“What are considered basic tasks?”
“They aren’t explicitly listed, if that is what you are asking,” Bess stated. “The law reads that a woman must, and I quote, ‘show fluency and competency in all tasks and duties required of the attending household.’ There are no specifications.”
“My father wrote that into the law to ensure that all his needs were met when he took on apprentices. It had nothing to do with the requirements of a regular household,” Jonathon scoffed. He crossed his arms and leaned against the fireplace mantel, offering the same gesture and expression seen in his older brother. “What if that household requires that she be able to think and conduct herself as a solicitor? You can’t teach those skills here.”
“True, but…”
“There are no buts, Bess. As I said, my father wrote the laws with enough ambiguity to allow him to interpret in whatever manner was convenient for him. Without specifics, he has the freedom to draw and quarter anyone who he even remotely suspects defying his rules or failing to meet his needs.”
“He wrote it that way to entrap your mother and other women like her,” Vanessa said.
“He also forced himself upon Marie, my brother’s fiancée,” Bess added softly. “She ran away in the dead of the night and sought refuge with Harrison. Your father has threatened to silence her permanently should she dare tell anyone.”
“Dear God, is that what she was afraid to tell me?” Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears.
“Other than Lady Ansley and myself, no one knew. She told me because she knew that no one would believe me if I said anything.”
“That animal! This is the type of behavior that I fought against while in London. The politicians used their power for self-gain and rallied high profile citizens to support them against the common population. I’ve been impressing my beliefs upon Harrison that now is the time to rewrite Man’s laws so that your father and his followers are forced to stop bringing misery to the people they claim to care for.”
“I agree. They all must be stopped once and for all,” Harrison said, entering the room with his fingers gripping the back of Randolph’s jacket and then pushed him to the ground. “Apologize to the ladies before you lose another tooth!”
“It will be a cold day in hell before I apologize to either of those whores. I don’t care if they hold a title, they are nothing but cunts created to be fucked.”
“One of those women is my daughter, and the other is to be the First Lady of Man,” Sir Landers growled, pulling the man up by the coat with an unusual demonstration of strength. “Make your apologies this instant or I let Lord Harrison and his brother unleash their fists on your face. If you think that you can press charges upon them once they are done with you, I will testify that you were in a brawl with some sailors after trying to force your cock in a drunken man’s mouth.”
“Daddy!” Bess gasped, her eyes wide with shock.
“I will do anything to protect you and my family, Daughter. I’ve had enough of these pieces of shit polluting my country.”
“When you are done with your apologies, you are to gather your belongings and leave these premises. Your name is permanently blackened from this institution,” Harrison added.
“That means I can never marry!”
“No woman deserves a piss pot like you,” Vanessa snarled, her eyes narrowed as he immediately covered his crotch. “By the way, Harrison, I kicked him in the ballocks.”
“She didn’t just kick him; she made him fold to the floor and cry like a baby,” Jonathan added with a proud smile. “I like this girl of yours, Brother. You should be very proud of her.”
“I am. Keyes? This is your last chance to apologize to these ladies. I suggest that you get on with it.”
“I don’t want his apology,” Vanessa stated, standing next to Harrison and staring down at the angry little man. “I want his repentance and am confident that he is going to refuse to give it. Let your people know why he was discharged from the academy and send out the word that he is, as you stated, a predator. Also, place an order against him that if he is found abusing anyone else, that he and his family will suffer severe consequences. You would be amazed at what a family will do when they are penalized for the behavior of one of their children.”
“Brilliant idea, my love. I will do just that,” Harrison said, lifting his brow. “Bess, what is your opinion?”
“I agree with Vanessa. I don’t wish to hear anything more from him. The only benefit of forcing an apology is the humiliation he suffers, but it won’t produce change. Better to expose him to public shame. Believe me; that is a very effective punishment.”
“We have two very wise women, nephew,” Sir Landers said. “I’m in complete agreement with them both. Also, Randolph and his friends will know that it was the women who controlled his fate.”
“Get out of my site, you purulent little worm.” Harrison pointed his finger in the livid man’s face. “If I hear of your involvement in any public problems, including the harassment of any woman on this island, I will have you exported to a place where you won’t survive for more than 24 hours. Understand?”
“This might be a good time for you to consider moving out of the country, don’t you think?” Jonathan added. “I hear that a ship to Africa is at the docks and will be departing in a day or two. Offer yourself as a cabin boy and they won’t charge you for passage.”
Muttered curses were heard as the sobbing young man raced from the room. Sir Landers turned to Jonathon and held out his hand. “Welcome home, son. Ooof,” the old man grunted as he was firmly embraced. “What brought you back? We’ve all missed you so very much.”
“A sweet little bird wrote me a lovely little letter,” Jonathan chuckled gesturing towards Vanessa. “She said that my big brother needed me. I couldn’t refuse her request to return.”
“I’ve asked you to come home with every letter I wrote to you, and you said you would never set foot here again,” Harrison groused.
“Yes, but you weren’t nearly as convincing as she was. Besides, you know I can’t refuse a pretty face.”
“You didn’t even know what she looked like.”
