "I'm sure it was quite painful to fall on her tailbone, and it didn't help that her little bottom was already a bit tender." He opened the jar and began applying the ointment to his wife's backside, his fingers gentle as they traced the fading wheals remaining from her punishment caning of the day before.

Lucy moaned softly but didn't attempt to pull away from his ministrations, instead, by the time he was applying a coat of the ointment to her sit-spots, she was pushing her bottom into his hand. Similar moans could be heard from the bench and Molly smiled. It was a fact of life that husbands spanked wives but she wondered how many of those husbands then took the time to make sure their wives were comforted after having their bottoms heated.

"I'm sure it was, poor thing," Molly agreed, sweeping Lucy's hair from her cheek. "You are being a very good girl, Lucy, even with a sore bum."

* * * * *

Lucy blushed, pleased with the praise, and yet her tummy was fluttering and her bottom wanted to clench. While the gentle massage was indeed helping with the tenderness, she was afraid that her Papa wouldn't be anywhere near as concerned if he knew what she'd said earlier. By the time she'd been turned over, her nappy pinned, her gown pulled over her head, and her hair braided quickly by her nanny, the guilt became too much.

When Lucas settled her onto his lap and began to tilt her back into the crook of his arm as he reached for her bottle, she knew she'd never be able to sleep unless she made her confession.

"Papa, I need to tell you something." At his nod, she took a deep breath. "I'm afraid I made a mistake this morning."

"What makes you think that?"

"I wasn't thinking when I fell on the ice, and I mentioned that it hurt more because I had received a-a caning. I think Ettie heard me."

"Sweetie, I'm sorry if that fact embarrasses you but Ettie is well aware that naughtiness leads to discipline. I suppose learning that an implement she is unfamiliar with was used could be a surprise, but probably not truly shocking for her."

Lucy thought about leaving the confession at that but knew she couldn't. "I know, but I might have mentioned maintenance night."

Her Papa's face changed, the slight smile of reassurance disappearing and one far more stern taking its place. "
Might
have?"

"Um, I mean, I-I started to but Louisa stopped me before I really said anything. I didn't mean to, I promise!"

"Lucille," Lucas admonished. "You know better than that, young lady."

Louisa spoke from Edward's lap in the other rocker. "Uncle Lucas, it was my fault. I teased Lucy when she complained and she just mentioned that falling on a caned bottom hurt more than falling on a strapped one."

"No, it was my own fault," Lucy corrected. "I just spoke without thinking. I'm so sorry, Papa."

Lucas remained quiet for a moment before nodding. "I don't suppose I should really be surprised. While only the five of us understand what happens every week during your maintenance session, I suppose I can understand how it happened, little one. It's not like you and Louisa don't discuss your feelings and share details between each other, whether it be about maintenance or even about what might occur under your nanny's discipline. I know it must be hard to remember that freedom is restricted within your family." He bent and gave her forehead a kiss. "I must say that I am very proud of you for confessing, little one."

"Thank you, but what if Ettie—I don't know—asks questions?"

"If she comes to you and wishes to know more details, send her to me," Lucas instructed.

"But what…"

"Send her to me," Lucas repeated, giving her bottom a little pat. "If I am not available, send her to Molly." He looked up to where Molly was standing. "If Ettie does approach you, I expect you to reassure her that all her questions will be answered but only from the proper source." He looked over to see Edward giving him a nod. "I guess it's time for us all to face the truth that our little Henrietta does indeed seem to be exploring her path." He turned his gaze to the woman he held in his arms. "I do not wish to hear that you have given her additional information until—and only if—given permission to do so. I guarantee your bottom will appreciate your adherence to that requirement. Understand?"