“Andrew, please. I have asked you several times to call me by my Christian name when we are private. Please make an effort to remember, my dear. I do hate repeating myself.”
“Yes, Andrew.”
“Good girl. Why don’t you take a seat and get comfortable while we chat for a moment?”
It was not a polite invitation but a command, so she sat and arranged her skirts before looking up at him in expectation. “Cecilia, we both know our marriage started in a less than promising manner. Despite that fact, I would like to make a real effort to make a go of our marriage and to be happy. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the luxury of a courtship. But, we have greater privacy here in the country away from the prying eyes of the Ton. I am hoping we can take this time to get to know each other better before we head back for the remainder of the season.”
“Yes Andrew, that sounds like a wonderful idea. I would like for us to become better acquainted.”
“Excellent.” He began to pace across the expensive rug that covered almost the entire floor spanning from the ornate fireplace nearly to the door. “There are a few rules that I expect you to follow and are directly related to your safety. First, you aren’t to go off unescorted, on foot, by carriage, or on horseback. Although safer than London, there are still dangers and I will ensure you don’t jeopardize your safety. Understood?”
He paused in his pacing to look sternly down at her. He was obviously expecting an answer.
“Yes, my-, uh yes Andrew.”
He smiled as she caught herself before making another mistake. He was pleased she was trying to honor his request. “Second, I expect proper wifely behavior. Respect your vows to honor and obey me and I hope intimacy and companionship will soon follow. Act respectfully toward your husband and be a good and honest helpmeet and we will get along fine. I also expect you to care for the household and the children I am sure we will be blessed with in the near future.”
“Of course Andrew. I was schooled in household management and the domestic arts so that should be no problem.” Well, there it was. She knew it wasn’t a love match, but Andrew made it sound quite cold and distant for a new husband, no matter the circumstances. He merely hoped for intimacy and companionship. Cici’s shoulders slumped. What about love? Like most young aristocratic women she had dreamed of a romantic, whirlwind courtship and of course finding a love match. It appeared that she would come up short again.
“I trust you don’t have any of the rather unsavory personality traits of your sister. That would not suit at all.”
“Elizabeth was spoiled terribly by mama. It isn’t really her fault.”
“What about you? Weren’t you spoiled as well?”
“Hardly, Mama made sure I had the proper education and of course she loves me, but it was expected that Elizabeth would make the most advantageous match. Papa indulged my educational pursuits and travel interests but other than that, I was supposed to be seen and not heard while growing.”
“Your father threatened to take a cane to your sister. Was that a common event in your household?”
She blushed furiously at the topic. “That is a rather unseemly subject, my lo-, uh Andrew.”
“No topic is off-limits between a husband and his wife. Answer the question, Cecilia.”
She nodded and averted her eyes. “I was paddled a time or two while growing up, but Papa never used the cane on me. Elizabeth earned herself a thrashing or two, though.”
“Well, I am a firm believer in delivering a sound thrashing when it’s needed. It appears your father was lax in the application of the cane where your sister is concerned. The old idiom ‘spare the rod, spoil the child’ seems fitting in this case. You will find I am not so careless. In the future, if you violate the rules we’ve just discussed or any rules I decree from now on, you can expect to feel my guiding hand on your naughty backside, or any other implement I see fit to use to make my point clear. Do you understand?”
Cici paled, and her eyes were round as saucers as she looked at him. He would spank her like a naughty child? Papa hadn’t found cause to discipline her since she was still in pinafores. Of course, that had been Elizabeth’s fault as well. It seemed every time she got in trouble, her sister’s hand was involved. Look at her current predicament. Did wives really get spanked? Good gracious, this was unheard of!
“Fear not Cecilia, if you are a good girl and behave as a lady should, you have nothing to fear.” He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead, and then took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “Let me show you to your room so you can rest or refresh yourself. You have about forty-five minutes before you are to greet the staff. That reminds me, I am a stickler for punctuality so please try to be on time.”
