"He is not angry at all. He is in the great hall waiting for us to return."
"No."
"Why in the hell are you so bloody stubborn? Turn around."
"Why in the hell are you so bloody stup—" Jane stopped herself. "I'm sorry. It isn't right for me to hurt you like you hurt me."
"Honey, listen to me," Philip placed his hands on her shoulders and forced her to turn around. His palms drifted to rest upon her wet cheeks. "I love you. I've always loved you. I wanted what Rama had with his life and family, and to do that, I needed to learn how to find peace and harmony. Our life, back in England, was cold, colorless, and without true joy. We were both miserable and had nothing there to make us whole. You know that. We came here to regain our lives. I came here to discover how to make you mine."
He kissed her lips gently. "Would you like to meet the women who taught me how to satisfy you?"
"No, thank you." Her voice was hard and bitter, and she pulled her face away from his hands.
He captured her again and kissed her forehead. His thumb caressed the curve of her ear and then traveled down the length of her neck, pausing to press gently into the tense muscles on her shoulders. Slowly, he dragged it back to graze across her plump, red lips. "Did you know that the skin of a firm grape is as delicate as a woman's nipple? To be able to bite into it without breaking the peel teaches me how hard I can bite your nipple without causing you pain. "
He kissed her between the eyes. "If I run my teeth down the length of a peeled banana, and barely scrape the fruit from its stalk, that teaches me how to nibble on your flesh without causing undue pain." He chuckled and patted his stomach. "I needed the voyage home to lose the weight I gained while I was learning the art of using my mouth."
"You did?" Jane sniffed.
He ran his lips across her eyelids, kissing both like the flitting of a butterfly wing. "Did you know that an orchid is shaped like a woman's garden and that, if covered with honey and then properly licked clean, it will become translucent? And by the same token," he pulled her to his chest, "to spend too much time and pressure in one spot will make the petal turn brown."
"I didn't know that." She felt her resolve start to fade as Philip's mouth ran along the nape of her neck.
"Did you know that if you stand under a single stream of rain flowing off the edge of the roof, the water will touch every zone of erotic pleasure? The earlobes," he whispered, as his hot breath touched her ear. "The throat." His fingers trailed from under her chin to the top of her breasts. "The inside of the elbow." His kiss pressed against the pulsing vein hidden beneath that sensitive spot.
"No. I did not know any of that," Jane said hoarsely, feeling her knees weaken.
"That is how they taught me to please you, my love. I never had true relations with them. It was actually very embarrassing." Philip chuckled. "They were around the same age as Aunt Elsa."
"They were?" Jane blinked up at him.
"They were. I am truly sorry that you were hurt, darling. I wish you had given me a chance to explain. It would have saved all of us so much pain."
"I don't know about saving the rest of you. It would have spared me both the physical discomfort and humiliation I was forced to endure for making a fool out of myself." Jane rubbed her bottom.
"This family of ours are all affected. Rama is pacing back and forth, worried that he was too severe with you; Usha is praying for forgiveness for being too firm and not taking the time to explain things better; Lynette has not stopped crying since you ran away in tears; and I…"
Jane allowed her mouth to touch his, barely brushing her lips against his own. "I am so sorry. I was an idiot to doubt you. Please forgive me."
"Janie," Philip stretched her at arm's length. "You do understand that I have been with other women before. Long before my feelings for you were realized. Not here, for I would never disrespect Rama or his country by being wanton, but back home."
"This is home, Papa." Jane smiled, kissing him. "Thank you for being truthful with me."
"Do you realize that you always call me 'papa' when you're happy, and Philip when you're cross?"
"I do?"
"You do. Let's go to the cottage," he suggested, laughing away the observation. "I will teach you all you need to know to pleasure me. I, in return, will demonstrate the prowess I had as an eager student who desired to please his partner."
"I can't. Not right now," Jane said, her hand still clutching her bruised bottom. "I need time to heal from the Raj's paddle."
