Blessed Beginnings (Hunter's Ridge Book 4)

by Maggie Ryan

  "Not that I've heard. She admitted to being a bit nervous, but she has been very quiet lately," Lucy volunteered.

  Bea shook her head. "Perhaps she is simply remembering last season. It wasn't a pleasant experience."

  "That's probably it," Lucy admitted. The women thanked their husbands for the punch and then made their way back to the floor for more dancing.

  "Are you having a good time?" Lucas asked after spinning his wife around the floor.

  "Yes, but I don't see how these women can stand being dressed like this daily."

  Lucas's laugh rang out across the floor. "Kitten, I'm sure that ball gowns are not normal attire."

  "Papa." Lucy giggled. "You know I meant these corsets. I can barely breathe."

  "Can you eat?" he questioned.

  "Hmmm, I'm sure I might manage a little snack." They were both laughing as he led her off the floor.

  "Let's gather the others together and eat, shall we?"

  Ettie and Lawrence joined the group. "I am starving!" Ettie declared.

  Bea shook her head. Ladies did not go about stating such things, and yet it didn't seem to bother Dr. Fielding. In fact, she realized that he was actually smiling down at her sister as he assured Ettie that he'd make sure she had all she cared to eat. Bea smiled. It was no surprise to see Ettie practically glowing under his attention. She shook her head as she heard Ettie tease that since it was a party, she should be allowed more than one sweet. Frank chuckled when they both heard Lawrence state that anyone as sweet as she didn't need any more sugar.

  "Were we that silly?" Bea asked, leaning into her husband's side.

  "Probably not, but I have to agree that Huntington women are all very sweet and very loveable," Frank said as he bent to kiss her cheek.

  "Wait, where's Franny?" Lucy asked.

  Lucas gave her a smile. "I trust that Samuel will see to it that she eats."

  "But surely she'd like to join us—"

  "I'm sure she's fine."

  Lucy gave a look back and, still not seeing Franny, wondered if Samuel was taking her advice to speak to Franny. Remembering that she'd also seen the man speaking with her Papa, she thought perhaps he too had advised his friend to speak directly to his sister. Suddenly, she gave a little gasp and her eyes darted to her Papa. There were only a few reasons why she could imagine her husband seeming so unconcerned about the whereabouts of his little sister. Flashes of her own past and memories of how Franny had behaved over the past few days had her instincts kicking in. While she had no doubt that Franny loved Samuel, she also would be willing to bet that whatever was causing Franny to be so quiet involved that same man. No, if she could trust her own instincts, she'd say that her sister-in-law was feeling guilty about something and, as a young woman who was wed to a loving and yet stern husband, she had a very good idea of what might be happening somewhere in this huge house. She sent up a quick prayer that if she was correct, her sister-in-law would be fine.

  Her attention was drawn to her husband when he spoke. "Let it be, kitten. There is no reason to fret." He bent and kissed her cheek. "As I said, I'm sure that Franny is exactly where she needs to be. Trust me." Lucy nodded and gave him a smile which he returned. "Thank you. Now, shall we?" He led the others into the room, where dozens of tables had been set up for people to sit and eat while other tables seemed to bow under the weight of all the food being offered.

  "See, Ettie, I told you there would be a few morsels left."

  Ettie giggled and tucked her hand into the crook of Lawrence's arm as he led her towards the stack of china plates sitting on a table.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Franny was saying her own prayer as Samuel guided her through a doorway. Finding the room empty, she looked up at him. "Shouldn't we stay with the others?"

  "Are you worried I'm going to harm or take advantage of you?"

  "No, of course not," Franny said, feeling her face heat. The image of a man who had attempted to do so crossed her mind but she instantly flung him aside. While Lord Drakemore had been a horrid man, Samuel had never once made her feel anything but secure. Well, until tonight. Still, she didn't fear he'd do anything to violate her honor. He'd probably brought her in here to allow her to have privacy when he explained that he wasn't interested in her any longer.

