by Marie Hall
"Yes, yes," she screeched.
"Good." He sat back. "Do you understand why you are in the position you are?"
"I am not sorry for what I said. I will not apologize," Io stated boldly.
"Io, you have no idea what you will or will not do." When she turned to look back at him, he carefully and gently brushed her hair from her face.
"I am not sorry," she said again.
"For what you said in the hall, no I do not believe you are." He turned his head and looked at her rosy backside. "For trying to leave the safety of this house, in the dark…" He took a deep breath and let it out with a heavy sigh. "For this you will indeed be sorry." When he looked, her expression made him want to laugh. She thought her mistake was reacting to his mother's continued insults. He couldn't blame her although she might need more instruction about protocols. "And your language, Io, we will address that as well." He saw her swallow hard.
She looked away. "What would you have me do?"
"I would have you give me the opportunity to make things right?" He took another deep breath and released it.
"It did not seem you would."
"Why; because I did not berate my mother in the hall? Should I perhaps carry you to the hall to finish this?"
"No," she gasped.
"No." He moved his hand to the back of her smooth thigh and let it ride up stopping where thigh became arse. "I have told her she needs to respect you as lady in this house. Mother is difficult. She does not take commands from anyone, especially her children."
"She has been at me for weeks. I do not want to hear anymore," Io confessed.
"Io, neither do I." His thumb brushed the curve of her arse, already the color he raised fading. "However, Io, you made your first, only, option to leave, and not just leave the hall." She shook her head and he felt her body jerk with what he thought to be sobs but her hand covered her mouth. She always did that. He could make her scream like she was being murdered when he punished her and she rarely tried to muffle the noise, but she always did her best to cry as silently as possible. "Io, speak to me." She said something he couldn't understand with her hand covering her mouth. "Io." He conveyed his growing impatience in his voice.
"What if… if she is correct?"
"Mother? Correct about what?"
She sniffed and gulped for air several times. "That I am not…" She took a sharp breath. "Good enough to—"
"For the love of peace, Io," Xavier cut her off. "Did we not have this discussion? I find you satisfactory in everything. And Mother certainly doesn't decide what is good for me. I decide. You are the best I could ever hope for; beyond what I could have hoped for."
Io nodded but a sob slipped out. Xavier sat back, shoved her legs off spread his apart and placed Io so she sat on his left knee. He put both his arms around her pleased when she put her arms around his neck and set her head on his shoulder. He let her sit like that for a while before he shifted and forced her to sit up.
Taking hold of her chin he met her eyes with a serious look. "I understand you are frustrated. I am doing what I can to end the discourse. My mother is difficult to deal with and I have never dealt well with her." He smoothed his hand over the back of her head and felt her sigh.
"I do not know what to do." She sighed again.
"Neither do I. But it is not acceptable for you to run from the safety this house provides you." He shook his head at her. "You do not know what it is like out there, Io. You have not ever had to care for yourself completely." She opened her mouth to protest. "No, Io, do not try to argue this. You may be able to do much on your own, I do not deny this. But no matter your understanding of how independent you are, you have never had to be completely responsible. They were terrible houses and careless people, but you had them and they knew if harm came to you, they would suffer. It is not the same as being completely and totally on your own. Few survive for very long." Xavier brushed his thumb over her cheek. Io might not want to hear this given how capable she truly was. Although he'd great confidence in her abilities to meet most of her own needs, she hadn't been put to the test. Everything she dealt with was a matter of a choice made. He couldn't take the risk; if she was given no choice, she'd come to harm. "I am not going to allow you to walk away from a small problem into a situation which could be dangerous." When she tried to look away he forced her to bring her eyes back to his. When she couldn't look away, she closed her eyes. "Io." He brushed his knuckles over her jaw.
"Yes."
"Do you understand?" She sniffed and nodded. "Io." he drug out her name a little.
"I understand."
"Then let's be done with this." He gave her a little nudge and she stood. He followed, grabbing her back when she started for the door. "No Io." He placed her facing the bench. "Not so easy, bend." He pointed to the seat.
"Xavier." She gave him a pleading look. "I would not have left, I was angry."
"Io, tell me why I punish you." Xavier waited. Io's shoulders slumped. She dropped her chin to her chest and heaved a put upon sigh.
"You punish me because you want me to think before I act or speak, to make decisions which are sound and correct. To control myself." She sighed again and went on. "You want me to have the ability to control the situation with reason and logic not emotion."
Even after a year Xavier was amazed at Io's gift of recall. If she heard or read something, she didn't forget, could repeat it word for word. He pointed to the bench again. "Bend." Io bent at the waist and set her hands flat on the wood. From one of the many hooks on the wall Xavier's pulled a paddle. The heavy wood was well worn, smooth with five holes punched through.
Xavier took hold of her gown raising the material over her back but not letting it slide forward over her head. Stepping to Io's left side he rested the paddle against her round arse. "Listen to me, Io," Xavier said sternly. "Are you listening?"
"Yes."
"Why are you being punished?" he asked to make sure he gave Io the lesson he intended.
"I reacted with too much emotion and thought to try and leave the house."
