His Lordship's Lap Read online

  Groaning, Vanessa threw a pillow over her head. “The sun isn’t even up yet. When did we arrive?”

  “It was in the wee hours and the sun’s been up for a while.” The young woman chuckled. “Did you have a good journey?”

  “They drugged me, didn’t they?”

  “You were given herbs to help you relax, nothing more. The sea is very rough this time of year, and His Lordship wanted you to be comfortable.”

  “I suppose I should be grateful,” Vanessa grumbled, tossing the pillow aside and pulling herself to a sitting position. “My body feels as though it’s covered with bruises and I’ve hardly eaten anything due to the movement of the carriage, train and boat. Other than those minor details, the trip was quite enlightening. I don’t think that I have seen so much rain as I have these last few days.”

  “Rain is a blessing and one that we thoroughly enjoy. We make good use of it here.”

  “It is also a much cooler weather than that which I am accustomed. Does it get any warmer?” Vanessa asked, rubbing her icy hands together and trying to keep her teeth from chattering as she gathered the bed coverings around her.

  “Just a bit. But the good news is that it doesn’t get much colder either,” the servant said cheerfully. “I will make sure to put extra wood on your fire if you’d like. We have coal stoves as well, but His Lordship prefers ambiance and the scent of pine when possible. He says that it adds to the sense of being home."

  Vanessa frowned. An attentive maid would have seen to her comfort before she had even asked, and would have responded immediately to her shivering. “Additional warmth from a coal stove would be appreciated, thank you. I certainly wouldn’t want to be a burden.”

  Her sarcasm was lost on the chipper girl. “It’s no burden at all! I just need to have a man bring up the coal for you. Oh yes, before I forget, His Lordship commands that you dress immediately and join him for the morning meal. He’s been waiting for you and is starting to get grumpy. That man is impossible if he hasn’t eaten.”

  “He commands? I think not. You may tell His Lordship that the lady of this house responds to requests if appropriate manners are applied. I do not respond to orders.”

  The servant paled and shook her head. “No, Miss! I can’t deliver a message like that to the master. No.”

  “Are you a servant of this house?”

  “I'm an apprentice, Miss,” came the muffled answer as she shuffled her feet back-and-forth, looking at the ground with tear-filled eyes.

  “Even an apprentice would be aware that your master and I are betrothed. Am I correct?”

  “Yes, Miss.”

  “That would, therefore, make me the lady of this manor. Does it not?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Please excuse me.” The girl bolted from the room as fast as her legs could carry her. Shaking her head, Vanessa began to pillage through the large room in search of appropriate clothing. Finding nothing befitting an adult, she donned a simple dark blue frock, black stockings, and freshly cleaned black travel boots. A boar’s bristle hairbrush perched on the top of her dressing table served the purpose of adjusting her hair into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. This she bound with a delicate lace snood found tucked behind some undergarments in a drawer. Lifting her chin, Vanessa escorted herself down the lofty stairwell and followed the sounds to the dining area. The room grew silent upon her entry with the three female servants stopping dead in their tracks to stare at her.

  “Miss! You can’t appear before His Lordship in this manner,” Marie said in a panic.

  “Take your hands from me,” Vanessa slapped the fingers from her hair. “If your master takes issue with how I tend to my appearance, then he may discuss it with me in private.”

  “And he shall,” a deep voice said from behind her. The three other women dropped into deep courtesy before the intimidating figure. Vanessa eyes slowly traveled from the slender torso, up to the broad chest and square shoulders, finally ending with the steel gray eyes and smoky lashes framed by a darkly tanned and incredibly handsome face.

  “Miss Pankhurst, welcome to your new home,” he said, lifting her hand to kiss the back of her knuckles. “I hope you found your journey comfortable?”

  He was a handsome devil with unmistakable charm, but that did not help her forget the fact that she was a consensual prisoner. “It was uncomfortably satisfactory, thank you. What are you doing?” She pulled away from his hands.

