by Maggie Ryan
“I… I’m fine,” Lilly said, closing her eyes, grateful she was turned away so that Eleanor couldn’t see her face. She’d been so positive that once her scars were discovered, anyone who saw them would find her terribly flawed. And yet, Phillip hadn’t even hesitated to hold her, and Miss Summers wasn’t acting as if she pitied her.
Once her legs were washed, she was helped to sit again and then told to bend forward so that her hair could be washed. Lilly obeyed and relished the sensation as Miss Summers’ fingers massaged her scalp. “That man… the doctor?”
“Dr. Gibbons,” Eleanor provided.
“He massaged my legs, didn’t he?”
“Yes, and your feet. It seemed to help you calm.”
“I do the same whenever I’ve stood too long or run too much but his felt much better,” Lilly said, one hand reaching to rub at her calf.
“Probably due to the fact that he has much larger hands and stronger fingers,” Eleanor said, pouring water over her head to rinse it. “I’m sure that he can teach your papa the best way to massage and stretch your muscles. You may sit back now. I’m going to drain a bit of the water and add some more hot so you can soak.”
Lilly nodded, crossing her arms over her breasts as the water drained, shivering at the change in temperature. Once the tub began to fill with additional hot water, she sighed and leaned her head back again. “Miss Summers? Do you… do you think that Phillip wants me to come here? I mean… as a student?”
“Sweetheart, that is something you need to discuss with him. I would love to have you join us, but I promise that your papa would not insist you enroll unless it is something you wish to do.”
“I don’t want to make him sad… I love him so much but… but I don’t know if I could stand being cooped up inside or take classes.”
“Lilly, just talk to your papa and tell him how you feel. He knows you love him but, little one, he cannot read your mind. Honesty is very important in any relationship and vital in one where the woman is offering her complete submission. Trust that he will understand what you need and where your heart is leading you. Can you do that?”
“I can try,” Lilly said.
“That’s a good girl,” Eleanor said, bending to give her a hug before standing up from the stool.
Lilly struggled for a moment and then sighed. “Miss Summers, Sarah didn’t tell me about the nursery… I-I heard you and her that day when…” She paused and then met the woman’s blue eyes. “I know I apologized for eavesdropping in my note when I left the flowers, but I really am very sorry. It was an awful thing for me to do.” She shook her head and added, “Why… why didn’t you say something to me?”
“You were not a student under my care, Lilly. Sarah didn’t see you and I ask that you don’t inform her that you witnessed her punishment. She is trying very hard to change her behavior, and there is no good that would come out of causing her embarrassment.”
“I promise I won’t say anything. Um, does… does Phillip know?
“Lilly, as I said, guilt will continue to claw inside you until you confess. Yes, your papa knows, only because your letter to me spoke about illusions. I knew you were referring to my conversation with Sarah. He needed to know that you ran because you felt he’d be happier with either Sarah or Kathryn.”
“Why didn’t he say anything either? I had promised not to eavesdrop but… I did. He never even mentioned it when he spanked me for throwing a tantrum that—” Her mouth snapped shut when she realized she’d just admitted that she’d been spanked. Eleanor simply answered her question as if the admission was nothing new and, Lilly remembered, spankings were not a novelty in this school.
“Perhaps because he is hoping that you will trust him enough to tell him yourself. I know it is hard to confess being naughty but, Lilly, as I said, in forgiveness you’ll find peace. Think about that while you soak. I’ll be back in a bit to help you out.”
“I can…”
“I wasn’t asking, I was informing. You just relax and don’t you dare try to get out on your own, or…”
“Or else I’ll discover how a spanking feels on a wet arse? And after I confess to Phillip, I can compare it to how one feels on a dry one?”
“Exactly,” Eleanor said with a smile. “See, little one, you are already ahead of the curve. And, Lilly, if you want to see a smile unlike any you’ve seen before, perhaps you should stop calling your fiancé Lord Carrington or Phillip. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes, ma’am, I do.”