"Then I shall bring you back to the guest chambers, cover your body with sandalwood paste, and pat powder upon your bruises." Philip lifted her into his arms and carried her towards the door. "Afterwards, we will feast on fruit and grilled meats, drink sweet liquor, and talk under the moon. Would you like that?"
"Yes, Papa." Jane snuggled into his chest, suddenly feeling very small and young. "Whatever you wish."
***
Jane remained in the guest house for two days. Rama not only sent delectable meals of fruit, vegetables and meats to her, but also servants, who bathed and oiled her body, and painted her hands and feet with beautiful designs of red henna. They clucked amongst themselves in Tamil, too quickly and quietly for Jane to make head or tail of what they were discussing.
On the third day, after receiving a long talk from Philip regarding expectations of proper behavior, Jane reluctantly left her glorious prison to find the people she had wronged.
"Rana Usha?" Jane called, looking around the temple gardens, guarding her eyes from the blazing sun. "Usha?"
"Yes, Jane?" The woman stood tall in the center of the path.
Jane came to a startled halt. "Namaste, Rana."
Usha returned the gesture, her face stern as she looked at the young woman. Philip had dressed her like a little girl that morning, complete with pigtails and pretty purple ribbons.
"I wish to ask for your forgiveness for being so rude and disrespectful. I'm sorry," Jane said, forcing herself to look Usha in the eye. "There is no excuse for my not trusting you after all you have done for me. Please forgive me."
Usha touched Jane's cheek and smiled gently. "You are forgiven, however, I wish you to prove your repentance before you and Philip embark for the cottage."
"Certainly! Anything!" Jane said brightly, relieved that Usha did not extend herself to add to her shame with further scolding.
"Meet the other wives and myself at daybreak tomorrow in my chambers. Eat nothing before you arrive. You will submit to our instruction—without question and without argument."
"Yes, ma'am," Jane said, her heart sinking. Were Usha and her sister wives going to punish her for her rude behavior and failure to follow the lesson? Her bottom was still too raw to take another spanking so soon.
"I also want you to take a nap. You look very tired around the eyes. You need your rest," the older woman said gently, cupping Jane's face in her hand.
"Yes, ma'am."
"You are a wonderful child," Usha kissed her forehead. "But you are still just a child. I only want the best for you. If I am stern, it is only to help you grow to your full potential."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I'll try harder. I promise."
"I know you will." Usha smiled softly, kissed her forehead a final time, and turned gracefully to depart.
Jane stayed glued in her spot until Usha walked away. She then grudgingly sought out Rama, dreading how he would respond to her apology. She found him playing croquet with his older children.
"Uncle Rama? Namaste. Please forgive me for interrupting, but it's important I speak with you."
"Rather brazen Little Monkey, aren't you? Interrupting my game when I was clearly winning!" Rama said with amusement.
"You were losing, Father! Miss Jane? Please take him so that he may rest a while," Rama's eldest son teased. "The years are beginning to slow him down."
"Insolent boy. Who taught you to be this way?" the man scolded, catching his son's head under his arm and knuckling him.
<
br /> "You did, Father," the boy laughed.
"He's correct," Rama grunted, and excused himself. He joined Jane under the shady trees, where she kneeled at his feet in respect.
"Raja Rama," she bent her head, "I wanted to say that I am so sorry for disobeying you. I should have trusted you to help me, even if I wasn't trusting Papa. I thought about your words carefully and see that you, as my protector and friend, only meant the best for me. I beg your forgiveness."
Rama tilted her chin up with his thumb and index finger. "Did you learn an important lesson?"
"Yes, sir. I won't quickly forget it."
Rama leaned down to kiss her nose. "Stand. What lesson did you learn?"
"To trust those who I love, and love me back, and to investigate everything before I come to a conclusion. Oh, and to obey you."
Rama laughed, hugging her tightly. "Be happy, little one. That is all I desire for you. Did you and Philip resolve your differences?"
"Yes, sir."