  “I’m releasing this beautiful head of hair from the ugly confinement. Much better,” he announced, spreading the long soft waves over her shoulders. He plucked a sprig of heather from the vase on the table and gently wove it behind her ear. “You are such a lovely creature, Vanessa. You appear uncomfortable with my observation. Why is that?”

  She stepped away from him and twisted her hair to return it to the snood. “I am no creature, nor is beauty an attribute of which I choose to associate, Mr. Ansley.”

  “You may call me Harrison in the presence of others.”

  “I shall speak to you as polite society dictates, Mr. Ansley. I’ll also wear my hair as I please.”

  “Girls? Stop gaping and serve the meal.” Harrison snapped his fingers. “When you are done, you may go down to the public baths until it’s time for the midday meal if you like. Yes, Marie?”

  Vanessa’s maid stepped forward, her lip quivering as she presented a small curtsy and looked up into her master’s stern face. “Please, Sir, I mean no harm, but the lady has not rested from her trip nor has she eaten. Her life is so much different than what she is accustomed, and she is away from home and …” Her voice trailed off as the man's face grew stern.

  “Are you interfering again, my dear? This transgression continues to rear its ugly little head with you, doesn’t it?” Harrison tilted her chin to look at him.

  “Yes, sir, Your Lordship.”

  “What have I told you regarding this habit?”

  “That it displeases you greatly because it questions your decisions. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but Miss Vanessa needs someone to teach her.”

  Harrison sighed deeply and placed his index finger to her lips. “I can’t keep repeating myself and offering unlimited forgiveness when you continue to intervene after I have specifically instructed otherwise. You know what this means.”

  Marie burst into tears and grabbed his hand. “Please don’t send me back. I could not bear the shame. I beg you! I will do anything, I swear!”

  Harrison frowned and leaned forward to kiss Marie’s smooth, tear-stained cheek. “I would never send you back for such a correctable mistake. However, you will be punished this time. Very severely.”

  “You will do no such thing, Harrison Ansley!” Vanessa shouted, shoving herself between the large man and the maid. She pointed her finger directly at his face. “You came to my rescue without my request and still expected me to appreciate your interference. This girl did the same because she saw that I was unjustly treated by you. You are a hypocritical—”

  “Guard your tongue!” His voice roared, his eyes fixed on Vanessa. “You will not contradict my decisions in the presence of others. Should you desire to discuss an issue, you may do so in private by excusing yourself and politely asking to have a word alone with me. Understood?”

  “You arrogant, overbearing prick!”

  “Miss, please!” the maid cried, grabbing Vanessa’s arm. “He’s a good man and doesn’t deserve being spoken to with disrespect. He’s not like the others. Please do as he requests.”

  “Punishing someone for standing up against wrongdoings or in someone else’s defense is unjust and does not represent a man worthy of respect. He even said much the same thing when he rebuked the Prime Minster in my defense.”

  “There will be no more talk of this. Vanessa. You don’t know our ways, nor are you familiar with me. Marie, you’re to meet me in my office immediately after the meal.”

  “Your office?” Marie looked terrified.

  “Yes, my office.” He smiled. �
�Relax. I am just going to give you my new instructions and the expectation regarding your duties. You are to be Lady Vanessa’s personal maid as she requires.”

  “Sir?” The brown eyes widened. “But I’m not adequately trained to care for real ladies. I don’t know what to do.”

  “I’m certainly Vanessa will instruct you. In turn, you are to educate her in the things that I cannot and assist her so that she can be happy and feel safe here. She needs a friend, and I am entrusting you with this duty.”

  Vanessa scowled at the man. “Why did you lead her to believe that she would be punished? That is cruel.”

  “This is punishment. I doubt that you’ll be a willing or compliant pupil. I also believe that the demands placed upon a lady’s maid will be much greater than those that she performs at the moment. Further,” he leaned into her, “I am considering allowing her to receive the same disciplinary actions as you if you intentionally choose to make mistakes out of spite.”

