by Maggie Ryan
“Perhaps you’d prefer we discuss it later?” he said quietly, and saw her grateful nod. She returned her attention to the tapestry she was embroidering. After speaking with Lucinda for a few minutes while Lucy napped, Lucas had spoken with Frank, who had caught him up on most of the events of the past few months. Frank and Bea lived in a suite of rooms upstairs, though Lucas and Frank had begun discussing building a home on the estate that would be their own when they started their own family. Frank had been working with Lucas for the past several years and had his own study across the hall from Lucas’. Frank handled a great deal of the import/export business that Lucas had inherited from his father. The addition of horses to the estate had been Lucas’ dream of expanding his holdings with animals that he admired and loved. He was grateful to have his brother-in-law willing and capable of handling some of his other responsibilities.
Lucas’ attention moved from the conversation to his wife when he realized Lucy was squirming about, twisting around to look around the room. “Do you need the water closet?” he bent to ask her, quietly.
Lucy flushed hotly, not believing a man, even her husband, would ask such a personal question in mixed company. She shook her head sharply, her eyes meeting his with a silent plea. “I … I was looking for Miss Molly. She said she was going to go get her knitting, but that was …” she began but was interrupted.
“Lucas, I believe the child’s nanny is in the kitchen. She seems to be more comfortable among the kitchen staff. Shall I ring for her to come attend the child?” Lucinda asked.
Lucy felt an incredible urge to slap the woman. She was a bit shocked to discover the governess had taken a seat right next to Lucas on the settee, without Lucy realizing how close the woman was. Lucinda was not only interrupting Lucy’s conversation with her husband, she was acting as if Molly’s position was nothing more important than the lowest-ranked servant. Her disrespect and blatant attempt to belittle Molly caused Lucy to clench her fingers in the folds of her dress in an effort not to lift her hands.
“No, thank you, Lucinda,” Lucas said. “I’m pleased that the staff is making Molly feel welcome. She will join us for dinner.”
“Dinner? Is that necessary? Goodness, does the poor child require help in eating as well?” Lucinda said, leaning forward and placing her hand on Lucas’ leg, right next to where Lucy was seated on his lap. “Lucas, surely you can’t mean it. Dinner is usually attended by only family. The staff eats in the kitchen,” Lucinda said.
Lucy felt her temper flare at the audacity of the woman, her dislike of the governess growing by the moment. She saw Molly at last as she entered the room, her knitting basket on her arm. Knowing it hadn’t taken that long to go to her room for her basket, Lucy understood her nanny had been sensitive enough to leave Lucy alone with her husband, giving them privacy after the incident in the nursery. From the tight line of her mouth, it was also obvious to Lucy that Molly had heard Lucinda’s words.
“Molly is an important part of this family, Lucinda. She will join us for every meal,” Lucas said softly, but with a steel undertone.
Lucy wanted to smile at the look on Lucinda’s face, very pleased to hear her husband speak up for Molly. She was even more pleased to see Lucinda’s lips compress and her hand lift off Lucas’ leg. Barely able to restrain herself from sticking her tongue out, Lucy turned instead to smile at Molly. Molly returned the smile as she settled into an armchair and was soon clicking her needles as she worked on a shawl she was making for Lucy.
Bea stood up and walked over to Frannie, but turned so that Lucy would be included. “It is almost time for dinner. Let’s show Lucy where she can freshen up.” Frannie nodded, setting her tapestry aside.
Ettie pushed back her chair and joined them. “I’ll go with you,” she said, and then turned to the governess, handing several sheets of paper to Lucinda. “I’ve finished, Miss Browning.”
Lucinda tried not to show her surprise as she accepted the papers. “Very well, Henrietta, but as I recall, you are to write another? One about the consequences you may expect your brother to administer when you choose to be disobedient?”
Ettie’s mouth dropped open, but before she could speak, Lucas looked up. “I believe Ettie has done enough writing for the day, Lucinda. You only suggested she might be assigned another if she failed to complete the first.” He saw Ettie grin, and he raised his eyes to hers. “Don’t cause me to regret my decision, Henrietta. I don’t want to witness another instant of your being disrespectful or insolent to Miss Browning. Despite the fact that today is a special occasion, with your sister’s homecoming, Miss Browning is correct in that it is important to remember how a proper young woman is to behave and the consequences she can expect if she ignores that fact.”
