“You weren’t very good at denying them last night,” Effie snorted. “How do you know you’ll be successful? Maybe this game has more than one player,” she drawled, trailing her fingernail slowly down his naked chest until she got to the waist of his trousers.
Sam groaned and flung himself away from her. Laughing, Effie watched him rise from the bed, an obvious bulge in the front of his pants.
“Is that what happens to you?” she asked curiously.
“Yes,” he snapped as he tucked his shirt in.
“Good, I shall endeavor to make you as uncomfortable as you’ve made me. I have a sad feeling I’m going to succeed very well,” she sighed sympathetically. Then she laughed.
“Euphemia, you can be quite a brat,” Sam snorted.
“A brat with a gun, Sam. Don’t forget that part.”
“I’m not likely to, but it will be a cold day in hell before you get your hands on it again,” he promised, staring at her with resolve.
“My, it is quite chilly in here,” she purred, running her hands slowly down the front of her body. She never pulled her gown down and her breasts were still completely exposed.
Sam glared at her and stomped to the door. “Hurry up; they’re probably waiting breakfast,” he growled.
“Yes, dear,” she cooed as he slammed the door.
What an ass. This man obviously didn’t know who he was dealing with.
Chapter Seven
Effie was right. You could have heard a pin drop when Sam made the announcement at breakfast. After all, they’d only known each other a few days. Grace and Amelia looked at Effie in stunned silence. Tempest narrowed her eyes and glared at her son.
“You are forcing her,” she hissed, leaning forward. “Grace and I heard what you did to this poor jeune fille a short time ago. Tell me, ma petit, did he beat you into submission?” she demanded, turning to Effie. “Duncan, you must take the horse whip to your son. Mon Dieu, it is not to be borne,” she cried.
“Now just a minute, darlin’, let’s get our facts straight before we jump to conclusions.”
“Effie, is what Ma Ma says true? Has Sam forced you to accept his suit?” Amelia demanded, rising.
“Yes, tell us the truth, Effie,” Grace added, glaring at Sam. “You needn’t bother to deny it Samuel. Tempest and I both heard Effie’s cries and would have come to her rescue if the door hadn’t been locked.”
“I’m not denying anything. You heard exactly what you thought you were hearing. Euphemia and I were having a discussion and at the end of it she agreed to become my wife. That’s really all there is to it. I hardly think it concerns either of you.”
“See, he admits it, Duncan,” Tempest cried, rising to her feet with her eyes flashing. “I cannot believe my own son would resort to such barbaric measures to secure a bride, especially when he can have his pick of any woman in the territory.”
“I do not want any woman in the territory, Mother. I want Euphemia and she has agreed. Now that is the end of it. If you do not want to support our marriage, we will go to San Francisco and be married there.”
“Non,” Tempest chastised. “I already have one son who cheated me out of giving him a proper wedding. I’ll not have that repeated. “
“Then what is the problem?”
“I need to know this is what le petit truly wants. Do you want to marry my son?” she asked, circling the table and gently tipping up Effie’s chin with a slim finger. “Have you fallen in love with him? He is a difficult man, Cherie.”
Effie laughed. “That is putting it mildly, Madam. Your son has a monstrously high opinion of himself. He is arrogant, demanding and has limited social graces,” she continued with a slight smile as she watched Sam looking at her with narrowed eyes. “To answer your question, no, I do not love him, I hardly know him and what I do know of him is not… impressive, but for one small thing.”
“I do not understand,” Tempest replied, looking around the table in confusion. She focused on Amelia and Grace, but they appeared as dumbfounded as she.
“May I speak frankly?” Effie asked.
“But of course, you are among friends. Oui, tell us why you have agreed when you feel such derision for my son.”
“Thank you, Madam. Perhaps you’d better sit down as you may find this quite shocking.”
