Blessed Beginnings (Hunter's Ridge Book 4) (20 page)

Peals of laughter drifted on the wind as the group wove their way through the trees. Puffs of white came from the horses' nostrils with each breath taken. Blue skies with white fluffy clouds allowed rays of sunlight to dance on the blanket of snow, making it a perfect afternoon to enjoy a ride. The moment Stefan lifted Emmie onto her horse, she'd been unable to hold back her giggles, the other two girls soon giggling as well.

"Do I even wish to know what my girl finds so amusing?" Stefan asked.

"I was just remembering the last time we rode," Emmie said. "I'm quite happy that I won't be worried about bouncing in the saddle today." Her husband grinned and mounted his own horse, understanding she was speaking of riding with a tender bottom the last time they'd visited Hunter's Ridge.

Lucas led the group through the estate until the reached the open meadows. "Oh, it's so beautiful," Lucy said as they pulled up in a group. Acres of pristine snow spread out before them. She looked over at her husband and smiled. "Race you?"

"What is the prize when I win?" he asked.

"Who says you will win?" Lucy teased as she kicked her heels against Delilah's flanks and the horse surged forward. His deep laughter rang out as Samson leapt to follow. Soon the two were racing across the field, Emmie and Louisa urging Lucy on. Despite their encouragement, they weren't truly surprised when Lucas drew even with his wife and then the two finished the race side by side. By the time the other four reached the finish line, Lucas had pulled his wife from the saddle to sit on his lap, Samson not seeming to mind the added weight.

"Papa! Your lips are cold!" Lucy squealed as he nuzzled her neck.

"But my heart is warm," Lucas responded, his comment causing her to sink back against him, their mouths finding each other's. The race had ended beside a grove of trees the couple had visited before. Both remembered lying in the grass, Lucas proving exactly how wonderful the special tailoring of Lucy's riding skirt made it possible to undo a few flaps and then sink into her willing body.

The clearing of throats broke them apart and as Lucy took several deep breaths, her sister and friend smiled in complete understanding of how the world could fall away when in the arms of the men who loved them so intensely.

They rode for another hour until the wind began to pick up, lifting snow in the air to mingle with fresh flurries that began to fall. "It's like the old is welcoming the new," Louisa said as she leaned her head back and stuck out her tongue to catch a few flakes.

Edward bit back a moan as his cock lengthened beneath the fall of his riding breeches. Riding close, he leaned towards his wife as they entered the yards of the stables. Dismounting, he handed the reins to a stable boy and then raised his arms to lift his wife from the saddle. As he slid her down the length of his body, he bent close. "We may not have raced, but I will be seeking a prize."

Violet blue eyes looked up at him and cheeks turned pink from the cold turned even darker when he continued. "I can think of a far better use for that little tongue of yours, little lady."

"You must be reading my mind," Louisa said, fluttering her eyelashes as she laid a hand against his chest. "I was just thinking how wonderful it will be to lap up the whipped cream on top of the hot cocoa that I'm sure Mrs. Grover has prepared for us."

The other couples turned when a sharp squeal rang out and then all four smiled to see Louisa being held tight to Edward's chest, his hand swatting playfully against her backside. Stefan turned to Lucas and grinned. "I know these little ones just woke up from their naps not long ago, but after this exercise, I'm quite sure they all need to go back to bed."

"I couldn't agree more," Lucas said as the group began to walk back towards the house. He'd seen Louisa catching snowflakes on her tongue and had seen Edward's reaction. He had absolutely no doubt that it was the same one he'd had that day at the pond. Slapping his friend on the back, he grinned. "But this time, they won't be going alone."

They did enjoy cups of hot cocoa, but not in the library or the dining room. Instead, bell pulls were rung and trays were brought upstairs to three rooms. Sated little ones were spoiled by equally sated Papas, who fed them bites of Christmas goodies while held on laps beneath thick duvets or warm blankets seated before roaring fires. Yes, Lucy thought, it had been a perfect day to ride.

At dinner that evening, they listened as Ettie told them about the play. "It was wonderful. I'm so glad that Mr. Benedict invited me, as well. I was amazed at the actors who played the spirits. It was a little frightening."

