His Passionate Pioneer (11 page)

"That was for sassing me yet again, Annabelle. You have more punishment coming. You will treat me with respect, and I will not tolerate a naughty mouth. Do you understand me?"

"Ye… yes, sir."

He nodded and then set her on her feet. He steadied her between his knees and took her hands in his. "Bring me your strap." When her eyes widened, he squeezed her hands. "You can do this, Annabelle. Now, bring it to me and ask me to strap your arse." He saw her take a deep breath and released her hands. She walked the three steps it took to where the strap hung and lifted it off its hook. Tears were sliding down her cheeks as she returned to him.

"Please str... strap me," she whispered.

"Annabelle, I told you to stay for a reason, and I hope that after your strapping, you'll learn not to disobey me again." He stood and reached to pick up his pillow. Turning, he placed it on top of the barrel. "Turn around, bend over the barrel, put your hands on the floor. Don't you dare reach back; I don't want to strap your hands."

She took the steps to the barrel. "I'm really sorry, Richard. I know I did wrong but please, my bottom hurts so much. Please forgive me."

"I already have, Anna, but I will also finish your punishment. Turn around and bend over. Push your naughty arse up and out. Get up on your toes and I want your legs spread wide. This is the position you will always take to get a strapping," he calmly informed her.

She sobbed again but obeyed, assuming the very open position and then rising up onto her tiptoes. Richard moved into position beside his wife. He lifted the strap and brought it down sharply against her scarlet, uplifted bottom. Anna shrieked and lurched forward as a line of fire bloomed across both of her cheeks.

She continued to shriek as he whipped her twice more. When he lifted the strap again, she rolled off the barrel and dropped to her knees, her hands cupping her hot skin. "No, please no more. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

He drew her up. "We aren't yet done, Annabelle. Get your hands off your bottom." He pulled her to him. "I know your arse burns, but, sweetheart, it's a lesson you absolutely must learn. I love you so much, and the thought of not knowing if I can trust you to stay when I tell you, or to question my decisions, is simply not something I can condone. I don't like this any more than you do, so let's get this done." Anna still had tears streaming down her face but he was very proud of her when she nodded and took a few deeper breaths before positioning herself again.

The sound of the paddling had been loud but it was nothing compared to the strap. The slapping of leather onto bare flesh was unmistakable and there was no question of her cries being contained within the interior of the wagon. Richard laid the strap across her blazing cheeks ten times, then moved it down to stripe against the backs of her thighs.

She shrieked at the pain of this new attack and kicked her legs up, almost rolling off the barrel again.

"Be still, get those legs down," he ordered, and continued strapping her legs. "You used these naughty legs to disobey me by walking into town, and they are going to be punished."

She screeched and threw her head back at the pain as he gave her thighs a half dozen strokes and then returned to her bottom. He laid the last three strokes across her sit-spots, making sure she would never ever forget her first taste of his discipline. He stepped back and lowered the strap to his side, certain she wouldn't sit comfortably for the next few days. Anna's rear and the tops of her thighs were crimson. He listened to her sob and wondered if she realized she was promising to be a good girl over and over again.

He felt his heart go out to her, wanting nothing more than to take her into her arms and hold her tight. However, he knew she could have been seriously hurt with her decision to walk into town against his will. He allowed her to cry until her ragged sobs turned into the occasional sniffle and hiccup. Then he reached out and ran his hand over her bottom, amazed at the heat he felt radiating from her punished skin. She shuddered under his touch, whimpering softly.

"Anna, turn around and look at me." She pushed up from the barrel, her hands swiping at her cheeks before she turned around. When her hands dropped behind her to rub at her backside, Richard slowly reached out and moved her arms to her side.

"No, little one," he reprimanded, seeing her feet dance as she realized she wouldn't be allowed to comfort her poor punished rear. "I punished your arse for a good reason. You need to feel it burn to remind you of that reason. Tell me why you got a whipping."

She lowered her eyes, her face turning as red as her bum. He waited for a moment and then said, "I can whip you again, Anna, or perhaps you need my finger?" Anna shook her head violently, tears flying off her cheeks. "Then answer my question."

"I sassed you."

Richard shook his head. "No, Annabelle. You were paddled for sassing me, as I promised you would be the other day. I had to also give you a strapping; tell me why."

"I didn't obey you. I didn't stay at the wagon."

"And why do you think I didn't want you to go into town until I'd checked it out?"

She took a moment to answer. "Because it could have been dangerous. Because it might not have been you to grab me."

He drew her into his arms and hugged her, then held her as she cried against his chest. "That's right. You are my life, Anna. You aren't ever to do things that put you in danger. I almost died when I saw you walking around. Sweetheart, you have no idea what sort of men are in that town. It's not safe for a beautiful woman to be walking around alone, especially one who is not paying the least bit of attention to her surroundings. You are never, ever to disobey me again. Is that clear?"

