Lucy's Journey Home (Hunter's Ridge) (9 page)

“That was very good, little one,” he said and she flushed with pleasure.  The four played two games with Emmie winning one and Lord Northbridge the other.  Lucy didn’t mind not winning
; she was having a great deal of fun.  Stefan put the sticks back into the can.

“Why don’t you girls play together for a bit while I talk with Lucy’s Papa?” Stefan sug
gested.  Emmaline immediately slid from her chair and reached for Lucy’s hand.  Lucy looked at Lucas who gave her a nod.  She smiled and the two girls walked to sit on a pair of soft cushions that were a short distance away.  Lucas and Stefan left the table to sit in a pair of chairs slightly behind them which would allow the men to keep a close eye on their girls. 

“Do you have a doll?” Emma
line asked as she picked up one from the floor, obviously having left it there earlier.  Lucy nodded.

“Yes, but I…I left her in my room
,” Lucy said wishing she had brought Nellie.  Emmaline smiled and placed the doll on the floor between them.

“
That’s okay, Lucy; we can share.  This is Carolina,” she said and the girls took turns using a small brush on the doll’s long, wheat-colored hair.  Lucy looked over her shoulder and saw that the men were occupied with newspapers.

“
Emmaline, how…how long have you been your Papa’s umm, little-girl wife?” Lucy bravely asked. 

“Call me Emmie
.” Emmaline smiled softly and told her that she had wed her Papa almost a year earlier. She seemed a bit surprised when Lucy confessed she had yet to be married a full week.  Emmaline would never have guessed the woman was so new to her role as not only her husband’s wife, but his little child-bride as well. 

“Um, were you always
treated as a little girl?” Emmaline finally dared asked.  Lucy blushed and softly told her new friend about her parents’ deaths in a carriage accident, how she had been taken in by her twin’s husband and discovered that her sister’s marriage to Lord Wintercrest was far more demanding than Lucy had ever imagined. 

“I
suppose that living with Louisa and Uncle Edward made it easier for me.  I had never known that…well, that a lot of women lived like…like Louisa did.  I met a lot of little girls just like us at this special church we attended,” Lucy confessed and realized how true the statement was.  “I…I fell in love with Luc…I mean, my Papa, the first time he spanked me.”  She stopped speaking for a moment when she heard Emmaline’s surprised gasp and giggled, continuing by explaining how Lucas had plucked her off the library ladder and popped her bottom because she had been doing something he considered dangerous.  Emmie could understand as she had often gotten a hard spanking whenever her husband thought she was doing something that might endanger her safety.  Emmie realized she could tell how much Lucy loved her Papa simply by listening to her talk. 

“Your n
anny doesn’t look very old,” Emmie said.  “I met her earlier.”  Lucy nodded, and after hesitating a moment, explained how Molly had become her nanny.  Emmie’s eyes grew wide.  “Isn’t it hard to…I mean how can you think of her as a nanny when she used to be your maid?”  Lucy shrugged her shoulders.

“I guess I don’t have a choice, Emmie,” Lucy admitted.
  “My Papa wanted her to be my nanny.  I think he believed it would be easier for me when we get to our home.  It is hard though.  She used to call me Miss Lucy or Miss Furniss.  She would come whenever I called and do whatever I asked.  Now I have to call her Miss Molly and she calls me little-one or just Lucy and…and…it’s strange.”  Emmie nodded understanding how the transition could be difficult.

“My n
anny is much older,” she admitted.  “She used to be a nanny to another little girl but when they moved to America, Miss Bertha didn’t want to go.”  She went on to tell Lucy that she had been sent to a special school to learn how to be a little child-bride.  Lucy was enthralled with the story, wondering whether the school was one like Miss Summers’ school. 

“I know a lady that runs her own school,” Lucy said quietly.  “She…she is friends with my Uncle Edward and my Papa.  Her name is Miss Summers and
… ”

“Oh!” Emmie gasped, her eyes growing wide.  “That’s my school.  Did…did you go to school there?”  Lucy was shocked at the fact that the girl she had just met not only knew Eleanor
Summers but had been one of her students. 

