Free French Lessons by Georgia Harries Page A

of the stewards
gawping from the bridge, Tamara shooed him away.
    “I
– I feel so ashamed of myself...” Eleanor whimpered.
    “I
know, honey. I know your Daddy gave it to you real good. You sure don’t look
too comfy.”
     
    “I
don’t really mean being spanked,” Eleanor’s words surprised the older woman.
    “I
mean yes, it was really embarrassing. And it’s horribly sore. But I know now it
was my own fault. For being so stupid and drinking too much, and using the
checking card. Falling in the sea was so scary. And Daddy had warned me to
behave, too. What I’m really most ashamed of though, is the way I’ve treated
you. You’ve always been so nice to me. And I was such a horrid awful person in
return. I’m sorry, Tamara. Can you ever forgive me?”
    Tamara
was overwhelmed by this wave of contrition. Could Harry have been right? Just
one bare bottomed session over his knee, and his daughter was turning a corner?
    “Oh
sweetheart! Of course I can! We just need a little time together. Come here.”
They hugged, Eleanor wincing as her bottom made deeper contact with the chair.
    “Let’s
make a fresh start, shall we?” Tamara’s easy cadence and rich accent were
soothing to Eleanor’s ears. Why had she wasted all this time in petty game–playing?
    “You’ve
been very soundly punished, El,” Tamara used her pet name as she held out her
stepdaughter to look her in the face. “And you’ve taken it. Your Daddy told me
all about it, so I know it was pretty tough going.”
    Eleanor
blew her nose and relaxed, enjoying the chance to air her feelings. Despite the
terrible humiliation, she felt far less alone than at any point over the last
few, difficult months. She managed to speak easily to her stepmother for the
first time, feeling no defensiveness.
    “Daddy
always spanked me properly when I was little, if you know what I mean. But not
for one minute did I think that he would do it that way – at
nineteen!”
    “I
know, sweetie. But he’s your Daddy. He has your very best interests at heart.
And can I tell you something? There were times even in my twenties when my life
was looking off the rails. Gee, I wish now my Daddy had done the very same
thing. Just to show that he loved me.”
    “
Really?” Eleanor was intrigued.
     
    “Yep.
I was an only daughter, just like you. But my folks aren’t like Harry. I never
felt cherished. Your Daddy adores you. Sure, it’s a real big deal going over
his knee bare, and all of it. I can imagine how horribly embarrassed you feel.
But the soreness will pass in a couple of days. And you’ll be ready to take on
the world. Because you know what, I doubt you’ll be throwing any sour moods for
the sake of it again, now will you?”
    “No....”
Eleanor said softly. “I’m going to prove I’m grown–up. And not disappoint
him again!” Eleanor felt much better, and bit hungrily into a croissant.  
    Tamara
was delighted with this change in the young woman’s demeanour.
    “And
hey, that young man Charlie! What about him? Kinda cute ain’t he?” Tamara
giggled as Eleanor blushed shyly.
    “Goodness
knows what he thinks of me. I almost got us both thrown out of The Grand. Then
he had to life me out of the sea! Oh what a complete fool I’ve been!”
    “Well,
you have a whole holiday ahead to make it all better. Eat your breakfast. Then
we can find something for that sore spot, eh?”
    “Oh
yes, please!” said Eleanor, the agony in her seat still a constant.
    After
an hour or so planning the rest of the holiday together, Tamara went down to
the cabin and fetched a small tub of peppermint balm from her vanity case. As
they spotted Harry return to the yacht, she pressed it into Eleanor’s palm and
winked at her.
    “That’ll
help, I reckon.”
    “What
are you two girls conspiring?” Harry chuckled.
    “Well,
I say we should have a celebratory dinner tonight – dontcha think honey?”
his wife breezed. “Maybe invite that nice young man Charles, from