by Maggie Ryan
"Nanette," Eleanor continued, "you'll come with me. We'll meet your intended together. As for the rest of you, your Papas will be in the front parlor. Remember, be my sweet girls and show your Papas that you're learning the lessons they've chosen for you. Tomorrow will give you each a fresh start. If you weren't happy with your position in the Atonement Circle, I suggest you try harder to improve that position during the week. Your nannies will find you when it's time for bed." She turned and smiled. "You are all excused from the table."
Chairs were pushed back and the girls stood up, some a little more eagerly than others. Alexandria felt her stomach fluttering and, though she wanted to run, forced herself to remember she was a proper young woman. That thought almost caused her to giggle as she looked down at her clothing. Juliette smiled and cupped her cheek.
"Do you remember how to get to the front parlor?"
"Yes, Ma'am. Um, you aren't coming with me?"
"No, my dear. I'm quite sure your Papa can tend to any of your needs. I'll find you at eight. Now, run along and, Alexandria, make the most of this time. You'll need to remember how you're feeling right now when your lessons seem a bit overwhelming. I'm quite proud of you, little one. Now, go! Your Papa is waiting."
Turning, Alexandria was almost through the door before remembering her journal. Slipping it into her pocket, she hurried through the house, following a few of her sisters while others moved in different directions. She truly didn't notice any of the others, the only face she was searching for belonged to the man she had wed.
*****
Max's conversation with Jacob ended the moment he saw a beautiful girl in a dark green dress and copper-colored curls appear in the doorway. Jacob turned his head and smiled when he saw the girl.
"I must say, she already appears to be settling in better than I'd expected, Max."
"One can only hope. We both know that underneath that angelic smile, Lexie can be quite the tigress. Now, if you'll excuse me?"
Alexandria's smile when she saw him filled Max's heart. God, she was beautiful. His wide strides took him to her and he bent and lifted her off her feet, kissing her lips gently. Reluctantly setting her back down, he took her hand and led her to a large armchair. Taking a seat, he drew her onto his lap.
"You look beautiful, Lexie," he said. "It certainly appears that you're happy in your new school, but tell me, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine, Sir."
"Papa, little one," he corrected gently.
"I'm fine, Papa. How are you?"
Max thought it adorable that she would ask about him when she was the one who'd had her world flipped upside down. "I'm much better now that I am holding you." He loved to see her smile and the blush that slowly colored her cheeks. I've missed having you in my arms."
"I've missed you too, Papa. I-I like being in your arms."
Her response could not have made him happier. "I have a gift for you," he said, as he reached for one of two boxes that sat on the table beside their chair.
"Why?"
Max chuckled. "Because I like getting things for you, Lexie. Go ahead and open it."
She slowly untied the bow and rolled the ribbon into a ball before she began to carefully remove the paper. He took the paper from her as she looked up at him. Her eyes widened as she lifted the lid of the box and her soft giggle had him grinning. She pulled the stuffed tiger from the box, giving it a hug. "Thank you, Papa. I love him."
"You're welcome, Lexie," he said. "Whenever you feel lonely or a bit afraid, you can hug your tiger and think of me holding you."
She was quiet for a moment and then turned her face up to his. "I'd rather you hold me."
"I would rather that, as well." He was about to settle her closer when a sound had them both looking across the room.
Jacob was apparently not as pleased to see his intended as Max was to see Lexie. Hearing Lexie gasp and squeeze her new stuffie, Max wondered at her reaction. He was surprised to see Eleanor stand up from where she had been seated next to Jacob on the settee, and walk towards them.
"Excuse me, Lord Hollister, but Judge Deardon is asking whether you'd mind if he spoke to Alexandria."
Max looked down at Lexie. She wasn't looking at him, she was staring across at Nanette, the woman who was to wed his friend within the next few weeks. "Certainly, Eleanor. Lexie, do you remember Judge Deardon from the court?"
"Y-yes, but why does he want to talk to me?"
