His Passionate Pioneer (5 page)

Anna hugged her mother, pressing her cheek to Martha's. "Oh, Ma, don't cry. It will be okay, and you can visit when we get settled. I'll miss you all so much but am glad to be Richard's wife. It will be such fun to travel and build our new home together. Olivia said that I should pray to get with child as quickly as possible. Just think, I might soon be a mother as well. You've taught me so much and I don't want you to be sad. Please don't cry."

Martha wiped her cheeks and smiled. "I know you'll be fine. You are a strong girl, and aren't afraid of hard work. I've watched you grow, and have seen your joy at exploring and learning new things. My prayer is that you enjoy every moment and remember to be careful. This is an adventure that no one can truly explain, but I trust Richard to keep you safe. I wish we had more time together, but Richard assures me that there will be other, more experienced women traveling with you. Make friends, Anna. Don't be afraid to admit it when you don't know something. I'm sure the others will be glad to teach you since I'm not there to do so." She paused and bent down to hug her daughter. "You are a good woman, Annabelle. I just pray that your husband realizes that he has wed a wonderful girl."

Anna giggled, remembering that this was the same woman who had constantly warned her that no man would find her agreeable to wed. "I will make sure he does, Ma." She was pleased to see her mother smile.

"I'm sure you will, Missy. Now, the chores won't do themselves."

The women stood and Martha helped Anna into the dress she'd also wear for tomorrow's departure, as the rest of her clothing had been packed. After braiding her daughter's hair into a long plait, Martha expertly twisted and wound the braid into a pretty bun. Anna stood quietly as she realized that just the simple change of hairstyle was yet another symbol of her new wedded state.

Martha pushed the final pin into the red tresses and then gave her daughter another hug. "I'm sure you'll both be fine. Now, let's get you ready for your wedding supper. Don't worry about tonight; Margaret will sleep in our room so you and Richard will, um, not be disturbed."

Anna laughed and bent forward to kiss her Ma's cheek, wishing to spare her mother more embarrassment. "Thanks for helping me. Remember, we can write letters. I will ask for help, but I hope you know that you've taught me so much." It seemed to be the right thing to say, as her Ma smiled, hugging her yet again.

The women were in the kitchen together, cooking the meal they would all share, when Richard came in and stood watching as his new wife worked happily alongside her mother and sister. When Anna caught him looking, she blushed as he smiled at her. Her stomach seemed a bit uneasy as the discussion upstairs returned to her thoughts. What exactly had her Ma been attempting to tell her? It sounded like a warning; one that Olivia had given her as well, but she'd also got the impression her Ma wasn't as averse as her cousin when it came to whatever happened in a marriage bed. Though she was nervous about the coming night, Anna had prepared herself to endure Richard's rutting, even knowing it would hurt and be embarrassing. Olivia had said it was her duty and that, if she were lucky, it would be over quickly—and once she became pregnant, her husband would leave her alone. Shivering a little, she looked at Richard. His smile helped ease her heart. Despite her cousin's warnings of the horror she'd endure, she could not fathom needing to be afraid of Richard. She gave him a smile and he returned it before turning to leave the room.

* * * * *

Richard thought his bride looked even more beautiful as she stood at the table, busily preparing the evening meal. He knew she could cook at least a little, but he was far more interested in what he would discover about her later tonight. He couldn't help but want dinner to be done and then have his wife to himself. He felt his cock twitch and grinned. Deciding it wouldn't be right to seem impatient, he gave her another smile before turning to go back outside. He went into the barn and began rechecking the loaded wagon. John and his sons helped him load the rest of Annabelle's trunks and, just as they finished, they were called in for dinner.

