by Maggie Ryan
Anna looked around, only then realizing that people were singing a song as the music continued to play. "I'm afraid I don't know this song."
She gave her first note as a squeal when her husband stood up, scooping her into his arms. "Not this one, maybe, but I know you know the notes to the song you'll sing as soon as I have you naked and beneath me."
Anna flushed but didn't protest. The day had been long, the risk high and it was time to celebrate life.
* * * * *
It took two more weeks of travel before Anna was introduced to her husband's discipline. The wagon train had stopped just outside of a small town. They were scheduled to stay for two days to allow people to rest, replenish supplies, wash clothing in the nearby creek and make any necessary repairs to the wagons. After breakfast, Richard informed her that he was going to go into town to check with the blacksmith to see if he could repair a broken piece of the yoke needed for the oxen. She had jumped up happily.
"I'll get my bag," she announced, more than ready to go into town and see something new.
Richard stopped her by reaching out and taking her arm. "No, honey. I want to check it out first. We've never been here and I need to make sure it's safe. You'll stay here and if I find that it is safe, I'll take you into town later."
She stomped her foot. "You always get to do whatever you want. It's not fair that I have to stay here by myself. I want to go! I need supplies as well."
He shook his head at her outburst. "Annabelle, stop that right now. You're acting like a child throwing a tantrum. You will do as I say and you won't be by yourself. I'll be back soon and you can take this time to do some washing with the other women. I need some clean clothes and so do you. As I said, if I deem it safe enough, I'll be glad to take you into town later and you can get what we need at the general store."
She resisted the urge to stick her tongue out but did stomp her feet again. She opened her mouth to argue but when he began to walk towards her, his index finger prominently displayed, she quickly ducked into the interior of the wagon and started stuffing their dirty laundry into a large basket.
Richard lifted his rifle from its place under the wagon seat. "I'll be back soon. I've asked James to watch over you so you'll be safe. Make sure you stay within his sight and if you need anything, just ask him."
Annabelle threw a bar of soap into the basket and mumbled, "Sure, I'll be the good little servant girl." She screeched as Richard leaned into the wagon and took her arm.
"What was that, Annabelle?" he asked, his eyes boring into hers.
She hung her head at his look. "I meant, yes, sir."
"That's good, because if I thought you were sassing me, I'd have no choice but to take that paddle down and spank your naughty arse."
She gulped, remembering his earlier promise should she need reminding again. Her bottom clenched and she couldn't help but look over her shoulder at the paddle.
Richard pulled her a bit closer. "Be careful, little one, or you'll discover there are other ways to remind a naughty wife to behave herself." Releasing her arm and dropping a kiss on her cheek, he stepped back. "I'll be back soon as I can."
Anna nodded, her anger keeping her from seriously listening to her husband. All she could think about was that he was going to get to go see something new and talk to somebody he'd never met before. She didn't care if it was only because he needed something for the oxen. Hell, he cared more about the ugly, smelly beasts' comfort than he did his own wife's! Shoving the last piece of clothing into the basket, she looked out the flap to hear her husband hailing a group of men. Her anger grew as she heard the men laugh and saw them walking towards the town. They certainly did appear very concerned about safety if they were leaving their women and children with only James to guard them all.!
Furious with Richard, she climbed down out of the wagon after she'd dropped the heavy basket to the ground. Picking it up, she began lugging it towards the creek where she saw her friends laughing and washing the clothing. She saw James approaching her and gratefully exchanged the heavy basket for baby Hope. By the time they'd reached the water, a bit of her anger had drained away with the simple pleasure of having the little girl cooing and smiling at her.
James set her basket down and took the baby. Anna watched as he smiled at his own wife as she washed their clothing. "You okay now?" he asked, as she straightened up and dried her hands on her skirts before lifting her arms for their daughter.
Charity nodded, her cheeks flushing as she nuzzled the top of Hope's head. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry for this morning."
