by Maggie Ryan
"I'm sorry," she whispered and saw him nod his understanding. He released her hand only to raise it to stroke a fingertip down her cheek. The gesture softened her heart, her body relaxing and leaning against his chest. Edward watched the couple and wondered if Lucy realized what a picture she made. In her new dress, she looked exactly as a little one should, very small and very contrite, as she waited for instructions from the man who would possess her for the rest of her life.
"I know you are sorry, Kitten," Lucas said. His voice was calm and soothing, as he continued to stroke down her arm. He could feel the tension slowly easing from her. "I also know that you are aware that being sorry is not enough to pay for such naughtiness." Lucy didn't stiffen or protest. She dipped her head in acknowledgement. She had been under Edward's rule long enough to know exactly how tantrums and disrespect were treated. Lucy felt Lucas move and reached out to grab his forearm.
"Please, Lucas," she said, "please ... I won't ... won't do it again." Lucas lifted his hand and cupped her face in his palm. Lucy pressed her cheek against his warmth and again closed her eyes. Her voice was barely audible, as she tried to escape the inevitable. "Please don't spank me." His answer was to bend and press his lips against her forehead and then guide her up and off his lap. Lucy felt her eyes well with tears, as shame for her behavior flooded through her.
"I am not going to spank you," Lucas said, and her eyes flew open. Lucas saw the flare of hope in her eyes. He shook his head and again stroked her cheek. "There is not enough time to properly discipline you, Lucille," he said, and her eyes began to shimmer with unshed tears as her hope faded. "You will have the opportunity to give serious thought to why you felt you needed to test me, Kitten. You will listen closely to the sermon today and let its lesson fill your heart. Upon our return home, you will make a proper confession." He paused, as if waiting for his words to fill her mind. "For now, you will come with me so that I might demonstrate that just as attempting manipulation is not in your best interest, neither is spewing vulgarity." Lucy didn't speak, as her head whirled. Somehow he had known what she had unconsciously done, and that fact frightened her.
Lucy moaned. She hadn't been able to imagine attending church dressed as she was; now she couldn't imagine being able to sit still throughout the long service while worrying about what would happen afterwards. She was terrified at what he could have meant when he said there wasn't time to give her a spanking. Spankings were usually quickly done once the confession has been made. Tears began to slip down her cheeks as she realized exactly how childish she had been. Though her bottom was already clenching in anticipation of what she feared would be a painful lesson, she lifted her eyes once more.
"Please ... please, I ... I ... please just spank me now," she whispered. "I ... I don't want to...”
"Anticipation is also a lesson, Lucy," Lucas interrupted. "Come, let's get this finished," Lucas said, as he walked her out of the dining room and into the kitchen. She didn't seem aware of what was happening until she saw a cloth in Lucas' hand and realized it was soapy.
"No, please," she cried, attempting to pull away. Lucas quickly pinned her at the counter, his body blocking any escape, as he took her chin in one hand, the soapy cloth in the other.
"Open your mouth, Lucille," he instructed but Lucy clamped her lips closed and shook her head violently as she remembered the awful taste of soap sliding down her throat. Lucas smiled and lowered his voice. "Sweetheart, you must know that I am going to wash out your mouth, so know this as well. If you don't immediately obey me, we will be even later for services for you shall also undergo your additional cleansing immediately. Perhaps you'd care to explain to Pastor Reed why we were late. I'm sure he would find it necessary to speak to you." He almost chuckled at the quickness with which her mouth dropped open. He nodded and began scrubbing every surface of her mouth with the soapy cloth. Lucy was soon sputtering, bubbles pouring from her mouth, as he made sure he was making his point. He removed the cloth but kept her chin in his hand.