Tempest went back to her seat and leaned forward in suspense while Grace and Amelia remained standing, ready to jump to Effie’s defense if Sam took exception to her words. They could hardly fail to notice his suspicious demeanor as he too waited to hear what Effie would say.
Clearing her throat delicately, Effie sent an apologetic glance at Duncan before facing Tempest.
“I’ve chosen to accept his proposal because I believe he is an excellent lover, Madam.”
“Pardon moi?” Tempest said weakly.
“Oh yes,” Effie continued deadly serious. “And while I may find a more amenable man, I sincerely doubt I will find a more accomplished um…”
“Mademoiselle, are you saying that in the course of three days acquaintance, my son has stolen your virtue?”
“Oh no, Madam,” Effie replied. “I gave it to him.”
Jonah choked on his coffee. Hugh, who had been tipping his chair back on two legs and enjoying himself immensely, lost his balance and crashed backward to the floor with a yell. Amelia dropped to her chair in shock and Grace dipped her napkin into her water glass and dabbed at the coffee her husband spat all over the white linen tablecloth while she whacked him viciously on the back. Following that, she dipped again and patted her décolletage.
Duncan stared at his son with a rapidly reddening expression while his wife tried to process what she’d heard. Finally she spoke.
“So, mon Cher, you are not so very different from your Ma Ma,” she teased before breaking into delighted laughter. “It is no matter. Many good marriages start in just such a way. In fact, I would never have married your Pa Pa had I not wanted him so badly.”
“Mother, please,” Sam groaned.
“What? Desire is nothing to be ashamed of,” she stated with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Your Pa Pa is an excellent lover, for a man who is not French,” she continued, winking at her husband. “I adore him.”
“Effie,” Amelia sighed. “You cannot do this.”
Grace nodded her agreement.
“Were you in love with Hugh when you married him?” Effie asked, taking a sip of her water.
“Well, no, but at least I liked and respected him. You don’t even like Samuel, and at the moment, neither do I,” she said sharply as she glared at him.
“Grace, are you in love with Jonah?”
“Yes, yes I am,” Grace insisted softly.
“Even though he spanks you? Even though less than two weeks ago you demanded I shoot him?”
Jonah raised shocked eyes to his wife, grasped the hand that was still slapping him and pulled her down onto her seat.
“You actually wanted her to shoot me?” he demanded.
“Yes, but only for a moment or two. Then I came to my senses,” Grace admitted.
“Well, I suppose that’s something,” he sighed. “You do realize, knowing Effie, it’s a wonder she didn’t do it?” he growled.
“Yes, I know, but really, Jonah, it’s not like I asked her to kill you,” Grace fired back, yanking her hand away. “I only wanted her to sort of… injure you; you know to teach you a lesson. It’s not so very different from what you say to me, of course I’m not strong enough to actually spank you, so what’s a girl to do?”
Hugh nearly fell over again, and would have if Amelia hadn’t grabbed his collar and yanked him forward.
“For heaven’s sake, Hugh, are you a child? Keep that chair on four legs if you please,” she cried in exasperation.
Duncan rose and walked away from the table, his shoulders shaking badly.
“You’d best watch your tone of voice, young lady,” Hugh replied.
“Oh, be still,” she sassed back, befo
re ignoring him altogether. “Effie, you know I will support you in any decision you make, but I wish you would think about it a while longer. After all, it’s a big decision,” she pleaded.
“Yes, I agree with Amelia, Effie,” Grace interjected. “I think you should give it more thought.”
“Euphemia,” Sam began.
“Oh do be quiet, Samuel. I don’t need your help. I find it hard to believe that after traveling across the country to rescue you, Amelia, you would expect more from me than you yourself were willing to consider. After all, you knew Hugh a matter of days before you married him,” she insisted, planting her hands on her hips.
“And you, Grace, I supported your decision to marry Jonah without question. Am I not entitled to the same consideration?”
“Of course you are,” Grace cried. “It’s just that we love you so much and want you to be happy.” Wiping away a tear, she looked to Amelia for assistance, but Amelia was crying too as Hugh gently rubbed her back.