"See that you remember that," James said as he rubbed his hand against her bottom. "Just in case that spanking wasn't enough, I suggest you don't forget I can easily cut a switch if need be."
"Yes, James."
He bent to give both his girls a kiss before moving back towards the wagons, stating he'd stay within shouting distance of the women by the creek.
Anna's anger returned in a flash. It appeared that the man Richard had hired had no problem speaking about spanking his wife as if he was speaking about the weather. When she glanced at Charity, their eyes met and, though her friend smiled, Anna was sure it was nothing but an attempt to cover her embarrassment.
"Men," Anna muttered, adjusting the basket on her hip. Hearing a voice, she looked over to see Harriet calling out a good morning as she passed James with her own basket. Their foreman tipped his hat in greeting and continued up the small slope before disappearing. Striding to the river's edge, Anna upturned her basket, dumping their entire load of laundry into the water. Harriet looked up in surprise and saw the anger on her face.
"Honey, are you okay?" she asked as she scooped a pair of Anna's drawers out of the water before they floated away.
Anna looked at the older woman. "No! Don't you ever get mad? The men are off having fun while we have to stay back and do all this work. If Richard wants clean clothes, he can just wash them himself!"
Harriet chuckled, scooping another few items from the water. "Honey, you're not going to have anything to wear at this rate. Now, grab those pants and calm down."
Anna saw a pair of Richard's pants floating away and quickly snagged them. She might be as angry as a wet cat but she couldn't afford to lose what little clothing they owned. Sighing, she gathered the clothes and returned them to the basket. She settled down as she took one item out and scrubbed the shirt in the water.
Harriet nodded. "Anna, you know the men work hard every day. They didn't go into town to have fun; they went to make repairs, and Mr. Morgan needs to talk about the trail ahead. I'm sure we'll get to visit the town tomorrow." She gave Anna a smile and teased, "And you'll have a nice clean dress to wear. Now, don't be upset, I know you love Richard very much."
"Maybe I don't!" Anna snarled, as she practically scrubbed the shirt to pieces. Harriet sighed and looked over at Charity, who was smiling and shaking her head as she washed some of the baby's clothing.
"Now listen to me, young lady," Harriet chided. "If that rocking wagon is any indication, you love him very, very much."
Anna lifted her face, shocked at the revelation that people did notice what was happening in another's wagon. Her face turned bright red and she lowered her eyes, her hands gradually stilling as she scrubbed the shirt.
"Anna, it's wonderful to be so loved. It's God's blessing for you and Richard. Don't be angry about the little things. You'll learn as you go along that you have to pick your battles. You know that that man thinks you outshine the sun now, don't you?"
Anna finally nodded and sat back, pulling the shirt from the water and wringing it out before laying it over a rock to dry. "I know, Miss Harriet, but don't you ever wish you were a man and could do whatever you please? Don't you ever get tired of being told what to do?"
Harriet laughed and nodded. "Sure I do, honey, but God made us women and we have to behave as such. I've been married a long time. Longer than you've even been alive. I learned a long time ago that pleasing Robert is much easier t
han fighting him. Believe me, my bottom was nigh worn out the first year we were married. I swear there were times when I couldn't remember what it felt like sitting on a backside that didn't ache."
Anna looked at the woman, stunned to her core. She heard Charity giggle and then saw both women smile. She felt her face flush again. "You got spanked?"
Harriet nodded as she began washing a pair of drawers. "Well of course I did, Anna, and still do to this day. It's not only children that get their hineys paddled. Didn't your Pa spank you? Doesn't Richard?"
Anna dropped her eyes and mumbled, "Not yet. Sure, my Pa and Ma spanked me plenty of times, but, um, Richard's only threatened a few times. I'm his wife now—it would be just too embarrassing!"
"Nonsense," Harriet retorted. "There's nothing to be ashamed about. Discipline is just a fact of life. Take my advice and make sure you do as your husband says, and maybe he won't have reason to take you over his knee." She began washing another shirt, shaking her head. "Maybe times have changed. Maybe you young folks don't believe in spanking anymore."
