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“I love you, kitten,” he said as he set her on her feet, one arm pulling her close, his free hand at the back of her head as he bent to kiss her. She was grateful for his support, as his kiss seemed to draw all strength from her. She moaned against him, her body instantly aching for pleasures she had never experienced.
“As I do you, Lord Huntington,” she whispered when he finally released her. The couple accepted Reed’s blessing on their marriage and were congratulated by Edward and Louisa.
“The necklace is a beautiful gesture,” Edward said, his face turning serious. “I believe it is the perfect symbol of not only your claim of possession, but a true symbol of your love for your little one.” Lucas nodded and smiled, watching Louisa finger the small charm as Lucy smiled. The four were soon in the carriage, the tension of the morning no longer lingering in the air. Edward shook his head as Lucas kissed his bride several times and Louisa giggled. They arrived home, and Lucy found herself being lifted from the carriage and twirled once more. She accepted his kiss, her heart light and carefree. He set her onto her feet and led her to the door. Mrs. Bremmer was waiting with Molly in the large hallway.
“Anna,” Lucas said, his arm tight around Lucy. “May I present my wife, Lady Lucille Rose Huntington.” Lucy flushed as she heard her new husband speak of her title for the first time.
Mrs. Bremmer smiled. “So, the little boy has grown up and found his life-mate,” she said, straining on her tiptoes until he laughed and bent so she could brush a kiss onto his cheek. Settling on her feet again, she turned to Lucy. “Congratulations, Lucy.”
Lucy instantly understood that the housekeeper was reminding her that, lady or not, she was always and forever to be a little one to those who shared her life.
“I'm very happy for you, Lord Huntington, and have every faith that our little Lucy will learn to be a proper wife and obedient little one for you.”
“Ummm, thank you, ma’am,” Lucy said, receiving the intended message. Lucas grinned and gave Anna another kiss on her cheek while Lucy accepted a hug and congratulations from Molly. Once they separated, Lucas helped Lucy out of her cloak, passing it to Molly before reaching out and cupping his bride’s cheek.
“Lucy, go wait for me in the study,” he said softly, and reality slammed into her. Lucy's smile slipped from her lips, and her mouth opened as if to speak. She raised her eyes to his, her face flushing hotly as she was aware that everyone heard his order and knew the meaning behind those simple words. She saw his eyebrow quirk as if asking whether she had so quickly forgotten her promised spanking as well as the vows she had just made. Swallowing hard, Lucy closed her mouth and nodded. It felt as if her back were being branded as she felt the weight of several pairs of eyes watching her as she began her solitary walk down the long hallway. After a moment when she accepted the fact that this was the price for her own ridiculous tantrum, she straightened her back and her steps grew more sure as she obeyed the first order given by her husband.
Chapter 7
Edward was handing Louisa’s cloak to Molly as he heard Lucas’ order to Lucy. He didn’t speak as he watched her silently walk down the hall. Louisa turned to Lucas, her hand reaching out to touch his arm.
“She just married,” Louisa said, her voice pleading. “Lucas, please, you are barely wed. Couldn’t you—”
“Be silent, Louisa,” Edward said, sternly.
“But, Papa,” she continued, “it isn't fair. It’s just this once. Surely he—”
“Louisa Michelle Wintercrest,” Edward said, reaching to take her arm. “As you say, Lucy just wed, meaning she also just gave her vows. I suggest you remember yours as well. Have you forgotten that Lucille earned the spanking she is to receive by her unacceptable behavior this morning? We all knew that she would be punished upon our return home.”
“Yes, I know, but she did say she was sorry. Perhaps Lucas could—”
“I fear you are forgetting a great deal, young lady,” Edward interrupted, his words clipped in a tone that showed his disapproval. “You are to respectfully address Lord Huntington as sir, or, now that he has married your sister, Uncle Lucas shall suffice. However, you are not to be so familiar that it allows you to forget your proper place nor his proper authority,” he said, and was pleased to see her flush with embarrassment at her improper address.
“Yes, sir,” Louisa said. “I’m sorry. I didn't mean to be disrespectful. It-it is just… well, it is Lucy's wedding day, and I thought… I mean, what could it hurt if—”
“Enough!” Edward snapped curtly. He was amazed that she continued to ignore his warning and kept arguing. “Marriage, as you know, little lady, does not negate the need for discipline. In fact, marriage demands a husband take an even firmer hand,” Edward said sternly only to be stunned when he saw her mouth open as if already preparing to counter his words.
“Louisa,” he said, reaching out to cup her chin. “Young lady, you are to remain absolutely silent. If you so much as utter another word, I promise you shall spend the rest of the day not only with a burning bottom, but you shall have a gag pressed into your disobedient little mouth to teach you to bridle your tongue!” He was pleased to see realization dawn in her eyes that perhaps she should be far less concerned about her sister’s fate and far more concerned about her own immediate future. He released her chin and turned to Lucas, who had stood quietly while Edward dealt with his wife.
Edward took Lucy’s cloak from Lucas and passed it to Molly who was also silently witnessing the scene. Edward reached into his pocket and extracted a small key, which he passed to Lucas.
“Are you sure you won’t need it, as well?” Lucas asked Edward.
Edward heard Louisa moan and watched as her face grew pale, as if only now realizing her husband might intend to spank her. Edward shook his head. “I have all I shall need in my chamber.”
Lucas nodded, slipping the key into his own pocket before turning to speak quietly with Anna. She listened intently and after assuring him she understood his request, they all watched as Lucas turned to follow his bride.
“I'm sorry, Papa,” Louisa said quietly once they were alone. “I just don’t want her hurt on her wedding day.”
Edward shook his head, not believing she had already broken his order to remain silent. Despite the fact that she was making an apology, he knew she had just earned a much more physical lesson to remind her to obey his every word. He took her hand and led her to climb the stairs.
“He will not harm her, Louisa,” he said firmly. “I promise that, even as I blister your bottom for your behavior, which I promise will hurt a great deal but also will not truly harm you. Your sister accepted her husband’s decision to punish her behavior with more grace and respect than my own wife who has far more experience in these matters. While Lucy’s spanking will also hurt, it will serve as her first lesson to behave as her husband expects. My hope is that your own blistered rump will remind you of lessons you seemed to have forgotten.”
Edward didn’t make promises lightly and knew she would soon be dancing to the tune of his discipline. She’d heard her sister give her vows only an hour earlier. This lesson would hopefully serve to remind his little one of the vows she’d made to him. Looking down at her and seeing the acknowledgement in the depths of her eyes that she had indeed stepped far over the line, he opened the door to his bedchamber and pulled her inside.
Chapter 8
Lucy was unaware of her sister’s plight as she entered the study. Her eyes immediately went to the large armoire and she shuddered. Not wishing to think of which implement her new husband would choose, she walked to a corner and turned into it. Her blood was racing through her veins. She felt a tear slip from her eye and angrily brushed it away. The moment she’d begun her tantrum she’d known better and had spent the past few hours anticipating paying for the inability to stop herself. She tore her thoughts away from the upcoming spanking and remembered the promises made as she gave herself to Lucas in marriage. As the words echoed in her mind, her heart stopped pounding, and her racing pulse slowed. She reached up and fondled the charm hanging between her breasts, feeling a sense of acceptance and peace flow over her. When she heard the door open, she vowed again that she would obey her husband in all things, though some of those things would definitely not be of her choosing.