"Let's find out, shall we?" he said, nodding to his friend who stood up and, taking Nanette's hand, led her over to them.
"Hello, Alexandria," Jacob said. "It's nice to see you again, and I apologize for interrupting your time with your Papa. I know how precious every minute is when you are allowed visits."
"Um... thank you, Sir," Alexandria said, sounding uncertain.
"It has been brought to my attention that my Nanette was exceptionally ugly to you today. I'm very disappointed to hear how rude she was, and promise she will not go unpunished. She needs to apologize to you before Miss Summers and I put her to bed."
Max remained silent, his arms around his own girl as she sat stiffly on his lap. He didn't need to know the exact details. Knowing Nanette was going to her room, accompanied by Eleanor and Jacob, at such an early hour told him the girl would not be sleeping easily that night.
"That... that's not necessary, Sir. I-I forgive her."
"That's very kind of you, but I can assure you that it is necessary. Atonement is not complete until my little one has completely answered for all her transgressions. Nanette, tell Alexandria and her Papa what is going to be very hot and very red by the time you are put to bed."
"My... my naughty bottom."
"Nanette, do you wish to receive the birch?"
"No, no, Sir. Please, Papa, I-I don't want to say the... the word."
"You had no problem saying it earlier to a girl who did not deserve to feel the cut of your tongue."
Nanette looked miserable as she looked anywhere but at her seated sister. "I'm so sorry. I'll never say it again... please..."
Max watched Jacob shake his head, her words evidently not the ones he had ordered the girl to give. The man was a judge and his word was law, and yet Max understood it might be easier to deal with a criminal than it was with a reluctant naughty little one whom you would give your very life for.
"You'll say it once more," Jacob said, in a tone that had made grown men shake in their boots. "You will say it, and you will look at Lord Hollister and his Alexandria as you do so. I'm quite sure you were looking right at your sister when you made your disgusting statement. I won't tell you again, young lady. Obey me now or you'll have no need, as they will witness exactly how your Papa deals with very nasty, foul-mouthed little girls."
Nanette lifted her head, her eyes huge in her face, her lips trembling as she answered. "My... cu-cunt."
Max heard Alexandria gasp and saw her cheeks flush. He knew she must be shocked, and realized he was a little, as well. It was definitely not a word a little one should ever use. Not even a wife should utter it outside her husband's bed.
"Correct, and what will you be holding in your bottom as I spank both your arse and your cunt until they are hot and very red?"
"A... a reminder," Nanette confessed.
"Coated with what?"
"Soap."
"Why?"
"To... to remind me that being ug-ugly and r-rude is very... very naughty. I'm so sorry, Alexandria. Please, please f-forgive me."
Max felt Alexandria pull against his hold and released her. She slid from his lap and slipped her arms around Nanette to give her a hug. "I already have, but thank you."
They watched as Nanette was led away, her hands held tightly in Eleanor's and Jacob's. Neither spoke until the three had disappeared. While Max had not intended to begin Lexie's instructions in such intimate matters so swiftly, he was not one to allow an opportunity to slip by. He adjusted her on his lap, not allowing her to keep her head down or deny what had just h
appened.
"Lexie, look at me." He was pleased when she did, her face quite flushed. "Tell me how you truly feel about what Nanette is going to experience."
She squirmed a bit on his lap and then stroked the fur of the tiger. "I... I feel sorry for her. I mean, yes, she was rude but... but I-I don't want to be the cause of her troubles."
"Punishment, Lexie. I don't sugar coat the truth, and neither shall you. You are not the cause of her need for discipline. Nanette made that choice. Now, tell me what happened."
Though she stopped and started several times and had a hard time both sitting still as well as keeping her eyes on him, she obeyed. He tried hard not to show her how angry hearing the ugly insult directed at her made him. Once the story had been told, including the way her nanny had defended her during the cleansing, he felt her sag against him as if exhausted.