"Are you going to curse again?" he asked and her head shook as much as possible within his hold. She attempted to verbalize her answer but it was garbled, as he had not allowed her to spit out the soap. Lucas smiled and finally released her. "Spit," he instructed as he turned her to the sink. She was soon spitting repeatedly, not caring that servants were working in the kitchen, though no one approached the sink. She whimpered as he took her chin and repeated the entire process twice more. When she was allowed to spit for the third time, she understood she had cursed three times and received a cleansing for each one. She was handed a glass of water and she rinsed her mouth and spit repeatedly. Lucas wiped her face and bent to press his lips to hers. She lifted her arms and clung to him, desperately needing his comfort. Lucas held her close for a few minutes but then put her away from him.
"You know you are mine, and that I love you, Kitten," he said, and she nodded slowly, knowing he wasn't through speaking. "I want you to be the best person you can be so that you are happy and fulfilled. You will learn that because I care I will never allow you to behave like a hellion, no matter how often you test me." Lucy heard his words and though spoken softly enough that she was the only one able to hear, she felt as if he was making a claim that every person in the world would have no reason to doubt. She swallowed and grimaced at the taste still filling her mouth.
"Yes, Sir," she said, just as softly. Lucas bent to give her a final, light kiss. By the time Lucas took her arm to guide her back into the dining room, she was not only embarrassed—she was exhausted. Her stomach was churning, and not just from the small amount of soap she had inadvertently swallowed. It was churning with the uncertainty of what additional punishment this man would demand. Her bottom clenched with the certainty that no matter what price he demanded, it would pay.
Edward stood and helped Louisa from her chair when he saw Lucas return. The four walked to the foyer, where the men accepted cloaks from Molly and draped them over the girls. They were soon in the carriage, both girls sitting beside their men, their hands being held. Lucy knew she was responsible for the silence in the small space. She couldn't meet anyone's eyes and didn't see the look of compassion on Louisa's face. They walked into the church and discovered the nave empty, the sounds of many voices lifted in praise, as the opening hymn was sung. Edward led the way down the long center aisle to their usual pew. He stepped into the pew, followed by Louisa and then Lucy. Lucas drew the hymnal from its place on the back of the pew in front of them and opened it to the correct page. His voice soon joined in the chorus. Lucy attempted to sing, but her voice was shaky and unsure, as she looked up to discover that Pastor Reed seemed to be staring directly into her soul.
Chapter 3
As Edward had predicted the night before, the sermon was about obedience and submission. Lucy's guilt grew as Pastor Reed spoke about the need for husbands to remain firm and consistent in leading their wives down the proper path. He spoke of how leniency allowed naughtiness. His words seemed to pierce Lucy's heart as she listened to each and every word. She was aware that not a single woman stirred. Not a single female dared to be even the least bit naughty. Each knew that they had been allowed a night of magic and indulgence, and yet they also knew the night was over. Reed's voice thundered across the congregation as he spoke of sparing the rod and spoiling the child, Bible lifted high as if to add its weight to his words. His dark eyes seemed to be lit with an inner fire as he reminded the women that the Bible instructed them to subjugate themselves to their men, to accept the absolute rule of their husbands and Papas.
Lucy gave a small whimper, and Louisa reached over to take her hand in support. Lucy felt the gentle squeeze and yet after a moment pulled her hand away. She glanced at Lucas noticing he was looking forward. She dropped her gaze back to her lap and saw a small movement. She saw Lucas' hand open where it rested on his knee, his palm empty. Lucy almost sobbed at the gesture. The moment she slipped her hand into his, and his fingers closed around hers, she knew wha
t must be done. As the congregation stood for the closing prayer, Lucy prayed for strength and courage to face the punishment she had brought upon herself. She still had her eyes tightly closed in prayer when she heard her name spoken. Startled, her eyes flew open to see Pastor Reed again staring at her. Her face flushed, and for a moment she just knew he was aware of her as yet unpunished naughtiness. She was terrified that he was calling her to the front of the church to extract the expected payment from her bottom himself. Her eyes darted towards the side door where women disappeared almost every week to receive additional, personal lessons given in the pastor's private chambers. She felt dizzy and then felt Lucas squeeze her hand.