  Samuel had led her into what appeared to be some type of reading room. Not as large as a library, the room still held bookcases and several large chairs. Only two wall sconces were lit, providing enough light to see by but not enough to sit and read a book or newspaper.

  "Please, sit," Samuel said.

  Franny moved towards the settee and then changed direction towards one of the chairs.

  "I'd prefer you to sit with me," Samuel said quietly from where he stood by the settee.

  "Oh," Franny said, sinking onto the cushion and twisting her hands in her lap when he sat beside her.

  "What's wrong, Franny?"

  "Wr-wrong?"

  He reached across and took one of her hands. "Yes, Franny, wrong. You've been acting strangely the last few times I've visited and tonight, well, I'm no longer willing to overlook it. Are you upset with me?"

  "No! I mean, why would I be upset?" God, she couldn't think straight with his finger stroking along her palm. Her heart was beating far too fast and she was finding it difficult to take in enough air.

  "That's why I'm asking," he said quietly. "I miss the smile I see when you greet me. I miss the sound of your laughter. I mostly miss seeing your eyes."

  "My eyes?"

  Samuel's free hand moved to cup her chin, lifting her head. "Yes, little one, your beautiful eyes. I've missed them tremendously. You love Dickens as much as I do and yet you barely smiled during the play. You dance with me and don't miss a single step, and yet you aren't relaxing into the music or, I might add, my arms. You have politely responded to conversations, but I feel you couldn't tell me a single topic we've discussed. Even when your eyes meet mine for the briefest moment, I don't see the light that draws me like a moth to a flame. So, little one, yes, I miss your eyes. What's happened to make you avoid looking at me?"

  Franny's stomach twisted and despite attempting to lower her head, his hold didn't allow it. She blinked and felt a tear slide free.

  "Oh, Franny, sweetheart, what has you hurting so?" Samuel said. "I love you with all my heart…"

  "You-you do?"

  "Of course I do," he said, giving her hand a squeeze. "I was praying and hoping that you might feel the same."

  "You can't love me," she said softly. "I-I'm not the woman you think I am."

  "I know exactly the woman you are," he refuted. "You are everything I've ever desired. A woman who finds beauty in words and also is able to transfer beauty to paper. You are the most beautiful woman I've ever met, and not only on the outside. You have a gentle spirit and such a loving, good heart."

  "No, I-I don't," Franny protested. It would hurt her but she could no longer let this man, this wonderful man, think such good things about her. Not when she was a thief. The guilt she'd been holding inside was threatening to suffocate her. "I-I need to tell you something and then… then I will take full responsibility if people… if my family asks why you don't wish to be with me."

  "That will never happen. I have absolutely no intention of walking away from you."

  "Don't say that," she said, another tear falling. "You think I'm good but—but I'm not. You deserve someone better than me. I-I don't deserve you."

  Samuel bent down and pressed his lips to her forehead. "Talk to me, sweetheart. I promise, no matter what it is, I will be here to help you through it. I love you and it is hurting my heart to see you so unhappy. Won't you give me a chance to help you?"

  She was trembling, but not in fear of what might happen to her. Instead, her heart ached because this man was so loving and she was causing him pain. She'd rather be labeled a thief than be known as a woman who allowed her actions to hurt another. Taking a deep breath and focusing on her shaking hands, she kne
w it was time. "I-I'm a… I-I was n-naughty. When Edward was choosing the puppies, I took something that-that isn't mine. I'll accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate."

  "Look at me, Frances," Samuel said, using her formal name for the first time. "I believe that when a naughty girl need to confess, it is necessary to do so while looking at the person accepting her confession." He paused for a moment and when she seemed unable to move, his hand took her chin again. "Tell me the truth, did you enjoy it? The book?"

  She could feel her cheeks flame but didn't pull away. The tension she'd been carrying since that afternoon finally began to ease. "I-I didn't mean to—"

  "To what? Borrow the book, read it, or enjoy what you read?"

