Academy of Littles

by Allison West

  "I am so sorry, Papa. Please, do not leave." The tears began to fall, slipping down her cheeks, dancing under the chandelier light, mingling as they cascaded down her face and chin on to the ivory gown that had made her look so beautiful.

  "I do not see another choice." Papa stormed out of the ballroom, the door slamming shut behind him.

  Her eyes watered more and her bottom lip trembled. "No." The words slipped past her lips but he could not hear her. "Papa. No." She ran outside into the frigid cold, without a coat or cloak to keep her warm.

  She could see Theo just up ahead, and hear his heavy footsteps as he walked briskly towards his coachman.

  "Papa. Please, I am sorry. Let us talk." Would he even listen to what she had to say?

  Her heart slammed against her ribcage. She felt certain the beat was so loud that he could hear it from across the lawn. She ran to catch up as he stopped in front of the carriage, not having stepped inside out of the cold yet.

  "There is nothing left to say. You may finish your semester, which is already paid for. I cannot be your papa."

  "Papa."

  The word made him flinch. "It is Theo," he said, correcting her.

  "Theo. Mr. Elliott," she said, "please. You know my cousin lies. You were with me when I was in the examination room. Doctor Colt had no reason to lie, to tell you that I still had my virtue intact if that was not the case."

  Theo remained quiet and contemplative for a moment.

  Considering he had not set off without her or continued to argue, she decided to give the rest of her explanation. She felt she owed him that much. "I swear to you, I did not knowingly lie with another man. A few months ago, a young gentleman asked for my hand in marriage. My parents did not know his background, and suggested that they should spend some time getting to know his family. We sat around with drinks, and the entire night after that is fuzzy. I believe he drugged me, possibly my entire family. Maybe his parents were involved in the scandal, trying to ruin my reputation or steal my dowry. I woke up naked beside the man who had asked for my hand. The sheets were caked in blood, but I have no memory of doing anything with him. My parents told me that I must marry him or leave their home. They would not let the scandal sully their name and reputation. When I refused, I was pushed out of the front door without a moment's hesitation. That was when I saw the dead animal; the blood that had been spilled on the sheets had never been mine."

  "Did you go back and tell your parents, try to explain any of it to them?" Theo asked.

  "They would not let me inside, even though I banged on the door for hours. I had nothing but the clothes on my back. I lived on the streets. My dowry did not follow me. I stole what I needed to survive. I have never prostituted myself, as my cousin so elegantly put it. I assure you, Theo, you are the only man I have ever been with."

  "How do I know Doctor Colt and Mr. Hartley are not involved in the deception?" Theo asked.

  "If they had been, do you think the headmaster would have allowed my cousin into the ballroom? It was by invitation only, which meant someone who was already a papa invited him to the party." Gia doubted that anyone would come forward. Surely she would not feel brave enough if it had been herself on the other side of that scenario. "Please, come back inside."

  "No."

  "Please. I beg of you." She had apologized. Was that not good enough for him? Would it be over forever because of the damage she had caused by lying? She had known there was a risk involved in keeping such a scandal secret, but it had been to protect him. There had been no good way to tell him what had happened to her.

  "I have a reputation to uphold, Gia. I cannot be lied to and then return as if all is well."

  She pursed her lips. What would fix the problem between them and make it all go away? "Perhaps a punishment is in order? A public one, as well as a public apology for my deceit. Please! I will do anything to become your little again." She hated to even dare suggest it, but the thought of his hand on her bottom in front of everyone set her quim on fire. Worse, she was not wearing bloomers! Oh, how they would all see her displayed if he gave in and allowed himself to be her papa again. Would he accept the offer and agree to have her back as his little Gia?

  "Trust, Giana! Trust is required to have this lifestyle. If I am to be your papa, and you are to be my little girl, we must have trust."

  Gia nodded. "Yes, I understand that. I have so much to learn, but is that not what my time at the Ashby Chateau is for? To learn? To understand? To become the perfect little for you? Please… Papa… please allow me to be your little Gia once again."

