by Maggie Ryan
“I love knowing that my Kitten loves to cream for her Papa,” Lucas whispered against her ear. Lucy blushed hotly and then moaned as a single finger slid along the crease of her sex, spreading her slick lips just slightly. She leaned her head against him again, her eyes fluttering shut, her world focused only on him and what his hand was doing. “I love playing with you, Kitten. I want to push into your sweet quim. I want to feel you wrapped around my cock. I want to …”
“Lucy, you’ve got to come!” Ettie was yelling as she ran towards them from the banks of the pond. Lucy couldn’t stifle a giggle when she heard Lucas moan deeply at his sister’s words. He immediately withdrew his finger and then his hand, managing to wrap his meandering fingers around her waist, as if they had not just been playing between his wife’s thighs. Lucy felt him pull away from her, his hard cock no longer pushing against her back. Ettie finally reached them, panting just a bit from running.
“I need your help, and we have to hurry! We are going to have a contest, and we need to get our rocks before they find all the good ones!” Though Lucy didn’t understand what Ettie meant, she heard Lucas chuckle and felt him release her.
“Is it okay?” Lucy asked, turning to look back at him, her smile showing she found Ettie’s interruption amusing, knowing exactly how he must be feeling. Ettie didn’t wait for his answer, reaching out to grab her hand and pulling her away. Lucas smiled and nodded.
“Yes, but don’t go too far,” he said, and watched as the two turned and hurried away, Ettie explaining that the contest was to see who could skip a stone the farthest across the pond. Lucas remained behind until the front of his trousers no longer provided evidence of how much he loved his wife. He shook his head, his smile showing his amusement. He couldn’t exactly blame Ettie; after all, she was being exactly the type of sister he wished—not only in welcoming his new bride, but making Lucy feel wanted and included. Even as he sauntered down towards the water, he knew that he would definitely bring his Kitten back here to finish the more adult play he had started.
Lucy didn’t truly care why they were looking for rocks; she was having fun being with Ettie, who was laughing and talking non-stop. They dropped their hands as Lucy bent to pick up a rock.
“No, that’s too fat. You need to look for ones that are pretty flat,” Ettie explained. Lucy nodded and was soon concentrating her attention on the ground, her eyes scanning many smaller rocks, looking for flat ones. She found one she thought might work and moved to slip it into her pocket before she remembered she wasn’t wearing her usual pinafore. She truly loved the new clothing and realized that she no longer looked like a little girl; she looked her true age, dressed as any other young woman would be when out enjoying a day with her family. She ran her hand down the new riding skirt and smiled, remembering how the required alterations gave easy access to her bottom. She flushed as she realized it also made it easy for her husband to simply slip his hand inside and stroke her, as he had just proven. She felt her nipples pebble again and quickly bent over, hiding the hardened peaks from her sister. She continued to look for rocks, the smile on her face testament to her intense pleasure. She heard Ettie squeal and turned back to see her running towards her, Ettie's hands full of stones.
“Look, Lucy,” she said, holding out her cupped palms, “I found some great ones.” Lucy laughed and held out the two stones she thought might work. “Those are great; don’t worry, we can share,” Ettie assured her. Lucy held out her hands as Ettie poured a few of the stones into her palms. They turned to walk back towards the others. “I am so glad you became my sister, Lucy,” Ettie said, giving Lucy a smile. “I’m so happy you married my brother. Lucas is so contented now. I hope you are, as well.”
“I’m very happy, Ettie,” Lucy assured her, feeling her face heat as memories flooded through her. Ettie’s smile slipped slightly.
“I … I know he can be … very strict,” Ettie said softly, misunderstanding the reasoning for Lucy’s flushed face. “I know you might not understand. Maybe you weren’t raised as we were,” she continued, in an attempt to reassure her new sister. “Even though it really hurts when … when he spanks me, well, I know it is only because I deserve it. He only spanks me to teach me to be better. Please, know he does it out of love and concern for how …”
“Ettie,” Lucy said softly as she stopped walking. “I do understand, and you don’t have to worry. I love your brother with all my heart and have no doubt that he loves me even when he has to discipline me, as well. I knew what he believed in, what he desired, before I ever took my vows. Please, don’t worry about me; I am very happy.”