He led an overwhelmed and shocked Cici to her chamber and summoned her maid with the bell pull. “I will collect you when it’s time.”
Chapter Five
Due to her overwrought nerves, Cici was unable to rest. Instead, she washed the road dust from her face and hands, changed into a fresh gown suitable for dinner, made the necessary adjustments to her hair and then waited for her new husband’s return. As she waited, she replayed his words over and over in her head. He planned to spank her, with implements. Oh dear, whatever could he have in mind? Would he do it over her drawers and petticoats as Papa had? Papa had used a strap on her during all her punishments and though painful they had not been unbearable, and Cici had returned to her regular activities the following day. With Elizabeth, that had not been enough to curb her rebellious ways and he had progressed to a cane. She remembered her sister being incapacitated for several days after those harsh punishments.
“Cecilia!”
Startled, Cici jumped as her husband’s deep voice penetrated the silence of her chamber.
“My Lord.” She breathed, placing a steadying hand against her chest beneath which her heart was racing. “I didn’t hear you return.”
“I see that, although I knocked and called your name several times. What had you so lost in thought?”
“Just ruminating, My Lord.” She wasn’t about to reveal that she was thinking about him spanking her.
“Are you certain? I expect you to tell me if something is bothering you.”
“Yes My Lord, I am ready to meet the staff,” she said as she moved to stand beside him and be escorted to meet the staff.
He frowned down at her. She was obviously upset about something and withholding it from him. He determined to nip this behavior in the bud straightaway. “Not quite yet, my dear. It seems we need to take care of a few minor details before we proceed downstairs.” She watched as he crossed to her dressing table and pulled out the bench. “Come here, Cecilia.”
Her hand rose to her hair to check her pins. When she stood next to him she checked her appearance in the mirror, everything appeared to be in place. “Is there something wrong with my gown, My Lord?”
“You look perfectly lovely. However, this habit of yours of ignoring my requests needs to be curbed. I believe I have requested several times since our wedding almost a week ago that you call me Andrew while we are private. I also told you I expected respect and honor from my wife. That means being truthful and not keeping secrets.” As he spoke, he moved behind her and reached under the point of her dress, releasing her skirt and crinolines. “Damn crinolines and hoops. I don’t know where you women got the idea for such frippery.”
“I believe they originated in Spain almost four hundred years ago and according to Mama it's much better than the layers of petticoats the ladies used to have to wear, my- uh… What are you doing, My Lord?”
“What is so hard about using my name, Cecilia?”
“I’m sorry, it is habit. I will strive to do better, Andrew.”
“Yes, you will and I am going to help you.” He finally released her skirt, petticoat, elongated hoop and crinolines then stepped back and watched as they collapsed to the floor in a heap around her feet. Offering her his hand, he helped her to step over the v
oluminous fabric and pulled her toward the bench seat of her dressing table where he sat. Spreading his legs wide, he then guided her between them and assisted her into position over his knee. Cici was stunned and didn’t begin to resist until she was face down over his lap and she felt him pulling up her chemise in back.
“You can’t mean to spank me now, and in my drawers,” she cried. “Papa never removed my clothing. This is most improper.”
“You are correct. I don’t mean to spank you in your drawers.” He untied the drawstring from said garment and - splitting the linen and lace material - bared her bottom to his gaze for the first time. Her full white globes appeared smooth and perfect to his eyes. “If your father punished you over your skirts, it's no wonder the cane was ineffective on your sister. You must remember that I am not your papa. As your husband, you may always expect that a spanking from me will be delivered on your lovely bare bottom.”
Andrew wrapped a strong arm around her waist as she struggled. Cici could feel the cool air against her skin and was mortified that he was seeing her private areas. “Please Andrew! I am beyond embarrassed by all this! Don’t do this!”
