by Susan Thomas
The five looked at one another, each open mouthed, with none of them sure how to proceed. Finally, Mayor Spencer rallied. "Now then, I guess you must be Miss Franklin but I must tell you Miss Franklin that you are as alike to my own daughter Emily as to be a pea in a pod. What is your birth day?"
Beth, bewildered, answered, "July 10, Mayor Spencer."
That she had shocked the three was clear from their faces but now the sheriff burst out, "By heaven, twins. How that can be I don't know, but twins they must be."
Beth was struggling with the fatigue of the journey, her nervousness at the undertaking, the presence of Arthur and now this Emily whoever she might be. Her voice sounded young and desperate. "Please, will someone explain what is happening here?"
The woman, who was clearly Mayor Spencer's wife, now took charge. "Oh my dear I am so sorry. You are so like my daughter Emily it is hard to credit you are not, but she fell from a tree when she was eight and has a scar just above her hairline. You do not have such a scar but you share her looks and her birthday. Henry here is right; you must be her twin."
"Mrs. Spencer? I guess you are married to Mayor Spencer here. I mean no disrespect but how can I be twin to Emily when she is your daughter?"
"My adopted daughter. John and I adopted her from an orphanage when she was just a babe."
"Adopted! Oh my... oh my. How can that be? Did my mother have twins and give one away? How awful."
The younger man appeared to come out of his shock and took charge. "Enough of all these questions. Miss Franklin, I apologize for my attitude. I thought you were my sister-in-law Emily. It is clear now that you are not but how that came about can wait. I am Sheriff Henry Flight and Emily is recently married to my brother Charles. Mayor and Mrs. Spencer are Emily's parents. They were going to provide you some accommodation but we were not expecting this young man. Who is he?"
"This is my younger brother Arthur. Family circumstances meant that at the last moment I had to bring him with me. He will be no trouble and I take full responsibility for him."
Sheriff Flight looked rather suspicious but whatever he might have been about to say was lost by Mrs. Spencer's intervention.
"You two must be worn out with all that traveling. I expect you could do with a bath and a good meal. Come along, let me get you home and we can sort out everything later." She put her arm around Arthur in a motherly way and led them away from the railway whistle stop with the two men carrying the bags.
Chapter 2
Ada Franklin Jones was busy at her correspondence. Breakfast was long since over and she had already dealt with the various reports from the servants. The wedding was generating a great deal of work for her but when the day finally came she would be done with the wretched girl. She was surprised by the arrival of her husband.
"Isaac, I wasn't expecting you back until later this afternoon."
"We got the bill through with no problem thanks to a little dealing on my part. Most satisfactory. I also managed to conclude an excellent private deal of my own... most profitable. I thought I'd return home for a while. Where's Elizabeth?"
"Staying with Lucille, that best friend of hers. They are meant to be discussing wedding matters but more likely giggling over her first night and similar matters. These girls try my patience."
"Not long now and then she will be Rankin's problem. Do remember though my dear that without the money I could not have taken my business to the heights it is at now and my political career would have been but a dream."
"Maybe so but we have done our duty by her. She has had a first class education and wanted for nothing. Now she will be married to a wealthy and influential man. Most girls would give their eye teeth for all that."
"Indeed, that is so and with Rankin as my son-in-law my dream of being President is virtually assured. It has been trying for you but the rewards are great."
At that moment a knock on the door was followed by the butler. "I beg your pardon sir. Mrs. Rourke is here to see Mrs. Jones."
After the usual pleasantries, Mrs. Rourke spoke in a slightly reproving tone, "We have been expecting Elizabeth to stay with Lucille these last three days but she has not arrived. Is she unwell?"
There was consternation as Elizabeth had departed three days ago to stay with her friend. Mrs. Rourke was reassured that they would find her and that she would come to stay. As far as social etiquette would permit, Mrs. Rourke was hurried away and a furious Ada spat out, "She will be with that wretched Martha woman. Send one of the servants immediately. I've never laid a finger on that girl but really this time I think I'll discipline her with a good stout hairbrush."
The servant was dispatched while husband and wife tried to talk about other matters but kept returning to their errant daughter. The promise of the hairbrush was elaborated to a switch or even a taste of the hairbrush followed by a good switching. Isaac had never seen his wife more furious although he could understand it as Elizabeth had deceived her; to deceive Ada was difficult and something few could ever claim. Finally, the servant returned bearing a note from the former nanny. It was short and to the point.
Dear Mr. Jones, Elizabeth is not with us. It was my understanding that her mother had given her permission to stay with Lucille Rourke. Perhaps you should try there. Respectfully, Martha Basetti.
The couple stared at one another for a while until Ada Franklin Jones recovered. "She's deceived me entirely. I thought she was reconciled to the marriage but it's clear she has run away. Why, she's even been to the library studying books on household management. Or at least that is what the librarian reported. I wonder what else she was up to. Plotting her getaway, I suppose. That settles it; when I find her she is in for a good whipping. Now Isaac get down to the railway station and ask whichever minion is in charge if she has been seen there. It would be hard to leave town without taking the train. Imagine the social disgrace if the wedding has to be postponed."
