Reunion (Hunter's Ridge Book 3) (14 page)

"Thank you, Nanny Molly," Lucy said. "We will."

Molly bent to kiss her cheek, then kissed Louisa. "It's very nice having you here, Louisa. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, Nanny Molly. Oh, and Nanny Bremmer said to make sure I give you her love."

"That's very kind. Remember, ten minutes."

The door closed and the girls turned onto their sides to face each other across the room. "I'm so happy you are here," Lucy said, a huge smile on her face. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you, too. At least you have three sisters. All I have is Nanny Bremmer and Papa."

Lucy had to agree. "My sisters are great but you are my twin."

Louisa nodded. "I like them—but, Lucy, what did Ettie mean? Why hasn't she seen your nursery?"

Squirming a bit, Lucy shook her head. "I love Ettie. She reminds me so much of you and Emmie, but, well, I don't want her to realize that when Papa or Nanny Molly talk about my nursery it
is
really a nursery, and not just a word to refer to my room."

"But she lives here. Surely you can't believe she doesn't understand that you are Uncle Lucas's little one, as well as his wife."

Lucy shrugged. "I knew you were Edward's little one and yet I never saw your nursery. In fact, I got my bottom blistered the first day Papa showed me this room. I was shocked that he had a room like this—one with an actual crib and a changing table."

"I'm sorry about that," Louisa said with a sigh. "Perhaps you should have seen mine. It looks a great deal like your room. Still, I think Ettie is more concerned that you are hiding something, or don't truly care for her."

Lucy had never truly considered that Ettie might feel unwanted. Neither Bea nor Franny had ever expressed an interest in seeing her room. Remembering the sadness on Ettie's face, she felt bad. "Maybe you're right. I'll talk to her this afternoon. She's never made fun of me in any way. She stood up for me with that awful governess. Bea and Franny join us to play games in the library in the evenings, but only Ettie and I play with dolls and have tea parties. We even have a play room beneath the willow tree, just as you and I had at Wintercrest. I don't wish to upset her."

After a moment, Louisa whispered, "Do you think perhaps she's like us? You wrote that Uncle Lucas's mother was a child/bride. Perhaps Ettie wishes to be the same?"

Before Lucy could answer, a soft rap on the door had them both shoving their dummies into their mouths, neither girl wishing to upset Nanny Molly.

Lucy settled onto her tummy, thinking about Louisa's words. Could she be correct? Though Lucas had married his own child/bride, Ettie was his sister. How would he react if that were indeed her choice? Though she wanted to think about the possibilities, sleep drew her into its embrace, leaving all questions unanswered.

Chapter Nine

Lucas and Edward sat in Lucas's study, two pairs of long legs stretched out towards the fire. Though it was still early, each held a snifter of brandy.

"So, tell me about the trip. Were your meetings successful?" Lucas asked.

Edward nodded and then chuckled. "Very. Believe it or not, I'm in the toy business now. I could give you all the details and bore you to death, or we could discuss the more adult toys that Eleanor has sent."

"I thought it might be rude of me to jump right into that discussion." Lucas grinned. "However, since you've brought it up, I can't wait to hear: how is our Eleanor?"

"As beautiful and unflappable as ever. I have but one little one to care for, and you've got four. How that woman manages to keep a dozen or so under her roof without going insane is beyond me."

Lucas swirled the amber liquid in his glass before taking a sip. "If I had to guess, it is because every little one there understands that her Headmistress is unequaled in the use of a cane."

"Speaking of which, Charles Lloyds has married." Edward gave his friend a knowing look. "Just in case you were wondering."

"While I'll be forever grateful that I was Lucy's choice, I admit it's good to hear. I know Lucy felt a trifle guilty for breaking his heart. Is he happy?"

"Yes, and his wife is a beauty." Edward chuckled again. "Believe it or not, I think he wed one even feistier than our little Lucy." He went on to explain how Louisa had spent an evening at the school, and how he'd been able to speak with Charles. "From what I hear, applications to his boarding school have increased—all proof of his dedication and desire to provide the best education one can find. That's where he met his Claudia."

