Claimed (The Women of Wintercrest #3) Read Online Free Page B

dresses Louisa wore daily, there were no large bows or unneeded adornments on this dress. Edward knew it resembled much more a uniform than any dress a young woman of courting age wished to wear.  He smiled knowing that Lucy’s wardrobes held nothing but duplicates of this dress though of different colors.  Lucy was unaware of his perusal as her eyes finally fell from the armoire.  When she had reached Edward’s desk, she stopped, the garments held tightly against her chest.
    “Are you done?” he asked nodding towards the fabric.
    “Ye…yes, Sir,” Lucy answered.
    “Good, place them here, if you please,” he instructed patting the area he had cleared in front of him.  Lucy placed her pile where indicated and then stood back, her hands twisting in the fabric of her dress.  Edward ignored her unease as he picked up the first item.  Lucy’s face flushed as he unfolded the garment and beg an to examine her work.  Edward knew her embarrassment came from seeing him examine the intimate garment. 
    “You’ve done well, Lucille,” Edward said admiring the small and even stitches.  “I am pleased to see you took your time and did very neat work.  I’m sure Mrs. Bremmer would agree with me, you are almost as good a seamstress as your sister.”  Lucy flushed knowing he was looking at stitches that had only been deemed acceptable after being ripped out again and again as she worked on the garments.
    “Tha…thank you, Sir,” Lucy said softly hoping against hope that her diligence in her work might be enough.  “I worked all day, Sir,” she added.  Edward smiled and looked at her.
    “I know, little one.  Mrs. Bremmer has kept me informed of your progress,” he said and saw her flush.  “She’s also informed me that you have not been allowed to cover your bottom until I approve your work.”  Lucy closed her eyes, her shame at being naked beneath her skirts obvious.  “I believe you have earned the right to wear your new drawers,” Edward said and stood.  Lucy trembled even more as he stepped from behind his desk and reached out to hand her the item.
    Lucy took the offered drawers.  She had spent the whole day first removing the entire center seam from all her drawers.  After the seams had been meticulously picked apart, Mrs. Bremmer had instructed her on how to turn under the raw edges and hem the long seams.  Lucy had cried as she worked, her fingers quickly being pricked by the tips of the scissors as well as the needle as she worked.  Mrs. Bremmer knew that more tears would soon fall when the girl realized that beneath her skirts, Lucille might be covered, but with a very simple pushing apart the volume of fabric, her bottom would be both bare and very easily accessible to a spanking, paddling, switching, strapping or worse.  She would quickly learn that fighting about her wardrobe earned her nothing but the punishment of wearing open-crotch drawers for the foreseeable future. 
    “Go ahead, Lucille.  Put on your drawers,” Edward instructed.  Lucy whimpered but stepped awkwardly into the drawers and pulled them up underneath her new dress.  Edward didn’t move or offer her privacy.  He watched as her fingers fumbled to tie the ribbon around her small waist and adjust the f abric.  After she had removed her hands from under her skirts and smoothed them down, he spoke again.
    “ Tell me, Lucille, do you find yourself now grateful for the clothing provided to you?” he asked.  She slowly nodded her head and realized she had truly acted without thinking that morning.
    “Yes, Sir, than…thank you, Sir,” she said feeling far more covered than she had all day.  Edward smiled.
    “Lift your dress and stand by the chair, Lucille,” he ordered stepping back and turning to walk to the armoire.  As he unlocked the door, Lucy began to cry softly.  She wondered why he had even bothered allowing her to dress when he obviously meant to spank her.  She stepped to the chair and slowly