Her Lord's Birch Read online

  Lucy pulled her hands away from her welted skin only to claw at the fabric of the settee as she pushed herself up. She continued to sob as both men looked at the tangible evidence of consequences the two had earned for their actions.

  “You may now rise,” Thorne dictated after the hand of the large clock on the wall completed three full revolutions around the twelve. “Place your noses against the wall.”

  Lucy was grateful for Louisa’s assistance as she helped her to stand. Her legs a bit wobbly, she managed to follow her twin the short distance to the wall. Stepping forward, she gave a sob as she pressed her nose to the flocked floral wallpaper. She had just closed her eyes when they flew open again as she felt her skirt being raised. Whipping her head around, she met the eyes of her headmaster.

  “You were proud of your plan to deceive this school’s faculty, and you’ll keep your skirts well up to display how that pride earned you a crimson X across your buttocks,” he informed her, pulling her skirt and her petticoats to her shoulders. “Keep them high, is that clear?”

  Putting her hands up to accept the bunched fabric he pressed into them, she managed to answer, “Yes, Headmaster Thorn.”

  With a final adjustment to pull the halves of her bloomers even further apart and another admonishment to push her punished bum out, Thorne finally seemed satisfied and left her to her shame. Tears slid down her face, her shoulders shaking with her soft sobs, her humiliation doubling as she heard her guardian instructing her sister to hold the skirts he’d obviously rolled up for her. She couldn’t hear what else he said as it was muffled, but she heard Louisa’s soft sob and her heart broke anew as she wished she’d never involved her twin in her own misdeeds.

  Their sobs filled the air and their bodies continued to shake and quiver. Edward gave a small grin as he stepped away from his wife, rubbing the thumb and index finger of his right hand together. He’d wondered if he would find his wife in the same condition under this punishment as he always found her under his. His fingers had itched to discover the truth throughout her caning, but he’d managed to control himself until the proper moment presented itself for him to ease his curiosity. Sharing his wife’s bottom for punishment with another man after her marriage was one thing; sharing the intimate details of her body’s response was quite another. Her soft gasp as he’d slid his fingers between her legs after lifting her skirts to her shoulders had his cock stiffening. The easy slide of finger against thumb had provided the answer to his question.

  He turned to see Thorne lifting the cane back into its place on the wall. The headmaster turned with a sigh and then grinned.

  “You’d be quite amazed at how even the stubbornest pupil’s legs begin to shake when they see one of these being considered,” he said, swiping his hand at the racks holding a dozen canes behind his desk. “Even though I know they can very seldom focus on the lecture I’m giving as their minds are consumed with the question of which one of the many options I will choose to enforce the rules of this establishment, it really doesn’t matter. In the end, I make sure the lesson is learned.”

  Edward smiled, looking back at the two women at the wall. “I have absolutely no doubt that you do.” The men sat, neither feeling the need to converse further as they both listened to the sounds of the small, feminine cries, as well enjoyed the view of a pair of very well-punished heart-shaped bottoms peeking out from parted bloomers.

  Fifteen long minutes passed until Thorne sighed. “You may lower your skirts and turn around.”

  The twins immediately dropped skirts to cover their bottoms, their hands slipping beneath to readjust their bloomers. Their faces continued to show their embarrassment, as both burned as brightly red as the multiple rows of weals covering their aching bottoms.

  Lord Wintercrest reminded them sternly that they owed their headmaster a sincere apology and proper words of gratitude for his concern for their welfare. “After all, if Headmaster Thorne didn’t care about his students, then he certainly wouldn’t take the time to discipline them would he?” His question was met with Lucy and Louisa exchanging a glance that flirted on disrespectful, but they both made a proper apology as Edward stood between them. When they were once again silent, he added his own words of appreciation, thanking Thorne for his time and attention.

  “Rest assured, Monday will find a much better-behaved and far more prepared student in Lucille. I thank you for allowing my ward a chance to retake her exam and spare her the further shame of expulsion from your institution. We all appreciate your mercy and concern for her future.”