Ettie saw the truth on Lucy’s face and gave her a quick hug. “I hope I find a husband just like Lucas,” she said, and then whispered, “not like that Mr. Drakemore … I … I don’t know why Frannie allows him to call.”
Lucy was glad to discover that she was not the only one who wondered why Frannie was with the man but was saved the need to respond when they heard Bea calling for them to hurry; everyone was already gathered at the edge of the pond, small piles of stones on the ground. The group was soon skipping rocks across the surface of the pond, and Lucy clapped as her stone managed two jumps before sinking beneath the water. She stood back to watch Frannie, and when her rock went farther, with four skips, Lucy congratulated her. Though the young woman smiled, it slipped from her face when she realized that Walter wasn’t even watching her attempt. Lucy heard Frannie sigh as she motioned for Ettie to have a turn. Lucas walked up to Lucy, dropping a kiss on her cheek.
“Having fun without me?” he asked, pleased that she seemed to be fitting in seamlessly with his family.
Lucy met his eyes and flushed, the memory of his hand in her skirts causing her stomach to tingle. “I’ll have more, now that you are here, but Papa, I don’t think Frannie is having fun,” Lucy said.
Ettie groaned when her throw didn’t skip at all. Lucas encouraged her to try again as he looked to Frannie. He noticed that, though she was participating, she definitely didn’t appear to be having the fun the other girls were. While he knew a great deal about Frank, having worked closely with him long before he married Bea, he didn’t know much about Walter, except that he was the first son of Lord Drakemore, a man well-respected in their circle of acquaintances. His attention was diverted when he heard Bea give a shriek as her rock skipped almost halfway across the pond.
Frank threw his and then held out a stone to Walter. “Better make it good, or else you’ll find yourself beaten by a little girl,” Frank teased, giving his wife a smile.
Walter looked down at the stone in Frank’s hand as if he held a viper. “I was under the impression there was only one child at Hunter’s Ridge, Frank,” he said, looking at where Lucy stood next to Ettie. “Regardless, I don’t need to prove my manhood by throwing rocks. I left childhood behind a long time ago.”
Lucy remained silent, her tight smile the only sign of her embarrassment at hearing his words. Lucas gave her a smile, bending to kiss her cheek before approaching Frank. Taking the stone from Frank’s palm, he tossed it up into the air and caught it as if to approve its merit.
“You don’t know what you’re missing, Walter. Life is far more pleasurable when you take the time to play,” Lucas said before turning back to smile at Lucy, loving the instant flush that colored her cheeks. He chuckled and turned back to Frank. “Remember, I’m the one that taught Bea,” Lucas teased as he positioned the stone in his hand and then expertly twisted his wrist to send it skimming across the pond.
Ettie laughed and clapped loudly as the stone sank. “Bea wins for the girls! Hers jumped seven times and yours only jumped six,” Ettie announced.
Lucas smiled and gave Bea a low bow. “My respects to the winner,” Lucas said, watching as Frank pulled Bea to him, giving her kiss, causing Ettie to giggle. Walter had already turned away and was walking back towards the blanket. Frannie congratulated Bea before moving to join him. Lucas spent another few minutes showing Ettie and Lucy a few ad
ditional pointers in skipping rocks before declaring that they should join the others. They all took seats on the blanket, enjoying the cookies that Edith had packed for a sweet treat and drinking small cups of lemonade.
They stayed at the pond for a few hours before Lucas said it was time to go back. When Lucy looked disappointed, he grinned. “We can come again, Kitten, but it’s growing late, and it’s past time for your nap.”
Lucy flushed, praying that Walter hadn’t heard his words. When she saw that he was still walking with Frannie, she nodded. “Yes, Sir, thank you for today.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, bending forward to give her a kiss. Everyone except Walter helped pack the baskets. “Are you going to walk back?” Lucas asked Ettie after they were all mounted.
