The Inheritance (20 page)

"Yes, Miss
Elizabeth," Grace answered, moving quickly into the room. "There's
a bath all ready for you, Miss Lydia, if you want one," she offered
sweetly, "and should you need anything just pull that cord and I'll
come right away."

"Thank you.
You've been so kind," Lydia replied, already feeling the relaxing
wash of the bath on her body and soul.

Elizabeth
hugged her again, and she and Grace left the room.

Moving into
the bathroom Lydia undressed and sank into the warm, scented water.
Never had a bath felt so good. It had been a long trip but she
didn't mind a bit. James was excellent company, and when they
weren't discussing family or recent events in their village, the
silence that fell between them was both comfortable and electric.
Once he had even leaned forward and kissed her, making her pulse
race and her heart flutter.

Closing her
eyes her mind drifted to the last time he'd had occasion to speak
sternly to her. They were in the haberdashery store and she was
selecting some fabric for a new dress she wanted to have made for
the trip just a few days away. She couldn't understand why the
tailor couldn't have it finished in time.

She didn't
realize that the incident exhibited her demanding, spoiled,
privileged side. It was only when he took her by the elbow and
forcefully led her around to the side of the building and pointed
it out in no uncertain terms, that she became aware that she had
behaved in the same manner as the wilful young women of society
that she so despised.

"Do you have
any idea how spoiled you just sounded?" he had asked her. "Like a
young child, stamping her foot and demanding her way. I'm surprised
at you Lydia. You sounded just as my sister used to sound, before
she - before she was reformed," he scolded.

She had felt
that funny feeling in her stomach and the muscles in her thighs
clenched, as if they wanted to squeeze together.

"If you were a
naughty child I would put you over my knee and spank your bottom,"
he had added, and she felt her face flush a thousand shades of red.
Her knees almost gave out and she was forced to reach out, grabbing
his arm for support.

Those words
had haunted her - were still haunting her - and laying in the tub
she had the strangest feeling between her legs and the strongest
desire to touch herself there. Her hand traveled down and she
caressed and rubbed, finding it immensely pleasurable, especially
when she found a little nub that was most desirous of her
attention.

She knew it
was a lewd thing to do - but she didn't care - and her mind was
wondering what it would be like if he ever did spank her over his
knee. Would he lift her dress? Would he lower her drawers? Ohhh,
she couldn't believe he would do such a thing. But would he?

The thought
was very unsettling, but titillating at the same time, and she
wriggled in the tub. Dropping her hand away she forced herself to
think other, calmer thoughts. Fatigue was setting in and she sank
in the water drifting off. It was only when a chill took her, the
warmth having left the water, that she pulled herself out. Drying
quickly she donned a nightdress and lay on the bed allowing sleep
to overtake her. She was a very tired girl.

In spite of
the fact that Lord Michael would be leaving the following morning,
dinner was a happy occasion. Lydia wasn't as outspoken as usual
simply because she was still exhausted, and the realization that
she wasn't going to speak her mind allowed James to relax and drink
a little wine, helping him to wind down and ensure a good night's
sleep.

Lord Michael,
though not looking forward to his absence from Elizabeth or the
long journey to London, was gratified that matters were progressing
nicely and was confident his time away would be most
productive.

Elizabeth was
delighted to have a new friend, and as Lord Michael had hoped the
distraction appeared to be alleviating her stress at his pending
departure.

With dinner
behind them and the sun shedding its last rays of light on the lush
landscape, they all walked together in the rose garden. It was a
comfortable, easy half hour, and at one point Elizabeth stood aside
and gazed at the contented group ahead of her. The only person
missing was her father and she wished he was there.

This shall be a picture I shall never
forget
, she thought, and blinked her
eyelids twice. A few steps away Lord Michael had seen the odd
gesture.

"Are you quite
all right, Elizabeth?" he asked, moving close to her.

"Yes.
Perfectly fine. I was blinking a memory," she replied, and gazed at
him with her blue-green eyes.

