by Maggie Ryan
Lucy lost control, and tears begin to roll down her cheeks at the memory of being given her first tawsing, when she had complained about the earlier change to her wardrobe. Though she had hated wearing the simple dresses Edward had arranged to have made for her, she had gradually grown accustomed to them to the point she no longer thought about the fact that she had been dressing far beneath her station or proper age for several weeks. Though her bottom clenched with the memory of that awful spanking, she still could not accept this new change. She was backing away from the bed, her hands gripping the towel around her and shaking her head when her door opened. Her eyes flew to see Mrs. Bremmer step into the room leaving the door wide open behind her.
"I expected you downstairs by now, Lucille," Anna said, taking in the scene with a quick glance. Molly still stood by the side of the bed, the lacy, childish drawers in her hands. "I told you last night that your life would change. Tell me, Lucille," Anna said as she reached into her bottomless pocket and removed the very tawse that Lucy had felt across her bottom in a scene much like the one this morning. "Do I need to send Molly downstairs to inform Lord Wintercrest, and your fiancé that you are going to cause them to be late for services because you are once again over my knees getting your bottom properly tawsed for throwing a tantrum about the clothing that has been provided for you?”
Lucy couldn't seem to tear her eyes from the thongs of leather in the housekeeper's hand. She knew without a single doubt that she was moments away from feeling it bite into her bare bottom, and experience had taught her that she would be wearing the clothing regardless of whether her bottom remained pale or was a hot, throbbing mass of red welts. She shook her head, her tears still falling. Anna slapped the tawse against her thigh, causing both Lucy and Molly to jump.
"I asked you a question, Missy," Anna said, knowing that Lucy was in a state of denial about her future, and the quicker she came to the realization of what was expected of her, the easier life would be for everyone. "I suggest you answer me properly and quickly before I decide a trip across my knees is how you need to start your day."
Lucy trembled as she shook her head harder. "No ... no, Ma'am," she stammered as the tawse once more smacked against the housekeeper's thigh. Anna nodded her head and used the tawse to indicate what she expected.
"I'm pleased to hear that, little one. Remove the towel and allow Molly to dress you," Anna instructed, and did not return the tawse to her pocket until Lucy very reluctantly released her death grip on her towel and managed to shuffle forward towards the bed. Anna nodded and kept her eyes on the two girls as Lucy was dressed.
Lucy continued to sniffle and wipe at the tears on her cheeks as she stepped into the drawers and felt them drawn up over her bottom. When she had been summoned by Lucas that morning and instructed on the clothing Lucy would be expected to wear, Anna had been very pleased. Anna understood it would be a shock to Lucille, but she also knew that by immediately requiring his bride-to-be to begin her new role, Lucy would not suffer the confusion that her own twin had. Louisa had come into her own marriage and was immediately dressed far beneath her age but found her status had changed when the girls lost their parents, and Lucille came to live at Wintercrest. Though Louisa was now back in appropriate clothing as far as Anna was concerned, the poor little thing had been allowed to dress far more modern until the twins had gotten into severe trouble having been caught cheating at their former school. Once Edward had brought the naughty girls back to the manor and gave them each a tremendous birching, Louisa's proper lifestyle had been revealed to her twin and Louisa had been returned to her childish attire. Anna thought about all the changes that would soon occur in Lucille's life. Changes in her wardrobe would be the least of her concerns; changes in her attitude and her need to accept her husband's commands were far more important lessons for the young woman to learn. She had grown accustomed to her first change of wardrobe, and she would soon grow accustomed to this as well.
Lucy was not thinking of future changes; she was only thinking of how ignorant she had been. She had seen Louisa dressed daily in clothing identical to what Molly was preparing. Lucas had never mentioned fashion, and Lucy understood she had simply assumed he had no care as to what she wore. She felt her embarrassment grow as she was being dressed, item by item. She had stepped into a pair of drawers that had layers of lace at the hem. She stood trembling as the white stockings were drawn up her slender legs and tied with yellow ribbons just above her knees. She slipped her feet into the plain shoes and stood still as two petticoats were tied around her slender waist. She shuddered, but obediently lifted her arms when told so that the thin chemise and then the yellow dress could be slipped over her head. Molly turned her around in order to begin buttoning the dozens of small buttons up the back of the dress. Anna shook her head when Lucy continued to sniffle.
