Free Claimed (The Women of Wintercrest #3) by Maggie Ryan

Anna couldn’t suppress her own smile at seeing the two.  Life had finally begun to settle into a calm pattern.  She realized that neither girl had been spanked in days, their behavior adjusting to what was expected of good girls.
    “It’s time for tea, little ones,” Anna said , and was pleased to see them release each other’s hand and reach for her own.  “Did you enjoy your outing?” she asked, and was pleased when both girls quickly said they had.  She smiled and the three walked into the house to enjoy their tea.
    Later that evening , when Edward went to bed, he was surprised to find his wife awake.  She was usually already deep asleep.
    “Are you feeling well , little one?” he asked, as he laid the palm of his hand against her forehead.  Louisa nodded.
    “I’m fine, Papa,” she assured him. “I…I just wanted to talk to you.”  Edward smiled , wondering if every evening would find him having heartfelt discussions with one or other of the girls.  He undressed and slipped into bed beside his wife.  Before he drew her to him, he reached up and unbuckled the cuffs restraining her wrists.  She smiled and was soon lying close to him, her head on his chest.  Edward stroked her long hair waiting for her to speak.
    “I think I made a mistake today, Papa,” she confessed.  Edward was a bit taken aback.  It was a very rare occurrence for his little lady to be naughty and not be caught.  Mrs. Bremmer seemed to have an uncanny ability in ascertaining any naughty behavior , and usually tended to the miscreant before he even arrived home.  His housekeeper had reported that both girls had been very well behaved all day.  Hearing his wife confessing a mistake was a surprise.
    “Tell me, little one,” he said. 
    “Lucy and I were talking today and I…I mentioned my room,” she said softly.  Edward understood she didn’t mean the one they were currently occupying.
    “Your nursery, isn’t that what you mean?” he corrected.  Louisa nodded against his chest.
    “Yes, Sir,” she agreed.  “I didn’t mean to.  She asked if I was happy and I told her that I was.  I…I told her that at first I wasn’t, especially about my nursery.”  Edward was silent for several minutes.  Louisa held her breath, trying to determine if he was angry.
    “What did Lucille say?” he asked.
    Louisa smiled as she remembered the conversation.  “She asked if it was pretty.”
    Edward was surprised.  He would have expected that Lucille would be upset and even angry that her twin had a room not only designated as a nursery but an actual nursery where Louisa slept every single day.  His ward’s response told him that she was accepting her sister’s life.  He gently moved his wife from his chest only to sit her up and then pull her nightgown up and over her head.  Louisa shivered as he tossed her gown to the floor. 
    “I know it was naughty, Papa,” Louisa said as her stomach began to flutter.
    Edward settled himself against the headboard and then gently guided Louisa down across his lap.  “Tell me, little one, do you need a spanking to be able to forgive yourself?”  Louisa was surprised at the question.  She was even more surprised at her answer.
    “Ye…yes, Papa,” she said quietly.  “May…may I have my spanking?”  Edward had not intended to spank her.  He understood she had made an honest error.  However, she was his little one.  She felt guilty and he knew that she was a true submissive and would not truly accept his forgiveness without first having her bottom warmed.  He lifted his hand from where it had been resting on her bottom and gave his wife what she needed.  Louisa was soon sobbing as he lit a fire in her backside.  Despite his original intent not to spank her, when he put her across his knees and punished her, she was not to be released until she felt that she was a well-spanked little girl.  When her bottom turned from pink to a bright red, Edward stopped and