“I could tell when I entered that you were fretting needlessly about my use of discipline in our marriage. Consider this a demonstration and your first of many lessons. Now be still.” He gave her two warning smacks which startled her enough that she stopped struggling and listened. “Before we begin each punishment I’ll expect you to list your offenses and ask for forgiveness. You may see to that now, if you please.”
Tears welled up in Cici’s eyes; this was beyond anything she had ever imagined. She tried to put words to her thoughts, but the shocking situation had her tongue-tied. “Ouch!” She squealed as a stinging swat was delivered to the center of both cheeks. His hand was so large that it almost covered the breadth of both full cheeks in one smack. “I can’t believe you are doing this my lo-, uh Andrew.”
He said nothing, waiting patiently for her to comply with his request. Finally, as the silence continued he landed two more swats.
“No more please, I’m sorry. I forgot to use your Christian name, Andrew.”
“Very good, were there any other infractions?”
Puzzled, Cici’s mind replayed their interactions since he’d walked into her room moments ago. She shook her head in confusion, “I don’t know what you mean..,” Another smack landed in the same spot and she shrieked in alarm. “Please…”
“When I walked in here you were deep in thought. When I asked what you were thinking you gave me a flippant response. I expect honesty between us always Cecilia, so when I ask you a question, I expect a truthful answer. Would you like to change your answer now before we continue with your punishment?” He patted her bottom softly before tracing his fingers lightly over the reddened outline his hand had left on her fair skin. Half a dozen light swats had left her pink and heated already. He would have to take care with his wife’s delicate skin.
“I was thinking about…” she closed her eyes and tears rolled down her cheeks as she steeled herself to say the truly humiliating words. “I was thinking about what it would be like when you spanked me, Andrew.”
His lips turned upward in satisfaction as he caressed her skin gently. “I see and what did you determine?”
“I was concerned about the implements you mentioned and if they would be harsh like Papa’s strap or severe like his cane. I was wondering what I would have to do to provoke such a punishment.”
“Well, dear, I am happy to be answering some of those questions right now. In future, you will earn a punishment whenever I believe it necessary. The sentence will always match the severity of the crime. You are about to get a hand spanking to help you remember to address me as I have repeatedly requested and to also be honest in your responses to me. These are minor offenses, but also very important to me. More serious crimes will require more serious intervention. But my dear wife, have no fear for I have some experience in this area and have yet to see a woman injured under my hand.” He chuckled again and added, “Or my crop, birch rod, or razor strop.”
Her choked sound of alarm echoed in the room. Her voice had been paralyzed at the words crop, birch and strop. When she could finally speak she breathed in a tremulous voice, “That sounds most cruel, My Lord.”
“I am sorry for the misplaced humor, Cecilia. I shouldn’t tease when you are obviously concerned.” As he spoke, his hand gently caressed and soothed her in an attempt to get her to relax across his thighs. “You will find that I am actually a kind and caring man and I have no wish to harm my wife. I think that you are allowing your mind to conjure up horrible images of beatings and tortures and that is simply not the case.” He paused, deliberately stroking her back and her full buttocks. His hand continuing slowly past her hips to the tops of her thighs.
“Let me ask a question. As a child, when your father took a strap to you was it justified?”
“Yes, but it was usually Elizabeth’s fault.”
“But you went along with her schemes and deceit?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“And your father, did he needlessly beat you, scar you, or punish you without just cause?”
“No, Andrew.”
“Did you learn anything from your punishments?”
“Yes, I learned never to repeat those silly lapses in judgment again.”
“Excellent, because I hope you will learn that same lesson from me. Rest assured, your bottom will certainly be red and sore from time to time. And I will do my best to avoid welts and bruises for that is not an effect that I favor. I will not do to you anything that even comes close to what I experienced as a boy. Nor will I use any implement that I have not experienced first-hand. For you see, my father was a very strict disciplinarian and I learned well over his knee as a lad. As a young man he instructed me in the value of a firm hand with the ladies. I promise you shall not perish or suffer permanent injury from any spanking I deliver. I want to provide guidance and promote harmony in our marriage, not beat or abuse you. Understand?”
