by Maggie Ryan
"Yes, my love, it would give me great joy if we wed now," Lucas said and turned to Reed. The pastor nodded and then took the license back from Lucas, turning to lead him back into the church proper.
Edward walked towards his ward, a gentle smile on his lips. She returned the smile as he drew her into his arms. "Are you sure, little one?" he asked, quietly. She nodded quickly.
"Yes, Sir," she answered, without hesitation. She saw Louisa smiling as well, and Lucy knew her decision was the correct one. Edward kissed her cheek. “You do realize that wedding now will not release you from the discipline you have earned, Lucille?" Edward asked, knowing his happiness for her did not release him from his responsibility in guiding his ward. Lucy met his eyes and nodded again.
"Yes, Sir, I ... I know," she answered, blushing at the reminder of the debt she still owed for her misbehavior. "I'm sorry I was so naughty this morning," Lucy continued. "I ... I know I ... I am to be spanked." Edward nodded, proud that she was not attempting to wiggle out of an upcoming spanking by suggesting a wedding, instead.
"That's my good girl," Edward said, and released her. "Go with Louisa, Lucille," he instructed. "You will have a few minutes to talk, and then you shall wed." Her face showed her happiness as he left the sisters alone and went to join the men.
"Oh, Lucy, I am so happy for you," Louisa said, enveloping her twin in a hug. Lucy hugged her back, her heart pounding as she realized she was indeed marrying in a few moments. She pulled away.
"I am getting married," Lucy said as if it were news. Louisa giggled, and Lucy's delightful laughter soon joined hers. When they regained their composure, Lucy leaned towards her sister. "Louisa, I love him so much but... but I'm sca ... scared. What ... what if I can't be all he demands? How ... how will I know what to ... to do? Maybe ... maybe we should wait ... maybe..." her voice trailed off as her mind buzzed with thousands of questions for which she had no answers. Louisa reached her hand to her sister's cheek.
"Lucy, shhh ... Lucas loves you. Everything is as it should be. There is nothing for you to fear. Lucas will teach you all you need know." Louisa reassured her twin, knowing that every single day would be spent in learning what Lucas demanded. Lucy appeared unconvinced, her eyes darting to the door of the chapel where the men were waiting. "Perhaps Charles would not have wished for all that Lucas might desire," she said as she lowered her eyes and allowed her hands to run down the front of the childish yellow dress. "I am not frightened to become a wife ... I am frightened to become a child-wife. I ... I don't think ... I'm not sure I can ... can be like you," Lucy whispered as she finally faced the true aspect of her hesitation.
Louisa shook her head slowly as her heart ached with the desire to reassure her sister that she could fulfill whatever role her new husband would demand. "Lucy, you chose Lucas. You did not choose Charles. I will not lie to you," she said softly. "It won't always be easy, but your heart made your choice and you must trust in yourself." Neither girl was aware when Edward quietly approached them. He had wondered what was causing their delay and had heard the conversation, though it was quietly spoken.
"Lucille," he said, and saw both girls give a small start of surprise. "Lucille, now is the time to tell me the truth. Is your choice true?" He held out his hand to her. If she hesitated, if she showed true fear of marrying the man she had chosen, he knew he would support her. Though this knowledge truly surprised him, Edward understood that living the life that Lucas would demand would be difficult. He knew that giving herself to his care, learning at his feet, would require not only love but complete and total submission in all ways. He knew his ward would often learn her lessons while receiving painful discipline. Accepting that pain would be hard enough; accepting it without the true desire to submit to the man doling out the discipline would bring neither Lucy nor Lucas the true joy and deep love that he shared with Louisa.
"Do you truly wish to learn to be the wife in Lucas' bed? Do you wish to submit and learn to become the special little one you know you must be for your new Papa? Tell me, Lucy, are you anxious to become the student at Lucas' feet as he becomes your teacher, even though your lessons will be difficult? Is Lucas the husband, the Papa, and the teacher you desire? Is Lucas the one man you feel you cannot live your life without?" He asked, his voice soft and full of concern. Lucy's eyes never left his own, though her face flushed at his words. Louisa held her breath as she listened to Edward's questions, her mind flashing back to remember her own vows and all the things she had since learned. She watched as Lucy's face seemed to light from within, her eyes clearing of any doubt, her face flushing prettily as she stepped forward and placed her hand in Edward's.
