Reunion (Hunter's Ridge Book 3) (8 page)

"I should think so," Anna said, taking Louisa's hand. "Goodness knows when you'll next have an opportunity."

Louisa didn't reply, having heard her Nanny suggest she be kept in nappies throughout the entire journey. Knowing that she would obediently—if reluctantly—have worn them, she was pleased when her Papa declined, stating he saw no need. After making her toilet, her traveling cloak and bonnet were put on, and Mrs. Bremmer, her own cloak, hat and gloves secure, took her hand once again and led her outside.

Nothing remained on the steps, the last items having been tucked inside the carriage. Mr. Gordon helped Anna inside. She'd be traveling with them as far as the train station, from where she was taking the train to spend the next several weeks with her family. Edward handed Louisa inside and she sat down next to her Nanny. Edward took his own seat opposite the women. The carriage began to move and Louisa clapped her hands, excitement glowing on her face.

"To Hunter's Ridge," Edward said as he gave her a smile.

"To Lucy and Uncle Lucas," Louisa added, and then giggled. "And to Cleopatra! Oh, and I can't wait to meet Lucy's sisters, and Emmie and Lord Northbridge!"

"Then to meeting old friends and new," Edward said with another smile.

The three sat in comfort as they made their way to town. Louisa gave her Nanny a tight hug as they stood on the train platform. "You be a very good girl for your Papa, young lady," Anna instructed. "Remember, Nanny Molly will be in charge of two little ones—make sure you do not give her cause to have me regret my decision not to accompany you."

"I won't, Nanny. I'll make you proud."

"I'm sure you will. Give Lucille my best. Have a wonderful holiday with your family." Anna hugged her hard, kissing each of her cheeks. "I'll miss you, little one."

"I'll miss you, too."

Edward pressed a package into Anna's hand. "Just a little something from me and Louisa. Open the envelope when you are inside, but know that Father Christmas is watching, and won't be happy if you sneak a peek at the gift before Christmas morn." His words caused Louisa to giggle and Anna to smile.

"Thank you, Sir. Happy Holidays." The call was made to board and, after final hugs, Anna stepped onto the train.

"Do you think she'll be surprised, Papa?" Louisa asked as he drew her into her arms. Making her promise to keep the secret, he'd told her that he'd exchanged the ticket Mrs. Bremmer had purchased to one allowing her to travel first class.

"I hope so, she deserves to have a wonderful holiday," Edward said, then bent to kiss the top of her bonnet. "After all, she does an exceptional job taking care of my little lady."

Louisa smiled and, as the train pulled away, she tucked her hand into her Papa's. "She does, Papa. I wonder if she packed her tawse?"

Edward's laugh rang out as he heard her giggle. "Rest assured, I'd never leave home without one."

Her face turned scarlet as they arrived at the carriage and Mr. Gordon opened the door. Once back inside, he removed her bonnet and her cape, placing them on the seat before pulling her onto his lap.

He bent to kiss her, his tongue tracing the seam of her lips before pressing inside. Before they'd even left the station, her drawers were moistening, her nipples tingling as he claimed her mouth. She no longer minded that they weren't traveling by train, along with many others. Instead, this enclosed space held just her and her Papa, and promises of adventures she couldn't even imagine.

Chapter Five

A few hours later, Edward looked across the aisle as he folded his newspaper. "Put away your toys. We will be stopping for lunch very soon."

Louisa closed the book she had been reading and tucked it and Nadine back into her satchel. "Where are we eating, Papa?"

"There's an inn just a few minutes farther on. We'll have our meal there."

She nodded and, when he beckoned to her, she stood, her small stature allowing her to stand upright. Edward tied the ribbon of her bonnet under her chin, as well as the ribbon of her cloak. The carriage drew to a stop and he stepped out, turning to swing her down before placing her on her feet. Taking her hand, he led her up the walk towards the door, smiling as her head swiveled to take in her surroundings.

The building was white with green shutters, a swinging sign depicting a swan gliding on a pond hung between two posts. Flower beds lined both sides of the cobblestone path, though no blooms were on the bushes. Seeds slept beneath the rich loamy soil, waiting for spring before appearing again. He knew they'd eat in far less attractive inns throughout their journey but was pleased their first meal would be taken in such a nice setting.