The meal passed quickly, the conversation revolving around the wedding as well as the upcoming journey. After everyone had eaten, Anna was excused from helping clean up. Apparently unsure of what to expect, she appeared to be nervous, her eyes frequently finding her husband's—only to slide quickly away again. Richard finally took her hand. "Let's take a walk, shall we?" She nodded gratefully, and he helped her into her cloak. Once they were outside, he took her hand again, and they walked through the yard towards the pastures. The night was still and beautiful. Thousands of stars twinkled in the sky, and a full moon provided light. They walked without speaking for several minutes. Richard led her down to the river and over to the same branch where their future had truly begun. He sat down and drew her down onto his lap. He held her close, then bent to place a kiss on the top of her head. "I love you, wife," he whispered into her hair.

She smiled at the word, her head tucked under his chin. "I love you too, husband."

Richard drew her a bit closer and looked out over the water, its surface calm and smooth except for small ripples that appeared as insects paused to take a drink. He smiled and pressed a kiss on top of her head. "I bet you are going to miss this swimming hole."

Anna turned her glance from the water to him. "Not when I paid for that swim with a strapping." As if she'd just realized what she'd admitted, she turned away, pressing her cheek against his neck.

"I know, little one, I saw you."

"You saw me swimming?" Her face showed her embarrassment and he shook his head.

"No, darling—if I had, you can be certain you would not have walked home in your chemise and drawers."

"Oh, I-I don't know what to say," she whispered, then evidently thought of another question. "If you didn't see me swimming, what do you mean you saw me?"

Though he'd never meant to discuss that day, he would never lie to her. "I saw you in the barn with your Pa." Her moan had him hugging her tighter. "Shh, little one. That's the day I realized that I truly loved you. I'd waited for you, praying that when I returned, you would fall in love with me as well. But, Anna, even though I knew when I left that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, that day I discovered you were a woman and not the girl I'd carried around in my head."

She blushed and whispered, "Did you just hear me cry?" Seeing him shake his head, she blushed even deeper. "Did you see everything? My bottom?" When he grinned and nodded, she moaned and buried her face in his chest.

"Anna, you looked like a goddess in one of those fairytale books. Despite your belief that you didn't deserve the punishment, you submitted to your strapping. I was very proud that you finally understood why your Pa punished you and apologized. It doesn't take much to deny naughtiness, honey, but it takes maturity and love to admit that wrongdoing and ask for forgiveness." He felt her relax slightly against him. "You have a very pretty arse, by the way." He ignored her gasp of shock at his revelation and held her a bit more tightly.

She looked down at her hand and began to twist the gold band he'd placed on her finger only hours earlier around on her finger. "You don't think I'm bad?"

Richard shook his head. "No, honey, I don't think you're bad. I know you are strong and brave." He grinned and continued, "Though we both know what will happen when you are naughty, don't we?"

"What are you talking about?"

Surely she understood? After all, he'd already spanked her. "You'll get a spanking," he said. "Sweetie, I've already given you one, remember? That day when Cassidy came to apologize."

"But that was different!"

"How was it different? You were being disrespectful and a brat and got your bottom smacked."

He was surprised when she lifted a small hand and moved it though the air, as if waving away a bothersome insect. "That wasn't a real spanking like my Pa used to give me. Besides, I'm a married woman now."

He threw back his head and laughed heartily. "Oh, Annabelle, you have so much to learn about being a man's wife." It was her turn to ask what he meant.

Richard didn't hesitate to give her his answer. "Sweetheart, you are correct in that your Pa punishes you differently. But, darlin', I promise you that my bride will most likely discover she'd rather bend over a hay bale for her Pa than for her husband." He shook his head when she opened her mouth to protest. This was the time to remove any doubt she had about the hierarchy of authority in her life. "Honey, if you are naughty, you'll be over my lap for a spanking or paddling, or bent over something if I need to take my belt, a strap or a switch to your arse." Her look showed her shock. "Yes, Anna, your need for discipline doesn't end with the ring on your finger. It simply becomes
my
responsibility to take you in hand. I want you to be safe and protected, and if you disobey or put yourself in any danger, your backside will pay the price. Don't ever think I'll go soft on you just because you are my wife. God means for you to obey me and I will not spare the rod. I will punish you because I love you and care for your safety and well-being."

