by Maggie Ryan
"I'll never be able to thank you enough."
"Your happiness is all I need, Lexie." He grinned as he noticed the waiter standing a foot away, holding a tray with their order. "I think it would be best if you return to your seat," he said, bending to kiss her. "At least for now."
She moved back to her chair and blushed as the waiter set their cups down and poured their tea. He held a plate and when she nodded, he placed two of the biscuits onto the china plate before placing it before her and stepping aside.
Alexandria took a sip of the tea, and had a biscuit in her hand when she paused. "Papa, will Mrs. Hudson get into trouble? She was the only person who was nice to me and the others."
"No. In fact, you'll be pleased to know that Mrs. Hudson has found a new position. Do you remember the couple who adopted the two girls, the sisters you were so determined received justice?" At her nod, he continued. "I've arranged for the families of every girl to receive funds to help them provide for your friends. Though all were prepared to raise the girls as their own, additional funds will allow the girls to receive the best schooling they can. Mrs. Hudson is now working for Mr. and Mrs. Garrett, and her presence has helped Emma and Faye settle in quite well."
Alexandria didn't know what to say. She'd never expected him to do so much for those in need. "Thank you, that's a wonderful thing for you to do. It makes me not feel so guilty for being so happy, knowing that they will all grow up with such good homes and people who love them as well."
They finished their tea, no words spoken for a long while as each thought of the past as well as the future. It was growing darker when they stood, the only other patrons another couple seeming lost in their own world as well. Max looked at his watch and took her hand, tucking it once more into his arm.
"It's time to go back," he said softly.
"I-I don't… I mean, I wish I didn't have to go."
He patted her hand. "It will be fine, I promise."
It was a quiet ride back to the school. Alexandria sat on his lap, her head against his chest, her hand wrapped around the locket. Suddenly, she sat up, her eyes darting around the interior of the carriage.
"What's wrong, little one?"
"I had a purse, I don't… oh, there it is." She pushed against his hold until he released her so that she could retrieve the blue bag from where it had fallen to the floor. Clutching it to her chest, she looked at him. "I-I wanted to show you something."
"That's fine, Lexie."
She opened the bag and pulled the stack of letters from it. Untying the ribbon, she opened the first envelope and withdrew the page. It was only then that she realized it had grown darker. Holding the letter in one hand, she pushed aside the curtain, but even that added light wasn't enough to be able to read the tiny print.
Her despair must have shown on her face, because Max pulled her back onto his lap. "It's okay, little one. You can show me later."
"No! I mean, I want to show you now. I… you don't have to read the letter, Papa. I've memorized it."
"Relax, Lexie. Take a deep breath. I promise, I will listen."
She took several deep breaths, her body relaxing as she ran her finger across the page. Though she knew every word by heart, she didn't recite each one. Instead, she told him what the letter and some of the others said; the words her father had written to her and her mother. He never interrupted, listening carefully to every word. Once she'd finished, she looked up at him.
"That day at the court. I didn't know who you were. That was why I didn't want to leave the others. I'd already moved so many times; I was afraid if I left again, you might never find me. The moment I heard that you were Lord Hollister, I knew you were the friend my father had written so much about. I-I was so ashamed that I'd been so horrid, but I didn't understand why you made me feel the way you did… even when you spanked me. I-I didn't want to feel those things for a strange man… I wanted to feel them for the man I'd fallen in love with in the letters."
"Oh, Lexie," Max said, when she began to cry. "Poor girl, I should have introduced myself from the very beginning. All I was thinking was that I had found you, that your father had been right. He told me I'd know instantly when I found the right woman, the only woman who could fulfill me. I'm so sorry."
Though tears still fell, she laughed. "I am just so happy you did find me. I know my parents are, as well." She touched the locket again. "They were so happy together. There wasn't a single day when they were together that they didn't speak of their love for each other. Even when father spanked my mother, I lay in my bed and knew that they shared a special sort of love… a love that I wanted with my whole being." Stroking the letter, she continued. "I guess my father knew that, knew what sort of man would fulfill me. That's why he accepted your oath… that's why he sent you to find me."
Max tightened his hold around her. "I wish he were here to see that his little girl is safe and happy. I wish your mother was here to see how much I love her daughter."
"Oh, Papa, they are."
*****
They were met at the door by Eleanor. "Did you have a good outing?"
"It was lovely, Miss Summers. Thank you." Though Alexandria wanted nothing more than to inform the woman she was leaving the school, she had accepted that the decision belonged to her Papa. Seeing her nanny entering the foyer, she understood that this was not to be that day.
Max removed her cloak, passing it to Juliette before cupping Alexandria's face between his palms. "Remember, be my good girl."
"I will, Papa. Thank you for everything."
"Thank you, Alexandria. I promise I shall see you soon."
After he'd given her a kiss, Juliette took her hand. "Come, let's get you changed. Dinner will be soon."
It was with reluctance that Alexandria nodded, turning back to see her Papa looking at her, the smile on his face giving her courage to be his good girl.