  His shoulders seemed to relax. "You did lie to me about your parents being dead. That cannot be ignored if we are to continue down this path together, as papa and little. But yes, I will still be your papa."

  She felt the weight in the pit of her stomach lift, delighted that he still wanted to be her papa.

  Chapter 17

  Theo's heart pumped hard as he took her firmly by the hand and led Gia back into the ballroom. She had stood in the cold, shivering and telling her story, trying to convince him not to leave.

  He had not wanted to leave, but the one request he had had all along had been honesty. She had sworn to be honest, but it still hurt him to think that she had hidden her past and lied to him, even if she felt it was to protect herself.

  Theo opened the door and a few glances came their way. The spectators were probably surprised to see that he had returned to the party, and was holding Gia's hand.

  She had been right. There was only one way to move past this. A display of discipline, an act of correction that would keep her in line and demonstrate that lying was frowned upon. If he did not act in such a manner, Theo was uncertain what would become of his little Gia. The headmaster now knew of her lies, and if Philip had previously been unaware of her circumstances, Theo worried she would once again be forced out onto the streets. For some reason, he knew Gia was telling the truth; and her story was not that far-fetched. There were far worse crimes—like murder—committed solely for one's dowry. Killing an animal and drugging the family, did not seem so far-fetched as he might have liked.

  He led Gia to a table at the center of the room, right under the crystal chandelier that hung as the centerpiece. A few papas and their littles who were standing nearby stepped aside as he removed his hat and coat, then proceeded to take a seat on the chair.

  She stood there in front of him, not moving. Her hands shook, but he could not tell whether it was her nerves or the cold that made her shiver. He wanted to cuddle her, but his anger from her betrayal had cut right through him. Gia was right. This was the best way to end the problem. She would learn not to lie to him, and he would be able to move on, past the feeling of her dishonesty.

  "Bare your bottom," Theo ordered. "You will not lie to me again, little Gia."

  Slowly she began to lift the hem of the ivory gown that he had bought and had delivered for her to wear.

  "Over my lap," he said, giving her instructions.

  She chewed her bottom lip and rested against his legs while her bottom was on display for the entire ballroom. She shut her eyes as his hand came down to spank her.

  Did she not wish to see everyone staring at the display of discipline?

  A few mumbles and murmurs erupted through the crowd. Theo thought he heard a woman moan behind him. The group gathered in a circle to watch as he reddened her bottom, swat after swat, showing her who was in charge.

  "Do you know why you are being punished?" Theo asked.

  "I was very bad," little Gia said, jumping with each swat as his firm hand landed on her blushing skin.

  "Spread your legs further apart," he said, commanding her to show more of her bottom and her glistening cunny for all to see. Theo glanced down at her pink lips, puckered out for him, and swatted her bottom again, harder. His palm was stinging but he would never admit that to her. He could deal with a slight twinge of pain if he knew it would keep her from repeating such an act again.

&nb
sp; Another gasp could be heard behind them. It took all the self-control he had not to turn around and see who had made such a noise. Were the onlookers aroused or shocked by the display of discipline? All the littles and papas had been in this very position themselves inside the chateau, of that he had no doubt. Perhaps it was unusual for the party, but it would be well remembered, and spoken of for years to come. All he hoped was that, when the time came, his little Gia would graduate and they could look back on this party—and future ones—together.

  His palm covered her bottom, from the plump, round top to her seat, just above her thighs. Had he had a paddle or cane nearby, he would have used it to prevent her from making the same mistake ever again. Theo did not appreciate being lied to or embarrassed. This was giving him the opportunity to move past what she had done; and there would be no pleasure following the spanking. No reward for good behavior.

  He could smell her scent, feeling her juices dripping onto his trousers. His cock hardened. There was little he could do to alleviate the situation. Each swat made her bottom redder, until the color had grown so dark it was almost burgundy; at which point he finally released his grip around her waist.

  "What do you say?"