"We could all tell," Bea said as she buttered a roll. "We could all hear you squealing."

"And what of you, Franny? Did you enjoy yourself?" Lucas asked.

"What?" Franny said as she looked up from her plate, which still contained most of her dinner.

"I asked whether you enjoyed yourself," Lucas repeated.

"Oh, yes. I think they performed very well. I've seen other productions of
A Christmas Carol
but this one was the best. I've always loved Dickens."

"So does Mr. Benedict," Ettie offered. "Isn't it wonderful that both Franny and Mr. Benedict love reading so much? Look at all the different authors out there. I mean, they are constantly discussing books and will never run out of subject matter."

Lucas wondered at Franny's barely concealed grimace before she realized he was looking at her. She quickly began to eat, as if just now realizing her plate was full of food. Once again, he wondered about what his sister was hiding and wished she would confide in him. However, he took her at her word that nothing was scaring her as Drakemore had. Seeing her give him a quick glance and noticing she seemed to be squirming a bit on her chair, she suddenly reminded him of his wife. Well, well. Though he'd be truly surprised to discover she'd been naughty, he couldn't deny he was seeing the signs he often saw on Lucy's face when she felt guilty about something. He'd give her another day but despite her reticence, he'd demand she come clean before Christmas. Turning his attention back to Ettie, he asked about her escort.

"And Lord Lenar? Did he have any opinion?" Lucas asked.

Ettie took a moment to think and then shrugged. "He didn't say much at all. I think he enjoyed himself but I'm never really sure. He is always polite but he doesn't talk very much."

The conversation turned to other topics and when they left the table, Lucy wasn't surprised to see one of her sisters-in-law ask Lucas if she could speak with him, but she was surprised that it was Emmie doing the asking. The other girls moved into the library and gathered around the table, where the jigsaw puzzle was close to being completed. Edward and Stefan sat across from each other at another table and began a game of chess. Frank and Bea had already excused themselves, as Bea stated she was tired from the outing.

With Lucas and Ettie speaking elsewhere, Lucy turned to Franny. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Franny said in reassurance and then began to stand. "But I am a bit tired. I think I'll retire if you'll excuse me."

"Please don't go," Lucy said, reaching for her hand. "We are all worried about you."

"You don't need to be," Franny said, pulling her hand free.

Louisa spoke quietly. "We are here if you need us, I hope you know that."

Franny looked around the table and then nodded. "I-I do, and I'm sure I'll need you all soon. For now, I'm just… I just need some time to think. Goodnight."

They watched her go and all three sighed. "I just hope that she finds the answers she seeks," Louisa said.

"Yes, no matter what the outcome, it has to be better to face it than to continue like this. I just pray that it is soon." Lucy's concern was shared by the others, but all knew that sometimes the only place to find answers was deep inside your heart and soul. They'd be there to support Franny no matter what decision she finally made.

Inside his study, Lucas sat beside his sister on the settee, listening as she poured out her feelings.

"I mean, how do you choose? I really never expected to have more than one suitor and I'm just so confused."

"Sweetie, relax. You are so very young and have plenty of time to choose. Give yourself time—"

"I don't need time," Ettie interrupted. "I need you to tell me I won't be hurting one when choosing the other. I want you to tell me which man is the best one."

Chuckling, Lucas shook his head. "I'll tell you what I told Franny. The choice of a husband is the most important decision you will make. And, Ettie, it is a decision
you
will have to make. I know that some of your friends have been betrothed to men chosen by their parents for one reason or another. Though I know a great deal of these marriages work, I just don't feel the same way about arranged marriages. I want you to listen to your heart before you walk down the aisle."

She nodded and spent several minutes just gazing into the distance. Finally, she turned to look at him. "But what if my heart is leading me to one while my mind is telling me that the other might be best? I mean, I know I've been coddled and spoiled my entire life. Shouldn't I grow up and try to repay that kindness to another?"

