Reunion (Hunter's Ridge Book 3) (11 page)

"You are my favorite playmate, Papa."

"Then we'll be sure to play every day," Edward said, drawing her up his body until he could press his lips to hers. A few minutes later, he had her spooned against him and his arm reached across her waist, his palm cupping a breast. His breathing became regular and deep as he fell asleep.

Louisa smiled as she looked across the room to the chair where she had placed Promise. Her smile grew as she thought she'd never see another pony without thinking of her Papa's promise. A memory from Miss Summers' nursery flashed across her mind, but she pushed it away. Sated and content, she had no wish to think of the harsher purposes of any future ride. Pressing her bottom snugly against her Papa's warm body, she was quite content to drift into sleep; the memory of far more tantalizing, more rewarding rides running through her dreams.

Chapter Seven

Miles away, winter was settling over Hunter's Ridge. It had begun snowing days ago, the occasional flurries turning into a steady soft rain of fat snowflakes that had covered the countryside in a pure white winter blanket. Bare tree branches groaned under the weight of ice, and a bitter chill quickly pierced any clothing when venturing outside.

Lucy sighed deeply as she stood in the kitchen looking out the window. She'd been cooped up inside for days. When she'd begged to accompany him on his trip that morning, Lucas had told her she was to remain inside until the weather cleared. It hardly seemed fair that she'd be stuck inside while he would be riding Samson to the other side of his estates to check on his tenants. Though she admired him for caring enough to ensure his employees would have enough wood and food during the long days and nights of bitter cold, she was very unhappy that he'd not allowed her to join him.

"I bet Delilah is sad," she mumbled. "Even being a female horse isn't fair. The men always get to do whatever they want, while we have to stay behind!"

Even though the house was full of people, for the time being, she had the kitchen to herself. Luncheon was long over and tea wasn't for another hour or so. Mrs. Grover was napping; her husband, William, had gone with Lucas. Joseph, their son and Lucas's valet, was nowhere to be seen. Since both Franny and Ettie had completed their school studies and earned their certificates, the girls no longer spent hours in the classroom. Lucy's eldest sister, Bea was upstairs with her husband, Frank, going over plans for their house, which was to be built in the spring. Franny was somewhere, probably reading, and Ettie was in the library, sewing, expecting Lucy to join her. She hadn't seen Molly since she'd awakened Lucy from her nap.

Lucy was sick of sewing. Though she wanted to complete the small doll dresses she was making for Louisa, Ettie and Emmie, she wanted to go outside even more. Seeing that the snow had stopped, she held her breath to see if it would start again. After a few minutes, she glanced around before entering the small room where Joseph shined boots and where spare cloaks were hung. Taking one from a hook, she wrapped it around herself, tying the hood securely under her chin. After getting three fat carrots and an apple from bins in the pantry, she went to the door. Ignoring the small voice inside that was asking why she was sneaking about, she opened it and slipped outside.

Oh, it really was cold. It might no longer be snowing, but the wind pierced her thin cloak in an instant. Though a fresh layer of snow had piled up on the stone path, she could plow through it easily enough as it was cleared daily. The barn wasn't all that far away. Hurrying as fast as she could, she tucked her hands into the deep pockets of the cloak and, passing the kitchen garden, headed for the barn.

Lucy had to struggle to open the barn door. Not only was it heavy, snow had piled up outside, and she slipped a few times as she pushed against the door. When it finally groaned and opened enough, she turned sideways to squirm inside. Though the barn wasn't heated, it felt a great deal better than being outside. Moving to where Delilah's stall was located, she climbed up onto a hay bale and leaned over the rails. The butter colored mare lifted her head, giving a soft whinny at the sight of her mistress.

"Hello, girl," Lucy said, reaching out to pet the horse. "I'm sorry my hands are so cold, but I brought you something." The mare nickered again, her soft lips gently taking the carrot that Lucy extended, munching the treat loudly. Lucy giggled and fed her another. "I bet Samson isn't getting carrots or a nice fat apple," she said, as she offered one and then the other to her horse. "You deserve a nice treat for having to stay all alone out here."

