"What's all the commotion about, Gus?" Will Bishop asked as he laid his supply list on the scarred wooden counter.
"From what the Simpson sisters told me a few minutes ago, Flynn O'Riley's girl done ran off, leavin' that city dude standin' at the altar in front of half the town. Flynn's got his boys and the hired hands all out lookin' for her."
Will shook his head. "Reckon that city dude should count himself lucky."
Gus chuckled good-naturedly. "That was shore some sight to see, you hoppin' around on one leg, and rubbin' your jaw; her laughin' and you upendin' her over your knee in the middle of the dance floor! Too bad them brothers of hers stopped you from givin' her a good hidin'! Hell, you didn't even land one spank on her precious hide 'fore them brothers of hers hauled you outta there!" Gus pouted. "Too bad!"
"Yeah; too bad," Will agreed. The little spitfire could do with a good spanking.
"Well, she won't be able to hide for long. Them brothers of hers will find her, and make her do the right thing."
"'Right thing'? I thought it was men who were expected to do the 'right thing'?" Will grinned.
Gus chortled, then said, "Not in this case. The dude went and got hisself lost, and O'Riley's girl was the only one home at the time. So she went searchin' for him and found him too. He'd got himself tossed off a horse and was walkin' away from the ranch 'stead of toward it. Way I heard it, he was blubberin' like a baby, and by the time she herded him back to the house, it was goin' on three in the mornin'. Ole Flynn was madder'n hell and said there was goin' to be a weddin'. The girl said 'no there ain't', but he done got the invites out and her to the church this mornin'. Them Simpson gels said she was marched down the aisle, her daddy draggin' her ev'ry step of the way, and when her daddy put her hand in the dude's, she waited till he turned his back, then picked up her skirts and ran! Hightailin' it so fast they couldn't catch her." Gus chortled, "The old gels said she was wearin' her boots under her weddin' dress 'stead of proper slippers!"
Will shook his head, feeling a bit sorry for Miss O'Riley.
"Anyways, them brothers are searchin' everywhere for that little redhead, and ole Flynn is stompin' mad!"
"What's the dude got to say about all of this?" Will asked curiously.
"He ain't got nothin' to say. Plum scared of them O'Rileys, he is!"
Will privately thought the dude should be the one running from the redheaded little witch, but kept that thought to himself.
Gus suddenly turned to business. "Let's see what you be needin' today, Will." He picked up the list. "Yep, yep, yep," he nodded. "Got ever'thin' you're needin'. Got your wagon out front?"
Will nodded, then said, "I've got some business to take care of at the bank, then I'll be back to settle up with you, Gus."
"Sounds good. Me'n my boys'll have it all loaded up in no time."
Will went to the bank and stood in line for a few minutes while the elderly teller counted and recounted a stack of bills the saloon owner was depositing. Then he made his own deposit, and returned to find that Gus had already loaded his supplies and tied the canvas over the top. Will quickly settled his bill, then climbed up on the seat of his wagon. He had a long drive ahead of him, and he wanted to get home before dark!
As he drove along, Will found himself thinking more and more of the feisty Bridget O'Riley and wondering if she'd been found yet. What the redheaded spitfire needed in her life was a man who wouldn't let her have her way all the time. Her father had spoiled her outrageously, and those six older brothers of hers were enough to keep most folks from voicing their honest opinions of her disgraceful, unladylike behavior.
After several hours, Will decided to stop and give the horses a break. He climbed down from the wagon seat to stretch his legs, and to relieve himself. Then he took down the parcel containing the crackers and cheese he'd bought to eat, and enjoyed every last bite. He thought of the bag of licorice that he'd told Gus to add to the order and wondered how difficult it would be to find it among all the other supplies. Will told himself he could wait until he got home, and put one foot on the wheel to climb up, then grinned. He jumped back down and went to the rear of the wagon. When he reached for the ties holding the canvas down, he noticed it wasn't even tied! Will frowned because he'd checked the ties himself before he'd gone inside to settle with Gus. No doubt some ornery little kids had wanted to see what was inside, and Will hoped they hadn't been after his licorice! He tossed the heavy canvas back, and cursed when he saw a pair of green eyes regarding him intently!
"Just what the hell do you think you're doing in my wagon, Miss O'Riley?" he growled.
"You," she retorted. "Of all the damn wagons in town, I had to go and pick yours!" she exclaimed in pure exasperation.
"You come down out of there right now, young lady!" he ordered sharply.
