Her Lord's Desire (The Forbidden Saga #3) - Maggie Ryan
Prologue
“Will I really have suitors, sir?”
Edward sat back in his chair, seeming a little surprised that her first question hadn’t been one demanding he explain his rules. She couldn’t fault him as she hadn’t expected that question to be the first thing that popped into her head, yet she discovered she really would like to hear his answer.
He smiled and answered, “Yes, my dear. I fear you shall have several.”
“You fear?”
Chuckling, he nodded. “I simply mean that you are a very beautiful woman, Lucille, and will draw the attention of most every available bachelor. That alone assures that, as your guardian, I shall have a lot to deal with. However, beauty is not the greatest gift you have to offer, and I want you to remember that you will only be allowed to court those men whom I decide are suitable. I warn you now, my criteria are very strict, and I doubt that many will meet my expectations.”
Lucy listened, a bit unsure how to proceed and wondering what possible gifts she had for any suitor. Setting that question aside, she shyly forced herself to ask another. “What of my expectations, sir? Shouldn’t the choice be mine?”
Laughing as if he found her quite amusing, he shook his head. “Hardly, Lucy. Your father agreed that I was the proper one for Louisa and, Lucille, he also made it clear which type of man he wanted to be your mate. I find I not only agree with his desires but, having you as my ward, I have decided his requirements were still far too lenient for you, little one.”
Lucy was suddenly missing her father and wished she could speak to both of her parents. “What… what did my father wish for me, sir?”
Edward took his time as if seriously considering her question and didn’t speak for several minutes. And when he answered, it was with a question of his own. “I believe you can answer your own question, wouldn’t you agree? After all, you are your sister’s twin. Your father wanted the very best for both of you.”
She looked at him, then looked away. Though almost afraid of his answer, she quietly asked her next question. “Someone like you, sir? Someone who treats his wife more like a child than an adult woman? Someone who has so many rules and… and if he is not obeyed, punishes her?”
“Yes, someone exactly like me,” he answered without a moment’s hesitation. “Someone who loves his wife—his little one—with his whole heart, his entire soul. Someone who would give his own life to protect his wife and what is his. Lucy, you will find that there are many types of men in this world. Your father was a very good man who loved his family fiercely. A man who, though you might not believe me, knew exactly what you require to live a completely fulfilled life. You don’t need and would never be truly happy with a weak man, Lucy.”
His words reminded Lucy of what Lord Eddinberg had said. She flushed, her hands twisting in her lap. “Are you… you going to teach me, sir?”
He smiled gently, saying, “Yes, Lucy. I will be but one teacher in your life. There are more than simple rules to live by in order to get through life. Your lessons begin under your parents’ tutelage and institutions are but another stage of a person’s life. Lessons in grammar, history, geography and mathematics serve to help make someone more intelligent. However, the value of life’s lessons is priceless. Life isn’t simply something to get through one day at a time. Life is something that should truly be lived to its fullest.”
“I’m not sure I understand, sir.”
Edward leaned forward and gathered both of her hands in his. “I spoke of your beauty, but that is but a small part of who you are. You are a strong, spirited woman who has much to offer. Your mind is inquisitive, your heart is large, your soul is kind and there is a hunger, a craving within you that is just waiting to be set free. There were undoubtedly times when you believed you wouldn’t survive under the strap, and yet you not only did, you thrived with every welt painted across your bottom.” Ignoring her gasp and the shaking of her head, he grinned and squeezed her fingers again. “You did, little one, and you will also thrive as you discover passions you have no idea exist. However, you are going to have to trust