Her Lord's Claim (The Forbidden Saga #4) - Maggie Ryan Page 0,8
her name on the license.”
Lucas nodded and grinned, his thoughts going to a special item he had carried for weeks, hoping to one day be able to present it to Lucy. “Don’t worry, Edward. We may be men who demand absolute submission and obedience, but we are both men of integrity. Your ward will remain a virgin until our wedding night.”
Edward chuckled, knowing just how hard it would be for his dear friend to keep his promise and was extremely glad that he had no reason to deny his own needs.
The two men easily carried their small charges up the stairs to the door. It was promptly opened, and they stepped into the house. Mrs. Bremmer stood waiting in the hallway as Edward turned to speak quietly to Lucas.
“I will hold you to your word, Lucas,” he said and then grinned. “Although if she manages to go long without giving you cause to bare and redden her bottom, I shall be surprised.”
Lucas nodded. “Redden her bottom I shall no longer hesitate to do, Edward. That I can also promise you,” Lucas said.
Nodding, Edward motioned Anna to precede them up the stairs. Anna said nothing but smiled as she unabashedly listened to their quiet conversation. They all paused before Lucy’s door.
“I’ll take care of her, sir,” Anna said after opening the door. Lucas gave her a smile and walked into the room, placing the sleeping girl on her bed.
“She’s to be my wife, Anna,” Lucas said proudly.
Anna smiled but it was obvious she wasn’t surprised after hearing the men speak. “Congratulations, Lucas, I always had faith that you’d capture our Lucy’s heart,” she said quietly and reached up to stroke his cheek. “You will make her a fine husband,” she said, and then chuckled. “I warn you though, these little ones might be twins, but you, sir, are taking on a sweet little hellion.”
Lucas smiled and bent to kiss the housekeeper’s cheek. “Edward has already said the same, Miss Anna,” he said sincerely. “And as I told him, I wouldn’t have it any other way. If Edward isn’t careful, I just might persuade you to come to Hunter’s Ridge. I have a feeling our little one might need you.”
Anna chuckled as she walked him to the door. “I’m needed here, sir,” she said and saw Edward smiling at her after shooting Lucas a warning glance. “I have no desire to leave Wintercrest. However, if you truly decide you need more help than you currently have, I’m sure we can work together to find a proper nanny. Now, scoot. I need to put your little one to bed and find my own. It is very late, and church comes early.”
Anna shut the door behind Lucas and soon was coaxing Lucy to wake enough to allow her gown to be removed. As she turned Lucy to unlace the tight corset, Lucy wondered if, like Louisa, she’d soon see the uncomfortable garment removed from her wardrobe altogether.
“I hear congratulations are in order, little one,” Anna said as she began to remove the pins from Lucy’s hair. “Lord Huntington is a good man. You made an excellent choice.”
Lucy was incredibly sleepy but smiled. “I love him, Mrs. Bremmer,” she said, unable to keep the happiness from her voice. “I know you’ve known him such he was a small lad and I want you to know that I will try to make him happy.”
Anna smiled as she ran the brush through the girl’s waist-length hair before plaiting it. She pulled a nightgown over Lucy’s head and helped her climb between the sheets. “I know you will, Lucille,” she said. “Your life changed the moment you made your choice.”
Lucy smiled and nodded as she felt herself begin to drift into sleep. “I’m ready,” she whispered.
Anna smiled and swept her own lips across Lucy's cheek. “I pray it is so, but you’re going to learn that while your Lucas is a gentle giant, when he is riled he won’t hesitate to set your feet back onto the proper path, even if only after he reddens your bum. Sweet dreams, little one.”
Lucy’s brow furrowed at the woman’s words. She remembered that her very first introduction to her fiancé had been his hand smacking against her bottom. She felt her face flush at the memory and also remembered he had never apologized for the spanking. Instead, he had actually warned her a few times since that she should never question his intent to discipline her misbehavior. She closed her eyes