by Joannie Kay
********************
"Charles is gone now, Mary, so where do we begin?" Glenna asked the older woman.
"You might want to put on an apron, ma'am," Mary smiled. "Cooking and baking can be a messy business and your dress will get all dirty. She helped Glenna tie the apron in back, and then said, "Mr. Charles likes meat pies. We'll start there."
Glenna was shocked at how quickly the morning passed. Mary instructed and showed her how to measure and do all of the things she would need to know how to do in order to make the meat pies Charles loved so well, and they even baked a cake to have for dessert. Glenna learned that making a salad was very simple, and the dressing to drizzle over the top was easily done, too.
Charles was right on time, and was shocked to find Glenna in the kitchen. He'd come in the back door because he wanted to be sure that Glenna's apology to Mary was adequate, and he found the two women chatting away. "What are you about, wife?" he asked in surprise.
"Mary is teaching me to cook, Charles. I decided this might be something else Mother disliked for no good reason, and thought I would see for myself. Mary is a great teacher. We made meat pies for your lunch."
Charles was stunned, and he made sure to praise his wife's efforts. It would seem that all his worry about Pearl's influence over Glenna was for naught. His wife seemed to have decided for herself that her mother was not the absolute word on everything.
********************
"Elmer, might I have a word with you?" Pearl stood in the doorway of her husband's study. She seldom entered the room.
"Yes, I am almost finished with this letter." He placed his signature on the paper and set it aside to let the ink dry. "What is it you need, Pearl?" he asked curiously. It was the first he'd seen her since punishing her the night before, and he could tell she'd been crying.
"I need your help," she said. "I have spent the entire night and this day thinking about Glenna. I do not know how to repair the damage I have done."
"At this point, there is nothing you can do. Charles sent around a letter today informing me that Glenna is confined at home for the next week, with no visitors allowed. He made a point of saying that you are not welcome in their home until he and I sit down and reach an agreement upon the conditions in which you will be permitted to see Glenna."
"He has not said he will keep her from me permanently?" Pearl asked tearfully.
"No, he has not. I hope you realize, Pearl, that if you ever do something of that sort again, you will cost us our daughter...?"
"I do realize that, Elmer."
"And if that happens, Pearl, I will take up residence elsewhere. I am tired of living in a loveless marriage."
Pearl looked at him in shock. "Elmer, I do love you," she whispered.
"You have a strange way of showing it."
"I don't know how to show it... not to you... not to Glenna." She turned away so he couldn't see her tears. "My father preferred the sons he had by his second wife to me... and my stepmother truly hated me. She wanted Father to send me away, but he did not want to spend the money to have me schooled..." She whispered, "I did nothing to please that woman, not once. I was told to quiet when I tried to talk... and she locked me away when I displeased her..." Pearl wiped tears from her face, then said, "I did the same thing to Glenna yesterday, and I will never forgive myself."
Elmer came around his desk, and put his arms around his wife. He was shocked, and pleased, when she rested her head on his shoulder. "I am sorry for being a terrible wife and mother, Elmer. You are such a good man. The fault is not with you; it is mine to bear."
"Why didn't you tell me of this years ago, Pearl? I would have held you close and chased away the bad memories."
"Like you are doing right now?" she asked, feeling safe for the first time in a long while.
"Like I am doing right now," he confirmed, and then guided her over to the sofa in front of the fireplace. He took a seat, and then gently pulled her down on his lap to hold her close.
Pearl was relieved to be in her husband's arms. It had been a long time since he had made any attempt to hold her, and he never knocked on her bedroom door any more. "Glenna said that some women enjoy their husband's bed. And you said that was true...?"
"It is true, Pearl."
"I do not know how to be a good wife in that way, Elmer. I was told by my stepmother to do my wifely duty, but only as often as you insisted. She told me it would hurt, and I was afraid."
"It sounds to me like she wanted you to be miserable." Elmer wondered where this conversation was going, and he did not have long to wait.
"Do you keep a mistress?" he was stunned by the question.
"What?" he exclaimed. "Pearl, what gave you such an idea? I come home from the office every day at the same time, and I do not go out in the evenings, unless we go to a social function! When do you suppose I would visit with a mistress?" he chuckled.
"You have not come to my bed in six years, Elmer. You are a man... with needs..." she whispered.
"My needs are wrapped up in my wife, Pearl. I happen to love you, and it got to the point where I could not bear to see the disgust in your eyes when I came to your room. I decided it was easier to be celibate."
"I have misjudged you, Elmer, and I am sorry. I decided you went to someone else because I am so unattractive..."
Elmer shook his head. "If your arse wasn't already so sore, I would spank you for saying that, wife." She looked at him, startled. "You are a beautiful woman, Pearl. Our daughter gets her looks from you, not from me!" he stated matter-of-factly.
"I would welcome you if you knocked on my door tonight, Elmer," she said shyly.
Elmer smiled, and stood with her in his arms. He headed upstairs, thinking he should have spanked his wife years ago! The change in her attitude was remarkable, and he was not about to deny them a second chance at a happy marriage.
