Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
The children went to their parents, sharing their intentions to sleep with their figures beneath their pillows just as Saint Nicholas advised. Their friends waved and called good night, retiring with their families to the guest bedrooms. The nannies brought the twins and little Henry to their parents.
Esther laughed when she and August took off their wigs and caps, and Bridget clapped. “I knew it was you, Papa,” said Bridget.
“Papa is Saint Nicholas,” said Esther in wonder. “And Mama is Mother Christmas.”
“For tonight, yes,” said August, giving each of them a kiss. Elizabeth took sleepy baby Henry in her arms.
“Did you make our gifts special, Papa?” asked Bridget, holding up her figure. “Very special?”
“Yes, for my special girls, because I love you so very much. Give Mama and Henry David a kiss before bed.”
“You were a very good Mother Christmas,” said Bridget, cupping her cheek with slightly sticky fingers. “I believed in you.”
“Thank you, my darling.”
She embraced her three treasured children and sent them off with their nannies, so she and August might have a moment to catch their breath.
“Well.” She faced her husband as the servants collected stray scraps of ribbon and paper from the music room floor. “I call that a successful Saint Nicholas Day.”
“It was, wasn’t it? Oh, ho, ho.”
She gazed into his eyes, this man she loved so much. “Do you know what a wonder you are, darling? The children adored their toys, and they’ll remember that castle when they’re fifty years old.”
“Because you revealed it with such flourish. Saint Nick is nothing without his loyal Mother Christmas.”
She laughed as he pulled her into his arms. The servants discreetly finished their tasks and left, closing the doors behind them.
“Goodness, it’s quiet now after so much activity,” she said between kisses.
“We’re in for a few more busy weeks before Christmas arrives.” He brushed his lips over hers. “Along with our anniversary.”
“It seems only yesterday we were meeting in this music hall for lessons…”
“I heard your wrong, wrong notes.” His grip on her tightened. “You little minx. Haven’t you been practicing?”
“I haven’t. And I’m so ashamed.”
“You’ll make me take off this itchy velvet robe,” he said, to her sudden, helpless laughter. “You’ll make me turn you over my lap and toss up your god-awful red and green patchwork skirts.”
“Spanked by Saint Nicholas?”
“What do you expect to happen when you butcher one of the most dignified and well-loved carols of our time?” He unbuttoned the robe and tossed it over his shoulder, revealing his shirtsleeves, which he promptly rolled up. “Lisbet, darling, you’ll be praying for God to Rest Ye Merry Spanked Arse when I’m done with you.”
Her laughter rose to shrieks when he threw her, ugly dress and all, over his shoulder and carried her to the piano bench. She didn’t resist when he positioned her over his knees.
“Over my skirts?” she asked.
“You wish.”
“But I’m Mother Christmas!”
“You’re a naughty temptress,” he said, baring her bottom and tugging her pantalettes down. “You always were, which is why I suppose things worked out so well for us.”
“I ought to have practiced more. Oww!” She kicked her legs as the spanking commenced. “But if I had, would we be here now?”
He chuckled at her question but was not distracted from his purpose. Ow. Oww! What was it about this music hall, this piano bench, that made him want to spank her so soundly? She couldn’t have guessed, even with her talents, that they would end up here five years later, a blissfully married couple. That first spanking lived in her memory, but this spanking…
“Ow. Mmm. Ouch! What happened to oh, ho, ho?” She tried to muffle her protests as her bottom was spanked from warm tingling to fiery hot throbbing. “Saint Nicholas, have mercy!”
He finally relented and righted her. “I suppose that’s enough for now. We can finish this in the dungeon some other day.”
She feigned fear but was secretly thrilled. “The dungeon? For two wrong notes?”
He gave her a stern glare. “They were very wrong notes.”
Wrong notes, perhaps, but her connection to August was so very right. Magically right. She cuddled against him, leaning upon his shoulder. He rubbed her hot backside, his head inclined to hers.
“Yes, darling. I agree. Magically right.”
She had not said it aloud. She was sure of that.
How did he hear…
Oh, well. Goodness. Magical indeed, how these things happened.
She clung to her strong, beloved soul mate as he lifted her in his arms and took her off to bed.
THE END