“I’ve already given you my answer. I won’t repeat myself.”
She cleared her throat one more time, took another drink, then continued. She decided this time she would read straight through to the end, so she could finish this as soon as possible.
After a few more minutes, Gabby sighed deeply.
“All right. I give in. But please, give me an idea of a number?”
Fergus stood and took her hand. He kissed her forehead and they walked to the table.
Gabby raised her eyebrows and he shook his head. Without instruction she turned and bent over the table, her eyes widening as she watched Fergus pick up the crop.
“You must learn to obey me, Gabby. Your independence is good in some things. But I will not allow it to put your life in danger. Do you understand me?”
“Yes Fergus.”
The crop came down, cutting across her backside and leaving a painful welt in its wake.
“Ow, ow.”
It came down again and again and Gabby began to cry out. Fergus centered her to the table with his hand on the small of her back and didn’t let up with the spanking. The cuts were hard and fast and Gabby knew that her behind would be full of red welts.
“Stop, stop! Fergus, please.”
“The punishment will fit the crime. I want you to remember this the next time you rush into something.”
The crop landed again and again and Gabby began to sob, large, gulping sobs that filled the room.
“Fergus, please. Ow, stop. Please.”
She’d hoped that her crying would cause Fergus to slow down but it did not. He continued to spank her with the harsh instrument, the crop coming down on both sides and sliding down to the tender spot where her thighs joined her behind.
When he stopped, Gabby gulped in heavy breaths of air and tried to still her breathing.
“Catch your breath, Gabriella.”
She stilled her crying and tried to reach back to caress her blistered backside. Fergus grabbed her hand and pushed it away.
“Why do you insist on rushing into things, Gabby?”
“I don’t know, Fergus. I’ll think more, I promise.” Her crying was almost over and she was very happy the spanking had stopped.
She started to stand, bracing her hands against the table and was just going to rise up totally when the crop came down again and again and again.
“Fergus! Ow, ow, ow. Please. No more please!”
He didn’t listen; he just kept landing cut after cut on her tender behind.
“You will learn to think, Gabby.”
Switch after switch landed and Gabby cried out in pain and frustration. How many times had the crop landed? Forty? Fifty? More? The pain was horrible and Gabby tried to concentrate on the reasons for her spanking. Think before you act. Think before you act.
When Fergus stopped the second time she turned to him, her lips trembling as the tears blanketed her face.
“No more? Please? Please?”
Fergus ran the crop over her behind and sighed. “Just a few more.”
Without waiting for an answer he landed twenty-five more strokes as Gabby sobbed. Then he gathered her in his arms and let her cry against his chest.
“I love you, Gabby. If your reckless behavior caused your death, I don’t know what I would do. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
She nodded against his chest as he stroked her hair. He picked her up in his arms and took her to the bed. She was still crying as they cuddled under the covers. Fergus kissed her cheeks and lips until her crying stopped.
When she finally fell asleep all she could think about was how much he loved her, and how much she loved him too.
The next morning, Gabby felt as if her backside were still on fire. Fergus was gone when she awoke but a single red rose was lying on her pillow next to her head.
She smiled and brought it to her lips. Fergus really did love her. She knew where he was of course. He was at the church, posting the banns for their marriage and arranging for a license.
She walked to the mirror and grimaced when she saw her backside. Red welts were evident. She ran her fingers along the marks. She was definitely going to have to watch her Ps and Qs. She didn’t want to repeat last night’s punishment anytime soon.
The story was done. Gabby looked up and searched the room for Fergus. He was at the back of the room, and he was smiling. The assembled Rakes clapped and Gabby stood.
“May I get dressed now?”
They all laughed, and she couldn’t help but smile. Something told her she was now a full member of the Rakes of Mayfair.
Fergus brought her the robe she’d been wearing earlier, the one he’d bought for her. He wrapped it around her, and gathered her in his arms. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“Not as bad as I’d thought, although I don’t enjoy being naked in front of people.”
“You’ll get used to it,” he said. “Because I loved watching you read to others. We will have to do it again sometime.”
* * *
The next morning, Gabby woke alone. Much to her dismay, Fergus had not made love to her last night. He said it was part of the punishment. She would take it, and hope it would be the last time he’d deny her. Ellie helped her dress and Gabby went downstairs to find cards from reporters at several different newspapers. She told Timmons to reject any one that showed up again. Then she sat down at Fergus’ desk to write her account of the events.
She’d been there for about an hour, drinking the tea Ellie had brought, when Fergus came in and placed a stack of cards on the table.
“More reporters. They’re even fighting with each other to see who can come in the front door. It seems that you’ve become quite popular with your peers.”
“My peers? To these men I’m nothing more than a woman who would typewrite their notes. None of them would believe that I could write my own story.”
Fergus kissed her forehead and pulled her to her feet. “I know you can, my love. Now, which reporter are you going to pick?”
“None of them.” Gabby picked up the story she’d just written and handed it to Fergus. This tells the whole story, from the fact that a simple investigation of pickpockets led us to the artifacts, to McNutt’s murder, to Phillips’ arrest.”
