Their Harlot Bride (Bridgewater Brides 7)

“Now,” Clive said, pinning me with his gaze. “I want you to tell us everything.”

So, I did. I didn’t give them specific details, but I told them about my father’s death, my vain attempts to find a job in London, Mrs. Burk finding and rescuing me—both of them tensed at my description, but that’s what she had done. I could have ended up with a far worse fate. Of course, she eventually betrayed me, but before that, she had saved me.

I told them about befriending the other women in Mrs. Burk’s house and how I’d become comfortable there. I told them about Lord Carmichael’s initial interest in me and the rumors about the woman who had disappeared with him. I told them about fighting him off and my escape to the docks, using the money I stole from him to buy my passage on a boat to New York, then finding my new housing and a factory job once I was there. And finally, about my fears, Carmichael would follow and my relief when I’d seen their ad.

Then my two men laid down on either side, holding me until I fell back asleep, feeling completely and utterly safe.

William

* * *

The next few days weren’t easy on any of us. The Sheriff had to do a thorough report, which took both Clive and me away from the ranch on the first day we were already taking turns staying with Sassy. She finally shooed us away, insisting she was well enough to take care of herself during the day, even though we forbade her from doing any strenuous housework.

I thought Clive was going to spank her right then and there, the day we came home to find she’d done the wash.

“It wasn’t that difficult,” Sassy protested, backing away with her hands over her bottom, a pretty flush rising in her cheeks. “I took it in small loads, so I didn’t have to carry anything heavy.”

“Which meant it took longer than usual when you should have been resting,” Clive retorted, his arms crossed over his chest. I leaned against the kitchen table, thoughtfully watching our wife.

She had recovered quickly, even though Clive and I worried. My cock ached as I stared at her. We hadn’t made love to her since she’d been kidnapped, too worried about the knock to her head and the various bruises she’d been dealt. Most of those were already healing, though, and so was her head.

As far as I knew, she hadn’t had a single headache the past two days.

Sassy groaned. “I’m tired of resting, Clive. I need to do something with my time, or I’ll go mad.”

“You could have dusted or something,” Clive said, taking another step toward her. Sassy rolled her eyes, likely because she’d spent the day before yesterday, dusting. The house was already about as clean as it could get, and all our mending was done. What we had been short on were clean clothes. “Don’t roll your eyes at me, wife, or I’ll put you over my knee right now.”

Sassy wrinkled her nose at him.

“If I can’t handle doing the laundry, I certainly can’t handle being spanked,” she retorted.

“I agree,” I said, startling both of them. Clive’s head whipped around, a frown descending on his brow, while Sassy’s eyes went wide. She was just as startled as Clive.

“You do?” They both asked at the same time, albeit with different inflections.

“I do.” I straightened up, a slow grin spreading on my face. “But since Sassy clearly was able to handle doing the laundry, she should also be able to handle being spanked. Which means it’s time we discussed her lying.”

“That’s not what I meant!” Sassy squeaked, backing up another step.

“You can’t have it both ways, sweetheart,” Clive said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Well, neither can you,” she sassed back, fully living up to her name. “You don’t think I’m fit enough to do laundry; therefore, I can’t be fit enough for a spanking.”

“A compromise then,” I said. “We’ll give you this evening and tomorrow to rest, then spank you tomorrow night.”

“Sounds fair.” Clive grinned. “Don’t you think so, Sassy?”

Her mouth dropped open. “You want me to agree to my own spanking?”

“Of course.” I raised an eyebrow at her. “There’s no point in punishing you unless you accept that you deserve it and want to change your ways. So, since you feel fit enough to have done the laundry today, will you be ready to accept your punishment tomorrow for lying to us?”

Cheeks turning pink, Sassy’s gaze slid away from mine, her head dropping down, and she nodded—a short, quick nod, but she agreed. Satisfaction rose up inside me.

“Good girl,” I said, walking forward. This time, she didn’t retreat. Cupping her chin, I tilted her head back for a kiss.

“Very good girl,” Clive agreed as my lips pressed against hers. I could feel him coming up to my side, watching as my lips moved over hers.

We’d been so gentle with her, waiting for her to recover, barely doing more than brush her lips with our own. This time was different. If Sassy felt well enough to start taking on some of the more arduous household chores, she was certainly well enough for a more energetic kiss.