Blushing Cheeks Volume Two Page 3

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  “My goodness what a scandal you’ve caused,” Sarah said at breakfast the next morning. She had a lineup of gossip sheets by her elbow. I would say she was angry about what she was reading but truthfully I think she was thrilled that I was the focus of attention. It would make her all the more attractive to members of the ton.

  “Listen to this,” she said to no one in particular. Raymond was eating his toast, his mind not on what his wife was saying.

  “Which lovely widow, who never made it to her wedding bed, attracted the attention of one of the ton’s most eligible bachelors during a stellar extravaganza at his home yesterday eve? The young miss, resplendent in a sparkling gown of red cut low and revealing, even made it into the gardens with the handsome Lord. The obviously smitten host also rescued the pretty young lady from a battle of wits with another of his female guests who dared to use the M word where the young lady was concerned.”

  Sarah took a drink of tea and cleared her throat before she continued. “If Lord E plans to continue his pursuance of the young lady perhaps he should make sure that he doesn’t go onto any rooftops with her.”

  She slapped the paper down on the table and began to laugh. “My goodness Charlotte what ever did you say to the ‘other female guest?’ And who was it?”

  I took a bite of my eggs and tried not to grimace. “Lady Chesterfield seems to think I’m a hussy who shouldn’t be allowed back into society.”

  Sarah’s smile disappeared. “My goodness, Charlotte, you fought with Lady Chesterfield? She is one of the most influential persons in society. We will we banned from every affair in London. Perhaps we could make some amends somehow. Raymond, what are you thoughts on the matter?”

  Raymond grunted and continued to eat his breakfast. It was obvious he could care less about Lady Chesterfield. Or the fact that the gossip sheet had practically said I’d pushed Barnard off the rooftop.

  “I’m going shopping with Layla,” I announced. “I will take tea at her house. I have also declined the Smyth’s party tomorrow, and am attending a play with Geoffrey Edwards on Saturday.”

  I stood and straightened my skirts. “If you will excuse me, I will see you later this evening.”

  I left without giving Sarah a chance to answer. I knew she was angry about Lady Chesterfield but I was also sure she would fight her way back from the setback. Sarah would never give up. Just like I would never give in to Lord Essex.

  **********

  By three p.m. I had ordered ten new dresses in varying vivid colors. Of course I had purchased matching slippers, bags and undergarments. Layla and I had been talked about in every store we entered. For once no one was overly rude, which surprised me. But we were certainly the center of attention.

  Shopkeepers were happy to see me arrive. I was so tired of black that I went overboard. When teatime came at four p.m. Layla and I retired to her home, laughing and gossiping the entire time.

  “Did you see Lady Ingle look at you while they were fitting you for that peacock blue dress? It was obvious that she wanted it, but she wouldn’t be caught dead wearing something you would wear, if you pardon the pun.”

  We dissolved into laughter as we sank onto the couch in her study.

  “Lord Essex will love you in the blue,” Layla said, gasping for air. “Perhaps you should wear it on the night he takes your maidenhead.”

  I had tried not to think of Lord Essex all day. But unfortunately I had failed. Each dress I had purchased I’d wondered what he would think. Would he like the color? The cut? Would he appreciate the matching corsets and petticoats?

  I shook my head vigorously. “Lord Essex will not take my maidenhead. And I have no plans for a tryst. I’m going to the theater with Geoffrey Edwards Saturday evening. Are you and Martin attending the play?”

  Layla stared at me, a cucumber sandwich halfway to her mouth. “You’re joking, right? Geoffrey Edwards? Over Lord Essex? Have you lost your mind?”

  “I would have to say she has,” Lord Essex replied from the doorway. “I very nicely asked Mrs. Hudson to have tea with my aunt and myself today and she missed the appointment. So I had to track her down.”

  He stepped into the room with Martin right behind him. “I must say Lady Thomas you look very lovely.” Essex kissed her outstretched hand and I could do nothing but outstretch my own. He kissed it gently and then gave me a wicked smile that only I could see. That smile clearly said that he had won, and would continue winning until he got what he wanted.