"And…"
"And?" She thought a moment. "I used some poor words."
"You will get twelve, Io, for being careless and four more for language."
"Xavier," she whined and flexed her knees to take her bottom out of range.
"Would you prefer twenty?" She gasped and straightened her legs returning to position. "Io you will ask me for each stroke. You will ask me and give thanks and you will count each." He'd never done this. Unlike the various implements he'd at hand in the house, this one would be harsher. Her voice and her ability to speak would tell him if it became too harsh. He already knew she'd yell, scream and cry. She did even if he used his hand. He also knew she'd a fair tolerance and, to make an impression, he needed to add something to each stroke. Making her ask, thank him and count would make this a solid lesson.
"Xavier, I cannot." Io sounded confused.
"You can, you will and if you do not, the stroke will not count." He spread his feet, rotated his shoulder and gripped the handle firmly. "Io."
"Xavier, I do not know, I… Please?" Io finished.
Xavier drew back his arm and brought the implement down. Io's flesh flattened except where skin was drawn through the holes. He pulled back and watched her arse rebound then turn bright red. Io took in a sharp breath then screeched. Her breath came in gasps. Xavier gave her only a moment. "Io, if you do not count and give thanks that stroke will not count."
She sucked in air then gasped out, "One. Thank you."
"Ask for the next one, Io."
"I… I… Another, please," she managed.
He was impressed but didn't make the next stroke easier. She squealed then sobbed. "Two, thank you. Another please." He didn't make her wait; the third time the paddle cracked down it was over the fullest part of her arse and caused her to rise up on her toes. "Xavier. Stop please," she begged shifting about to ward off the pain.
"No, and that does not count." H
e landed another in the exact same place.
Io screamed loud and Xavier's horse stomped in his stall in protest. "Thr… three, thank you…" she sobbed, "please… please another."
Xavier delivered the next one lower. Io's legs shook and she bent her knees until they touched the bench. Xavier placed the edge of the paddle at the underside of her arse, lifting, to encourage her to get back into place.
"Four," she cried out, "thank you." Time passed and Io still hadn't requested the next stroke. Xavier waited as she collected herself. He was going to tell her the last one hadn't counted when she spoke. "Xavier… a… a… another." Xavier put some pressure at her back to force her arse a little higher then he smacked the board down. Io shook. "Five, thank you, another please." Xavier obliged her and landed the next even lower. "Six, thank you, another please." Her 'please' seemed more a plea to stop but she said what was expected.
Xavier aimed for the underside of her arse. He cracked it down and Io's whole body went forward over the bench. She wailed and trembled. Xavier wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her against his hip to keep her up.
She tried several time to get the words out but didn't quite manage. Xavier accepted the garbled message and again his target was the very tender area below the curve of her arse.
Again all she managed was some snarled version and again Xavier accepted it, this time though he made his target the fuller part of her arse and he didn't put as much force behind the swing. Io couldn't have found much reprieve. All she could manage was a steady howl. Tears mixed with snot and salvia. Her attempt to draw in a breath to speak made her choke. Xavier held her steady and waited.
"Halfway, Io." His words were crushing. She began to cry body racking sobs the way she did when she was reaching her tolerance. "Let us get through. You need not say anything." Gripping her waist firmly enough she was pulled up on her toes, Xavier lifted the paddle bringing it down with half the force he'd used prior. He took no time to repeat the action four more times taking the total to the twelve he'd deemed she earned for trying to leave. "Io, you will not walk away from the safety of this house." Xavier didn't expect a response and he didn't wait for one. The last four blows all landed on the tender spot that was both arse and thigh. "Io, you will mind your language."
Setting the paddle on the bench, he pulled Io against him. Holding her up, he rocked her a little from side to side. She tried to pull away and then to slide to the ground, but he didn't give up. He kept her standing, all her weight supported by him as she cried. She took her time calming down. Xavier did nothing to speed her along. He never did, she accepted the punishment. She earned the right to whatever expression of her physical and emotional pain for however long she needed to express such.
It was Xavier's horse who brought her around. The animal stuck his big head over the wall again and nickered, stretching towards them. A trained warhorse, he'd stomped, kicked and charge over people without balking. When Io was near, he might as well be a lap dog. Io turned to look back at the horse picking up her hand to reach towards it before turning her face back against Xavier's chest and clutching his shirt. He felt her shift, standing more on her own.
"Between us, this is settled, Io." Xavier brushed her hair from her face and used his thumb to wipe away tears still slipping down her face. "No more running. No more vile language. You will give me the opportunity to deal with Charlotte." She took several deep breaths then tilted back her head to look up at him. Gently, he put a hand on either side of her face. Lowering his head and watching her closely for clues. He saw her eyes drift closed and when their lips met, Io's hands slid up and wound around his neck. "Io," Xavier called in a husky whisper. She leaned in and it was all the encouragement Xavier needed. He took her mouth in a hard, deep, passionate kiss. The kind of kiss he longed for these past days. They broke apart when the need to breath forced them. Xavier hugged her once more then set her away.
"Are you ready to go back?" It was dark and the night air was cool; he wanted her inside. And although he'd no confidence he'd convince her to, Io hadn't eaten.