  Oh God, how did Lucy or the others ever make it through a confession when questions were constantly throwing her off? Wait… she hadn't said what she'd taken, had she? How did he know it was a book?

  "Frances Margaret, I'm waiting."

  Samuel saying her name in that forceful manner, stating without words that he wasn't about to let her off with just a shrug, had her entire body responding.

  "Tell me, Franny. How many times did you read it?" he asked.

  "I'm so sorry! The puppy was in the bookcase and the book fell out. I-I saw that it was damaged and was going to show you but then I saw the title and something just made me put it in my pocket. And then when you said 'naughty girl', I thought you'd seen me steal it. I thought you meant I was a naughty girl but you meant the puppy. I was just so relieved. I-I didn't know what to do."

  "I see," Samuel said. "But the fact is that you were a naughty girl, weren't you, Franny?"

  It sounded so much worse when he said the word even though she'd been calling herself that for days. "Ye-yes."

  "Yes, what?"

  "Yes, sir." God, there were a million fireflies in her stomach, heating her entire body, their tiny wings fanning the flames.

  He nodded. "That explains how it disappeared, and yet doesn't answer my question."

  "I don't understand."

  "I asked whether you enjoyed it. How many times have you read it?"

  She closed her eyes. "I-I…" She just couldn't tell him the truth. He'd think she was not only naughty but a wanton woman.

  "Frances, if I need to repeat a question, or if I find that your answer is less than truthful, you'll discover that any discipline I decide is needed will increase by necessity."

  Her eyes snapped open of their own accord. He'd not raised his voice and didn't look upset, yet his tone had sent a bolt of lightning through her. She had no doubt that he meant every single word he'd just said. Swallowing hard, she finally gave her answer.

  "Ev-every day. Sometimes more than once a day."

  Samuel's smile had her squirming a bit but he didn't release her. "Thank you. With that many readings, I assume you know what happens when little girls choose to do naughty things?"

  "Y-yes, sir."

  "And what is that?"

  "They… they are pun-punished."

  "Come now, Frances. You are an extremely intelligent woman. I have no doubt that you understand that I wish for a more complete answer."

  "Sarah… um, the girl in the book, got-got spanked," Franny said, wondering how she could utter words when she couldn't breathe.

  "That's correct, she got spanked. You said you'd accept my decision about what to do about this. Is that still your wish?"

  She nodded slowly.

  "I need to hear your answer, Franny."

  Looking towards the door, she wondered why she just didn't jump up and leave. Yet, something about this man, his words, his tone, his very touch, had her remaining seated. "I-I deserve to be punished."

  "Tell me this, first," Samuel said. "Do you love me?"

  "Oh yes!" Franny said, shocking herself a bit with the force of her response and yet realizing she would shout her answer to an entire ballroom of people without hesitation. Her heart felt full and her body light as she reached out for the first time and laid her palm against his cheek. "I-I've loved you ever since that night at the dinner party."

  Her heart stuttered as she watched him stand, her body tensing with expectation. Opening her mouth to apologize yet again, she didn't get a single word out as she watched him slowly drop to one knee before her. He took her hand and turned it in order to place a kiss on her palm.

  "I am honored. Love is the greatest gift a person can offer another. It is precious and inviolate between two people. It means sharing everything, from material possessions to matters of the heart and deepest desires." She felt his words flow over her and felt so many different emotions that she wanted to share with this man. Before she could verbalize any of her thoughts, his expression changed just the slightest and he lowered her hand after giving it a squeeze.

  "Love also means total trust. Do you trust me to lead you, Franny? Do you trust me to guide you and, more importantly, understand that though I will discipline you, I will never do anything to harm you?"

  The flesh beneath her silk bloomers crawled and yet she answered, "Yes, I trust you with my life."

  "And your heart?"

  She nodded without hesitation. "Yes, sir."

  He pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it. Nestled against black velvet was the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen. Her eyes lifted from it to his eyes, her chest not moving as she simply could not take in a single breath.

