we got in, and I barely had time to take in the opulence and wealth of the surroundings. I knew that the Laird was wealthy, of course, but I hadnae expected this level of splendour. There were huge portraits of the Laird everywhere, with intricate, gold-plated frames. Priceless vases and other valuable trinkets adorned every surface. This was truly the most exquisite house I’d ever set foot in. It was almost a castle! And now it was mine, I suppose… Agnes dragged me through a doorway into a vast space. And there, sitting across the room from me, was the Laird.
This place almost felt like a kind of throne room. The Laird sat, up a few steps on a small stage at the far end. There was a stag’s head hanging over his head, and a red carpet, which ran all the way up the middle of the room and ended underneath his seat. The Laird was dressed in his full regalia, with high, broad golden shoulder-pads crowning each side of his smart navy jacket, a fine, thick, red tartan kilt, and a pair of the most polished brogues I’d ever seen adorning his feet.
‘Finally,’ he said. His voice was as rough and deep as I’d remembered from his inspection, and he seemed even more confident now that we were in his domain. ‘Come!’ He commanded me forward, and I started the way up towards his seat. I felt terrified in his presence, and as I slowly took the long walk up to him, he started to talk to me.
‘Before I can welcome ye into my hoose, I’m afeart that we have the small matter of yer punishment to discuss. Do ye really think that the way ye acted when I came to meet with ye was appropriate? I gave ye direct instructions to wear the dress that I graciously bought for ye, out of my own pocket, so that ye’d feel comfortable in my presence. However, ye disobeyed me, yer new husband. Is that the way that wee lassies are meant to act?’
I was so close to him now that I could almost smell him, his regal, masculine scent.
‘No, your excellency,’ I said, my voice trembling with fear.
‘That’s quite right. Now, I am afeart that I am going to have to punish you. It’s for your own sake, Caitlin.’ When he said my name, he moved his legs so that they were slightly apart from each other. I wondered, if I bent down a touch, if I might be able to see his sausage poking between his thighs… But of course I didnae dare do any such thing.
He lightly tapped his knee with an open palm. ‘Come here. Come and lay across my lap.’
I hesitated for a moment. Was this really happening? Was he really going to make me lie across his lap and then, was he really going to skelp me? A horrible thought ran through my mind - I hadnae worn any undergarments for the trip! I was quite nude beneath my large dress - I found it much more comfortable to have my underparts in the open air, but, if he were to lift my skirts before smacking me, he’d be able to see everything! My bahooky, my pubis, my wee quim. The thought made me panic and when I didnae move for a few moments he locked his grim eyes on mine.
‘Come here, right noo , and lie across my lap young lassie, before I lose all of my not inconsiderable patience!’
I could try to run, but the door might be locked and that frightful maid Agnes might stop me. Maybe it was for the best that I just take my punishment like a good lassie. I knew that I had been defying him by wearing a coat over my dress, and he was taking me in and looking after me, as well as providing for my family. Maybe it was right that I let him discipline me as he pleased.
Shaking with nerves, I walked up to the brute. As I was about to lay down on him, he took an elegant-looking, freshly-pressed white silken handkerchief from his top packet, and carefully laid it across his lap. ‘We dinnae want any of Madame’s juices to stain ma kilt, do we?’ he asked.
I’d never been asked such a vulgar question as this before, and I felt my cheeks start to burn red with embarrassment. I didnae know what to
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