Chapter Sixteen
While Lilly was having her bath, Phillip walked through the house towards the kitchen. He understood that Eleanor was only following Dr. Gibbons’ orders, but he was having a very hard time not marching straight back to the guest room and taking over.
“Uncle Phillip… over here,” a soft voice whispered, drawing his attention to a door that was opened just a crack.
“Rachel?”
“Shh,” she said, opening the door enough to gesture him inside. Phillip entered the room and she quickly shut the door behind him.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in class, young lady?”
“Yes, but I had to talk to you. Is Lilly all right? I-I’ve never seen you look so scared and she was so… so limp. I really like her and was so…”
Her sob told him that she’d been as scared as he. Pulling her into his arms, he held her close. “Shh, everything is fine. Lilly just had a hard tumble. Dr. Gibbons has given her a clean bill of health. She’s taking a bath and will have a nap and then she’ll be as good as new.”
“Really?” Rachel said, lifting her face.
“Really,” Phillip confirmed, taking his handkerchief from his pocket and wiping her cheeks free of tears. “It is very sweet of you to care so much.”
“Of course I care,” Rachel said. “You love her and I love you. I want you to be as happy as Papa and I are.”
“Thank you. Can you keep a secret?”
“Yes!”
“Hmm, are you sure?”
She stomped her foot and said, “Don’t tease me! Yes, I promise!”
“Lilly has consented to be my wife—”
Her attempt at being stealthy in their conversation was ruined when she gave a loud shriek and jumped up and down. “That is so wonderful! She’ll be my cousin. Oh, we are going to have so much fun together. I can’t wait to tell Papa…”
“You just told me you could keep a secret,” Phillip said, shaking his head. “I knew I shouldn’t have told you.”
Rachel looked unabashed and giggled. “Well, I won’t be seeing Papa until tomorrow so… if you get here first to visit Lilly, then…”
“You are a very sneaky little girl,” Phillip said, giving her another hug. “And, Rachel, I’m not saying that Lilly will enroll here.”
“But, she has to! I mean, I can help her… we can all help her. A lot of us go to visit and talk to her when she is working. She’s quiet but so sweet. I just know we are going to become great friends.”
“We just got engaged and have things to discuss. Regardless of whether she becomes a student here, I am sure you two will become friends. Now, you’d best get back to class before you have to explain to your Papa why you got a spanking for truancy.”
“All right and congratulations, Uncle Phillip, that is the best news ever!”
He gave her another hug and kissed her cheek, grinning as she opened the door and stuck her head out as if to make sure the way was clear. He helped her decide to move with a sharp smack against her bottom. With a yelp and a pout aimed over her shoulder, she rubbed the spot and then ran down the hall, her blonde curls flying behind her.
Phillip grinned. He adored that girl and was glad that she would be in Lilly’s life from this day forward.
He learned that his little flower girl had won more than just his heart when he entered the kitchen again. Belinda immediately poured him a cup of tea. “How’s your little one?”
“She’s going to be fine,” he
repeated. “Eleanor is with her now.”
“I’m very glad. After her bath and nap, you make sure you bring her to me. I’ll save her a bite of lunch.”
“I will,” Phillip said with a smile and then saw Sarah approaching.
“Lord Carrington? I-I wanted to say that I’m very happy you found your special little one.”
“Thank you, Sarah. I promise one day you shall find your special papa as well.”
She flushed and smiled. “I know. I-I thought that since Lilly is going to be taking a nap here, she might like something to—to cuddle.” As she pulled her hand from behind her back, Phillip saw she was holding a doll. “It’s not much but…”
“It’s a great deal,” Phillip corrected her, remembering how he’d said those words only a few hours ago. “It is friendship. Thank you, Sarah, I’m sure Lilly will appreciate you sharing your doll.”
“Oh no, I mean, she can keep her. I have lots… but only if she wants to.”