"Don't you take that tone of voice with me, Will Bishop!" she cautioned. "I am not in a good mood!"
"I don't care what kind of mood you're in; get out of my wagon-Now!" he added when she didn't budge.
"There is no need to yell at me!" she yelled at him.
Will felt his temper rising as he regarded the stubborn beauty. Her green eyes were flashing fire at him, and her cheeks were tinged with pure temper. She had her small graceful hands balled into fists and resting on her hips and she knelt in the bed of his wagon giving him hell! He abruptly realized she was wearing britches and that was the final straw as far as he was concerned.
Without giving himself time to reconsider, Will reached out and grabbed the tiny redhead, his two large hands easily spanning her waist as he lifted her from his wagon.
"Let me go!" Bridget fought against him, but her strength was no match for his as he carried her over to a rock jutting from the ground.
"Not a chance, little girl! You need a lesson and you're damned well going to get it this time!" he promised.
"My brothers will horsewhip you!" she threatened, kicking at him as he seated himself.
"Even your brothers wouldn't put up with their little sister wearing britches!" Will stated positively, easily flipping her over his lap.
"I'll shoot you if you dare to touch me!" Bridget promised, trying to throw herself off his lap.
Will tightened his grip on her waist as he held her, then brought his right hand down with a satisfying smack on the rounded seat of her britches.
Bridget gasped in outrage and temper, and Will chuckled as he continued to spank her.
"You rotten bastard! You just wait until my brothers hear about this!"
"That kind of language costs, little girl," Will said calmly, then slid his hand underneath her wiggling body to undo her britches.
"No! You wouldn't!" Bridget screamed as Will jerked her pants down to her knees. "Noooo! Stop!"
"I am not a bastard, Miss O'Riley," Will spanked her cotton drawers hard, causing her to cry out in pain. "This will teach you to control that sassy mouth of yours." Will put some effort into spanking the redhead, and when her cries sounded desperate, he paused. "I am waiting on an apology, young lady."
"An apology! You owe me an apology! I am not a child, Will Bishop!"
He swatted her again; "You act like a child most of the time, Miss O'Riley. And I'm not going to stop spanking you until you do apologize."
"You can go straight to hell, Will Bishop!" she retorted.
"Would have thought you'd know better than that, young lady," Will said in a dangerously soft voice. A few seconds later, Bridget's drawers were down around her knees, and he was gazing down at her pretty little bottom. He could clearly see where his hand had left its impression on her delicate skin, and he was determined to bring the feisty Bridget under control.
Bridget couldn't believe this was happening to her! And she struggled with all her might, but Will was simply too strong! Why oh why did she have to pick his wagon to hide in? No one had seen her bare backside in years, and here was this man this aggravating Will Bishop, treating her like a naughty little girl!
Will applied his hand in hard spanks meant to sting and make an impression, and by the sounds of her cries, she was getting a long over-due lesson. He continued to spank her soundly, determined that she would apologize before he stopped, even if it meant sitting here the rest of the afternoon!
Bridget hollered and kicked like crazy, but to no avail. Her poor bottom was on fire, and she was in tears and Will showed no sign of stopping! "Ok You win! I'm sorry!" she finally gave in, then collapsed over Will's lap, sobbing. "Please stop now!" she begged, and was relieved when Will released his hold on her. She jumped to her feet and starting rubbing furiously, trying to stop the burning in her bottom cheeks.
"Cover yourself, girl!" a deep voice boomed from behind them, and Will jumped to his feet to see the O'Rileys and the dude and another man sitting on horseback. Bridget had been making so much noise he'd had no idea they were there! He watched as she struggled to pull her drawers over her flaming bottom, then her britches up over her drawers.
"I can't believe this, Bridget! You're wearing pants!" one of the brothers said accusingly.
"It was all I could find, Tom. Please don't you start scolding me! Didn't you see what he was doing to me!??" she said indignantly.
"Personally, I think it was long overdue!" another brother spoke up.
"Andy!"
"Enough!" Flynn O'Riley barked. "Girl, you embarrassed me in front of the whole damned town, and I won't stand for it. You're going to get married today, or my name ain't Flynn O'Riley!"
"I will not marry that dude, Papa! No matter what you do!" Bridget stood up to her father.
"No, I don't believe you will. He ain't man enough to handle you. You're gonna marry this one!" Flynn pointed his gun at Will.
"Papa! No! You can't be serious! He beat me!"
"He gave you a spanking, little sister," Tom corrected her with a grin. "And he didn't even use a leather strap or a hairbrush. I agree with Pa."