“No…my…my Papa is teaching me.  My sister’s husband taught her as well.  I never knew of anyone that actually went to school to learn…well, to learn this…this way to live,” Lucy said, her eyes once more darting to make sure the men weren’t listening.  “How…what…what did you learn?”  She saw Emmie blush and reached out to pat her hand.  “I’m
sorry; you don’t have to tell me.  I…I know it’s private.”  Emmie nodded, her heart pounding as memories of all she had learned flashed into her mind.  She had been but one of many students spending several months in training.  Having just met Lucy, she was too shy to discuss her classes.

“I…maybe I can tell you someday,” Emmie said softly.  “I…I learned a lot, especially not to be naughty. 
My nanny used to work for Miss Summers before she worked with the family that moved overseas.  I guess that’s how my Papa found her for me.”  Emmie seemed to hesitate as her memories flowed freely.  “Umm…has…has Miss Summers ever spanked you?” 

It was Lucy’s turn to flush even as she shook her head.  “No, but…but she threatened to.  I…I think she is beautiful but she’s a little frightening.
  She…she helped prepare me for my wedding night since my mother has passed.”

Emmie
reached out to pat Lucy’s hand in sympathy and the tension lessened.  “She is beautiful and most of the time she is very nice.  Believe me; you are very lucky she only threatened.  She is horrid with a cane,” she said and Lucy saw her shudder, obviously remembering undergoing such a punishment.  Lucy wisely changed the subject though she was dying to know more about what happened in the school and hoping that one day Emmie would tell her more.

“Is your n
anny nice, Emmie?” Lucy asked quietly, looking once more over her shoulder.  She saw her Papa looking at her and smiled; Lucas smiled back before returning to his paper.  She turned her attention to Emmie.

“Most of the time,” Emmie answered softly.  “She…she is awful with the tawse though.  It hurts dreadfully when she spanks me with it.”  Lucy blushed remembering how horrific a tawse felt when used on her own bottom.
  “Is your nanny nice?” Emmie asked.  Lucy thought for a moment and then nodded.

“Yes,” Lucy admitted.  “She…she has only swatted me
twice and it was with her hand. I…I don’t know if she will ever use a tawse but I know she has one in her pocket.  My sister’s nanny, Mrs. Bremmer, spanked me a lot with the one in her pocket – it hurt!”  Emmie giggled.

“They have all sorts of horrid things in their pockets, don’t they?” Emmie said and Lucy had to agree.  The girls were soon lying on their stomachs, flipping through a picture book and making up their own story.  They would giggle together and use various voices for the animals that were in the pictures.  Lucas lowered his paper when their laughter rang throughout the car.  He realized he felt
peaceful and perfectly content and was very pleased that his little one had indeed found a friend.  Stefan was also watching the two girls closely.  As the girls continued to read, the men spoke quietly together, forming a plan that they would keep as a surprise for their little ones until after dinner.

Too soon, Lucy looked up to see Molly approaching with an older woman.  She
understood it was Emmie’s own nanny.  Lucy stood and gave the woman a curtsy as Molly introduced them.  The girls were led to their Papas, instructed to thank them for a nice afternoon and then taken to be prepared for dinner.  Lucy was very disappointed when Emmie was led through the door on the opposite end of the reading car.  She suddenly found herself afraid that they would not meet again.

“Don’t fret so, Lucy,” Molly said as she led Lucy back towards their compartments.  “
It is very nice that you have found a little friend.  I’m sure you and Emmie will have plenty of time to play.  We will be traveling for another two days, after all.”  Lucy relaxed and smiled up at Molly.

“I wish she had met Cleo,” Lucy said.  Molly smiled, happy to see her young charge so happy and carefree. 

“I’m sure that can be arranged if you and she are both very good little girls,” Molly said.  Lucy flushed but nodded and prayed that Emmie would be allowed to visit Cleo soon.  Molly led Lucy back into the compartment and after stripping her nude once more, gave her a quick sponge bath and then dressed her in a new dress, a light blue one with a white collar and cuffs.  Lucy stood patiently while her hair was brushed until it shone and a blue ribbon tied to hold it off her face.  When she was almost ready, Lucas entered the compartment to change as well.  Molly left to prepare herself, making sure to spend a few moments with her roommate, Lucy’s precious Cleo.