  Thorne accepted his thanks. “I, too, hope that your ward will be able to pass the final examination. However, she is dreadfully lacking in mathematical skills. Perhaps you’ll allow me to offer some assistance?”

  “Please do,” Edward said.

  “Thank you,” Thorne gushed. “While waiting for your arrival, I spoke with our mathematics professor, who has graciously offered to forgive Miss Furniss her deception, and I am pleased to say, also offered your ward the opportunity for tutoring. Regular hours are ending now, but Professor Lloyds is waiting to hear if you feel he could be of service.”

  Lucy gasped, drawing Edward’s attention, though she completely ignored the lift of his brow that never failed to silence his wife.

  “No!” she said forcefully but then quickly added, “I mean there’s no need to inconvenience Professor Lloyds. Edward. I don’t need a tutor. I can attend to my studies myself.”

  Edward did not appreciate his ward’s interruption. It seemed it would take far more than a caning to teach her the proper place for a female in a man’s world. He tightened his grip on her upper arm and said sternly, “You will do well to remain silent, Lucille. Instead of spending your life selfishly thinking only of your needs or wants, it would serve you far better to listen to your elders. Have you forgotten our last conversation about your need to learn obedience? I would be more than happy to refresh your memory. Is that what you wish, Lucille? Do you need to go across my knees and have me administer a reminder to your impertinent bottom even now?” He could see Thorne having to control himself as if he truly wished to witness just such a physical reminder, but the headmaster’s wishes weren’t truly his concern. He was far more interested in hearing his wife’s gasp and seeing his ward’s face turning scarlet as the sisters evidently replayed the day Lucy attempted to assert her independence—and failed miserably.

  “But I’m a grown woman! If I don’t wish to go to school, I won’t.”

  “I believe we are all aware of your age, Lucille,” Edward said. “What you seem unaware of is that turning eighteen most certainly does not change a thing in this household. You’ll remain under my authority, subject to my rules until your husband assumes responsibility for you.”

  Lucy stomped her foot and tossed her hair, flashing eyes rolling. “That’s ridiculous. I’ve reached my majority, and I’m perfectly capable of assuming responsibility for myself! I—”

  “Lucille, I suggest you change your attitude immediately,” Edward said, cutting off her tantrum. “I will not tolerate such disrespectful behavior.”

  Lucy took a deep breath, then another as she considered how to advance her cause in a way he wouldn’t consider disrespectful. Keeping her voice steady, she said, “I apologize. What I mean is that with the season beginning soon, I’ll be wed quickly…” She paused at the sound of Edward’s chuckle. “What’s so amusing?”

  “That’s putting the cart so far ahead of the horse they are in different counties.”

  She felt her cheeks heat and sniped, “I’m quite sure I have no idea what you mean.”

  “Then let me clarify it for you, Lucille. I believe the announcement of your ‘engagement’ is grossly premature. Not a single gentleman has approached me asking permission to court you, and even if one had, he’d be turned away until you finish your schooling,” Edward said.

  “You’re a hypocrite, Edward. You were so eager to wed my sister that you most certainly didn’t make he
r attend all these boring classes.”

  “We aren’t discussing Louisa, and I will not warn you again, young lady, to watch your tongue,” Edward said, his tone dropping even lower.

  Lucy looked from the infuriating man to her sister, but, inexplicably, Louisa did not jump in to take her side as Lucy had expected. Instead, her sister said that while, yes, she did not attend classes once she’d wed, Edward would not set the actual date for their wedding until she’d earned her certificate of education.

  “Fine,” Lucy said with a shrug. “Why can’t I do the same?”

  “Because as we’ve already discussed, you are not engaged, Lucille,” Edward repeated.

  Louisa was a bit more forthcoming. “The school offers a special exit exam to pupils upon special conditions. I studied very hard as I wished to”—blushing, she looked to her husband—“to become Edward’s wife as soon as possible.” She softly continued, reminding Lucy that Edward had been extremely generous in his guardianship, and she should show her appreciation by obeying Edward’s wishes.

