Downstairs Rules Read Online Free PDF Page A

it…”

    She felt her skirt raised, and wanted to cry for help. But Ella’s voice would not come, for she didn’t know what would be more humiliating - being spanked or having someone discover her being spanked. Part of her had hoped that Lady Baxter had exaggerated the circumstances they faced, but as York’s large hand collided with her bottom in a searing smack, she realized that Her Ladyship probably hadn’t been quite graphic enough.

    “Owww!” Ella cried out. “Please sir…”

    But York spanked her soundly, his large hand connecting with her bottom over and over until the entire surface felt ablaze. He leveled his hardest smacks low on her bottom cheeks, turning Ella’s pleas into nearly infantile sobs. When he finally lifted the maid to her feet, she was shaking.

    She was standing between his knees, facing him. York reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief.

    “There, there,” he said. “It’s over. Now dry your eyes.”

    “I-I d-d-don’t want your handkerchief!” Ella said. “I w-w-want to g-go-go home!”

    York sighed and gently mopped her face, quietly scolding her into submission when she tried to move her head away.

    “You are home, Ella. You can’t leave. Her Ladyship adores you already and if you were to return to your father he’d be most displeased…”

    “He would not like it that you struck me!” she said.

    “I spanked you,” York said, tucking the handkerchief back in his pocket. “There’s a difference. Were you to truly disobey it would be much worse, trust me. And I hardly think your father would disapprove of my taking you under my wing..”

    “Under your wing?” Ella wiped more tears from her cheeks. “How is…beating..”

    “…spanking,” he said, holding up a finger as he corrected her. He was maddeningly calm.

    “How is spanking me taking me under your wing?”

    “I have one goal, and that is to run a house where everyone knows their place. I would have Lord and Lady Baxter happy, and I would have the staff happy. I’m especially attentive to those closest to those upstairs, and no one will be closer to anyone upstairs than you. With one look I knew Her Ladyship adored you, and while I appreciate that you want to be loyal I will remind you again that I expect your cooperation.”

    “You want me to spy..”

    “Not exactly. I want you to help keep Her Ladyship out of trouble. The spanking you got tonight is nothing compared to what His Lordship delivers to his bride. She’s crafty enough now to thinks he can avoid them now, but Lord Baxter is smarter than his wife thinks. She was walking a perilously fine line earlier today with her snide comments, my dear. How will you feel if you don’t steer her away from trouble and you find her lying on her belly sobbing because she’s too sore to sit?”

    Ella didn’t even want to think of it.

    “It would be terrible to think you’d let her down so, would it not?”

    Ella nodded, feeling conflicted. She’d never thought that she’d been hired to keep Lady Baxter out of trouble.

    “Why do I have to be involved?” she asked miserably.

    “Because.” York was pulling the handkerchief out to mop her face again. “There is only so much a husband can do through force. Lord Baxter doesn’t want to break his wife’s spirit. He’s hoping that your gentle art of persuasion can lessen the necessity for physical correction.”

    He stood. “Are you composed enough to leave?”

    “I don’t want the other servants to see me. I’m a wreck.”

    “You look fine,” he said. “Your color is high, but in the candlelight it won’t be so noticeable. It’s getting late. Lord and Lady Baxter will be home soon. Why don’t you take a book and go sit in Lady Baxter’s room so you’ll be there when she comes home?”

    “Will it be OK?”

    “With my permission, yes,” he said.

    He walked over and stared at a shelf, his hands at his back. “Are you fond of poetry?”

    “Yes,” Ella