Ettie nodded her head. “Yes, Sir. Thank you, Lucas. I’m sorry, Miss Browning. I’ll not be disrespectful again.” Lucy had remained silent, but when Ettie extended her hand, Lucy took it.
Lucas gave her a kiss before releasing her to stand. “Go ahead, Kitten. Your sisters will show you where you may freshen up for dinner.” Lucy smiled, her face flushing prettily from his display of affection in front of his family. The four young women left the room together.
After taking her turn washing her hands, Lucy stood with Ettie as the older girls took their turn. “Why does Lucas call you Kitten, Lucy?” Ettie asked.
“Ettie, don’t ask such questions,” Bea scolded, but then smiled. “Unless, of course, Lucy doesn’t mind … "
Lucy smiled as well and told them how part of their brother’s courtship had been to gift her with a small kitten that she had named Cleopatra. “He told me it was so I’d have something to cuddle,” Lucy said, as the four began to walk slowly back to the library.
“Where’s the kitten now? Did you bring her with you?” Ettie asked, looking around as if expecting to see her.
Lucy laughed and said that Cleo had indeed come with her. “I’m not sure where she is now, Mol …” she paused, not wanting to address Molly as her nanny. “Cleo’s probably upstairs. I’ll see if I can find her later so that you can meet her. She is a really sweet kitten.”
“I imagine she is,” Bea agreed and then smiled. “I’m glad my brother found his own Kitten to cuddle.” Ettie giggled loudly, and Frannie smiled but shook her head at the comment.
“Don’t let Miss Browning hear you,” Frannie warned quietly as they entered the library. Lucy wondered if the warning was given because it had been a somewhat risqué statement or if Frannie knew the governess would not like thinking about Lucas cuddling his wife. She was saved from further thought as Mrs. Mayes entered the library to announce that dinner was ready.
Frank offered his arm to his wife, which Bea accepted with a smile. Frannie and Ettie walked together, followed by Molly. Lucinda seemed to have disappeared, for which Lucy was grateful. She felt her hand being taken by her husband, but he paused before escorting her.
“How are you feeling, Kitten?” he asked, softly.
“I’m fine, Papa. I think your sisters are nice. It was nice of you to step in for Ettie.”
“I’m glad you like your sisters, Kitten. You will find that I will never hesitate to step in when I believe I am needed. However, just as my sisters are expected to do, you, little one, should remember that you are to obey any instruction given you by any adult in this household. If you have a problem with the instruction, you may come to me and we shall discuss it, but only after you have obeyed the order. I will not allow you to come running to me anytime you feel you’ve been asked to do something that you don’t wish to do. Your job is to be my good girl. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Sir,” Lucy said, wondering how long it would be before Lucinda tested her resolve to obey her husband’s instructions. Lucas bent and gave her another soft kiss, his hand holding the back of her head gently as his lips possessed her own. She felt her stomach doing its flip-flops as he increased the pressure of the kiss. She was breathless by the time he released her. They were both smiling a
s he guided her through the house into the large dining room.
It was a beautifully furnished room. A dozen chairs surrounded the huge mahogany table. Each place was set with china, heavy silverware, and crystal goblets. White linen napkins were placed in the center of each plate, and a low bowl filled with a beautiful flower arrangement adorned the center. Tall white tapers stood in silver candleholders, the soft light serving more to add atmosphere than illumination. It was a room that was warm and welcome, a place to share a meal and conversation. Everything would have been lovely except for one fact. As the patriarch of the family, Lucas would, of course, sit at the head of the table, his wife seated at his right. However, Lucinda had already taken that place and was sipping from her glass of water. Bea sat across from the governess, Frank beside her, with Frannie on his other side. Ettie had left an empty seat between her and Lucinda, though she normally sat next to the governess.
