Lord Edward's Law (Women of Wintercrest) (14 page)

“That’s wonderful.  I am sure we shall see you at many of the upcoming parties and balls.  I do believe your house will soon be full of many suitors for your ward.  She is simply beautiful.”  Lucy flushed at the compliment and then thought about what had been said.  She glanced up at Edward
, who was smiling.

“I suppose they shall try
, Lady Eddington but, believe me, it will take a very special suitor for my ward.” 

Lord Eddington chuckled and nodded,
“That’s right, Edward.  Make sure you keep those chaps in line.  It wouldn’t do to allow just anyone such a prize as this lovely woman.  If she is anything like your own dear little wife, she will need a certain type of man indeed.  I trust you will find the most suitable husband for your ward.”  Lucy flushed even hotter as she tried to imagine what the couple must be thinking.  Did they know how the Lady of Wintercrest was treated?  They certainly didn’t appear surprised at the youthful way Louisa was dressed nor concerned with the fact that the young woman remained silent at the table.  Lucy’s attention was returned to the couple when Lord Eddington said, “Congratulations, my dear on your graduation.  I’m sure you will continue your lessons in the school of life with Lord Wintercrest as your professor.  My wife and I shall look forward to hearing of your future engagement – I feel you won’t have long to wait.  Trust your guardian to do what is best for you, my dear.”

Lucy flushed wondering again if she was hearing hidden meanings in this elegant man’s words.  Not knowing what to say, she simply said,
“Thank you, Sir.” The older couple left and Edward again took his seat.  They were interrupted twice more and the same conversation took place.  Edward sighed and finally signaled for the check.

“I guess it is my own fault,” he said as he paid the bill.  “You can’t expect to bring the prettiest girls out on the town and be left alone now can you?”  He was pleased to see both of his girls blush with pleasure at his words.  The drive home seemed to go too quickly and before Louisa knew it she was being
led up the stairs by Mrs. Bremmer.

“I want to stay up and talk to Lucy!” she whined
, and attempted to pull away from the housekeeper.

“I don’t believe what you want matters
, Missy.  Your Papa has set your bedtime and you are already well past it.  Now, unless you want a spanking, I suggest you pick up your feet and stop whining.” 

Louisa felt her eyes fill but not wanting a spanking to end her day, she nodded
and said, “Yes, ma’am…I’m sorry.”  Anna nodded and was soon undressing her charge and putting her into a nightgown.  As she tucked the woman into Edward’s bed, she bent down and placed a kiss on her cheek.

“Sleep well
, little lady.  Your Papa will be up shortly.”  Louisa saw her blow out the lamp and though she yawned, she was again wishing she could stay up and talk about the wonderful outing with Lucy.  She didn’t think it was fair and suddenly pounded her fists into her pillow and kicked her feet against the mattress.  She tossed and turned for several minutes but, after going to bed so early for several weeks, she was soon tired and slipped into sleep.

Lucy found herself at a loss.  Without being told to go to her room to study, she found she didn’t know what was expected of her.  She watched as her sister was led upstairs to
be put to bed.  Glancing at the clock on the mantle, she saw that it was only a little after ten. 

Edward watched her and smiled
,   “Louisa needs her sleep and has a bedtime of half past eight.  It was a special occasion this evening so I allowed her to stay up a bit longer.  I feel this would be a good time to speak with you about your future unless, of course, you are too tired and wish to retire as well?”  Lucy was a little surprised and found she was a little hesitant.  While she desperately wanted to talk about this man’s rules and expectations, she was somewhat reluctant to do so.  However, when he held out his hand, she found herself putting hers into it.  They walked into the library and it was only then that she relaxed.  Edward grinned, knowing her initial thoughts had been that any private talks with him involved his study and undoubtedly pain for her bottom.  He seated her in a chair and then sat opposite her. 

“I would like to hear your thoughts
, Lucille, on anything that concerns you.  You have no need to be frightened by any question you might ask, as long as you do so in a respectful manner.”  Lucy took several deep breaths and finally nodded her head. 

She thanked him
again for the wonderful outing and then she shyly asked if what Lady Eddington said was true.  “Will I really have suitors, Sir?”  Edward sat back in his chair, a little surprised that her first question hadn’t been one demanding he explain his rules.  She had a serious look on her face but also one of eagerness. 

He smiled and answered
,  “Yes, my dear.  I fear you shall have several.”  He saw her smile and he warned her.  “You are a very beautiful woman, Lucille, and will draw the attention of most every available bachelor.  However, I want you to remember that you will only be allowed to court those that I decide are suitable.  I warn you, my criteria are very strict and I doubt that many will meet my expectations.” 

Lucy had listened and shyly
forced herself to ask her question,  “What of my expectations, Sir?  Shouldn’t the choice be mine?”  Edward laughed and shook his head.

“Hardly
, Lucy.  Your father agreed that I was the proper one for Louisa and, Lucille, he also made it clear of the type of man he wanted to be your mate.  I find I not only agree with his desires but, having you as my ward, have decided his requirements were still too lenient for you, little one.” 

Lucy was suddenly missing her father and wished she could speak to both of her parents.
“What…what did Papa want, Sir?” 

Edward thought about his answer and didn’t speak for several minutes.  Did he really need to tell Lucy what sort of man her father had known both of his girls needed. 
“I believe you can answer your own question.  After all, you are your sister’s twin.  Your father wanted the very best for both of you.” 

