“What did she tell you?”
“I do not remember.”
“Are you lying to me again, Jane?” Philip maintained a soft tone.
Jane rolled her eyes. “She said it was dangerous to attend the baths without an escort through the alleyways and that proper ladies only went midday, not at night and never in bad weather. She also scorned talk of the pubs and private gatherings, saying all forms of debasement occurred there. It isn’t true, though.”
“How many times have I asked you not to roll your eyes at me, young lady?”
“I don’t know. A couple of times, I suppose.”
“Do you admit to being deliberately defiant and putting yourself at risk of harm?”
“Yes! I didn’t think you would even care since you stopped noticing me.”
“Well, I never stopped caring and I can’t help but notice you. It is time we set down the parameters of our relationship, Janie. I am the head of this house and you, my love, are my little lady. Neither little girls nor ladies of class behave in the manner which you have conducted yourself. You know this quite well.”
“I won’t go again. I have no need to if you are at home with me.”
“Jane…”
“It’s true.”
“No, it is your choice. I need you to go into my study and fetch me the cane.”
“What?”
“Please obey me. I do not wish to grow annoyed. Tonight, my dear girl, we are starting anew. Mind your papa.”
Jane felt her adulthood shrink into nothingness with his words. As always, she felt like a child when his body language and tone assumed a parental air. Her lower lip quivered and her voice changed to a tiny plea. “Please do not punish me. I missed you, Papa. I was lonely and…”
“If you desire the ability to sit upon your bottom on the morrow, you will make haste to retrieve the rod,” Philip said firmly, his voice unwavering.
Jane sputtered and then ran from the room. She was grateful that the halls were devoid of servants as she clasped the slender, hooked piece of wood in her hand and made her way back up the stairs. Philip was waiting by her bed, his vest opened and sleeves rolled up over his muscular forearms. He reached his right hand out and Jane trembled as she placed the wicked instrument into it.
“Good girl. I am not pleased that I must punish you, Janie,” Philip said, tapping the cane against his left palm. “Did you notice the bench I brought in for you?” He gestured with his chin.
Jane’s gaze slowly fell upon the oddly shaped piece of furniture nestled in the far corner of the room. It was fairly low to the ground and sported a wide leather sling that dipped across a ‘U’ shaped seat with two high arm rests.
“What in the world is that?”
“I discovered it in the Raja’s palace and thought it might serve a purpose other than its intent. After trying it out on one of his impish wives, he gave this to me as a gift. I suspected I would be returning to a wayward girl,” he chuckled warmly. “I just did not realize that I would have to put the device to use so soon after my homecoming. Stand here.”
Jane watched nervously as he easily placed the stool in the center of the room. He pointed to the sling. “You are to lay your stomach across that band and place your hands flat upon the floor. Do not hesitate.”
“I beg of you, Papa,” Jane grabbed his arm, gazing up at him with tear-filled eyes. “Give me one more chance to prove that I can behave as you desire. Please! You kissed me and…”
“Yes, I kissed you. I will love kissing you for the rest of my life. But that kiss has nothing to do with my responsibility toward you, my love. For years I have softened when you showed me your tears,” Philip said softly, gently cupping her face. “I promised that I would not do you the disservice that your own father did by allowing you to run freely and without consequence. I failed you and allowed you to essentially do whatever you wished, with only minor consequences received over my knee. You have lost both respect for me and the fear of consequences, Jane.”
“I was angry and you left.”
“Choices, darling. We all must make them and pay the price when they are poor ones. Had you gone to these baths during the day and in clear weather, I would not be as cross. You risked your safety and I cannot ignore that. I will never ignore that. I love you too much to lose you to anything, especially foolishness on either of our behalves. These things necessitate that that I make your punishment significantly severe enough for you to wish to avoid a repeat.”
“Please, Papa,” Jane grabbed his hand and sunk to her knees. “I beg of you, not the cane. Please!”
“I’m truly sorry, Jane. I truly am. Bend over that bench and raise your skirts.”
Jane gasped, looking carefully at the bench. “I have no underclothes beneath and that bench requires my knees be spread! I cannot present myself to you in this manner. It is indecent!”
“You shall and you will. We are to be married, Lady Jane. I will see much more than your little rounded bottom and other precious parts very soon.”
“You cannot do this,” Jane wept, digging her fingers into his arm. “Please, don’t make me do this.”
“I can and I must. Obey me,” Philip said softly.
Jane sunk to the floor, crying into her hands. Her fear was not of that evil cane that Philip swished in his hand, but of his reaction when the gold ring was seen twinkling from the cleft of her thighs. Her tears did not cease as she crept across the leather sling and rested her palms upon the rug. The thick plank of bench’s pedestal required that she set her knees on either side of the broad beam and prevented her from locking her ankles together, promising that Philip would see every pink inch of her hidden valley framed in fiery curls.
Philip remained quiet as he lifted the skirts from her backside and pressed her knees further apart to rest on either side of the plank.
When he spoke, his voice reeked of sorrow. “Do not lie to me again, little one. That disturbs me far more than your disobedience.”
“I’m sorry, Papa. I’m so very sorry.”
