Free Little Secrets by Alta Hensley, Allison West Page A

Nanny Agnes would be willing to demonstrate how we plug a little's bottom. I expect, with her weekly training, that she might be physically ready by this weekend to submit, Mr. Lockwood. Do not do anything to jeopardize that special time."
    "You have nothing to concern yourself with, Headmaster Philip. Little Eliza is in good hands." Why would Charley have any reason to sabotage what he desired? Was the headmaster hinting that he knew what had happened between him and his little one just minutes ago? Surely there was no way to see and, if he had suspected, then would he not have interrupted the two of them? Charley would feel no amount of guilt for disciplining his little Eliza before he decided it appropriate to reward her for submitting to him. She had pleased him greatly.
    Leaving the headmaster's office, he stalked down the hall and gave a prominent knock on his little Eliza's door.
    Nanny Agnes swiftly pulled it open, glancing him up and down. "I thought you were leaving."
    "I had business to attend to, and it is completed." He did not wish to elaborate on the specifics. It would do his little Eliza no good to know that he did not trust she had remained untouched. Charley did not fault her for anything that may have transpired with her previous papa. She was not in control and had no say in the matter.
    "May I see my little one?" Charley asked. His tone remained firm, his hands bunched at his sides into fists. She would not refuse him. The question was merely a formality of being polite. He had paid for her tuition, and she was to see him whenever he wished. Was that not how it worked, a littles' school that focused on submission? He still did not entirely understand what he had stumbled upon, that afternoon when he had climbed the fence and met Eliza.
    The confliction and confusion had not vanished, the desire to share the hidden world he had discovered made his heart pulsate. Would she ever forgive him if he wrote about her story? Little Eliza, who had been betrothed only to discover the man she was to call papa would leave her an orphan, abandoning her when she needed a strong man the most.
    "Papa," Eliza squealed, climbing down from the bed. "You came back for me." The smile lit up her face, her eyes shining with joy as she reached for his hand.
    He had never seen a grown woman so carefree and happy. The sadness he had witnessed earlier had now vanished. "I always keep my promises," he replied. He took her hand and headed further into the nursery, shutting the door behind them.
    Nanny Agnes remained by the door, keeping a watchful eye over her charge and the new papa.
    He slowly began to understand the apprehension in the older woman's gaze. She did not trust Charley. He could not blame her. Eliza had been abandoned by a man who had sworn his love to her, and it had not ended well for either of them. Perhaps time would be all Nanny Agnes needed to realize that Charley did not wish to disappoint Eliza or her caregiver.

Chapter IX
     
    Eliza had not unlatched her hand from her papa's. She had not expected to see him back so soon in the nursery. The young woman had been quite certain it would be days before his return. Whatever made him desire to be near her, she did not wish to push him away. "Come, let us have tea together," she suggested.
    In the corner of the room sat a small table with two chairs.
    "Nanny Agnes, would you be kind enough to bring us both some tea?" little Eliza asked.
    Charley smiled politely, releasing his grip from her hand, and followed her to the table, pulling back her chair for her to sit down. "Shall we have pretend tea or are we having a true cuppa?"
    Nanny Agnes opened the door. "I shall return with tea and biscuits. Please, Mr. Charley, do keep your hands to yourself."
    His ears burned as he sat down across from Eliza, not so much as looking at Nanny Agnes.
    Eliza's eyes widened. Did her nanny know what had transpired between the two of them? She had been careful not to tell the older