"Sweetie, why don't you go find what you want and bring it to us? Mommy and I will be at the front. We need to get in line if we are going to make it back to the Nursery to get our picnic."
"Okay, Daddy," Rosie said happily. "I won't be long."
Grant had his doubts, seeing as how they had just spent the last twenty minutes with her stopping to stand in front of the many bins to consider her choices. "Okay, but remember, you need to pick quickly, or else we'll have to come back later." She nodded, and as if afraid he'd decide to leave, dashed down the aisle, her small size allowing her to duck around other customers. When she disappeared around the corner, he took Valerie's hand and the two made their way to the front and got into the long checkout line.
Alone, Rosa moved far faster, no longer having to pretend that the store's contents were new to her. She was a frequent customer, and knew the layout like the back of her hand. She found the bin she was looking for and lifted a scoop of the candies into the white bag Valerie had handed her. Triumphant, she rolled down the top of the bag, and had taken two steps when she saw an item she'd never seen before. Reaching into the bin, she removed one of the wrapped candies and smiled. It was a peanut butter and molasses candy called 'Mary Jane'. The wrapping featured a picture of a little girl who was dressed in an almost identical outfit to the one she was wearing. She put it back and her eyes slid to the right to see a bin full of red balls, knowing they were cinnamon fire balls; but their bright red color made her bottom twitch and her tummy flip. Guilt consumed her and, with a sigh, she opened her bag and dumped the contents back into its bin. Turning back before she changed her mind, she went down another aisle, scooped some different candy into her bag, then went to find her parents.
She was just in time, as Grant had allowed a customer to step in front of him, still waiting for Rosie. "Good, I was beginning to believe we'd have to come back," he said, giving her a smile as he took her bag. "What did you decide on?"
"Jellybeans," Rosa said.
"Really?" Valerie asked in surprise. "Honey, why didn't you get some when we were standing right in front of them?"
"Um, I thought I wanted something else but I changed my mind," she said, her cheeks beginning to heat.
Grant gave her a look and then opened the top of the bag to see dozens of different colors inside. He didn't fail to see Rosa's look of relief, but said nothing. He handed the bag and the treat certificate to the clerk.
"Thank you, Sir. Enjoy your candy, and I hope to see you and your family again. Remember, we're open late tonight because of the Ball."
The trio left after Grant tucked the bag into his pocket. A few paces away from the entrance, he squatted down in front of Rosie. "Honey, we're very proud of you. I know it was a difficult decision, especially when we found that these were on offer." He pulled something from his pocket, and Rosie's eyes went wide. A wrapped coffee-flavored candy was lying in his open palm. "Since you were such a responsible little girl, you may have this as well."
Rosa felt tears prick her eyes at his gesture. He knew that, despite the fact that her head felt better, her soul needed coffee in any form. Taking the sweet, she threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Daddy."
"You're welcome, sweetie. Just as naughty girls get punished, good girls get rewarded. Now, how about that picnic?"
At the mention of their picnic, Rosa's stomach did another flip. She prayed that Bess had had second thoughts about what she'd requested.
As they walked back into the Nursery, she searched for her friend but couldn't see her. Spotting Odette, a friend of hers who worked as a governess in the Nursery program, she pulled her hand from Grant's. "Excuse me, do you know where Bes-Nanny Bess is?"
Odette shook her head, happy to see that Rosa was obviously fulfilling her resolutions. "No, sweetie, but she might be on break. Can I help you with something?"
"Um, no… no, thank you. I just wanted to thank her again," Rosa said, as she tried to think of another way to stop a disaster.
"Rosie, come on, honey. Daddy has our picnic." Valerie took Rosie's hand. "Are you okay?"
"Um, yes, Mommy, I was just hoping to see Nanny Bess."
"That's so sweet, but I'm sure she knows how much we appreciate her help. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm starving."