She could only nod her understanding. Oh my stars, she thought, what on earth has Elizabeth done to me? All her thoughts were cleared from her mind as her husband began to land swat after stinging swat upon her bare buttocks. His huge hand felt like a wooden paddle as it came down on her tender flesh over and over. The sting built quickly to an intense burning as he covered every exposed inch of her bottom.
Suddenly, he stopped. “Thank you Lord,” she murmured in relief. Soon she realized he wasn’t finished but had only paused to adjust her position. He hiked his right knee higher which pushed her balance forward and her bottom arced higher in the air. Cici squealed in alarm as she had to reach forward to steady herself by placing her hands on the floor.
“Easy, I’ve got you. I am just getting you ready for the finale which will be administered to your sit spots.” He pulled down her drawers until they lay loosely around her knees then rubbed something cool and smooth against the area where her buttocks met her newly bared thighs. “That is this small, tender area where your lovely thighs and buttocks meet. After a spanking, you will recall the correction each time you sit. The sting may last a few hours, the entire night, or for several days depending on the severity of the spanking and the implement selected. Afterward, there will be no rubbing or application of any creams or salves to ease your discomfort. If I take the time to see to you, I will want you to experience the full effect.”
Cici lay paralyzed over his lap. He meant business and spoke about her punishment in the same manner - cool and calm as if this occurred every day. She wondered at the experience he spoke of. Was he in the habit of spanking all his women, including his paramours?
“You will receive ten more swats before we proceed with our business with the staff and on to dinner. I want you to take these like the grown woman you are Cecilia. No thrashing around or trying to block my hand. I don’t want you hurt. You are free to make whatever noise you’d like just rememb
er that the walls are thin and we aren’t alone in our home.”
“I’ll try to be quiet, Andrew.”
“Good girl.” He then bought down a world of pain to her previously untouched skin.
“Owww!” She kicked and squealed in alarm. So quickly she had abandoned her promise of silence. That really hurt but it had also caused a tingling sensation low in her belly.
“Settle down. This is too mild a spanking for you to be carrying on so. I think that first swat shouldn’t count.”
“What is that? It burns like fire.”
He held the implement in his hand down low near her face so she could see. He revealed that he was using her own wooden hairbrush to paddle her bottom. The indignity was almost too much to bear. “This smooth wooden surface makes an excellent paddle for a naughty wife. Now be still while I finish here.”
Thwack upon resounding thwack echoed through the chamber as her husband landed smack after burning smack across what he called her sit spots. As he landed the tenth and final blow, she was sobbing and wailing as if he had shot her. He pulled her up to sit on his lap, the woolen material of his trousers abrading her tender skin. This caused her to hiss and stiffen in pain. Hugging her tighter he rolled her slightly to one hip so his big hand could rub and soothe her bottom, gentling her.
“Hush now, that was a mere trifling of a spanking not an execution.” He rocked her slowly in his arms until her sobs subsided and only an occasional sniffle could be heard.
“If that was a mere trifle, I’m sure I couldn’t stand worse. I think any more would kill me.”
“Nonsense, you are being over dramatic, Cecilia. A good paddling never killed anyone. But, if you don’t want to earn more, I suggest you mind your P’s and Q’s.
“Andrew?”
“Yes, my dear?”
“Are you going to do this every time I displease you?”
“No, but when I tell you repeatedly to do something and you do not comply, you can expect more of what you just experienced. If you continue to be disobedient, then we will up the ante a little bit each time until you see the wisdom of following my orders. I am not an unreasonable man, Cecilia, but I will be the head of my own household and I shall wield that authority over my wife, my children, and my servants.” He tilted her head back and proceeded to mop up her tears with his linen handkerchief. “Now, have you composed yourself enough for me to call your maid to help you dress?”
Surrender Your Grace Page 3