"The man deserves to be happy, and I'm sure he learned quite a bit from Eleanor. As feisty as his new bride might be, I have no doubt he can guide her along the proper path. To be fair, I really only have Lucy to tend to. Bea has Frank, and as for Franny; that girl is as close to an angel as one can get." Lucas's smile left his lips as he thought about how close his middle sister had come to being wed to a man who had proven to be a rough character hiding behind his title.

"Have you had any more dealings with the cad?" Edward asked, remembering the letter he'd received where Lucas had praised his wife highly for stepping in to protect Franny.

"No, not a word. If I had, I'm not sure I'd feel it appropriate to allow the girls to attend the Christmas ball. We've accepted invitations for several smaller engagements where I know everyone on the guest list, but the ball is the year's ending event. Lord knows who will be there."

"You can't keep your sisters closeted here," Edward said. "Franny deserves a chance to find a man who will love her, and didn't you write that Henrietta is to be presented?"

Lucas leaned forward and poured another finger of brandy into their glasses. "Yes, though that could wait till spring. Lord help us, Ettie could be Louisa and Lucy's sister. I still find it necessary to redden her rear quite often." Pausing, he took a sip. "I suppose you were right before. I do have two little ones to take in hand."

"Little?" Edward asked, his eyebrow lifting as he looked across the space to Lucas. "Does that mean you'll be looking for a specific type of gentleman for her?"

Lucas shook his head. "I don't know why I said that. I didn't mean to imply that Ettie wanted to walk that path."

"Sometimes our mouths speak the truth when our minds don't wish to accept it," Edward offered. "I'll admit that the first thing I thought when meeting and speaking with your youngest is that she would make some Papa very happy. It's easy to picture her cradled on a lap, a dummy in her mouth."

The room was silent except for the crackling of the logs in the fireplace. Lucas truly had not given it much thought, but with Edward's observation, he realized that he could easily imagine the same. He certainly had no wish to fail his youngest sister as he felt he'd failed Franny, and yet wondered if he'd truly be able to accept it if Ettie told him this was a path she wished to take. Was she far more like Lucy than he'd imagined?

Shaking his head, he tossed back the last of his drink. "I'll speak to Ettie later. For now, where's my order from Eleanor? I'm anxious to see if she managed to provide everything I requested."

"You'll find she provided even more," Edward said as he set his empty glass on the table. "I believe your man, Joseph, arranged the unloading of the carriage."

"Then let me accompany you to your suite," Lucas offered.

The men stood and both grinned as they left the study. They'd been friends since childhood, shared the same desires, and loved sisters who were closer than most others. Neither had a single thought to hide their proclivities or deny their needs from the other.

Once upstairs, they took a moment to look in the nursery. Their girls were both sleeping, lips pursed around large dummies, stuffies clutched in their hands. Both men took the time to gently pat diapered bottoms before tucking their blankets a bit more snugly around the women they thanked God for every day. Closing the door gently, they continued down the hall to the last room on the left.

"I hope you find this satisfactory," Lucas said as he opened the door, allowing Edward to step inside. A fire was burning in the fireplace, its warmth chasing the chill from the air. A large four poster bed covered in thick blankets would offer additional protection against the cold. A burgundy leather chair sat before the hearth, a table with a lamp next to it to one side. It was clear that Joseph had performed his duty; the clothing had been unpacked and stored in a large wardrobe, drawers held underclothing, socks, and handkerchiefs.

"It's more than satisfactory," Edward assured him as his fingers ran down the strap that had been unpacked and now hung on the inside of the wardrobe door. A high shelf held a couple of paddles, the black leather tawse he'd recently used on Louisa's bottom, and the box containing her anal plugs.

"This room was occupied by Joseph, my valet. He's moved just across the hall and will serve you during your visit. You'll find he is very efficient, and you need not worry about discretion. My staff are well aware of every aspect of my choices and Lucy's roles. I thought it more convenient to turn this into your suite. The water closet is here," Lucas said. "It connects to my chambers but if you need additional privacy, you can use the bath between the nursery and Molly's room."

"That is fine, and shouldn't pose any problems." Edward walked to the bed and ran his hand down one of the posts. "Restraints?"