"I must?" She sagged against him for a moment then stepped back.
"Yes," he picked up the blanket paddle and hung it back on its hook. The matter was settled between him and his wife. Between his wife and his mother, that needed to be worked out.
"I do not want to." She moved to the stall giving the animal the attention he desired. "Not with your mother there."
"Io, this is your home; are you going to be so easily chased from it?" He was disappointed and concerned. He didn't want Io to feel she was unwelcomed. She'd lived her entire life that way. Her answer was to shrug. "She is not going to be here long." He took her hand and brought to his lips. "You can manage to be polite for the time." The letter would go out with the first light, and he wouldn't discourage her in her efforts to avoid Charlotte.
"I am the only one who must be polite?" Bitterness dripped from the statement.
"Because you are mistress here, you set the example. Yes." Xavier pulled her closer. "I will speak with her. I will make it clear her place in the house." He started them back.
She sighed but fell in step. They made it back and like he predicted, Io wouldn't eat. She went straight to her apartments while Xavier went to find his mother and make sure she understood he expected she give Io the respect due her as his wife. Her response was less than reassuring, almost hostile. Other than getting her from his home as soon as possible, he wasn't sure what else he could do.
Chapter Five
Io heaved an exhausted, satisfied sigh and lifted the basket from the cart. The poor overburdened goat bleated happily to be done with the day's labor. Io reached in and pulled a turnip from the collection of edibles she'd gathered and gave it to him before heading inside the kitchens. The variety she managed should make the next several meals more pleasant. She didn't usually bother to be so thorough, but another week of listening to those women was enough. Tonight there should be nothing to fault. Io ordered a variety of meats to be served and the vegetables, nuts, fruits and berries should suit all tastes. There'd be enough to make the meal spread far. No one would be hungry and Io was pleased with that more than anything.
"Io?" Amy called as if she was surprised to find Io in the kitchens.
"I have brought the rest of the food." Io swung the baskets onto the table. "Now let her complain."
"Io." Amy nodded her head to a point just past Io.
Turning, Io almost fell over. "What are you doing in these kitchens?" she said sharply, already pointing to the doors. "You were relieved of this duty and told to stay out."
"The lady of the house did not agree." Hester's sneering voice grated.
"I am lady in this house." Io fought to keep her fists balled at her side rather than send one into the crass female's face. Hester was head in the kitchens when Io arrived. The woman was no good. She was lazy, dishonest and when she was called out, she took out her disgrace and anger on others in brutal fashion. Io's first official move was to rid the house of Hester's tyrannical tendencies.
"Seems you are not." Hester brushed at her skirts.
"What things seem to you, hardly matter. I am lady here and you are not to be in this kitchen." Io pulled herself to her full height, still a head shorter than Hester. "Get out. Go back to the wool sheds, least you find yourself liming the jakes."
"Perhaps you should make sure you have such authority… Io."
The statement was odd. How could she, the lord's wife, not have the authority to direct who worked in the kitchens? All such matters fell under Io's jurisdiction and Xavier told her to handle matters as she saw fit. Io was about to reissue the order for the woman to leave when she was interrupted.
"What is going on?" Io cringed at the sound. She put on a nice smile and turned to face Lady Charlotte. "I asked a question," the woman said stepping up to the table to see what Io brought in. She lifted some carrots, her lip curling into a sneer.
"It is no matter, Lady," Io polity sai
d. "Some confusion over duties."
"There should be no confusion." She stepped to Hester and handed her a rolled parchment. "Here is the rest of the menu, see to it."
"Yes, my lady." Hester took the parchment and curtseyed but she met and held Io's eyes. The sting of defeat struck hard.
"You should leave. I do not want to have any distractions to my staff," Lady Charlotte said as she turned and stepped out of the kitchens. Io stared after her.
"Io, the lord gave her the kitchens this morning and she changed it back the way she had it, including having Hester set back as Mistress," Amy warned.
Io shook her head. She couldn't have heard correctly or she didn't understand what was said. She turned, snatched the parchment from Hester then followed Lady Charlotte out. She caught up to the woman halfway between the kitchen and the house.
"Lady Charlotte." Io hurried her step to get in front and force the woman to stop. "Have you decided to hire, from this house, to make you more comfortable?" She chose her words carefully. There was no one close who Io might say was witness and the woman had no qualms about telling tales to Xavier.
Lady Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Stupid girl. I do not hire people who already must work for me."
"You have some prior arrangement with Hester? Because her duties as set by me are essential. Should she have a commitment which will take her from those duties…"
"You are stupid. What my son sees in you." She shook her head. "Then again perhaps he is coming to his senses as he turned the running of the house over to me."
Io's knees weakened she stayed up by sheer will. "He most certainly did not." Io wouldn't believe it. Xavier wouldn't do that. He told her repeatedly this house would be hers to run, her responsibility. He repeated the claim a week ago as he punished her for thinking to leave.
"You did not really think my son would continue to allow you to shame him with your incompetence. Truly the only thing you are so far satisfying in is spreading your legs and soon he should be willing to replace you in even that." Lady Charlotte turned up her nose and pushed past Io.