He opened the door and drew her inside. The room was crowded with small tables and chairs, many occupied by others stopping in for lunch or simply to enjoy a cup of hot tea or a glass of ale before returning to their own duties.

A pretty young woman greeted them. "Welcome to The Black Swan," she said, as she led them to a table near the fireplace. "Mrs. Brand has prepared a lovely stew today." Though it was chilly outside, the room was warm and cozy.

After removing her outer garments, Edward seated Louisa before removing his own coat and hat. He pulled off his gloves, handing everything to the woman.

"Thank you, Miss," he said, as he took his seat. "The stew will be fine. I'd like a glass of ale, and my wife will have a cup of tea." If his order surprised Louisa, she hid it well. After the woman left, he leaned across the table. "Don't fret, little one. I know you enjoy milk during your meals, and Cook has prepared a bottle for you. I thought it might be nice to feed you myself when we return to the carriage."

"Um, thank you, Papa," she said softly, spots of color appearing on her cheeks.

When the woman returned to set down his tankard of ale and her cup of tea, Louisa asked if she might be allowed a spoonful of sugar. Sweets were something rarely offered at Wintercrest. Edward appreciated her remembering to ask, and nodded his permission.

She sipped the sweetened tea, grateful for the warmth as it settled in her tummy. They were served large bowls of thick stew, chunks of beef and vegetables swimming in a thick broth. Edward buttered slices of bread, passing one to her.

"This is really good," Louisa said after taking a bite.

"Enjoy it while you can. I'm not sure how the fare we'll be eating will stack up against our first meal, but promise I'll not let you starve." He bent a bit closer, his eyes twinkling. "Lord knows I have no desire for my little one's bottom to lose any of its delightful padding."

"Papa!" she gasped, her cheeks coloring once more.

"I only speak the truth," Edward said as he finished his meal and sat back, patiently waiting for her to finish her own bowl of stew. When it was two thirds gone, she laid down her spoon.

"I'm full, Papa. Oh, should we get a bowl for Mr. Gordon?"

"He's enjoying his own now, but that was very kind of you, little one." He nodded to a larger table where several men were sitting, their driver among them as they ate their own fill of the delicious stew. "If you are quite sure you've had enough, what do you say we walk a bit before returning to the carriage?"

"Oh, yes, I'd like that."

Edward paid for their meals and after they'd put their outerwear on, they walked hand in hand down the street. Though the wind had picked up, clouds scuttling across the sky to hide the sun, neither spoke of the growing chill. When her steps began to falter as they climbed a hill, he swept her into his arms, setting her on his hip. At her slight struggle, he patted her bottom beneath her cloak, instantly stilling her.

He climbed the hill and stood, enjoying the vista. Fields spread out on either side of the road, furrows showing where crops would be planted. Birds sang from bare tree branches, and they watched as a pair of squirrels chased each other around a thick trunk, their chatter making Edward smile and Louisa laugh.

"It's very pretty, even bare," Louisa said, tilting her head back to watch the squirrels crawl into their nest at the top of the tree.

Edward grinned, his hand rubbing against the ruffles on her drawers. "I can think of many things I consider lovely when bared." He chuckled as she blushed and buried her face against his neck. "Mr. Gordon is probably wondering what's become of us. Shall I carry you, or are you ready to walk again?"

"I'd like to walk, Papa. It's nice to be able to do so."

He set her onto her feet and they returned to their carriage, both their faces colored from the wind. Mr. Gordon was waiting.

"I've prepared Miss Louisa's bed, Sir."

"Thank you, Gregory." Edward was anxious to show his little one the additional work that had been done. Opening the door, he swung her up inside before entering.

Louisa stood, her eyes large as she stared at the seat where she had just been playing. A net of some sort had been stretched across the edge of the seat and secured to the sides of the carriage. A thick pillow was on one end, a quilt folded at the other. The leather of the seat was covered with a pad. It was as close to a real crib as one could make out of a carriage seat.

"Do you think you'll be able to sleep here?" Edward asked as he removed her bonnet and cloak, placing them on top of his own outerwear on the seat.

"It's really a bed," Louisa said, turning to face him as he took his seat.