The horse was not alone, as several others shared the barn. Lucy felt a momentary tug of guilt. She should have brought treats for all the horses, but consoled herself with the thought that she'd remember the next time.

Not wanting to face the bitter cold of a return trip, she spent several minutes just stroking Delilah's neck and face, talking quietly. "You'll love my sister, Louisa. She is going to be so excited to meet you. She loves horses almost as much as I do."

It wasn't until she heard the barn door being shoved open that she realized it would be a very good idea to return to the house. Giving Delilah one last kiss, she jumped from the hay bale, crouching down beside it. Peeking around the edge, she saw Jasper walking into the barn. Her heart almost stopped when she realized that the huge stallion he was leading was Diablo. Her Papa's words rang in her head, his threat of harsh punishment should she ever enter the barns or stables where the horse might be had her bottom quivering. She stifled a gasp when she also saw bits of snow that had fallen from her shoes and cloak, leading directly to her hiding place. Was Jasper wondering why the door had been opened a bit? Did he see the melting snow on the packed earth of the barn's floor?

Lucy watched as the experienced groom fought to control the huge animal. When he opened a stall and led Diablo inside, she was about to make a break for the door when Jasper stepped out again. Jasper spoke softly to the prized stallion, stating he'd return to groom him soon. Then he went into the tack room. Praying he would remain inside the room, she stood up and chanced sliding along the wall, freezing like a statue with every sound she heard.

The barn door looked an impossible distance away as she tried not to think about what would happen if she were seen. Hearing some rather colorful words coming from the tack room, accompanied with the sound of jangling harnesses, she held her breath and darted towards escape. At the door, she glanced back to see Diablo looking straight towards her. When the stallion lifted his head and whinnied loudly, as if to alert Jasper to the presence of the naughty girl, she slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her gasp and flew out the door.

Lucy released her pent up-breath only to moan again at the onslaught of the wind. She hadn't thought to put on any boots, and her slippers were soaked through. It seemed to take twice as long to reach the kitchen door. A horse's neigh had her twisting around, her heart pounding as she looked back towards the barn as if to find Diablo chasing after her. Instead, she saw Jasper was leading Samson into the barn. That meant only one thing; the men had returned. Her eyes darted about—where was Papa? Gasping, she pulled the kitchen door handle and whimpered when it refused to budge. Had she been discovered? Had someone locked her out of the house? Panicking, she pulled again, harder, before remembering she needed to push the door open. When she did so, it flew open and she stumbled into the warmth of the kitchen—and the hard slab of her Papa's chest.

"Lucy! What in the hell?" he said, as he caught her around her shoulders.

"Hello, Papa," she said, her teeth chattering even as her mind whirled. "Is everyone okay? I mean, the people you visited? How is little Jenny?" She realized she was babbling, but was willing to say anything to keep his mind off the questions she knew would be forthcoming. "Is she recovered from her illness?"

"We'll discuss Jenny at a later time. Right now, explain to me exactly what you were doing outside when you've been expressly told to remain in the house."

"You said I could go outside when the weather cleared," Lucy attempted, turning to point out the window only to see that fat flakes had begun to fall again. "Oh. Um, it had stopped snowing."

Lucas shook his head. "Lucy, you know I meant when the weather had completely cleared, not just a brief pause. Not only did you disobey me, you have caused your nanny and your sisters to worry."

"I only wanted to give Delilah a treat. I didn't know that Diablo—"

"You were in the barn? You are telling me that you not only snuck out of the house, but you also deliberately disobeyed my rule that you never step foot near the barns without me?"

"But, Papa, I didn't know! Diablo is usually in the outer stable. I swear, I didn't go near him. I only wanted to give Delilah a few carrots." Lucy's heart was pounding, the look on her Papa's face one she very rarely saw.

"You are well aware that not only are you forbidden to visit the barn unescorted, you are expected to keep Nanny Molly informed as to your whereabouts. It is a privilege you have abused, but I assure you that that can be corrected with the simple rule that you shall no longer be allowed out of her sight."

"I didn't mean to worry anyone. I wanted to—"

"Nor is this about what you want. We both know why you chose to keep your destination a secret. You are to go upstairs and wait in your naughty corner for me."