She pressed against her husband's chest and nodded. "Yes, sir. I'm so sorry. I didn't think. I was just being selfish and childish. I promise I won't ever do it again."

Richard nodded and then bent to kiss the top of her head. He cupped her punished globes with his palms, easily feeling the heat radiating from her small red bottom. After a gentle pat, he set her away from him. "I certainly hope you remember that promise. Now, put your paddle and strap back on their hooks."

Anna took the hated implements from him and hung them up. The sounds of people moving about had her turning to him. "They—they could hear."

He saw her face and knew she was embarrassed. "Sweetheart, you aren't the only wife who gets spanked. I'm sorry you're feeling ashamed but I will not apologize for punishing you. I told you this would happen, and I'm only sorry you chose not to believe me." He paused as she looked up at him, fresh tears running down her cheeks. "You need to get dressed, and I'll help you get supper tonight."

"I can't go out there. Please don't make me. Everyone will know you punished me."

Richard sighed and took her into his arms again. "I think they are already aware of that honey. Don't be ashamed unless you are ashamed of your behavior. You've paid the price of being naughty and it is over. Be brave now and hold your head up. Believe me, no one will make fun of you, and you need to make your apologies to James, as well as Mr. Morgan."

Her mouth dropped open. "No, please, don't make me talk to them. I'm so embarrassed. I won't ever be naughty again."

"Anna, James was upset that you slipped by him. How would you feel knowing that you let someone sneak by you and that person was assaulted or kidnapped? In James's mind, he feels he failed in his duty—not only to me and Mr. Morgan, but to you as well."

"I didn't think about how he'd feel. I didn't think about him having to answer to Mr. Morgan. I understand that he needs to know I'm sorry for putting him in that position. I'll apologize to James, but please, don't make me talk to the wagon master. That's not fair. I hardly even know him and he was watching me in town! I can't—I won't!"

Richard gave a sigh and sat down on the barrel. "Annabelle, you are already disobeying me, right after all those promises to be a good girl. Come here."

She shook her head but stepped up to her husband. He turned her around and then bent her over his lap. His hand began to spank her already punished bottom. Anna no longer fought, she just sobbed as he reignited the fire in her arse. After a dozen swats, he slid his finger between her cheeks and she screeched as he roughly pushed it into her bottom hole.

"I'll do it!" she wailed, as he began to pump his finger in and out of her. "I'll do it. I'll talk to him, please take it out!"

Richard held her tight, his finger reminding her in no uncertain terms that he was very serious indeed. He popped his finger from her and turned her around to sit on his knees. She gasped as her weight settled onto her welted buttocks, sinking into him, her head tucked under his neck. He hoped that she was done with any disobedience; having to punish her had his heart aching. He drew her close and bent and kissed the top of her head, stroking her back and arms as she gradually calmed down.

"That's my good girl. You get dressed and I'll start the fire."

Anna was grateful when he climbed down from the wagon. Though she had been horrified to realize that he was truly going to whip her, she had to admit, she'd taken far more strokes from her Pa. Still, it had hurt, both her butt and her heart. She shuddered and subconsciously reached back to rub her aching bottom, which was now burning inside as well.

As soon as she felt the ridges from the strap she dropped her hands, afraid Richard would see her disobey his direct order not to rub, and decide to add additional welts. Sniffling, she dug through the trunk for a fresh pair of drawers, knowing the others would have to be mended before they could be worn again. Picking up a pair of drawers, she froze and felt a rush of desire flood through her as she thought about him ripping the other pair from her body. She wondered if she was crazy—did any other woman feel this way after receiving a whipping? Flushing hotly, she knew that though she didn't understand it, she'd certainly never felt this way after her Pa had whipped her.

But you aren't your father's child any longer. You are Richard's wife.
Anna quivered; she had just been stripped, not to be loved but to be punished. Perhaps it was simply because she was a newlywed, but she couldn't help but desire the unpleasant memories of her lesson be replaced with her husband's loving her instead.

Slipping into the drawers, she hissed as the fabric touched her hot skin. Pulling on her petticoats and dress, she took deep breaths, concentrating on each task in order to keep her mind from traveling down paths she didn't understand. With her apron tied, she knew she couldn't postpone the inevitable any longer. She took a deep breath to steady herself and then poked her head out of the wagon flap.

Richard looked up and stifled a chuckle, but his wife heard him and started to pull back inside the wagon. "I'm sorry," he said. "You just looked like a scared rabbit, sticking your head out of your burrow to make sure there aren't any hawks flying around." He stood up and walked to her. "Honey, bring me your brush." Her lip quivered. "No, Anna, I'm not going to spank you. I'm just going to brush your hair. It's a little messy."