  Layla was staring at me with her mouth open. “Charlotte, why did you not tell me you were to have tea with Lord Essex? Milord, please forgive me. If I had known....”

  Lord Essex cut her off with a wave of his hand. “Lady Thomas, please, call me George. And of course I know you didn’t know. It’s Mrs. Hudson, Charlotte, who is playing hard to get. But I do love a challenge.”

  He sat down and helped himself to a plate, which he proceeded to heap with sandwiches and cakes. A maid brought in two new cups, giving Lord Essex a shy look as she placed a cup in front of him. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his long legs at the ankles and digging into his food.

  “George came by early this afternoon looking for you two,” Martin said. “Seems he went by the Hudson home to offer his carriage for the tea engagement and was informed that Charlotte was not there. We’ve been waiting for you for several hours.”

  Layla gave me a look that caused me to cringe. She was very angry with me. If she knew what I knew, however, she would understand why I was working to stay away from Lord Essex.

  I looked at him and felt my stomach muscles tighten as they had the night before. I saw Amelia’s reddened bottom. I heard the leather swishing through the air. I heard its popping noise as it hit, her cry of pain and then her apology for breaking the rules. The palms of my hands began to sweat.

  “I apologize, Lord Essex,” I whispered, trying to think of a quick excuse. “But I thought that perhaps after seeing the gossip sheets this morning you would rescind the invitation.”

  He popped a cake into his mouth and swallowed quickly. “Nonsense, Mrs. Hudson. A few words do not bother me. In fact I found them quite amusing.”

  He wiped his hands on a napkin and took a drink of tea. “Those few words seem to have had quite an effect on society’s hostesses. When I went by the Hudson’s this morning Mrs. Hudson, the elder Mrs. Hudson, was eagerly going through a plethora of invitations that you have received, not the least of which was to the Ellington crush this evening. I promised Mrs. Hudson that we would leave around eight. I hope that time is good for you, Mrs. Hudson. Or should I call you Charlotte, to make things simpler? All these Mrs. Hudsons are making my head swim.”

  He laughed and popped another cake into his mouth. There was no way I could refuse. He had already made the arrangements with Sarah. If I backed out now there would be serious questions raised about my sanity.

  “And now, Charlotte, I will carry you home in my carriage so you can prepare for this evening.” He stood and offered me his hand. I stood and took it.

  Once we were inside his carriage he gave me a cold stare. “I am not used to having my orders disobeyed Charlotte.”

  I looked out the window and saw that the carriage was not headed toward my home.

  “Tell the driver to take me home,” I whispered.

  “Not quite yet,” he said. “You have a spanking coming to you and it will be delivered this afternoon.”

  I stared out the window. I knew we would be at Lord Essex’s house in a few short minutes. I weighed my options. I could scream and cry for help, attracting the attention of everyone on the street. That would cause quite a stir in the gossip sheets.

  I could run the moment we pulled up but I had little doubt that Lord Essex would follow me and bring me back to his house by force. I could sit inside but I also had little doubt that he would pick me up and carry me inside. Or I could calmly walk inside.

  I looked at Lord Essex. The determined look wa
s still upon his face.

  “I know what you are thinking Charlotte.” His voice was soft but firm. “I know that you think someone on the street will help you escape your punishment but I can assure you that is not the case. You would do better to walk inside the house on your own. If you choose not to you can be assured that I will carry you inside.”

  I wondered what kind of scene that would cause. The gossip sheets would be full the next day.

  I straightened my head and looked him square in the eyes. “Very well, I will go into your home. But you should know that I will not submit to a spanking. You have no authority over me.”

  He didn’t respond. Instead we stepped from the carriage and went into the house. Several people were on the street, looking at us as we went inside. I knew the gossip would be flying by the beginning of the Ellington crush tonight.

  He told the butler that he “didn’t want to be disturbed,” and then headed toward the room where Amelia had received her spanking.

  I stepped over the threshold and he shut the door, shucking his coat and vest and rolling up his shirtsleeves. He leaned against the table and crossed his arms across his chest.