“I am afraid you will be very soon,” the man said quietly, aiming the cane across her protruding cheeks. The sound of the swish was soft, but nothing compared to the biting sting that burned into her delicate flesh.
“Ow!” she cried out, reaching to protect her backside.
“Put your hands on the ground, Jane. Your lack of consideration to my wishes and concerns for your safety cuts into me as deeply as this cane upon your bottom,” Philip said, slicing the implement through the air a second time before snapping it along the crease of her upper thighs and lower cheeks.
“Noooo!” Jane called out, arching her back to the pain. “You’re going to kill me.”
“I am not going to kill you. You might have a bruise or two, but nothing more. I am very disappointed in your behavior,” Philip said, wrapping the cane over her backside again as he continued to scold her. “How can I trust you to honor my requests when you behave thusly?”
“I shall behave! You have my word,” Jane blubbered, sinking into the curve of the chair. She cried out as yet another stroke landed and caught her upon the upper thighs. “Please forgive me, Papa. Please!”
Philip swiped the cane across her bottom twice more before he paused and squatted in front of her. “No more of this, Jane. No more sneaking about. No more lying. No more,” he lifted her wet face to look at him, “secrets. We are to be married, whether you wish to or not, and it is my desire to make ours a relationship that is, at least, tolerable. Stand up and compose yourself. You only received six strokes and you are crying like a baby,” Philip said, straightening himself and walking next to the fire.
“Is that how you view me?” A new onset of tears poured from her eyes.
“I beg pardon?”
“I’m crying because of how you think of me. Don’t marry me if you think I am intolerable.”
“I, in no way, feel you are intolerable. Come before me.”
Jane struggled under the weight of
her skirts and the pain to her bottom, finally pulling herself to her feet. She accepted the handkerchief he offered as she joined him by the sizzling fire and wiped her eyes. Philip sighed and held the cloth to her face.
“Blow,” he ordered. “Do not argue. I have plenty of these on hand.”
Jane reluctantly obeyed, embarrassed by the honking that escaped her nose. Philip smiled and dabbed her eyes with the clean, dry corner before tossing it onto the floor. He gathered her in his arms and pressed her to his chest with a true, intimate embrace that Jane received with both surprise and comfort.
“I do not wish to make you unhappy,” he said quietly, kissing the top of her head. “It is not you I find intolerable, it is myself. I pray that the steps we are taking together will be ones that can change that.”
He took Jane’s hand and led her to the large armchair where he sat down and pulled her to sit upon his lap, ignoring her gasp of pain. He continued. “You have given me so much joy over these years and I have given you nothing in return except the means to survive; and a rabbit. I did not understand the need for physical affection until now. When I kissed you, I felt my heart open. In India, the people do not depend on material belongings to make them happy, rather they seek strong affection and interaction within their family unit. I want that for us.”
“I want that, too,” Jane whispered in her little girl’s voice. “I never wanted to make you unhappy. I just missed you terribly and then started to believe you didn’t love me when you broke your promise.”
“I know, baby. Can we please try to put my foolishness behind us and look to a fresh, new beginning? We both deserve the chance for a clean slate, don’t we?”
“Yes. I know I want one.”
“Will you comply with my requests, then?”
“Yes, Papa,” Jane said, feeling comfortable with the endearment. It made her feel like old times. “I will try my best.”
“Good girl. I will, too. I do love you,” Philip admitted, kissing her wrist. “I just need to learn how to demonstrate it so that you don’t feel the need to seek elsewhere for affection. Will you forgive me?”
“For that, yes. Not for this,” Jane shifted her bottom. “You brought me much discomfort this evening.”
“As you did to me. You are never to attend the Baths again, Jane.”
“Never? But…” A crushed expression fell across her face.
“I cannot take that look you give me when you are disappointed,” Philip sighed. “Very well. I will permit it only if Aunt Elsa accompanies you. Agreed?”
“Yes, sir,” Jane sighed unhappily.
He kissed her temple. “Off to bed with you. I expect to see you in the morning. I brought Turkish coffee and treats back with me.” He laughed as her eyes lit up at the mention of sweets. “We will be happy, Jane. I promise to do my best to make it so.”
“Are you really taking me on a trip?”
“Yes. We will leave in a month. Do you need me to send your maid up to help you get ready for bed?”
“No. I can undress myself without difficulty. Besides, I despise that woman.”
“Yes, I can understand why. Would you like me to discharge her?”
“She has a family to take care of, so no.”
“Jane? You amaze me. Even after the things she has said, you still find kindness in your heart. The white lotus suits you well.” He ran the back of his fingers across her cheek. “Sleep deeply and with peace, my love.” He hesitated, looking as though he was going to kiss her again, and then fled the room.
Jane waited until the sound of Philips footsteps disappeared down the hall and began to undress, wincing as the material scraped against her tenderized flesh. After stacking her clothes on her armchair to be laundered on the morrow, she lay on her stomach on her bed and buried her face in her arms. He promised that they would be happy. If only his words were true! Then her life would be one that she had always dreamed of; that is, with the exception of the scorching burn to her back end.