"Breathe, Kitten," he said quietly. "Come." She didn't believe she could move, but Lucas never released her hand, as he drew her from the pew and walked with her to the front of the church. Lucy was trembling all over, her face heated, her shame intense. She wished with all her heart that she had already had her bottom roasted. Anticipation, as Lucas had said, was also a lesson, one she wished never again to experience. Lucas kept his arm around her and held her close.
Reed wondered at the girl's reaction but turned to face the congregation.
"It is with great pleasure that I am able to announce that the banns have been posted announcing the upcoming nuptials of Lord Huntington and Miss Furniss," Reed said with a smile. Lucas gave him a small bow while Lucy managed not to faint from relief.
"Lord Huntington has also purchased a special license," Reed continued, and several men chuckled. It would have been uncommon for Lucas to not pay the exorbitant fee for such a license. Men in their societal group did not have either the inclination or the patience for long engagements. Once a decision to wed was made, the desire to bed was immediate.
"Please take the opportunity to offer best wishes to the couple," Reed concluded and then led the way down the center aisle. Lucas and Lucy followed and were soon surrounded by couples offering their congratulations. Lucas spoke to every well-wisher as he accepted handshakes and congratulations while fending off questions of when the ceremony would take place. Lucy appeared a shy, blushing bride as her cheek was kissed and her friends gave her hugs and their wishes for happiness. Though she managed to smile and acknowledge their happiness for her, Lucy's mind remained on the sermon. She realized she felt unworthy of all these blessings and wishes. She felt unworthy of Lucas' love, and knew the feeling stemmed from her resistance to submit to the man standing tall and proud at her side. Every moment that passed made her need to confess grow within her.
As the last couple left, Lucas drew her to the foyer where a copy of their banns had been hung. He turned her to face the glass cabinet and put his arms around her waist. Lucas felt his heart swell with love and wonder that this woman soon would be his. Lucy leaned back against him as he quietly read the words of their banns aloud. When he finished, he bent to kiss the top of her head.
"Lord Lucas William Henry Huntington," Lucy softly read from the document. "I didn't even know your full name. I don't know what to call you." Lucas smiled and bent to whisper into her ear. His breath caused her to shudder, and her stomach to flip as he spoke.
"That is something else I will teach you, Kitten. You will spend the rest of your life learning many lessons," Lucas whispered and then moved his lips closer lightly kissing the lobe of her ear. Lucy's body instantly reacted to his words and his touch. Thoughts raced across her mind, and her face heated with the realization that many of them had no place in a church. Lucas felt her body tremble. Lucy closed her eyes briefly, knowing the lesson she would be learning soon enough would certainly not be a pleasant one. She nodded as she opened her eyes and turned in his arms. She lifted her face to his, her eyes reflecting that knowledge. Lucas pulled her close. He, too, had listened to the service and felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.
"Did you learn anything this morning?" Lucas asked quietly. He felt her nod her head against his chest. "Tell me," Lucas said, before moving to set her away from him. Lucy took a deep breath as she attempted to gain control over her emotions. She didn't want to talk; she simply wanted to lay her head on his chest, his arms around her. Lucas lifted her chin with his finger as he forced her eyes to meet his again. "Tell me, little one."
"To ... to obey and sub ... submit," Lucy whispered, her voice quivering. She took a deep breath. "To ... to accept that I will be pun ... punished when I choose to be nau ... naughty." Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
"How and to whom shall you submit, Kitten?" Lucas asked, knowing this was the first step of many. He knew he was perfectly capable of forcing her to do whatever he wished; he was more than twice her size and could easily overpower her. He did not desire to do so. He wanted—and more importantly, would not move forward without—her voluntary submission. He knew she would have to come to him to answer for her misbehavior. He would never berate her fear of whatever punishment he decreed necessary as that was a normal, expected fear of pain he could understand. Though he would punish her quite harshly when she had earned such punishment, he did not ever want her to be afraid of him personally.
Lucy felt as if they were the only two people in existence at this moment. She knew in the deepest part of her soul that this was the one man who would demand everything from her, things she had yet no knowledge of how to give. Despite her ignorance, her heart was pounding with the anticipation of more than just a promised spanking.