  “Don't you dare even consider just an action! You will also know that I am neither a spiteful woman nor a child and that I expect you to address me as an educated and intelligent woman.”

  “You are a child,” the man said matter-of-factly. “An impertinent, spoiled, and incorrigible child.”

  Vanessa sneered, adding “Since you wish to repeat the words of the prime minister, then you need to include that I am also a little cunt.”

  Harrison’s eyes darkened as he grabbed her jaw firmly in his hand. “You will never again say that word about yourself or another. Understand?”

  “You’re hurting me.” She jerked away. “You quoted the same person as I did.”

  “I was repeating the words that I have seen as true. You have much to learn before you are considered to be an adult in this country, young lady. Sit down and eat your meal. Marie?”

  “Yes, Your Lordship?”

  “I want my lady to fatten up a bit. She’s lovely but much too slender.”

  “Yes, sir. I will let Cook know immediately.”

  “I'm not too slender,” Vanessa argued. She lifted a cup of tea to her lips and locked a hateful stare to her future spouse. Once the maids were gone, she opened her mouth to share a piece of her mind but was bluntly intercepted.

  “I understand that after you had arrived at the inn, you took a stroll. Weren’t you instructed to remain in your chambers?”

  “I’ve been barred up in that carriage without room to stretch for hours. Even a dog is allowed out of its kennel now and then.”

  “You have quite the bitter character and ill-temper, don’t you?” the man questioned, crossing his arms while leaning back in his chair.

  “I speak my thoughts. That does not mean that I am either ill-tempered or bitter.”

  “We’re certainly going to have an exciting life with one another, don’t you agree? I do think it’s important that some rules are established right away to keep peace in this house. Before you protest,” he said, raising his hand. “I will make a promise to you that you will never come to harm when you are under the protection of my roof. I will never take you by force nor shall I raise my hand to you for discipline on any part of your body other than what nature and God intended.”

  “You would dare strike me?”

  “Only on your naughty bottom.” The corners of his eyes crinkled.

  Vanessa’s mouth hung open. “Are you suggesting that you intend to spank me?”

  “Yes, and I suspect that a spanking will be a frequent occurrence if either your bad attitude and surly disposition continues on its course. There is nothing that can redirect a path of mischief than a hot, red backside.”

  “That is barbaric!”

  “Britain has been disciplining children in this manner since the beginning of its history, is that not true? It grieves me that many ignorant men have taken to beating and abusing their children, servants, and wives and that no fundamental regulations or consequences to destructive actions had ever been established. In Man, the disciplinarians are educated in technique, care and nurturing. We have virtually no crime; all domestic problems are essentially nonexistent, and the people are genuinely happy.”

  “Is that what the women here are trained to tell the man to prevent further beatings?” she hissed.

  “Our accountability to one another is high. If the husband of one wife suspects wrongdoings to another man’s wife, he can bring her husband to question.”

  “Wouldn't this action make the offender angry so that she is beaten further?”

  “We believe that calling to question protects our wives, children, the country and ourselves.”

  “What if the woman refuses to be treated with this indignity and humiliation? What if she refuses this so-called discipline?”

  “By law, the only refusal a woman can offer is for her physical safety which must be verified by a physician. Like the parental authority is absolute over a child, so is the wedded man’s authority over his wife.”

  “This entire philosophy is absurd. You claim that you won’t force yourself on me yet, in the same breath, you said that there exists a law supporting the use of force to gain my obedience.”

  “You will understand in time. You’re—”

  “A woman. And women are obviously incapable of learning without being thrashed.”

  “I was going to say that you are a foreigner and unaccustomed to our culture. Now, little one, back to the issue of your disobedience. It's not ever to happen again. Am I understood?”

  “I refuse to allow you to dictate my every breathing moment, Mr. Ansley.”

