Page 10 of Forbidden Desire

“Good morrow, Maighstir.” Their cries came from all around us.

“Has your lady erred again?”

I wanted to laugh at their question, the sentiment perfectly encapsulating my feelings on the subject. Since I had taken her as my wife, Desiree had endured near-daily public spankings, yet still, we found ourselves back here again.

“Aye.” I bit back my smile. “She was insolent to her laird and master.”

A chorus of gasps resounded, although the wry smiles suggested they were rather more for theatrical purpose than genuine shock. The village had come to know Desiree, and I sensed they liked what they saw. She was beautiful, easily as fair as Vaila, but she brought with her some foreign enigma, a mysterious allure that had bewitched them, every inch as much as it had me.

I settled on my large chair, forcing Desiree to her feet. Clasping her small hands in front of her, she eyed me nervously, any spark of defiance extinguished.

“You are cold.” My tone was matter of fact as I noticed her pebbling nipples, conveying nothing of the arousal she inspired, but it was there, thrumming away in the background—as it always was.

“Willum.” I signaled to my man, who came forward at once. “My lady needs your fur. Oblige her.”

“Aye, Maighstir.” Willum shrugged the fleece from his broad shoulders, handing it to me with a courteous nod of the head.

“Taing do.”

I turned to meet Desiree’s knowing gaze. She understood precisely what would happen next, having become quite the connoisseur in the last few days. Fortunately, Amelia’s tincture had done the trick, saving her delicious backside from long-term damage. I had ensured the woman was well rewarded for her effort.

“Down now, nighean bheag.” I held the fur aloft as she folded over me, her expression resigned. I permitted her hands to fall by her face, her body limp as I spread the fur over her middle. It protected her back and shoulders from the savage breeze while leaving her glorious bottom to the fate I chose.

Lifting my palm, I brought it crashing down on Desiree’s prone ass and relished the strangled cry that escaped her throat. She had proven more than able to take a significant spanking, but the cumulative effect of so many punishments was taking their toll. I hoped it would help her learn.

“You shall measure your tone in your maighstir’s presence.” My voice thundered around the meeting place, the onlookers falling silent as the show began. “There shall be no harsh tones, no raised voices, and no back talk.”

My hand rained swats on her, intentionally striking a new place each time, not allowing her to slip into a rhythm. Men of my kin knew how to spank a wayward woman. We had watched our fathers deliver them before us, and gods willing, we would one day watch our sons do the same.

Glancing down, I noticed Desiree’s hands had balled into fists, but she didn’t resist. Her eyes squeezed shut as I peppered her glorious backside.

“And these, nighean bheag.” I leaned over her, lowering my voice so only she and those assembled closest may hear. “These are for the other matter.”

She gasped, her gaze flying open as her body twisted to meet my eyes. I would not speak of her desire to flee in public, would not allow such dismay to permeate my people, but I wanted to reiterate how entirely unacceptable it was. She was mine—my wife—and her place was at my side. There was no turning away from unions devised by the gods.

“Maighstir...”

She heaved in a breath as I spanked her, each swat harder than the previous. I wanted her to feel the sting of the strikes, to realize her boundaries were established and clear. I would have Amelia attend to her later, but until then, I craved each time she sat, she’d remember my lessons.

“I’m sorry.”

“Soon, you shall be forgiven.” My focus flitted to her backside again, my hand pausing the onslaught to squeeze one, then the other toned orb.

“Is she penitent, Maighstir?” One of my villagers called from the back of the throng.

“She speaks of regret.” I lifted my face to the crowd. “But I fear my wife still has much to learn.”

Desiree let out a low sob, the sound tugging at my heartstrings. I sought contrition but had no yearning to destroy the woman I had chosen to wed.

“It is new for her, Maighstir.” Amelia stepped forward from the horde. “So much is new for her.”

“Aye.” I acknowledged her with a nod of my head, my hand massaging Desiree’s heated cheeks. “But she will obey.” I slammed my palm back down, catching the underside of both cheeks. “Won’t you, nighean bheag?”

“Yes, Maighstir.” Desiree panted, and fleetingly, my thoughts darted to desire. Had the penance shifted in her head? Had she found that other gear, the one that morphed the pain into pleasure? I had known my woman long enough to know she had that power. She could revel in the ordeal.

Resting my palm over the curve of her ass, I slipped one digit into her silky folds, and my cock leapt to attention at the arousal it discovered. Desiree moaned miserably as if she couldn’t believe how much the spanking had turned her on, or perhaps it was the realization, so many others were there to witness her denigration. I could not be sure.

“Are you ready for my forgiveness?”

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