Her Lord's Desire (The Forbidden Saga #3) - Maggie Ryan Page 0,43

often seen in the most expensive shops as she recklessly spent her papa’s hard-earned money. Isn’t that correct, Willamena?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the girl said softly, as Charles watched her face turn pink and her hands twist together.

“Though I’m sure her papa taught her the error of her ways once he received the bills, Baron Johansson decided the best place for her in his absence is under my care. He left strict instructions as to her discipline. I fear Willamena needs a very sound lesson to remind her that, married or not, accompanied by her husband or on her own, her behavior is always to reflect her station as a proper young lady,” Eleanor explained.

The young woman stiffened slightly. “Please, ma’am… you can’t—” the young woman began but was cut off immediately by Eleanor.

“You’ll discover that I most certainly can, Willamena,” Eleanor said firmly. “Did you not promise your husband you’d behave under our care?” The girl gave a slight nod of her head. “Correct,” Eleanor said. “Do you believe your husband would approve of your behavior, young lady? You have been manipulative and argumentative all week. You have also received several warnings as well as spankings and yet have chosen to remain stubborn and arrogant. What would the baron do if you behaved like this under his roof?” Eleanor asked.

Willamena shuffled her feet, her hands now twisting in the fabric of her skirt, which Charles noticed was of the proper length for married women. If she were not standing in front of him, her eyes lowered and her hands fidgeting in her guilt, he would have assumed she was a guest of Eleanor’s, not a student subject to her authority and discipline.

“I asked you a question,” Eleanor said, and Charles heard the woman give a soft sob before she finally lifted her eyes and met Eleanor’s.

“Please, Miss Summers, I… I’m sorry. I just feel so silly among your students. I mean, I am a baroness!” Willamena said, her voice showing her shock at her situation. Eleanor smiled and reached out to trace her finger down the woman’s cheek where the first tear had finally fallen.

“Ah, little one, you are not the only titled student I’ve had in my school. Many a lady, duchess, and other women of your station have benefitted from being under my roof. Your title does not matter here. It gains you no special treatment nor does it exempt you from necessary punishment. All men expect their little ones to behave, most especially those who have had years of lessons at their husband’s feet. If you choose not to do so, you give me no choice but to follow your papa’s instructions. As a baroness, Willamena, you should set a proper example for your sisters. They look to you for guidance and having a childish tantrum during class is not the sort of lesson they need to learn, is it?” Eleanor said softly.

“No, ma’am,” Willamena admitted, her eyes moving to glance at Charles. Charles saw Eleanor nod at him from where she stood next to the woman.

“Willamena,” Charles said making his voice firm. “I believe Miss Summers asked what your husband would do if he found you to be so naughty. And, though she’s repeated it twice over, you’ve yet to answer her. Do so immediately, if you please,” Charles instructed.

The woman flushed hotly at the command. “He would puni… punish me, sir,” she said very softly.

Charles nodded as if expecting nothing less. “How would he punish you, Willamena? What would he do if he discovered you continuing to do the same naughty things even after you’ve received several warnings?” Charles asked as he removed his jacket and placed it across the back of his chair.

“He… he would sp… spank me, sir,” she confessed, stammering a bit as she continued to watch him, her eyes going wide as he began to roll up the sleeves of his shirt. It was quite clear she understood he was preparing to do exactly that. “No, please… I… I won’t do it again, please don’t do this,” Willamena said, turning back to beg Eleanor for leniency.

“You made the choice to misbehave, Willamena,” Eleanor said firmly as she shook her head. “Naughty girls need to have their bare bottoms punished, don’t they, little one?” Eleanor asked using words that she’d explained to Charles would put either her students or his future ones into the proper attitude for a sound spanking. “Naughty little girls, be they eighteen, twenty-five or even fifty, need to bare