Martha (The Marriage Market Book 5)

by Stevie MacFarlane

  “Very well, I guess I’ll have to trust you since you will not allow me to go to her aid,” she snapped, glaring back at him. “Now what is this all about? I haven’t seen you for days and suddenly you barge in here and start issuing orders. This is exactly why I have put off marrying you, Ethan Jorgenson,” she said a bit smugly. “In fact, I have recently decided not to marry you at all!”

  “Is that so?” he asked, calming beginning to roll up the sleeve of his thick blue work shirt.

  “Yes, that’s so. Now, will you kindly leave these premises?” she asked haughtily.

  “No, I will not, and I will not release you from your promise to me,” he replied, moving to the other sleeve. He smiled slightly when he noticed her inching her way to the farthest end of the settee. She had no idea she was making things easier for him, both with her sassy, defiant attitude or her actions.

  “You can’t make me marry you,” she insisted with a disdainful sniff.

  “I will sue you for breach of promise and I will own your little shop,” he informed her with a grin.

  For the first time Martha laughed, reminding him of why he loved her so.

  “That’s ridiculous,” she said, obviously struggling to retain her firm demeanor. “Women sue men for that, not the other way around.”

  “Did you not say we are all equal, Älskling?”

  “I said we should be,” she snapped back.

  “Then should I not have equal rights too?”

  “Yes, I guess you should,” she admitted.

  “Then I can sue you. I will take you to court and demand you keep your promise,” he insisted with a wink.

  “Oh, Ethan, now you’re just being silly,” she sighed. “Come, sit down and tell me what this visit is all about,” she said, softly patting the seat beside her. “The last time we spoke you said you weren’t sure you even wanted to marry me any longer. Now you’re threatening me.”

  Ethan sat and reached for her hands. She allowed him to hold both of them in one of his.

  “I do not like the word threaten, Martha. It implies I use words to manipulate you, and that I do not mean what I say. That is not the case, Älskling. I will never threaten you; I will warn you, as I have warned you before,” he said sadly, his blue eyes staring into her wary brown ones.

  “I’m afraid I don’t understand,” she replied, hesitantly trying to pull her hands away.

  “I know you do not. You think I will not spank you as we are not man and wife, that this will somehow protect you from my discipline. It will not. You are mine, you have promised to marry me, and, therefore, you are my responsibility.

  “I have warned you many times about behaving foolishly. I have told you if you behave in a childish manner, if you do something that puts you in jeopardy I will take you over my knee. Is that not so?”

  “Yes, but…” she began, pulling away.

  “There is no excuse. I did not say these things to threaten you into obeying me, I said them because they are true and now you will find out I am a man of my word.”

  Ethan was very angry, but he did not raise his voice. He had no desire to frighten her, although he could see that she was panicked. Valiantly, she struggled to get away, her cheeks growing more flushed by the second. With a single tug he pulled her across his lap. It was remarkably easy and he hoped she noticed that her wiggling and squirming to get away meant nothing to him. A man of his size could control her with little effort, and later he would point out how helpless she would be if that man was another and meant her serious harm. Right this moment, he had other things to attend to.

  Holding her firmly with one arm around her waist, he used the other to pull up her skirts. Swiftly, he moved his arm and secured them above her waist before taking hold of her again and pulling her close to his body. Her drawers were pristine white and he considered taking them down until he noticed they had a split seam and he could bare her quite easily.

  “As this is the first time I have taken you in hand and we are not yet wed, I will not bare you completely,” he informed her kindly. “I am sure a woman such as you values her modesty, but you must know the next time this happens, I will bare you.”

  Carefully, he separated her drawers, exposing her perfectly unblemished cheeks. They would not remain so for long.

  “Please, Ethan, you must not do this. It isn’t proper,” she pleaded, breathless from her struggles. “It’s not right for you to see me like this.”

  “You have brought it on yourself,” he replied, laying his huge hand across both cheeks at once and resting it there.

  “Because of the dress shop?” she asked, frantically looking at him over her shoulder as her hair tumbled down.

  “No, there are many reasons. The dress shop is fine. It is good for a woman to have a profession if she wants one, as long as she can still manage to care for her family. My mama would hate to give up her restaurant and my papa would never ask it of her. It is the things that are going on here which have nothing to do with clothing. I believe you know what I am speaking of.”

  “No, I don’t,” Martha cried. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Ethan shook his head sadly.

  “So now you will add lying to your offenses?” he asked unbelievingly. “You, who are already over my lap with your little bottom bared, will now lie to me?”

  “I’m not lying,” she insisted. “It is a shop, nothing more.”

  “I can see that nothing will be solved, or even the truth spoken until I get this over with,” he sighed. He would speak no more. Instead, he would let the flat of his hand do the talking. All the way into town he’d debated with himself about the severity of her first spanking. He leaned toward leniency, administering a fairly gentle round of slaps that should be more than enough to show her he was serious. Now he thought differently. He should spank her in a way that fit her offense and this one happened to be serious and growing more so with each lie. If he was too gentle, and once they were married, he was called upon to correct her serious misbehavior, she would think he was unnecessarily harsh.