"No!" Bridget wailed, stomping her booted foot.
"Mr. O'Riley, what makes you think I want this stubborn little brat for my wife?" Will asked far more calmly than he felt.
"Think it would be preferable to being strung up to that tree and your back whipped raw 'til you changed your mind," ole Flynn didn't bat an eye, and Will knew the threat was not an idle one. "You took liberties with her person you didn't have a right to take. Now I intend to give you that right! Preacher, let's get to marrying these two folks."
"Papa, I won't do it!"
"You'll either marry this one or the dude, Bridget. Right here and right now, and no more arguing! I've let you become headstrong and willful since your Ma died, but I am still capable of cutting a switch and using it to change your mind if I have to. Now, which one is it going to be?" he demanded.
Will watched in silence as she looked at him, then looked over at the dude, who was still trying to control his mount, and not having much success. He could see the disdain in her eyes for the man, and wasn't the least bit surprised when she looked at her father and said in a hoarse whisper, "I choose Will, Papa."
"Do you intend to go through this willingly, son? Or am I going to have to do some persuading?"
"I'll marry her under one condition, and one condition only," Will told Flynn in a no-nonsense tone of voice.
"I'm listening, boy," Flynn looked at him steadily.
"If I marry Bridget, she will belong solely to me. That means I will decide what is best for her. I will set rules for her, and if she displeases me or disobeys me, she will answer to me. I will not tolerate interference from you or your sons in this matter. And Bridget will not be free to run to you whenever she pleases to pout and complain. Is this understood?"
To Will's surprise, Flynn nodded in agreement, then chuckled. "Girl, looks as though you're gonna mend your ways real fast."
Bridget fumed silently, but she had no choice but to go through with the wedding. In less than ten minutes she'd promised to love, honor, and obey Will Bishop for the rest of her life. She had a ring on her finger that Will had removed from a chain around his neck, refusing the one her father had produced, saying his wife would wear his ring. Her father and brothers had kept their good-byes short and sweet, and she was all alone with a man who had given her the first spanking of her entire life!
"Well, Mrs. Bishop, we have a good ways to travel yet today," Will said quietly. He picked her up and put her on the seat of the wagon with a thump, uncaring that her poor bottom was still burning and very sore.
"Ohhhhhhhh!" she gasped, jumping up to rub furiously.
Will climbed up beside her, then pulled her down with another thump. "Sit still or you'll spook the team," he cautioned.
"It hurts to sit, Will!" she complained.
"It's supposed to hurt," he smiled at her. "Never had a spanking before, huh?"
"No! And I think you were mean to do it! I am not a child!"
"I don't think any female gets too old for a good spanking," Will told her as he took up the reins and clicked to the team, setting them in motion.
"Well I simply won't tolerate it!" she sputtered indignantly.
"The choice is simple, Bridget. Behave yourself and you won't get spanked."
"I do not believe this! You can't seriously expect to spank me if I do something you don't approve of!"
"Try me," he replied, giving her a meaningful look. "I suggest you put that temper of yours on hold for the rest of the trip home, Mrs. Bishop."
Bridget thought Will was terribly bossy, but her sore bottom was a constant reminder that the man had no qualms about treating her like a naughty little girl. It was enough to keep her quiet most of the trip to her new home.
"This is it, Mrs. Bishop," Will said proudly. "I know it isn't what you're used to, but it's all mine and I built it with my own two hands."
"Do you have any hired help, Will?" she asked suspiciously.
"I have a couple of men who come and work when I need them," he answered truthfully.
"I meant for the house?" she explained, fearing she already knew his answer.
"That is your job now, wife," he grinned at her. "Hope you know how to cook?"
"I don't clean and I don't cook and I don't sew!" she stated bluntly.
"You do now, little girl." He lifted her down from the wagon, and carried her over the threshold of their home, then put her on her feet. He looked around the parlor, then grinned again, "It needs a woman's touch."
Bridget had to agree. The parlor was dusty, and the walls were sadly bare! There were no pillows on the sofa, and the tables were bare of any pictures or knickknacks. It was very depressing. The kitchen wasn't much better, either. There was a dishpan full of dirty dishes waiting to be done, and the floor was disgusting. Will didn't even have curtains at the window, and the windows were covered in grime! The bedroom was the only room that seemed homey and cheery. There was a colorful quilt on the large bed, and even a set of doilies covering the dresser and the vanity. A rag rug covered the floor beside the bed, and the room was neat and orderly.