Her voice dimmed at the last words.
“It’s hard for you to think of it.”
“Yes,” she said. “I worked with Phillips for years. I thought he was a good man.”
Fergus held the paper in front of his face. “Curse of the Mummy Revealed. By G. Saunders.” He glanced at her over the top of the paper. “G. Saunders?”
“Yes. As much as I’d love to be Gabriella I don’t believe London is ready for that. I wonder if women reporters will ever be accepted.”
“Don’t you? I wonder. Maybe it’s time for a Gabriella Saunders.”
She grinned at him. “Don’t tease me, Fergus. Even your position in society can’t make The Times take me on as a reporter. My only hope as a writer would be to turn in my copy as G. Saunders and hope that people turn the other way.”
She walked toward the door as Fergus examined the paper and shook his head.
* * *
Three weeks later, Gabby thought that life couldn’t get more perfect. The wedding was just weeks away, her parents had left, and she couldn’t say she was sorry to see them go, and The Times had published her story. They had not offered her a job, but they had used her full name as the byline, and it had made her the talk of the town. Invitations to parties were pouring in and she was having the time of her life. Fergus loved her and she loved him and that was all that mattered.
She was also the official writer for the Rakes of Mayfair. She was being asked to write scenes that the couples would then act out for the Club members. Gabby was having a great time doing it, and her new friends were also enjoying themselves—very much.
The bond she had with Fergus was strong, and it became stronger every day. Her life was perfect, even when peop
le tried to ruin it for her.
She thought back to the afternoon several days ago when she and her four new best friends, Charlotte, Carin, Alice and Amelia had gone hunting for material for her wedding dress.
“I like this material,” Gabby had said as she ran her fingers over an ivory satin. “I want a long flowing veil also, with a ring of flowers securing it in place.”
The dressmaker had nodded and Gabby had laughed.
“I think blue for my attendants’ dresses. It’s Fergus’ favorite color and I think it would be a nice touch.”
The dressmaker had nodded again and then a woman standing near the table had sneered at Gabby.
“Seems like an awful lot of trouble for a wedding when the bride and groom are already flaunting their sin to society by living under the same roof.”
“Lady Heston,” Charlotte had said. “So lovely to see you and your judgmental viewpoint. I recall seeing your invitation in the acceptance list for Lord McIntyre’s wedding. If you are so disgusted by the bride and groom why are you attending?”
The woman had sniffed, dropped the material she had been examining and stormed out the door.
“She’s attending because we’re flaunting ourselves,” Gabby said. “I think people can’t wait to see what happens next. Maybe they think I’ll walk down the aisle naked. Or in a red corset. Perhaps I should select a red wedding dress.”
“It might start a new trend,” Alice had said with a laugh.
Gabby shook her head with a laugh. She’d shocked everyone in the shop, except her friends, when she’d ordered a red corset for the wedding night.
Now they were at the Ellington’s house for a Club meeting. She had her papers and a quill and ink. The meeting was packed. The Ellingtons, Buxtons, Essexes and B Lords were all present.
“Are we sure she’s going to write scenes for us, and not do an expose?” Ellington asked.
“I have the perfect headline,” Gabby said. “Lascivious Lords and Dastardly Dukes Mete Out Punishments to Innocent Maidens. Bawdy Blue Bloods Belt Out Beatings. Extra! Extra! Read All About It.”
Of course she didn’t know that for sure, not totally. She’d only been to two meetings, once when Charlotte had been spanked, and the other when she’d read the story she’d written about her own punishment.
She looked around the room and tried to keep her shock from showing as she recognized some of the people: the Duke and Duchess of Wickham, the Duke of Salisbury, the Duke of Cheshire, Lord Graham, Lord Shaw and Lord and Lady Cannonberry. All the women in the room were wearing sheer robes and nothing else.
It shocked her to see so many well-known nobles, despite the fact that Fergus had told her of many of the members.
“We grow constantly,” he’d said. “Many widows enjoy the opportunity to enjoy themselves with the single members of the Club.”
Gabby glanced around and saw many well-known widows sitting with single members. At first, things were quiet, but soon the room filled with moans. Gabby looked around and saw couples having sex.
She tried to ignore the sounds, but it was hard, especially with Fergus sitting next to her. When the Duke of Salisbury came up and asked her to write a scene for his wife’s birthday, something that would include a birthday spanking and a good fucking in front of others, Gabby knew she, as Fergus said, was made to be in this Club.
“When do you need it?” she asked.
“Three weeks,” he said. “Can you do it?”
Gabby turned her gaze to Fergus. “I have a wedding to plan, but I do believe I can fit it in. Perhaps Fergus can help me plan it out.”
“I can indeed,” he said. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “Welcome to the Club, my love. As I said, you were made for membership.”
She leaned her head into his chest and laughed.
* * *
“Extra, extra, read all about it Gabriella Saunders!”