“No, I’m going to race you,” she shouted, turning and spurring her horse into a gallop. Lucas chuckled as she rode off and turned to look at Lucy.
“Do you mind?” he asked, and she shook her head, smiling.
“No, but you’d better ride like the wind if you plan on catching her,” Lucy said, and was delighted to hear him laugh and spur his horse into a gallop as well. They were all soon galloping, their laughter and yells of encouragement ringing through the air. By the time Lucy reached the stables, she could hear Ettie teasing her brother that she had won and then squealing when he threw her over his shoulder and popped her backside.
“Winners should be humble, Henrietta, and not flaunt their victory,” Lucas said, and then put her onto her feet and made an outrageously low bow. “And, losers should be polite enough to concede victory, my little lady.” Ettie giggled and then kissed his cheek when he stood.
Chapter 18
As the others began to walk towards the house, Lucas took Lucy’s hand and led her to one of the stalls. Puzzled, she simply squealed when he picked her up so that she could see over the rail. “Look in the far right corner,” he said, softly. When she did, she saw the straw moving and then giggled when three kittens appeared, tumbling and mewing in play. Lucas loved seeing her so thrilled with such simple pleasures. “Perhaps you could choose one for Emmie? I believe they are old enough to leave their mama as she spends more time running about the stables than she does tending them.”
“Oh, thank you, Papa. They are all adorable. Can we go in and play with them?” Lucy asked, her eyes never leaving the kittens.
“Perhaps later, because you do need to rest.”
“Papa, I’m not tired. I don’t …”
“Lucy, let’s not spoil a perfect day,” Lucas said softly in warning, his hand patting her bottom where it was perched on his arm. Lucy wasn’t happy but was learning it was far better to obey her husband’s rules. Giving the kittens one last glance, she nodded and didn’t argue as he gave her cheek a kiss and then set her onto her feet.
They returned to the house via the kitchen, in order for Lucas to return the picnic baskets. Edith looked up and smiled, “Did you have a good time, Miss Lucy?”
“Oh, yes, it was wonderful. Thank you for the food; it made a wonderful picnic,” Lucy said, and Lucas also complimented her on such a delicious fare.
He turned to Lucy. “Kitten, go find Nanny Molly. I’ll see you after your nap.”
“Yes, Sir,” Lucy said, flushing only slightly at the reminder that little girls took naps and the members of the staff knew that. Lucas could hear her calling for her nanny and smiled.
“She’s a sweet little beauty, Sir,” Edith said. “Even though it took you forever to find her, I must say she is the perfect little one for you.” Lucas looked affectionately at the older woman who had worked for his family since he was a tot. He truly cared for her, but more importantly, he trusted her instincts.
“That she is,” he agreed, and surprised the woman by giving her a huge hug, lifting her off her feet, despite her age. She squealed and then blushed when he put her down.
Ettie had also been sent to her room to rest. Walter reluctantly played cards with Frannie, Bea, and Frank until he could not tolerate another hand. “Frances, I played your game, now come, let’s walk in the garden,” he suggested. Frannie looked to her brother, who had settled in with his book after sending Lucy upstairs.
“Lucas?” she asked softly, and he lifted his eyes from the page. For a young woman who was being courted, his sister certainly didn’t appear happy.
“If you’d like, Frannie,” he said, leaving the choice to her. “Dinner won’t be for another hour.” Thinking it settled, Walter offered his arm, and Frannie placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. Once they left the room, Lucas closed his book.
“Beatrice, do you have any idea why Frannie seems to be unhappy, despite her assurances that all is well?” he asked as Bea took a seat across from him.
“She won’t talk to me, Lucas,” Bea admitted, her face showing her own concern. “I wish she would, but all she tells me is that she is fine.”
Lucas wasn’t pleased to hear her words. His sisters had been each other’s confidantes for years, sharing everything, and becoming even closer with the loss of their mother. Discovering that Frannie was keeping her feelings secret caused him concern.