Slowly, she turned to her back and stared at the ceiling. He had made the comment regarding having no secrets, yet said nothing in inquiry about her shiny endowment. Did he already know of its placement? Slowly, her hand trailed down over her abdomen and touched the object of her distinction. What would he do when he exercised his marital rights? Would the ring be in his way? Would he take delight in it, knowing that its presence brought her to a state of passion that was unequaled by anything imaginable?
The discomfort of the mattress against her chastised bottom made her turn back to her stomach. She sighed, reflecting his words in her mind. Where was this school he was sending her to, and how would it teach her to be a proper wife? So many questions and no answer to appease her curiosity. And that kiss. Had she been standing, her knees would have folded under her. Why did he torment her so?
CHAPTER 6
One week later, Jane again found herself alone in the large, cold house. Philip had been called to the docks to attend to an accident in the shipyard and adamantly refused to allow her to accompany him. Angry and fitful, Jane decided to venture out against Philip’s instructions so that she could meet Nettie at their favorite pub located on the other side of the small town. Despite the chill in the air, Jane only wore black stockings under the lower half of her burgundy velvet dress with black mink trim. She was in the attitude to be defiant and going into public without the proper undergarments was only the beginning!
She slid among the late afternoon shadows until she was out of sight of the occupants of the manor. With a sigh of relief, Jane briskly walked to the open avenue where she could flag down a buggy to take her to her destination. Her anger with Philip grew as she glanced around for her friend after checking in her cloak. How dare he leave her alone again? She had gone on other trips with him. Why would this be any different? Her imagination took control. Was he with another woman?
"Jane, darling!" called a young woman from behind her. “Where is Philip?”
“He was unable to join me,” Jane said bitterly, kissing her friend on the cheek.
“Jane!” another voice called out. “It has been too long since we’ve seen you.”
“I have been occupied, Lucy,” Jane said, trying not to be obvious as she rolled her eyes. “How have you been?”
“Wonderful! In fact,” the girl’s eyes twinkled as she leaned into Jane, “I met a wonderful man who has come here from India. His tastes are a bit exotic for me, but I suspect he would be someone you would enjoy.”
“Why would you say that?” Jane asked through a clenched-toothed smile.
“Aw, dear, please take no offense. Being from the great continent, I thought it only natural that he would enjoy that special little secret you keep hidden from others except those of us in the Baths.”
“The same secret you told me I ought to rid myself of any way I could, Lucy?”
"I was only being honest with you, dear friend. You would be so much more attractive without that malformation between your legs. It reminds us all of a chastity belt! You will be grateful for my honesty when some man comes along one day and sparks your interest.”
“I already have a man whose interest and mine coincide,” Jane snarled.
“Do you? Where is he, then? In your imagination?”
Jane was still trying to formulate a ladylike but suitably firm response when Nettie pulled her away.
“She is engaged, you stupid ugly cow,” Nettie snapped at Lucy. “Her fiancé is handsome, rich and holds a title. Ring or not, she has what you never will. Class. Jane, darling, don’t waste your breath talking to this ignorant mollusk. Drink this while we seek out a private table away from this filth.”
“Thank you, Nettie,” Jane said quietly, quickly swallowing the glass of wine and following her friend. “I was afraid another broken nose would be in my future. Giving, not receiving.”
“It was my pleasure. Tell me,” Nettie pulled her face close the Jane’s. “When did Philip come home from his trip?”
“The evening we met at the Baths! He was waiting for me in my room.”
Nettie bit her lip. “I take it that your reception was not favorable.”
“It depends on how you chose to view it. Yes to my heart, no to my bottom. He caned me for disobeying and lying to him.”
“Oh, my! Was he severe?” Nettie looked worried.
“Not at severe as he made it sound like it would be. He only struck me six times and left no marks. I was able to go riding with him the following day. He is taking me on a trip, Nettie. He won’t tell me where, but it is to a school to teach me how to be a proper wife. He also declared his love for me and desire for us to be happy in our marriage. He was very kind and rather sweet.”
“How strange. Has he gone bonkers or perhaps been in the pipes?”
“I wondered that myself, except that he behaved perfectly rational and has never touched Opium,” Jane laughed, downing a second glass. “I did like how caring he was. It appears that the things he witnessed in India brought about a transformation of sorts to his heart.”
“Where is he tonight?”
“At the docks in Southampton investigating an accident. I am expecting him to be gone at least a week.”
“I don’t understand, Jane. Why did you defy him after he made his proclamation to you?”
“I did not appreciate being left at home alone again. I made that clear to him when we spoke that leaving me home was no longer acceptable,” Jane said stubbornly.
“If he discovers your visit here, he will flay you alive!”
“He won’t harm me, of that I am certain. As for my discovery, how would he ever know? I left my bed with stuffing beneath the covers and declared that I had a headache. No one will suspect I am gone. Come! Let’s sit down and enjoy the festivities.”
After a bit of jostling, Nettie found a table that was just being vacated, and they were soon seated and ordered a bottle of wine. A male acquaintance joined them, invited by Nettie, and chatted endlessly about the weather, the dreary days he spent at the university, and what he desired in a woman. The monologue dragged into a second bottle, which was gladly welcomed by the two girls.
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