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Reed paused for a moment, his gaze moving back to the culprit. “Lift your skirts, young lady,” he said almost casually.
Camilla moaned at his order, and Lucy could easily imagine the poor girl’s bottom clenching at both her shame and the thought of her impending punishment. She felt Louisa give her hand a squeeze as two pair of identical violet eyes watched as Camilla lifted her skirts and petticoats slowly.
“Please, Pastor Reed, please not here,” Camilla sobbed.
His answer was to lift the paddle and use it to motion for her to continue.
Camilla clenched her eyes shut as she obeyed and lifted her clothing to her waist. Louisa gave a soft gasp and Lucy a moan, instantly understanding the embarrassment the poor girl was feeling. Instead of the pretty silk bloomers the sisters had been allowed to wear, Camilla was totally naked beneath her petticoats.
Reed noticed their reaction and Lucy knew Camilla had as well, despite her attempt to hide behind her tightly closed eyes.
“I agree, it is shameful to have your drawers removed by your fiancé before he sends you upstairs to receive your lesson. Perhaps spending the rest of the evening with a hot, paddled bare bottom will remind Camilla to remember to whom she answers, so that she doesn’t make naughty choices. However, we are about to take care of that little mistake, aren’t we, little one?” he asked as he looked down at the young woman beside him.
“I-I didn’t think… I never meant to… I don’t want… please!” her voice trailed off with a soft sob beseeching him with her eyes. His gaze never wavered from her, his intention crystal clear to all three girls. Camilla gave a final sob before she lowered her head, accepting that she was going to be thoroughly paddled for the mistake of not thinking through the choices she had made. Her voice was soft as she nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“That’s correct. All of you girls must learn that every adult here accepts the responsibility of making sure all little girls behave properly. Fortunately, I have been tasked to give you the necessary reminder,” Reed said, and then turned and nodded to Louisa and Lucille. “Little Camilla’s is not the first bottom I’ll have reddened this evening and I suggest you heed my words, girls, before I have cause to add yours to the tally. Tend to your business and then immediately return downstairs,” he reminded them. “Now, I must ask that you excuse us, as I have a hard lesson to apply to Camilla’s very naughty bottom.”
The sisters watched as he turned to open the door behind him, pulling Camilla inside. The moment it shut behind the couple, Louisa sagged against the wall.
“Oh, sweet Lord,” she whispered, her hand at her throat. “I’m so happy that Papa rejected his request to court you, Lucy,” she said. “He has always frightened me. I… I think he likes spanking all of us far too much.”
Lucy felt her skin grow cold at her sister’s words. She had no knowledge that Pastor Reed had requested permission to call on her. The thought of going anywhere with the man made her feel ill. She had no personal experience with his discipline, but had witnessed the aftermath every Sunday after services. There were always at least a few women who deeply regretted their behavior by the time he returned them to their papas with very hot bottoms and apologetic demeanors. The man reminded her of another—Mr. Thorne. Edward had successfully removed the man from his position and as she jumped with the first crack of the paddle and the first cry from the unfortunate girl receiving it, she wondered if he’d consider Pastor Reed worthy of the position his congregants had placed him in.
She felt Louisa tugging on her hand and fled with her down the hall. They quickly attended to their necessities before returning to the hall. They both winced as they once more passed the door behind which they heard but did not mention the sounds of Camilla’s voice raised as she begged for her punishment to stop and the horrid sound of the paddle cracking against her bare bottom, as her pleas were ignored and her chastisement given. Looking at each other, as if in silent agreement, the twins gave up any pretense of maturity, clinging onto each other’s hand as they fled as fast as they could the length of the corridor, sliding around the corner to run down the stairs to the safety of the ballroom.
* * *
Lucas sawthe twins returning from upstairs and began to walk toward them when Louisa dropped her sister’s hand and dashed past him without so much as a glance. Perplexed, he turned his attention back to Lucy and the remainder of his smile immediately faded at the look on her face. She appeared even more frightened than she had before the ball had drawn her into its magic. He quickened his steps and was about to reach her when Charles appeared and took her arm.
“Are you ready for something to eat?” Charles asked, and then also grew concerned when he obviously saw the same shudder run through her that Lucas did as he joined the two at the foot of the staircase.
“What is it, Lucy? Are you ill?” Lucas asked. When he saw Louisa and Edward approaching as well, he suggested they move away from the stairs. Lucy didn’t even seem aware when Charles pulled her into a small alcove.
Edward stepped forward and took Lucy’s other arm. Charles wisely released his hold and stepped back into Lucas. He apologized, but Lucas didn’t respond. He wished the man would leave him to attend to whatever was bothering Lucille. She had left the dance floor with a smile on her face, though it had disappeared upon her return.
“Lucy,” Edward said softly, drawing her close to him. “Louisa told me what happened. I’m sorry you had to witness Camilla’s chastisement tonight,” he said, as he lifted her chin to force her to look at him.
Even from a few steps away Lucas could see that her eyes were huge in her pale face, the violet depths showing a shimmer of unshed tears. His fingers clenched into a fist as the urge to hit something… or someone… who had caused Lucy pain flared within him. He listened as Edward, a man he’d known his entire life to be as hard and unyielding as a stone wall softened his tone, gently running his hand down Lucy’s back until the visible trembling eased.
Speaking even softer, he said, “It’s unfortunate, but little one, you do know that misbehavior is simply not tolerated. It is a treat to be allowed to attend a party and Camilla knew the consequences of being naughty. I wish she had made different choices but instead she chose to test her fiancé’s tolerance and discovered it definitely did not include allowing her to be disobedient and disrespectful to those around her. We both know she deserves to have her bottom heated don’t we?”
Lucas wanted nothing more than to take Lucy into his arms and offer her protection from her obvious distress. He forced himself to remain still, despite wanting to suggest to Charles that it would be best he disappear from what Lucas considered a matter best served by family members—and himself, of course. Seeing that Louisa was also looking distressed, Lucas extended his arm and she stepped closer to him so that he could draw her to his side. Lucas was relieved when Lucy finally spoke.
“No,” Lucy said as she looked up at her guardian.
“Lucille, I thought you’d come to understand that there are consequences to—”
“Oh, yes,” Lucy said, not even seeming to realize she’d just interrupted her guardian.
Lucas was rather amazed that Edward let the rudeness go and then was shocked when Lucy stomped her foot before shaking her head. Not wishing her to receive the same fate as whoever this Camilla was, Lucas said, “Breathe, Lucy. Take some deep breaths and then tell us what had you looking as if you were going to faint.”
For the first time since she’d returned, Lucy seemed to actually see him. Nodding and giving him a very shaky smile, she did as he suggested, taking a moment to simply breathe and compose herself.
“Better?” Edward asked.
“Yes… I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so… so—”
“It’s fine, little one. Nothing is going to hurt you here,” Edward assured her.