Rosa was scared she wouldn't be able to eat a single bite, the coffee candy clutched in her hand making her feel guiltier with every step she took. Slipping it into her coat pocket, she began to make promises to a higher power that she would never be devious again if only this one time she wasn't caught.
Once outside, the trio walked to a tree, and Rosa watched as Grant and Valerie spread out the thick blanket. When it was ready, Grant took her hand and they both sat down as Valerie opened the basket. Lunch consisted of fried chicken, still warm in its insulated container, potato salad and green beans. After filling plates and passing them out, they began to eat. It was a nice meal for a chilly day. Grant became aware that Rosie, though not complaining, was also not eating.
He took the large silver thermos Valerie passed him before passing an old-fashioned, smaller thermos to Rosie. "Don't tell me you don't like fried chicken," he teased, as he opened his thermos and poured steaming hot coffee into the two cups that Valerie was holding. He saw Rosie look at the dark liquid, and waited for the tantrum. Instead, she just turned back to her plate.
"No, I like chicken," she said, taking a big bite of her drumstick. "It's really good."
"Sweetie, don't talk with your mouth full," Valerie said, passing her a red and white checked napkin. "Do you need help with your thermos?"
Rosa swallowed and wiped her mouth before answering. "Oh, no, ma'am. I'm not thirsty."
The 'adults' sipped their coffee, and the trio chatted about all the wonderful things they had seen at the Castle so far, all three knowing a trip to the toy store was in their future. They talked about the Ball that evening, all being excited to attend.
As the plates were emptied, Grant realized that Rosie had not once taken a drink. "Honey, you need to drink something. It's important to stay hydrated, even though it's chilly. Pass me your thermos. Perhaps the cook prepared some nice hot chocolate for you."
Rosa looked up, her eyes shifting away the moment she met his gaze. "No, thank you, Daddy. I'm really not thirsty."
As her cheeks began to color, Grant's suspicions grew. "Rosie, please hand me your thermos."
"I'm not thirsty, Daddy," she attempted again, moving her thermos to her side as if hiding it would make it disappear.
"Young lady, I am not asking," Grant said. His tone spoke volumes. "Is there some reason why you don't want me to open it for you?"
"No, Daddy… um, I can do it."
He nodded. "Very well, go ahead. I want you to drink at least one cupful so you don't become dehydrated." Seeing her hesitate, he leaned forward. "You may use the cute red cup that's on top."
Rosa didn't need to be told a cup acted as part of the thermos's lid. She slowly removed it and then put her hand over the screw-on cap. "Please, I… I—"
Grant leaned forward and took the thermos from her. Sitting back, he realized that something inside was making a pinging sound. Shaking it, he looked at Rosie, his eyes locked onto hers. "I can't imagine why Connie would give you something that needs ice. Not on a cold day like today." Any further doubts he had that something was off disappeared as he watched Rosie's eyes going wide, her gaze dropping to the thermos. Looking at his wife, who was sitting quietly, her eyes on Rosie, he began to unscrew the top. Before he had it off, Rosie jumped up, threw the red cup away from her, and streaked towards the opening of the maze.
Grant and Valerie looked at her and each other before a final twist opened the flask.
Grant didn't have to pour it out to understand why their precious, adorable, lovable Little girl was running. The smell of sweet caramel and coffee wafted from the thermos. The tinkling sound was tiny chips of ice. While it didn't qualify as a nice cup of hot coffee that might spill and bu
rn a Little, that was the only point he was willing to concede. "Oh, Rosie," he sighed, screwing the lid back on and handing the thermos to Valerie. "We'll be back," he said, as he turned and headed for the maze.
Valerie shook her head. Oh, they'd be back all right, and this time she would bet anything that Rosie was going to get the blistering of her life. Packing everything back into the basket, she sat on the blanket and waited. It wasn't too long before she heard the unmistakeable sound of a naughty Little's voice squealing loudly coming from the maze.