He allowed a few moments of silence and then spoke again. "Anna, you asked if our marriage will be as wonderful as your folks'. Tell me, do you not believe your Ma accepts your Pa's discipline as well as his love?"

Suddenly, Anna remembered a night not that many months previously. Returning from the outhouse that evening, cries had drawn her to the barn. Though part of her had always suspected what she was witnessing, she'd pushed the truth away. Tearing her eyes from Richard's, she wasn't aware she'd stiffened in his arms. She could no longer attempt to deny what had caused those cries. Her Pa was a fair and loving man, but he was also one who demanded obedience—and not just from his children. The loud cries had come from her Ma, and Anna could remember the sight of her parents, her Pa seated on a hay bale, her Ma across his lap. The cries had grown louder as the strap in his hand connected again and again with her bare behind. Anna had stood, frozen, until the punishment was done and her mother's bottom was a dark red, with welts painted across the surface. She'd seen her Pa stand and take his wife in his arms for a hug and a kiss. Flushing as a different scene replayed in her mind, she remembered hearing her Ma apologize and her Pa accept that apology even as he'd turned her until she had her hands planted on the bale, her bottom lifted, her legs spread wide. Something within Anna had made her hold her breath, and it wasn't until she saw her Pa began to unbutton his pants that she backed away, running to the house, knowing that, while witnessing the strapping had been wrong, staying to witness them rutting would be something she'd not be able to forgive herself for.

Anna was quiet for several minutes before she gave a nod. "Yes, I know Pa punishes her."

"And yet, you just asked if our love will be as great as theirs." Richard tilted her chin again. "You might not understand, but I promise, discipline given out of love and accepted with the same will only make our bond stronger."

"I suppose so, but I guess I thought—or rather hoped—that once we were actually married, well, maybe you might change your mind."

"Just as I will never change my mind about how much I love you, I promise I will never change my mind about the need to keep you safe. If that means reddening your arse from time to time, so be it." His eyes locked onto hers and he bent to her. Right before he pressed his lips to hers, he said, "I promised to love, honor and cherish you today before God, and I'm promising you now that I will also take you in hand when you need reminding. What did you promise?"

Remembering her mother's hesitant words earlier, Anna understood that her Ma had been speaking of spanking as well as mating. Perhaps she should have listened a bit more closely. When she felt her husband pat her hip, she remembered he'd asked her a question. Looking into his eyes, she felt acceptance flow through her. "I promised to love, honor and obey you."

He nodded and kissed her lightly. "And obey you shall—or this," he said, pressing his palm harder against her right bottom cheek, "will feel my hand or belt, switch or strap until you remember your vows. Understand?"

"Yes. I mean, yes, I understand. I'll just need to remember to be the perfect wife."

He smiled and kissed her again before helping her to her feet. "I'm sure you'll try. Come now, no more talk of spankings, we have far more pleasant things to share."

When they returned to the house, not a single member of her family was in sight, though it was still a bit early for bed. Anna was unprepared when Richard suggested they retire. The shock of hearing him say he would continue to spank her flew from her mind as suddenly every word her cousin had said came flooding back.

"Um, wouldn't you like a cup of coffee first?" she suggested. "Or maybe a glass of milk?"

"No, honey. We have a very early start tomorrow. It's time we go upstairs." When she still hesitated, he bent closer to speak softly. "It's time you become my wife in all ways, Mrs. Andrews."

Not knowing how to respond to such a blatant proclamation, she simply nodded and took his hand.

"Don't be nervous, Anna. I promise you have nothing to fear," Richard said, as she led him to the room she shared with her sister.

"I'm not afraid," she denied. "It's just that Olivia said..." Her face felt hot and she couldn't finish her statement.

"Sweetheart, look at me," he said, lifting her chin with the tips of his fingers. "I love you. I swear to you it will be all right."

