Louisa Revealed Read Online Free PDF

she began, hoping to
relieve the tension in the small confines of the carriage.  
    Edward simply lifted his hand, “Enough
Louisa.   I don’t wish to hear your
apology again.   What I wish to know
is exactly how you managed to pull off this charade. How did you arrange to
leave the house this morning?”   Louisa couldn’t bring herself to look at him.   She gazed out the window and tried to
gather her thoughts.   Evidently she
was taking entirely too long to answer her husband’s questions. “It isn’t a
difficult question young lady.   There is no need for your hesitancy.   I want to know the truth, and if I
disbelieve any word of your explanation, then you can rest assured you will pay
for every one.”   Louisa couldn’t
stop a small shiver from running through her body.   She nodded and dropped her eyes to her
hands.
    “I… I hid in the storage box, Sir.”   Edward nodded, having thought that was
the case.   However, it was far from
satisfactory.
    “How did you get away from Mrs. Bremmer,
Louisa?   We both know she keeps a
close eye on you when I am not at home.”   The young woman nodded, a tear sliding down her cheek.   She felt worse now than she had in
Thorne’s office.   She knew what she
had done was wrong, but she also knew that her husband detested deceit.  
    “I… I told her I wasn’t feeling well.   I… I told her I was going to lie down
until… until tea.”   Edward nodded
trying to picture how his wife could have pulled off such a prank.   Louisa brushed the tear from her face
and continued,
    “She… she goes to market on Friday and… and I
told her that you had instructed me to stay in bed and rest.”   His understanding bloomed. He knew that
his employees would obey his every word and, by association, trusted the
supposed mistress of the manor to do as well.   He would discuss the situation with his
housekeeper, but he had a good idea that she would be almost as angry as he
about being caught up in the girl’s deceit.  
    “It was very naughty of you to lie to Mrs.
Bremmer, Louisa.   I thought we had
learned a lesson about being deceitful, but it is obvious that my little lady
needs another lesson.”  
    Her head snapped up and her mouth opened.   “No… no please Edward….”
    “Hush!   We will continue our discussion at home.   When we arrive, you are to go
immediately to your room, put your nose in the corner until I join you.   Until then, I suggest you remain quiet
and think only of what you need to do to assure me of your contrition.”   Louisa closed her eyes and stifled a
small moan.   She knew that her
sister might be even now sitting on a hard chair with her bottom burning, but
she also knew that her own bottom was evidently going to burn even hotter soon
enough.  
    She opened her eyes and dared a glance at her
husband.   He was looking down at
her, his eyes stern, and she gulped before she whispered, “Yes sir.”   He nodded, knowing she would do as she
had been told, and then settled back to relax during the short ride home.   Edward surprised his wife by reaching
down and taking one of his wife’s hands into his, pressing it lightly.   This simple, loving gesture caused her
to want to lean into him, want to apologize again, but she knew it would not be
welcome.   There would be a time for
apologizing as well as a time to take comfort in her husband’s arms.   However, she knew from past experience
that time was a long way in the future.   Nothing else was said on the long drive home.  
     

Chapter 2
    The carriage pulled up in front of the house and
Edward stepped out when Henri opened the door.   Edward turned to help his wife down and
she softly thanked him.   He nodded,
“Louisa has something to say to you Henri.”   His wife looked up at the older man who
had always treated her kindly.   She
saw the look of disappointment on his face, and her feelings of shame and guilt
grew deep inside her.
    “I’m… I’m