Free Lord Edward's Law (Women of Wintercrest) by Maggie Ryan Page B

the girls into the waiting carriage.  He smiled and joined them inside before tapping on the roof signaling Henri.  The carriage pulled away from the house with a lurch.  Lucy and Louisa both gasped and then giggled as they settled back into their seats across from Edward.  He smiled across at them and realized how very pleased they made him at this moment.
    “You both look very pretty this morning,” he said softly.  He watched them both blush and heard them both utter their thanks.  He knew Lucy’s mind must be churning , and though he knew he could keep her in suspense, her behavior so far had been exemplary and he found himself hoping it would remain so. 
    “Lucy, the church we have been attending since your arrival is not our usual place of worship.  Our church is a special one.  You won’t find much difference except that the congregation includes many special families.  I know you are worried about Louisa, but needn’t be.  I love your sister and will protect her always.  She is accepted and loved in the church as the special little girl she is exactly as she is in our home.”  Lucy breathed a sigh of relief even as she felt trepidation at his words.  The trip seemed to take a very short time despite his earlier warning of a longer distance to travel.  Soon the carriage pulled up into the drive.  They waited as several other carriages unloaded their passengers.  Too soon, Henri stopped their carriage and held open the door.  Edward stepped out and then helped the girls to disembark.  He took one of their hands in each of his and walked towards the large church.  Lucy glanced up to see the white building that looked like any other church.  She saw the tall steeple and the beautiful stained-glass windows.  She felt herself relax a bit and then saw the congregation walking into the church.  Men of every size and age were holding the hands of all sorts of women.  The difference was obvious. Most every woman around her was dressed far, far below her chronological age.  Frilly dresses barely covered stocking-clad knees.  Lucy saw the lace of bloomers hanging down to peek out beneath the hems of the childish dresses.  Only a very few woman were dressed more as she was and Lucy understood quickly that these women were not wives; they were nannies or governesses who were paid to help with their small charges.  She seemed to be the only young woman dressed more as society approved and found herself feeling uncomfortably out of place.  She wondered at that quick thought as she followed Edward up the stairs and into the building.  He led the girls down the center aisle and then into a pew only a few rows from the front of the church.  She looked around and saw dozens of people filing into the pews.  She never would have believed that this many people lived the sort of life she had never dreamed could exist. She was twisting to look behind her when Edward bent towards her.
    “Don’t be naughty , Lucy.  Sit still, keep your eyes forward, and behave.”  She blushed but obeyed, her hands folded into her lap, her ankles crossed though they didn’t quite reach the floor.  She knew that her sister was seated on the other side of Edward and he hadn’t needed to remind her to behave.  Lucy stiffened as the door at the side of the church opened and a man clad in a long black robe entered.  She immediately thought of Headmaster Thorne and remembered the awful caning he had given her.  She was determined not to draw any attention to herself for fear of what might happen though she unconsciously moved a bit closer to Edward.  He was about to chastise her for squirming, but seeing her gaze locked upon the pastor, he immediately understood her thoughts.  He gave her a soft pat on her leg to reassure his ward that she was safe, unless, of course, she misbehaved.
    The pastor began his service with a prayer.  The congregation then stood and sang several hymns before sitting down again.  As the