Lord Edward's Law (Women of Wintercrest) by Maggie Ryan Read Free Book Online

he mentioned the several punishments he had delivered to it; her heart began to race and she finally acknowledged what she had witnessed earlier.  Edward paused and allowed his ward to think about his words before he continued.  He absently stroked his hand down his wife’s arm as he cuddled her to his chest. 
    “I am the Lord of Wintercrest, Lucille . As such, this household runs as I dictate.  Your sister is not only my wife, she is my little girl.”  He saw Lucy’s glance slide to Louisa and her face flushed.  What he was saying now appeared obvious.  Her sister was curled up on her husband’s lap, her long hair loose around her shoulders, her legs covered in white stockings, her feet clad in slip-on shoes.  Her dress was more appropriate to a very young child, unlike the long, stiff dress that Lucille had changed into for dinner.  Lucy looked even more closely at her twin and realized that while she herself was seated stiffly due to the tight corset Molly had helped lace her into, Louisa appeared for more comfortable.  Lucy’s color heightened as she realized that Louisa was obviously unencumbered by the stiff garment, indeed her rounded breasts pressed against the bib of her juvenile dress, their fullness filling out the dress quite nicely.  Lucy saw the lace of a petticoat peeking out from under the hem of the pink dress, and again noticed the absence of drawers.  She blushed and tore her eyes away from the sight. 
    Edward grinned and nodded, “Yes, Louisa is treated -- not as the lady of the manor -- but as a precious child.  She does not run the household, as most in her position do.  Mrs. Bremmer is the true mistress of Wintercrest.”  Lucy felt her heart pound as she remembered the awful woman.  She turned her attention back to Edward.
    “Why?” she managed to squeak out , hoping she wouldn’t find herself bottom-up for daring to ask the question.  She twisted her hands in her lap but knew she had to have a far better explanation.  Edward didn’t chastise her for the question.
    “Because I make the laws governing Wintercrest, and it is how I desire it should be.”  He didn’t elaborate for a moment, and Lucy realized that he was indeed the true Lord of his kingdom.  He took a moment to shift Louisa a bit, bending down to whisper something in her ear.  Lucy watched as Louisa shook her head slowly and then settle herself back into her husband’s embrace.  “I never wanted to wed a woman strictly for society reasons, Lucille.  I do not care what anyone thinks about my household or me.  I have a close circle of friends who all share my desires and my lifestyle.  Woman should be treasured and pampered and most certainly taken care of.  However, I have no desire to answer to any female.  I wed your sister with the intention of training her to become how I desire her to be.  She will always be safe with me.  I love her deeply and will always treasure her.”  He bent to press a kiss to Louisa’s temple and she smiled with contentment.  Lucy still found it hard to accept the words she was hearing.  Never would she have imagined Louisa happy or content at being so coddled.  She might be loved and treasured, but at what cost?  She didn’t want to listen to Edward any more.  What she wanted, what she needed was to be alone with Louisa and be able to talk directly to her.  She squirmed on the settee and winced as her bottom reminded her of her last spanking.  Humiliation burned through her, remembering how Mrs. Bremmer had reminded her several times to stick out her ‘naughty little bottom’ as she had spent all that time in the corner.  She had sworn she had heard others moving about the room, but her shame at being caught sneaking had kept her from daring to attempt a glance to see who else witnessed her shame.  She felt Edward’s eyes on her and her anger grew.
    “I don’t understand this , Edward.  I can’t believe a grown man wants his wife to behave like a