Blessed Beginnings (Hunter's Ridge Book 4)

by Maggie Ryan

  The four were all smiling as they returned to the library. Emmie and Stefan were upstairs in the room used for both punishment and play. When Stefan had asked Lucas for the key, the twins had watched Emmie flush but also saw her smile. Lucy had an idea that her friend was being allowed to see exactly how Diabla differed from the horse in her own home.

  "Should we ask Franny if she'd like to join us?" Louisa asked.

  "Yes, where is she?" Lucy said. "She seems to disappear all the time."

  "I'll go see," Lucas said. "I agree, I haven't seen her much lately." He climbed the stairs and knocked on his sister's door.

  "Who is it?"

  "It's your favorite brother," Lucas teased.

  Franny opened the door a bit. "You are my only brother, remember?"

  "Yes, but it seems that my sisters are dwindling one by one. We haven't had the pleasure of your company lately. Come join us."

  "I-I'd rather not," Franny said. "Christmas is just around the corner and I've yet to finish my gifts."

  Lucas studied her for a moment and then reached out to cup her chin in his fingers. "Sweetheart, are you okay? You'd tell me if something is wrong, right?"

  "Yes," Franny said quickly. "Nothing is wrong. I-I just want to finish my painting for Sam… um, Mr. Benedict."

  "May I see?" Lucas asked.

  "Um, I suppose, but give me a minute." She closed the door in his face and, for some reason, he just knew his sister was attempting to keep something from him. When it opened again a minute later, he entered her room.

  "It's not quite done and will need time to dry, and I'll need to get a frame," Franny said, talking quickly as she led him to the easel she'd set up by the window.

  Lucas looked at the painting and smiled. "You are very talented. I'm guessing that is Sadie and her pups?"

  "Yes, she is just so sweet."

  "Well, she certainly looks so in your painting." He turned to look down at her. "But I don't see how you can paint in the dark. There's barely enough light to read by."

  "Oh, um… well, I'm just doing some touching up. I usually paint in the daytime with the sun coming through the window."

  Lucas stood quietly, looking around her room. It was as neat as a pin, no clothing left lying about, her desk piled tidily with writing supplies, and her bedside table stacked with books. He noticed that the pillows on her window seat looked as if she often sat there, reading or simply staring out the window. There was nothing amiss and yet the unsettled feeling wouldn't leave him.

  "Franny, are you certain that you are fine? I pray that you remember that you don't have to pretend with me. I love you, sweetheart, and if you are hurting, or feeling as if—"

  "It's nothing like that," Franny said quietly. "It's not like that at all. I know I can come to you, and I know you are worried about me because of Walter, but you don't need to worry, I promise."

  "So Samuel—"

  "Is wonderful," Franny said, her voice softening even though her eyes darted away from his.

  "Okay, sweetie. But swear to me that if you have any concerns or questions, you will come to me?"

  Franny nodded, opened her mouth and closed it without speaking. He gave her another moment and then gave her a hug.

  "Anything at all, Franny. I promise I will be there for you. I love you. We all love you."

  "I know, thank you," she said, finally giving him a smile. "I promise, I'm fine. I just have a lot to think about."

  "That's fine, but tonight, I'm insisting you join us for a game." When she began to protest, he shook his head. "Don't argue. Thinking and painting are fine but, little one, becoming a hermit is not healthy. Besides, I'm sure that we can beg some hot cocoa and a few biscuits from Mrs. Grover."

  Franny smiled and when he offered his hand she took it. "You have always tried to ply us with treats," she said as they left her room. "No wonder Ettie has such a sweet tooth." As they walked through the house, he shared the scene about sweets between Dr. Fielding and their little sister. Shaking her head, she said, "That girl is going to learn that being adorable will not guarantee her bottom won't get—"

  "Spanked?" Lucas suggested, when she blushed and didn't complete her statement. At her nod, he gave her hand a squeeze. "As I told her, no matter which man is lucky enough to wed her, she should not be surprised to discover that fact rather quickly." They reached the hallway and he paused. "Even young ladies who are usually perfectly behaved make mistakes and when they do, if they are lucky to have wed a man who truly loves them, they might also find a hand on their bare bottom. It helps free a girl from guilt and begin with a clean slate."