********************
The days passed quietly, and other than church, Charles was adamant that Glenna remain inside the house. She was learning to cook, and Charles praised her efforts on a daily basis. Still, Glenna was restless, and she was tired of being confined. She was starting to pout, and he feared she was gearing up for a full-blown tantrum. She had just today and tomorrow, and her punishment would be over.
Glenna was doing her best not to let Charles know she was truly upset. She already knew that he would not lift the confinement... even though Hermione's party was on the very last night of her punishment... She so wanted to go... and was greatly disappointed that she would not be allowed. Asking Charles would earn her a spanking at the very least, and even worse, an extended confinement to the house.
Glenna was quiet all through breakfast, and when Charles came home for lunch, she was moody, but obviously making an attempt to hide it from him. Charles finally put down his fork and inquired, "Glenna, you are not hearing a word I have said."
"I am sorry, Charles. I did not mean to be rude."
"What is troubling you?"
"Nothing."
Charles shook his head, then got up, walked over to where she was sitting, and took her hand to pull her to her feet. He led her from the dining room, into the hallway, and up the stairs to their bedroom.
Glenna was stunned when he sat on the bed and pulled her over his knee. "Charles! What are you doing? I have done nothing wrong!" she protested as he pushed her skirts up. Her drawers were down to her knees in a flash, and his hand slapped her bottom sharply a grand total of ten times, while she kicked and hollered.
"Now, young lady, are you ready to tell me what is bothering you? 'Nothing' is not an acceptable answer when I can clearly see that something is upsetting you. Is it your Mother? Or are you simply having a problem with being kept to the house?" When she did not immediately answer, he gave her another ten hard spanks, all to her sit spot.
"Oh, ouch, ouch, ouch!!!" Glenna kicked. "Please stop, Charles!"
"Are you ready to talk to me?"
"Yes..." she replied.
"Hermione's party is tomorrow evening, Charles. I was so looking forward to it, and I am so upset with myself for not obeying you in the first place... All of our friends will be there," her eyes filled with tears. "It is her first party in her new home, and she is my very best friend! I am so disappointed, but I did not mean to be moody."
"I am sure you did not," Charles replied evenly, then said with a frown, "I thought perhaps you were missing your parents."
"I do miss them, and I am concerned for Father. He is such a sweet man, and I am sure Mother has made him miserable the last week."
"Your Father sent round a note asking if he and your Mother could visit this evening. I wanted to talk to you before I reply. I am fully aware that the restriction extends through tomorrow evening, but your Father is anxious to see you. Do you feel ready to see your Mother?" he asked bluntly.
"Yes, we need to face her sometime, and I would prefer to do it here with you beside me, and Father, too. I have a few things I wish to tell Mother, and she is not going to like some of it. I want to make it clear that you are my husband, and she will never suggest a divorce again. It is not her choice to make."
Charles smiled at Glenna. "Very well, I will reply to your father that we will expect them at 7:30. Will that be acceptable?"
"Yes, Charles."
"I do not want you to worry over this all afternoon, little one. I will not let your Mother speak to you in any way that is not respectful. You are my wife, and I will protect you."
"I know that, Charles," Glenna smiled.
"Now, do you need more spanking, or is that moodiness of yours taken care of?" he asked consideringly.
"I will be more amiable, sir," Glenna responded.
"Good." He kissed her tenderly, and Glenna kissed him back. "If I do not leave right now, I will be late," he grinned. "You stir me until all I can think of is lying you down and having my way with you..."
"I like it when you have your way with me, husband," Glenna said teasingly, and then giggled, when Charles groaned helplessly.
"You are a tempting morsel," he flipped her over, then grabbed her about the waist and pulled her up until she was kneeling on the bed. Her skirts were flipped out of the way, and Charles quickly undid his pants to free his hard member and slip into her warmth. She was nice and wet, and just as ready for him as he was for her. He took her slowly at first, and when she urged him to go faster and harder, he did. Their orgasms were fast and furious, and when Charles could speak, he gave her bottom a lusty slap. "That was thoroughly wicked, little one, and I loved every second of it!"
Glenna was shocked when he leaned over to kiss the reddened handprint, but she giggled. Charles cleaned himself quickly, and when he left the room, he looked every bit the businessman on his way back to work. Glenna cleansed herself, straightened her clothing and her hair, and then smoothed the quilt covering their bed.
At least the impending visit from her parents would keep her mind off of Hermione's party, she sighed, and then went downstairs to see what could be prepared by way of refreshments for the visit.
********************
At precisely 7:30 the brass knocker sounded on the front door, and Glenna felt her stomach twist in knots. This was not going to be easy, especially if her mother threw a fit. Charles would not tolerate that sort of behavior, especially in his own home.
"It is good of you to let us come, Charles," she heard her father say politely.
"Come on in, Elmer. Pearl... Glenna is in the parlor."
"Hello, Father!" Glenna rose to kiss him and give him a hug, noting that he seemed relaxed and happy. "Mother," she pecked her on the cheek. Her Mother looked sad and wary.
"Daughter, your Mother has something she would like to say," Elmer took Pearl's hand and held it comfortingly, and Glenna was stunned when her mother didn't pull her hand free and give her father a scathing set-down.