Charity's laugh turned their attention to her. "I can't speak for all us young folk, but I can tell you that James certainly believes in discipline. He spanked me this morning when I threw a fit about not going to town. Believe me, the ache in my backside is proof that young folks still believe in discipline." She saw Anna staring, mouth agape, and grinned. "Anna, you are going to learn that Richard will get tired of threatening you or reminding you to behave. If he is anything like James, I'm surprised your own fanny hasn't felt his hand or that paddle or strap hanging in your wagon. James has whipped me plenty of times, and Nancy Jane seems to get her bottom reddened quite often."
Harriet nodded. "Yes, that's one hard-headed woman. I saw her across Billy's knees again this morning getting her rear paddled. She hollers loud enough that I'm positive everyone in town probably heard her, never mind those of us in the wagons near theirs." Harriet looked over and saw Anna's bright red face. "I'll give you another piece of advice, Anna. Know that you have friends who understand. Lawd, child, if we can't talk to each other, who does that leave? If I were a gambling woman, which I assure you I am not, I'd be willing to bet that our menfolk would rather we discuss such things with each other than to keep them bottled up inside until we felt like we were going to explode like a keg of gunpowder."
Anna tried to take in all of what was being said. She was shocked that Charity had openly discussed her morning spanking, as well as mentioning Anna's own implements for discipline. Before she could decide if she was angry or just embarrassed, Harriet spoke.
"How does that make you feel, Charity? I know not being able to sit comfortably always made me promise to behave."
Charity pulled Hope back onto the quilt she had spread out and admitted, "James has quite a heavy hand when I'm naughty, especially if I've been disrespectful to his authority. But, well, my heart always feels better once he's spanked me. I guess I never really thought about it before." She giggled again and whispered, "I have to admit that the loving afterwards is the best ever."
Harriet laughed and nodded. "As long as we are making confessions, I will admit that I've even been a little naughty on purpose before, just to remind Robert of his husbandly duties."
Charity collapsed into giggles and Anna gulped, her face burning red. She couldn't believe what these women were admitting. She truly liked and respected both of them; one only a couple of years older than herself, the other older than her own mother. She blushed as she remembered that even her ma had visited the barn for discipline from her husband. Still, this was 1844, and high time that women were not spanked! Though her anger still bubbled inside, she didn't wish to offend her friends, who obviously seemed not to mind in the least that their bottoms were blistered by the men they'd wed. "I know I'm supposed to do whatever Richard tells me, but I don't have to like everything, do I?" she said.
Harriet laughed. "No, I don't suppose you do. You just keep that not liking to yourself to spare your hiney, okay?"
The women continued to wash the clothes and spread them out to dry. Hope fell asleep on her blanket and the women lay down to watch the clouds float across the sky.
Chapter Ten
Anna felt restless, she couldn't just lie about—she needed to move. She sat up and said quietly, "I'm going back to the wagon. Can you make sure the clothes don't blow away?"
Charity looked up sleepily and said, "Sure but don't be too long. We have to fold the clothes and then start dinner soon. I promised I'd show you how to make some apple dumplings, and those will take a while."
Despite the fact that the two women had helped ease her earlier anger, she felt it begin to build again as she walked towards the wagon. Sure, stay at the wagon, wash the clothes, fold the clothes, make the meal, clean up after the meal, and then do it all again the next day. James wasn't in sight and she looked towards the town. Perhaps she could just walk to the edge and look around a little. It wasn't that far and besides, the clothes had to dry, didn't they? Having decided that it would be perfectly reasonable, Anna put on her best bonnet and picked up her string bag. Even though she wasn't walking all the way into the town, she didn't want to appear slatternly or unsophisticated in case she met someone from town walking as well.