  "Marry me, Franny. You are my heart and my soul. I swear to you that I will spend the rest of my life making you happy. I adore everything about you and you would do me the greatest honor if you'd allow me to be your husband."

  "Oh, Samuel," she managed, her eyes filling at his words. "I don't deserve you."

  "You deserve so much more," he countered, removing the ring from the box and holding it to the tip of her finger. "Please make me the happiest man on earth, please say yes."

  "Yes," she said. "Oh, God, yes!" He slid the ring onto her finger and then bent forward and kissed it before cupping her face and kissing her gently. Desire flooded through her and she moaned, wanting nothing more than to discover everything this man would teach her. He gave her another kiss and then pulled back and stood. Suddenly, she giggled before slapping a hand over her mouth.

  "Ah, I truly have missed that sound. I'm hoping you giggled because you are happy," he said, his eyes twinkling.

  "I'm very happy," she managed after another giggle. "I'm sorry, but when you stood up, I-I was just so worried that you'd be taking me across your knees. I never imagined that instead you'd be going down on one and proposing."

  He bent and gave her a kiss before shaking his head. "It seems that my bride-to-be has very good instincts."

  "What-what do you mean?" Franny said, her heart suddenly beginning to race again.

  "Come now, surely you know what what needs to happen now, correct?"

  "Now?"

  "Yes, little one, now. Tell me, how long have you felt sick at heart for being naughty?"

  She sighed and with that release, she gave him her honest answer. "Since the moment I took the book and… and it only got worse every time I read it."

  "Then don't you think it's time to get rid of that guilt?"

  "I-I guess."

  "You guess?"

  Why did he make her look deep inside and want to be totally honest? She supposed it didn't matter, because that was exactly what she desired to do. "No, I don't mean guess. I mean yes. Yes, please, sir."

  "I promise that when we are done here, you will no longer feel like that naughty girl. Do you understand how that is going to be accomplished?"

  This was the moment when the feeling she'd had that her life would change once she'd opened the pilfered book became reality. The answer to his question was undeniable. In this small room, tucked away from her family, she accepted this man not only as her future husband but in all ways, in all roles. Looking up, she nodded. "You are going to give me a spanking."

  "Yes, I am," Samuel confirmed. He stood and offered h
er his hands. Placing hers in his, she allowed him to draw her to her feet. As he moved the short distance across the room, she realized that this was really going to happen. This was the Grand Ball, with hundreds of people dancing, eating, talking and laughing, and yet she wasn't one of them. No, she was that one young woman who was about to get her bottom spanked mere feet away from the festivities.

  Samuel took a seat on the one chair that didn't have thickly padded arms. She was guided to stand at his side. "I've heard your confession and you know what is going to happen. It is time for you to go over my knees. Put yourself over my lap, Frances."

  She knew that the moment she did, she was giving this man control over her and their entire relationship was going to change. Stolen kisses, hands held, words murmured during courtship were nothing at all compared to that soft spoken command given by a man who would be in charge of her for the rest of her life. Though her legs were trembling, they weren't the reason she was able to obey. As she lowered herself to lie across Samuel's lap, she could only do so because he'd already claimed her heart and soul.

  "That's my girl," he said. She felt his hand wrapping around her waist to pull her closer to his body. When she felt her skirts being pulled up and heard his request that she lift a bit, she did so as she closed her eyes. Every one of her senses seemed heightened. She could swear she heard the very air in the room shift as the silk of her gown and her petticoats continued to move until she could feel their weight on the small of her back.

  "Shh, you are safe here," Samuel said, and she only then realized that she was the one making that soft whining noise. She was extremely grateful that she didn't own a pair of those split drawers she'd seen on the pages of the book. She was so busy thinking about how well they'd framed the girl's bottom, it took her a moment to realize that her drawers were being lowered.

  "Oh! Please, Samuel… please don't!"

  "When you are over my knee or being punished for being a naughty little girl, you will address me as 'Sir'. Is that clear?"