Academy of Littles

by Allison West

  Her bottom clenched with each swat, the sting radiating over her bottom and down to the bone, forcing her face to scrunch up as she writhed in an attempt to break free.

  Nanny Vivian kept a strong hold around Gia's waist, keeping her from moving. "You will accept your punishment if you wish to stay at Ashby."

  Giana did not wish to leave. She had nowhere to go. That had been the entire point of the outburst—that Teresa had known where she had come from. How had Teresa discovered that she was nothing more than a poor girl who had been living on the streets? Mollie had seen the way Gia had been dressed, before her proper bath. Had she told Teresa or another girl of the incident?

  Papa Theo stepped into the room. His shoes stomped as he walked, and with each thump as he approached closer, Gia did not know whether he was coming to punish her or save her from Nanny Vivian.

  "What the blazes is going on?" Papa asked.

  "Your little Gia decided to take it upon herself to discipline Teresa." Nanny Vivian did not relent in her punishment, each swat to Gia's bottom was growing in intensity as the throbbing pulsed through her round, plump cheeks.

  "We had a signal, Gia." Sadness and disappointment filled his tone, which only made her heart ache and her stomach tense. Was he disappointed in her?

  "Yes, but you did not come. I would have pulled my hair out and you would not have paid me any attention." Gia was facing the ground; she could see only the tops of his shiny black shoes as he stood over her, towering from up above.

  Her papa sighed and she did not know what he was feeling. Would he abandon her already? If he did, what did that mean for her schooling at Ashby? She did not wish to leave and be tossed back out on the streets. Gia could not become a nanny again. The littles would pay her no attention, and besides, she had not been very good at her job. She enjoyed being cared for and looked after—when it did not involve the nastiness of other littles.

  Nanny Vivian did not lessen the blows to Gia's bottom. Giana squirmed and hissed, trying to break free as each swat, from the top until just above her thighs, where she sat, burned like fire. "I do not wish to see you discipline any little, ever again. Is that understood?"

  "Yes, Nanny Vivian," Gia said. She did not shed a tear, though her eyes burned and her nose tickled.

  Her nanny lifted the bloomers back up around her waist and helped her stand.

  "But she is a street urchin!" Teresa said, pointing at Gia. "I heard Nanny Beth say it this morning."

  Nanny Beth's cheeks reddened. "That is not what you heard, and it would serve you well to mind your manners. Go and put your nose in the corner. I do not wish to hear another sound from your lips."

  Teresa stomped to the corner and stood, facing the wall.

  Gia did not feel entirely satisfied with little Teresa's punishment. Did she not deserve to be spanked? She had been cruel to Gia from the moment she walked into the playroom. Forcing her nose into the corner would unlikely stop the behavior from reoccurring. How was it fair that she was the only one getting disciplined with a spanking?

  "What is this about being a street urchin? You know it is not true. Why would you let such cruel words affect you, when you know they are lies?" her papa asked.

  Gia's eyes cast down to the floor, on her papa's shoes. Oh how she wished he had not come in to hear the hurtful words spill from Teresa's lips.

  Papa Theo glanced at Nanny Beth. "I do not know why you would spread such hurtful rumors about my little Gia, but if this behavior from both the nannies and littles does not stop immediately, I will remove Miss Hayes from Ashby at once. I may desire a little, but I do not wish for her to be distraught and emotionally torn to shreds because of a sick fantasy of building yourselves up. The lies you have come up with are vile, and I will be speaking with the headmaster to ensure that this does not happen to Gia or any other student at this school in the future. Gia, come with me." He held out his hand for her to take.

  Gia glanced cautiously up from Nanny Beth to her papa. How had Nanny Beth known about her being a street urchin? Had it been the way she had looked when they had first met? The dirty clothes and her skin covered in grime? She could not remember the last time she had taken a bath before arriving at Ashby.

  With nothing else to do, she took her papa's hand and followed him out of the playroom.

