Back in Mystic Falls

22. Sunday Switching

Pairing: 2x Mrs. Whitmore/Katherine (F/"f") hand, switch, slipper

Chapter Text

Mystic Falls, Virginia

Whitmore Boarding House

Sunday, July 29, 1855

5:43pm
"Miss Marshall, I am surprised you are not going out in a carriage ride tonight with your Mr. Mikaelson. You two seemed awfully friendly after services today?" Katherine giggled at supper. "Should not a lady of your age have a suitor at the very least?"

Mrs. Whitemore was serving the roast and brandished at silver fork at Katherine, "You watch that impudent tongue, Miss Kathy. You know the school teacher ain't allowed to be riding in a coach alone with no man. My word, all the fool things..."

Hayley cleared her throat, "It is true, Kathy. My contract states I have to abide by a strict moral code. I need to wear at least two petticoats at all times." Hayley winked at the girls and they laughed.

Mrs. Whitmore finished with the roast and sat heavily, "Well, in my day, we did not worry about filling our heads with words and book learning and nonsense like that. But the school will bring new residents and my son attended the University of Virginia, I might have mentioned that before, though...the two of you girls... Katherine, Emily....Why I already had been married for years and had two children by the time I was your age..."

Emily could not listen to this lecture again, "Why the roast is very tender tonight, Mrs. Whitmore! You have outdone yourself."

Mrs. Whitmore prerferred Emily's politeness better than "Kathy's brazen sauciness, and smiled kindly.

"Thank you, dear. I will teach you my cookin' secrets some day. I feel so sad for you that your own mama was too poorly in health to teach you right. It would be my Christian duty, just like it is keeping Miss Kathy here humble and obedient to the Lord."

Katherine grimaced and shifted in her seat. Mrs. Whitmore acted, not only as a land lady, but as a guardian to the girls now due to their youth. After moving from Veritas Estates, Mrs. Whitmore became their official chaperones and they, her wards. Katherine had underestimated the gossips in the town. In the city, folks did not much care about where two "orphans" board, but here it was a big topic of conversation.

"And you take your duties very seriously, ma'am," Katherine snarled. "Perhaps too much so..."

Emily's eyes warned Katherine to mind her manners. Katherine scowled back.

Hayley cut in, "Now, Kathy, let us put that unpleasantness past us. Mrs. Whitmore warned you what she was going to do if you backtalked her again. You are going to get worse from me if you act like that in the school house in the future. Now, let us say grace and then eat, please."

Mrs. Whitmore led them in the Lord's prayer as they held hands and instructed them to begin eating.

Katherine's face hardened and then she forced herself to put on a pleasant countenance.
"I learned my lesson, ma'am. You will not need to give me the switch again," Katherine said in a docile voice. "I will...obey you from now on."

"No, I reckon not. I always reinforced the lesson at bedtime after one of my boys misbehaved with another good, hard spanking. After the dishes, I expect you to go up to your bedroom and wait for me," Mrs. Whitmore said casually. "I intend to do my duty with you girls. To do right by you."

Katherine's eyes widened in panic. She looked at Hayley and Emily for help. They looked down and continued to eat. Mrs. Whitmore was a talented cook.

"But ma'am, you already gave me a whipping. Surely, you cannot think to abuse my posterior again?" Katherine retorted.