Rosa had run without real thought. She knew the gig was up the moment the thermos was opened. What had she been thinking? God, surely she should have known better. Now she was running flat out, taking turns at random, and had no idea where she was going except as far away from Grant as possible. It seemed like she'd run a mile, and she was tiring quickly as she turned the next corner, the sound of something making her go just a little faster. Then she stumbled to a stop, not because her legs gave out, but because of what she had been about to run into a few feet in front of her. Okay, yes, she had worked at the Castle for a year, and believed she had at least glimpsed at pretty much everything. However, nothing on earth could have prepared her for what she was witnessing now.
A white lamb with a big, pink bow tied around its neck—well someone dressed in the furry costume of a lamb—was on all fours, the fuzzy white costume parted to reveal a pale bottom, buttocks widely parted by furry gray hands, complete with wicked-looking claws. The lamb was bleating and baaing as another Furry—complete with a head-covering that gave him the pointed ears, long snout, and yes, rows and rows of jagged teeth of a huge gray wolf—was on his knees, his cock ramming in and out of the backside of his prey.
Rosie's hand went to her mouth at the sight of the wolf's thick cock going into the lamb's bottom—the very place she had recently felt a much thinner thermometer. When the wolf threw back his head and howled, she shrieked loudly, turned, and ran smack dab into Grant's chest.
He lifted her easily and threw her over his shoulder, ignoring her continued shrieks as well as her kicking legs.
The wolf and lamb both turned their heads, and though they might have been startled, the wolf's continued thrusts and the lambs continued bleats told of their remarkable control. Grant smiled and nodded, shaking his head as another long, mournful howl was given. Turning away, he carried Rosie back through the maze, trying not to chuckle at the look on her face at stumbling over the erotic scene. He knew Rosie would not be thinking of the furries for long—she would be thinking of the blistering she had coming.
Valerie didn't say a word as they emerged, Rosie kicking her feet and flailing her hands. She wanted to ask what on earth that unholy sound had been, but Grant satisfied her curiosity as he bent to take the handle of the picnic basket. All he had to say was "furries," and she had to turn away so as not to laugh. Well, we should have remembered the great outdoors is home to all sorts of furry little creatures. Stifling her giggle, she quickly folded the blanket and followed her husband and their very naughty little girl back into the Castle.
Grant did not put Rosie down as he set the basket on a table. Having passed a room earlier, he made his way there and opened the door that said 'Time Out'.
Rosa found herself lifted off her Daddy's shoulder, only to be plopped down onto a hard chair which Grant lifted, girl and all, to turn towards the wall. "Do not move a single inch from this chair if you know what's good for you, young lady. Do you understand me? I swear, if you are not right here, nose to the wall, by the time I get back, you'll not sit for a month. Do you understand me?"
She nodded her head, her heart in her throat, but managed to squeak out, "Yes, Sir."
Grant left the room, closing the door a little louder than necessary, and walked to where Valerie was standing.
"She's in big trouble isn't she?" she said, and then slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle her laugh. "I'm sorry, but furries?"
Grant's own lips twitched. "Yes, furries—I don't think I would have believed it myself if I hadn't seen it. Believe me, they were just as startled to look up and see our Little as she was to see a wolf giving a little lamb's ass a very hard pounding. We can laugh about it later. For now, I'm guessing a certain Nanny is in for a very unpleasant surprise."
After stopping a woman in a uniform identical to the one Bess had been wearing, Grant was asked to wait in the Principal's office. Valerie and he took seats in the rather imposing room, both remembering the feeling one got in the pit of your stomach when told to report to the headmaster or principal of any school. When the door opened, a man entered and introduced himself as Mr. Collins.
"I mostly run the school program, but Abigail informed me that there appears to be a need for my services. How can I help you?"
Grant introduced himself and Valerie, and then gave him a brief account of the latest event.
"Ah, I see, so it's your belief that our Nanny Bess must have played a part in this deception?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I believe. I wouldn't have known how that would have been possible since Rosie hasn't been out of our sight since yesterday, but Valerie told me that she and Bess seemed to be whispering something earlier. She didn't give it a thought as she also heard Rosie thanking Bess for all her help. Now, of course, we have an idea of exactly what type of help earned her our little girl's thanks."