"Traveling does not mean my little one should be uncomfortable when she is taking her nap," he replied as he reached for her, turning her around and untying her pinafore's bow. "We have a long way to go, and you'll need your rest."

"I didn't think I'd be taking naps while traveling," she admitted. "Are we are going to sleep in the carriage at night?"

"I believe it is important to maintain your schedule, little one. You will take your naps here, we'll sleep in inns at night." He set her away for a moment in order to close the curtains at the windows, darkening the inside of the carriage but knowing his little one would appreciate the concealment. He removed her shoes and stockings and then her petticoats and dress, laying every item neatly on the seat. She stood in her chemise and drawers.

"Get a nightie and a nappy out of your bag, sweetie. Don't forget your thermometer, cream and powder." She hesitated, her eyes going to the cloaked windows. "Louisa, this is but the first time I'll put you down, it is up to you if you nap with a hot bottom."

His words had her nodding as she opened the carpet bag containing her items. She located his requests and passed them to him. Before she closed the bag, he spoke again. "Find your dummy, sweetie."

Pulling out her dummy, she closed the bag. He removed the rest of her clothing until she stood nude before him.

She was being very obedient and he drew her to stand between his legs, his hands dropping to cup her bare cheeks, giving them a squeeze. He adored the moan she made and bent forward to kiss her. Though he was usually out of the house when she took her naps, there were no rules that said he couldn't put her to bed with a very contented smile on her lips.

Releasing her mouth, he set her back just a bit and then bent to suckle at her breast. She groaned and arched her back, pressing her turgid nipple into his mouth. When his hand slid from her buttock to press between her legs, she obediently opened them, allowing him access to her sex. Edward slid a finger along the crease of her quim, finding her slick. It never ceased to amaze him how her body prepared itself for him. His mouth moved to suckle her other nipple, her small hands moving to his shoulders as another finger joined the first to spread her nether lips open. He continued to nibble and suckle at her breasts, his fingers finding themselves becoming coated with her cream as he played. The moment he touched her clittie, she groaned and pressed down against his finger.

Not satisfied with simply stroking her, Edward removed his hand and mouth to find her eyes closed, her cheeks flushed, and her breath coming in quick pants. Grinning, he moved her to sit where he had been and went to his knees. "Open your eyes, Louisa." They fluttered open and she gasped as he slowly spread her legs apart, placing the soles of her feet on the edge of the seat, splaying her open to his view.

"As I said, quite lovely bare." He watched her cheeks reddening even more before bending forward to draw his tongue slowly up the full length of her slit, pausing to tap at the engorged nubbin.

"Oh, Papa," she gasped, her hips lifting at his touch.

"Shh, just let Papa play," Edward ordered softly, instructing her to lean back against the seat. His hand lifted to caress a nipple before he filled his palm with her plump breast, kneading it softly and running the pad of his thumb across her nipple. She threw her head back against the seat, her back arched, another delicious moan filling the carriage as his mouth returned to feast at her fountain. He licked her from stem to stern, his tongue darting into her quim and then to rim her flower, her legs trembling at his attention. Fingers massaged and plucked at nipples, drawing squeals and deep moans of pleasure as he drove her higher and higher towards her culmination. Cream flowed copiously down from her sex to be lapped up by his tongue's broad strokes.

Pausing, he chuckled as she mewed in protest, her hips jerking up as if attempting to find the tongue that had taken her to the brink but denied her completion. "Shh, Papa is not yet done."

Her eyes opened to see him reaching into her carpet bag. Knowing he'd tucked additional items into its depths, she held her breath, her lower lip captured by her teeth in anticipation of what he would choose. Her nipples throbbed, and she thought of the painful yet delicious feel of the clamps he'd placed on her the other evening. Pulses throbbed rhythmically from her clit, as if it too wondered if it would find itself captured in a clamp's embrace.

Edward turned towards her, setting a box on the seat before opening it to retrieve the jar of lubricant. He heard her soft whimper as he used a fingertip to gather a dollop of the lubricant, transferring it to her rosebud. He adored seeing a plug in her flower, knowing it was buried well up inside her. He believed she'd always be embarrassed when he played with or fucked her back passage, but she'd long since stopped fighting having her bottom filled.