sleepy but smiled. "I love him, Mrs. Bremmer," she said, the truth evident in her voice. "I will try to make him happy."
Anna smiled as she ran the brush through the girl's waist-length hair before plaiting it. She pulled a nightgown over Lucy's head and helped her climb between the sheets. "I know you will, Lucille," she said. "Your life changed the moment you made your choice."
Lucy smiled and nodded as she felt herself begin to drift into sleep. "I am ready," she whispered, her eyes closing.
Anna smiled and swept her own lips across Lucy's cheek. She knew the girl had no true idea of exactly how her life would begin to change. "I pray it is so, but I fear your bottom will have many lessons. Sweet dreams, little one."
Lucy's eyes opened and her brow furrowed at the woman's words. She again remembered that her very first introduction to her fiancé had been his hand smacking against her bottom. She felt her face flush at the memory and also remembered he had never apologized for the spanking. Instead, he had actually warned her a few times since that she should never question his intent to discipline her misbehavior. She again closed her eyes and buried her burning cheek in her pillow, realizing again just how close she had come to testing his words at the ball. She hadn't been spanked since that day but suddenly feared it would not be long before she discovered how Lucas' hand would feel slapping against her bare bottom instead of simply spanking her through her layers of clothing. Thinking about his hand caused her to shiver and her heart to pound. She would not think of discipline, could not allow her mind to travel there. However, she smiled softly and knew her dreams would be full of images of his huge yet tender hands roaming elsewhere across her body. Knowing she should be ashamed at her thoughts, she snuggled down in her bed and fell asleep with a naughty smile on her lips.
Chapter 2
Anna's words proved true as Lucy was awakened the next morning. Lucy buried her face in her pillow as Molly drew her curtains back to allow the harsh morning sun to light the room. "Congratulations, Miss Lucy," Molly said cheerfully as she crossed the room to the bed and attempted to pull the covers away. "I am so happy for you and Lord Huntington," Molly continued and then frowned when she realized her mistress was attempting to pull the covers from her hands. "Now Miss Lucy, come, you must get up and prepare yourself for the morning services," Molly said as she forcefully uncovered Lucy.
Lucy groaned, but managed to push herself into a sitting position. "I'm just so tired, Molly." Lucy moaned as she watched her servant hustle about the room, gathering items to prepare Lucy for her day. "I don't see why we can't skip today's services; I feel as if I haven't gotten any sleep at all," Lucy complained.
Molly giggled as she helped Lucy from the bed and led her into the adjacent water closet. "I know you are tired, Miss," Molly said as she quickly stripped the nightgown from her mistress. "I waited a bit longer to awaken you, Miss Lucy, but I fear we must hurry now. The Lords are already at the table, and I fear trouble if we don't have you join them as quickly as possible."
The mention of trouble reminded Lucy of spankings, and she didn't protest as her drawers were discarded and she was helped into the tub. It had evidently been filled as she slept, and she was grateful for its fragrant warmth. Molly quickly piled Lucy's hair up onto the top of her head and handed her a sponge and a bar of soap.
"Do you wish me to bathe you, Miss?" Molly asked, when Lucy simply held the items in her hands as if she had no memory of their intended use. Molly's words caused her to flush, and she quickly soaped the sponge and began to lather her arms.
"No, Molly, I am capable of bathing on my own," Lucy said, her face flushing as the servant stood at the side of the tub, her face