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He nodded, and surprised her by reaching down and taking one of her hands in his, pressing it lightly. This simple, loving gesture caused her to want to leap across the aisle, to climb onto his lap and beg his forgiveness, but she knew it would not be welcome. There would be a time for apologizing as well as a time to take comfort in her husband’s arms. However, she knew from past experience that time was a long way in the future. Nothing else was said on the long drive home.
Chapter 5
The carriage passed through the gates of the estate and continued up the long winding drive bordered by ancient oaks whose branches formed a leafy canopy above them. With a slight rocking, they stopped in front of the stately manor and after Henri opened the door, Edward stepped out, turning to lift his wife down, setting her on her feet. She softly thanked him. He nodded, but addressed the driver, saying, “Louisa, has something to say to you, Henri.”
His wife looked up at the older man. Edward knew that Henri had a soft spot for Louisa and knew seeing the look of disappointment clearly visible on his face would have her guilt twist inside her.
“I’m truly sorry, sir. I feel horrid for abusing your trust. I won’t ever do it again.”
Henri nodded at Louisa and said, “Thank you, miss, but I’m afraid that I’m not the only one you owe an apology. You caused my wife a great deal of distress when she went up to check on you. The household spent hours looking for you until the courier arrived with the message from the school. It was a very naughty thing to do.”
“I-I know. I’m very sorry.”
Edward nodded and looked down at his wife. “Go along, Louisa; I shall join you in a few moments.”
“Yes, sir,” Louisa answered, turning to walk into the house.
Edward watched as she climbed the stairs, her steps slowing with each one as if reluctant to go inside to face the very staff who had been drawn into the fruitless search. He couldn’t exactly fault her for that, but his thoughts were on a different topic. Giving Henri a nod of dismissal, he followed his wife into the manor. He walked into his study and poured two fingers of brandy into a heavy crystal glass. As he stood sipping, the smoky flavor rolling over his tongue, he gazed out the windows that overlooked the back gardens. He didn’t see the large shade trees, manicured bushes, or lush flowerbeds that filled the terraces that dropped down to fill his view. Instead, his mind’s eye was looking at the image of the two sisters standing side by side, their bottoms giving evidence of their misbehavior.
He knew that if he were to be totally honest with himself, he would have to accept some of the blame for today’s actions. He had allowed his desires and even his steadfast rules to be broken the moment he had accepted Lucille into his household. If he had stuck to his guns and not given in to his wife’s pleas, perhaps Lucille’s bottom would still be sore for her own disobedience but Louisa would never have dared to take part in the deception. He finished his drink and vowed his leniency was over. It was far past time to take his household in hand as he had originally intended. Edward placed his glass on his desk and left the room.
Walking into his bedchamber with the intention of changing his clothing, Edward stopped short when he realized he wasn’t alone. His eyes took in the sight of his wife, her hands linked neatly on top of her head, her nose pressed into the juncture where two walls met. He could see her trembling from across the room.
Forcing himself to take a deep calming breath, he kept his voice low but firm, “Little one, what do you think you are doing?”
Keeping her nose in the corner as she’d learned not to release until given permission, she answered, “I’m-I’m waiting for you, sir.”
Edward shook his head even though he thought he understood her confusion. “Come here, Louisa.”
Louisa turned and, seeing her husband open his arms, she flew into them. He closed his arms around her and she clung to him. “Oh, Edward, I am so sorry. I know you are disappointed but—”
“Hush, Louisa. We will discuss all of this later, but for now, please explain to me why you continue to disobey me.”
He released her and she stepped back just enough to raise her face to his. Her eyes were wide in confusion. “I don’t understand. You said to stand in the corner and wait for you in our room. I was waiting, sir.”
Edward shook his head even as one hand came up to gently cup her chin. “I believe I said for you to wait for me in ‘your’ room in your ‘naughty-girl’ corner did I not?” He loved the emotions running across her face as the meaning of his order became clear. She flushed and attempted to look away. He kept her gaze on his by the force of his hand. “You do remember your room, do you not?” Her face turned even redder but she gave a slight nod. “I’m glad, my dear, but this isn’t your room is it?” This time she reluctantly shook her head a bit. Edward released her only to step to the wall and pull a bell cord.
“But, I-I thought we… we weren’t going to… to do—”
“To do what, little one? What weren’t we to do?”
She twisted her hands together, her face reddening. “Use the… my… my room.”
Edward smiled seeing both her discomfort as well as her fading hope that her life had changed when her sister arrived. He also accepted most of the blame for her confusion. “I have made a grievous error, little one, and can understand your confusion. It is my responsibility to inform you of your rules of behavior and, I confess, I have allowed my household to fall into disarray. That ends today. I promise to correct my mistake, and also vow you will soon learn to obey my every word.”
Louisa wasn’t quite able to conceal her surprise to hear him admit he’d made an error, but she didn’t speak. Instead she watched as he left her standing alone as he removed his cuff links and began to unbutton his shirt, but when she took a step toward him, he shook his head.
“Stand still, Louisa. You were given an order and disobeyed me.”
“But, Edward, I meant to obey you. I—”
“You are forgetting yourself. When we are in this house you are to address me properly. Your behavior today has only served to prove you are in dire need of additional training. It is my intention to continue to provide you with that training.”
“But you-you can’t. What about Lucy?” Louisa asked. “You said that she-she needed time to deal with the grief of losing our parents. That you understood my concern that if she… if she… that it would be too much for her to learn how…” Her words trailed off.
“Louisa, your sister will no longer be an excuse for your disobedience. I know the death of your parents was an extremely sad event, and I’m forever grateful that you and Lucille still have each other. But Lucille does not run this house, I do, and I do not wish to discuss your sister at this moment. You would better serve yourself to think about my little Louisa and how she is to behave.” A loud knock sounded on the door and Edward pulled on his robe, stepped around his wife and strode to answer it.
“You rang for me, sir,” a heavily accented voice asked.