"Hush, little one," Anna said as she stepped to Lucy and forced her to lift her face with a firm finger under Lucy's chin. Lucy's eyes were still swimming with tears as Anna held a handkerchief to her nose. "Blow, Lucy, and stop that ridiculous whining. I can't imagine what you thought would happen when you accepted Lord Huntington as your husband. You must have known you would be required to become his little one and know from seeing your sister what that entails. Now, stop being a baby, unless you wish to find yourself in nappies instead of ruffled drawers." Lucy's mouth dropped open at the woman's words. The shock of being threatened to be put into nappies caused her heart to pound. Anna smiled and continued, "Dry your tears. You can still go over my knee. Both drawers and nappies can be pulled down to bare your bottom, even after you are properly dressed as we both know." Lucy understood the threat and blew her nose, feeling years slip from her as she was tended to as a small child. She was turned back around and Anna quickly had the large bow at the back of the dress tied and the pretty white pinafore tied around her waist, as well.
Anna led her to her desk and pulled out the chair. She felt Lucy stiffen in her grasp and smiled, remembering what had happened the last time she had been led to this chair. Anna didn't bother reassuring her young charge. She sat on the chair and then turned Lucy away from her, keeping her in place between her knees. Molly handed the housekeeper Lucy's brush and Lucy gave a shudder as she felt the brush being run through her hair after Mrs. Bremmer released it from its pins. Once freed of tangles, the curtain of her blonde hair was left hanging down her back, and a wide yellow headband was placed on her head, to keep her hair off her face. Mrs. Bremmer finally stood and held out her hand.
"Come, Lucille," she said as she led the girl from her room. "We must hurry as I'm certain the others are finished with their breakfast by now." Lucy neither cared what the others were doing nor about breakfast. All her thoughts were consumed with how she must look what everyone would think, seeing her dressed in this childish dress, the lacy hem of her drawers in evidence beneath the hem of her petticoats and dress. She hated the feeling of relief she felt when she found herself being grateful to see the lace. She knew its absence would mean she was either in a nappy, or, God forbid, totally naked beneath her clothing, her bottom easily accessible for discipline. Questions of what else would be expected of her flooded her mind as she walked quietly beside the housekeeper.
Anna was soon drawing her charge into the dining room. All eyes turned to see their entrance. Lucy's sister gave her a smile as if she were used to seeing her sister dressed this way every day. Edward smiled as well, but it was Lucas that captured and held Lucy's gaze. He stood and approached her and then bent to kiss her cheek. Lucy felt her stomach flip, but her heart continued to pound at her shame. Surely he would send her back upstairs to change, as he had grown accustomed to seeing her dress, if not in the latest fashions, at least far more maturely than this dress.
"Good morning, Kitten," Lucas said and took her hand from Anna's hold. "Come and eat your breakfast quickly." Lucy remained frozen in place when she realized that he had shown no surprise at her appearance, and she understood he had most likely order
ed this change. She pulled her hand from his as he attempted to lead her to the table. "Lucy, come, you don't have much time to have breakfast and...”
"No!" Lucy cried out, her body stiffening, her hands clenched into fists. "I bloody well will not eat breakfast, and I will not wear this bloody dress! I am your betrothed, Lucas Huntington, not a bloody baby!" Edward heard his own wife gasp and knew Lucy's words had shocked her. He turned his attention to Lucas, willing to give his friend a chance to handle this tantrum but knowing he would quickly intervene in Lucy's discipline if Lucas should fail in his duty.
Lucy seemed in a world of her own. She only had eyes for the huge man who was standing a few feet from her. Though a part of her brain was screaming for her to be silent, another part was pushing her to continue as if she needed to test Lucas in some way. She raked her hands down the pinafore and stamped her foot. "Charles would never expect me to dress like this. He didn't care what I wore; he said..." she stopped, her hand going to cover her mouth as she realized she had gone far too far.