"Yes," Lucy whispered only the one word, but it was enough to set her upon the path she would follow for the rest of her life. Edward pulled her to his chest, hugging her and closing his eyes briefly.
"Then it is time," he said as he released her to place a kiss on her cheek. She nodded, her smile accenting her incredible beauty and happiness. Edward took Louisa's hand as well and led them to the open door of the church. Lucy's eyes found those of the man she had chosen and her heart filled. As the three walked slowly to the front, she found all she needed to know reflected in the eyes that held hers captive. Love and promises of things unimagined flowed into her. Her blood began to race through her veins. Her body seemed to vibrate with the desire to fall at his feet; begging to begin to learn to become all he desired.
Louisa and Edward stepped to the side as Lucas stepped forward. He took Lucy's hand and placed it in the crook of his arm before covering it with his own. They stood in front of Pastor Reed, though each only had eyes for the other. Lucy listened to the pastor read the vows that would bind her to this man for eternity, vows that were both the same and yet very different from those of a traditional marriage. Promises made here were not given easily, and when broken, carried a penalty that would not always be easy to pay. Lucy's eyes never left Lucas' as she answered.
"Do you promise to love, honor and obey your husband?" Reed asked.
"Yes, I promise to love, honor and obey my husband," she answered.
"Do you promise to give your obedience and submit your body to your husband as he guides you along the proper path with whatever discipline he deems necessary or simply desires?" Reed asked. He expected at least a moment's hesitation, knowing as he did that Lucy was already slated for some form of discipline.
Instead, he heard her answer instantly: "Yes, I promise to be obedient and accept my husband's decisions and submit my body to my husband's discipline," Lucy answered, seeing the promise of such discipline in Lucas' eyes. She felt her stomach flutter but knew deep in her soul that she would do as she vowed.
"Do you promise to offer all of your body in complete submission to your husband's pleasure whenever, and in whatever way, he deems or desires?" Reed asked, knowing that outside this small circle of people who practiced this lifestyle, his words would have been received with shock. Lucy flushed hotly, her eyes remaining on Lucas' as they seemed to draw her into their depths with promises of pleasures she couldn't even imagine.
"Yes," she whispered, her heart pounding as her entire body seemed to throb. "I promise to give all of my heart, as well as all of my body, in submission to my husband to fulfill the pleasures he shall desire." Lucas' own heart was pounding as he accepted her promises. He tightened his hold on her hand as he felt it tremble within his.
"And, Lucille Rose Furniss, do you accept not only the role of wife to Lord Huntington but promise to fulfill the role of his little one, submitting to his lessons as he teaches you what both these roles require?" Reed asked as he did of every young woman who married these types of men. Lucy's answer came slower as she was promising something she was still so unsure she could fulfill. Accepting the truth at last she said, "Yes, I promise to be Lord Huntington's wife and his ... his little one." She felt her uncertainty evaporate as Lucas' eyes looked into her soul. "I accept his right to possess me and teach me all that my roles will ent
ail."
Lucas' smile enveloped her as she listened to his vows. He promised to love and cherish her, to protect her and to guide her. He promised to be responsible for teaching her what he might require as both his wife and his little one. He promised to remember that to spare the rod would spoil the child, and accepted the role of disciplinarian should she fail to fulfill her duties in either of her roles. Lucas surprised Reed by making an additional promise, one that was not a conventional part of the ceremony
."Lucy," Lucas said, with a slight hitch in his voice, "I give you this promise as well: I promise never to give you, as my wife or as my little one, ever cause to doubt that all I shall teach you come from my deep and abiding love for you." Lucy's heart stuttered, hearing the words spoken in God's house, and knew that he would spend his life fulfilling each vow. A tear slid down her cheek. Lucas smiled as he pulled something from his pocket and then allowed it to dangle from his fingers. Lucy's eyes widened as she saw a beautiful gold chain from which a charm dangled. She smiled, seeing it was a tiny cat that appeared to be cradled in the palm of an open hand.