A young boy handed Gabby a card and ran. She looked at Charlotte who smiled and shrugged. The two were enjoying a leisurely walk in St. James Park while a governess minded the children nearby.
The wedding had taken place six months ago. No one called her Gabby Saunders anymore. Everyone called her Lady McIntyre. The name always brought a huge smile to her face. The wedding had been perfect. Candlelight had flooded the church and Gabby’s dress had been absolutely beautiful, made of a soft ivory satin.
She and Fergus had spent a month in Egypt on their honeymoon, touring the pyramids and temples and making love at every possible moment. It had been wonderful.
She turned the card over and smiled.
“It’s from Fergus. He wants us to meet him at The Sentinel office.”
“Whatever for?” Charlotte scrunched up her nose. “It’s been closed for months now.”
“Maybe it has something to do with the case,” Gabby said. “Maybe they’ve found something inside that has to do with McNutt or Phillips.”
They called for their carriages and told the governess to take the children home. Then they made the short trip to the building.
Rain clouds were heavy by the time they stepped inside. They climbed the stairs to find the newsroom empty.
“Fergus.” Gabby’s voice echoed through the room. Fergus popped his head out of Phillips’ office with a grin on his face.
“Ladies. Welcome. Come in, come in.” He walked to Gabby and kissed her gently. “Lady McIntyre.”
“Lord McIntyre. Why are you grinning like a schoolboy? And what are we doing here?”
“Am I?” He pulled her toward Phillips’ office. The walls had been cleared and several newspaper headlines touting the Mummy Case had been tacked up.”
Gabby looked at Fergus and shook her head in confusion.
“I don’t understand.”
He was lounging in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest and a grin on his face. Out in the main room Gabby could see Charlotte and Dalton kissing and hugging.
Gabby walked to the newspapers and read the familiar headlines. Then she peered closer at a sheet of paper that was tacked in the middle of the newssheets.
It was a deed. A deed to The Sentinel offices, and it was in the name of Gabriella Saunders, Lady McIntyre, editor and publisher.
“Fergus.” She turned to him, her stomach dropping down as she realized what that paper meant.
“We’ll need to clean these offices. Mice are everywhere. And no Naughty Lords headlines.” He shook his finger at her as he laughed.
Fergus, I don’t understand. The newspaper is ours?”
“No,” he said. “The deed is in your name, true, but it is owned by myself, Ellington and Buxton. We went in on it together.”
“How did you ever come up with this idea?”
“You are the one who said London wasn’t ready for a female reporter. So we’ll give them a female publisher and editor instead. Start at the top and work down.”
She flung herself into his arms as tears streaked her face.
“It needs a new name,” Charlotte said. “The Sentinel has a bad reputation now.”
“How about The Observer?” Gabby looked at Fergus, who was continuing to grin at her.
“It can be whatever you want, my love. It is your newspaper. You are the boss. You run things, not me.”
“I’ll have to think on it. And I’ll have to hire a staff. Where will I find men willing to work for a woman?”
“If you can’t find them then hire women. There are plenty of talented women writers out there. You can call it the Ladies Journal.”
“Too many people would think it was a gossip sheet if the word ladies is in the title. They think that ladies don’t know anything about news. We’ll show them that there are smart women in the world. Women who know about politics and other things, not just about cooking and cleaning. How about the London Journal?”
“Perfect.” Fergus kissed her gently.
“You’re perfect.”
“Fergus, thank you all.” She turned to Ellington
and Buxton. “All of you.”
“You’re welcome,” they all said. Everyone but she and Fergus moved to examine the room.
Fergus walked to the desk and picked up a ruler. He blew dust off it and took a few practice swings.
Then he looked at Gabby and smiled.
“This is a nice little ruler.”
“Actually, darling, it’s called a pica pole.”
Fergus raised his eyebrows and grinned.
“Pica Pole Perfect for Punishment. Extra, extra. Read all about it.”
The End
Melinda Barron
Melinda Barron loves to explore Egyptian tombs and temples, discover Mayan ruins, play in castles towers, and explore new cities and countries. She generally does it all from the comfort of her home by opening a book.
Melinda loves to lose herself between the pages of a book. The only thing she loves more is creating stories from the wonderful heroes and heroines that haunt her dreams and crowd her head. She believes love is for everyone, not just those who are a size 2. Her books are full of magic, suspense and love, in all sorts of shapes and sizes.
Mel currently lives in the Texas Panhandle, with two cats, and a file stuffed with new ideas to keep her typing fingers busy, and your heart engaged.
Mel also writes as Maura McMann .
Visit her blog here:
http://barron-chronicles.blogspot.com
Don’t miss these exciting titles by Melinda Barron and Blushing Books!
Single Titles
Lily's Lessons
Playing the Part
Secret Alliance
Fantasy Honeymoon
Uncovering the Past
A Christmas Package
Searching for Pandora
Rakes of Mayfair Series
His Virgin Widow, Book 1
His Disobedient Thief, Book 2
His Little Problem, Book 3
His Curious Imp: The Rakes of Mayfair Book 4 Page 16