by Maggie Ryan
"Yes, Ma'am," the girl said, dropping her eyes back to table.
"I'm so sorry to bother you, Mrs. Yardley. This is Alexandria, our newest student. I'm afraid she's missed breakfast, but Miss Summers asked if you could prepare her a little something to tide her over until luncheon."
"Of course I can," Mrs. Yardley said with a smile. "I'd best be in my grave if I can't rustle up something for a hungry wee lass. Come child, you can sit at the table and I'll have you fed in no time at all."
Alexandria easily answered the woman's smile with one of her own. She was almost salivating at the aromas that filled the air. The kitchen felt warm and welcoming. Climbing up onto a stool, she hoped that no one in the room heard her stomach growling.
Juliette patted Alexandria's arm. "Mrs. Yardley will take good care of you. I'll take the opportunity to run and change, and be right back."
Remembering exactly how the woman's clothing had become soaked, Alexandria nodded her head at the same time the cook slid a plate in front of her. Wet clothes were forgotten as she stared at it, blushing as her stomach loudly announced its approval of such a sight.
"Off with you, Nanny Jenkins. I'll keep an eye on the little one." Flapping her hands as if to hurry the woman out the door, Belinda turned back to see that Alexandria had not yet made a move to begin her belated breakfast. "Eat, child. Lord knows you are a skinny little thing!"
A smile lit Alexandria's face as she reached for the thick slab of bread on her plate. A pot of butter and a dish of jam appeared, and she lifted her knife. Thinking of Ginny, and hoping the girl was happy, she slathered on a thick layer of both and took a bite. It was the most delicious thing she could remember eating in a very long time. Before she knew it, the slice was gone, and another appeared in its place along with a fried egg and two slices of bacon. Thinking it would be rude to take more than her share, Alexandria hesitated to pick up her fork.
"Go ahead, eat your fill. I will not abide a rumbling tummy in my kitchen." The cook picked up a pitcher and poured her a large glass of milk.
"Thank you," she said, taking a sip.
"Ah, it's refreshing to see a little one that doesn't fuss about drinking her milk," the cook said, shaking her head. "Wee ones have been drinking milk since they slid naked into this world. You'd think it was poison from some of the faces I've seen. Of course, a scrunched up face doesn't keep the little one from getting that same naked bottom blistered from fussing. I'd think it would take but once before that lesson was learned. Wouldn't you agree, Claudia?" When Alexandria started choking, the cook pounded her back. "Oh, my, child. You must be drinking a tad too quickly."
"Ow, oh... I mean, thank you. I'm fine, I-I just choked a bit." She would never admit that the cook's casual words and easy reference to naked blistered bottoms had just seemed so out of place that she had swallowed too quickly. The girl at the fireplace had answered the cook's question with a quick 'yes, Ma'am,' before giving a roll of her eyes and making a silly face at the cook's back. Surprised the servant would be so bold, Alexandria tried to stifle a giggle by giving another cough as a cloth was pulled from Mrs. Yardley's pocket and applied to her face to wipe away the droplets of milk on her lips and chin.
Picking up the slice of bread, Alexandria added butter and jam, and was taking a bite when Juliette returned.
"I must be losing my mind. With Minnie and Wilma being ill, we're all a bit scatterbrained, I suppose. Forgive me for bothering you again, Mrs. Yardley, but I meant to speak to our naughty girls."
"'Tis no bother," the woman assured her before turning to the two girls who suddenly appeared quite attentive to their tasks. "Claudia, though you act as if your arm is about to fall off your shoulder, that meat is finally seared enough; it can finish roasting in the oven. Go ahead and set the spit. Janey, finish that potato. Lord, child, you peel slower than a tortoise walks. I'd think with all the kitchen penance you girls have served you wouldn't need so much instruction."
"Yes, Ma'am," the girls chorused.
Alexandria smiled at the cook's phrases. Though quite possibly meant as a chastisement, the tone in which they were said wasn't the least bit harsh.