"Thank you, Lexie. I know that was hard for you. I also believe that Nanette's Papa has selected a very appropriate punishment: those that most closely reflect the naughty choices are ones little ones seem to remember." Max bent and kissed her cheek.
"Now, I believe you have a journal to share with me?" Blushing, she pulled the red book out of her pocket and handed it to him. "Tell me, what will I find written on the pages?"
In a quiet voice she told him about each spanking, including the ones he had given her. She confessed the others and admitted she'd earned her first bedtime spanking.
"Did you understand why each one was given, Lexie?"
"Um, yes, Papa."
Max stroked his finger down her cheek. "Did you resent or accept the lessons?"
Alexandria didn't instantly answer, and for that his admiration for her grew. He had never wished for a milquetoast wife. He would demand much of her, both as his little one and his wife, and her intelligence and spirit would serve her well. He had no problem with either as long as she was intelligent enough to know when best to allow the tigress in her to be tamed.
"I didn't accept them at first. I wanted to resent them. I-I even tried to, but when I wrote about them, I understood that they were all given after I-I was naughty. I am trying to learn, Papa. I want to learn quickly so that you will… will take me home."
Max wanted to stand up and take her home at that very moment and yet, he knew she was exactly where she needed to be—at least for a little while longer. He would be training her for the rest of her life, yet she needed to understand the basics in a place where she could witness other young women doing the same thing. His next question would show his young bride that she would need to be totally honest in all things.
"Have you confessed everything?"
"Oh, yes, Papa."
A moment passed before he moved his hand to pat against her hip. "You understand that every girl goes to bed with at least a spanking on Atonement night?"
"I-I didn't know for sure until now."
"You have shown you are learning to submit as you learn obedience. You have proven yet again that you have a good heart. Not only have I witnessed your concern for girls I've learned have become your friends, but you showed compassion for another who was inexcusably rude to you." He smiled and patted her hip again. "A weekly Atonement spanking is still given, but Lexie, there is no rule that states it must be a difficult one to accept. You'll discover that good behavior brings rewards even more lovely than stuffed tigers."
She looked down at the tiger on her lap and then back up at him, her expression shifting as if she couldn't decide how to define his statement.
"Do you play chess?"
"Chess?" she asked.
"Yes, sweetie. Do you play? I used to enjoy playing the game with your father."
A sweet smile played on her lips. "So did I. Yes, Papa, I can play."
"Good, then let's go to the library and have a game." Not waiting for her response, he set her from him, picked up the still unwrapped box, and took her hand.
Play chess she did, and it quickly became clear that Alexander had taught her everything he knew. Max enjoyed looking at her as she studied the board, her teeth bothering her bottom lip as she obviously played out various scenarios in her head. She was not only beautiful, she was very intelligent and a keen opponent.
Her smile as she looked up from the board, her eyes sparkling as she moved her knight, was accompanied by her soft declaration. "Checkmate, Papa."
He laughed and reached out to tip his King onto its side. "Well done, Lexie. Now, what do you propose the victor be awarded?"
Her eyes went from sparkling to smoldering. She slipped from her chair and stepped around the table, climbing into his lap the moment he pushed his chair back. Lifting her hand to lie against his cheek, she gave her answer. "A kiss, Papa, just a kiss."
He bent to kiss her cheek but when she turned her head, her lips seeking his, he put his hand behind her head and kissed her as he'd wanted since the moment she appeared. His tongue pushed through her lips to explore, to slide along her own until she was whimpering, her grip on her tiger loosening as she gripped the lapel of his coat instead.
He had suggested the game not only to allow her to relax after their discussion, but also in order to ease his desire for her. Holding her on his lap in the parlor, the soft sensation of her in his arms, had had him struggling to conceal his baser needs. The game had helped his self-control to return, and yet with the kiss, his cock was again a steel rod in his trousers, her squirming bottom doing nothing to ease its demand for release. A soft, discreet cough had him breaking away to see Juliette standing in the doorway. Looking down at Lexie, who had tucked her face into his neck, he spoke softly. "It appears to be time for you to find your bed, little one."