"Well?" Will asked her as she walked into the kitchen as he carried in the last of the supplies.
"This place is a mess! I can't believe you live like this!" she told him. "I will send for Mary and Consuela tomorrow and they will have this place cleaned in no time!"
"No."
"'No'?" she repeated. "What do you mean 'no'?"
"I mean no you will not send for those ladies. This is your home now, Bridget, and you will clean it and organize it to suit our needs."
"I will not!" she argued. "I told you I don't clean or any of that!"
"You do now," he said calmly. "You can start by putting these supplies away and starting supper while I tend the team and the other livestock." He didn't give her a chance to respond, but left the house by way of the kitchen door.
Bridget looked at the pile on the table, took a deep breath, then calmly went into the parlor and found a soft chair to sit on. She didn't dare give in to Will this first time, or he would think he could boss her around whenever he felt like it. He would soon see that having full-time help was the easiest way to get along!
Will tended the team, knowing full well he was going to have another battle with the redhead the minute he went back to the house. She was spoiled and used to having her own way, but he knew better than to let her get away with defying him. He was going to have to give her another lesson, and while he wasn't looking forward to it, he knew it was necessary. Once his animals were all cared for, Will went into the tack room and found exactly what he was looking for, a small riding whip that had been left behind when one of his sisters visited last summer. It would be perfect for the lesson he intended to give his new bride.
Bridget looked up and her mouth fell open in dismay when she saw the riding whip in Will's hand. "No! You wouldn't!" she immediately protested before he said a word.
"You defied me, Bridget, and I won't have it. It's best you learn that right now." He crossed the room to stand in front of her.
Bridget shrank into the chair. "Please don't. I'll go and put the supplies away! And I'll even cook!" she capitulated.
"Yes, you will do both," he
agreed, "after I give you a good sharp lesson in obedience."
He pulled her from the chair, then turned her around and said,
"Lean over and put your hands on the seat," he ordered.
"Please, Will! Don't do this! Give me another chance! Please!"
"I am giving you a chance to keep your bottom covered, Bridget. Any more arguing and you will bare yourself."
Bridget looked at him, and felt her eyes fill with tears she refused to shed. Slowly she turned around, then placed her hands on the seat of the chair. "This is not necessary, Will! I said I would do as you said!"
"It is necessary, Bridget, or I wouldn't be doing it. You will learn to obey me, and we will start with lesson one right now. You are going to receive six, and you will count each one and thank me!"
He raised the leather whip and brought it smartly across the seat of her britches.
"OWWWWWWW!" Bridget immediately straightened up, and rubbed furiously at the sting.
"Bridget," Will said patiently. "If you do not stay in place and count them, then they do not count. We will start again."
"No, please! You caught me by surprise! I didn't know it would hurt so much! That was one, Will. Thank you!" She hurried back into place, turning up her bottom and placing her hands on the seat of the chair.
"Very well, I'll accept it this one time," he agreed. "But if you rise again, or fail to count and thank me, we will start over. Is that perfectly clear?"
"Yes," she whispered.
Will gave her another stroke, just below the last one, and Bridget stayed in place this time, even though her right foot came off the floor.
"That was two. Thank you."
Will gave her another, across the place where her bottom and thighs met, and Bridget screeched in pain.
"Ohhhhhhhh! Ouch! That hurts so much! Three, Will. Thank you, but no more, please!!"
Will raised the whip and landed a stinging lash on her right cheek.
"OWWWWWWW! Four. Thank you! Please stop! I'll do what you say from now on, Will, I promise!"
He struck her left cheek.
"Noooooooooo! Oh please!!!!!!!!!! No more! That was number five. Thank you. I 'm sorry!"
"One more, Bridget, and then you will take yourself into the kitchen and get busy."
"I will! I promise!" she tearfully exclaimed, then tensed her bottom waiting for the blow to fall. She waited and waited, then when she finally relaxed, Will brought the small whip across her bottom with a splat! "OWWWWWWWWW! Six Thank you!"
Will helped her to rise, then asked softly, "Are you done testing me for today, Mrs. Bishop?"
Bridget nodded tearfully, and when he let go of her arm she headed for the kitchen and starting putting away the supplies, sniffling quietly. Her poor bottom was aching, and she simply didn't know what to do! One thing was sure and certain; she wasn't going to let Will Bishop treat her like that ever again! She was going to run away the first chance she got!
The tenth and final chapter of Unwilling Bride by Joannie was put in our members' area on May 16, 2002.
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