"But, Papa, I'm freezing and it's cold upstairs!"

"You'd prefer to present yourself for your spanking right here, before this fireplace?"

The naughty little voice prompted her to answer that she'd rather not have a spanking at all. However, Lucy wasn't a stupid girl, and she most certainly understood by his phrasing that she wasn't going to have her skirts lifted and her drawers lowered for a few swats against her bottom. Her Papa's steady gaze as his eyes held hers made it easy to push the voice aside as she shook her head.

"No, Sir. I'll go upstairs." Her attempt to back pedal, to pull from his hold, failed as he nodded.

"Yes, you will, but not quite yet. I promise you won't be cold much longer. Don't move."

Mrs. Grover had entered the kitchen and though she didn't say a single word, Lucy heard her disappointment as the woman
tsked, tsked
as she began to putter about as she prepared tea. Lucy felt another rush of guilt as her feet shuffled on the floor, droplets of water dripping onto the stone flooring as the snow melted off her cape. When Molly entered as well and stood, arms crossed and the toe of her boot tapping against the floor, Lucy could not meet her eyes.

"And where exactly have you been, Lucille?" Molly asked sternly. "Your sister and I expected you in the library an hour ago!"

Before Lucy could answer, her Papa returned. "She's been outside and in the barn but will soon be in her corner," he said. Lucas picked her up, only to plunk her down onto the heavy oak table that was used as a work surface.

Seeing what he held in his hand, she moaned. "Oh, Papa, please no."

"Oh, Lucille Rose, yes." Placing the fat, knobby ginger root onto the table, he removed her ruined slippers and her stockings, passing them to Molly before giving her legs and feet a brisk rubdown until they no longer felt like ice. Removing her cape, he rubbed her arms before taking her face between his large palms. "You will not only find yourself nice and warm as soon as I heat your naughty backside, you'll be nice and warm inside as well. As for your trip to the barn, you'll pay for that on Sunday."

Blushing hotly, she was set on her feet, a loud swat applied to her backside. Louisa's hand was taken by her nanny, and she was led at a brisk pace through the house.

Ettie stood at the entry to the library, her eyes wide as she took in the scene. Molly gave the girl a nod as she continued towards the stairs. Once upstairs, Louisa was pulled into her husband's bedchamber and walked towards the corner before her hand was released.

"Don't make me tell you what your Papa expects," Molly said.

Lucy nodded and pressed her nose against the unforgiving wall, putting her arms on top of her head, feeling the skin of her bottom crawling as her skirts and petticoats were lifted and secured to the buttons on her shoulders. She mewed as her drawers were pulled down to her ankles.

"I suggest you not move a single muscle," Molly said, as she ran her palm across Lucy's bottom. "This little rear might be chilly now, but by the time you've answered for your foolishness, I'm sure it will be quite hot indeed."

Lucy didn't answer; nothing needed to be said. Instead, she heard the door closing as her nanny left her alone to wait for her very disappointed Papa to join her.

*****

Lucas accepted a cup of tea from Franny. "Thank you," he said as he sat back in his favorite chair.

He sighed. He'd been looking forward to coming home, getting out of the weather and enjoying his family, his little one curled on his lap as they talked about their day. Instead, his lap was empty, and the corner upstairs full of his trembling naughty girl. God, she was a stubborn little thing, and though her attempts at getting around some of his rules could make him smile, he found nothing amusing when she did anything that might jeopardize her health or her life.

He thought of Jenny. She was a sickly child, and had come within a hair's breadth of death. Lucas had made sure she was seen regularly by his own family doctor. Her parents, Johnathon and Marietta Davis, were good people. Both had grown up at Hunter's Ridge. They were the second generation of tenant farmers; their love of the land obvious in the small, well-tended garden behind their home and the condition of the fields surrounding it. Lucas appreciated their loyalty, and would do all he could to ensure that little Jenny recovered fully.

Setting his cup aside, he realized that Ettie and Franny were watching him, concerned looks on their faces. "Don't fret so," he said with a weary smile. "It's not the first time your sister has made a choice that lands her in trouble, and I'm sure it won't be the last."