Page 10 of Papa's Little Bride
My heart swells with affection and I pull back briefly, but only to place a soft lingering kiss to her forehead, before hugging her tight to my chest again. “We are strangers who met for a reason today.Believethat we met for a reason. Believe that you accepted my offer for a reason.Have faith, little one.”
Faith
I standin the middle of the bathroom. Waiting. My heart pounds an erratic rhythm in my chest. My new papa has instructed me to await his return before I undress and get into the bathtub, claiminghe has to relay an important message to one of his footmen first. I haven’t seen any other people in his house besides Mrs. Summers yet, but I suppose with a house this large, Papa probably has a sizeable staff.
As he carried me through his home and upstairs, down the hallway that was lined with about a dozen doors, some open to reveal large beautiful bedrooms, and others closed, I couldn’thelp but notice the entire mansion is perfectly spotless. He probably has a maid, or two, in addition to his footmen. It’s surreal to go from poverty to a home of refined luxuries and wealth.
I listen for footsteps, wondering when Papa will return. Nerves dance in my tummy. He hasn’t promised to give me privacy, and I suspect he’s going to undress me and bathe me himself.
My pulsericochets. No man has ever seen me naked before. Perhaps I should take matters into my own hands and undress and bathe quickly before he returns. If I’m clean and dressed by the time he gets back, surely he won’t force me to remove my clothes again.
But would he punish me for disobedience?
My bottom clenches and I reach around, cupping my cheeks as I picture my papa and husband-to-bescolding me for naughtiness and then spanking my bare bottom.
Would he, really?
I start to unfasten the ties holding up the front of my dress, but my fingers pause and sensation pulses unbearably hot and achy between my thighs.
Why do I feel like this? Increasingly on edge and as if I might combust at any moment?
Certainly, the problem I’m having in my nether area isn’tnormal. Perhaps I’m getting sick. What will Papa do if he undresses me and discovers there’s something horribly wrong with me?
Tears burn in my eyes.
Would he get rid of me?
Would he abandon me as my aunt and uncle did, all those years ago?
I inhale a deep breath and move back to the chair. After taking a seat, I hike my skirt up over my legs, until I have a visionof my threadbare underwear. Moving the fabric to the side, I bend over on myself as I try to glimpse my privates.
Oh dear.
I’m shocked to find the area between my legs is swollen and wet. I gasp and pull my folds wide apart, inspecting myself further. The strange wetness seems to be glistening and gathering from deep within.
Oh no. This can’t be.
Yes, I’m definitelysuffering from some affliction.
I must, no matter what, hide the evidence of whatever’s wrong with me from my papa. I must be perfect, absolutely perfect, for him during our thirty-day marriage trial. I don’t want to give him cause to discard me at the end of that trial, or worse—before we even say our vows and begin.
Sliding a finger through my gathering heat, I’m shocked when Igraze a fleshy button that jars me with a blast of pure sensation. Bliss, really. Curious but still worried, I continue my exploration and rub some of the moisture from between my folds overtop this stiffening nubbin.
My breath leaves me in a rush and I can’t seem to pull my hand away. I rub harder and faster, furiously trying to understand what’s brought me to this frenzied state.
“Young lady,whatare you doing?” Papa’s deep, masculine voice fills the room.
I shriek and attempt to cover myself, but it’s too late.
He’s seen me and witnessed all of my shame.
I jump out of the chair and huddle in the corner, wishing there was another exit to the bathroom so I could run away and never look back. He’s still looming in the doorway, looking upon me withdisbelief.
To his credit, he doesn’t appear angry. But he doesn’t seem pleased, either. Oh, if there was a window in this room, I would have already crawled out of it by now. I wish the floor would swallow me up. I remain huddling in the corner.
I concentrate on the floor, unable to hold his gaze for more than a fleeting second.
“Faith.” His gentle tone takes me by surprise.“Would you care to explain yourself? Why were you touching your little flower just now?”