Claudia positioned the spit to move the meat away from the flames, and Janey finished peeling the potato with a few final strokes of her knife as Alexandria took the opportunity to study them. Both had their blonde hair plaited into two braids. Suddenly she realized both were dressed in identical clothing to the ones she wore. Had Lord Hollister decided she was better suited to train as a kitchen maid instead of marriage?
Her stomach clenched and she shook her head. No matter how much she might wish it, there was no possibility she'd ever become Lady Maximilian Hollister—even if the man had stated so himself. The judge was right; she had no idea how to fit into that world. The best she could hope for was that these classes helped. Though she knew how to cook simple meals, she hoped her classes included learning how to prepare dishes better suited to his sophisticated palate. If she couldn't marry him, at least she could work for the man her father had so admired. Suddenly, Mrs. Yardley's words replayed in her head. Kitchen penance? That didn't sound like any class she'd ever heard of.
"Goodness girls, go and wash your hands quickly. You've kept Nanny Jenkins waiting long enough," Mrs. Yardley admonished, picking up the pan of peeled potatoes and moving it to the stove.
"Yes, Ma'am," both girls said, before turning to walk to the sink across the room.
Unfortunately, Alexandria had just taken another sip of milk, and her sudden gasp had the liquid going down the wrong pipe. She coughed loudly, spitting out the remaining milk. Juliette was behind her instantly, pounding Alexandria's back.
"Honey, you need to slow down. No one is going to take your plate away until you are finished."
"I'm... I'm fine, thank you," Alexandria said, though she wasn't sure that was strictly the truth. Barely lifting her eyes, she stared across at the sink. No, her eyes were not playing games and yes, she had seen what she had thought. The two girls were standing with their backs to the room, their positions no longer hiding the fact that their skirts were looped at their shoulders, their drawers parted to display bottoms that had obviously been recently spanked. No, not spanked. The color seemed too dark for just having had a hand apply—even far more swats than she'd ever received. The color reminded her of a glass filled with merlot wine. How many swats would it take to produce that same color on her own bum? Gasping again, she noticed that something seemed to be peeking out from between the globes of their bottoms.
Juliette waited until the girls had dried their hands and walked to stand by the table. "Girls, Miss Summers is waiting to see you both. I trust you know the way, the good Lord knows you've both been to her office often enough." At their sheepish nods, she continued. "Good, I suggest you don't dawdle."
"Yes, Nanny Jenkins," the girls said, one after the other. After taking a single step, Janey paused and looked between the cook and the nanny.
"Um, what about our... our plugs?"
"Your plugs will remain where they are, and you know better than to suggest otherwise. If you don't wish to have your bottoms burning inside as well as out, you'll learn to behave when doing your penance. Instead you will both be explaining to Miss Summers why you needed yet another reminder that naughtiness has a price. Now go!"
"Yes, Ma'am," Janey said, and when Claudia grabbed her hand, they both scurried from the kitchen.
"Alexandria, you go ahead and finish eating. I'll run to change and be back in just a few minutes."
A polite 'yes, Ma'am,' came from Alexandria without conscious thought. She continued eating, but was now barely aware of the food she tasted. Her mind had been whirling before, but now it felt as if a cyclone was inside her skull. What kind of school was this? Though she thought she had a good idea of what kitchen penance meant, she had no idea what the girls had both been holding between their cheeks, and what had Nanny Jenkins meant by 'plugs'?
"Would you like another slice of bread?" M
rs. Yardley asked. "I bake it daily, and it makes me happy to see you enjoying it. The jam is made from strawberries we grow in our garden."
"Um, no thank you, Ma'am," Alexandria said. "They are both delicious but I couldn't possibly eat another bite. This was more than I eat in a day."
"Posh, you'll be eating again soon enough. Luncheon is just around the corner." She chuckled at Alexandria's wide eyes. "Never you mind. I'll have you fattened up in no time."
Alexandria smiled at the thought and then giggled. Though she hadn't eaten any gingerbread, she'd instantly thought of the story of Hansel and Gretel. The oven certainly looked big enough to accommodate her small frame, but she didn't really fear that Mrs. Yardley was going to pop her inside to cook alongside the roast. She hoped her friends from the orphanage were being as well fed as she. She carefully climbed down from the stool, wondering why every piece of furniture seemed so large. Picking up her plate and glass from the table, she was about to move to the sink when the items were taken from her by the cook.