  Martha froze when his hand left her cheeks and tried to brace herself, but it was totally pointless, for once his hand connected with her flesh, she instantly realized the magnitude of what was happening.

  Ethan was angry. Even though his words were soft, his hand was not. The sting left behind from the first swat blossomed rapidly into a fireball. These were not bone jarring swats. She barely moved on his lap, he held her so close. She did not feel as though he was trying to injure her, but he was just getting started.

  She promised herself she would not scream, nor cry out. Nor would she beg for mercy. That promise lasted all of three minutes. By the time his hand landed on her bottom for the fifth time, she was squealing in outrage.

  “Stop it at once,” she screamed. “You have no right!”

  “I have every right,” he replied sternly. “If I were your papa, your brother, or your husband, I would still be taking you to task for your actions. As your intended, it is my right.” Smack.

  “Oh, no, it’s not,” she bellowed in outrage. “I will never marry you now, you overgrown Swedish Neanderthal,” she cried.

  “You are wrong,” he stated confidently. “Once you have owned up to your wrong doing and apologized, we will go on, but not as we have been. There will be no more lies, and no more sneaking around with your lady friends getting up to mischief.”

  “Go to hell,” she screamed out, not sure if he was more appalled by her language or she was.

  He smacked her five more times, sharply.

  “There will be no more swearing,” he insisted, continuing to smack her cheeks as he spoke. “It is not like you, Martha, to use such language.”

  “It’s not like you, Ethan, to strike me,” she shouted back, before beginning to cry. “Oh please, you must stop,” she sobbed, kicking her feet.

  “I will stop when I am good and ready,” he replied. “There will only be one person wearing the pants i
n our family, and it will not be you. Do you understand this, Älskling?” he asked.

  “Yes, Ethan, yes,” she replied, reaching up to wipe her nose on her sleeve. “I understand.”

  “Good.”

  She thought he might stop then, but he did not. He continued to spank her until she was hanging limply over his knees, her hands clutching his legs. Her tears fell like rain and she no longer tried to control them, or the God awful noises she was making. If her bottom fell off when he finally released her, she would not be a bit surprised. It felt like an overdone roast.

  Finally, finally, after what seemed like years, his hand settled on her burning bottom and he began to speak.

  “I am not opposed to charity, and I will show you some now,” he said quietly. “Your idea of making a place for women to go for help is admirable, but you will not get involved in trying to dictate what men will do with their hard earned wages. If they choose to drink, that is their right and not your business. This is a free land, soon to be recognized as a state. The people follow the laws, and until the laws say it is illegal to drink, men will continue to do so.

  “It is dangerous for you and your friends to interfere. I will not allow it and I am sure the husbands of your friends will agree. You have lied to me about your business. Do not lie to me again, or I will be forced to repeat this lesson.

  “I do not like hurting you, Älskling, or making you cry, but I will do what I must to keep you safe,” he said as he gently rubbed her bottom.

  Martha wanted to beg him to stop, but she’d didn’t dare. Everything he’d said was the truth. She had lied to him and tried to hide their activities, all before breaking their engagement. Whether it was his right to take her to task was a matter of opinion, one she didn’t think she should bring up while still over his knees and maybe never. He didn’t seem inclined to discuss it and neither was she while her naked bottom was in such close proximity to his huge hand.

  All she wanted to do was to go home and fall onto her bed to cry out her embarrassment and sorrow. She could never wed him now, not after all the times she’d insisted she would not be treated as a child. Ethan had done exactly that, and he wasn’t likely to apologize.

  “Come,” he said, loosening his hold and bringing her skirts back down to cover her. “We have much to talk about,” he continued as he helped her to her feet.

  “I don’t think I care to talk right now, Ethan,” she said, looking at the floor as she stood between his knees. She could feel the tears still streaking down her cheeks. “I’d like to go home,” she said, giving a huge shuddering sigh.

  “I will take you home, Martha,” he replied kindly.

  She moved to take a step back, but he did not release her. Instead he pulled her closer, turning her so he could lift her and place her on his lap. Lifting her eyes to his in surprise, she was shocked to see the sorrow in them.

  He had not enjoyed this. Punishing her had not given him any pleasure and she could have sworn his eyes were wet too. No, Ethan was a man of judgment and duty. He’d done what he felt he had to do, but it hurt him in some strange way too.

  Suddenly her tears began anew and before she knew what she was about, she threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his broad chest.

  “I’m sorry,” she sobbed brokenly. “Sorry I forced you to do that.”

  “Hush, my love,” he whispered into her hair. “What is done is done.” His arms gathered her closer as he rocked her from side to side, murmuring endearments. “You are forgiven and I pray I never have to do that again, but you must know I will if need be. Martha, you are precious to me. Never do I want to feel the anguish Sam and Dalton felt the morning we found Suzanna and Effie. As your husband, I will do everything in my power to make you happy,” he said, tipping her chin up and forcing her to meet his eyes. “But I have to protect you too, and I think sometimes it might be from yourself. You are sweet and kind, generous and helpful, but you cannot do this thing you have planned with the others.”