"Now that we are actually here, I do not know where to begin," Pearl admitted. "I am sorry for the way I treated you the other day, Glenna. There is no good excuse for the way I acted, and I am very much ashamed. I hope you will forgive me, and give me a chance to do better..." She looked at Elmer for help.
"Mother, I will forgive you, but you have to realize that I love Charles, and I am very happy with him."
"I do understand that now, Glenna. I... Oh, Elmer, I do not know what to say... Please...?" she tearfully begged, and Glenna was shocked when her father put his arm around Pearl's shoulders.
"The incident the other day brought up some old and very painful memories for your Mother, Daughter. I think that during the last few days we have managed to put a lot of them to rest... and that is why I asked Charles if we could come and visit tonight. Your mother does not want you to feel unloved by her, and she does not want you to feel ashamed of your love for Charles. It would please me if you would give your Mother a chance to explain her feelings."
"Mother, I have never felt you did not love me," Glenna said emotionally, going over to kneel on the floor beside the older woman and take her hand. "You have always loved me... to the point of spoiling me terribly!!!" she smiled.
"I wanted you to have a loving mother... and I overdid it... and I would rather discuss some of this in private..." Pearl confessed. "Charles, I give you my word, never again will I act like that terrible woman you saw the other day. Might I have a few minutes alone with Glenna?"
Charles had no trouble interpreting the determined look on Elmer's face. He nodded curtly, and his eyes rested on Glenna's in silent communication. If she needed him, all she had to do was call for him.
"Come with me, Mother. I baked some cakes this afternoon for refreshment. We can talk in the kitchen while I fix a tray."
The ladies swept from the room, and Elmer smiled. "They will be fine, Charles. Pearl is a changed woman. I should have taken a slipper to her years ago..." he confided.
Charles was a bit nervous until Glenna returned with Pearl, both of them smiling. Once he and Glenna were alone, he asked, "I take it things went well with you and your mother in the kitchen?"
"Yes... She spoke of things from her childhood. Her stepmother was a cruel, mean woman, and Mother was never shown love. She was locked in her room for days at a time, and her father did nothing to interfere. When Mother found herself acting like her stepmother, she fell apart... and Father was there to comfort her. She has taken him back into her bed, and they are very happy," Glenna said, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. "I always wondered why Mother never spoke of her family, and it was because she had no happy memories to share, and she did not wish to distress me. She admitted that Father punished her for her behavior the other day."
"Well done of your father," Charles replied, and then turned his attentions to his pretty wife.
********************
Charles could not miss the sad look on Glenna's face as he left for work the following morning. It was the last day of her confinement, and she was more than a little disappointed that she would be missing Hermione's party. Charles found he could not concentrate on anything but Glenna's unhappiness, and he wondered if there was a way he could permit her to go to the party without giving her the wrong impression.
He fully expected to find her moody and irritable when he went home at noon, but she had fixed his lunch, and informed him that Mary was taking the day off. He was quick to compliment her cooking, and received a smile for his efforts. She served him a dessert, and then said, "Charles, I wondered if we might discuss something. I do not mean to anger you or upset you..."
"Go ahead..." he looked at her curiously, positive she was going to ask to go to the party, and not sure what he should say about the matter.
"I have thought of a way that perhaps we could still go to the party tonight, and yet have the punishment completed..." she said tentatively, watching for his reaction.
"I am
listening, Glenna."
"Could we perhaps make a trade, Charles?"
"You mean serve a day of confinement tomorrow to replace an outing tonight?"
She blushed a fiery red. "I would accept that if you felt it was fair... but I was thinking of... something else," she admitted.
"What were you thinking?" he asked curiously.
"Perhaps a... a... oh... I was thinking maybe you would give me a spanking now and let it be done, Charles. I am ever so sorry, and I promise I will not defy you again! Hermione is my best friend, and she will be crushed if we do not attend her first party in her new home!"
"You are willing to take a spanking right this minute so that we can go to a party tonight?" Charles asked, surprised. His little redhead did not enjoy having her fanny warmed, and if she was willing to suggest a spanking as a compromise, he decided he should accept the offer. She had been housebound for nearly two whole weeks now, excluding the time locked in her old bedroom, and attending church services last Sunday. And, he told himself, she had made every effort to accept the punishment cheerfully and with a good attitude.
"Yes, sir," she said nervously.
Charles pushed his chair away from the table. "Come here, little one, and prove to me you are serious about this." He would spank her cute little bottom, and then they could BOTH have an evening out. He felt it would do them both some good... and he missed their friends, too!
Glenna took a deep breath, but walked around the table. When he looked at her, she knew what he expected. It made her blush even more, but she pulled up her skirts, then untied her drawers, and let them fall around her ankles. She put herself over his lap, and offered her bare bottom for a spanking. She could only pray he would not be too severe with her.
"You have a lovely bottom, Glenna, and since you asked so nicely, and since you have proven to me that you are perfectly willing to trade a sore bottom for a night out, then I am going to oblige you. I will only use my hand, but you will know you have been spanked when I am done."