Charming Isabella

by Maggie Ryan

  “No… no sir, except that I am so very sorry. I… I just wanted to help Lucy. She was so frightened and desperately afraid of failing and….”

  “Evidently not frightened enough to study her lessons,” the headmaster shouted, his finger continuing to stab into the air as he spoke. He did not appreciate the short interruption of his speech, and the offer of leniency from Louisa’s husband suited him even less. “This behavior is unacceptable! I, as well as the rest of the faculty, had hoped that your lies and acts of deceit had ended upon your marriage. You would think becoming a…” he paused as he practically snorted, “A ‘Lady,’ under your husband’s authority would have cured you of this despicable behavior! You acted like a child, and a very naughty child at that!”

  Edward watched the young woman draw even deeper into the settee, her face red with her embarrassment at the accusations. He both knew the truth of the words, as well as knowing the poor man who spoke them had no real idea of how close to home his words had been. Edward decided to take the situation back into his own hands. “Sir, though I acknowledge that the girls have been disobedient, I see no need to cause my wife further embarrassment. After all, she is Lady Wintercrest, and though I do grant you the authority your position dictates, I propose you remember that fact.”

  The headmaster’s face flushed, recognizing the validity of the man’s words. He wasn’t a stupid man after all; without the upper class of society placing their daughters into his care, his life would not be nearly as lucrative or as interesting as it was presently. He forced himself to rein in his anger and gave Lord Wintercrest a slight bow. “Forgive me, Lord Wintercrest. I find myself simply at my wit’s end, but I do apologize for any slur I might have suggested. Believe me, it was not my intention in the slightest.” He was grateful to find Lord Wintercrest give him a small nod in return, and chanced to continue. “Lady Wintercrest, perhaps you can explain to your husband why I find this act so heinous. How do we even know that it has been your sister attending classes at all? This isn’t the first time you’ve switched places, now is it?”

  Louisa shook her head, her hands twisting in her lap. “No sir, but never for this reason. The… the other times were just for… ” Her head hung lower as she dug the hole she and her sister were in a bit deeper.

  “Pray continue, Louisa,” she heard her husband command. “Enlighten me of your past escapades, if you will.”

  Louisa felt her sister’s grip on her hand increase, as if warning her. Louisa, however, had learned she must respond truthfully to her husband, or face consequences she couldn’t bear to think about – especially at this moment. She swallowed hard and answered, “We took each other’s place before, but I swear it was only for a lark. No one was wiser and, oh please, Sir, it was only for a bit of fun.” She dared to raise her eyes to her husband’s, and saw at once that any mercy he might have been thinking of extending was quickly disappearing. Desperate, her voice rose a bit as she pleaded, “Please, Headmaster Thorne, I swear, this is the first time since I left the school. You must believe me. I ask.…”

  “The only thing you should be asking for is mercy!” Headmaster Thorne shouted, causing both women to start a bit. The women unconsciously reached for each other’s remaining free hand, and as Lucy clasped her sister’s, she realized exactly what had caused their discovery.

  Edward Wintercrest saw her mouth drop into a small ‘O’ and grinned. He wondered how they could possibly have missed the glaring detail. He couldn’t stop himself from pointing out their mistake. “Though I’m sure there will never be another occurrence of this fiasco, you would both be wise to make sure that every aspect of your appearances match. I can just imagine the surprise Professor Lloyds experienced when he saw the evidence of marriage without any prior announcement or posting of the banns. Don’t you agree, Lucille?” Edward watched as his sister-in-law raised her eyes to his, her face flushing with her embarrassment.