  “I just wanted to help the women who are suffering. Give them a place to turn to when they have no clothing or food for their children because their stupid husbands don’t know enough to have a drink or two without spending all of their wages over the bar,” she sniffed.

  “I understand what motivated you, I have always understood, but the risk is too steep. I am not willing to take the chance of something happening to you. What would I do without you?” he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

  He kissed her then, taking her lips hungrily. There was no hesitation, no uncertainty, he was staking his claim, letting her know there would be no going back. She belonged to him.

  For a moment, Martha was stunned at the depth of need that swept through her. She’d thought the kiss at Charlotte and Cole’s wedding was heavenly, this was far beyond that. Her heart pounded, her breath evaporated and she fell against him in shocking surrender.

  He cradled her head, taking her mouth over and over before moving to her neck. One of his hands slid higher, just brushing her breast and she thought she might faint. She forgot all about her throbbing bottom, and how embarrassed she’d been. Forgot she was angry with him for his high-handed ways. When he finally rested his forehead against hers, breathing heavily, all she could manage was to cup his cheek.

  “Ethan, oh Ethan,” she whispered.

  “I know, Älskling,” he replied with a shaky little laugh. “We must stop before we do something we will regret. I would not dishonor you before the wedding.”

  “Then soon, Ethan, it must be soon,” she sighed, helplessly trailing her lips along his jaw bone to his ear. “I won’t be able to stand it,” she moaned in his ear when his hand firmly cupped her breast. “I never knew, never suspected,” she cried out in wonder as she arched further into his hand.

  “I always knew it would be like this between us, Martha,” he replied as his thumb brushed her nipple. “Why do you think I had such a hard time when you put off the wedding again and again?”

  “Then you should have told me,” she hissed, wiggling her bottom to feel him against her cheeks. “Ouch!”

  Ethan removed his hand and lifted her to her feet.

  “You will be too tender to do that for a while,” he teased, patting her bottom softly. “Remember that the next time you want to misbehave. A sore and painful bottom will affect us both,” he scolded.

  Martha looked up at him to see if he was serious. He seemed to be, but pulled her close and hugged her just the same.

  “Get your coat and I will see you home,” he said.

  “What about Clara?” she asked as she obeyed.

  “I think Clara will be fine. Lucas Armstrong is a good man and he’ll make sure she gets home safely. Where is your carriage?”

  “Out back,” she answered as he took her arm. “Can we snuggle on the way home?”

  “Most certainly,” he answered with a grin. “It is the best part of a long ride.”

  “But it’s not a long ride out to the house,” she said, blowing out the lamp.

  “I’m afraid it will be tonight,” he promised with a smile.

  Chapter 8

  “Have you lost what little sense you were born with?” Clara demanded when Lucas entered his office and set her on her feet, plucking the blanket from her head.

  He ignored her, placed one big hand on the top of her head and pushed her down onto the chair behind his desk.

  “Stay,” he commanded, walking to the wall and pressing his ear against it.

  “Why, you nasty little eavesdropper,” Clara hissed in outrage as she jumped from the chair.

  “Little?” he asked with a laugh as he looked her up and down. “Sit.”

  “I am not a dog,” she replied. “Martha,” she screamed, marching over next to him. “He’s listening to everything.”

  “She can’t hear you,” he said smiling. “She wouldn’t be able to hear her own mother calling her to dinner with the racket she’s making. Now sit down before you meet the sa
me fate,” he continued, staring down at her.

  “You wouldn’t dare,” she gasped, taking a step back.

  “Don’t delude yourself, little woman. Not only would I dare, but I have a feeling I’d enjoy it a whole lot more than our friend next door. He happens to love her. I only think you’re cute and you’d be just as cute over my knee. Now, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll get your bustle in that chair,” he warned, pointing to the item.

  Clara made a run for it. He’d known she would. It was only a matter of time, but he’d been hoping to hear how Ethan handled himself and his feisty fiancée. Sighing, he lunged for Clara and wrapping one arm around her waist, held her easily well off the floor, her back to his front. He twisted her out of range when she tried to beat on the wall with her fist as she yelled her head off.

  “Well, I guess I’m not going to be able to hear anything of importance,” Lucas sighed. “We might as well sit down.” Walking to his desk he sank onto his chair and settled her on his lap.

  “Let me go, immediately,” she demanded, pulling his hair until he pried her hands loose and clasped them both in one of his.

  “Why, so you can run and help your misguided friend? I don’t think so. It’s my belief Miss Martha is getting exactly what she deserves and if you don’t settle down, I’ll tan your hide as well. Now what do you have to say about that?” he asked, smiling.

  “I say you’re an overgrown, demented man who wouldn’t know good manners if he fell over them. Why don’t you go back to the sorry state of Texas where you belong?” she said, prying her hands free and crossing them over her chest.

  “What? You wait just one minute, sassy-pants, you can say what you want about me, but you leave Texas out of it. Texas is a fine state, just fine,” he insisted, with a glare.

  “Yes, I can see the kind of uncivilized brutes that fine state produces!”

  “Aw, can’t you be quiet for a minute or two. I want to hear what’s going on. Sounds like Ethan is getting to the bottom of things,” he said with a grin.