"To you, Sir," she whispered, her eyes softening. "To you in all things."
"That's my good girl," he said, and his smile made her heart stutter. “That lesson will serve you well, Kitten." Lucy blushed but nodded. They both turned when they became aware of someone approaching.
Reed swallowed his jealousy as he approached the couple, a packet of papers in his hands. Throughout his sermon, he had not seemed to be able to allow his eyes to stray from the beautiful young woman. She had appeared to be listening attentively to his words as if she were drinking them in to quench a deep thirst in her soul. Her upturned face and wide eyes had repeatedly drawn his gaze to her. He now watched as she looked up and met his eyes briefly, before immediately flushing and lowering her gaze. Reed smiled as he recognized the guilt she was trying to hide. He dealt weekly with naughty little girls and knew he was watching one at this moment. He wondered what she had done to feel such guilt and then found himself wishing that she had been naughty during services so that she would be forced to answer to him, as well.
"Lord Huntington, is there a problem?" Reed said as he stopped before the couple. They both saw his brow furrow as he made a point of looking directly at Lucy. "My dear, you look far more like a naughty little girl than a blushing bride-to-be. Child, confession is good for your soul." He could practically see the small woman squirming with her repressed guilt.
"Since you are not yet a married woman, Lord Huntington is not yet responsible for your spiritual soul. I suggest you accompany me to my chambers so that we might speak in private. I shall hear your confession so that your heart may be untroubled." Lucy remained silent though her eyes spoke the truth of his words. She felt she must confess in order to be able to breathe freely again. His eyes continued to bore into her own until she began to tremble, her mouth parting as if the confess on the spot. Lucas saw her face and knew that she was massively intimidated by the preacher. He reached out before she could speak and drew her to his side. He felt her quiver and press herself closer to him. Lucas recognized the official document in Reed's hand.
"I assure you that the responsibility became mine the moment the decision was made to wed, Sir," Lucas said making sure the man understood fully. "If Miss Furniss has any soul-searching to do or confessions to make, she, Sir, shall make it to me.
"Reed gave a single nod of his head, conceding the battle to this huge man. "Certainly, Lord Huntington," he said. "I was just concerned with your little one as she seems...”
"I see you brought the documents," Lucas interrupted, not caring what the man thought. As far
as Lucas was concerned, Reed's interest in Lucy was far more than that of a man of the cloth, concerned about a member of his congregation. He released Lucy, to reach into his coat and withdraw his wallet. He handed some folded notes to Reed in exchange for the special license he had requested. "I certainly appreciate your time and service on our behalf," Lucas said, to offer the man some measure of authority.
"Think nothing of it, Lord Huntington," Reed said as he reluctantly released the papers that would remove any chance of Lucy's being free to wed another. "It was my pleasure to be of service. When would you desire the ceremony to take place?" Reed asked, with a barely concealed sigh.
Lucy watched the exchange and then looked to see Edward and Louisa approaching. She suddenly realized that everyone she loved was in this room. She turned to Lucas. "Must we wait?" she asked, and watched as Lucas' eyes widened in surprise. She blushed, suddenly embarrassed at her outburst as if she were begging he wed her before he came to his senses and realized she was not the woman he truly desired. Lucas smiled and traced a finger down her cheek.
"Are you so anxious to wed that you wish to forego a more formal ceremony?" Lucas asked. "Kitten, we can wed this moment if that is what you desire. I neither desire nor need a large ceremony. All I care is that you become my wife and my little one."
Lucy's heart stuttered again at his words. She unconsciously ran her hands down the fabric of her pinafore, accepting that she would have an unconventional wedding dress, as well as an unconventional role as Lady Huntington. She also knew she had no desire to wait another single moment to begin that role. "Please, Lucas," she said looking around the room. "I don't need a special ceremony. Everyone I love is here. I ... I want to be your wife before you spa..." she stopped, realizing that Reed was listening intently. She didn't need to continue; Lucas understood exactly what she desired.