"Is this
something new?" he asked, never having seen her do such a thing
before.

"I remembered
earlier today. I don't know why," she replied. "It was something
Uncle Alf would have me do if there was something especially
wonderful he didn't want me to forget. He'd tell me to blink twice
and the moment would be with me forever," she finished
wistfully.

Taking her
hand he kissed it fervently, wishing James and Lydia were far away
so he could embrace her properly and kiss her with the ardour that
was sweeping through him.

"You are my
dearest Elizabeth," he said tenderly. "And I love you with all my
heart."

Rarely did
Lord Michael utter such phrases and it took her quite by
surprise.

"My Lord..."
she began, staring at him.

"Shush now. We
must stay with the others. Come along," and looping her arm through
his he lead her back to the group.

Late that
night when the house was in darkness and the owl was sharing its
wisdom with the starry night, Lord Michael fell into sleep with
images of Elizabeth dancing through his head. She was naked on her
knees before him and he was sitting on the edge of the bed in the
secret chamber, enthralled by her perfect breasts topped by the
pink pert nipples that stiffened at the slightest touch, the
tendrils of hair that fell across her face and the sweetness with
which she would brush them aside, the moist invitation of her lips
and the adoration in her luminous eyes. He prayed his absence would
be but a day.

Lydia, though
tired to her core was not sleeping well. Her dreams were scattered
and confusing and every now and then her eyes would flutter open.
She decided to focus her mind on James, and as rest befell her she
saw him with his hands behind his back standing straight and tall.
She was seated in an armless, straight-backed chair, having been
placed there by him to receive a most serious scolding. In her
dream she didn't quite know what had been her crime, but his manner
was stern and he had begun pacing back and forth.

"And so I have
no alternative, Lydia, but to place you across my knee and spank
you."

Try as she
might she couldn't rouse herself from the vision, but there was a
warm, delicious feeling moving through her body. A wave of bursting
joy traveled through her loins, followed by a most satisfying,
tingling sensation that left her more relaxed than she had ever
felt in her life. Moments later, with no thought of it at all she
fell into a very deep sleep.

James was
naked and a little drunk. With sleep descending quickly he
attempted to determine how soon he would soundly spank his lovely
Lydia and take her maidenhead. But as the sandman danced the last
of the magic powder across his eyes, James had an unexpected
epiphany. He may very well spank her, but the young lady would
remain a virgin until their wedding night. So tired was he that the
startling thought did not stir him from his pending slumber, but
the sudden knowledge that she was his bride to be was firmly lodged
in his heart and mind.

Elizabeth
could not sleep. She was standing at her window staring out at the
inky sky. It was clear, the moon almost full, and she was very sad.
Through the afternoon and into the evening she had played the happy
girl for her Master's sake. She was pleased to have a new friend
and she did enjoy having her brother at Huntley Hall, but there
wasn't anyone or anything that could remove the aching in her
heart.

Staring across
the moonlit fields she suddenly spied a flash of white. Peering out
across the lawns she realized it was Zeus, galloping and bucking in
the front paddock. Looking across to the neighbouring field she
watched Constance trot to the fence line, and though Elizabeth
couldn't hear her she saw the mare's telltale toss of the head, and
knew the mare was whinnying up a storm.

Zeus stopped
mid-gallop, and lifting his nose in the air, reared up, his front
hooves pawing the air, his long mane flowing gloriously down his
proud neck. Elizabeth thought it was one of the most breathtaking
sights she had ever seen. She blinked twice, capturing the memory,
then watched in awe as he dropped down and rocketed across the
field towards Constance, pulling up sharply as he reached her.

Stallion and
mare stood together at the fence for a moment, then each leaned
closer until their necks touched.

And Elizabeth
allowed her tears to flow.