Once in her room, she was undressed, the velvet gown hung in her wardrobe, the adult clothing replaced with a white dress that tied around her waist with a navy ribbon. She stroked it, a smile on her face as she felt her two roles combining. As her Nanny put everything in its proper place, she removed the letters from the blue bag and added her Papa's before retying the ribbon.
Leaving the room, she was still a bit sad, but also anxious to tell her friends everything that had happened. Deep in her thoughts, she didn't look up until they stopped walking.
"Miss Summers?" Looking around, she realized the halls were empty, the house quiet. "Am I in trouble?"
"No, little one." Eleanor smiled and nodded at Juliette, who released Alexandria's hand to open the door. As it swung open, Alexandria's heart leapt. The room where she had paid her first Atonement was filled. Not with benches to bend over, not with the sound of bare feet crossing across the carpet to take their places. No, it was filled with people she had grown to love. Her friends stood beside their Papas, their faces beaming as they parted to form an aisle down the center of the room.
Her Papa stood at the end of the aisle, his eyes locking onto hers.
"Go to him, Alexandria," Eleanor said softly.
With eyes filled with tears, steps she'd never remember taking, Alexandria walked towards the man she loved.
Their vows were softly spoken, the gold band slipped onto her finger as Judge Deardon performed the ceremony. Their kiss was gentle and yet held so much promise.
"May I present, Lord and Lady Maximilian Adrian Hollister."
The announcement was met with cheers and laughter, clapping hands thunderous in the room as they were surrounded with people who wished them luck and happiness.
Max had wed a frightened young girl in a dark courtroom among men she did not know. Tonight, a radiant young woman had married him in a room full of light, surrounded by friends, knowing her parents stood somewhere in the room with her.
Dinner was wonderful, the room full to capacity, even with extra chairs around the huge table. Additional tables had been set up, every place full as the wed
ding feast was shared.
"How… how did you do all this?" Alexandria asked as she sat back to simply take it all in.
"I had a great deal of help," Max confessed. "Miss Summers, all the nannies, Mrs. Yardley, and your friends. Once I saw you on the stairs and learned your answer, I knew I could wait no longer."
"I'm glad, Papa," she said softly. "I don't know if I could have been your good girl if I'd had to stay away from you much longer."
Max laughed and bent close. "You might find yourself back here on occasion, but I promise, you will always know where your home truly is."
He kissed her cheek and the next hour flew by as the meal was enjoyed. A wedding cake was brought in and Alexandria moved from her chair to throw her arms around the cook.
"Thank you for everything, I will miss you. I never got to help you in the kitchen."
Belinda hugged her hard and then chuckled. "That's because you are a good girl. Perhaps your Papa will allow you to visit if you are naughty enough to earn kitchen penance."
"Even if my wife needs not cook, it is nice to know where she can find fresh ginger."
"Papa!" Alexandria squealed, and heard laughter around the room. Feeling her face flush, she giggled, her hands moving behind her even as her body quickened at the thought of discovering exactly how a ginger plug differed from the ones she'd been holding.
Finally, it was time to take their leave. Alexandria's tears were joined with those of her closest friends as she hugged them each goodbye.
Penny's smile was bright as she looked at her Papa. "I'm so glad you got your wish."
Alexandria hugged Claudia and Janey, each girl wishing her the best, and they all promised to visit soon. Turning to Nanette, she saw that the girl had tears on her cheeks. "Oh, Nanette, don't cry," Alexandria said, though her own cheeks were wet.
"I'm crying because I'm so happy," Nanette said, giving her a hug. "I will always thank God that you're my friend."
"Not the devil?" Alexandria teased, and both girls giggled.
"Never. You are too good to ever meet the devil. It is your friendship and willingness to forgive and to share your life that has allowed me to change. I-I hope you don't forget me."
"Never," Alexandria promised, as she gave the girl another hug. "I have a feeling that I'll be seeing you soon—at your own wedding."
After thanking the other nannies, she hugged Juliette. "Thank you for taking care of me. I'll miss you."
Max spoke from beside her. "Remember I told you I had a cook, servants, a gardener and a driver?" She nodded and he continued, "What I don't have is a nanny for my little one. One my girl won't be able to wrap around her precious little finger."
Alexandria blushed as memories of times with her nanny played in her mind, but she realized how much she felt the woman truly cared for her. Though she hadn't given thought to actually having a nanny outside of the school, she understood her Papa was a man who would not always be home.
Juliette smiled. "I've been waiting for just the right little one to care for permanently, and I'm hoping you would like me to continue as your nanny."
"I'd like that, Nanny Jenkins."
"Then I shall see you soon. Congratulations, Alexandria, I know you are going to be very happy."
The newlyweds walked to the door, where Eleanor stood with a few guests Alexandria had yet to meet. Her Papa shook hands with the men, introducing her to each one as well as to the women standing beside them.
Lord Eastman came towards them, a distinguished looking man at his side with Penny and a beautiful blonde woman talking as they walked a step behind. "Max, may I present Lord Edward Wintercrest and his wife, Louisa. Penny and I have considered them friends for quite some time. I know that your Lexie and Louisa shall become friends as well."
