bottom being pressed to the surface of her chair. She swiped her hands down her skirts and then bent and picked up the stack of items. She stood, wincing a bit at the pull of the weals that burned hottest in the creases of her sit spots courtesy of Mrs. Bremmer’s tawse. Taking another deep breath, she swiped a tear from her cheek and began the journey to her guardian’s study.
Chapter 2
Edward heard the timid knock on his door and pushed aside the business correspondence he had been reading. He had already completed working on the household accounts while waiting for Lucille to finish her sewing and come to him.
“Come in,” he said and watched as the thick door slowly opened. Lucille stepped inside and turned to close the door behind her. Edward knew she was attempting to appear brave but knew her legs were probably shaking. She stood for a moment as if unsure where to go.
“Come here, Lucille,” Edward directed and motioned toward his desk. Lucy walked forward, her eyes darting to glance at the large armoire that held a prominent place in the room. Edward was aware of her thoughts knowing she was aware of what resided on shelves and hooks behind the beautifully carved teak doors. He watched her approach, his gaze raking up and down her petite form. She looked exactly as he desired. While not dressed anywhere as young as her twin, she no longer looked like a modern young woman either. Edward had placed a large order with a local seamstress and had been explicit in what he desired. Seeing his ward wearing one of the new dresses assured him he had made the proper choices for her attire.
The dress was a pale gray color with a wide bib collar of stark white. The bodice was plain and dropped to a low-waisted skirt where another white band encircled Louisa’s hips. Beneath the band, a skirt fell to land at mid-calf, the dozens of pleats opening and closing with Lucy’s steps. Below the hem of the dress, Lucy was wearing thin black stockings and her feet were shod in slip-on simple black shoes. Unlike the dresses Louisa wore daily, there were no large bows or unneeded adornments on this dress. Edward knew it resembled much more a uniform than any dress a young woman of courting age wished to wear. He smiled knowing that Lucy’s wardrobes held nothing but duplicates of this dress though of different colors. Lucy was unaware of his perusal as her gaze finally shifted away from the armoire. When she had reached Edward’s desk, she stopped, the garments held tightly against her chest.
“Did you complete your task?” he asked nodding toward the fabric.
“Ye… yes, sir,” Lucy answered.
“Good, place them here, if you please,” he instructed patting the area he had cleared in front of him. Lucy placed her pile where indicated and then stood back, her hands twisting in the fabric of her dress. Edward ignored her unease as he picked up the first item. He watched color rush from beneath the bodice of her dress, up the slim column of her throat to bloom across her cheeks as he unfolded the garment. Dropping his eyes to the soft white cloth in his hands, he began to check her work. Edward knew her embarrassment came from seeing him examine the intimate garment he was sure she’d never expected any man other than her husband to see much less to touch.
“You’ve done well, Lucille,” Edward said admiring the small and even stitches. “I am pleased to see you took your time and did very neat work. I’m sure Mrs. Bremmer would agree with me.”
“Tha… thank you, sir,” Lucy said softly hoping against hope that her diligence in her work might be enough. “Mrs. Bremmer made me remove any stitch that wasn’t neatly placed and redo it. I worked all day, sir,” she added.
Edward smiled and looked at her. “I know, little one. Mrs. Bremmer has kept me abreast of your progress,” he said. “She’s also informed me that you will not be allowed to cover your bottom until I approve your work. That you’ve been reminded to lift your skirts and sit on your bare bottom since leaving your room after your tawsing. Is that correct?”
Lucy closed her eyes, her shame at being naked beneath her skirts obvious. Opening them, she answered, “Yes, sir.”
“I believe you have earned the right to wear your new drawers,” Edward said and stood. Lucy trembled