"Never mind social disgrace. I don't want the girl out there loose. Who knows what she might turn up if she has a mind; she's intelligent Ada and if she deceived you there is no knowing what she has been thinking about and plotting."
Isaac was received well by the station agent who was told that there had been a family misunderstanding about Elizabeth's destination and had she traveled by train and if so where was she going. The station agent made urgent enquiries and came back with the information that she had boarded the early train to New York two days earlier. Isaac was shrewd enough in his response.
"Ah, I see. Yes, a misunderstanding. She was off to see her cousin and we thought it was her bridesmaid. No matter, a telegram to check is all that is needed. Please accept this little gift for your trouble ... and there is no need to spread word of our embarrassment is there."
At home he was less charming. "Damn girl has run off to New York. This is serious Ada. Apart from anything else I need Rankin on board for my drive to the presidency. We've got to get her back and damn quick too."
"Indeed. Go and see Rankin. He needs to know but he will be able to help. He finds her very attractive so he'll not want to lose her."
When Mr. Jones arrived at the Blake house it was to find it in turmoil. Rankin Blake had been away on business leaving his son Arthur in the charge of the servants. When they had discovered Arthur missing they had been reassured by a note pushed through the door, apparently from the master himself, saying he had taken Arthur to begin the process of learning the business. With their incandescent master now present their stupidity was fully revealed. Of course the note was not in his hand...something like it to be sure, but clearly a forgery.
Blake was not pleased with the news about Elizabeth. "They've gone together," he snarled.
"I doubt it Rankin. At the station it was clear she had traveled on her own. Gone to New York full of some nonsense about making her own way in life I don't doubt."
"Then he's run off on his own. Perhaps he got wind of her plans. Whiny little brat, just like his mother. He thinks I am severe with him but when I get him
back he'll find out what severe really is."
Isaac Franklin Blake shivered slightly at the venom in his friend's voice. There was no doubt that Blake was severe with his son. Isaac's father had been hard enough but Blake was in another league altogether.
"Then there is Elizabeth. Frightened about her wedding night I have no doubt like all these girls. Well, when we find her I shall be giving her a good whipping."
"You'll do no such thing. Think of public opinion and the servants will talk. You can do what you like once you're married but until then you'll not touch her."
"Then you must whip her. She can't be allowed to get away with this."
"Yes, yes, I think I will. We've never used corporal punishment but this is serious."
"That was your mistake Isaac but I'll teach her to mind me never fear. Now you go home and keep your servants from gossiping about this. I have men working for me who will track her down. She may imagine New York big enough to become lost in but she is mistaken... they will find her and bring her back, and Arthur too."
---oOo---
Later on the same day that Mr. and Mrs. Jones discovered Elizabeth had run away Emily Flight was discovering she was in trouble with her husband. She had only been married to Charles two months but had already discovered that, although Charles loved her deeply and was a very good husband, he was not prepared to put up with any of her nonsense. There had already been several occasions when sitting comfortably had not been an option for her and this was shaping rapidly to be another.
Charles looked very displeased. "Emily Jane Flight, I want the truth now."
Emily put on her most innocent look and used her most demure voice. "Of course, Charles dearest. What is it you want to know?" She was still hoping that he had not found out about her clock trick.
"Was it you who altered the time on the clock in the church meeting room?"
Emily's bottom began to tingle and her heart sank. She was in for it now. Why did she do it? She might have known Charles would work it out. Papa always found out about her mischief, and she had spent many an unpleasant session in his office. Why had she thought Charles would let her get away with anything?
"Well..."
"So you were the one. I thought it had to be you."
"Charles, those horrors on the committee deserved it. The League of Moral Women indeed! What they really mean is the league of sticking their noses into everyone else's business and gossiping horribly about any poor innocent who falls foul of them. They always sniff and gossip about other women so I thought I'd just alter the clock and make them all late. It only embarrassed them, nothing more, but gave everyone else a good laugh. No real harm."
Charles had some sympathy with her view. The women of the committee were indeed a lot of horrors and he and Mayor Spencer ought to have words with their husbands. It was time those women were taken in hand.
"Emily, I love you dearly but just think for a moment. Any day now you could find yourself with child." Emily blushed. She really loved what she and Charles did together but talking about it still sent a tide of red all over her face. "Do you want your children to think their mother a mischief maker who plays practical jokes all over town? Do you want your children getting up to some of the stunts you've pulled?"
Emily's tide of red got brighter and spread further. "I guess not, but they did deserve taking down a peg."
"Indeed, and perhaps your papa and I will visit their husbands and suggest they take them in hand. Hopefully we will be pushing an open door. In the meanwhile, I am taking you in hand. I am going to close up my office and while I do so you will go and get ready for bed. I'll be a few minutes putting papers away but when I return you will be in your nightdress and standing in the corner..."
"Oh Charles, I am not a child."
"Emily!"
Emily stamped her foot, an action she regretted the second she did it. Whenever she had been foolish enough to do it with her father he had taken his paddle off the wall.
"And for that you'll now put your hands on your head. Any more foot stamping or sassing me and I will take a belt to your rear end to go with the spanking."