"Did he tell you that he was to be grounded until he reconciled with you?"
"You grounded Philip?" Jane's mouth hung open in stunned surprise.
"That is the identical expression to the one he gave me when I enacted my authority upon him."
"But he is a grown man!"
"And I am old enough to be his father. The age of a man does not eliminate the need for discipline and consequences. A man worthy of esteem must set an example to his family. He must also present himself as one who is beyond reproach if he expects to maintain that standard around those of whom he has charge. The responsibility of a papa is great, Little Monkey. Our Philip must be taught that, just as you must be taught to stay out of too much mischief."
"I intend to stay out of trouble for a long, long time, Uncle. I promise you that."
Rama hugged her with a laugh. "I hear that same promise from my little Lynette every time she finds her bottom being painted with my strap. Be who you are. Finding trouble will not change our feelings for you, only your ability to sit." He squeezed her hand. "Now, if you would please excuse me to return to my game. My children seem to believe that I have grown too old and weak to beat them at the sport, and I am obligated to prove them wrong."
"May I watch? Please?"
"You may, on the condition that your cheers are for me."
Jane grinned broadly when he lost to the youngest girl, and showered her with hugs and kisses as a reward. Feeling more at peace, she roamed the gardens in search of Lynette. She found her sitting under a gigantic weeping willow that Rama had had imported from China.
"Lynette? May I join you?" she asked, parting the heavy curtain of hanging branches.
"Of course!" Lynette patted the ground. "I pretend that this is a fairy's house and only other faes can come inside to visit me. Sit here. The moss is thick and soft."
"Please forgive my outburst. Your news caught me by surprise and I reacted poorly."
"I should ask you for forgiveness." Lynette took her friend's hand. "I was insensitive to how the news would affect you. I often forget that others are not accustomed to the things that I find normal."
"It is a different world to the one I have lived in all my life."
"Kick off your shoes and stockings," Lynette urged. "Enjoy being in this world. It is a beautiful one."
"It is," Jane answered, digging her bare toes into the soft ground. "Philip tells me about all the turmoil outside the palace, but it's so hard to comprehend. I know I sound naïve, but I'm coming to realize how sheltered I've been all my life."
"For a long time, I wanted to get out and see the world. You know, the one beyond the royal sanctuary. One day, I snuck past the guards and headed towards the city. I didn't know where I was going," Lynette said with a sigh, twirling a tiny flower between her fingers, "nor did I consider what I would do when I got there. I was so young and ignorant about the things of the world."
"What happened?"
"A buggy came by and offered me a ride. I was tired and accepted, not considering that my clothing indicated wealth, or that my blonde hair gave away my position as the Raj's English bride. Next thing I knew, I was being held for ransom in a tiny apartment in the middle of the city."
"Oh dear…"
"I was lucky. This time. They did not harm me, and Rama tracked them down. It opened my eyes, though. The world really isn't like this." She swept her hand towards the gardens. "I never wanted to leave again."
"Did he punish you?" Jane asked with concern.
Lynette shook her head. "No. I wish he would have. I felt guilty for months about the worry I put him and the family through. He was just grateful I came home unscathed."
"So now you sneak out to areas where there are snakes and spiders instead," Jane said with a chuckle.
"I'd much rather deal with a cobra than a person. Let's walk a little. I thought I smelled popovers earlier."
"Lynette? I wanted to ask something of you," Jane said, linking her arms in the other girl's elbow.
"I hope it is not to take you to the pond again? Or outside the gates," Lynette teased. "I heard Daddy was very stern with you."
"It was the worst punishment I have ever experienced. And no less than what I deserved." Jane shuddered. "No, I was going to ask you to teach me to dance. The way you did at dinner. Would you?"
"Yes! You would look so beautiful doing the temple dances. It also helps with your flexibility." Lynette giggled. "Many of the love positions require that we twist ourselves like a pretzel."
"Pretzel? What is that?"