Mr. Collins stood up and asked for their patience. He left the office, and Valerie turned to her husband. "Do you think Bess is going to get into a lot of trouble?"
"What I think is that, regardless of the policy about employees, something needs to be done. I find it very hard to believe that she thought we'd changed our minds about coffee, especially since we declined it at breakfast so Rosie wouldn't have to smell it."
"Well, it was iced coffee," Valerie said with a chuckle. "Not really coffee in my opinion; more like sweetened milk." Grant gave her a look that had her backing down. "That doesn't negate Rosie's disobedience, mind you. I understand she deserves a spanking for being deceitful, but—"
"Damn right she does, but what she's getting is her little tail thrashed."
As his wife seemed to be waffling about the discipline she had just admitted Rosie needed, Grant spoke, motioning to where a rack of canes was prominently displayed on the wall. "Valerie, if you ever attempt to countermand my decisions about our Little's needed discipline, I promise you'll find yourself grabbing hold of your ankles and getting your own ass striped. Don't ever forget for a single moment that I am the Dominant in all our relationships. You, young lady, may be a switch when it comes to our girl, but I guarantee you, you'll never top with me. Is that clear?"
Valerie shivered. It wasn't often that she was the one being punished, but it happened frequently enough for her to know exactly what Grant meant by his statement. She thought of the young submissive sitting on that naughty girl chair, and shuddered. After one of her husband's discipline sessions, her butt felt like raw meat, and she knew that Rosie had no idea how much her bottom was going to be burning. "Yes, Sir, I apologize. I will never interfere in your discipline." She paused, her eyes going to the canes again. "Be it our Little girl's or my own, Sir."
"Good, see that you don't. I like spanking you—hell, I love spanking both of my girls—but I trust you to remember that when I punish you, it will not have you simply moaning with arousal from a nice spanking. You'll be wailing and begging for me to stop just as I expect our girl to be doing soon enough."
Valerie had just enough time to answer that she understood before the door opened and Mr. Collins stepped aside to let Nanny Bess walk in. By the look on her face, they all knew their assumptions had been correct.
"I'm sorry, Sir, Ma'am," she said. "I never should have—"
"Bess, you were told to simply make your apology. Rosie's parents do not wish to hear your pitiful excuses. You will march yourself down to Master Marshall's office and give him the note I wrote out. Afterwards, you will return to this office so that I may off
er you additional incentive to remind you of our rules. I suggest you don't dawdle as I will be waiting with cane in hand. Now, go." Bess actually curtsied, and then ran from the room. "Does that satisfy you, Sir?" Mr. Collins went on. "I assure you that, after the Master of the Masters gets through with our Bess, and I give her a half dozen strokes with one of my rods of correction, she will never again pull such a stunt."
Grant stood and shook the man's hand. "Thank you, Mr. Collins. After speaking with you and seeing that you seem well equipped to deal with a naughty girl, I'm sure we are leaving the matter in very capable hands. Now, if you'll excuse us, there is a very naughty Little girl waiting for some much needed discipline."
Valerie thanked him as well, her face showing how lucky she felt not to be experiencing one of the Principal's rods being applied across her own backside.
Mr. Collins watched as the couple left his office. He smiled, knowing that despite the fact that Nanny Bess was sure to return to him with a well-seared backside, she'd find herself bent across his desk to receive another dose from him as well. As he walked to the rack to choose an appropriate instrument he chuckled, swishing the cane he had selected through the air and imagining its crack against Bess's already reddened ass. Disciplining a wide variety of employees—as well as hundreds of Littles—throughout his tenure was just one of the many delightful perks of his job, and he wouldn't trade it for any position outside the Castle's walls.
Chapter Twelve
When The Gavel Falls (Masters of the Castle) Page 50