Lucas took his time to answer. "You have a good heart, Ettie, and yes, I agree you've been a bit spoiled, but that is simply because we all love you so much. You are full of light and laughter. You make us all smile and remind us that no matter how old we grow; we should take the time to play. What I'm attempting to say is that you need to be you, our Ettie. Do not think you need to change the very things that make you such a joy to those who know you."

"The others said the same thing but it makes me hurt to see Lord Lenar so sad. Perhaps I can make him happy."

"No one can make another truly happy, little one. They can add to a person's joy and can share happiness, but it is up to Raymond to find his own happiness. Perhaps he is simply not ready yet."

"But it's been two years!"

"Ettie, the grief of losing a loved one is never truly gone. I can't imagine how it would have felt if I'd lost Lucy before we had a chance to wed, and can't even fathom a life without her now. Raymond lost a woman he loved very deeply and while we can sympathize, I would hate for you to feel it was your responsibility to take Katherine's place in his heart." He paused and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to his side. "Tell me, what do you feel when he takes your hand?"

"What do you mean?"

Lucas smiled and gave her a squeeze. "Okay, tell me, do you feel different when Lawrence takes your hand?"

Her smile and blush told him more than her words could, but he listened to her answer. "It makes me torn between being all warm inside, and squirmy when he gives me that look that makes me wonder if he is about to scold me."

"That, little one, is your answer." Seeing her confusion, he smiled, bending to kiss the top of her head. "Give Lord Lenar your friendship and your respect, Ettie, but I don't believe he is the man for you."

"But Lawrence… I mean, I-I think he is like you…" She blushed a deeper red and then continued. "I-I think he wants more than just a-a wife."

So this was it, Lucas thought to himself. This was the moment when he'd discover the answer to the question he'd been forced to consider.

"And how does that make you feel?"

"A little scared," Ettie answered softly. "Sort of like the spirits in the play. I mean, my heart starts beating faster and my tummy does funny things and yet… yet I'm not truly afraid, even when I'm a little worried that I've pushed a bit too far and he might spank me." Her eyes widened and she hurried to speak as if not wishing to dwell on her last statement. "I just thought that one day I'd put away my childish ways and really grow up, like Bea and Franny."

Lucas chuckled and shook his head. "Ah, honey, you aren't either Bea nor Franny. You are Henrietta, and sweetie, I pray you don't ever change."

She smiled and reached out to wrap her arms around him, hugging him hard. "Thank you, Lucas. I couldn't ask for a better brother."

"Thank you. Now, is there anything else you wish to discuss?"

"I don't think so. I think I just wanted to make sure that I-I wasn't being selfish."

"Be selfish about this," Lucas said. "In fact, I want you to be very selfish. The only person you need to consider in this is you. Listen to your heart and pay attention to how you feel. Marriage is for a lifetime, Henrietta, and all that I want, all that truly matters to me or any of your family, is that you are happy. Choose the man who makes your heart race and your soul sing."

Her smile was big as she nodded. "I will, thank you. I am a very lucky woman. I have been surrounded by love my entire life, and by men who are constantly demonstrating how much love they have for their wives and family. I won't settle for less, I promise."

She gave him another hug and kissed his cheek before bouncing to her feet. As he joined her and opened the door, he prayed that she'd keep that promise. No matter if she lived her life in a single role or not, it no longer mattered. He just wanted her and Franny to both find the deepest love possible, the type shared by those few who found the other half of their heart and soul.

That evening in bed, Lucy laid her head on his chest. "Papa, I'm worried about Franny. She seems sad and I don't know how to help her."

"Don't fret, kitten. Franny is a woman who tends to draw inside herself when she needs to think. She's been that way ever since she was a little girl."

"But what—"

"I've talked to her, Lucy. Believe me, if I thought she was in any danger or that she was attempting to hide some hurt, I would be far more concerned. I think our Franny is dealing with some matter of the heart and, little one, no matter how much we love her, I feel she needs to come to a decision on her own. Of course, if it takes much longer, I'll speak to her again."

"I just want her to be happy," Lucy said, her fingers stroking over his chest, her ear pressed to listen to his calming heartbeat.

"So do I, kitten, so do I."