Miss Summers' School (Lessons in Submission Book 1)

by Maggie Ryan

  Alexandria discovered that presenting wasn't limited to her bedroom. She followed suit as the girls removed the books only to place them on the floor before them, their hands then laid on top as they bent over. It was a very awkward position and one that pulled the skin of her bottom tight. One by one, the girls' skirts were lifted and their drawers parted to receive a swat for each time they'd allowed their book to fall. As Alexandria felt her drawers being pulled apart, her face flamed, knowing the training plug would be visible to anyone standing behind her.

  Mrs. Deeter didn't say a word as she applied three crisp swats with her ruler, making Alexandria gasp as the fire bloomed again across her rear. The girls were allowed to rise, pick up their books and make a final circuit to demonstrate that the lesson had been learned.

  "Tomorrow we will be demonstrating the proper way to present yourself in various positions. A properly presented derrière makes a very nice impression on your Papa. You are dismissed from class. Miss Halford will meet you in the parlor for your next lesson."

  The moment the woman left the room, those who had received swats rubbed their backsides. "I can't believe you two didn't drop a single time," Alexandria said, her own hands rubbing gently. "That… that is so hard!"

  Janey shrugged. "I got a lot of practice at finishing school. I can usually hold three books without any falling."

  Alexandria noticed that Nanette didn't make a comment from where she stood slightly apart from the others as books were stacked neatly on the front desk, but all thoughts of Nanette disappeared when she discovered the next class was Constitution. She giggled when it became clear the fancy word meant the girls would be going outside for some exercise.

  After donning their cloaks, though the day was considerably warmer as spring had finally appeared, they walked down the paths of the garden. Miss Halford explained that if they were still present in a few weeks, they'd witness the bulbs which had been planted in autumn producing dozens of varieties of flowers. She led them to the back kitchen garden. It consisted of very large, neat rows; mostly barren except for the beginnings of tiny shoots that would turn into vegetables that would find their way onto the table. A few plants were already well-rooted, as they saw when Mrs. Yardley waved them over.

  "Hello, girls," the cook called as she cut another stem and put it into her basket. As the girls answered as one, the woman chuckled and pulled something from the ground. "Ah, I'm sure Janey or Claudia can identify this root, Miss Halford," she said, shaking the knobby root free of most of its dirt.

  It was with a grimace that Claudia gave the answer. "It's ginger, Miss."

  Miss Halford nodded. "Very good, Claudia. Janey, please explain the benefits of having the plant in our garden."

  Alexandria noticed both her friends' faces were flushed as they looked at each other.

  "You can use ginger to make tea that helps settle an upset stomach," Janey said. "It is also used to spice food and make gingerbread."

  "That's all well and good, but tell the class how the plant can be used to correct naughty behavior if you will."

  Shuffling her feet, glancing once more at the root that had yet to be tucked away in the cook's basket, she finally gave the answer. "It can be peeled and used as a plug." It was quite obvious she thought the answer was sufficient until she looked up at their teacher, who was shaking her head.

  "Perhaps a demonstration would give a more accurate answer for your sisters?"

  Janey shook her head. "No, I mean, that's not necessary, Miss. The root is cleaned and peeled and carved into a ginger plug. It's then pushed into a naughty bottom. The ginger's juice causes the inside of my—a bottom to burn and itch. It's quite awful and your passage continues to burn even after the ginger plug is removed. You must be, um, washed internally, to remove the residue."

  "Thank you, Janey. I'm sure your description of figging has your sisters understanding the benefits of such a plant. Perhaps it is so unattractive because it needs to correct such unattractive behavior from naughty young ladies."

  Alexandria now knew exactly what Mrs. Yardley's comments had meant when she'd said she expected Alexandria could do kitchen duties without the aid of ginger. Her two sisters had obviously been holding the root inside their bottom-holes when she'd seen them that first day. She couldn't imagine anything burning more than the plug in her bottom, but from Janey's description, understood that while the plug's insertion had burned, the pain was temporary. The plug was not hurting her in any way, while a ginger plug's burn didn't cease without having an enema. No, these classes had not been what she'd ever experienced, but she couldn't deny she wasn't learning.

  Returning the cloaks to their hooks, the girls had an hour of free time before luncheon. Penny grabbed her hand and led her to the back parlor. After retrieving her sewing basket, the two went to the library to find their friends, books in hand and waving for them to join them.

  "I'll draw your design for your cushion and you can start picking some threads," Penny said, a blank piece of cloth already laid out onto the table's surface. She looked up for a moment and then grinned. "And Janey can continue her story. I've been trying to figure out what her Papa allowed her to do since breakfast."

  "Me too!" Alexandria couldn't help but confess.

  "Maybe I should have you make up a possible list," Janey said with a giggle. Claudia gently slapped her friend's arm.

  "Don't be mean!"

  "Okay, well, as I was saying, Papa gave me a really long lecture about proper young ladies. Then he made me bring him the cane and ask for his lesson. I hate that part! Anyway, I did and he caned me. It hurt something fierce but the pain always seems to make me…"

  "Alexandria?"

  The girls looked up to see Nanette standing a few feet away.

