Page 41 of Papa's Captive
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William was stunned.
He had not expected Rosie to venture away from the castle. Especially all the way to the bloody forest. Had she run into trouble and screamed, he likely wouldn’t have heard her from such a great distance. His blood went cold at the thought of any harm coming to his sweet bride, and most of his rage toward her subsided.
He was still displeased with her and she still had a punishment coming. Not just any punishment, but a severe one. But he was no longer vibrating with hot fury, and now that he was starting to calm down, he was rather shocked by the level of his dark emotions when he’d discovered her missing from her bedchamber and then glanced out the window only to see her emerging from the treeline.
“Rosie, I want you to be completely honest with me.” He grasped her hands and sat next to her on the bed. “Were you trying to run away from me?” His heart sank at the prospect, even though he doubted that was the case. Though he’d taken her away from Talcott House as his little captive bride, she had displayed only mild unwillingness as she’d expressed her shock over his actions. But he had to know for certain.
“Papa, I would never leave you. I love you. Besides, when you found me, I was returningtothe castle. That would not make any sense,” she said in a small whisper as another batch of tears rushed down her cheeks.
He retrieved a handkerchief from his jacket and dabbed at her face. Her answer filled him with relief, but he still could not account for her uncharacteristic actions. “Young lady, your behavior today does not make any amount of sense to me. You know very well you are not permitted to venture beyond the gardens.” He placed a finger beneath her chin and forced her gaze to his. “Tell me why you traveled all the way to the forest, all by yourself today, Rosie. I want the truth.Whatwere you doing?”
Her shoulders sagged. “I-I simply went for a long walk, Papa, and I lost track of time and place as I wandered. Once I realized how far I’d gone, I turned back. I am so very, truly and deeply sorry for disobeying you.”
Was she telling the truth? He held her gaze unblinkingly for several long moments, wishing he could read her mind. Her story did not quite make sense to him. The Rosie he knew was too responsible to wander so far away from the castle without good reason. But he had no evidence that she was lying. Perhaps he ought to trust her. A deeper intimacy had grown between them as of late and he despaired to think she would do anything to shatter it.
“Very well,” he finally said. “One last thing. How did you get so dirty?”
She paled and her eyes went wide. “Oh. Um, I saw a small holly tree and thought it might look nice in the gardens. But when I was try-trying to dig down to its roots, I glanced up and saw just how far I’d walked. So I stopped digging and rushed to return home.”
“I see.”
“Papa, I am so sorry for ruining the nice clothes you gave me. And for disobeying you and worrying you. I am ashamed of my behavior.” Her lower lip quivered. “I know I deserve to be punished and I pr-promise to submit to what-whatever pu-punishment you deem fi-fit.” She struggled to get out the words and her hands trembled harder in her lap. He remained next to her for a long while, gently rubbing her back as she stared at the floor, looking more subdued than he’d ever seen her.
William’s heart felt heavy.
He finally rose from the bed.
“I’ll be right back, Rosie,” he said in a gentle tone. He passed her the handkerchief, knowing she would need it again, and walked into his dressing room in search of the implement he planned to use. His hand alone would not suffice. She’d erred badly and he could not let her off with a simple hand spanking.
Buried in a dresser drawer, he found the soft and supple, yet sturdy, sword belt that had been passed down to the men in his family for several generations. He removed the scabbards and folded the belt in half, then tested a light swing against his palm.
Once he returned to Rosie’s side, he placed the sword belt beside her and removed his jacket. She stared wide-eyed at the thick leather implement as a visible shudder moved through her. When she dabbed her cheeks with the handkerchief, her hands trembled harder than before and he noticed her squirming in place.
He set about removing his waistcoat and rolling up his sleeves, keeping his gaze hot on his naughty wife as he prepared to give her a thrashing she would not soon forget. Though he hated to cause her pain and make her cry, as her papa it was his solemn duty to give her the correction and guidance she needed.
He would not fail her.
When she met his stare, guilt brimmed in her tear-filled eyes.
“Rosie,” he began, “I am disappointed that you disobeyed a direct order not to leave the castle. But most of all, I am upset that you risked your safety.” He picked up the sword belt. “I want to make sure you understand risking your safety is unacceptable. I will never stand for it. That is why I must be so harsh with you today.”
“I-I understand, Papa, and I am so very sorry.” She blinked rapidly and lifted her chin, as if trying to hide her fear. But he knew she feared the belt. Despite the brave front she was trying to put on, each time she glanced at the implement, worry flashed in her gaze. She drew in a deep breath and said, “I-I am ready, Papa.”
He reached for her hand, pulling her up to stand before him. With an efficient tug on the tie of her robe, the garment slipped off her shoulders and fell in a puddle of fabric at her feet. “I love you, my dear, with all my heart, and if harm ever befell you, I-I cannot complete the thought because it is too painful.”
“Oh, Papa, I love you too.” Her eyes flickered to his and they shared a profound moment of understanding.
God, she was his whole world. He couldn’t imagine life without her, this sweet little miss who made his soul dance with joy on a daily basis. He regretted that this unpleasantness must be dealt with before they could have closure and he could take her in his arms for the rest of the day. His arms literally ached with the urge to cradle her in his lap, and his fingertips tingled with the need to stroke her hair.
He made sure the sword belt was folded properly in half and used it to gesture at the bed. “Bend over there, Rosie, and keep your hands underneath you. I do not want to risk you reaching back to shield your bottom during your thrashing.”
“Yes, Papa.” She turned around and complied, bending over the side of the bed and tucking her hands beneath herself.
It was time.
He moved closer and rested a hand on her lower back, preparing to hold her in place if necessary. After giving her behind a light tap with the sword belt, he said, “This is going to be hard and fast, little girl, and I hope to never have cause to punish you so severely again.”