  Lucy had immediately seen the small gold band on her sister’s ring finger and couldn’t believe that neither she nor Louisa had thought about removing the one obvious adornment that they didn’t share. She felt Louisa squeeze her fingers as if trying to give her strength. “Yes sir, I’m so sorry Edward. Please, I know I deserve to be punished, but I beg you to forgive Louisa. I swear she wasn’t party to this.…”

  “But she obviously was, Lucille. After all, you are both sitting there, as identical as twins can be in your school uniforms. Identical except for one small detail that caught you both in your transgression. I have heard enough. You are both guilty and both deserve to be punished.” Having made his decision, Lord Wintercrest turned to speak with the headmaster. “Sir, I thank you for your concern, and appreciate the quickness with which you informed me of this. Please, proceed with the normal discipline, and rest assured, I also will be delivering a much sterner lesson when we return home.” Louisa gasped at her husband’s words. Though she had known this was to be the likely outcome once the charade had been discovered, she had still harbored hope that her husband would find the escapade foolish but forgivable. She watched as her husband took a few steps forward to seat himself in a large armchair as if he intended to enjoy a casual conversation with the headmaster. She wanted to beg him to be merciful, to escort them home and to administer any punishment in privacy. It appeared that her desires, however, had no bearing on what would occur.

  “Though I appreciate your confidence in myself, as well as the rules of this institution, Lord Wintercrest, I must address the fact that your wife is no longer a student here. I do not have the authority to administer her punishment.”

  Edward saw his wife relax slightly, and knew she was desperately glad to hear those words. He relished the fact that she would discover she had relaxed far too soon. “I disagree, Sir. Though, as you noted, my wife is now Lady Wintercrest, it has become obvious that she chose to divest herself of her title with this escapade. No one forced my wife; no, she chose to sneak into your school to become your student once again. She attended class and took an exam she knew was meant for Lucille. Her actions have given validity to my belief that our little Louisa indeed misses her carefree days as a young girl with nothing more to deal with than simple studies.”

  Louisa’s eyes shut tightly as her husband continued to speak. Her face flushed, and she knew his words were heard as one thing by the headmaster, and yet she also knew his words meant something entirely different to her. She was embarrassed by what Headmaster Thorne must be thinking. Her husband was telling him that she was obviously not able to behave as either an adult or a proper wife to the respected Lord Wintercrest. She chanced to glance over at the headmaster, and saw the puzzled look in his eyes, as well as a smirk upon his lips, as he watched her squirm on the settee. Louisa dropped her eyes and wished with all her heart that she had stayed at home, where she belonged. Edward watched his wife try to steady herself and knew she was dreading what was to come; both here in this office as well as when he had her in the privacy of their bedroom at home.

  He smiled, enjoying her discomfort, and continued. “As she is indeed a student today, I see no reason to eliminate her from your standard discipline. After all, she is very familiar with the school’s rules, as she completed her studies here. Please Sir, do me this favor and proceed as if she were still under your guidance.” Louisa opened her eyes in disbelief, and tightened her grip on her sister’s hand. Her husband was blatantly giving his permission to another man to take her in hand. She tore her eyes off her husband’s only to see the smirk grow even larger on Headmaster Thorne’s face.

  “Certainly, I shall do as you wish, Sir,” the man said with a small bow. He turned his attention to the two women. “Stand up and prepare yourselves,” he ordered even as he walked around to his desk.

  The women slowly stood, their hands still entwined. Louisa looked at her husband once more. “Please, Sir… I’m so sorry. Please don’t let him do this,” she whimpered, unable to keep silent. Edward simply shook his head.

  “Yo
u did this, Louisa – you and Lucille. You chose to return to your student days, and therefore will accept school discipline. You both shall pay the price. Now I suggest you do as you are told, as you will find no mercy here and even less when we return home.” The two still hesitated, though each hand had released the other’s. The black-robed gentleman was facing the wall behind his desk, deciding upon which implement would serve him best. He made his selection, and reached up to remove the long rattan cane from its hooks. Lucy moaned at the sight as he turned and swished the cane through the air. Though she was no stranger to the cane, it had been many, many months since she had experienced the agony it was capable of delivering. Thorne raised the cane so that it pointed at the two women. “Normally I would call for Mrs. Francis to attend as witness to your punishment; however, I believe Lord Wintercrest will serve as witness in her stead, if you agree, Sir?”

  Edward nodded his head, even as he watched his girls begin to visibly tremble, their eyes remaining locked on the cane as it moved in the air, much as a trapped rabbit would eye the weaving head of a viper. Edward knew the bite of the cane on an unprotected bottom would feel as sharp and painful as a snake’s bite. Thorne acknowledged Edward’s agreement by saying, “Thank you Sir.” Then addressing the two women, he said, “I believe you were told to prepare yourselves. Do so immediately, or do I need to call for Mrs. Francis to assist you?”