Emily sighed dramatically and with a pout stamped off to do as she was told. He had never taken a belt to her and she doubted he really would but she wasn't going to put it to the test. She undressed quickly and put on one of the long white nightdresses that she had made when younger especially in preparation for her marriage. On her mother's advice, not understood at the time though it was clear now, she had made sure that on the bodice, when all the buttons were undone, her breasts were revealed. Charles loved to undo those buttons slowly exposing her breasts before he began to fondle and nibble at them. Emily rubbed her breasts through the nightdress and thought of Charles doing it. Perhaps he would make love to her after he spanked her. She blushed at her thoughts and with another heavy sigh went to the corner and put her hands on her head.
It seemed an eternity before she heard the door of their living quarters open. They lived above his offices. Charles ran a small newspaper and was also a lawyer dealing with the legal needs of the town and the surrounding farms. She heard Charles come into the bedroom. He had taken his boots off at the entrance to their quarters and she could see in her mind what he was doing now. He would be removing his jacket and hanging it up. Yes, there was the sound to go with it. He was loosening and removing his necktie. Her heart started to race for now he would be rolling up his sleeves in preparation for her spanking. He had only spanked her three times and, she now admitted to herself, all three were very much deserved, but without doubt he had a hard hand and really set her bottom on fire.
"Emily, leave the corner and come to me."
With yet another heavy sigh Emily pulled her hands from off her head and turned to go to him. It was with relief she saw he had no hairbrush with him. She knew some of the wives in town were spanked with their own hairbrush and she had wondered if he was upset enough to take one to her.
"Now pull your gown right up to your waist."
Emily's tide of red returned. She still wasn't quite used to Charles seeing her even partly naked but she did as she was told, exposing herself to his gaze. "Charles, before you spank me may I ask something?"
"Yes, but I am still going to spank you hard. Your reputation is important to me."
"I know I've made you mad with my clock trick, but you do still love me don't you?"
Charles Flight leapt to his feet and pulled her close to him in a strong, warm hug. "You silly girl of course I do. I love you with all my heart. It is because I love you I fear for your reputation. You're lucky. So far no one else has realized the clock was you at work. Now it's time I spank you."
Emily shed a few tears at the warmth of Charles' reassurance. She felt so loved by her clever strong husband and made no fuss when he sat down on the bed once again and pulled her across his knees. He pulled her nightdress clear of her bottom; indeed, halfway up her back.
The first smack of his hand landed on her right cheek and really stung, making her gasp. It was followed swiftly by another and another and the stinging on her right cheek built up so much she began to jerk her legs and gasp at every smack. Charles, sternly resisting her little gasps and cries, switched to the soft unblemished left cheek. He brought his hand down with a good hard smack. For a brief moment Emily was relieved at the change. Her relief did not last - her right cheek continued to sting and burn but now Charles' chastising hand smacked down again and again on her left cheek until the sting became so great she wriggled and twisted on his lap. He stopped briefly and crossed his leg over both of hers, and taking a firmer grasp of her trim waist he began again on the right cheek.
"Ah, Ah," she cried, "Ow, ouch, please. Oh my!"
Her cries pierced Charles' heart; he hated to punish her but a woman's reputation was important and to be ostracized in a small town like this would be terrible. The League of Moral Women had a bad influence and had to be taken in hand but meanwhile... He brought his hand down a
gain on her delightful bottom.
The stinging grew worse and worse and the heat built up so much it seemed to Emily there was no escape and no end. Her legs were kicking up and down almost in time to her gasps and cries of 'Ow' and 'ouch'. Charles smacked each cheek about nine or ten times before moving on to the other and then back again and his smacks were by no means light ones. Suddenly Emily couldn't cope; she began to panic at the repeated smacks and the unrelenting stinging and heat. Her panic grew and grew with her struggles becoming greater. Then, abruptly, she was crying and struggling no more. Charles had smacked her bottom another six times before he realized his pretty young wife was crying and he stopped immediately. Emily was good at taking a spanking, and when she began to cry it was not for effect; it was because she had been spanked enough.
Charles helped Emily from her position across his knees and pulled her to sit on his lap. She clung tightly to her husband, crying and being soothed and comforted by him. Charles had always known what a mischief his Emily was, and that he would have to be very firm with her, but he didn't enjoy being the stern husband at all. Finally, when her tears were dried and she had stopped crying he kissed her and helped her to sit on the bed. She immediately stood and began rubbing her bottom.
"Oh, Charles, you do spank me hard."
"But you deserved it didn't you?"
She pouted a little and agreed that she did indeed deserve it. Charles, satisfied that she had learnt her lesson, at least for now, began to get ready for bed. As a newspaperman and lawyer Charles was a busy man. He was up early and often was sought out to give advice on a whole range of issues. Emily sat up in bed watching her husband undress. She loved the license of being able to watch him do this. He had a lean strong body which excited her to look at. She found herself rubbing her breasts through her nightdress. She knew she wanted him to make love to her. He had never followed a spanking with love making; it was as if they were different compartments in his mind. Now Emily desired him so much she didn't care that she had just been spanked.