  “Now, Charlotte, you have control over how the spanking proceeds from here. We have little time, so if you obey my orders and take what is coming to you we can finish this part in short time.”

  “What do you mean by ‘this part?’” My voice quivered a bit.

  Lord Essex smiled. “You will receive a small spanking this afternoon, forty or fifty strokes.” He said it nonchalantly and I balked. Forty or fifty? Was he kidding? That was a small spanking?

  He continued, ignoring the look of disbelief on my face. “Then we will continue the rest tonight, after the Ellington party.”

  I stalled for time. “And what is the rest?”

  He plastered a wicked smile on his face. “Let’s just say that the title of ‘Virgin Widow’ will not fit you any longer.”

  Without waiting for an answer he went to the couch and sat down.

  “Come here, Charlotte, right now. If you refuse I will come after you. It will be harder for you.”

  I took a few steps and then stopped. Fear gripped my insides, but there was also something else, something I couldn’t identify. I refused to let him see me cringe. If Amelia could take it so could I. They had used leather on her and I noticed no strap. That meant he planned on using his hand. It would not be too bad.

  I stopped in front of him and he motioned me to his side.

  “Lay yourself across my lap.”

  My hands were shaking as I straightened down my skirts and lowered myself. I could feel his hard thigh pressed against my quim. His manhood was pressed against my side. It sent a chill through me.

  I started to squirm as I felt him gathering my skirts up. He intended for my bottom to be bare and I was unprepared for that. I knew that Amelia’s had been, but I hadn’t expected him to raise my skirts. I tried to stand and he used one hand to hold me down. My skirts came up above my head and I heard the material of my under-alls tearing, bearing my backside.

  “Stop that! Stop that this instance! No! No!” I could feel the cool air on my skin and moments later I felt a resounding slap, followed by four more. I tried to move but Lord Essex was holding me down.

  “This is for spying on me.” Slap, slap, slap, slap.

  Tears were stinging my eyes as I felt heat rush through my exposed bum. I also felt a warming in my quim, something I had never felt before.

  Slap, slap, slap, slap, slap.

  “And this is for not following orders this afternoon.” Slap, slap, slap, slap, slap.

  I continued to squirm, begging him to stop. But I realized that each time he slapped me I was squirming to try and press my quim harder against his thigh. The pressure on my quim, coupled with the sharp slaps was producing a most enjoyable sensation.

  “Are you going to be a good little girl for me, Charlotte?” slap, slap, slap, slap. “Answer me!” Slap, slap, slap, slap.

  “Yes,” I whispered.

  Slap, slap, slap, slap.

  “Louder, and you will call me Master George when we are alone together.” Slap, slap, slap, slap. “Answer me, now!”

  “Yes, Master George, yes.”

  Slap, slap, slap, slap.

  “Yes what, Mrs. Hudson?”

  Slap, slap, slap, slap.

  “Yes, Master George, I will be a good girl.”

  Slap, slap, slap, slap.

  “You will be my good little girl, say it.”

  He slapped my bum several more times.

  I was crying now, my tears staining my cheeks. But the pressure I had been feeling in my quim had intensified. I wanted more. Much more. I found that I loved the contact with him, loved the feelings, both physical and mental, that were rolling through my body.

  “Yes, Master George, I will be your good little girl, I promise.” The words made me tingle and I moaned.

  Slap, slap, slap, slap.

  “Lift up just a little bit Charlotte, and spread your legs.”

  I did as I was told without a fuss and sighed as Lord Essex’s thumb pushed its way inside my quim. He used his other hand to rub my reddened behind and whispered for me to “relax, relax and enjoy.”

  His thumb began to move and his fingers began rubbing at the front part of my quim. A tingling sensation began to spread through my belly and I sighed through my tears.

  Slap. “Spend for me Charlotte.” Slap. “Relax and allow it to happen.” Slap. “That’s it my sweet, move your hips.” Slap.