“You’re right, of course,” Amelia finally said. “Whatever you decide to do, Effie, we will always be on your side of the issue in the end. Congratulations, to both you and Sam,” she sniffed.
“Grace?”
“You and Amelia have been my very dearest friends for as long as I can remember,” Grace said with a shaky smile. “Of course I will always support any decision you choose to make. I wish you and Sam nothing but the best.”
“Thank you,” Effie said patting Sam’s hand in reassurance. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, Sam. I admit I’m not the easiest woman in the world to get along with.”
“I’m pretty sure I can handle any problems that arise,” Sam replied.
Tempest snorted. “Come, we must drink a toast to the happy couple, and also one to the ignorance of my son,” she smiled, lifting her crystal glass of orange juice.
“Wait,” Effie said. Rising she walked to Duncan who was still standing. “Mr. Jordon, you have not said anything for or against. Are you opposed to our union? I want to assure you; I do not come to this marriage without funds, so if you are thinking your family’s wealth has something to do with my acceptance of Samuel’s proposal…”
“Not at all, lass. That thought hadna even entered my mind. It’s simply I ken how stubborn both you and my son are, by nature. He has his mother’s temper and none of my forbearance. As much as I love my wee wife, we never would have survived these many years if I had not been of a mind to give in to her. Samuel will not be such a husband, and it’s best you know that. I fear you two will have a volatile relationship and I would not want bairns caught in the crossfire. I did that to my sons and regret it.”
“Father, do not worry about this,” Sam admonished, coming to join them and slipping an arm around Effie’s waist. “As my wife, Euphemia will know her place and act accordingly,” he assured him, giving Effie a warning squeeze.
“Yes, I will,” Effie drawled sweetly. “That place will be at Samuel’s side as a partner and an equal. Providing, of course, your son is smart enough to know which side his bread is buttered on,” she continued, removing his arm from her waist and dropping it.
“Euphemia, do we need to have another discussion?” Sam asked again tugging her closer and allowing his hand to drop to her bottom.
“We do if you think I’m going to continue to allow you to man-handle me.” Stomping the sharp heel of her shoe onto the arch of his foot, secured her instant release. Walking away she sighed, looking at him over her shoulder. “Really, it’s barbaric and completely out of touch with current times for you men to think you can up-end your women and spank them whenever you’ve a mind too. It’s quite ridiculous! Don’t you agree, ladies?” she asked, resuming her seat.
Effie looked around. For a moment there was dead silence. Hugh was looking speculatively at Amelia, his arms crossed over his chest as he again teetered on two chair legs. Jonah was watching Grace closely, awaiting her reply as she fiddled with her damp napkin, and Duncan was grinning at his wife. Finally Tempest spoke.
“Cherie, now you must allow me to speak frankly. It is true there are many men who abuse their wives. They lash out in anger, jealousy or just plain meanness. Their words are often cruel, their blows reducing their women to frightened shadows. These are not the men in this room, ma petit.
“A real man only disciplines his wife out of love, wanting to guide her in the best direction for the sake of their marriage and family, or as punishment when she has behaved badly. I speak of this from personal knowledge, my pet. A husband who ignores you, who does not care where you go or what you do, does not love you as much as he should, or could. He may find your presence annoying or shrewish, and in the end, this will bring nothing but heartbreak if you truly love him. It is his responsibility to assure a happy home, using whatever works. Sometimes discipline works best. Spanking can also be a means of sexual pleasure…”
“Pleasure?” Effie gasped.
“Oui, my sweet, but this is only when your husband is not angry with you,” she said with a smile. “In time, perhaps my son will demonstrate this to you,” she teased, winking at Sam.
“Mother, please,” Sam pleaded in exasperation, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“What? We are speaking honestly, are we not?”
“Amelia? Grace?” Effie said, staring at her friends, awaiting their input.