  "Come to caution Alexandria to stay away from us again, Nanette?" Janey asked.

  "I've been asked to escort… Alexandria, would you please come with me?"

  Alexandria felt her body go cold. It was obviously time for her paddling. Dropping the threads onto the table, she stood. "Yes, um, yes."

  "You don't have—"

  Alexandria turned back to the table. "Yes, I do. I have an appointment with Miss Summers."

  "Why? What did Nanette tell her? I'll come with you and…"

  "Please, Penny," Nanette said, and then sighed. "Look, I know I'm not your favorite person. I realize I've been nothing but ugly, but I swear I'm sorry. I'm reporting to the office as well, and Nanny Jenkins asked me to help Alexandria find the way. I-I've no reason to gloat and am sorry if my words hurt any of you." She paused as if wanting to explain but shook her head. "Alexandria, we don't want to keep Miss Summers waiting."

  Alexandria joined her, and after a final look back at her friends, all looking confused and concerned, she left the library with Nanette.

  Chapter Nineteen

  "Thank you," Nanette said quietly, as the two walked through the house.

  Alexandria was surprised as well as confused. "Um, for what?"

  "For forgiving me yesterday and for not spreading news of what my punishment was."

  "I don't carry tales, Nanette," Alexandria said, trying to decide whether she should feel affronted at the suggestion.

  The other girl paused a moment, shaking her head. "I'm sorry. I-I just can't ever seem to get it right. I didn't mean to offend you. It's just so hard… I'm just jealous, I suppose."

  "Jealous? Of what?"

  "Of all of you. I mean, you've only been here a few days and yet you've made friends. I… I just get so tired of pretending."

  Nanette began walking again and Alexandria followed, considering her opinion of Nanette. The young woman was beautiful and intelligent. She'd been praised in both Literature and Comportment classes, and had properly identified some of the plants during their walk. It was obvious she strove hard to make a good impression. Papa had explained that she was engaged to Judge Deardon. Even though she'd been told she'd have a difficult atonement to make last evening, it was clear
her behavior was much better than Janey or even Claudia's. Recalling the girl's last statement, Alexandria asked her a question.

  "Pretending what, Nanette? Are you not happy here? My Papa told me you are to be married soon, but you don't seem very excited. I mean, I know your fiancé punished you last night but my Papa punished me as well. I-I guess I don't understand."

  "It doesn't matter. You couldn't possibly understand." They continued walking, neither noticing that someone else was following them.

  "Please, you don't know me very well nor I you. Can't we be friends as well?"

  "You don't have to be nice to me. I know I'm different, that I really don't belong among all of you."

  "Nanette, I'm not going to force you to be my friend," Alexandria said, confusion obvious in her tone. "I just wish you'd give me a chance. Your Papa and mine are friends… it would be nice if we could be, as well."

  Nanette's hand reached up and swiped her cheek. Alexandria only then realized the girl was crying. "Oh, please, won't you talk to me? I know I would go insane if I didn't feel I had anyone to talk to about everything. Everyone here knows so much more about the proper ways to sit, to stand, to walk. I-I didn't even know there were different forks or glasses for drinking until I came here. I never attended finishing school like you and the others."

  This time when Nanette turned, her face showed her disbelief. "You… you think I went to some fancy school?" At Alexandria's nod, she almost smiled. "No. I only attended school until I could help my father in his store. I have no experience with nannies or governesses. I grew up in a house full of brothers and sisters. I feel more at home in the kitchen or taking care of my younger siblings than I do being taken care of."

  Alexandria was saved from giving an immediate response as they turned the last corner and saw the row of chairs. Knowing that speaking when seated was forbidden, she turned and placed her hand on Nanette's arm. "I-I'd like it if we talked more later. Perhaps we can learn together and make it easier for the both of us?"

  It took a moment but Nanette nodded. "I'd like that. You don't mind being seen talking to me? I mean, your other friends might… might not like it."

  "I'm not bothered by what others might like or not like. I have enough friendship to go around. We can talk, um, after, okay?"

  "Okay," Nanette said softly. The two sank down onto the chairs, both wincing a little. Without thought, their hands found each other's, clasping in support as they waited for the door to open.

  Both gave a startled squeak when, instead of the door opening, the headmistress spoke from a few feet down the hall. "Alexandria, I'll see you first."

  Alexandria felt Nanette squeeze her hand before releasing it. She stood and went into the office after Miss Summers opened the door.

  "Take a seat," Eleanor directed, as she moved to take her own.

  Choosing the same chair she'd occupied with her Papa the day before, Alexandria slowly sat down and folded her hands in her lap.

  "Do you understand why you're here?"

  "Yes, Ma'am," Alexandria whispered, and then forced herself to look up. "I broke your rule. I got out of bed last night. I also broke my Papa's rules. I'm sorry, Miss Summers."

  "Alexandria, I must say you have me in a quandary."

  Alexandria didn't know if a response was expected, and had no idea what to offer if one had been. She was in a bit of a quandary herself.