Though she sighed, she also nodded. He helped her down, turning to pick up the box he'd left on a side table. Taking her hand, the two followed the nanny from the room. At the stairs, Max nodded as Juliette informed him that when he was ready, he could pull the bell-cord.
Alexandria turned to her nanny. "Are you not coming?"
Max answered for Juliette. "Not yet, little one. There is the matter of your atonement with me. Nanny Jenkins will be up later to tuck you into bed."
"Oh."
Once in Alexandria's room, Max led her to the armchair. He set the box down on the table and took a seat on the large ottoman, pulling her to stand between his knees. Then he gently took the tiger from her hand and laid it on top of the box before giving his first command.
"Turn around."
Chapter Fourteen
Thoughts of what she'd already witnessed and what she suspected swirled around in her head. Words written on paper that had been singed but memorized helped calm her soul. Should she share what she knew? What would he think if…
"Lexie, sweetheart, your attention should only be on me."
His voice broke through her thoughts and she felt her face flush when she realized she hadn't been listening.
"I'm sorry, Papa." Grateful to see his soft smile, she was prepared and focused when he repeated his instruction.
"Turn around."
Alexandria turned away from him. He untied her pinafore's bow and slipped it off, laying it next to him on the ottoman. His fingers began unbuttoning the tiny buttons of her dress and she felt her nipples hardening as each one was undone. Though somewhat accustomed to being dressed and undressed by another, this was different. Her blood raced and her body seemed to tighten, her every sense aware of his movements.
"Lift your arms, Lexie."
Moving her arms up, she felt the dress being pulled over her head, and her breath hitched as it was placed with her pinafore. Two petticoats soon joined the pile of clothing and the tingling between her thighs joined her increasing arousal.
Her Papa's hands spanned her waist, holding her still. She felt her bottom clench as she imagined his eyes looking at the concealed globes. She gave a gasp as he pulled her to sit on one knee, her arm going around his neck as he removed her shoes and stockings.
"Bring me your gown," he instructed, after setting
her on her feet again.
Alexandria slowly walked to the wardrobe and wondered how he would react if she returned with the open gown she'd worn for her Atonement. Would he be scandalized knowing how easily it could be opened to expose far more of a woman than was appropriate? Her hand moved to open the door and his eyes met hers in the mirror. A shiver ran up her spine and for some reason, she felt he wouldn't find the gown quite as scandalous as she believed.
Finding the chaste gown she wore to sleep, she gave it to him. He laid it beside her discarded clothing before reaching for the single tie that held her chemise together. Though he'd seen her naked breasts during her exam, this felt nothing like that. This was a man about to bare a woman, not to check her heart or her lungs. He was baring her for nothing more than to look at her, to show that her body belonged to him. With a slight tug, the bow was undone and his fingers slowly pushed the chemise open.
"Your little nips are hard, Lexie," he stated unnecessarily. They both knew her nipples were protruding, tightly puckered, her breasts beginning to swell.
She moaned softly as his hands cupped her plump mounds, his thumbs gently stroking across the taut peaks. A surge of desire flowed through her and had her pressing her breasts into his hands. Another moan was issued when he removed his hands and removed her chemise, leaving her in nothing but her drawers.
"Let's begin your lessons, shall we?" Max asked, his hands encircling her waist again, his thumbs gently caressing her skin.
"Y-yes, Sir." Oh, God, this was the moment when he would take her, take her as a man took a woman—as a husband took his wife. Flames of desire shot through her body, the warmth settling between her thighs. The unknown carried so many questions, a bit of fear, and yet she wanted nothing more than to be his in all ways.
"Tell me the purpose of Atonement, Lexie."
Atonement? His words had her breath hitching in her throat. Of course. He'd told her there was atonement still to make. Feeling her body flush to match the color of her cheeks, she managed to nod, praying he'd never know where her thoughts had gone.