When he opened the door, she went inside. Seeing that a candle had been lit and placed on the bedside table beside a vase of wildflowers, she smiled. The quilt on the bed had been turned back and a white gown had been laid across the pillow. She understood that her Ma was attempting to make this more comfortable for her. Hearing the door click shut behind her, she turned. "I love you, too."

"Then relax, honey. Relax and let me teach you how wonderful love is." Richard took her in his arms and gave her a hug; the comfort of the embrace warring within her with the fear of what he intended to do next. When his hand moved to the buttons on the front of her blouse, she stiffened, a soft moan issuing from her throat.

"Shh, darlin', it's okay."

"I can do it," she said, moving to push his hand away only to have him take her hands and guide them to her sides.

"Annabelle, let me."

His tone was still soft but the look in his eyes brooked no nonsense. Nodding, she stood as he undid each button until he was able to part the front of her dress to expose her chemise. "You are beautiful," he said, bending to kiss her.

"I don't know what to do," she whispered, her eyes filling. "Olivia said you'd... you'd want to get it over with."

Richard pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her. He guided her to the bed and when she stiffened, he shook his head. "Annabelle, we are going to talk." Taking a seat on the bed, he pulled her down onto his lap. "Tell me what Olivia told you."

Blushing, she pulled her blouse together and shook her head. It was all so shameful. Despite the fact that she had discovered she loved being held and cradled on his lap, she would simply die if she had to repeat what her cousin had whispered earlier that day.

"I'm willing to be patient but only for so long. I'm asking you to trust me. Sweetheart, I'm your husband and will never hurt you."

"You just said you'd spank me!" she retorted, "and now—now you are going to rut with me!"

Richard looked surprised. "Rut? Annabelle, animals rut; husbands and wives make love." He paused and looked down into her upturned face. "Yes, I will spank you. Tell me, is that what you need to loosen your tongue? I wasn't planning on spanking you tonight, but, well if that is what it takes." He made a move to reposition her but she clung to his shirt with both hands.

"No!" she almost shouted and, at his chuckle, she huffed. "Don't tease me, Richard."

"Then answer my question. What has your cousin told you to make you so afraid?" He tightened his arms around her, and she tucked her head beneath his chin and sighed deeply.

"Cousin Olivia said that it will be awful but that I must tolerate it. That the pain is the price to bear children," she muttered.

"Oh, Anna," he said, bending to place a kiss on top of her head. "I promise you it will never be awful. When two people truly love each other, making love is not something to be simply tolerated. It is something to be enjoyed; something to be shared between the two of us. It will never be something I'll wish to hurry or 'get it over with'. I'm so sorry that your cousin saw the need to tell you such tales. All you can do is trust me. Do you think you can do that?"

Her thoughts swirled, a mixed conglomeration of Olivia's words as well as her Ma's keeping her silent for several minutes. Would her Ma look at her Pa the way she did if she detested sharing his bed? Would they constantly be touching one another if that touch was abhorrent? At the touch of Richard's lips against her head, feeling her entire body quicken, she finally decided that she did trust this man. "I do trust you."

He held her for a few more minutes. "Thank you."

Kissing her gently, he moved her to stand in front of him. This time, when he pulled her blouse from her skirt and gently removed it, she didn't fuss—though she felt her face heat and her body quiver. He continued to undress her slowly, his fingertips stroking across her skin, causing gooseflesh to appear and her stomach to flutter as he helped her out of her skirt and finally her chemise and her drawers, leaving her standing nude before him. When she lifted her hands to cover her breasts and her woman's mound, he shook his head, gently pulling her arms to her sides.

"No, sweetheart. Don't cover yourself from my view," Richard said, his hands reaching to cup her face. "You are a beautiful woman, Annabelle, and I can't wait to love you and make you my wife in all ways." She reached for the nightgown lying on the pillow only to find it being taken from her hand. "You won't need this tonight," he told her.

