Read Becoming His: The Teaching of Rebecca for Free Online Page A

work, her face flushed and her bottom tingling.
     
    Several weeks later, Rebecca had just finished the last of the dishes and put them away.  She had promised Millicent that she didn’t mind doing so as the poor girl was obviously terrified of dropping another.  Her father had been furious at the loss of his daughter’s income and had taken it out on her poor bottom.  Millicent had been unable to sit comfortably for over a week and her hands continued to shake while doing the dishes.  The room had been cleaned and most of the staff had already gone upstairs to prepare for bed.  Mrs. Williams, Patsy, Hannah, Rebecca and a few others were making the final preparations for the next morning when the door opened and Miss Lambert appeared.  Rebecca felt her heart begin to beat harder as it usually did when the awful woman was anywhere in her sight.  She said a quick prayer that she was safe even knowing that if she were, some other was most likely in trouble. 
    “Good evening, Miss Lambert,” Mrs. Williams said. “Did you need something?” 
    Edna looked over at Rebecca and said, “Yes, Rebecca, come with me please.  Mr. Danvers needs to speak with you.” 
    Rebecca’s heart stopped.  Her pulse pounded and her hands clenched. 
    Mrs. Williams watched the poor girl and thought she probably should have given the girl a proper spanking when she had reported late the other day.  If she had, perhaps Miss Lambert would have been satisfied and not seen the need to report the silly lateness to Mr. Danvers.  Her heart went out to the poor girl but she could offer nothing in support.  She knew she’d have the jar of salve prepared and offer what comfort she could upon Rebecca’s return.  “Immediately, Rebecca.  You must stop this constant dawdling!” 
    Rebecca gave her friends one last look and then stepped forward as if accepting her fate. 
    Edna took her arm and none too gently pulled her from the room.  Rebecca’s mind was full of nothing but the memory of Millicent’s caned bottom, her own clenching in abject terror.  She desperately wanted to run away but knew she had absolutely nowhere to go.
     

CHAPTER 4
     
    Rebecca tried to remain calm as she followed Miss Lambert.  She was terrified but determined to remain strong.  She couldn’t fathom why she had been ordered upstairs.  She followed the woman through the office door and kept her eyes on the floor.  She stopped when the other woman did, finding she wasn’t quite brave enough to face her tormentor.  Because she didn’t raise her eyes, she did not see there was another man in the room besides Mr. Danvers. 
    This man sat in a leather armchair before the fireplace, silently appraising Rebecca. She was incredibly small, making him question if her supposed age was her true one, and she was obviously frightened as evidenced by the way her entire body seemed to be trembling.  Her hands fluttered at her sides as if wishing she could hold onto something and he saw her finally twist the fabric of her uniform in her fists. 
    He glanced at Miss Lambert who had moved to stand beside the desk.  His eyes moved to Connor Danvers and saw him gazing almost hungrily at the servant.  His instincts picked up on the fact that this man wanted something from this girl and he had a good idea of what that something was.  He returned his gaze to the girl and pondered what it was that made the older man so earnest.
    “Look at me girl!” Danvers barked.  The girl jumped but immediately lifted her face, her eyes locking onto the man.  Once she had obeyed, Mr. Danvers settled back in his chair. 
    Rebecca kept her gaze steady but her breath was shallow and her knees were shaking nearly to the point of knocking.  She was too frightened to look anywhere else as she was terrified. Rebecca could see huge cane leaning casually against Danvers’ chair, just waiting to be used.  Danvers seemed to enjoy her terror but his enjoyment made the other man