Louisa Revealed by Maggie Ryan

forgive Louisa and
release her from further punishment.”
    Edward found himself surprised at both the words
and the obvious sincerity in which they were spoken.   He felt a bit of pride at her acceptance
of total responsibility, but also knew the plan would not have been put into
place without his wife’s acceptance.    
    “That’s quite commendable, Lucille, and I must
admit I am surprised to hear you ask for leniency for your sister while
admitting your need for punishment.   However, you both are equally guilty and will equally share in your
punishment.”   He lifted his hand in
warning as he saw her open her mouth to speak.   “I’m warning you for the last time,
Lucille.   Do you wish to have your
gag replaced or do you want to be a good little girl and remain silent unless
asked a question?   I can tell you
that you will find it extremely difficult to catch your breath during your
birching, and a gag will only cause you greater discomfort.”  
    Hearing his words and terrified that they would
prove true, Lucille gave a soft sob and said, “I’ll be good Sir.   Please… please don’t ga… gag me again.”
    “I believe the question was, can you be a good
little girl and remain silent, Lucille.   Unless you wish the gag replaced, answer me properly.”
      Louisa knew without looking at her sister
that Lucy’s face would be red with shame and anger.   She also knew from experience that her
husband was beginning Lucy’s training at this very moment.   She wished she could offer her sister
support, but knew she must remain still and let the events unfold as her
husband/Papa dictated.  
    Lucy gave a soft sob and conceded,   “I… I can be a go… good lit… little
girl, Sir.”   Edward was extremely
pleased, as her first defense began to crack.
    “Very well, I will give you the benefit of a
doubt, but know your gag is ready to silence you if you fail to keep your
word.”   She nodded slowly, her body
trembling; she was truly sorry for her idiotic scheme.  
    Edward saw Mrs. Bremmer slip the gag into the
pocket of her apron and withdraw several large pins.   He nodded.   “Mrs. Bremmer will prepare you
both.   Louisa, you shall go first to
demonstrate for your sister what behavior is expected.”   Louisa remained silent but when she felt
herself being pressed forward, she obediently removed her hands from her head
and placed them on the edge of the desk in front of her.   Lucille watched in embarrassment as Mrs.
Bremmer quickly and efficiently rolled up the voluminous skirt and petticoats
and had them pinned at Louisa’s shoulders in just a few minutes.   The folds of the garments fell to either
side of her sister’s body, effectively framing her small bottom, still covered
by her bloomers.   Lucy gave a small
gasp as she watched Mrs. Bremmer reach around Louisa’s waist and untie the
ribbon.   She soon had the last
covering drawn down Louisa’s legs and gave her a sharp order to step out.  
    Lucy’s eyes grew large as she saw the condition
of her sister’s bottom.   It was
glaringly obvious that Louisa had received far more than the dozen cane strokes
at the school earlier in the day.   Her bottom was swollen and bruised and the backs of her thighs had
obviously been attended to as well.   Lucy shuddered and looked away, as if to spare her sister the shame of
her position.   She turned her
attention back to the desk when Edward rose from his seat.   She swallowed hard as she watched him
begin to roll up the sleeves of his shirt.   As his strong forearms came into view, she remembered feeling the same
sense of doom when she had seen her father do the same before punishing her or
her sister.   Her heart began to
pound even harder as she realized this was real, and her very first birching
would indeed happen in this room, given by this man and witnessed by both her
sister and the housekeeper.   Tears
begin to well in her eyes and her legs began to tremble.  
    Edward