Claiming Her Innocence Read Free Page A

a moment.
    “Tell me, Lady Penelope,” he finally said. “Were the nuns strict at the convent school?”
    “Strict?”
    “Did they ever physically correct the girls?”
    Penelope flushed, recalling how Sister Agnes had caned Susan Pritchett in front of an assembly. It was rumored that Susan had been caught engaging in ‘impure behavior.’ Even now, Penelope could vividly remember the way the young woman’s white bottom had looked, framed by her simple dress as she leaned over the head nun’s desk. Penelope had never seen another woman so displayed before. It was a shocking sight, and as her companions nervously averted their eyes, Penelope found herself unable to look away from the plump mounds of flesh.
    When the cane had fallen, Susan had squealed, one foot rising from the floor as a welt bloomed across the expanse of both cheeks. At a barked command from the nun, the penitent had lowered her foot and assumed a position with her legs slightly apart. A glimpse of blond fleece could be seen between the gap in the girl’s white thighs. Susan’s bottom had wobbled as she sobbed, and Penelope had gasped, not just at the luridness of it all, but at a sudden and unexpected twinge between her own thighs. It was not the first time she’d felt the twinge. During her latter years in the convent, the twinge had often come in the night, and developed into an ache she could not allow herself to satisfy. Even now, she remembered the feeling with acute shame.
    “I asked you a question.” Lord Westcott’s firm tone brought her back to the present. “Were the girls punished at the convent?”
    “Yes,” she said quietly.
    “You witnessed this?”
    She didn’t want to answer but found herself nodding. “Yes. My friend Susan was punished once before an assembly.”
    “What did she do to deserve such a punishment?”
    She was caught touching herself. Penelope heard the words in her head, but couldn’t bring herself to say them. “She did something horrible.”
    “Was punishment delivered on the bare?”
    Again Penelope nodded, her flush deepening.
    “What implement was used?”
    She dropped her eyes. “The… the cane.”
    “I see. Her bare bottom was smacked with a cane. Tell me, sweet Penelope, were you ever punished?”
    “No.” Penelope locked eyes with Lord Westcott, jutting her chin out proudly. “I never did anything to warrant it.”
    “Hmm.” He turned away and walked over to a stand by the door. Lifting a cane not unlike the one used at the convent school, Lord Westcott turned back, tapping it against his palm. “It’s regrettable that you’re choosing to deny me the obedience you afforded the nuns.” He continued to tap the cane against his hand as he spoke. “And let me be very clear. I also received an education where the cane was employed. In fact, as head boy, I learned to wield it quite well. Rest assured that should you defy me, I will not hesitate to correct you in a sterner manner than you ever witnessed during your convent education.” He lowered the cane now to the side of her thigh and slowly dragged it up to her hip. His gaze remained locked on hers. “And I, also, will punish on the bare.”
    Penelope felt her throat tighten as her heart raced at his words. The shameful twinge she’d not experienced since Susan’s punishment returned, this time with a flush of arousal.
    God forgive me.
    “Now, my dear,” he said. “Do I need to bend you over the sofa, raise your skirts, and cane your bare bottom now? Or will you accept my generous offer of a lady’s maid, return to your quarters, and allow Betsy to help you dress for dinner?”
    Penelope shifted, aware of the heat in her face and the dampness that had coated the panel of her pantalets.
    “I’ll obey,” Penelope said, defeated.
    “Good. I shall come fetch you to dinner at around six.” Alton Westcott smiled. It was a knowing smile, as if he also knew the secret beneath her skirts, as if he was aware of the shameful