  "Where are we going?" she asked, glancing once over her shoulder toward the glass window, to see Teresa still standing in the corner and Mollie coloring as if nothing had happened. The girl was smart to keep her head down and stay out of trouble.

  "We must speak with Mr. Hartley at once. I do not know how he intends to run a school of littles with the nannies telling horrid tales about the girls. That is not setting a fine example. I want to be reassured that this outlandish behavior will not be tolerated and will never happen again."

  Gia found it difficult to walk any further as he headed for the headmaster's office. Her feet remained planted on the ground. Would Mr. Hartley reveal to her papa that Nanny Beth and Teresa had spoken the truth? It was a harsh one, but it had not been a nasty tale spun from jealousy or any other emotion.

  "What is wrong, Gia?"

  She found the words difficult to speak.

  Theo tugged at her hand and then paused to face her. "Is there something you would like to tell me? Anything that might shed light on why such mean things are being bandied around? Did you do something that has you embarrassed, perhaps?"

  Why did he have to give her an out, as if she was not actually a street urchin, but they had only assumed that due to a silly mistake? Maybe it was for his own benefit, perhaps he needed to believe she was of a high status in society. Though, if she were, surely she would not have been employed as a nanny.

  "What do you want from me?" Gia asked. Her hand trembled and she broke her hold on her papa, folding her arms across her chest, prepared to dishearten him. After all, she seemed to disappoint everyone in her life. Her own parents had kicked her out and vowed never to speak to her again.

  "Honesty, Gia. We agreed to be truthful with one another." His hands came up to rest on her arms, keeping her close without embracing her fully.

  "I have been honest with you." She found it difficult to meet his stare. His intense steely gaze had her unsettled.

  "Then why can you not look at me?" Papa asked.

  "Because Nanny Beth was right. I am a street urchin."

  His hands pulled back and fell to his sides. Had she hurt him with the realization that she was not as perfect as he had once imagined her to be?

  "I do not believe that to be the case," he said. "Perhaps you spent some time without a home after your parents passed, but you are far too proper to have grown up on the streets."

  Her stomach knotted at the realization that she would have to tell him the truth.

  Chapter 13

  "Is everything all right out here?" the headmaster asked as he stepped out from his office with William Upton in tow. "He was just telling me there had been an outburst in the playroom, and voiced his concerns for his little Mollie."

  "It was nothing that could not be handled by the nannies," Theo said. Why was he defending Gia? She had been the cause of the commotion. Well, in truth, it had not been entirely her fault, Teresa had been goading her into a fight, but it had been Gia who had suffered the most for the tantrum and scene she had made. Theo had considered interjecting, and pointing out that if Nanny Vivian had been keeping a watchful eye over the girls, it would not have escalated to such a state of trouble. But the reality was that his little Gia could be a handful, and perhaps she needed to be reminded that she was no longer a nanny, and that any power she had once had as one, was gone.

  "Very good. Why is Gia not back in the playroom?" Headmaster Philip asked.

  "I thought it would be nice to take her outside for a stroll. Is that all right with you, sir?" Theo asked.

  "It is unconventional. Our littles are rarely allowed out. I am sure you can understand the fear and scandal that might follow, should ou
r school of littles be discovered by someone on the outside."

  Theo did not back down. "Yes, I am sure there is some cause for concern, however, given the size of land, I think it unlikely that anyone will happen upon Ashby. We do not intend to walk far, or travel as far as the train station. I hear you have beautiful gardens, and though it is not quite spring, with the flowers in bloom, I am sure the path will be to our enjoyment."

  Philip nodded. "Give her a coat to cover up that dress, and keep her warm. I am sure with that, you will both be fine. There should be one in the armoire that fits her."

  "Yes, of course." Theo reached for Gia's hand and found that she did not flinch or pull back. He wanted the chance to talk to her outside, where there was fresh air, and no ears listening in on their conversation. Perhaps in silence, and outdoors, she would reveal to him whatever it was that she was hiding.