  "I'm sorry." Her dress fell back down to just above her knees as she stood, her eyes fixed on the marble flooring.

  "And?" Theo waited for the rest of her admission.

  "I promise never to lie to you again. Please forgive me."

  He nodded, pleased with her apology. "You are forgiven."

  He held her for several minutes, long enough for the crowd to disperse and the focus to return back to the party. He stood, brushing his lips over hers as he pulled her into his arms. His mouth moved toward her ear. "Perhaps we can find a quiet place alone. I have not seen you in nearly a week." He wanted to ravish her the moment he got her alone.

  Gia smiled. Her brown eyes were glistening with tears, but her face was no longer red and blotchy, as it had been before her spanking. "I would like that, but I do not believe Headmaster Philip will allow us to leave."

  Theo had expected as much. After holding her for a few moments longer, he took two glasses of wine from the bar, handing one to Gia.

  "I do not think I am supposed to be drinking the real wine," she said, grinning as she sipped the purple liquid. There had been a tray of refreshments exclusively for the adults, and glasses filled with grape juice for the littles.

  "Then you had better learn to keep a secret." Theo downed his wine, placed the empty glass on the table, and reached for a second one, stealing it as well as her hand as he pulled her further away from the crowd of people.

  "Please, not outside. It is too cold."

  The dress she was wearing would do nothing to protect her from the elements. "Not outside," Theo agreed. "We will find a corner in this hall, just the two of us."

  The room, though wide, stretched on for quite a while, filled with littles, papas, and those who seemed eager to make an acquaintance with a little. Secretly, Theo had to admit that he was glad he did not have to meet Gia at a party such as this. It would have seemed boring, and been a terrible way to try and find out whether she was taken or available. Besides, she had been a nanny. Theo had not seen Nanny Vivian, but then the room had grown more crowded.

  "Where are we going?" Gia asked, laughing as she chased after him, his hand tugging her along the outskirts of the ballroom and turning until he reached a closed door.

  He turned the handle and glanced behind him, making sure that the headmaster had not seen them. Then he pulled Gia through with him and shut it quickly, laughing at the sudden darkness surrounding them.

  "Where are we?"

  The room felt several degrees cooler, though they were not outside.

  "I think this is a back entrance into the ballroom from Ashby," Theo said. "I noticed the school was connected, but you girls were all forced to walk outside."

  "Yes, why is that?" Gia asked.

  He shook his head. "I cannot fathom a guess. Perhaps Mr. Hartley thought it would be more enjoyable to see his littles frozen upon entering the party. It would certainly encourage the girls into unknown arms to get warm."

  Gia smiled but shook her head. "I doubt that is the reason. Where are we? I cannot see anything."

  It took a moment for his eyes to adjust but the darkness was made up of shadows, and was not completely black as there were windows with slits, allowing moonlight to seep in. "Well it isn't a cupboard," Theo said. "Perhaps it is a storage area, where he keeps old beds and chamber pots that need a good washing." He went to the windows and opened the curtains to allow more light in.

  The room appeared more like a bedroom than anything else, with a bed at the opposite end. An armoire and dresser with a mirror rested against one wall, and across from the bed on the opposite wall, beside the door they had entered, was a privacy screen. To the furthest right, away from the window, sat a porcelain tub and chamber pot.

  Her face scrunched up. "That is a disgusting thought, Mr. Elliott."

  "Papa," Theo corrected. His hand came down to her bottom but he did not spank her. Instead, he let his fingers slide over the soft material of her ivory gown. "Do you like the dress I picked out for you tonight?"

  "You bought this?" Gia asked. Her voice sounded filled with excitement and delight, though he could not see the smile as she had her back to the window.

  "If you are referring to your gown, yes. I asked Nanny Vivian to have you wear it so that I might easily find my little love."

  Her hand slipped into his as she brushed against him.

  "Come on, let us explore where we are." Theo pulled her to follow him. "Perhaps it is a storage facility for the finishing school."

  Feeling around the room, his hands came to rest on a lantern. Turning it on proved no trouble at all.