"Yes, Joseph has placed them on all four corners. If you need cuffs—"

"No, I brought Louisa's," Edward answered, as he looked around the room and found the box he'd asked Joseph not to unpack. Picking it up, he carried it to the bed and untied the string holding it closed.

Lucas stepped closer, his grin wide as the lid was removed and the contents ready to be claimed. "Eleanor sent a sampling of her wares for Stefan as well, but this box contains your order."

Accepting a second box from Edward, Lucas opened it. Inside, he found the clips he had ordered, picking them up to admire—only to hear his friend chuckling.

"And here I thought I was the clever one," Edward said, explaining that he'd ordered an identical set. "I guess I should have known when Eleanor suggested them that you had ordered them for Lucy as well."

"I knew I had to have them after Eleanor sent me the sketch. Has Louisa felt their bite?"

"Yes, and I must say, though she might fuss when they are put on, her body responds very positively—well, until they're removed. Suckling a clittie or nipple that has been clamped causes a quim to gush and a little one to wail."

Lucas grinned more widely, his fingers sliding over the small pink beads. "That sounds promising. Did you also order the plug?"

"Of course. Seeing that flower in Louisa's flower has my cock ready to burst. I suppose there is nothing here that is a surprise for you."

Lucas shrugged his shoulders, his expression making it evident that he was rather pleased to be able to say he wasn't lacking in his purchasing power even though Edward lived in the same city as Eleanor. "You spoke of being in the toy business earlier. I'm thinking there might well be a market yet undiscovered if one cared to cater to more adult toys."

"I'm sure Eleanor would be more than willing to expand her clientele," Edward agreed, as he removed another two packages. Both were wrapped identically.

He handed one to Lucas, and the men opened them together. Their puzzled looks changed when Edward shook out the garment.

"Ah, I've seen these," Edward said. "The students at Eleanor's school wear them each week for a required atonement ceremony." He went on to explain the ceremony, lifting the flaps of the white gown to demonstrate how a girl would remained clothed unless the flaps were lifted or pushed aside to bare her bottom.

Lucas was entranced. "I implemented a weekly session for Lucy several months ago. If nothing else, it reminds her that she is mine to both discipline and love. I can easily picture her in this, bent over her horse, or lying across the spanking bench in her nursery."

Edward nodded, and revealed that even now a special room was being prepared at Wintercrest. "Louisa is usually very well behaved. In fact, she's received more discipline these last two weeks than she has in two months. I attributed her better behavior to her own weekly sessions and see no reason to cease them, especially as she's been far naughtier recently. I'm not sure if it's because she's testing my resolve to feel the need for such a room, or if it is simply that coming to see Lucy reminds her of their misadventures. Whatever the reason, she'll discover that the required atonement is paid regardless of her physical location."

"Then we'll see our girls in these gowns on Sunday."

Laying the gowns aside, they explored the rest of the box. A pair of leather floggers promised to welt a naughty girl's bottom; the two dozen strips of leather soft and yet able to provide a sting when used correctly. Both men noted that Eleanor had attached a note to a set of smaller whips. Edward read it as Lucas flicked the multiple thin strands against his wrist.

"Seems she wants us to test these," Edward explained. "She hopes that the small size will provide an easier way to effectively punish a girl's breasts, quim, or bottom-hole."

"I can see that," Lucas said as he looked at his wrist. Though he hadn't been flicking the whip with any amount of strength, the flesh was pink. "I've been hesitant to tend to Lucy in such intimate places unless I use my hand, as other implements are simply too large. This little beauty promises a far more effective lesson."

The men grinned at each other, before Lucas gathered up his items and Edward tucked his away in the wardrobe.

"I don't know about you, but I think my little one has slept long enough," Edward announced, after closing the door to hide his new treasures. "I missed putting her down but I will not miss awakening her. Do you mind if I ask Edith if Louisa's bottles have been given to her? I've been feeding her one before her nap, but will do so after her nap today."

"My house and my staff are to be considered your own, Edward. You'll discover that there isn't a soul on this property who doesn't understand the role that Lucy plays. If you can't find what you need, simply ask, and if need be, Edith can fill one of Lucy's bottles."