  Eleanor explained. "You fuss when given a bath, but take your enemas without complaint. You objected to wearing the clothing your Papa wishes you to wear, and yet made not a single complaint when asked to lift your Atonement gown to bare your bottom. When your nanny spanks you, you act as if she is killing you, and yet you remained strong and accepted your six strokes of the strap with dignity. You are a girl who is highly intelligent, and yet feels the need to question even the simplest rules." She paused, as if weighing her words. "My dilemma is this; while you seem to struggle deciding what you truly need, you seem to have no trouble in instinctively knowing what others need. You've a big heart, and that, little one, is both a blessing and a curse. A curse in that you will feel your guilt weighing heavier than others and need severe enough chastisement to heal your heart when you've been naughty. A blessing in that you have a great capacity for not only love and passion, but for compassion as well."

  Leaning forward, she smiled. "I very seldom feel a need to do this, but I feel it now. Thank you, Alexandria."

  Again, Alexandria had no idea what to make of the thanks. She'd easily followed the earlier words, had accepted each statement as truth. However, she was again at a loss.

  "I-I don't know what you mean, Miss Summers."

  "Thank you for reaching out to Nanette. She's had a hard time adjusting since her arrival. It is not for me to explain further, but I will say that you are the first student here to seem to honestly care about the girl. I hope you and she can become friends. While you are one who seems to make friends quite easily, Nanette isn't, and she truly needs one now. Tell me, Alexandria, instead of being a pupil here and being subject to training and discipline, would you have preferred to be a nanny?"

  "No, Ma'am," Alexandria answered instantly. "I don't mean to say that I don't like helping others, but, no, I-I'm very happy to be a student."

  Eleanor smiled. "One might believe you are struggling to accept the roles you have chosen, and yet I have seen you with Lord Hollister. You get a certain look in your eyes when he's with you."

  "I love him," Alexandria said, as if that explained everything. "Even when I was… when I knowingly broke his rules, I felt more pain at disappointing him than I did from the strapping he gave me. I don't ever want to be without him."

  "I'm very pleased for you both." Eleanor gave her a final smile before she rose from her desk and removed a paddle from her drawer. "I want you to understand that I'm not going to punish you for anything but climbing out of bed. Your Papa took care of your other naughty choices himself. I want you to stand, turn around and put your hands flat on the seat of your chair."

  "Yes, Ma'am." Alexandria understood that the discussion was over. No matter that she'd been thanked, she'd earned a paddling, and a paddling she'd receive. She did as she'd been told and didn't move as her skirt was lifted and buttoned to her shoulders, and her drawers parted to reveal her bottom.

  "Present, Alexandria."

  She shuffled her legs apart and lifted her bottom. Her eyes closed, knowing the view she offered.

  "Down onto your elbows now, hands folded under your chin, eyes straight ahead. Do not move out of position unless you'd like extras. A paddling over a plugged pucker isn't as easy to accept as one given over an empty bottom. I hope that after this, your behavior is exemplary for the remainder of the week—as it is your Papa's wish you remain plugged. Bottom up and out a bit more if you please."

  The headmistress' words proved true as the first stroke was given, the loud crack of the paddle against Alexandria's raised bottom startling. Pain flared across her left buttock from the moment of impact, and was soon burning hotter as her right cheek took its own stroke. Again and again she accepted each crack across her rear, her tears filling her eyes as she gritted her teeth, determined not to yell. By the time the last of the dozen had been given, she couldn't contain a short scream as the paddle descended directly across the center of her bottom, the pressure making it feel as if the plug had been driven into her even deeper.

  "You may rise."

  Alexandria did so, pushing up slowly, her hands wanting to rub but aware that not a single touch was allowed by anyone but her Papa. "I'm sorry I was a naughty girl. Thank you for paddling my bottom."

  "You're quite welcome." Eleanor placed the paddle on her desk and led Alexandria to stand at the wall outside her office. Once Alexandria's nose was touching the wallpaper and her hands linked properly on her head, Eleanor turned. "I'll see you now, Nanette."

  Standing with her bottom burning, Alexandria wished it had been her Papa paddling her instead. At least he'd hug her
and offer her a few words of comfort after setting her backside ablaze. She jerked when a sharp squeal escaped the office, followed by another, and another… until the sounds stopped and the door opened.

  The two girls were left to stand side by side, red bare bottoms displayed as Miss Summers informed them they were to think about their behavior until Nanny Juliette came for them. They listened as the woman moved down the hall, the only remaining sound Nanette's sniffling as her bottom gradually cooled.

  Daring to turn her head until she could see the other girl, Alexandria whispered. "Are you okay?"

  Nanette surprised her by actually answering. "I-I suppose. My bottom certainly aches, though."

  "I know, mine too, but, at least it's over. I'm going to have to try really hard not to get into any more trouble. I've already earned a demerit."

  "Oh, no! I'm so sorry," Nanette said, turning to face her. "I haven't yet, but Papa said that if I fuss at all about my daily paddling, I'll earn one from him, and that Miss Summers would give me one as well."

  Alexandria felt her heart lurch. "Daily paddling? You're going to get one every day from Miss Summers, all because of me?"

  "No. I mean yes, I'm getting a paddling every day, but not because of you. It's actually a good thing."

  Alexandria's gasp and stunned look had Nanette smiling.