  Franny looked up and while he was prepared for her to argue, she simply nodded and didn't say a word.

  They settled in the library to play cards while sipping the promised cocoa and eating their fill of a large variety of Christmas biscuits made by Edith. As Lucas bit into his third, he chuckled, causing the others to look at him.

  "Just wondering what our Ettie is eating. That girl constantly amazes me with her love of food."

  "She needs the energy. After all, she is the bounciest young lady I've ever had the pleasure of knowing," Edward said as he played a card.

  In the restaurant miles away, Ettie was licking her lips after taking a bite. "You were right. This is delicious," she admitted. "I've never had snails before."

  Lawrence laughed. "They are called escargot. I'm glad you are enjoying them." He used a fork to remove another from its shell and slipped it onto her plate, spooning a little garlic butter over it.

  "Thank you," Ettie said, giving him a bright smile. He'd been so wonderful, treating her with bites of different items, sometimes placing the food on her plate and a few times, simply lifting a fork to her mouth for her to accept. Each time he did that, her heart beat just a bit faster and she'd discovered that the food he offered tasted like ambrosia.

  "Yes, thank you," Bea agreed as she took a bite of the salmon she'd ordered. "Your choice of cuisine has been quite an adventure. I had doubts about chaperoning my sisters but must admit I have been enjoying myself."

  The four ate and talked with ease. Lawrence asked about the progress of their house plans and about the business of raising and training horses. In between pauses, Ettie noticed that he kept her plate full. She blushed when she heard him chuckle as she took a rather large bite of lobster she'd dipped in a pot of hot, melted butter. "I'm sorry," she said, realizing that she had rolled her eyes. "It's just so good."

  "Don't fret," Lawrence assured her, using his napkin to wipe a spot of butter from her chin. "It makes me very happy to see you truly enjoying your meal." As their entrees were cleared away, he turned to her with a grin.

  "So, Ettie, my girl, are you quite sure you don't want a sweet?"

  She felt her cheeks and then smiled. "I would love a treat if you believe I deserve one, Dr. Fielding," she said softly, suddenly hoping that he thought she'd been a good girl.

  "You've been a very good dinner companion," he said, signaling for the waiter. "Just as I believe in withholding pleasure when a girl is naughty, I believe in rewarding a girl when she is good."

  "Oh, um, thank you," Ettie said, noticing the glance her sister gave her and the smile on her face as she turned to look at her husband. As the waiter approached with a tray of desserts to choose from, she knew that she'd be asking Lucy, Louisa and Emmie if the words she had just heard meant something other than some confection. Even as she chose a slice of chocolate cake, she had to stop herself from squirming just a bit in her chair, blushing furiously when she realized that Lawrence was not looking at the tray but was focusing on her. Yes, for some reason, she just had a feeling that this very handsome, very confusing doctor hadn't been speaking about dessert.

  Chapter Twelve

  Emmie and the twins found themselves wagering which Lady Huntington would be the first to have a new name. They'd been positive that Franny would become Mrs. Samuel Benedict but, as Lucy pointed out, Franny seemed to be becoming quieter and less fo
rthcoming about her outings or her feelings.

  "Do you think something has happened to make her question her attraction to Mr. Benedict?" Emmie asked one afternoon, when the three were preparing to go downstairs after their naps.

  "I hope not," Lucy said. "She told us how much she likes him and has been so happy. They seem like such a good match."

  Louisa turned to look around before speaking. "I'm not saying I'm right, but have either of you noticed that she is sort of acting, um, like, well, like I do when I've done something that I'm afraid might be considered naughty?"

  The other two girls abruptly stopped halfway down the stairs. "Oh, that's exactly it!" Emmie said, her eyes wide.

  "But what on earth could make her feel naughty?" Lucy asked. "She is never naughty from what I've seen."

  "You don't suppose she feels guilty over that kiss in the parlor, do you?" Emmie asked.

  Lucy shook her head but gave a shrug at the same time. "I wouldn't think so, but I'm not sure. I mean, from what I witnessed, she seemed to be enjoying it very much. Maybe we should just ask her?"

