Page 37 of Papa's Desires
“So it would not be disappointing for you to disobey me as long as I did not find out? Did we not have a discussion this very morning about secrets and the importance of being honest with eachother?”
“Yes.”
“And did you not promise you were not hiding anythingelse?”
“Yes.”
“Damn it, Hyacinth, have you nothing else to say for yourself, to explain yourself, besides ‘yes’?”
“Papa?” she asked. “M-may I get up from the floor,please?”
“Of course.” He reached down and lifted her to her feet, her small body trembling in his hands. It reminded him of their first carriage ride after their impromptu marriage. “Hyacinth,” he said, taking her hand in his, “are youafraid?”
“A little, P-papa.” She glanced up at him, trepidation in hereyes.
“Do you recall our wedding day, Cynny, when I said you needn’t fearme?”
“Yes, Papa. But I have been very naughty and I know I deserve a sternpunishment.”
“Oh, you will be punished, you may rely on it. And it will be painful. But, I would never do anything to cause you serious harm, do you understand the difference,Cynny?”
“Y-yes, Papa. I believe so,” she said, though her voicequivered.
He drew her close to him. “This afternoon is going to be difficult for both of us. I do not enjoy disciplining you, little girl. But I know it is my duty to help you become the best little girl and best wife you can.” A shuddering breath escaped her body and he felt her relax againsthim.
“I am so very, very sorry,Papa.”
* * *
Cynny hadno idea how many messes she could make in one day, but today had to be a record breaker. She wound her arms around Papa’s waist, drawing strength and comfort from him, fighting against the sobs threatening to erupt from the depths of hersoul.
After a few moments, Papa pried her arms from his body and set her away from him. “There can be no avoiding it, Hyacinth, so let us commence your punishment the sooner to be done withit.”
She nodded. She hated the idea of punishment, but she also knew that once it was over, the deed would be forgotten, never to be spoken of again. Her papa had taught her that and he had been true to hisword.
“We shall need privacy. Let us adjourn to mybedchamber.”
A pit of dread formed in Cynny’s stomach. Much as she tried to remind herself of Papa’s words that she need not fear him, fear engulfed her entire body and she fought against trembling as he took her hand and exited the drawingroom.
They walked in silence for several paces when suddenly Reynolds rushed into the hallway, dragging Liza, one of the downstairs housemaids, behind him, a firm grip on herwrist.
“My lord,” the butler said, once he caught his breath, “there is a thief amongstus.”
Cynny gasped and her blood ran cold. This was it. But how had Reynolds discovered her horrible secret? Did Lizaknow?
“A thief?” Papa said. “I cannot abidethievery.”
A prickle of sheer dread ran down Cynny’s spine. Papa would never forgiveher.
The butler tugged on the housemaid’s arm and presented her to Lord Grayson as though she was a pheasant he had just bagged. “I caught her myself,” he said. “Your missing watch clutched in her sticky fingers.” Reynolds held the watch out and Papa took it in his hand, a smile of pleasure on his face as he examined his missingheirloom.
“My lord,” Liza bobbed a curtsy, “‘tis alie.”
“Red handed, I say. Stealing from a kind employer such as you, my lord.Disgraceful.”
Cynny had never seen Reynolds so animated, he almost had her convinced of Liza’sguilt.
Though, of course,sheknew the allegation was withoutmerit.