"I don't mind washing them, Mrs. Yardley. I'm used to working in the kitchen, though I don't know how to cook like you do. I'm anxious to learn more."
"What a sweet thought," Belinda said as she shook her head. "Child, it would be quite a pleasure to teach you a few things. You might change your mind if I ever have cause to paddle your backside and set you to tasks. Kitchen penance is not the worst punishment, but it's not one to make light of, either." She chuckled as she set the dishes in the sink. "Though from what I've seen, I'm betting you could turn a spit or peel potatoes without the aid of ginger."
Alexandria had no idea what she meant, but nodded anyway. Had it been the cook who'd turned Claudia and Janey's bottoms that color? Despite that possibility, she smiled. The woman just had a way about her that made Alexandria want to help. Perhaps Miss Summers would offer her a position if Lord Hollister decided she was too untrained for his home.
"Did you get your fill?" Juliette asked as she returned, pulling Alexandria from her musings.
"Um, what? Oh... yes. Yes, thank you, and thank you, Mrs. Yardley."
"You're welcome, child," Belinda said, already busy again, stirring a pot on the stove.
Juliette was dressed in a fresh grey skirt and white blouse, a dry apron around her waist. Her hair had been brushed and twisted into a knot at the nape of her neck. Alexandria barely noticed when her hand was taken again and she was led from the room.
Walking down yet another corridor, Alexandria saw Janey sitting on a chair, her spine straightening and her ankles crossing primly when she saw them approaching. "Where is Claudia?" Juliette asked, as they reached the row of chairs against the wall.
"She just went inside with Miss Summers after Doctor Gibbons came out, Ma'am," Janey answered.
"Hmmm, very well. It seems our schedule is a little off, what with all the sniffles going around. Alexandria, you may sit next to Janey and wait for your turn."
"Aren't you going to go in with me?"
"Not this time. I trust you to remain in position until you are called. I need to speak with the doctor about making your appointment."
"But I don't have the sniffles."
"Your Papa wishes for the doctor to see you. I'll come back as soon as I can but if I'm not back yet, you may wait for me here once you are done."
At her statement, Alexandria remembered Lord Hollister saying she'd be examined, and her face instantly reddened. "I told him that there was no need. I haven't—"
"Alexandria, sit down and stop arguing. Unless, of course, you'd like to stand at the wall with your bottom on display?"
Dropping rather rapidly onto the vacant chair, Alexandria muttered, "Um, no. No, that's not necessary." She paused for a brief moment before adding, "I mean, no thank you, Nanny Jenkins."
"Very well. You are not to move from your chair until you are called."
Alexandria nodded and the two girls watched as the woman spun on her heels and walked away. Once she had turned the corner, Janey turned to Alexandria. "Good choice. I hate standing at that bloody wall. It makes my nose hurt, and my arms always get so tired."
Alexandria gaped at her and saw Janey smile as she leaned closer. "Not to mention I always wonder who is about looking at my poor bare arse." When Janey smiled and then giggled, Alexandria giggled as well. Despite the girl having to know that Alexandria had already seen her naked posterior, Janey didn't seem all that concerned. Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted when a loud screech was heard.
Looking around, she realized the horrid sound had come from the office behind her. Glancing at Janey, she saw that her smile had disappeared and her hands were twisting in her lap.
Alexandria whispered, "Did you hear that?" When an even louder cry sounded, both girls jumped a bit on their chairs. No one in the vicinity could have failed to hear the cries.
"It's... it's Claudia," Janey stammered. "Oh, why did I let her convince me we wouldn't get caught this time? We never should have snuck out of bed!"
When another wail reached them, Alexandria reached over and laid her hand on top of Janey's twisting ones. The girl instantly gripped the offered support. The two no longer whispered or smiled. The hallway was completely silent except for the continued sounds seeping from beneath the door.