Her hand flew to her hair and she flushed. Stepping back, she retrieved her brush and then held it out to him. She squealed as he lifted her from the wagon and swung her around before he set her onto her feet and hugged her tight. He led her to the quilt and sat down, pulling her down between his knees. She whimpered as her bottom settled, the pain returning.

"You may kneel, honey, I know your arse must really hurt," he suggested as he reached to untie the ribbon in her hair.

She gradually settled on her knees, trying to put as little weight as possible on her backside. As his hands began to run through her hair, slowly removing the pins, she relaxed. He had told her he loved playing with her hair and took his time separating the strands of her plait until her mane fell in a curtain down her back. The brush began to pull through her hair and she smiled as memories of her mother doing the same coursed through her. Just as it hadn't felt the same when Richard wielded the paddle or strap instead of her Pa, this didn't feel the same, either. Her stomach fluttered at each stroke of the brush, as he would then use his fingers to stroke her skin beneath her hair. Once her hair was flowing down her back, smooth again, he calmly braided it and then twisted it into a coil at the back of her head. She passed him each pin and he gently secured the bun. When he was done, she leaned back against him and he bent down to kiss her cheek.

"I love you, wife," he whispered.

"Not as much as I love you, husband." She couldn't suppress a small groan as he helped her to her feet.

"Are you ready to apologize?" he asked gently.

She flushed but nodded, "Yes, sir, but will you come with me please? I need you with me when I talk to Mr. Morgan."

"Of course I will." He took her hand and then led her to the area where the wagon master's wagon was parked. She blushed and clung to her husband as they passed many other wagons where families were having their supper. Richard nodded hello to the men and women.

As they got closer to their target, Anna tried to hang back, but Richard gently pulled her forward. They walked towards the fire, where several men were gathered. Her face burned with shame when she recognized that they were the same group who had witnessed the beginning of her discipline.

When she didn't speak, Richard looked down at her, giving her hand a squeeze. "Sorry to interrupt, gentlemen, but Anna has something she needs to say." He turned towards his wife, who was keeping her eyes glued on her shoes. He waited a beat, then bent down and whispered, "Where's that strong spirit, little one?"

His words told her that he might have punished her, but that he also believed in her strength. She'd failed in her obedience, she would not fail in making her apology. "Mr. Morgan, I need to apologize for disobeying my husband," she said. "I'm very sorry I went into town without permission. I'm sorry I purposefully snuck past James. It was wrong, and I promise I will never do it again."

Zachary Morgan looked at the beautiful young woman, who was shuffling her feet, her eyes on the ground. "Thank you, Mrs. Andrews," he said. "I appreciate you making your apologies to all of us. I trust that from now on, when your husband or another who is protecting the wagons and the women and children tells you to do something, or simply to stay at the wagons, I can count on your obedience?"

She nodded and then looked up, her spirit gaining strength as the guilt began to seep from her. "Yes, sir, I promise. Both you and my husband can rest assured I'll never do anything like that again."

Zachary nodded. "Thank you. I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you. I accept your apology and am certain you've learned a hard lesson. This time everything worked out, but next time, your husband might not be there to keep you safe. Bad things happen out here, Mrs. Andrews. I'd hate to lose you. I fully expect you to keep your promise. I'd hate to make an example of you in front of the entire train. Know this, I won't hesitate to do so if you put yourself in danger again. Is that absolutely clear?"

She actually swayed on her feet, the reality that this man could indeed raise her dress, lower her drawers and punish her bottom, sinking in for the first time. She felt her husband's arm slide around her waist. "Yes, sir, I understand. Again, I'm sorry, Mr. Morgan."

Zachary nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Andrews. I know it took courage to apologize and, for that, I want you to know you have my respect. Try to have a good night."

Anna was still embarrassed at having to apologize so openly, and yet his words eased her soul. Before she turned away, she saw the other men nodding, and smiles of support and respect appearing on the faces of their three hands.

"I'm proud of you, Anna. You proved yet again that your spirit is strong," Richard said.

As they approached their wagon, he asked if she wanted him to come with her to apologize to James.

"No, you need to check the team. I'll be okay." She gave him a smile. "James is most likely upset with me but I doubt he'll threaten to spank me."

He chuckled. "I think you're safe."

She walked to their friend's camp site, where the small family were eating quietly. Charity looked up first and gave a small smile. Anna managed to return it and then flushed as James looked up. He immediately stood as she approached.

"I'm sorry to bother you," she said. "I just want to apologize to you, Mr. Blakemore. I didn't think about how you would feel when I snuck around you and went into town. I'm sorry if I scared you. I didn't mean for you to get into trouble. Please forgive me." She blinked rapidly to keep the fresh tears welling in her eyes from falling.