"I will have Cook make them for you. They are wonderful. The savory ones covered with salt are from Germany, and the sweet ones with sugar and cinnamon are from Norway. They are divine."
"There are so many things I have not learned and experienced. Things I might never even have known about if Papa had not taken me here. I need to show more gratitude."
"You've only just arrived, Janie. Think of the things you have yet to see!"
"I look forward to it. Will you teach me something now? I would like to surprise Papa when we get to the cottage."
"Let's go into the hedges. No one can see us there," Lynette suggested, grabbing Jane's hand and running into the small garden maze built from tall bushes.
They'd been there for an hour before they heard Philip's voice booming through the yard.
"Jane! Jane Amelia! Where are you, young lady? Now is not the time to play hide and seek! Jane!"
"Uh oh," Jane giggled, her hip hitched in a dipping position as Lynette tried to show her some dance moves. "I was supposed to come right back after I finished making amends."
"You aren't going to get spanked again, are you?" Lynette looked worried.
"Nah," Jane peeked out through the bushes. "He only spanks me when I do something really bad, not when we play. I've always hidden from him, ever since I was little. Shhh, he's coming."
Jane held her friend back, ducking out of Philip's view as he stomped through the garden. She tiptoed out once his back was turned and, dragging Lynette with her, ran back to the guest house.
The two girls were sitting prettily, sipping tea when Philip returned.
"Where have you been, Papa? I've been waiting for you for hours."
"You little liar. I know you were hiding from me," he scolded, removing a leaf from her hair. "Is everything better with the family now?"
"Yes, sir. Lynette is teaching me some special things to share with you later."
"I see." Philip raised an eyebrow. He sat down across from them. "I hope it is nothing that will cause your bottom eventual pain."
"It depends on how you look at it, Uncle Philip," Lynette said with a straight face. She plopped herself in his lap and hugged him warmly. "Thank you for bringing me a friend. May I come visit her sometime?"
"You're always welcome," Philip hugged her back. "Just make certain you get your daddy's permission."
"I will. I should be going. We have history lessons this afternoon, and have to dress like schoolgirls
again." Lynette wrinkled her nose. She excused herself, kissed Jane's cheek and scampered away.
"I like her, Papa." Jane smiled, accepting his invitation to perch on his knee. "She is so different to the girls back in Epsom. She holds no interest in my position in your household, or our wealth."
"She's a good girl and her disposition is untouched by her title and affluence. She is much like you in many ways."
"I know," Jane tittered. "Including the need to make mischief." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "How did you know I was hiding?"
"I heard you two giggling. That was very naughty of you."
"I could not resist. Even since I can remember, I've hidden in the bushes. Papa?"
"Yes, baby girl?" Philip cuddled her lovingly.
"Usha wants me to meet with her and the wives first thing in the morning. I think she is going to punish me for how I acted."
"If she does, then she will be fair about it."
"You aren't going to stop her?" Jane's eyes widened.
"No. First, I value the respect this family gives me and I wish to return it. I trust them to guard and properly care for what is precious to me. Second, she is the Rana… the First Wife of the Raja. That makes her a princess. One does not interfere with royal business."
"But she is not our princess. Papa, please—"
"Not another word, Janie. You must learn to trust. Rama was very severe with you. Do you hold that against him?"
"No, sir," Jane said quietly. "He was very sad when he punished me, but I know nothing was done in anger. I deserved it."
"Yes, you did. And if Usha feels you deserve more, then she will give you what is needed, and nothing less."
"Yes, sir."
"Cheer up, baby," Philip squeezed her. "You've enjoyed your pampering over these last two days, have you not?"
"Yes."
"Then you shall receive more if needed. I know Usha well. I suspect what she has planned has little to do with punishment."
***
As the sun kissed the horizon and blanketed the grounds with the warm light of the morning, Jane paced nervously in front of the First Wife's chambers. She had announced her arrival and been told by the guard to wait until she was summoned. Despite Philip's promise to soothe her afterwards if she needed it, her anxiety rose.
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