Lucas paused as he neared the table, not allowing his thoughts to show on his face. He hadn’t truly considered the seating arrangements before this moment. While it was true that Lucinda was seated where she had been for years, he had never considered she would not understand that Lucy would naturally take her place beside her husband. The governess seemed to be the only one at the table who wasn’t aware of the problem. She already had her napkin in her lap and was drinking from the glass in front of her. No one else was drinking or even moving, all eyes turning to him. Lucas saw Frank’s lips pressed tightly together and understood the man was aware of Lucinda’s lack of respect for Lucy. Conscious of Lucy’s small hand gripping his, Lucas looked down and gave her a smile of reassurance.
“Lucinda, please move down next to Ettie,” Lucas instructed, causing Lucinda to pause, the glass still at her lips as she looked up at him. Lucy felt her stomach clench when the woman gave her a glance before carefully setting the glass down. Lucinda slowly rose, dropping her napkin onto the seat of the chair.
“Excuse me, Lucas,” she said as she pushed the chair into the table. “I suppose that since I’ve sat in this chair for years, I assumed it was my place. I was raised where little ones, when allowed to join the family for meals after leaving their nursery, sat at the foot of the table.”
Lucy flushed hotly. Embarrassment did not cause her cheeks to color; it was the anger flowing through her. The woman was pushing every button Lucy had, demeaning her at every turn. Lucas felt her trembling and gave her hand a warning squeeze.
He waited until Lucinda moved, but when she pulled out the adjacent chair, he spoke again. “Molly will be next to Lucy.” Lucinda showed her true colors as she shoved the chair back to the table and then turned to Lucas.
“Perhaps you’d prefer I take my meals in the kitchen with your staff, Lucas,” she said, her eyes flashing. “I’d hate to disrupt the nanny in performing her duties cutting the child’s meat!” Lucy saw Molly straighten her shoulders as if preparing to take on the rude woman.
“That is your choice, Lucinda,” Lucas said, as he calmly walked around the table and pulled out the chair, gesturing for Molly to sit. After Molly was seated, Lucas pulled out Lucy’s chair before turning back to the governess. “You are always welcome at my table, Lucinda, but as my wife, Lucy’s place is beside me.” He didn’t bother to mention that Molly’s place was next to Lucy as well. He also didn’t wait to see what Lucinda’s choice would be. He took his own chair and nodded to the servant waiting just inside the kitchen door for the service to begin. Lucinda hesitated but finally seated herself next to Ettie.
Despite the awkward start, it took Lucas but a moment to realize that Edith had outdone herself, obviously not only remembering his favorite dishes, but preparing almost all of them. A large platter of roast beef was placed before Lucas, and bowls of steaming vegetables were added. Freshly baked yeast rolls filled the room with an aroma that made Lucy’s mouth water. Pots of freshly molded butter with pretty designs pressed into their surface sat beside bowls of preserves. A variety of fruits and cheeses were arranged in a pretty display on another platter. Pitchers of water were poured into one of the glasses at each place setting and a bottle of wine was presented and approved by Lucas.
Lucy noticed that only the men and Lucinda were offered the wine. When a pitcher of milk was placed in front of Molly, the nanny reached for Lucy’s glass and filled it. Lucy blushed, remembering being given a bottle before her nap, and admitting to herself that she hadn’t truly been upset drinking the milk. She had felt incredibly secure being held in Lucas’ arms as he rocked her gently, one hand holding the bottle, the other gently patting the bottom he had just spanked. A delicious shiver coursed through her as she took a sip of her milk and saw that Molly poured Ettie a glass as well. When Molly pulled something from her pocket, Lucy saw that it was a bib and opened her mouth to protest. However, she saw Lucas give her a glance that spoke volumes. Swallowing hard, Lucy allowed the bib to be tied about her neck. Looking down at her lap, Lucy saw tiny kittens had been embroidered all along the edge of the linen. It might be a bib, but it was obviously one that Molly had spent many hours making especially for Lucy.
“Thank you, it’s pretty,” Lucy said, grateful that for once she hadn’t immediately made her feelings known, especially when she saw the pleasure in Molly’s eyes.
“I’m glad you like it, Lucy. Emmie suggested the kittens, and Miss Bertha helped me. We wanted you to have something special for your first meal in your new home,” Molly said, and began to fill both Lucy’s plate, as well as her own, as the bowls and platters were passed around the table.
