Page 15 of Her Lord's Law

It appeared to be almost a duplicate of her own nursery though there were a few things she didn’t recognize. She also saw a large cradle in one corner of the room and wondered if Amy really slept in it. Her eyes finally found her friend who was lying on a changing table much like her own. Amy didn’t seem the least bit concerned that she was discovered half naked by her friend. Louisa found herself returning Amy’s sweet smile. Claire, her nanny, returned to the changing table and spoke quietly to the young woman. Amy giggled and then Louisa watched as she obediently lifted her legs by herself and allowed her nanny to diaper her. When she was swaddled tight, she was helped off the table.

“Okay, Miss Louisa. It’s your turn.” Louisa looked around and saw the woman pull a chamber pot from a cabinet under the table. “Come sweetie, let’s get you pottied so you and Amy can go play.” Louisa was embarrassed but walked to the woman when she gestured to her. She wanted to ask for privacy, but before she could, she found her bloomers pulled down to her ankles and her dress lifted, as Claire efficiently guided her to squat over the pot.

“That’s a good girl. Go potty now. This is not the time to dawdle as I’m sure your papas are ready for their luncheon.”

Louisa blushed again, but nature took its course and she was soon being wiped clean and her clothing arranged. She found Amy taking her hand and pulling her from the nursery. Louisa forgot her discomfort as the girls ran down the hall, hair bouncing and giggles sounding as they went to find the men who cherished them.

Chapter 10

Charles watched as Lucy struggled with a new batch of equations. She had been studying for the past several hours and he knew her mind was crammed with numbers. In fact, it was evidently far too full as she had lost the ability to focus over the last few problems he’d presented her.

He finally plucked the pencil from her fingers and suggested, “I believe you can do with a small break. How about a walk about the garden? The fresh air will help clear your head and you can then begin again.”

Lucy’s entire face lit up, obviously wanting to agree, but he saw her eyes flick to the other side of the table where the housekeeper was sitting, her knitting needles flying as she chaperoned her young charge.

“With your permission, of course, Mrs. Bremmer,” he added, having experience enough to understand the older woman could be quite unapproving. He was very pleased to see her smile.

“I think that is a lovely idea. I’m sure Lucy would appreciate a bit of exercise. Lunch will be ready when you return and then Lucy may continue her studies. Go along, Lucy.”

Lucy jumped up, practically knocking her chair over in her excitement. Reaching out, she returned it to its four feet, a giggle escaping when her fingers encountered his as he’d reached out at the same moment. He felt a bit bereft when she snatched her hand away.

“I’m sorry. I-I guess I really could use a break. If only for a little while.”

“You have quite the reflexes, Miss Furniss,” Charles said with a smile. “There is no need to apologize. I’m aware of how hard you’ve been working and it’s wonderful to see you smile. Shall we?” Bending his arm, she shyly put her hand into the crook of his elbow. He led her out of the house and onto the path that would lead them throughout the lovely gardens.

Lucy lifted her face to the sky, closing her eyes as if drinking in the fresh air. Charles watched a tendril of soft golden hair lift in the breeze to dance against her flushed face. She opened her eyes and smiled and his heart skipped a beat. Though they were walking among beautifully laid out beds that were bursting with blooming flowers, he couldn’t keep his eyes off the astonishing young woman on his arm. It was as if he hadn’t truly seen her before. Though he had taught both her and her sister, seeing them in an environment outside of the school removed the veil from his eyes. Charles realized he no longer thought of Lucille as his student. Ever since yesterday he had been thinking of her as a woman and also as a possible wife. He wondered if there was any hope she could have similar thoughts.

“Professor?”

Charles startled a bit, realizing he’d stopped near the exact same spot he had stood to listen to Lucy’s punishment the day before. He glanced toward the house and could swear he heard the quiet echo of her cries. Lucy had no idea he was remembering the sound of her voice crying out her pain as she was being paddled for failing her first exam. She began to grow restless when he didn’t continue their walk.

“Do you want to return to the house?” she asked quietly

Grateful she couldn’t read his mind, he looked down at her. He knew, of course, that students were subject to corporal discipline at the school, but he had never even spanked a woman before, much less paddled or caned one. He wondered what it would feel like to have this woman bent forward, offering her bottom for correction. His thoughts went further as he imagined what her bottom would look like as it was bared to him for his hand to stroke, to pat and then to actually spank. He wondered what it would sound like as his palm connected with her bared flesh. Would her cries be the same he’d heard before or would the tone change beneath his hand as he reddened her porcelain skin? Would she beg and plead for mercy or simply cry out her contrition as he spanked her little bum? He felt his cock stir inside his pants which was immediately accompanied by his face heating.

“Oh.”

The single word so quietly spoken truly got his attention. Grateful that the young woman’s eyes weren’t on him, he followed her gaze to where she was looking at the open window of what must be her guardian’s study. Charles saw her distress and was immediately ashamed of himself and his indecent thoughts.

“You are right, Miss Furniss. We should return and continue your studies. I want you to do very well on your last practice exam. I don’t want you to have to repeat your… um, the discomfort of yesterday’s failure.”

It was clear that Lucy knew what he meant, understood that he must have been able to hear her cries when Edward had paddled her yesterday. Her face was quite flushed, she began to tremble and when she didn’t speak, Charles placed his hand over hers.

“Please, Lucille, don’t be embarrassed. I assure you that I have nothing but the highest regard for you despite your… um, your…” He knew he was simply making the poor girl feel worse and had no idea how to continue his thoughts. Instead, he patted her hand and turned back toward the house.

If the housekeeper noticed that they both were flushed when the entered the house, she didn’t mention it. The table had been cleared and they sat down to lunch. They were quiet as they ate thin slices of veal and roasted potatoes, both obviously unsure of what to speak about.

The two continued their lessons after luncheon. Lucy was busy working down a column of problems when Charles heard the front door open. Lucy looked up and Charles began to stand when the astonishing sight before him froze him in place. Instead of seeing a replica of his student, he saw a very pretty little girl standing beside Lord Wintercrest who was removing the cloak from her shoulders. Charles realized it wasn’t a child, but the lady of the manor. Besides a flush that moved up to color her face when she evidently realized they had a guest, Louisa didn’t speak or turn away. Edward handed both his coat and Louisa’s cloak to a waiting servant who made a small curtsy before taking them away. Only when Edward gave his wife a glance did she respond.

She dropped her own small curtsy and greeted their guest, “Good afternoon, Professor Lloyds.”

Charles finally managed to stand to his full height and found his voice. “Ummm, good afternoon, Lady Wintercrest, Lord Wintercrest.”

Edward nodded to him, but obviously felt no need to explain anything to the tutor he’d hired. Instead, Charles watched him look down at his small wife and spoke quietly but clearly as her eyes met his. “Go to your room, Louisa. I’ll be up in a moment to discuss how important it is to pay attention during services before tucking you into bed. Mrs. Bremmer will escort you while I check on Lucy’s progress.”

Louisa nodded and hurried out of the room followed up the stairs by Mrs. Bremmer.

Only when she was out of sight did Edward return his attention to Charles. “And how is our little student progressing, professor?”

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