Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 288(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 288(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
“You are significantly older than Kiera,” Jane says. “And you should know better than to take advantage of a younger woman.”
Before he can respond, Jane brings the cane down hard, droplets trailing the passage of the rattan before it connects with his bottom with a harsh snap, another fresh spray of water briefly visible before she draws the cane back and views the resulting red welt across Ronald’s bottom with deep satisfaction.
“But I love her!” He cries the words out as the pain flashes through his deserving body. From the waist up, he is still every inch the gentleman. From the waist down, he is nothing but a bad boy receiving a very well deserved punishment.
“If you loved her, you would ensure that she is safe, and not contribute to her worst tendencies,” Jane notes as she lifts the cane high and brings it down once more with a harsh stroke that lands with near surgical precision.
“We just like to party!”
Jane responds to that declaration with two strokes in very quick succession, so quick that one very nearly lays directly atop the other. A howl emerges from Ronald, a guttural cry of such deserved shock and pain Jane cannot help but smile with satisfaction. It feels so very good to be able to intervene meaningfully in the wayward life of a young man who clearly needs direction as much as any of her other charges.
He then makes a rookie mistake and jolts up from the desk, only to receive a sharp snap of the cane across the top of his legs.
“Down. Now.” Jane orders.
Ronald drops with a sob, more obedient than he wants to be.
“Kiera needs a responsible partner looking out for her best interests. If you loved her, you would take care of her.”
Jane knows that she cannot forbid Ronald and Kiera from seeing one another. To do so would be to drive them into one another’s arms. Perhaps she can provide some guidance to one half of the relationship now, in the hope both halves are improved.
“I do want to take care of her. That’s why I buy her things.” His voice is cracking slightly as he fights back tears.
“She does not need things, young man. She needs someone who makes responsible decisions and encourages her to do the same. Now. Stay in position. Stop wriggling about. I have schoolgirls who take a caning better than you.”
Ronald settles into position with a soft groan, his arms extended, his fingers gripping the far edge of the desk to steady himself. He is trying his best to do as he is told, and so Jane takes what passes for pity on him and finishes the caning relatively swiftly, ensuring that every single one of the twelve strokes he has coming lands good and true on his increasingly marked and reddened bottom.
“Stand up,” she says when the last stroke has landed.
He does as he is told, standing very gingerly. He does not make eye contact with her. Later on, he will wonder what made him submit to such a painful punishment. For now, he is caught in the mental and physical aftermath of a very well-deserved caning.
“Dress yourself,” Jane orders.
She enjoys the red-faced wincing as he pulls his pants up into position and fastens them. It is possible that he may yet prove to be something other than the worst kind of rich young buck. Time will tell.
“Now. You will go and explain to Kiera that she is going to remain here, and the two of you will no longer be recreationally indulging in prescription or any other kind of drugs. Then you will get in your car, and you will return from wherever it is you came, and you will not come back until such time as I personally give you permission to be on these grounds. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Ronald agrees, very much chastened.
“If you so much as think about giving into her desire to be removed from the school, I will find the pair of you and cane you both. I am not to be crossed, Ronald. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He offers his shamefaced, mumbled response once more.
“Good. Now. Go inform Kiera that you are no longer going to be facilitating her misbehavior.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Ronald says, suddenly the very picture of politeness as he takes his leave from Jane’s office, walking with a markedly stilted gait.
Jane lays her cane down and allows herself a deep, calming breath.
It has been a long day.
But it is over.
Probably.
12 ANOTHER DAY AT BIRCHBANE
Jane’s work day begins early on Tuesday. She had not intended to see any students until later in the day, but as she enters her office and turns the light on, she finds herself confronted by a specter of feminine displeasure.
Kiera is sitting cross-legged on Jane’s couch in a pair of pink silk pajamas, wrapped up in a pale wool blanket from the sick bay.