The blonde woman standing beside Penny gave her a smile. "Congratulations. I am looking forward to getting to know you better."
"Thank you," Alexandria said. "I'd like that."
Eleanor smiled as she listened to the three girls. Though Louisa had never been a formal student of hers, Eleanor was often a guest at Wintercrest Manor. When Alexandria had appeared on the stairs, making her choice, Eleanor had hired messengers and sent invitations to all of her students' Papas, as well as several close friends and former clients to attend the wedding. The city was filled with people and yet by comparison, those that shared the desire to live a lifestyle as these couples did was a relatively small number. Having friends that would understand, having couples that could provide companionship and company for various outings, was something she understood the need for.
"Louisa has a twin sister, Lucille," Eleanor said. "Lucy has moved away, so it will be nice for her sister to have a new friend."
"We just returned from visiting her and her husband. It was so wonderful to see her again," Louisa said, her face showing her delight. "She and Lord Huntington moved to his estates at Hunter's Ridge after they married."
Edward and Louisa would remain after the other guests had departed. They'd spend a few hours together after the girls were tucked into their beds. Louisa was quite excited to tell Miss Summers all about their visit.
"I'm glad you had a wonderful visit," Alexandria said, instinctively knowing the woman would become as good a friend as those she'd met in the school.
After receiving a final hug and kiss from Miss Summers, she felt her cloak being put around her shoulders and all thoughts of anyone or anything besides the man taking her hand flew from her mind.
"Come, Lady Hollister, it's time to go home."
Chapter Twenty-Two
Seeing the carriage, she smiled as Mr. Thompkins gave her a deep bow and opened the door. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," Alexandria said, and saw several boxes lashed to the seat from which he drove the horses, as well as a larger trunk taking up a great deal of the interior of the carriage.
"Seems you'll need to sit on my lap," Max teased as he settled them both inside.
"There's no place I'd rather be, Papa."
Home was not very far away. The carriage pulled to a stop in front of a large townhouse that sat on the corner of a quiet street. Though too dark to see much, there were lanterns on each side of the door that lit the pavement. Max swept her into his arms as he carried her up the steps. The door opened a moment before they reached it.
"Congratulations, Sir," a man's voice said as Max carried his bride across the threshold.
"Thank you, Roderick," Max said. He set Alexandria on her feet and took her cloak as she looked to see a line of people in the hall.
"Lexie, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Wilson, our butler and his wife, Philamena, is our housekeeper." After Alexandria had given them each a small nod of her head, pleased to see their welcoming smiles, he continued. "This is Mrs. Thompkins, our cook. Mary works with Mrs. Wilson, and this is Mr. Waters, our gardener."
"It's nice to meet you," Alexandria said, a bit overwhelmed.
"Don't fret, little one, you'll come to know them all." The staff dispersed after expressing their congratulations and welcoming her home.
Once they were alone in the foyer, Max cupped her face.
"Come, let your husband welcome you home as well."
Alexandria felt a rush of desire flow through her. Not trusting her voice, she could only nod. He scooped her into his arms again and carried her up the flight of stairs and down the hallway. He opened a door and paused, bending to look down at her before kissing her lightly.
Just that light touch of his lips had her nipples tightening beneath her dress, her sex tingling with the need to feel his touch. The closing of the door, the sound of the latch catching, left them in their own world.
He set her down and she looked around. It was a large room, a fire had been lit in the fireplace, its warmth chasing away the chill of the evening. A large chair sat before the fire, an ottoman before it. The sight of them both had her remembering the last time the two had been alone in a bedroom.
A large ward
robe stood against one wall, a chest against another. Two tall windows would allow sunlight into the room but for now, the view was hidden by long drapes. The bed was the largest she'd ever seen. Four huge posts, one on each corner, reached nearly to the ceiling. Tables stood on either side, each holding a small lamp that had been lit but turned low, illuminating the room with a soft glow. A long padded bench sat against the footboard, piles of pillows rested against the head.
"It's a beautiful room, Papa."
"More beautiful now that you will share it with me," Max said as he led her across the room. He opened a door she hadn't noticed. It was a water-closet that was almost as large as the one she and her sisters had shared. Instead of three potty chairs, there was but one. One sink was sunk into a marble topped counter. A stool sat in one corner before a cheval mirror. The majority of the space was occupied by a huge tub, knobs indicating that he had running water as well. "I'll enjoy sharing a bath with you," he said, and heard her slight gasp. "I will wash you and you, my dear, shall wash me as well."
Goose bumps broke out across her arms as she imagined them together, the picture in her mind driving her desire higher.
Leading her from the room, he led her to the chair, sinking not into it but onto the ottoman. She smiled, thinking how right it felt to stand before him as he positioned her between his knees. Her face heated and her stomach fluttered when he grinned at her.
"Turn around."
There was no need to repeat the order. She turned and once more felt him untying the bow at her waist. His fingers slowly undid each button, her body beginning to quiver as each came undone. Instead of lifting her arms, her husband drew the gown slowly down her body, his fingertips caressing her skin as the dress fell to puddle at her feet. Her petticoats followed and he turned her to face him.