  "No, that might embarrass her or make her feel guilty if she wasn't before, simply because we asked," Louisa countered.

  "But—"

  Louisa cut her twin off. "Think about it. Would you want me to ask you straight out if you were feeling guilty about something intimate you and your Papa shared?"

  Lucy shook her head again but then giggled. "No, but from the look on your face, I am dying to know what you've been doing lately. More experiments for Miss Summers?"

  "What experiments?" Emmie asked. "Tell me!"

  In perfect unison, the sisters turned to their friend and said, "No." The twins laughed and put their arms around each other's waist as the group finally made their way downstairs. Emmie sputtered her indignation at being left in the dark until Louisa leaned towards her. "All we can say is that Miss Summers is looking for a large pool of results." When Emmie looked confused, Lucy giggled.

  "What she means is that your Papa should be receiving his, um, directions for conducting the experiment quite soon."

  Emmie's eyes widened and then she smiled. "In that case, don't tell me a thing. I'd hate to skew the results." She paused and then said, "Can you at least tell me if I'm going to like it?"

  "Let's just say it's a good thing we are riding today," Lucy said, her free hand rubbing against the back of her riding skirt.

  "Oh," Emmie gasped, her cheeks pinkening with understanding. They were all still smiling when they entered the library to meet their husbands. It was a beautiful afternoon and since Franny and Ettie were attending a matinée with Mr. Benedict, Lord Lenar, and Frank and Bea, the others were finally going to ride.

  Peals of laughter drifted on the wind as the group wove their way through the trees. Puffs of white came from the horses' nostrils with each breath taken. Blue skies with white fluffy clouds allowed rays of sunlight to dance on the blanket of snow, making it a perfect afternoon to enjoy a ride. The moment Stefan lifted Emmie onto her horse, she'd been unable to hold back her giggles, the other two girls soon giggling as well.

  "Do I even wish to know what my girl finds so amusing?" Stefan asked.

  "I was just remembering the last time we rode," Emmie said. "I'm quite happy that I won't be worried about bouncing in the saddle today." Her husband grinned and mounted his own horse, understanding she was speaking of riding with a tender bottom the last time they'd visited Hunter's Ridge.

  Lucas led the group through the estate until the reached the open meadows. "Oh, it's so beautiful," Lucy said as they pulled up in a group. Acres of pristine snow spread out before them. She looked over at her husband and smiled. "Race you?"

  "What is the prize when I win?" he asked.

  "Who says you will win?" Lucy teased as she kicked her heels against Delilah's flanks and the horse surged forward. His deep laughter rang out as Samson leapt to follow. Soon the two were racing across the field, Emmie and Louisa urging Lucy on. Despite their encouragement, they weren't truly surprised when Lucas drew even with his wife and then the two finished the race side by side. By the time the other four reached the finish line, Lucas had pulled his wife from the saddle to sit on his lap, Samson not seeming to mind the added weight.

  "Papa! Your lips are cold!" Lucy squealed as he nuzzled her neck.

  "But my heart is warm," Lucas responded, his comment causing her to sink back against him, their mouths finding each other's. The race had ended beside a grove of trees the couple had visited before. Both remembered lying in the grass, Lucas proving exactly how wonderful the special tailoring of Lucy's riding skirt made it possible to undo a few flaps and then sink into her willing body.

  The clearing of throats broke them apart and as Lucy took several deep breaths, her sister and friend smiled in complete understanding of how the world could fall away when in the arms of the men who loved them so intensely.

  They rode for another hour until the wind began to pick up, lifting snow in the air to mingle with fresh flurries that began to fall. "It's like the old is welcoming the new," Louisa said as she leaned her head back and stuck out her tongue to catch a few flakes.

  Edward bit back a moan as his cock lengthened beneath the fall of his riding breeches. Riding close, he leaned towards his wife as they entered the yards of the stables. Dismounting, he handed the reins to a stable boy and then raised his arms to lift his wife from the saddle. As he slid her down the length of his body, he bent close. "We may not have raced, but I will be seeking a prize."