"You shall not wear a ring, as I believe doing so confuses your dual roles," Lucas said as he kept his eyes on her while he opened the clasp of the necklace. "I wish you to wear this necklace always so that you will know that, whether you are my wife or my little one, you will always and forever remember that you, Kitten, are my heart, my life, and forever my love." Lucy's tears of joy continued to flow as he lifted his hands to settle the gift around her neck. He fastened it, laying the charm to rest between her breasts. Lucy's hand immediately lifted to close around the charm.
"I promise never to remove it," she said, her face seeming to glow with her joy.
Louisa stood, tears on her cheeks as well, her hand in her own husband's, the vows reminding her of her own ceremony. She too had made these promises and accepted Edward's promises, as well. She knew it was far easier to repeat words than it was to fulfill those same words when faced with lessons she had never considered. She looked to see Edward smiling down at her and knew without a doubt that she would do the same thing again a thousand times over.
Reed, slightly shaken by the intensely spoken vow, finally acknowledged that the two people before him truly and unequivocally were made only for each other. He said a final prayer and the ceremony was finished. Lucy signed her name to the license and then squealed as Lucas lifted her off her feet and whirled her around.
"I love you, Kitten," he said as he set her on her feet, one arm pulling her close, his free hand at the back of her head as he bent to kiss her. She was grateful for his support, as his kiss seemed to draw all strength from her. She moaned against him, her body instantly aching for pleasures she had never experienced.
"As I do you, Lord Huntington," she whispered, when he finally released her. The couple accepted Reed's blessing on their marriage and were congratulated by Edward and Louisa.
"I trust you will accept my decision not to place a ring on her finger?" Lucas said with a grin as Edward hugged him. Edward chuckled, remembering their conversation of the night before.
"It is a beautiful gesture," he said, his face turning serious. "I believe it is the perfect symbol of not only your claim of possession, but a true symbol of your love for our little one." Lucas nodded and smiled, watching Louisa finger the small charm as Lucy smiled. The four were soon in the carriage, the tension of the morning no longer lingering in the air. Edward shook his head as Lucas kissed his bride several times and Louisa giggled. They arrived home, and Lucy found herself being lifted from the carriage and twirled once more. She accepted his kiss, her heart light and carefree. He set her onto her feet and led her to the door. Mrs. Bremmer was waiting with Molly in the large hallway.
"Anna," Lucas said, his arm tight around Lucy. "May I present my wife, Lady Lucille Rose Huntington." Lucy flushed as she heard her new husband speak of her title for the first time. Mrs. Bremmer smiled, understanding that the little boy she had watched grow into maturity had finally found his life-mate.
"Congratulations, Lucy," Anna said and saw the girl's smile dim just a bit. As far as Anna was concerned, the woman needed to be immediately reminded that, Lady or not, she was always and forever to be a little one to those who shared her life. "I'm very happy for you, Lord Huntington, and trust that our little girl will learn to be a proper wife and obedient little one for you."
"Ummm, thank you, Ma'am," Lucy said, receiving the intended message. Lucas grinned and after giving Anna a kiss on her cheek, turned and helped Lucy out of her cloak. Lucas reached out and cupped his new wife's cheek.
"Lucy, go wait for me in the study," he said softly, and reality slammed into her. Lucy's smile slipped from her lips, and her mouth opened as if to speak. She raised her eyes to his, her face flushing hotly as she was aware that everyone heard his order and knew the meaning behind those simple words. She saw his eyebrow quirk as if asking whether she had so quickly forgotten her promised spanking as well as the vows she had just made. Swallowing hard, Lucy closed her mouth and nodded. It felt as if her back were being branded as she felt the weight of several pairs of eyes watching her as she began her solitary walk down the long hallway. Lucas gave a small smile when he saw her back straighten, and her steps grow more sure as she obeyed the first order given by her husband.
Chapter 4
Edward was handing Louisa's cloak to Molly as he heard Lucas' order to Lucy. He didn't speak as he watched her silently walk down the hall. Louisa turned to Lucas, her hand reaching out to touch his arm.
"But, she just married," Louisa said, her voice pleading. "Lucas, please, you are barely wed. Couldn't you...”
"Be silent, Louisa," Edward said, sternly.
"But, Papa," she said her heart aching, "it isn't fair.... It's just this once...”