  "Thank you," Gia said, her voice barely above a whisper as he opened the door to her nursery.

  Theo stalked into the room and strode right for the armoire, opening it to reveal a dark green coat that would cover her all the way down to the shoes that she wore. He helped her into the coat, her arms first and then he buttoned up the material to make certain that she would be warm outside. "You may want to pull up the hood," he said. "It was chilly this morning when I rode in."

  She flipped the hood up, letting it fall over her face, hiding her features. Theo led her from the nursery to wait outside while he retrieved his coat and hat from the dining hall. Taking her hand, he led her down the steps and outside.

  The air remained cool but without the wind, it was not too brutal or uncomfortable. He wanted to hold her hand but she buried her bare fingers into the pockets of her coat. Theo did not blame her for preferring to keep warm over his companionship at the moment. She was keeping him company, and he hoped to get her to open up about what she had meant about being a street urchin. It was evident to him that she had struggled recently, but he could not fathom the specifics, other than the fact that her parents had recently passed away. Perhaps that had left her without money or a dowry, forcing her to take the job as nanny or become a street urchin. Could that be the tale that Nanny Beth had shared without thought?

  "It is nice out here. I'd forgotten what the cold felt like," Gia said.

  Theo nudged her gently as they walked along the stone path that led from the chateau around the back of the building, to where the garden was situated. "I know it may be difficult to speak about, losing your parents, but I wish to know what made you become a nanny."

  Her eyes focused on the ground as she walked, the hood from her coat covering any hint of her eyes, as it was oversized to shield her from the wind. "I did not have much of a choice."

  "There is always a choice," Theo said. He was giving Gia a chance to explain herself, but she did not seem willing to take it. The silence surrounded them as they walked until they approached a bench. He sat down and waited for her to join him.

  With a sigh, she sat beside him, glancing toward him with the hood still hiding her eyes. "I get the feeling that Mr. Hartley chooses young women who would go unnoticed when they disappear into his littles' school," she said at length.

  He took in her words and tried to make sense of them. "Do you mean that he chooses street urchins for the position of nanny?" Theo found it difficult to believe that Philip would entrust the care of his littles to women with no proper education or experience.

  "Yes, it is possible."

  "Though highly unlikely," Theo said. "You are not honestly telling me that you were a street urchin?"

  Silence surrounded them as they sat on the bench. The wind whipped, forcing Theo to secure the hat atop his head with his hand.

  "I may have been poor for a short time, but street urchin is a horrid term to use," Gia said. "My parents… after their deaths, nothing was left for me. There were debts I had not known existed and I was forced out of my home. I applied to Mr. Hartley to be a governess at his finishing school, but he suggested I would be better received as a nanny. I had no reason to question any position he offered to me. I needed a warm bed and a hot meal. The job came with living arrangements. Who was I to turn it down?"

  His shoulders relaxed as he slumped forward and stood. Of course she had not been a street urchin, but the teasing because of her recent status had probably been too much to bear and made the words feel true, even though they were not. "Come," he said and reached for her hand, leading her back toward the front doors to the school.

  "Where are we going?" she asked.

  "Your honesty will be rewarded." Theo had every intention of praising her for being honest, showing her that truth was important and he was pleased with her admission. He guided her back into the building that they had left unlocked. Securing the door on the first floor, he loosened the buttons on his coat and walked up the back stairwell, knocking until Nanny Vivian opened the door for them.

  "What were you doing with her outside?" Vivian asked, glancing Gia over from head to toe.

  "We had a long talk. Your services will not be required for the rest of this evening. I will personally be caring for my little Gia until she goes down for bed."

  Nanny Vivian's eyes narrowed. "Does Mr. Hartley know about this arrangement?"

  "He gave me permission to take little Gia outdoors and to put her to bed." It was the in-between that had not been discussed.