“I’ll tell her,” Phillip assured her. Sarah smiled and set the doll on the table before returning to her duties.
“It’s hard to remember that she’s on kitchen penance when she is being such a sweet little thing,” Belinda said softly, placing a freshly baked muffin before him.
“I understand,” Phillip said with a grin. “But I’m sure you’ll try.”
The cook smiled and nodded. “Yes, can’t be too soft or they tend to become even naughtier.”
Phillip had only picked at the muffin but had drunk two cups of tea by the time Eleanor finally entered the kitchen. He immediately stood and was halfway across the room before Belinda called, “The doll?”
“Oh, right,” he said, returning to pick up Sarah’s gift. “Thank you again, Sarah.”
“I hope she likes it, Lord Carrington. Tell her I’m glad she is feeling better.”
Phillip saw the smile on Eleanor’s face as she looked at her young charge but then turned to him. “She’s had a nice soak and is ready for a nap but I’m afraid sitting before the fire for her hair to dry was too much. I dried it as best I could.”
“I’ll help her,” Phillip said. “Thank you, Eleanor.” He drew a few glances from both staff and students as he practically ran through the house to the guestroom. He didn’t care… all he cared about was holding Lilly in his arms.
Entering the room, his breath caught in his throat. Lilly was seated on the ottoman in front of the window. She was brushing her hair while surrounded by sunlight. When she heard the door open, she turned and her smile lit the room even more.
“How’s my girl?” he asked, closing the door and walking to her.
“I’m fine,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck when he bent to pick her up, taking her place on the ottoman and settling her onto his lap. He gave her a hug and then a kiss that had them both moaning. It wasn’t easy, but he pulled back and gave her a kiss on the tip of her nose.
“You have a lot of friends here. Your cousin sends her love, and Sarah wanted to give you this. She thought you might like her to cuddle when you nap. I’m sure Miss Bushy wouldn’t mind.” He handed her the doll and watched her eyes widen.
“I-I don’t know what to say,” Lilly said, running her fingers down the doll’s china face. “She’s beautiful. I’ll thank her, but I don’t want to risk breaking her doll.”
“No, she’s not loaning it to you; she’s giving it to you.”
“Why? I thought she…”
“She what?” Phillip asked, seeing the fleeting look cross her face.
“I just don’t know her very well and… wait, you said my cousin?”
He noticed the change of topic but didn’t push her. “Yes, your cousin Rachel. She was so concerned that she risked a spanking to make sure you are all right.”
“A spanking?”
Phillip chuckled and picked up the brush from where she’d dropped it, then guided her to sit between his legs, her back to him so that he could continue to brush her hair. “She skipped out of class and waited until she could talk to me. She said that she and a few others have been visiting you and they like you very much…”
“They do?”
“Lilly, of course they do. You are a very likeable person,” he said, bending forward to speak against her ear. “I like you very, very much.” He adored her quiver as he lifted her hair away from her neck and pressed his lips to her skin. “Mmm, you smell so sweet,” he murmured, his lips moving down to kiss a new spot. The sudden tightness at his crotch had him remembering he had duties to perform and not those that involved his aching cock.
He drew the brush through the ebony locks, loving the way they would straighten for a moment and then spring back into curls. It reminded him of how her little bottom cheeks had flattened for an instant beneath his palm, only to bounce back after each stroke. He groaned as his cock shifted yet again.
“Are you all right?” she asked, turning her head to look back at him.
“I am having a very difficult time remembering that I am a gentleman,” Phillip confessed. “I think we are just going to have to risk Dr. Gibbons’ ire. You, young lady, need to be tucked into bed, damp hair or not.”
He helped her up and she said, “I’m really not tired. I don’t need…” Her words ended but he wasn’t even aware. Phillip had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from groaning. Standing before the window, the sunlight easily shone through the almost transparent gown she was wearing. He watched as her nipples puckered to press against the fabric and fought the urge to press his lips against them, to suckle, to nip and kiss. The black thatch of curls between her legs had his cock turning into a rod of steel that threatened to burst through its confinement. Her hair fell like a black curtain of the softest silk down her back, curly tendrils framing her face. Her eyes were wide, the green turning to that of emeralds as he studied her. Her cheeks were flushed pink and her lips looked as red as the roses she loved.