"Oh, Lucy, don't," Edward heard Louisa whisper, and gave her a quick warning glance to remain silent. She flushed and pressed her lips together, her heart aching for her twin. Lucas didn't speak for several moments; the only sound in the room was the soft ticking of the grandfather clock in the hall. Mrs. Bremmer stood behind Lucy, her face showing her disapproval. Lucas took a step towards Lucy, who immediately stepped back. Her hands moved to clutch her bottom, her blood pounding as she watched Lucas continue to approach her. He stopped a foot from her and looked down from his considerable height into her upturned face. Her eyes were huge, their violet color reflecting both her stubbornness as well as her uncertainty. Lucy felt trapped and unable to move, though Lucas was not touching her in any way. His words seemed to fill the entire room though he spoke quietly and without anger.
"I am not a man you can manipulate into playing games, Lucille," Lucas said. "I do not care what Charles would or would not do or expect from you. All I'm concerned about is what I expect from you." He paused and then said in a tone she would learn never to ignore, "What you can be sure of, young lady, is that I will always expect absolute and complete obedience." She was trembling and having trouble catching her breath, not able to tear her eyes from his. His next words completely shocked her.
"If you do not wish to wear the clothing you were given, Kitten, then I shall not require you to do so," Lucas said with a soft smile. Lucy didn't return the smile but finally managed to tear her eyes from his. She looked to the table as if to see if anyone else had heard his words. She saw Louisa staring at her, the look on her face showing her confusion. The look on Edward's face showed nothing more than his obvious disapproval in how his ward was behaving. Lucas remained where he was a mere arm's length away from Lucy. She turned her face back to his. Though her eyes showed she was surprised, after a moment she smiled and nodded her head, sure she had just won a very important battle.
"You aren't going to make me wear childish dresses?" Lucy finally asked as if to make sure she had heard him correctly.
"I am telling you that the matter of your clothing is your choice, my dear," Lucas said. "I believe you are beautifully dressed, but as I have said, the choice to submit to wear what has been provided is yours." Lucas held her gaze for a moment and then shrugged his massive shoulders.
Lucy watched as he turned from her and walked back to the table. He pulled his chair from the table and turned it to face Lucy. Everyone watched as he calmly sat down. Lucy felt everyone's attention return to her, and she flushed. She turned his words over in her mind, wondering why his last statement was making her feel uneasy. As he continued to sit and just look at her, she finally began to turn with the intention of leaving the room to change back into her regular, though still childish, clothing. Edward began to rise, but when he saw Lucas give a quick shake of his head, Edward lowered himself back down in his chair. Louisa was frozen in her own chair, unable to understand what seemed to be happening. She knew that she would have been well-spanked and standing in the corner with her red bottom on display in the time this conversation was taking. She looked from her husband to Lucas and felt her stomach tense. The man was abnormally calm, his stillness hiding any clue as to his true purpose. Louisa shuddered and turned back to watch her sister, silently trying to communicate that Lucy should be wary of some sort of trap. Lucas allowed Lucy to take several steps before he spoke again.
"Lucille, where are you going?" he asked, and watched as she stopped and turned to face him.
"To my room?" She said softy as if unsure of her destination. She cleared her throat and spoke a bit louder. "I'm going to change, Lucas. I will return in...”
"I'm afraid you misunderstood," Lucas said firmly, his tone causing her tentative smile to disappear from her face. "Lucille, if you do not wish to accept with gratitude what is provided for you in this household, then you may simply remove your clothing and wear only what the good Lord provided you." From his seat at the head of the table, Edward grinned, silently applauding Lucas' creativity in handling his stubborn ward. Louisa gave a soft moan knowing that the trap had been sprung. Edward reached across the table and took her hand in his, squeezing it lightly in a warning to remain silent. The couple both turned their eyes back to Lucy, who was looking around the room as if unsure what had just been said. Her face flamed scarlet as her eyes finally landed on the man she had chosen to be her life-mate.
