Marriage of Necessity

~7~ Head And Shoulders

Supper is uncomfortable for me. Not only is my rear-end throbbing, my pride is hurt. I'm trying to sit in my chair as still as I possibly can, so I don't give him the pleasure of knowing that sitting is painful.

The outhouse felt real nice earlier.

I don't look at Matthew as I pass the food. Once all of the food is on all of the plates, I help Jamie cut his pork chops when he asks. He's plenty old enough to do these things himself, but I think he's soaking up having a mama to help him again.

I can feel Matthew's gaze piercing into me, but I don't give him the time of day. I ain't interested in pretending like I ain't as mad as a hornet. He's the man of the house so he gets to dish out punishments? Fiddlesticks!

Sophie Brennan, the temper you've gained while being here is downright shameful! This dusty air is clouding your judgement and dirtying your mouth.

After dinner is over and chores are done, Matthew comes back in the house. He tells the children to go to bed, but still doesn't tuck them in. Then he stands by the table, watching me as I start cutting the fabric for Remi's dress. This dress is going to look so fetching on her.

"Need anything from me before I retire?" He asks quietly. Gruffly.

"No"

I can't see him, but I hear him turn around and leave, shutting the door softly.

~*~

The next morning I make up my mind that today is the day I'm going to visit Ruthie. I really need to work in my garden, but I just have to get out of here and talk to a woman. Surely this kind of behavior isn't acceptable, and I just found myself a pill of a man.

I get my morning work done quickly, and go to find Matthew. It's the first time I will have truly spoken to him since he spanked me yesterday.

I find him in the field, getting his plow ready to start seeding.

When he sees me he freezes, unsure of what to do. He looks like he feels as uncomfortable as me. He doesn't have the right to feel uncomfortable. He's the one who chose to reprimand me like one of the children.

"I thought I would visit Mrs. Felton today. Would you tell me how to get there?"

The way his eyes bore into mine for a moment is intense. It's like he's trying to read my soul. Finally, after an eternity, he nods.

"I'll take ya in the wagon," he says as he takes the strap from the plow off of him and puts it in the dirt.

"That's unnecessary, sir. I'd much rather walk."

"It's a three mile walk, miss."

"That's fine."

He sniffs and looks at his boots. Then he fixes his hat. When he's run out of things to do, he looks back at me and points towards the south.

"Follow those trees and you will run right into it."

I nod. "I've got sandwich things laid out if I'm not back in time for dinner."

"Sure I can't take ya, Miz Brennan?"

"I'm sure," I say over my shoulder as I start my three-mile walk.

As I'm walking, I'm thinking. My behind is aching so badly, it's as if I got a sunburn in places the sun has no business burning.

Every step I take down the path is a painful reminder of how Sophie Brennan, a grown woman, got spanked by the most beautiful man she's ever laid eyes on.

The way I felt over his lap felt good. Before the first whack, that is. His strong hand on my skirts felt safe. Being pressed against his stomach made places tingle that have never tingled before.