  I was bucking myself against Lord Essex’s thumb, begging him to continue. I had never felt anything so wonderful in my entire life. He moved his fingers and slid his thumb in and out of me as he continued to slap my behind with the other hand. Moments later I cried out in pleasure and Lord Essex slapped my behind continentally until my moaning subsided. I was sobbing silently when he turned me over and gathered me in his arms, wiping away my tears.

  “Did you enjoy your first lesson Charlotte?” Without waiting for an answer he kissed me and laughed. “Of course you did. There is more to come my sweet. Just wait and see. Much more.”

  Then he stood me up and made me bend over so he could inspect my behind.

  “Very nice,” he whispered and he slapped it again, several times. “We’ll see how it looks after tonight.”

  I hiccupped as my sobbing subsided. The waves of pleasure I had felt were still rolling through my body. “I can’t take it again tonight.”

  “You forgot to say ‘Master George.’” I could hear the humor in his voice. “Obviously the first lesson didn’t take very well. We may have to repeat some of it. Don’t worry Charlotte, I will make sure you are trained properly before you are introduced at the Club.”

  “What Club?” I whispered.

  “Why The Spanking Club, of course.” And then he laughed.

  Chapter Three

  My bottom ached. I had pointedly tried not to grimace every time I sat down that evening but I knew I failed miserably.

  My peacock blue dress had arrived on time and it fit me well. On Sarah’s command my maid had tightened the laces on my corset until I had trouble breathing. My breasts were pushed up high and the low-cut dress showed them off wonderfully. The maid had ignored my reddened behind but I knew it would be the talk of the household staff.

  Lord Essex had arrived on time and our entrance at the Ellington crush caused quite a stir. Sarah loved the attention we received arriving in Lord Essex’s carriage. I had tried to melt into the woodwork but Lord Essex had pulled me close. Geoffrey Edwards had given me a look of betrayal.

  Now we were sitting at dinner. I had Lord Beaton on my left side and Lord Cannonberry on my right. Both had leaned in and kissed me on the cheek when we sat down and whispered “Welcome to the Club, Mrs. Hudson.” And our host, Lord Ellington, had also saluted me with a glass of wine. He was a widower, a very handsome man whose 20-year-old daughter Charity acted as his hostess. I wondered if s
he had done the seating arrangements, or if he had.

  What was going on? Was Lord Ellington part of these events? The trio had punished Amelia because she had broken the rules of the Club. I wondered who else was part of this Club. I looked around the table, trying to guess who else might enjoy spanking women. Lord Essex caught my eye and smiled wickedly at me. I intended to ask him these very questions tonight.

  And I felt my stomach tighten. Tonight. He was going to take my maidenhead tonight. I would get to see his manhood, which has felt so wonderful pressed against me earlier today. I blushed and looked down at my plate. When I looked back up he was still looking at me and I knew that he knew what I had been thinking about. He winked at me and turned to speak with Laura Winston, who was seated next to him.

  Was she part of the Club? How many of the women sitting at this table had their bottoms reddened on a regular basis? How many of them wiggled on Lord Essex’s lap while he played with their quim?

  My own quim ached at the thought. Although the spanking had been painful the feelings that had come with it were extraordinary. I was torn with the desire to give myself totally to Lord Essex and the desire to run as far away from him as I could.

  It was during the dancing that I received the first answer to one of my questions. Lord Essex had claimed me at the first and refused to allow me to dance with others. This caused quite a bit of gossiping among those attending. I felt particularly bad about Geoffrey Edwards. I was sure I would receive a note from him in the morning breaking our theater engagement for Saturday evening.

  After the fourth dance, Essex led us to the gardens, where he promptly headed toward the back of the house, opening the double doors that led to Lord Ellington’s study, despite my objections.

  “We can’t,” I said, pulling myself back. “Lord Ellington will be angry.” But Lord Ellington was not angry. He himself pushed open the door and ushered us inside. Lords Beaton and Cannonberry were seated on the couch.

  “Welcome, my dear,” Ellington said, kissing me lightly on the cheek and slapping me soundly on the bum. “You are very lovely. I can see why Essex set his sights on you.”