Blessed Beginnings (Hunter's Ridge Book 4) by Maggie Ryan

object to the statement. "Open wide." A thermometer was slid into her mouth as the doctor placed his fingers on her wrist to take her pulse.
    Lucas didn't relax until the doctor announced that Ettie's pulse was fine and that she had no temperature. Lawrence checked her eyes, ears, nose and throat before stepping back. "Almost done, sweetie. Can you lie down for me?"
    Molly helped her to lie flat on her back and when Ettie whined and shifted her hips a bit, the doctor shook his head. "I'm afraid the discomfort of lying on a heated bum can't be avoided, little one, but I'll try to be quick."
    "Oh…" Ettie snapped her eyes shut, her embarrassment evident to all.
    "Just be still, sweetie," Molly said and held her hand as the doctor palpated her tummy, causing Ettie to moan and state that it hurt. Dr. Fielding waited until Molly loosened Ettie's blouse enough so that a stethoscope could be slid up beneath it, allowing the doctor to listen to her heart. Ettie's eyes remained tightly closed but she wasn't fussy.
    "I think she'll be just fine," Lawrence announced as he began to put his instruments away. Turning back to the bed where Ettie was sitting up again, he smiled. "I'd offer you a peppermint stick but I believe you've had enough treats for a while." At Ettie's blush and nod, he turned to Lucas, who thanked him and led him to the door, both men stepping into the hall.
    "Are you sure she is okay?" Lucas asked.
    "Yes, nothing more than a tummy ache. Keep her in bed for the rest of the day. An enema will help with the bloating. It won't be comfortable but will do wonders towards alleviating the pain, and is far superior to having her continue to vomit. If she isn't back to her old self by tomorrow, send for me."
    "I will. Molly was concerned that knowing she was going to be punished caused her to be ill. I assured her that wasn't the case but, well, this was the first time she has punished Ettie. Could that fact have led to her become ill?"
    Lawrence grinned and shook his head. "Lucas, of all men, you should know that a little one's tummy may twist when informed they are to have their bottoms attended to, but it is extremely rare that the miscreant becomes stressed enough to lead to retching. Has Henrietta been spanked before?"
    "Yes, quite often in her youth, and she has earned herself a paddling or two since I've been home."
    "And did she become ill?" Lucas shook his head and Lawrence nodded. "Your sister overindulged and is paying the price. I wouldn't spank her until after she's had time to rest and have her enema, but other than that, she's perfectly capable of paying the proper price for being naughty."
    "I'm sure she appreciates your discretion in not taking her temperature in your normal way with naughty young ladies, even if she is unaware of that fact."
    "Ah, I admit I did consider it, especially since she had just retched, but didn't wish to embarrass her," Lawrence confessed.
    Lucas thanked him and asked about Bea, pleased to hear that she was just fine.
    "I'll see myself out," Lawrence said. After the men shook hands, he added, "This might sound odd, given the present circumstances, but I was going to ask before Henrietta became ill. Once our patient has fully recovered, I'd like to discuss courting your sister."
    "I'll discuss your desire with Henrietta," Lucas said, thanking him again. Once he had walked down the stairs, Lucas returned to Molly's room.
    "How are you feeling?" he asked, bending down to kiss Ettie's cheek.
    "My tummy still hurts," she said, her hand rubbing across what he could now see was a distended abdomen.
    "Nanny Molly is going to help you with that," Lucas said. "I promise you are going to feel better soon."
    "Lucas, Mo-Nanny Molly, I promise I wasn't trying to get out of my punishment. I-I know I earned a sp-spanking."
    Lucas nodded. "I'm very proud of you for admitting that fact. Nanny Molly will discuss that with you later, but not right now. Let's just get you feeling better, okay?"
    "Yes,