  "I do not think she should be put to bed at this hour, but if you wish to be responsible for her care and well-being, I do not see why that can't be done," Nanny Vivian said. "I suggest you mind your manners, little Gia, or your papa has permission to use his hand or the paddle to remind you and your bottom who is in charge."

  "Yes, Nanny Vivian," Gia said, her voice soft as she stared down at the ground.

  Her nanny pushed the hood back and away from Gia's face. "Look at me," Vivian said. Gia's head tilted up as she met the woman's stern brown eyes. "I want a good report tomorrow from your papa, or your bottom will face additional punishment."

  "Yes, Nanny Vivian."

  Theo continued down the corridor and opened the door to the nursery. "I know it is still much too early for bed, but I thought we might spend some time together, just the two of us."

  "I would like that very much," Gia said.

  He removed his hat and coat, leaving his things on the nearby chair in which he had sat before, while he'd watched her fall asleep. Then he strode with large steps across the room, breaking the distance between them as he undid the buttons of her coat and slid the material off her shoulders, placing it back into the armoire for safe keeping.

  She stood, unwavering, and not moving an inch from where he had removed her coat. "You can sit down, Gia. Make yourself comfortable, this is your nursery."

  "I do not wish to disappoint you, Papa."

  "You could never do that, so long as you are honest." He came up to stand in front of her, his thumb drawing under her cheek, raising her eyes to meet his. Staring into her beautiful warm chocolate gaze, he could see such sadness, and longing mixed with fear. What frightened her? "That is all I ask of you. Always be honest."

  "I am," she whispered, her voice trembling. She cleared her throat and offered a faint smile. "Will you read to me, Papa?"

  "If you would like me to read to you, little Gia, I would be happy to do so." He did not dare admit that he had hoped to undress his little one and take comfort in her warm embrace, curled and tangled around her, their bodies exploring one another. Theo recognized he could not take her virginity, but he could think of many ways to indulge his fantasies. Were they not hers, as well? Did she not feel the pull of warmth and emotion, the tug of her body wanting to merge with his? "Fetch a book," he said, letting her choose a story while he took off his shoes and stretched out upon the mattress.

  She picked up Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and carried it back to the bed with her. "Can we read this story?"

  The book was so thick and fat, there was little chance they would get through th
e entire contents in one day. "We may read the first chapter, but I do not think we will have time for all of the book today. I promise that we will read a little each night." It was his understanding that littles lived at the chateau for a minimum of two years, most were residents for three, and sometimes even four if they needed additional discipline and structure.

  Gia climbed onto the bed and curled into her papa's embrace. With her hand resting on his chest, could she feel his steady heartbeat? The rhythm quickened as her body nestled against him, her head resting on the crook of his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her, keeping her close, sheltering her from the world as best he could.

  He did not know when it happened. Little Gia had fallen asleep while he'd read two chapters; the first had only just scratched the surface, making him hungry to find out what awaited them in the story.

  "Gia, sweetie, it is time to wake up." If she napped now, she would not be tired at bedtime. His hand gently caressed her arm, coaxing her softly from slumber as she stirred against him.

  The warmth of her body, and the movements of her leg sliding between his, felt tantalizing against his clothed groin. His cock throbbed in protest, begging for release. She had not teased him on purpose, yet it did not matter. He felt his heart quicken and sweat bead on his forehead. They had over an hour before he was to feed her dinner. More than sixty minutes with her alone, to enjoy her body, if she let him.

  Her eyes lazily opened and her cheeks were red and warm from being pressed against him as she slept.

  "I'm sorry I fell asleep," Gia said, sitting up and wiping the sleep from her eyes.

  "It is not your fault that you were tired." He did not blame her for the exhausting day she had experienced. If he had been on the receiving side of what she had been through, he most certainly would have slept through dinner, and possibly until morning. "Lie back on the bed," he said, giving her instructions. "I want to reward you for your honesty, as I promised." Just knowing what he had planned made his cock twitch. This was for her pleasure, his would come later, after dinner.