She began her stroll, not admitting to herself that she'd purposefully chosen a path around the wagons in order to avoid James seeing her. Humming, she walked down the road, the sun beating on her back, a cool breeze on her face. As she neared the outskirts of the town, she could see some buildings, and people walking on the wooden sidewalks just a short distance ahead. Her excitement grew and she smiled at a woman who was sweeping the porch in front of a small house on the edge of the town. The woman waved and called out a greeting. Anna returned it, her voice happy and carefree.
Anna didn't realize how far she had traveled into the town until she felt someone grab her. Screaming, she kicked out with her feet as she was lifted completely off the ground. Her heart pounded and she screamed for Richard at the top of her lungs, straining against the incredibly tight hold. She was hauled around and saw that her husband was the one holding her. Her voice cut off in mid-scream.
"Damn it, Richard, you scared me to death! Hell's bells, don't you ever do that again!" She held a palm against her pounding heart and breathed a huge sigh of relief—one that didn't relax her as she saw his face. She immediately began to struggle again; she had seen him disappointed, she had seen him upset, but never had she seen him so angry.
"Just what in the hell were you thinking, Annabelle Rose!" he thundered. "I told you to stay at the wagon. What are you doing in the middle of town?"
Middle of town? I had only meant to go to the very edge and no further. Annabelle swallowed hard and watched as several men, including Mr. Morgan, stepped out of the storefront to witness what the ruckus was all about. Seeing Richard's men, she lowered her eyes, her face flaming.
"Answer me young lady," Richard ordered, still holding her arms tightly.
Anna winced. "I just wanted to see a little. I just meant to walk to the edge. I swear I didn't mean to come this far. Please don't be mad at me." Grabbing for anything that might make the look of fury in his eyes lessen, she continued. "Don't worry, I did the clothes first—well, mostly."
Richard shook his head even as he shook her shoulders. "Oh, I'm not mad, young lady. I am furious. I don't give a good goddamn that you mostly did the clothes first. You blatantly disobeyed me and put yourself in danger. You had no idea it was me who grabbed you. It could have been anyone; some stranger who decided that you'd make for a good time. I simply can't believe you." He spoke firmly but never raised his voice.
She began to tremble at his quiet calm. She didn't need to look at Mr. Morgan to know he was waiting to see how Richard would handle her disobedience.
"I'm sorry you're upset, Richard. I did the chores and you didn't say I couldn't take a walk." Anna said quietly, trying to justify her error.
He glared down at her and
spoke even more quietly. "Annabelle Rose Andrews, don't you dare sass me! What did I tell you would happen the next time you sassed?"
Her face turned scarlet and she lowered her eyes to the ground. Richard gave her a moment and then swatted her hard.
"Oww!" she hissed and then looked around, praying that no one had seen her get her bottom swatted. She knew the prayer was hopeless.
Richard shook his head and swatted her again, even harder. She cried out and he repeated his question. "What did I tell you would happen? Answer me, young lady." He swatted her twice more before she realized he'd keep doing it until she answered his question.
"Stop it! I wasn't sassing, I was explaining—" she started, only to squeal when another swat landed on her bottom. "You said you'd paddle me. I'm sorry, but Richard, you are embarrassing me! People can see you!" she begged, wishing with all her heart that she had simply stayed with the other women.
"Believe me, young lady, I don't give a damn if everyone in town sees you get your arse swatted. I find it hard to believe you are truly sorry, but I do know you weren't thinking. Here is something to think about. Besides the paddling you are going to get, you can think about taking that strap off the hook and handing it to me. You can think about it landing against your bare butt. You can think about all of that as you walk back to the wagon. Get going!"
Anna sobbed as he turned her around towards the road leading out of town. His words had her shuddering as she spun back around to face him, no longer caring that they had an attentive audience. "You said you'd paddle me—not give me a strapping! I said I was sorry and I promise, I won't disobey you ever again!"
He pointed down the road. "You get yourself back to the wagon. I'm going to paddle that bottom for your sassy mouth and then I'm going to strap you for disobedience. If you continue to argue with me, I guarantee you won't sit comfortably on that wagon seat for a week."