“I don’t know about all this,” Grace replied with a blush, “but I trust Jonah not to hurt me. So far at least.”
“Hugh has not hurt me unduly,” Amelia said, looking at Effie before sending Hugh a smile. “If he does, he will need to learn to sleep with one eye open.”
“And do you find this practice… pleasing?” Effie demanded suspiciously.
Amelia struggled to answer, her face flaming. Hugh answered for her.
“She does” he stated, pulling her to his chest.
“Well, for goodness sake,” Effie gasped, her brown eyes widening with surprise.
Sam came to her side, sat down and chucked her gently under her chin.
“Close your mouth, sweetheart,” he teased.
“So my husband, will you tell these children you support their marriage?” Tempest asked, picking up her glass once again.
“Aye, lass, but you need to get some of those brides married. I have a feelin’ Sam and Effie will need some privacy. You’d best get the women out of Hugh’s house so he and Amelia can go home.”
“Magnifique,” Tempest said, raising her glass. “To Sam and Effie.”
“Pick up your glass, sweetheart,” Sam said nudging Effie gently.
Effie did as he asked and accepted the best wishes of everyone in the room. Her mind was spinning and although she’d given Sam her word, she wasn’t sure she could actually go through with it.
Had there been any pleasure when he’d been repeatedly slapping her bottom? She didn’t think so, although the man certainly had a way of muddling her thoughts. There was no doubt she’d been on fire after the spanking as his lips and hands attended to her. Whether any of the raging heat flooding her body was the result of her burning cheeks she couldn’t be sure.
Tempest said a sexually pleasing spanking required the man not be angry with you. In her short history with Sam, it seemed he was pretty much always angry about something or other, so that presented a limited opportunity to experience that.
Well, she decided, if it came to it, she would simply ask him to spank her and show her. If she was going to marry the man and have an intimate relationship with him, surely it was within her rights to have a demonstration. Wasn’t it?
“Come, we must make the final preparations for tonight’s festivities,” Tempest informed the girls, ushering them into the morning room. “We can announce the engagement then and maybe some of the brides will meet their future husbands. Samuel has a lovely home, Effie. I’m sure you will love it once Amelia and Hugh are able to return to their own home. Such uproar my son has caused with his advertisement, Oui? But then,” sh
e smiled, tipping her head to one side, “I would not have both my new daughters and the lovely Grace in my life. Non, I am most grateful Hugh was so foolish.”
*
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Sam,” Jonah remarked once the ladies left the room. “Inside that pretty little frame, Effie is trouble with a capital T. Now that you’re going to marry her, she won’t be returning east. Hugh and I will have to watch our wives like hawks.”
“Are you worried for me or for yourself?” Sam asked with a laugh.
“I’m worried for all of us, including you, Duncan,” Jonah replied seriously. “I have a feeling the expression ‘all hell is breaking loose’ is destined to become a frequently used addition to our vocabulary.”
“Aye, you may be right, lad, but at least we won’t be bored. It was pretty quiet around here after I showed my wife what was what. Of course, that was before Effie and Grace arrived,” he finished with a grin. “I think I’ll find it quite amusing watching those lassies give you boys a run for your money. Maybe you’ll have a bit more of an understanding of what your Da went through.
“Let’s go on out to the barn and see if we can give the boys a hand getting things ready for tonight. Ethan and a few of the other men should already be out there and Angus surely has the meat roasting. A fine thing for a man to have to do on the day he gets married.”
“All right,” Hugh agreed, getting to his feet. “Sam, it’s probably best if you don’t hear Mother planning the grandest wedding Seattle has ever seen,” he laughed, clapping his brother on the back as they followed their father out the door.
Chapter Eight
Brightly colored lanterns lit the walkway to the barn, but even they could not outshine the women lining one wall. Despite Tempest’s admonishment that the dance was no longer a ball, the women wore their finest dresses, some of them quite elaborate.
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