Page 161 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 1

The awkward moment was broken as the twins rushed into the kitchen. Grace flung herself onto her Uncle Ned, while Mercy scrambled into Jake’s lap. The men chuckled and teased the children while Verity busied herself with serving breakfast and the subject was dropped.

Ned left around mid-morning. The girls nagged Jake to take them to the creek so they could swim. Verity packed them all a simple picnic lunch of bread cheese and apples and the four of them set off in the buggy.

The day was sultry; the creek water warmed by the sun. Verity couldn’t swim and so Jake gave her the first of many swimming lessons while the twins shouted encouragement. It was a magical afternoon. The sun dipped low in the sky by the time they packed up to return home. Heads lolling, the twins fell asleep in the buggy.

After supper, Jake carried each of his sleepy daughters to bed. As soon as their heads touched their pillows, they went out like candles in a breeze.

Meanwhile, Verity tided the kitchen. She made a pot of coffee and set it on the low table in the living area. Then she fetched two objects from her vanity table, one she placed next to Jake’s coffee. Adding cream to hers, she sat back and sipped in silence, pondering the difficult conversation to come.

He padded into the room so quietly that she jumped when he spoke.

“What’s this?” He picked up the package she’d placed next to his coffee.

She blushed. “Something I should have given you on our wedding day.”

Carefully peeling back, the soft leather pouch, Jake removed a gold watch and fob chain. He whistled through his teeth in surprise. “This is some gee-gaw!”

“It’s solid gold. Originally it belonged to my grandfather. He bequeathed it to my father, who in turn left it to me. When my parents died, all their property went to my aunt for raising me, except that watch, which as I said, was entailed to me by my father. I want you to have it, Jake, as a token of my love and esteem.”

“It’s beautiful, honey, thank you. We can hand it on to our son, when he comes of age.”

“If we have a son,” she added.

“Oh, I’ll give you a son, just you wait and see.” He winked.

She chuckled ruefully at his confidence. Taking a deep breath, she knew she’d come to the moment she was dreading.

“Jake, I kept that watch back because, as you now know, when we were wed, I still had lingering doubts about whether or not you were a murderer. I’ve thought it over, and I’ve decided that I deserve to be scolded.” She pulled the hairbrush from behind her back and placed it on the table. Jake looked at the brush and then at her, his brow furrowed. Picking up his coffee, he took a draught of the black brew.

Verity remained silent, watching. Finally, he set his cup aside and rubbed his palms downward over his sturdy thighs.

“I think you’re right; we do need to clear the air between us. Last night wasn’t about that. I’ve found that a spanking has the ability to straighten out grievances.”

Verity swallowed hard then murmured her agreement. After all, it was she who had suggested this.

“I don’t aim to use your hairbrush though, Verity, but I am gonna spank you. I was wounded last night and darned furious that you took such a risk with your life, which was why I was so harsh taking my belt to you. This morning I got to thinking about what a lucky man I am, because despite witnessing the man you imagined was me, killing a man, you still trusted me enough to marry me. Honey, this time I’m going to spank you for not trusting me, and to clear away any residual discontent between us, so the slate will be clean. D’you agree?”

Verity licked her dry lips. “Yes, Sir.” She gulped some coffee to steady her nerves.

She’d felt sheer mortification as she’d listened to him speak. To hear him say out loud that he agreed with her need to be chastised, and that he intended to spank her, was both scary yet strangely titillating.

Coughing, she spluttered as the remainder of her coffee shot down the wrong way. Jake was up and by her side in a second. Soothing her, he patted her back, when he was certain she’d stopped choking, he settled himself down on the couch, and drew her onto his lap. He stroked her hair and they sat in silence for a while, then he shifted.

“I want you to know that I’ve given careful consideration to your suggestion that you teach some girls here on the ranch. Mary Campbell approached me and explained how unhappy some of the girls at school are with the new schoolmaster. She said Grace and Mercy had complained to her of being frightened by the man. I don’t want my girls, or any other girl, to be fearful in school. I’d like you to teach those girls, but I don’t like the idea of having a home school here.”

She wriggled and opened her mouth to argue, but he put a finger to her lips.

“Hush, hear me out. I’ve discussed the situation with Mary and she’s willing for you to run the girl’s school from her house. She says there is plenty of space and she does not have many visitors. The girl’s parents will have to pay you in some way; no doubt most will pay you with produce, but I insist that you and Mary divide whatever you are given in the way of fees between the two of you.”

Verity squealed with delight and bounced on his knee. She covered his face with kisses. Finally, he disentangled her arms from his neck.

His tone turned serious. “Okay, enough. It’s time, honey. Go get ready for bed then wait in the corner of the bedroom for me, nose to the wall. I’ll join you, by and by.”

Without comment, she nodded her understanding. Picking up their coffee cups she took them into the kitchen before heading to their room where she prepared for bed.

Chapter Eight

It felt foolish standing in the corner of the bedroom in her nightgown and bare feet. After time had passed and Jake had not showed, Verity decided to go to bed, but just as she turned to do so, the door opened and Jake entered the room. Quickly doing an about turn, she leaned closer into the wall, too nervous to look at him. His large presence overwhelmed her, causing a sense of vulnerability. The bed twanged and she realized he must have sat on the bed.

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