  Lucy continued to argue mostly from the hurt she was experiencing as, for the first time in their young lives, Louisa was parroting Edward’s wishes instead of supporting her twin’s. Lucy’s voice grew more strident, her gestures a bit wilder as her protests persisted.

  Edward finally sighed and stood to his full height and began rolling up the sleeve of his right arm. Louisa gasped and implored Lucy to make her apologies before it was too late. Edward told his wife to remain silent, stepped close to Lucy and took her arm. It wasn’t until she felt herself being pulled down to lie across Edward’s knees that Lucy understood she had stepped across an invisible line. She began to fight and struggle but was no match for Edward’s strength.

  “Edward, please. She didn’t mean it.” Turning her attention to her sister, she entreated, “Lucy, apologize. Tell him you’ll remain in school.”

  Edward took Lucy’s flailing hands and pinned them at the small of her back. “I believe I warned you to remain silent, Louisa. You will take your sister’s place once I’ve given her the spanking she has earned. Perhaps having your own bottom blistered will remind you as well who, exactly, is in charge of this household.”

  Lucy was shocked hearing the announcement, seeing Louisa lower her gaze and hearing her soft response.

  “Yes, sir, I’m sorry.”

  Edward allowed Lucy to squirm and struggle until she wore herself out. Only then did he lift her skirts and lay them up across her back. She sobbed at the shame of it all, and suddenly her desire for independence in making her own decisions paled in comparison to the decision her guardian had obviously made. She began promising better behavior when she felt her drawers being drawn apart until both halves of her bottom were bared. Edward lifted his hand and brought it down again and again on the swells of her bottom. Lucy hadn’t been spanked since she was a child, and was horrified at how awful the experience was. By the time Edward finally allowed her up, her bottom felt as if it had been branded and her throat ached with her begging for him to stop. Edward spoke only to order her to the corner and promised a second spanking if she didn’t keep her dress up and her punished bottom on display. Lucy had been mortified, but obeyed. She stood sobbing in the corner, even as she heard a similar spanking being given to her sister. Edward sent his wife to another corner and the girls stood, skirts lifted and bottoms exposed, until the redness of their spankings began to fade.

  Edward wasn’t the least bit surprised when his ward looked up. “No, sir. I-I don’t need a reminder.”

  Edward nodded as if her answer had been expected.

  Thorne seemed a bit disappointed, but offered, “Perhaps sitting on a well-striped bottom will help her concentrate more fully on her lessons.”

  Edward imagined the headmaster was correct, the picture of his ward squirming on the hard seat of her desk chair playing in his head. But it was the opportunity to be alone with his wife that had him nod. “Yes, I believe it would serve her well. She will also spend the rest of the weekend with her head buried in her books. Thank you again for your generous offer.”

  Chapter 4

  Lucy tried to control a new rush of tears at Edward’s words. She wondered if a person could really die of embarrassment. If so, she would soon be a corpse. Headmaster Thorne opened the door and stood back to usher them out of his office. As they walked down the corridor toward the front of the building, she was conscious of others in the hall and knew that everyone was aware of what had transpired in the headmaster’s office. She was ashamed of her behavior and absolutely humiliated that she had been so soundly caned that her cries must have echoed around the school. She was grateful to see several students looking at her in sympathy, and mortified to see professors simply nodding or smiling as if pleased that the she had been caught and received what she deserved. Dropping her eyes to the floor, Lucy wondered how she’d ever be able to sit in a class again.

  Professor Lloyds stood from behind his desk when the group entered the room where mathematics was taught.

  “Professor, I’ve offered your services as you suggested, and Lord Wintercrest has graciously agreed that Lucille should spend a few hours under your excellent guidance,” the headmaster spoke as he accepted the job of escorting Lucy to stand in front of her professor’s desk. He smiled and added cruelly, “Of course, she probably will need reminding to sit still as she does her lessons, and I hope you show a bit of mercy. After all, it is indeed difficult to sit on a well-caned bottom—especially since she misbehaved and earned extra strokes.” Turning his head toward her, Thorne continued. “As you stated you could be quite studious in your lessons, please provide the solution to this problem. If the sentence for your misbehavior was a dozen strokes, yet your continued disobedience earned you that red X beneath your drawers, how many lines are now branded across your derrière?”

