Read Daniel for Free Online Page B

and brace myself, I mean."
    He blew out a frustrated breath, and then reached out to hold up her skirt. "Now bend over."
    "Thanks so much for your assistance," she muttered. She stepped knees-to-bed and bent down to put her palms on the mattress, her bottom was awkwardly high in the air. She really didn't like this position.
    This time instead of parting her drawers at the slit in the back, he shoved her skirt over her back and then reached under her stomach to untie the drawers. Then he tugged them down until they pooled at her feet. Her face flamed in embarrassment. She started to glance back at him, but her long braid hit her in the face. And she realized she really didn't want to see him lift that awful stick anyway. She gritted her teeth together and tensed, waiting.
    He didn't make her wait long. The first snap of the switch across her bare bottom blazed a line of fire. She cried out in shock, "Oooooowwww!" The pain was incredible.

    * * *

    Daniel brought the switch down two more times in rapid succession. Three red lines crossed his wife's creamy cheeks. He'd struck hard, but not as hard as he could have. Still she danced up on her toes and straightened. Her skirts fell over her bottom as she cried out in pain. He considered stopping right now since this was her first switching, but he knew these were only early reactions. This slight pain would pass quickly. This wasn't enough to make her really think before she disobeyed him next time. He had to finish the task.
    "Bend over again, Jennie. I'll lift your skirts." He heard her sniffle, knew tears were probably trickling down her face. He didn't want to see them. He didn't like seeing her tears. "There'll be nine more."
    She braced her hands and lowered her head. "I don't think I can take nine more," she whimpered.
    He pushed her skirts up out of the way and saw the stripes he'd already given her. But she wasn't doing more than lightly sobbing now, not truly protesting or fighting him. He would give her the full dozen lashes he'd intended to give her. Then while she recovered, he'd go face the town council, and then he was going to have some words with Adam. He wasn't switching his wife for her part in the disagreement and then letting his brother off scot free.
    He moved to her side and put a hand in the small of her back to keep her in place. She trembled and he heard her suck in a breath as she waited. Grimly he raised the switch and brought it down briskly with a flick of his wrist. Once. Twice. Three times.
    She lifted her head and yipped in pain with each lash. Her bottom jerked from side to side in attempts to avoid the switch. "It hurts too much! Oh God!"
    His stomach knotted and he again considered stopping.
    But then she said in frustration, "I didn't mean to upset him." She blew out a shaky breath. "I was just trying to make him realize that he doesn't have to stay bitter, unhappy. I didn't like him yelling at Faith."
    Daniel tensed. He'd thought maybe the argument had only been about the picnic. His brother was dead-set against it. But Jennie had gotten into Adam's personal business again. He gave her three more quick lashes, yelling above her cries, "I told you to leave him alone. Didn't I, Jennie?"
    She stamped her feet, wiggled her red-crossed bottom frantically. "Yes!" She stamped her feet once more. "Ohmigod, it hurts! Please, Daniel, no more."
    "The final three," he announced and watched her stiffen in resignation, anticipation. He delivered the last three strokes before she could suck in another breath.
    He released her immediately in relief, thankful this chore was finished. She slumped over the end of the bed, throwing her hands back to her tender bottom. She sobbed so hard her whole body shook. It hurt him to see her suffering like this, but he knew it could have been much worse. As hard as he'd switched her, he'd still held back his strength. He loved his stubborn, disobedient wife.
    "You'll not go against me again on the matter, Jennie. Leave