  The women shook their heads vigorously, not wanting even more witnesses to their horrid situation, finally surrendering to the obvious. Small shaking hands reached under long grey uniform skirts as fingers fumbled for ribbon ties. Soon, two white puddles surrounded the women’s black boots as their drawers were unfastened and allowed to fall to the floor. The girl’s faces burned brightly with the shame of the act.

  Thorne nodded. “Face the settee, raise your skirts well up to bare your bottoms, bend over and place your hands on the seat.” With soft sobs beginning to come from the two, both women slowly obeyed the dreadful order. As heavy skirts were pulled upward to expose creamy white thighs above black stockings, Edward found himself holding his breath. Time seemed to slow, as fabric inched ever upwards until rounded bare buttocks were finally exposed. Edward released his breath and smiled, once more amazed to discover that their similarity extended to their petite bottoms. If he had just walked into the room and wasn’t aware of which side of the settee his wife occupied, he would be unable to ascertain which beautiful posterior belonged to whom. Unaware of his thoughts and unable to see his look of wonder, the women properly positioned themselves. Once again, as though without thought, their hands joined, as they tried to give each other support.

  “You shall have a dozen each unless, of course, you foolishly break position.” Sobs sounded as the sentence was spoken and further shame colored their faces as the headmaster gave them further instruction. “Ladies, you are not strangers to the proper position for a well-deserved caning. I want you to show your admittance of guilt by willingly lifting your bottoms well up for the cane.” Lucy broke down first, her sobs choking her throat as her tears streamed down her face at both the intense shame of her position, and her desperate fear of the coming pain. Louisa squeezed her sister’s fingers even as she, too, tried to brace herself. Enjoying Lucille’s obvious fear, Thorne made his choice; it would be far more effective if Lucille had to listen to her sister receiving her strokes and be made to consider her own punishment for the longest time possible. The headmaster stepped to Louisa’s left and lifted the cane. Edward was well pleased to see his small wife take a deep breath to both calm and prepare herself. He watched as she arched her back and pushed her unmarked, pale bottom high into the air, signaling her readiness for the first awful stroke. Edward wondered if she was even aware of how far she had come under his tutelage since their wedding. She further pleased him when she spoke quietly but clearly,

  “Forgive me for my disobedience, Sir. I admit my guilt and I am ready to submit to my punishment.” If the headmaster was surprised at her formal words, he contained it fairly well. He glanced from her bare bottom to Lord Wintercrest. Edward didn’t smile or speak; only gave the headmaster a slight nod. Thorne smiled; the young woman had obviously continued her education under her husband’s rule. Thorne gave a moment’s wish that every young miscreant who appeared in his office was as contrite and ready to pay for their offense, as was Lady Wintercrest, as she bent over before him. He also didn’t prolong her wait. He measured the distance by tapping her upturned bottom twice before drawing back his arm. The length of bamboo whistled through the air and landed with a sharp crack against her beautifully rounded rump. Louisa yelped but didn’t move out of position even as the second stroke landed an inch below the first. Lucy flinched each time the cane cut into her sister’s bottom, the sound sharp and crisp in the room. It wasn’t until the sixth stroke had painted its line of fire across Louisa’s bottom that she began to beg.

  “Please… oh, no… please Sir!” Her bottom began to twist and bob as she tried to avoid the cane. Her tears had begun, though she had promised herself that she would take the punishment in silence.

  “Back into position and present your bottom properly, Louisa.” She sobbed harder, realizing that it was her own husband giving her the awful order. Just the sound of his quiet authority caused her body to respond, and she felt her shame grow. “Be still, and lift that naughty bottom high, or would you prefer I ask Headmaster Thorne to begin anew?” She sobbed, knowing that he wouldn’t hesitate to make good his threat. She had learned the hard way that Edward never hesitated to enforce any discipline he deemed necessary. She also knew she was expected, no required, to verbally answer any question her husband asked or face additional correction for disrespect.