  Lucy heard her sister gasp and clenched her hands at her sides. The man was just plain hateful. Of course she knew everyone was aware of what had taken place, but to mention the count, the horrid X still burning on her flesh so blatantly was unnecessarily cruel.

  “Your headmaster asked you a question, Lucille,” her guardian said sternly. “I highly suggest you give him an answer.”

  Seeing Thorne’s smirk, Lucy lifted her chin, determined not to allow the man to think he’d gotten the best of her. “You placed fourteen strokes across my bottom.” She paused for a brief moment before adding, “Sir.”

  Thankfully, Professor Lloyds put an end to the little show. “I’m sure Miss Furniss has learned her lesson. I have no doubt that she will attend her studies with the utmost concentration. Lord Wintercrest, she shall be ready to return home in time for dinner, if that meets with your approval.”

  Lucy thought the professor quite brave to be so brazen in front of his employer and found her respect growing.

  Before Thorne could open his mouth, Edward said, “I appreciate your help, Professor. I believe you will find Lucy far more attentive this afternoon. Dinner at the manor is promptly at seven o’clock. I realize that a few hours will not be enough time for Lucille to learn all she needs for her examination, but, as I’ve assured Headmaster Thorne, she will also spend her weekend with her head in her books or her bottom will pay an even higher price.”

  Lucy could do nothing but stand there as her professor looked between her guardian and the headmaster before he glanced at her.

  “I’m sure your ward will do her very best, Lord Wintercrest,” he said, turning to gather a stack of books from his large desk before gesturing toward a much smaller one. “Shall we begin, Miss Furniss?”

  Lucy watched as Edward led her sister from the room, Thorne following them, offering to escort them to their carriage.

  Henri, their driver, nodded to his employer and gave Louisa a very stern and disapproving look. She blushed hotly as he opened the door, lowering the step. Edward helped her into the carriage and she gingerly took her seat, biting back a small, barely audible gasp. The conv
eyance dipped again as Edward entered and sat across from his wife. She placed her hands in her lap, wishing she could clasp Lucy’s hand.

  “I am so very sorry, sir,” she began, hoping to relieve the tension in the small confines of the carriage.

  Edward lifted his hand. “Enough, Louisa. I don’t care to hear your apology again. What I wish to know is exactly how you managed to pull off this charade. How did you arrange to leave the house this morning?”

  Louisa couldn’t bring herself to look at him. She gazed out the window and tried to gather her thoughts. Evidently she was taking entirely too long to answer her husband’s questions as he reached across the space between them and cupped her chin.

  Applying a slight pressure, he had her head tilting back, her eyes locking onto his. “It isn’t a difficult question, young lady. There is no need for your hesitancy. I want to know the truth, and if I disbelieve a single word of your explanation, then you can rest assured you will pay for each one. Is that understood?”

  Louisa couldn’t stop a small shiver from running through her body. He released her as she nodded. “Yes, sir.” Taking a breath, she made her confession. “I hid in the boot.”

  Edward glanced past her, as if seeing through the back panel to consider the storage box hanging from the rear of the carriage. “You’d have to have hidden yourself very early this morning. How did you get away from Mrs. Bremmer, Louisa? We both know she keeps a close eye on you when I am not at home.”

  Louisa nodded, a tear sliding down her cheek. She felt worse now than she had in Thorne’s office. She knew what she had done was wrong, but she also knew how much her husband detested deceit.

  “I snuck out right after you left for town this morning. It was actually Lucy who pretended to be me and told Mrs. Bremmer that she… I mean I wasn’t feeling well and that I was going to lie down.” Edward didn’t respond, and the lack of even a nod told her he was not the least bit pleased with her explanation. Brushing a tear from her cheek, she continued. “Mrs. Bremmer goes to market on Friday, and I, I mean Lucy still pretending to be me, um told her that you had instructed me to stay in bed and rest until it was time to dress for tea.”