"Wh ... what?" she said, her voice squeaking. Lucas shook his head. "You heard me, Lucille. Either come to me in the pretty dress you are wearing, or remove it and everything under it, and then come to me."
"I ... I can't do that," Lucy said, her voice trembling. "Lucas, I ... I'd be ... be naked!" Lucas nodded as if her statement was unnecessary.
"Yes, I suppose so if that is the choice you make, but, little one, your bottom shall be naked either way when you come to me and ask me to spank it for your unacceptable behavior." Lucy felt as if her heart was about to explode from her chest. She could not believe what she was hearing. She had never expected this, though, in truth, she had known she'd be punished the moment she had begun her tantrum. The fact that Lucas had not immediately forced her over his knees was what confused her. He said he was not a man to play games and yet she felt that he was now the cat, and she was the mouse he was toying with.
"You said ... you said I wouldn't be spanked for not wanting to wear this dress," Lucy said, her voice shaking. Lucas shook his head.
"No, Lucille, I did not. Every person in this room knows you earned a spanking the moment you opened your mouth. Your tantrum and your vulgarity are what will cause your bottom to be heated, not your clothing. I will give you that choice, however, young lady, the choice in disciplining you will always remain completely in my hands." He paused as he watched her try to assimilate all he had said. Lucy looked at Edward as if seeking his help. He met her eyes but gave her no indication of his thoughts. She looked back at Lucas and saw him watching her, patiently waiting for her to make her decision. She whimpered and looked back at her guardian.
"Sir," she said, her voice shaking. "We ... we aren't yet wed. It ... it wouldn't be proper for Lucas to ... to see me ... me bare.”
Edward gave her a small shake of his head. "You know that Lucas is now responsible for you, Lucille," he said firmly. "You made your choice and accepted his authority.”
Lucy was shaking her head as she spoke. "I ... I do accept that, Sir," she attempted, desperate to make him understand. "I ... I just ... can't he span ... spank me over my clothing? I don't want him to bare my..." She couldn't finish her statement.
"Nonsense, young lady," Edward said immediately. "You are well aware that all spankings are given on the bare." He saw her face turn scarlet but continued: "I trust Lucas to allow you to retain as much modesty as possible. Regardless, your professor has seen more of you than I believe your future husband will today." Lucy gasped, remembering the day Charles had witnessed her—not only baring her own bottom as sh
e bent over the arm of a chair in Edward's study—but had watched as she spread her legs, rose onto her toes and lifted her bottom as she asked for the strapping she had earned. She found she could not either speak or look at the man she loved with all her soul. Lucas looked over at Edward, one eyebrow raised. He had no knowledge of what Edward was speaking but instantly felt a feeling of intense possessiveness flood through him. He managed to get his thoughts under control and addressed his argumentative little bride-to-be.
"Make your decision, Lucille, as we are most likely going to be late for the very services where our banns will be announced," Lucas said, his voice never wavering, his expression stoic. He knew she was desperately wishing she could find some way to extricate herself from the situation. He also knew that her lessons began this very moment. She didn't move so much as a muscle as several minutes passed.
Lucas spoke even more softly, "Do you wish to remove your clothing, little one?" Lucy gave a soft sob and shook her head.
"Please, I ... I..." she sobbed and then saw him finally move. It was a slight change in position as he leaned forward a bit and extended his hand to her.
"You are mine, Kitten," Lucas said softly, and Lucy immediately remembered his making the very same claim the evening before. She also remembered how her heart had felt when he kissed her after she had made her choice. Lucy hesitated for another moment, knowing that what happened in the next, defined every future moment. She closed her eyes briefly and gave a soft sob as she accepted both her decision and her need to submit to this man. They all watched as she slowly walked across the room. She placed her hand in his, and he closed his fingers around hers.
Lucas surprised her again when he didn't immediately pull her down and across his knees. He kept his eyes locked on hers as though they were the only two people in the room. He guided her to sit on his knee and put his free arm around her waist. Lucy sat ramrod straight, her senses on full alert as she attempted to understand what this man would require of her. She felt both extremely nervous and guilty for her behavior.
