Page 163 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 1

“I love you too, Mr. Calhoun!” She squealed as a large palm landed with a clap upon her exposed backside.

“I think I need to ride you as a reminder of who’s in charge of this household— ”

“Noo, please Jake, my poor bottom!”

He chuckled, flipped her off his chest and onto her back. Gazing down at her, his eyes travelled the length of her naked form, his pupil’s darkening with desire.

“Let’s make a baby, sweetheart,” he rasped softly.

Lowering his mouth to hers, she sighed with delight. Her arms snaked about his neck. Envisaging her future with Jake, she wondered how soon it would be before she fell pregnant… Goodness, who’d have thought that after marrying Jake, a man she’d thought was a murderer, everything had turned out so well?

Epilogue

“Mary— Ah, there you are!” Verity stepped into the parlour.

“Where are the girls?” Mrs. Campbell asked from her comfortable fireside chair.

“I said they could play outside while we wait for Jake to collect us. Mary, I just spoke to Agatha Murphy. Our numbers are to increase by another two pupils. The Murphy girls are joining us on Monday. We’re going to run out of space soon.”

“I suppose I could convert this parlour into a classroom?” Mary Campbell mused.

“Oh no, I wouldn’t hear of that...” The sound of a woman clearing her throat had Verity turning in surprise. She frowned at the unwelcome sight of Mrs. Hale from the school board. The woman had stepped uninvited into the parlour. Verity and Mary Campbell exchanged an anxious glance.

“Good afternoon, ladies. I hope I’m not interrupting?”

“Mrs. Hale, what can we do for you?” Mary asked coldly.

“There have been a number of complaints regarding the new school master. Apparently, his methods of disciplining the pupils have been deemed as rather harsh by parents. A deputation of them approached the school board yesterday and insisted the man be removed from his position. Therefore, I have been asked to offer, Miss… I apologize, Mrs. Calhoun, her old job back as teacher.” Mrs. Hale looked as though she’d sucked on a lemon.

“I’ll have to ask my husband before I can give you a definitive answer,” Verity replied stiffly.

“Please don’t leave it too long, Mrs. Calhoun, or we’ll need to advertise for someone else to take up the position.” Mrs. Hale sniffed.

“What position is that?”

Verity sighed with relief. Jake had arrived to escort her and the twin’s home.

“Oh, Mr. Calhoun, how do you do?” Mrs. Hale simpered.

Jake lifted his hat. “Jus’ fine, ma’am. So, what’s this all about? Last thing I heard; you accused my wife of immodest behavior. Can’t say I feel kindly toward you, ma’am.”

“Oh, but that was a simple misunderstanding, Mr. Calhoun. I can assure you that now Verity is a married woman there will be no more gossip. I am here to persuade your charming wife to reconsider, and accept her previous teaching position at the school.”

“Verity, do you want to take back the job as school mistress at the school?”

She looked at her husband trying to gauge his opinion on the matter, but Jake wore his poker face, expressionless, giving nothing away.

“If you’re happy for me to do so, then yes, I would like to return and begin teaching at the school again, but with one proviso,” she added her gaze on Mrs. Hale.

“Yes?” The woman asked stiffly.

“I should like Mary to come in each day and read a story to the children, they love her tales, and she inspires them with her stories. She should be paid for her time.”

“Oh well, if that is all?” Mrs. Hale asked disdainfully.

“It is. Mary?” she prompted, turning to her friend.

Mary Campbell flushed with pleasure and nodded her agreement.

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