“I knew that you would choose a woman who had both brains and beauty, and who would try to keep you out of trouble. Isn’t that right, Uncle?”
“Definitely. Incidentally, the only recent trouble that he’s in is for feeding the congregation his special caramels,” Sir Landers laughed. “As for refusing anything that Nessa asks of us, I assure you that it’s nearly impossible. This lovely young woman has managed to wrap most of us around her little finger.”
“From what Bess has told me, Harrison is completely enamored by her.” Jonathan winked at Vanessa’s reddening face. “It seems as though my dear brother has finally met his perfect match and I couldn’t be happier for either of them.”
“Indeed, I’ve met my soul mate,” Harrison said, wrapping his arm around Vanessa’s shoulder. “She has opened my eyes to things that need a change in this world, and has given me a reason to stand stronger than ever against those who seek to destroy others for wealth and power.”
“I have?”
“You have, my precious. Some things need to be repaired in our country, and I will need to depend on all you to help me. You too, Jon. We need to make some things right with our mother and earn the trust of our women.”
“You can count on all of us, Son.” Sir Landers announced.
“Thank you. The first step means finding a way to remove my father from office. Any ideas?”
“Let’s start by showing ourselves to be a cohesive group. Harrison? Would you be opposed to hosting a last-minute dinner party?” Sir Landers asked with a maniacal smile.
Chapter 15
“Poppa? Are you upset with me?” Vanessa asked as he led her to the bedroom that evening.
“Why would I be upset? My special girl brought my brother back home, emasculated one of the biggest bullies in the academy’s history, and made my mother cry
during dinner when she presented Jonathon to the table.”
“Your father was livid. He glared at me the entire time as Sir Landers shared the events of the day. I don’t understand why you had to invite him.”
“Sir Landers advised that an informal family gathering would give us the opportunity to communicate our intentions indirectly without the involvement of either the public or the parliament. My announcement that I had submitted a proclamation against Randolph Keyes, and included the same offenses that my father is guilty of, allowed us to show that he no longer has the support of a very important house and that there are no exemptions when it comes to pursuing anyone who violates the laws that he wrote. Having Mother, Marie and the three apprentices at my table also forced Father to see for himself that the witnesses against him are banding together and were no longer tolerating being intimidated into silence.”
“Ah, that explains why you had all the apprentices join us from both Sir Landers and your parents’ home. Did you just learn of what he had done to Marie and those other girls?”
“I’ve heard rumors, but none of them have ever gained the courage to say anything. My mother started turning a blind eye to it as well in fear for her self-preservation. She’s the one who is working to convince them to speak up with the promise of sanctuary.”
“Poor Marie was terrified of what you and Edward would do when you discovered the truth. I’m very proud of her for speaking up. How is Edward?”
“He’s livid, but has promised me that he will allow the law to work against my father’s crimes instead of seeking personal vengeance.”
Vanessa sighed. “I am struggling not to feel sorry for the man. Being Head of State is all he knows.”
“He doesn’t deserve your sorrow, baby. He used his power for self-gain and to cover his violations. We need only to sit back and wait to see what he will do now that he’s been discovered,” Harrison said, slowly undressing her. “I had the bath filled for you, and I don’t want to discuss my father or politics any longer. I need my little girl in my arms tonight.”
“But I’m naked,” Vanessa said, looking at the puddle of clothing the floor.
“Yes, you’re naked. Sometimes I just want to feel your body against mine without pursuing pleasure. It’s very comforting to me.”
“It is?” Her eyes widened as he spread her long hair over her shoulders and covered her breasts.
“Allow me to just take care of you tonight. I need this. It gives me a sense of peace.” He took her hand and led her into his private bathing chambers where the large tub emitted the delicate scent of Highland heather.
“I love this aroma. I can’t tell if it smells of distant flowers or a seductive musk. Either way, it smells of home. It’s so safe and warm, like you.”
“Heather is an amazing plant. It’s known to be hardy and can thrive in the poorest of conditions. Purple heather also represents admiration, beauty, and solitude,” he said, dipping his hand in the water and stirring the oil. “You are like this beautiful little flower, Nessa. You have survived so much and yet blossom with beauty and sweetness. I had this made for you. I hope you like it.”
He handed her a small ivory chest with brass bindings which housed a tiny round glass pendant sealed with a band of gold. In the center was a dried plant. “We have vials of all types of herbs and potions, but they are used and discarded. This is a piece of heather that I preserved from the sprig that I had placed in your hair on the first day that you arrived.”
“You saved it?” She held the pendant to the candlelight, profoundly touched by his sentiments.
“I did. You make me a better man and be the kind of person that you are proud to claim,” he said, holding her face in his hands. “I love you, Vanessa. Truly and deeply love you.”
Tears rose to her eyes. “You love me?”
“My life has become whole because of you. I have a true purpose and a reason for a change. One day, our daughters will have to live in the system that we create, and I want them to be eternally happy. They have a real chance now because of you.” His strong hands held her face and prevented her from looking down as she blushed, and he lightly brushed his lips over hers. “You are my Queen of Pleasure, and my heart has discovered the depths of love with you. You have created a family here, a real family. A little world of love that I never want to change.”