James nodded and moved to the wagon to retrieve the laundry basket. He passed it to her. "Are we no longer friends?" he asked. "It's James to you, Anna, and I have already forgiven you. I know you won't do it again."

She managed to nod and then stammered, "Thank you, James, and thank you for not wishing to terminate our friendship."

"Anna, people make mistakes, some that require painful consequences. You've paid the price and friendships can often strengthen with the shared knowledge that lessons have been taught and hopefully learned."

His calm tone and soft smile allowed her to finally let go of the remaining tension. His forgiveness, given with such sincerity and his honest words, washed away the residual guilt. "Thank you, and thank you, Charity. It wasn't right that you had to finish my chores. I forgot about the clothes. I appreciate you getting them for me."

"It was the least we could do," Charity said, her voice soft and comforting. "I also made enough dinner to share. Would you like to take some back to Richard?"

Anna's heart swelled with the knowledge that this couple were not only her husband's employees. They were also becoming dear friends—friends who shared in the same journey, and friends who also shared in the same beliefs about choices and consequences. Her heart skipped a beat when two strong arms wrapped about her waist, pulling her against a hard slab. She relaxed when she realized it was her husband, and this time he wasn't angry.

"That would be very much appreciated, Charity. Thank you," he said.

Charity nodded and fixed two plates for her friends.

At the sight and delicious aroma of the steaming dumplings, Anna gave a small sigh. "Oh, Charity, I didn't get to learn how to make these. I'm so sorry for all the trouble I caused today."

The woman gave her a hug. "Don't fret about that, honey, I'll show you another time." Anna returned the hug, truly grateful she had made such a good friend.

Richard took the plates and nodded at James. "Thanks again to you both. This looks delicious."

"It is," James said, smiling as he sat back down, drawing his wife close as the couple walked away.

After they'd eaten, Richard helped Anna into the wagon and told her to put the clothes away and spend some time writing about her first punishment in her book. She blushed, remembering reading from her earlier journals as Richard chuckled and teased—but he also reminded her that the misbehavior had deserved chastisement. Opening the book to the first fresh page, she penned an honest account of her fears, humiliation and the pain of her first paddling and strapping. She acknowledged she had been disobedient and had earned her discipline. By the time she inscribed the date, she was truly exhausted. She removed her clothing, her bottom still throbbing as she climbed onto the pallet and turned onto her side. Her pillow grew damp with her tears as she felt the shame of Mr. Morgan's words flow through her and recalled the disappointment she had seen on her husband's face. She gradually calmed and, after gently rubbing one hand along her hot bottom, she curled up and fell into sleep.

* * * * *

While Anna was busy in the wagon writing about her discipline, Richard went to their fire and worked on his gift for a while. He wanted to surprise his wife and now knew his gift would be very much needed. After a couple of hours, he was finished, and put his carving tools away. He tucked one item into his pocket and took the other to the Williams' wagon. He gave the gift to Robert, who agreed to his plans.

Richard climbed into the wagon and undressed. He looked down at his wife who was curled up on her side, looking so young and innocent in her sleep. God, he loved this woman—loved her spirit, loved her passion, and loved that she loved him. Lifting the quilt, he slipped in beside her. Anna shifted and then opened her eyes.

"It's just me," he said softly, bending to kiss her. He knew she was exhausted, and was ready to just let her slip back into sleep. As he settled down and put his arm around her waist, she pushed back into him, snuggling as close as she could get. He held her tight and tried not to think about her naked skin against his.

She moaned and whispered, "I'm sorry I was so naughty, and I'm sorry you had to discipline me. Richard, please don't give up on me. My heart will break if you stop loving me."

He felt his heart clutch and pulled her even closer. "Anna, oh, my sweet girl. I will never stop loving you. I will love you until the day I die." He pulled her back against him, placing a kiss on her bare shoulder. Richard needed her to respect his decisions and obey his words, but he never wanted her to fear him—or fear she'd ever lose the love he had for her.

"Honey, you are my life and my soul. I won't apologize for whipping your arse, but I pray that you understand that I punish you because the thought of losing you scares the very breath from my chest. My heart would shatter if something happened to you."

Anna spoke very quietly. "I know I deserved the punishment—all of it. I know it hurt you to have to spank your wife as if she were a naughty child. I know it embarrasses you to have a disobedient wife and…" Her voice began to falter and he pulled her closer.

"Shh, honey, I will never be embarrassed by you. You are my life. I might have to spank your little hiney but I will never, ever be ashamed to be your husband."

She turned her face to his, tears shining on her cheeks. "Oh, Richard, I love you so very much."

"There will never be a time, no matter how naughty you are, when I won't forgive you. And, my precious wife, there will never be a single moment of time in which I won't love you."