“You are beautiful,” he whispered, taking her into his arms and bending to lay his cheek on the top of her head. “You are the most perfect woman I’ve ever seen. Thank you, Lilly. Thank you for choosing me.”
*
In his arms, Lilly did finally feel beautiful and yet… she knew she wasn’t anywhere near perfect. It wasn’t her scars that she was thinking of. It was the fact that she’d broken a promise to this man, this man who loved her with all of her flaws. This man she loved with all of her heart.
“Papa?” she said softly, against his chest. When he didn’t release her, she spoke a bit louder. “Papa? I-I need to tell you something.”
This time he heard and straightened, allowing her to lift her face to his. “Sweetheart, did you just call me Papa?”
“Yes, but if you don’t want me to…” She gasped when he hugged her so tight she was a bit worried Dr. Gibbons might return to treat a broken rib.
“Want you to? You have no idea how much I’ve wanted you to call me Papa. I love you so very much, Lilly. I’m afraid one lifetime is not going to be enough time to show you, to spoil you, to hold you…”
His words made her heart sing and yet she knew she didn’t want to start their engagement with an unclear conscience. “I love you too, but… I-I need to tell you something. Even though I know you won’t be happy, I-I know you’ll love me and forgive me.”
Phillip nodded and when he sat on the edge of the ottoman and spread his knees, she took a deep breath, slipped her hands into his, and stepped between his legs.
“What do you need to tell me, little one?”
“Remember that first day… in the tree? I-I promised never to eavesdrop again?” At his nod, she continued. “I-I broke that promise. I hid under Miss Summers’s window and… and listened to a very private conversation. I know it was wrong and I’m so sorry. I’ve already apologized to Miss Summers.”
When he didn’t speak, she fidgeted on her feet. Suddenly, a nap sounded like the most wonderful idea she’d ever heard. “I felt awful before but I-I feel even worse now. Sarah�
� she’s been nothing but nice to me. I’d apologize but Miss Summers said it would make her feel bad and I don’t want to do that.” She paused again and then told him the rest. “Miss Summers told me that you already knew but I wanted to tell you that I am sorry and I promise never to do it again.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes… I mean, yes, sir.”
“Pardon me but I seem to recall a certain little girl making that exact same promise and yet just confessed she’d broken said promise.”
“I know… but… um, this time I really mean it. I learned my lesson…”
“Lillian Lancaster, learn this lesson, as well. While I am very glad you apologized to Miss Summers and I’m extremely proud of you for confessing your naughtiness to me, doing so will not negate the fact that you did something very wrong. This habit of concealing yourself and listening to conversations is not something I will tolerate. Understand?”
“Oh, yes, I do. I understand and I pro—I mean, I won’t ever do it again. I just wanted to… I didn’t want to start our engagement with, with…”
“With a guilty conscience?”
“Ye-yes… yes, sir.”
“Then you know what to do, don’t you?”
She really wished she could pretend ignorance but when he released her hands and patted his thigh, she knew it was useless. “I-I’m not wearing…”
“Then I won’t have to take time to bare your bottom. You shall do so when you lift your gown.”
God, his voice had her tingling and knowing that he would soon be spanking her bare bum was doing strange things to her body. Feeling her face burning, she turned to the side and slowly lifted the back of her gown before bending over his knee and planting her palms on the floor. She braced herself for the first smack and was surprised when, instead, she felt his hand rubbing her skin in small circles. God help her but the more he rubbed, the more she felt as if she couldn’t catch her breath and the more her body burned. She closed her eyes when she felt moisture gather between her legs and felt the tingle gravitate down her body to settle in her sex.
