her to think of him as only a ‘good man’. The young suitor must desperately want the woman he was wooing to think of him as ‘her man’.
“I’ll say my good night,” Charles said and gave her a small bow before turning to Edward. “Thank you again, Edward,” he said stiffly. “I will keep you informed of my progress.”
Edward stood and walked to the door with Charles aware that he’d calmed enough to address him by his Christian name. “Don’t give up so easily, Charles. No weak man will ever truly win Lucille’s heart. She needs a firm, strong hand as well as a loving heart to capture her love. I assure you, she can overcome her fear of the position.” He nodded at Henri who had appeared, letting him know their guest was ready to depart. “What she would never be able to dismiss is if she were to see you weak and unsure. Take the opportunity you’ve been offered to learn and learn well and quickly,” he warned, knowing Lucas was arriving soon.
“Thank you, Edward. I appreciate all you have done for me,” Charles said. “I assure you, I will do my very best and take your words to heart.” He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and adding, “I apologize again for this evening.”
“Apologies are unnecessary, Charles. You have done nothing wrong. I hope to hear from you by the end of the week,” Edward said, opening the front door. Charles nodded and slowly walked down the steps. Henri had the coach ready to once again drive the professor home.
Edward closed the heavy door. He walked down the foyer with the intention of going into his study for his nightly drink. As he approached the library, he became aware that Mrs. Bremmer and Lucy were standing in the doorway. He stopped and turned toward them.
“Excuse me, sir,” Lucy said quietly. “I know it is time for me to go to bed, but I’ve asked Mrs. Bremmer to wait a moment. I’d like to speak with you if you’d allow it.”
Edward was impressed with her polite request. “Certainly, Lucille,” he said. “Shall we speak in my study?” He saw her face flush and one hand move behind her as if to protect her bottom from any attention. He gave her a soft smile. “Lucille, remember what I’ve said before. My study is not only used to tend to naughty bottoms,” he assured her and saw her color deepen. “Little one, it is where we may speak in private.”
She hesitated, but then nodded. “Thank you, sir,” she said, and when he motioned for her to precede him, she stepped into the hallway.
“I shall call you when we are done, Anna,” Edward said to his housekeeper. He knew she’d just returned from putting Louisa to bed and had no idea what had transpired in her absence. But being in his family’s service for decades, she didn’t ask questions, but simply nodded.
“Yes, my lord,” she said and turned to walk away.
Edward followed Lucille and opened the door of his study. The lamps had already been lit and the room was suffused with a soft light.
“Please, sit,” Edward said motioning toward the chairs before his desk. Lucy hesitated, and he could imagine she was picturing herself bent over the arm of the chair, offering her bottom for chastisement. Edward understood her discomfort. Whereas his wife had often joined him in the study simply to read or to stitch her tapestries while he worked at his desk, his ward had only experienced her bottom being tended to in the room. Future misbehavior would see both the women’s bottoms bared and blistered in his study, but he didn’t wish for Lucille to be afraid of stepping across the threshold if she’d done nothing wrong.
“Perhaps you’d be more comfortable on the settee?” he suggested. She nodded and soon was perched on the edge of the leather settee. Edward positioned the large leather ottoman in front of her and seated himself. She was practically shaking and he reached forward and took her hands into his own. She stiffened but stopped twisting the linen handkerchief in her hands.
“Relax, little one,” Edward said. “You have nothing to fear. Please speak freely.” Lucy took several moments to form her thoughts and he didn’t rush her.
“I want to apologize, I suppose,” she began hesitantly. “I didn’t mean to cause a scene. Do… do you think he hates me now?”
Edward smiled, though her eyes were lowered. He also chose