  Violet blue eyes looked up at him and cheeks turned pink from the cold turned even darker when he continued. "I can think of a far better use for that little tongue of yours, little lady."

  "You must be reading my mind," Louisa said, fluttering her eyelashes as she laid a hand against his chest. "I was just thinking how wonderful it will be to lap up the whipped cream on top of the hot cocoa that I'm sure Mrs. Grover has prepared for us."

  The other couples turned when a sharp squeal rang out and then all four smiled to see Louisa being held tight to Edward's chest, his hand swatting playfully against her backside. Stefan turned to Lucas and grinned. "I know these little ones just woke up from their naps not long ago, but after this exercise, I'm quite sure they all need to go back to bed."

  "I couldn't agree more," Lucas said as the group began to walk back towards the house. He'd seen Louisa catching snowflakes on her tongue and had seen Edward's reaction. He had absolutely no doubt that it was the same one he'd had that day at the pond. Slapping his friend on the back, he grinned. "But this time, they won't be going alone."

  They did enjoy cups of hot cocoa, but not in the library or the dining room. Instead, bell pulls were rung and trays were brought upstairs to three rooms. Sated little ones were spoiled by equally sated Papas, who fed them bites of Christmas goodies while held on laps beneath thick duvets or warm blankets seated before roaring fires. Yes, Lucy thought, it had been a perfect day to ride.

  At dinner that evening, they listened as Ettie told them about the play. "It was wonderful. I'm so glad that Mr. Benedict invited me, as well. I was amazed at the actors who played the spirits. It was a little frightening."

  "We could all tell," Bea said as she buttered a roll. "We could all hear you squealing."

  "And what of you, Franny? Did you enjoy yourself?" Lucas asked.

  "What?" Franny said as she looked up from her plate, which still contained most of her dinner.

  "I asked whether you enjoyed yourself," Lucas repeated.

  "Oh, yes. I think they performed very well. I've seen other productions of A Christmas Carol but this one was the best. I've always loved Dickens."

  "So does Mr. Benedict," Ettie offered. "Isn't it wonderful that both Franny and Mr. Benedict love reading so much? Look at all the different authors out there. I mean, they are constantly discussing books and will never run out of subject matter."

  Lucas wondered at Franny's barely concealed grimace before she realized he was loo
king at her. She quickly began to eat, as if just now realizing her plate was full of food. Once again, he wondered about what his sister was hiding and wished she would confide in him. However, he took her at her word that nothing was scaring her as Drakemore had. Seeing her give him a quick glance and noticing she seemed to be squirming a bit on her chair, she suddenly reminded him of his wife. Well, well. Though he'd be truly surprised to discover she'd been naughty, he couldn't deny he was seeing the signs he often saw on Lucy's face when she felt guilty about something. He'd give her another day but despite her reticence, he'd demand she come clean before Christmas. Turning his attention back to Ettie, he asked about her escort.

  "And Lord Lenar? Did he have any opinion?" Lucas asked.

  Ettie took a moment to think and then shrugged. "He didn't say much at all. I think he enjoyed himself but I'm never really sure. He is always polite but he doesn't talk very much."

  The conversation turned to other topics and when they left the table, Lucy wasn't surprised to see one of her sisters-in-law ask Lucas if she could speak with him, but she was surprised that it was Emmie doing the asking. The other girls moved into the library and gathered around the table, where the jigsaw puzzle was close to being completed. Edward and Stefan sat across from each other at another table and began a game of chess. Frank and Bea had already excused themselves, as Bea stated she was tired from the outing.

  With Lucas and Ettie speaking elsewhere, Lucy turned to Franny. "Are you okay?"

  "I'm fine," Franny said in reassurance and then began to stand. "But I am a bit tired. I think I'll retire if you'll excuse me."

  "Please don't go," Lucy said, reaching for her hand. "We are all worried about you."

  "You don't need to be," Franny said, pulling her hand free.

  Louisa spoke quietly. "We are here if you need us, I hope you know that."

  Franny looked around the table and then nodded. "I-I do, and I'm sure I'll need you all soon. For now, I'm just… I just need some time to think. Goodnight."