"Louisa Michelle Wintercrest," Edward said, reaching to take her arm. "As you say, Lucy just wed, meaning she also just gave her vows. I suggest you remember yours, as well. Have you forgotten that Lucille earned the spanking she is to receive by her unacceptable behavior this morning? We all knew that she would be punished upon our return home."
"Yes ... yes, I... but ... she said she was sorry. Maybe Lucas could..." Louisa attempted, not aware of the look of shock on Anna's face as Louisa continued.
"I find you are forgetting a great deal, young lady," Edward interrupted, his voice showing his disapproval. "You are to respectfully address Lord Huntington as Sir, or, now that he has married your sister, Uncle Lucas shall suffice. However, you are not to be so familiar that it allows you to forget your proper place nor his proper authority," he said, and was pleased to see her flush with embarrassment at her improper address.
"Yes, Sir," Louisa said. “I’m sorry, I ... I didn't mean to be disrespectful. It ... it is just ... well, it is Lucy's wedding day, and I thought ... what could it hurt if...”
"Enough!" Edward said, louder. He was amazed that she continued to ignore his warning and argue. "Marriage, as you know, little lady, does not negate the need for discipline. In fact, marriage demands a husband take an even firmer hand," Edward said sternly. He was stunned when he saw her mouth open as if to continue her argument.
"Louisa," he said, reaching out to cup her chin. "Young lady, you are to remain absolutely silent. If you so much as utter another word, I promise you shall spend the rest of the day not only with a burning bottom, but you shall have a gag pressed into your disobedient little mouth to teach you to bridle your tongue!" He was pleased to see the realization that she should be far less concerned about her sister's fate and far more concerned about her own immediate future. He released her chin and turned to Lucas, who had stood quietly while Edward dealt with his wife.
Edward took Lucy's cloak from Lucas and passed it to Molly who was silently witnessing the scene. Edward reached into his pocket and extracted a small key, which he passed to Lucas.
"Are you sure you won't need it, as well?" Lucas asked Edward. He heard Louisa moan and watched as her face
grew pale, as if only now realizing her husband might intend to spank her, also. Edward shook his head.
"I have all I shall need in my chamber," Edward said, and Lucas nodded, slipping the key into his own pocket. Lucas turned to speak quietly with Anna, who had been a silent witness to the scene. She listened intently and assured him she understood his request. They all watched as Lucas turned to follow his bride.
Louisa watched him leave and understood she had truly overstepped boundaries she had no wish to cross. "I'm sorry, Papa," she said quietly. I just don't want her hurt on her wedding day." Edward shook his head, not believing she had already broken his order to remain silent. Despite the fact that she was making an apology, he knew she had just earned a much more physical lesson to remind her to obey his every word. He took her hand and led her to climb the stairs.
"He will not harm her, Louisa," he said firmly. "I promise that, even as I blister your bottom for your behavior, which I promise will hurt a great deal but also will not truly harm you. Your sister accepted her husband's decision with far more grace and respect than my own wife, who has far more experience in these matters. While Lucy's spanking will also hurt, it will serve as her first lesson to behave as her husband expects. My hope is that your own blistered rump will remind you of lessons you seemed to have forgotten."
Louisa was no longer concerned about her twin. Edward didn't make promises lightly, and she knew she would soon be dancing to the tune of his discipline. She knew that when he promised to blister her bottom, blistered it would be. She remembered the vows both girls had given to these men, as he opened the door to his bedchamber and pulled her inside.
Lucy was unaware of her sister's plight as she pushed open the door to the study. Her eyes immediately went to the large armoire, and she shuddered. Not wishing to think of which implement her new husband would choose, she walked to a corner and turned into it. Her blood was racing through her veins. She felt a tear slip from her eye and angrily brushed it away. She had known better the moment she began her tantrum and had spent the past few hours anticipating paying for that choice. She tore her thoughts away from the upcoming spanking and remembered the promises made as she gave herself to Lucas in marriage. As the words echoed in her mind, her heart stopped pounding, and her racing pulse slowed. She reached up and fondled the charm hanging between her breasts, feeling a sense of acceptance and peace flow over her. When she heard the door open, she vowed again that she would obey her husband in all things, though some of those things would definitely not be of her choosing.