“This is your doing,” she said shyly as he released her face to stroke her hair. “I’ve only added my insight.”
Helping lower her body into the hot water, Harrison began to pour the fragrant liquid over her head and then massaged her scalp with his firm fingers. “Your insight means everything, but more so, your honesty and fearlessness. I’m calling the assembly together next week to petition the changing of the laws, including those that dictate the qualifications for marriage. As soon as they are approved, we are getting married.”
“You can’t change the laws to benefit yourself, Harrison. That would make you just like your father and the others who interpret them for their convenience.”
“Both my mother and Lady Bess have declared that you have shown the skills necessary for the type of household I have here. You are fair, articulate and opinionated. You know what we both like and dislike, and as First Lady, you hold an education and verbal skills that none can compare. I require a partner; not a cook, seamstress, or musician. You can balance accounts, review documents, and offer observations and suggestions better than any of the advisors that I have worked with. Plus, you are much more enjoyable to snuggle next to.”
“You don’t spank your advisors, either. If I take that position, will I be exempt from going across His Lordship’s lap?” she asked, yelping when he pinched her bottom.
“You will never be exempt. Speaking of spanking, I still have not upended you for lying to me about those water bombs.”
“I hoped that you had forgotten about those. It’s been over three weeks. The statute of limitations—”
“—doesn’t apply to disciplining a naughty backend,” Harrison finished. “You should know that I will never let go of an opportunity to roast your little bottom.”
“I thought tonight was about taking care of me and finding satisfaction in cuddling,” she reminded him.
“Blinking innocently at me doesn’t work. Haven’t you learned that paddling that backside is just one way of how I take care of you?”
“But Poppa, that’s not fair. You won’t make love to me when I’m your little girl, and spanking me without receiving pleasure leaves me feeling so empty and alone.” She feigned a sad pout.
“It’s interesting that I’ve heard those same words spoken by Marie when Edward introduced her to Poppa/Little Girl play. I’ve been doing this for far too long and am not easily swayed.”
“I’d much rather you cuddle and read a book to me.”
“I will after I take care of business. I have an impish little girl who thought it was amusing to throw pig bladders filled with cold water at her Poppa.”
“You had your shirt off and looked extremely warm while chopping all that wood. I did you a kindness to make you more comfortable. I think that instead of being spanked, I should be rewarded.”
“Doing a kindness would have mean bringing me something to drink or a wet cloth to mop off my face,” he said, pulling her out of the tub and wrapping a large towel around her slick body. “The bladder balloon hurt when it struck and left me with several bruises.”
“Oh, my poor old Poppa!”
“You don't sound very sympathetic.” He nipped the crook of her neck, making her giggle.
“That’s because I’m not feeling very sympathetic. How come you’re allowed to bite, and I’m not?”
“Because I’m in charge, and you aren’t. I do like to chew on you, though. You taste delicious,” Harrison announced, nipping her again.
“Ow! Not so hard!”
“I met the manager of the Lyceum Theater in London who was telling me about these stories he is writing about an und
ead creature that feeds off the blood of beautiful young women as he makes love to them.” His teeth nibbled on the side of her neck again. “He is going to call the main character Dracula.”
Vanessa flinched as the bite grew harder. “I’m not sure I would want to read that kind of story. It sounds frightening.”
“Mr. Stoker’s concept is brilliant and seductive. I was considering investing in the publications. I firmly believe that his stories will start a new trend, so his books will be a must for our library. But first, I wanted to investigate the appeal.”
“Stop biting me! Hey!” She erupted in a wave of chortles as he pinned her back to the bed, her arms above her head, and nipped her ribs.
“Stop chewing? That only leaves me with one other option.”
“No! No spanking!” Her shriek bounced off the walls as he easily flipped her over his lap and tossed the towel aside, leaving her damp, naked bottom at his disposal. The first clap landed squarely in the center, and she yelped with surprise. Another three swats rebounded off her soft flesh, leaving a momentary blotch of white as the impact penetrated the cheeks that were still pink from the hot bath.
“That hurts! Release me!” She wiggled and squirmed in a useless attempt to escape her roost.
“No. I’m entertaining myself here. Could you move some more? I enjoy it when you dip forward and your bottom is pointed straight up in the air and begs to be spanked.”
He ignored her protests and continued to spank her heartily. His hand smacked from left to right cheek, across the sit spots, and over the upper thighs, leaving no portion of her bottom untouched. The spanking was hard enough to sting and soon brought forth a pleasant and tantalizing warmth that left her wriggling in demand for more swats. Harrison stopped when her giggles changed to moans.
“Oh, no you don’t. You’re a little girl right now, and little girls don’t get to play grown up games.”
“Aw, Harrison!”
“We don’t call Poppa that name now, do we? Settle down.” He patted her bottom and then returned her to sit on the bed. After slipping a soft, white lacy gown over her head, he began to brush out her hair in long, smooth strokes. “My world has become so alive with you in it. I never thought that I would feel the way I do about anyone until you came alone. I can’t imagine life without you.”
His Lordship's Lap Page 20