When he pulled back the quilt and the sheet, she slid into the bed, grateful to pull the covers up to her chin as she watched him sit on the edge of the bed to remove his boots. He showed no signs of embarrassment as he removed his clothing. She raked her eyes up and down his back, his muscles bunching as he picked up his discarded clothing to toss it onto the chair under the window. His bottom! It looked nothing like her own. Where hers was round and jiggly, his was far flatter and muscular. His legs were lean and long, his thighs firm, his calves muscled as well. When he turned to face her, his eyes finding hers without hesitation, she was unable to suppress either a gasp or the shudder that ran through her.

He was massive; far bigger than any male she had ever seen before. She was not totally ignorant of male anatomy; after all, she not only had three brothers she had helped bathe during their younger years, but she had also seen many a boy swimming without anything on at all! What she had never seen and had absolutely no experience with was that a man's prick looked nothing like a boy's. Richard's stuck out from his belly, the tip a purplish red and huge. When it seemed to bob at her, she imagined the tiny slit at the end was winking—almost as if laughing at her obvious terror. The moment something oozed from that small slit, she slammed her eyes shut.

* * * * *

Richard watched as his bride closed her eyes and turned away, clutching the quilt under her chin, her body visibly shaking, obviously terrified. He knew she expected him to basically jump on her and just take what he wanted. If her cousin had been there, he would have pulled her across his lap and roasted her bottom for scaring Annabelle to the point of terror. Rutting? Pain that must be tolerated? Damn the woman! The moment that thought entered his mind, he shook his head. No, that wasn't fair. Perhaps all Olivia knew of making love was hurtful. Perhaps her husband didn't see the need to make sure his own bride found pleasure. Well, he couldn't do anything about that eventuality, but he would make damn sure that Anna never had to fear when he took her. He'd spend the rest of his life teaching her how incredible love could be. He would teach her the true beauty of what coupling should be.

He slid into the bed beside her, feeling her move away with a small whimper. It appeared that the spirited woman he'd wed needed reassurance and comfort—both of which he was more than willing to provide. "Shh, Anna, shh." He sat up against the headboard and reached out to lift her into his lap. She stiffened instantly and pulled away the moment his cock came into contact with her hip. "Relax, little one. I promise not to hurt you. Nothing on earth could make me truly cause you harm."

He kept his voice soft as he held her with one arm, the other hand running down her back, his fingers twining in her long hair. He continued to tell her how beautiful she was, how much he loved her, how he would protect her and care for her for the rest of their lives. Taking his time, he continued talking to her softly for a long time before he began to drop kisses onto her head, his free hand lifting her face to his until he could kiss her lips. As he kissed and caressed her, she began to relax, leaning into him. Beginning the very first of her many lessons, he took her mouth, introducing his tongue between her lips for the first time.

Annabelle had gasped but was soon opening her mouth to him, arching up to follow his lips when he began to pull away. Stroking her cheek with his fingers, he then ran his hand down her face and neck before stroking softly down her side, feeling her shiver under his touch. The silkiness of her skin, the warmth of each curve, had him gritting his teeth as his cock throbbed, demanding release. He ignored his own need, wanting to make the first time a true wonder for his new bride. She had begun to moan and reach out for him, moving her hands in his hair, on his chest, around his neck. Richard allowed her to take her time, and when her hand dropped and accidentally brushed the tip of his cock, he jerked just a bit at the contact, sucking in a breath. She snatched her hand away, her face showing her fear that she had done something wrong. He smiled down at her.

"No, Anna, don't be frightened. It's okay and I want you to touch me."

She looked at him warily. "I didn't hurt you? You moaned."

He smiled and took her small hand in his. He guided their hands to his cock together, and kept his on hers as he wrapped her fingers around his shaft. A blush turned her cheeks a pretty pink and he was very pleased when she kept her hand on him when he removed his.

"No, honey, you won't hurt me. Touch is a wonderful sense. I love touching you and I want you to love touching me. Go on, stroke my cock with your hands."