  "What is this place?" Gia asked.

  The room was covered in blue and gray striped wallpaper from floor to ceiling. Gia stalked towards the armoire, pulling it open. The bed was covered in a rich, dark red and gold quilt, the bed was made and the pillows plumped up.

  "What are you looking to find?" Theo asked. He had no idea who lived down here. The marble floor looked recently polished, and the furniture held no hint of dust. The room had been recently cleaned or kept clean.

  "The nannies do not have such lavish accommodation," she said. Her fingers caressed dark men's attire, appropriate for a wealthy papa. "Do you think Mr. Hartley sleeps down here?"

  It was not unreasonable to think that the headmaster could have a room in Ashby. "Perhaps it is his room, or somewhere he allows a papa to stay."

  Little Gia's eyes widened and she gasped, covering her lips. "What if this is the room where papas and littles consummate their marriage?"

  Theo laughed and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her temple. Did she realize how adorable she was? "I believe that is done at the couple's new home, not Ashby." He stared at the thick mattress and found her hand, pulling her with him toward the bed.

  "Papa?" She giggled and covered her lips in an attempt to keep her voice down. "We cannot!"

  "Are you sure?" he asked, his eyes brimming with excitement. "Who is stopping us?"

  "What if someone were to come in search of us?" Gia asked.

  "Who is to say they would even check in here?" He doubted anyone but perhaps Philip would notice their lack of attendance at the party. The nannies were preoccupied elsewhere, and though he had thought they would be visiting, he had yet to see them. It did not mean they would not arrive later, perhaps after getting themselves dolled up for the affair.

  "I cannot believe what you are suggesting, Papa."

  Theo could not have wiped the smile from his face even if he'd tried. The thrill of what he wanted to do coursed through him like the embers of a fire on a cold starless night – warming, burning, yet delighting.

  "Onto all fours, little Gia." He would take her in the only way in which he could claim her before they were wed.

  She did as he i
nstructed, climbing atop the mattress, the dress dangling over her hips.

  Theo pushed the material up past her waist, getting a delectable view of her bottom. The plump curves still held the deep scarlet color that he had inflicted because of her lies. His hand skimmed her behind, gently caressing the punished flesh as he heard her sharp intake of breath.

  "Please, Papa. No more discipline today."

  He did not wish to correct her further for her behavior. Her dishonesty had been forgiven, and he wanted to put it behind them both. Guiding her legs further apart, his hand slid down into her soft, velvety quim, feeling her wetness.

  "I want you to take me, Papa, as a husband takes a wife."

  "You know I cannot do that, little Gia. Not until we are wed. That is the rule of Ashby." He had to respect the chateau, even if he did not agree entirely with their policies. Keeping her virtue intact was necessary to protect her reputation, so that if something should happen to him before they wed, she would not be forced to face a scandal.

  "Please, Papa. I will not tell anyone."

  "I cannot. If you should fall pregnant with a child, the secret would be out. It is best we abstain from such behavior until we are wed. I promise you, little Gia, that waiting will make the moment that much better." He brought his lips down to her neck, sucking and nipping at the sensitive flesh as his fingers moved from her cunny, back towards her pink pucker. He teased her bottom entrance with his finger and listened to her breaths and moans, discovering what she liked and what she loved. "I will make you mine, little Gia, and claim you here," he said, his finger swirling over her bottom hole, pushing gently past her rosebud as he heard her slight gasp. He withdrew his digit as quickly as it had entered her. "Do you want me?"

  "Yes, Papa. I want you to claim me." She wiggled her backside, as if to indicate that she desired more attention.

  He worked his trousers loose, along with the undergarments he had worn, allowing his cock to spring free, stroking the length from tip to base, wanting to satisfy his little Gia. With one hand he prepared himself, and with the other, he slid his digits over her slick pussy and into her warmth and wetness, bringing her juices back to her bottom, pushing his finger inside, stretching her rim as he began thrusting slightly. He wanted to fill her with more, himself, to feel her tightness around his shaft.