Chapter Six
Inside the room, Eleanor had no doubt that Claudia was also thinking it hadn't been a good idea. She was paying for that choice by attempting to squirm across the top of the desk. She flinched as the cane landed again, the crack sounding like a gunshot. Two distinct red wheals, a fraction of an inch apart, were clearly visible across Claudia's bottom, which wagged and clenched for a brief moment before relaxing. Eleanor thought the girl had most likely remembered that clenching only caused her bottom to burn hotter in more ways than one.
"Please, I'm sorry, Ma'am, I-I won't... no!" Claudia screeched as the third landed against the lower portion of her cheeks, her fingers clawing at the desk in an effort to pull her away from the punishment.
"Claudia, you know better. Settle yourself correctly and push your bottom up. If I have to tell you again, you'll take another set after I tend to your sister's bum. You have two more in this set alone. Do you really want another?"
"No... oh, no, Ma'am, please, it hurts," Claudia cried, but her hands moved to grip the edge of the desk and she pushed her bottom up as ordered.
"Of course it does," Eleanor said, tapping the cane against her cringing bottom. "You and Janey were warned that the next time you were caught out of bed, you'd spend a day in punishment. Well, child, today is that day. Relax your bottom and lift it for me."
Two more strokes were delivered, painting Claudia's backside with a total of five parallel lines. Her feet were dancing as her hips shifted from side to side as if attempting to fan the heat from her backside. All movement instantly froze as the headmistress tucked the cane beneath her arm and stepped to the desk.
"Tell me, Claudia, when did you decide five lines were not going to be enough to deter your naughtiness?"
"Ex-excuse me?" Claudia said, her head turning to the side to speak. "I don't understand."
Eleanor shook her head as she reached out, a finger running across a red wheal. "It's a fairly simple question. You've known since you were caught last night that you'd be spending an entire day in penance, which included coming to my office for a caning. Are five cane strokes not enough to curb your naughtiness?"
"Oh, no, Ma'am, I mean, yes, five is more—I mean… the right amount."
"Hmmm, I disagree. What are you holding in your bottom, Claudia?"
Claudia's face turned scarlet, showing her shame at having to answer the headmistress's question. "A-a ginger plug, Miss Summers."
"That my girls have such blatant unconcern about the punishment they have coming that they choose to misbehave again before that sentence is even carried out has me concerned. The fact that girls now come to me with not only a red bottom, but one that is filled with a nice fat piece of ginger, has me rethi
nking the level of punishment my little ones need. I've promised your Papa that I will do my duty in leading you and your sisters… and yet, I'm forced to ask myself whether the punishment is adequate. Is it enough to keep you in your bed the next time you decide you want to roam about the school?"
Claudia's squirming had become more pronounced. "Please, Miss Summers, it-it is adequate. Five is enough; I won't ever do it again."
Eleanor stepped back from the desk. "Let's make sure, shall we? Step back and bend over, Claudia. Legs apart, palms flat on the floor. Lift your bottom high. Perhaps another few will prove to be the better number."
She'd stopped crying minutes earlier but as she pushed off the desk and assumed the required position, fresh tears slipped down her cheeks. The stretch required to place her hands flat on the floor caused the skin of her bottom to tighten, the wheals pulling with the stretch. Eleanor tapped the cane twice against the underside of Claudia's buttocks. She wasn't surprised to hear the girl wail even before the first stroke landed across her tender sit-spots with a loud thwack.
Claudia stumbled forward. "Please, Miss Summers, I…"
"Back into position, Claudia. Let this set teach you that it's rather foolish to be so cavalier about a promised set of five. Perhaps these extra five will remind you that additional naughtiness assures you an additional set. Now, lift your bottom up."
When it was done and she did rise, it was very slowly, her cheeks tear-stained, her hands fluttering behind her as if desperate to rub.
"I-I'm sorry I was a very naughty little girl. Thank you for my... my caning."
"You're welcome, little one." Eleanor took the girl into her arms for a hug.
The seated girls both jumped again when they heard the door opening, Janey giving a soft moan and quickly pulling her hand free. Alexandria clasped her hands in her lap as Claudia was led to the wall opposite to where she was sitting.
"Hands on your head, Claudia, not your bum," Eleanor instructed, as she turned the girl to face the wall. As Claudia settled into position, she turned to her other students. "Janey, I'll see you now."