C
hapter Eleven

Lydia's First
Lesson & Elizabeth Takes the Bait

Elizabeth had
stood in the roadway in front of the house and watched the carriage
disappear down the drive, unable to believe her Master was going to
be gone an entire month, and still unable to understand why they
couldn't meet at her father's house for a weekend.

When she had
made the suggestion Lord Michael had told her that it was foolish
for her to travel so far for just a night or two, not to mention
the fact that he had so much to take care of he didn't think he
could leave London for even a single evening away. He had smiled
and kissed her and said he couldn't go into the details but she
would be very glad of it when he returned.

Well - she
wasn't very glad of it at all! And didn't think she would be when
he got back either! Fighting her tears she had marched angrily into
the house and run up the stairs to her room. Lydia wanted to go
after her but James had held her back.

"She just
needs some time to cry a bit," he had said gently, though quietly
thought the reaction to Lord Michael's departure extreme even for
her. "I'll go up soon and talk with her. And I'll take some tea and
scones with whipped cream and jam. That will help."

So it was a
little while later, tray in hand, James knocked on her door.

"I don't want
to see anyone," her voice called.

"Elizabeth,
it's James. Open up and let me in," he said firmly.

"No - go away.
I want to be alone," she shouted back.

"Elizabeth -
you do not want to take that tone with me. Do as you're told and
open the door immediately," he ordered, his voice stern and
commanding.

There was
silence but he waited patiently, knowing it might take a minute but
she would do as he said. Moments later he heard the key turn and
the door opened.

"Fine," she
snapped. "Come in if you must."

He walked in
and placed the tray on the large table against the wall, then
closed it firmly, turning the key. He did not wish to be
disturbed.

"Sister dear,"
he said kindly. "I know you are very upset that Lord Michael had to
go away but you know it isn't forever. Tell me the truth. What else
is bothering you?"

"Nothing," she
said glumly, staring out the window.

"My goodness
you're still a petulant little thing, aren't you? I thought Lord
Michael would have spanked that out of you by now."

He had spoken
the words to shock her, hoping it might help trigger her temper and
he could discover what else was making her so angry. He had been
right.

"How - how -
who told you - how could you - ooohhh! What makes you think he has
spanked me?" she shrilled, her eyes wide and her arms flailing
wildly.

"Sister," he
said, remaining perfectly calm. "I have known for many months. It
was obvious. It's nothing to be ashamed of. In fact you should be
glad of it. Lord Michael cared for you enough to take you in hand
and you have blossomed under his authority. You need not worry. I
won't reveal your secret to anyone," he said, reassuringly, moving
a little closer to her.

"I don't care," she wailed. "Tell who you want. It doesn't
matter anyway," she finished, stamping her foot, her
trademark
I am very angry
gesture, then suddenly threw herself on the bed
and cried into her pillow, banging it with her fist.

James shook
his head. This was not about Lord Michael leaving for a month.
There was something very serious bothering his sister and he was
determined to discover the source of her vexation.

Moving to the
side of the bed he reached over and pulled her into his shoulder.
It hadn't been since she was a young girl that he had comforted her
in such a fashion, but as he sat there, cradling his sister in his
arms, it felt like yesterday. Elizabeth flung her arms around his
neck and clung to him. She sobbed and sobbed, then finally sat
back, staring up at her brother.

"I'm sorry I
yelled at you, James," she apologized, sniffling and wiping her
nose with her sleeve. "I'm just so upset and so angry and so
worried."

"Good heavens,
Elizabeth. What on earth...?"

She stared up
at him, her red puffy eyes filled with grief.

"Come along
now. I insist you tell me," he pressed.

"I don't think
he's - I mean - I'm afraid..." she broke off, staring up at
him.

"Afraid?
Afraid of what? For goodness sake, tell me immediately or I shall
spank you until you do," he threatened.

That did the
trick!

"That he has
another," she said quickly, "and he doesn't want me any more. He's
never coming back. Or he's going to have another in London and just
have me here - when he wants to get away for a while," she said,
tears spilling down her cheeks.