She looked at him, her eyes huge and questioning then looked away. 
Though almost afraid of his answer, she quietly asked her next question.  “Someone like you, Sir?  Someone who treats his wife more like a daughter than a wife?  Someone who has so many rules and…and if not obeyed, punishes her?” 

Edward closed his eyes not at her question; he had been expecting some sort of discussion about this.  He opened his eyes
knowing his ward needed to learn the truth of her future.  “Yes, someone exactly like me.  Someone who loves his wife -- his little one, with his whole heart; his entire soul.  Someone who would give his own life if necessary to protect his wife and what is his.  You will find, Lucille, that there are many types of men in this world.  Your father was a very good man; a man that loved his family fiercely.  A man that, though you might not believe me, knew exactly what you would need to live a full loving life.  You don’t need and would never be truly happy with a man that is weak, Lucy.  You are a strong, spirited girl who has so much to offer.  You are young and innocent and have so much to learn.”  His words reminded Lucy of what Lord Eddington had said.  She flushed, her hands twisting in her lap.

“Are you…you going to teach me, Sir?”  Edward also remembered his friend’s words to Lucy.  The girl seated across from him had no idea of how little an institution truly taught.  Lessons in grammar, history, geography and mathematics served to help make someone more intelligent.  However, the value of life’s lessons was priceless.  Lucy had been in his ‘class’ since her arrival at Wintercrest though she had yet to admit it to herself.
 

He smiled gently and answered.  “Yes, Lucy.  I will be but one teacher in your life. 
There are more than simple rules to live by in order to get through life.  Life isn’t simply something to get through one day at a time.  Life is something that should truly be lived.” 

Seeing the look of confusion
combined with yearning on her beautiful face, he leaned forward and gathered both of her hands in his.  “You have so much to offer a man, Lucille.  Your heart is large and you are kind.  You are going to discover passions you have no idea exist.  However, you are going to have to trust that I, like your father, have only your best interest at heart.  I promise that I will do everything within my power to find your ultimate teacher.  Your lessons will continue at the feet of your husband; whomever that will be.”  He paused giving her a chance to consider what he was saying.  He knew there would be many additional discussions and conversations about his ward’s future.  Standing, he reached out and took her hand in his, lifting her to her feet. 

“
I want you to think about what we’ve discussed.  I know you have many questions and most likely will discover many more.  Now, it is getting late and it is time for you to find your bed.  Good night, Lucille.”  He waited as if he expected her to ask another question.  Instead, she found herself trembling at his answer.  She thought she had come to know this man, but discovered she had no true knowledge of his identity.  She knew without a doubt that he truly not only loved her sister but considered her a great treasure.  She couldn’t comprehend how that love could also involve corporal, embarrassing punishment of the woman he obviously adored.  She still couldn’t understand how her own twin, an exact duplicate of herself, could not only accept her new lifestyle but seem to find happiness in it.  Edward’s quiet passion in giving her his answer caused her heart to speed up and her blood to race.  She found herself wondering if what he said could be true.  Was she really as he described?  Could she ever find happiness in a man she allowed him to choose?  Could she even consider life with a man that would expect so much from her; things she had never before thought about?  Could she find any semblance of happiness in a lifestyle that in any way mimicked the one she was presently living?  Her head was aching with all sorts of thoughts and emotions.  She felt she could not think of another thing and let out a small sigh.

“
Thank you, Sir.  Good night, Sir.”  After she left to retire for the evening, Edward had entered his office and poured his evening drink.  After he finished it, he walked up the stairs and into his bedchamber.  He smiled, seeing his little one curled on her side, her thumb in her mouth.  He undressed and slid into bed beside her.  He gently removed the wet digit from her mouth and kissed her.  She slowly awakened and opened her eyes.  Her smile was soft and her eyes full of longing.  He pulled her into his arms kissed her until she was moaning with need. 

As he removed her nightgown and rolled her to lie beneath him
, he said, “I love you, Louisa.  I love you very, very much.”  She had gasped as he entered her, her arms going around his neck.  It was unusual for him to allow her such freedom but tonight he was making love to her; letting her know exactly how much he meant the words he had spoken just a short while ago.  Their passion took them both to incredible heights and it was much later when he pulled his wife close to his side as she fell into a deep, very contented sleep.  Before he slept he found his thoughts returning to Lucille. 

H
e would post his letters tomorrow and hope for a quick response.  He couldn’t keep Lucille out of society too long -- especially now that she had been seen and introduced at the restaurant.  He almost wished he hadn’t taken the girls out, but knew Lucy had earned the outing.  As her guardian, he could only take her so far, teach her so much.  She had changed in the past several days.  She had grown and shown him that she wasn’t just a silly girl.  She had worked very hard, fought against boundaries she had yet to understand or accept, and yet she remained kind and loving to her sister.  She had proven herself and gained his respect.  She deserved far more than spending her life with some man who would be unable to both capture and hold her spirit without breaking her love for life.  She deserved to discover the unbound passion the right man could release inside her.  He had meant every word he uttered.  Life was a blessing and needed to be fully lived.  As much as he treasured and adored his own little wife, he would not fail her sister.  He would find the perfect mate for Lucille no matter how long it took or how far he had to go.

Epilogue

Lord Wintercrest begins his search for the one man who would fulfill the role as Lucy’s teacher and future husband in, “Claimed – Women of Wintercrest – Book 3” coming soon.

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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 advocating any non-consensual spanking activity or the spanking of minors.