“You don’t suppose Walter has …” he began, but then stopped himself. It wasn’t proper to speak of such things to a woman, not even his sister. It wasn’t her duty to discover whatever the problem might be; it was his and his alone. “Don’t worry, I’ll speak to her after Mr. Drakemore leaves,” he finished. Bea nodded, opening her book, while Frank began setting up the chessboard.
A short while later, Ettie and Lucy joined them. Both looked refreshed, despite their reluctance to nap. Molly had been released from her duties and had gone with Joseph into town for dinner and a play, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Mayes. Looking at the clock, Lucas made a comment that dinner was to be served soon, and he needed to go find Walter and Frannie.
“Oh, may we go, Lucas?” Ettie asked, jumping up from the table where she and Lucy had been playing jackstraws. “We can find them while you and Uncle Frank finish your game.” Lucas saw that Lucy was just as eager to go out into the gardens.
“Yes, but no dawdling and no secret willow room either,” he teased, knowing that the girls had already spent some time concealed beneath the branches. He was delighted to hear both girls giggle, not especially caring that their secret room had been discovered. Lucas smiled but continued, “I’m serious. It isn’t respectful to be late to table when Mrs. Grover has taken the time to make such a fine dinner.”
“We’ll hurry, we promise,” Ettie exclaimed, taking Lucy’s hand and running from the room. As they entered the vast gardens from the rear of the house, she paused. “You go look that way,” Ettie pointed. “I’ll go down here.” Lucy nodded and hurried along the path, expecting to see the two fairly quickly. She passed the willow tree, pleasant memories of both the tree at Wintercrest and this one making her smile. As she walked further away from the house, she wondered if she should return. Perhaps they had gone to the right instead of the left. She was about to retrace her steps when she heard a soft cry. Quickening her pace, she rounded a tall hedge and stopped short.
In front of her, Walter was holding Frannie close against him, his lips pressed against hers. Thinking she had stumbled upon a romantic moment, Lucy began to turn away. However, before she did, she realized that, instead of melting against Walter as she melted against Lucas when he kissed her so passionately, Frannie’s hands were pushing against his chest, her head only remaining in position due to the large hand holding her in place. Despite her uncertainty, Frannie’s whimpers of distress caused Lucy to move.
Fearing that the man was taking advantage of her sister, Lucy ran closer. “Let her go!” When Walter didn’t release Frannie, pulling her even closer, her hands now captured in one of his own, Lucy kicked him hard in his shin without thinking. A loud yelp issued from his mouth as he released Frannie, who stumbled at the sudden release of his hold.
“What the bloody hell!” Walter shouted, and then really looked a
t the seething woman in his path. “Shouldn’t you be playing in your nursery with your dolls, Lucille?” he sneered as he reached forward and grabbed Lucy’s arm. She shrieked and kicked him again. “Stop that!” Walter ordered, digging his fingertips into the soft flesh of her arm. “I’ll show you how little girls are punished for sticking their noses where they don’t belong,” he threatened, as he dragged her across the path and easily broke a branch from a nearby tree. Lucy continued to struggle as Frannie stepped towards the two, her hands reaching for Lucy’s.
“Frances, you stay still, unless you’d like your own lesson,” Walter growled, and without another word, brought the switch down onto Lucy’s leg, causing her to release a sharp scream.
At the cry, Frannie came to her senses. “Stop! You can’t …!” she began, moving to take hold of his arm, but freezing as his eyes met hers.
Easily keeping Lucy in place with one hand, Walter shrugged off Frannie’s hand. “You will learn that I can, Frances. After we wed, perhaps I’ll decide to dress you as a child as well. I must admit, having your legs so easily available will make it far easier to apply a switch to them.” He demonstrated by striking Lucy again.
Though Lucy had been switched before and even accepted the reasoning for receiving the punishment, this was different. She fought against his hold until one hand came free. She reached out and slapped him fiercely across his cheek. “Let me go!” she screamed as he tightened his hold and shook her hard.