  “Come with me,” the man said, standing quickly and snatching her by the wrist with an unbreakable hold. With long, strong strides, he pulled Vanessa to a fast trot behind him, holding her upright to keep her from stumbling. Opening the door to the study, he pulled her inside and then sat her firmly upon the couch. He looked down at her smirking face and pointed his finger.

  “I will tell you this away from the servants’ hearing to spare you undue embarrassment. According to the agreement that I made with the prime minister and his Cabinet, you cannot return to Britain without the pleasure of my company. That means that you are stuck with me, whether you like it or not. It would behoove you to make the best of it and not try to make me regret this undertaking.”

  “What if I returned without you?”

  “They consider you a dissenter and would make immediate plans to either put you in jail or into an asylum.”

  “What? Speaking truth is neither illegal nor evidence for insanity.”

  “Public embarrassment to a prideful, arrogant, and foolish man like the prime minister is the only way to cause real damage. You're a smart girl and knew that fact.” He tapped her on the temple.

  “So what of it? He and his followers were stealing money and goods from the poor. They blackmailed people with the threat of losing their jobs. They have access to printing presses and reporters and use the media to cause people harm so that they might line their pockets. They are the ones who should be in jail.”

  “I agree, but they have the power to cause harm to whoever disagrees with them and will not hesitate to use that power to silence anyone who challenges them. They lure the ignorant in and make them believe that what they were doing is righteous and legal, and keep them in their control by bringing harm to people like you.” He paused for a moment. "Vanessa, their minions follow them like stupid blind sheep. These are the weak minded who are too afraid to ask questions and are too foolish to see the truth. That makes the people as dangerous as those they follow.”

  “Why are you telling me this? I have no love or loyalty to a country which allows people like this prime minister to govern in the name of the queen.”

  “It isn't in Her Majesty’s name that he governs, it's on his own. I tell you these things because you are now a citizen of Man and are called to obey the laws set forth for the people and this nation’s well-being. Failure to do so will result in immediate correction.”

 
; “How is being here better than London?”

  He sat next to her. “In London, you could be going to jail, forfeit your property, and perhaps your life. Here, you go across my knee. It's an easy concept to accept.”

  “I am not going anywhere of the sort. Release me!” Vanessa barked as she was tugged without effort to fall across his hard lap.

  “In this country, we believe that authority is a privilege, not a right. As thus, we must take the naughty child’s welfare into consideration and are willing to carry out a sentence in the best interest of the child.”

  “I am not a child. Oh!” She shrieked as the first swat fell across her fabric covered backside.

  “Childhood is determined by action and selflessness,” Harrison scolded, landing a second smack over her posterior. “Abide by the rules, show respect and regard for others, and follow through with your responsibilities and you will cease being thought of as a child.”

  Vanessa felt her temper flare as the humiliating position across his knees ignited both her pride and anger. The spanking over her clothing caused no pain and just served as a vivid reminder that she was subject to the foreigner’s uncivilized and barbaric beliefs, raising her ire to another level. “I demand that you release me this instant.”

  “You make no demands here, little princess.” The large hand caught her on the back of her left thigh. “I will warn you that this will be the last time you feel my hand with the protection of garments.”

  Her voice choked as she kicked against his hold. “You can’t mean…”

  “A woman’s bare bottom is as common of the sight here as her lovely smile. Restrictive undergarments are forbidden for that reason.”

  “You despicable whoremonger!”

  “I fear that I’m not getting my point across to you. You are never, ever to speak to me disrespectfully,” he lectured, slipping her skirts up around her waist to display the thin cotton split drawers with ruffled cuffs.

  “Unhand me!” A genuine outburst of discomfort followed the next spank. Harrison’s palm was as hard as iron, leaving behind an unyielding sting. Several strikes followed in succession, and she kicked frantically to escape. After about ten swiped of his hand, he roughly positioned her to stand between his knees and forced her to face him.