Her Lord's Desire (The Forbidden Saga #3) - Maggie Ryan Page 0,41

when he returned to the front parlor to rejoin the others. Louisa, who was sitting very quietly next to her husband, looked at him closely. Though he gave the package to Edward and was thanked for the gift of fine cigars, he had the distinct feeling that Edward’s wife knew his mind was elsewhere. Her head tilted to the side as if she knew something had transpired in his absence and when her smile slid from her lips, he knew she understood that it hadn’t been pleasant.

While the others conversed in the parlor, Lucy was returned to the solitude of the library and pressed back down onto the settee and the dress placed back into her hands. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear the sheen of tears from her eyes. Her bottom might have been spared, but her mouth and tongue were burning. Mrs. Bremmer had dragged her into the kitchen and scolded the entire time she scrubbed out Lucy’s naughty mouth. Lucy was soon gagging and spitting as bubbles frothed from her lips like some sort of rabid animal. Mrs. Bremmer washed her mouth two additional times before releasing her, obviously not caring that several kitchen staff witnessed the cleansing.

“You might think you were saved, young lady,” Anna said, as she escorted Lucy back to the library. “However, tomorrow you will apologize to Lord Huntington and your guardian. I will not have any guests in this house think we allow little girls to speak as if they were raised in a gutter. Do not make me remind you to do as I say,” she warned. “If I have to do so, I promise you, your mouth will not be the next part of your anatomy that is filled with soap!”

Though Lucille wasn’t clear on what the housekeeper meant by that statement, she simply nodded her head. “Yes, ma’am, I’m so sorry. I honestly didn’t mean to curse,” Lucy apologized.

Anna nodded and waited until Lucy was busy working on her mending before saying, “Have that done quickly, Lucille; your bedtime is only a short while away.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Lucy said, blinking rapidly to hold tears at bay, and moving her fingers as fast as possible, she worked the needle in and out of the fabric. Lucy grimaced each time she swallowed, swearing she could still taste the horrid soap coating her tongue and throat. When Molly entered to tell her it was time for bed, Lucy had just finished snipping the thread. Standing, she carefully folded the dress neatly before putting in on the settee, knowing that Mrs. Bremmer would inspect the dress and decide if her work met her high standards. She followed Molly up the stairs, vaguely aware of voices coming from the front parlor, praying that no one saw her. She was embarrassed and so tired that all she wanted was to crawl into her bed. Within minutes of slipping between her cool sheets, Lucy had her doll clutched to her chest as she fell into sleep.

Chapter 9

Edward kissed his little one good night when Mrs. Bremmer entered the parlor. Once Louisa had left them, the men accepted glasses of brandy from Eleanor and lit their cigars. Charles was a bit concerned that the conversation obviously was going to include Edward’s houseguest. He forced himself to straighten in his chair. If he was suitable material for the position of headmaster, he could certainly converse about what was necessary. He would simply pretend that Lord Huntington was the patron of one of his future students.

“Tell me, Charles,” Edward said making himself comfortable in his chair. “How have you enjoyed your schooling?” Charles could not stop a smile from crossing his lips.

“It has been very educational, Edward,” Charles said. “I can’t thank you or Eleanor enough for the opportunity.”

Eleanor smiled and reached out to pat his arm. “Edward, Charles is a wonderful student. He has already captured the heart of many of my little ones. He is a very quick learner as well,” Eleanor said with a smile.

“Since when have you accepted men… especially grown men as students in your school, Eleanor?” Lucas asked.

“I seem to recall you were quite the willing pupil in your own time,” Eleanor said.

Charles found that little tidbit quite interesting and was about to question Lucas, when Eleanor suggested, “Tell Edward about your first experience with the cane.”

Charles felt his face flush just a bit at the memory. He had spent every day from breakfast until bedtime at Eleanor’s school. He had been astonished that