Dinner was wonderful with the girls delighted to be allowed to sit next to each other, their Papas across from them, their nannies seated at a table next to the two couples. 
Lucy didn’t balk when Molly had placed her napkin once more into the collar of her dress, though it helped to see that Emmie was also wearing a bib. Emmie’s bib was one she obviously brought with her as it was embroidered with small flowers and completely covered the front of her own childish dress.  Molly remarked upon it and Bertha assured her that she could show her how to make several for Lucy.  Lucy flushed but wisely said nothing when she saw that Molly seemed pleased with the offer. 

The server again placed her milk before her in a beautiful wine glass.  The meal was delicious, tender chicken with a variety of vegetables.  Lucy didn’t like broccoli
and pushed the small bites around and around her plate.  Lucas reached over and placed his hand on hers, stilling her fork.  She looked up to see his eyebrow lifted and swallowed hard.  He released her hand and watched as she speared a bite and put it into her mouth.  He smiled and nodded and Lucy made sure to eat every piece of broccoli on her plate.  The girls didn’t speak unless they were asked a direct question.  They ate slowly and neatly, Lucy finishing her milk without complaint.  She saw Emmie finish her glass of water and felt a flash of resentment that she hadn’t been forced to drink the awful beverage.  Stefan had watched Lucy and knew from her expression that she didn’t particularly care for milk but was pleased to see her drinking it without fussing or whining.  He wondered if all little ones detested drinking something that helped them stay healthy. 

“
Good girl,” Lucas said when Lucy set her empty glass onto the table.  Lucy blushed but was happy to have pleased her Papa by not making a fuss.  Stefan saw his own wife squirm just a bit and smiled. 

“I hope that Emmie will soon learn to drink her own milk
out of a glass all by herself, like you do, Lucy,” Stefan said and Lucy’s eyes flew to his as she listened to his words.  Lucy’s gaze went to Emmie who was flushed.  “She’s learning the hard way that little girls must take their daily dose of milk in order to become healthy, strong little ones.  I’m sure she will be quite happy when once more allowed to drink from a glass instead of receiving her milk from a bottle. Won’t that be nice, Emmaline?” 

Lucy saw her friend swallow hard, her face growing even redder as she nodded.

“Yes, Papa,” she answered.  Lucy puzzled over Lord Northbridge’s phrasing and her friend’s obvious embarrassment.  Lucy looked to see Lucas smiling but he didn’t offer an explanation.  Nothing more was said as the server arrived to remove their empty plates.  Lucas was extremely proud of his wife’s behavior despite the lack of enthusiasm for her vegetable.  He was pleased to have met and befriended the couple sharing their meal.  Once both girls had eaten a small slice of cake, having been told they had earned it by being so well-behaved, Stefan spoke.

“We have a surprise for you both,” he said and smiled when both the women looked at him expectantly.  “Lucy, your Papa and I have decided that it would be very nice if you and my Emmie could spend time together. 
I’ve asked the porter to move our belongings to the vacant compartments in your own car.”  He was rewarded when both girls squealed and impulsively hugged each other.  Molly and Bertha both smiled as well, knowing that though the move would make both girls happy, it would also serve to be beneficial for them.  Bertha had listened to Molly’s story and immediately decided to take the young woman under her wing.  She was determined to teach Molly as much as she could about what it took to perform her duties, especially those specific to the needs of these special little women.  Molly had felt instantly relieved that she had a source to go to, a woman who had far more experience.

The men stood and helped their little ones from their chairs, wiping their faces with their napkins.

“Go with your nannies, girls,” Lucas said.  “It is time for you to get your baths and go to bed.”  Lucy hesitated but then took a chance.

“May I introduce Emmie to Cleo first, Papa?  I promise it won’t take long and I’ll go right to sleep,” Lucy said holding her breath in anticipation.  Lucas saw Stefan nod and gave his consent.

“Only for a few minutes, Kitten,” he said.  “I expect you to mind Miss Molly and get right to sleep without any fussing.”  Lucy promised she would and the girls kissed their Papas on the cheek and were soon being led by their hands to their compartment.  Bertha excused herself as she wanted to make sure their new compartments were in the proper order.  Molly assured her that she would return Emmie to her room in a few minutes.  The girls were soon sitting on the floor, both holding ribbons and laughing as the kitten played between them.  All too soon, Molly announced it was time for Emmie to go and though both girls wished to continue to play, they wisely kept their thoughts to themselves.  Once Emmie was safely in her room, Molly gathered several items before leading Lucy back out into the corridor and to the water closet at the end of the corridor.