  She barely managed to choke out a subdued reply, “N… no, please Sir. I’m… I’m sorry.”

  “Then obey me and lift and relax your bottom to accept your strokes and be grateful for the lesson. Apologize and ask Headmaster Thorne for an extra to remind you to stay in position!”

  She lifted her aching bottom higher, her shame at her position intensifying as she forced herself to round and relax her burning buttocks. She wasn’t aware that she was practically crushing her sister’s fingers. Lucille had her eyes shut tightly, her tears continuing to flow as she listened to her sister’s moans and cries. Her heart was pounding with her fear with every passing moment.

  She shuddered as Louisa sobbed, “I’m s… sorry Headmaster. Please may… may I have an ex… extra stroke?”

  “Certainly, Lady Wintercrest,” Thorne answered, his arm already lifting. The caning continued, and the moans turned into deep sobs, as line after line appeared across the previously porcelain skin of her uplifted bottom. Once a dozen individual wheals were raised in remarkably evenly spaced lines, he said, “This last shall be the hardest, Lady Wintercrest. Although you are no longer truly a student in my school, consider this as a necessary reminder to teach you to obey the authority of your husband.” With that warning, he stepped back a bit, lifted his arm and gave her the hardest stroke of all.

  Louisa lost her breath for an instant and then broke and screamed as the last, extra stroke crossed diagonally across the previous twelve. Her knees buckled and she almost fell to the floor. Fearing additional strokes, she forced herself to return to position, lifting her well-thrashed bottom as high as she could. Each wheal felt like it was burning ever deeper into her skin. She heard movement behind her and realized that the headmaster had moved to stand beside Lucy. Louisa ached for her sister, knowing that she had not been put under any punishment in a great while, and was not in the least prepared for the pain that she was about to face.

  Thorne rolled the cane across the pale skin of Lucille’s bottom. He eyed his handiwork painted across her twin’s bottom, and smiled. He was extremely proud of his ability to discipline a young woman properly; no overlapping of wheals occurred when he gave a caning – not counting the darker diagonal line she had earned as her extra. He felt Lucille cringe away from the
touch of the cane and he said,

  “You would learn a good lesson, Miss Furniss, from your sister. She admitted her crime and gracefully accepted the need for a good chastisement. Surely you can do the same?” Lucille couldn’t force herself to speak; her throat was tight with fear, and she was simply unable to speak. Thorne sighed deeply and looked up to see Lord Wintercrest watching him. He smiled and spoke softly,

  “I am afraid that Lucille hasn’t had the benefit of additional education in the area of discipline, Sir. I suppose the girls’ father didn’t see the need to teach them the proper attitude when he felt the need to give them a correction. Perhaps if he had taken the necessary time to properly drive the lesson home, then I suppose the two would not even now be bent over, bottoms raised for a lesson in obedience. Please, forgive Lucille for her ignorance and give her a reason to reflect on her childish behavior.”

  Headmaster Thorne’s smile grew as he nodded; the cane finally stopped its rolling on the cringing upturned bottom as he lifted it high into the air. Lucy opened her mouth to beg for mercy and Louisa said a quick prayer and continued to sob herself, as no mercy was given, and the first stroke was applied to her sister’s upturned bottom.

  Lucy screamed from the very first stroke. Her hand now crushed her sister’s as she fought to hold position. The second stroke landed and Lucy knew she would die before the punishment was completed. She had only been caned once before by her father and the count had been a half dozen. While she had experienced a switching or two during her tenure at the school, this implement was surely one belonging to the Devil. Never had she felt anything as horrid as each cutting stroke. She feared with all her heart that she would soon experience twice over what she had ever taken before.

  She screamed at the third and begged, “Please, oh… oh please Sir… please, no more. Please!” Thorne ignored her pleas. He was well accustomed to many a young woman’s begging for mercy as he delivered a punishment. He took his job seriously and had become a master of the cane. His strokes always landed exactly where he had decided to place them. He did not believe in mercy. One did not go under the cane without just cause and, when one had a bottom lifted for that implement, then one deserved to experience it at its harshest. Lucy was unaware that her bottom was wagging up and down, swinging from side to side, as she fought to cool the fire.