Ettie leaned forward so she could speak with Lucy. “That is pretty—do the kittens look like Cleo?” Lucy realized that some of them did and nodded, grateful the words had been kind instead of teasing. Ettie met Lucy’s eyes and smiled. “Since I don’t have to do any more writing, may I meet your Cleo after dinner?” Lucy turned to ask Lucas if it would be okay, not seeing the glare that Lucinda gave Ettie.
Lucas smiled and told her that he was sure Cleo would enjoy meeting the family. It became clear that Lucas didn’t believe in silence during meals. Conversation flowed around the table, covering everything from the recent weather to questions about their recent train trip. Lucas fielded most of those questions, though Lucy did mention that she had met another girl, Emmie, and her husband.
Lucas smiled as he watched his little one enjoy her first meal in her new home. When the chocolate cake had been served and enjoyed, he directed one of the maids to ask Mrs. Grover to join them. When she stepped into the room, Lucas rose and went to give her a hug. The woman smiled broadly as he thanked her for the wonderful meal.
“It was very considerate of you to fix my favorites, Edith. I’m going to have to be careful, or I’ll get fat,” Lucas said, and then patted his flat stomach. Lucy smiled as Edith shook her head in amusement. The others added their thanks, as well, before standing. All but Lucinda headed to the library. Lucy asked for permission to go get Cleo, and Molly escorted her to her room. When they returned with the cat, the young women sat in a circle on the floor, laughing and enjoying the antics of the kitten. Though there were many cats around the estate, the family had never had one that was considered a family pet. It was quite obvious from their cooing and cuddling that Cleo would soon be quite spoiled. Frank and Lucas enjoyed a glass of brandy, and Molly resumed knitting. It was a lovely family scene.
It seemed like only a short time had passed when Frank rose and went to the girls, placing a hand on Bea’s shoulder. “It’s time to go upstairs, sweetheart,” he said.
Lucy watched as Bea smiled and leaned her cheek against his hand, smiling up at him. It was quite obvious she loved her husband—and he, her by the look they exchanged. Frank helped her to stand as the girls rose as well.
“Good night, Lucy,” Bea said, reaching to hug the young woman. “I’m really glad you’ve come. I have never seen my brother so happy; thank you for loving him so well.”
Lucy smiled, her heart touched by the words. She returned Bea�
��s hug. “Thank you, I’m thankful that he loves me in return.”
Frank bent and kissed Lucy’s cheek. “Good night, Lucy. We shall see you tomorrow.”
“Good night, um … Mr. Collins,” she said, realizing she should not address him by his Christian name, but not knowing if she should address him as 'Sir', since he was a family member.
“I’d like it if you would call me Uncle Frank,” Frank said, with a smile. “I know I’m not your real uncle, but I would be honored.” Lucy saw Lucas give her a nod of approval.
“I’d like that, Uncle Frank. Good night,” Lucy said. Frank turned to kiss the other girls as Bea moved to kiss her brother. The two left the room, Frank’s arm wrapped around his wife’s waist. Molly looked at the clock on the mantel and tucked her knitting back into her basket.
“Lucy, it’s time for bed for you as well,” Molly said, as she walked towards the girls. Lucy thought about protesting, but both Ettie and Frannie nodded.
“We can play some more tomorrow,” Ettie said, as she gave Cleo a final pat. “I’m so glad you’ve come home, Lucy. I hope you sleep well.”
Lucy was touched as Frannie echoed the sentiment. Lucy walked to her husband and was enfolded in his arms. “Good night,” she said, as she kissed his cheek.
“Sleep well, little one,” he said, and reached down to pat her bottom. “I shan’t be too long.” Lucy felt the wonderful tingle begin in her stomach, only to feel her stomach sour as she saw Lucinda entering the room, a large tome in her hands. Though the woman had not joined the family after dinner, it was obvious she intended to read now that the ‘children’ had been sent off to bed and the library was empty save for Lucas. Lucy felt Molly’s hand tighten around her own as she gave her a gentle tug, reminding her that she was to be walking beside her nanny. Lucy gave her husband one last glance but saw that he was speaking with the governess as she seated herself across from him.
Chapter 10
