Elizabeth's Flight: a tale of loving discipline out west Page 13

  "Well done Beth," he whispered. "You've been brave and resourceful. My goodness how I love you."

  Mr. Franklin Jones was horrified at the way things had gone. He had intended only to seize his daughter and drive on to the next small town with a flag stop. He and Blake had felt it prudent not to use the Kirkham stop. He hadn't expected this level of violence, but his political mind was working fast. "Sheriff, you handled that well. I regret my friend Blake seems to have lost possession of his mind, but his death was his own fault and you may count on my testimony to that effect."

  Henry looked at him with contempt. "Be quiet. You're under arrest for the abduction of my wife. There will be other charges when we get you back to town."

  The body of Rankin Blake was carried back in Mr. Hancock's farm cart. Henry drove the buggy with Beth sitting beside him as close as she could get. Jones was made to walk alongside the buggy with Charles riding closely beside him to keep him in order.

  There was a large crowd waiting for them when they got back to town. The drama had exceeded even the fight between the two women's leagues, and everyone wanted to know what happened. There were gasps of horror at Beth's bruised face, with the blood from her nosebleed still evident. Mr. Franklin Jones came in for some extremely hostile looks, which made him keep close to Charles.

  Mary came running and she shouted at Jones while pointing at Beth's face, "Did you do this?"

  "No indeed, Ma'am. I have never hit my daughter. She has run away from her mother and her home because she didn't want to marry the man I thought was my friend. I see now I was wrong and she was right in her instinct not to marry Blake. I am not sure if it is the truth that she is married to the sheriff, but I hope she is not. Her poor mother would be very distressed and I would like to take her home with me."

  Beth looked at him with utter contempt. She spotted Emily pushing through the crowd and beckoned to her. Emily came and stood beside her and they linked arms. Jones paled and looked shaky.

  "My God, the other one. How...?"

  "I had no intention of marrying Blake so I applied for the job of teacher here. When I arrived they thought I was Emily, but she has a scar and I don't. Emily's husband is the lawyer you and your wife tried to have murdered. Oh yes, we know, and he isn't dead. We know everything now - who we really are - everything. Now I am married to Henry who is her brother-in-law. I have found real love here in this town, something you seem to know nothing about."

  At that point Arthur pushed through the crowd and began walking toward the body of his father. John Spencer tried to stop him. "You shouldn't go there son."

  Arthur was calm. "I need to make sure he's dead."

  John put his arm around the boy and led him over to the body. Arthur stared down at his father for a long while before turning to John who, on impulse, picked the nine-year-old up as if he was a much younger child. Arthur put his arms around John's neck and began to cry. John carried him back to what was now most definitely his home.

  Henry had enjoyed seeing the pompous Jones lose wind at the sight of not only the twins but Arthur as well, but it couldn't continue. "Mr. Jones, I am adding to the charge of abduction. There is now conspiracy to murder my brother, together with charges of theft or embezzlement, but they may need to be brought in your home state. You will be held while we consult with them. Come along Mr. Jones."

  Henry took a strangely quiet Isaac Franklin Jones away. Mary and Emily attended to Beth's face swollen by the several blows Blake had given her. They placed cold compresses to reduce the swelling and generally restored her with their love and some strong coffee. The town buzzed with excitement. The children had taken any of their possessions from the school and gone home, but it was extremely untidy and not at all as Beth normally liked it to be. It would be many months before the day's excitement faded.

  Chapter 13

  Isaac Franklin Jones was stunned and very quiet as Charles and Henry outlined all they knew about his crimes. The only time he became agitated and denied anything was when they mentioned the attempt on Charles' life.

  "I know nothing about that. Ada told me she would handle the matter but I am sure she would have consulted Blake. I am convinced Ada would not arrange a murder. Blake might well have done."

  "No Mr. Jones, the man I captured was very clear in his description of the woman who employed him and Beth has identified that woman as being her 'mother'."

  The family, for that is how they now saw themselves, all ate at the Spencer home that night. Charles was asked to arrange for John and Mary to adopt Arthur and when Charles asked the boy if that was alright with him he just nodded eagerly. They then talked about what charges could be brought against Mr. Jones and possibly Mrs. Jones. Emily looked at Beth and Beth at Emily and something passed between them. The family were getting used to the unseen and unheard communications between the two girls so simply waited for whichever girl would speak.

  Beth spoke. "Emily and I are agreed on something. We want to see him together."

  Mayor Spencer had put a notice on the school, closing it for several days. No one argued for one look at Beth's bruised face was enough to tell them she needed some time off. The morning following the drama of Beth's abduction, the family went to the Sheriff's office and jail house. Jones was brought out of the cell and sat in a corner facing them all, even Arthur.

  Beth took charge. "Mr. Jones," she began.

  "Elizabeth, please... I am your father."

  "No you're not. Garret Stainsby is our father. You pretended to be for your own ends and a cold and unloving substitute is what you were. Not as cold and critical as Mrs. Jones but bad enough. You were also prepared to trade me in with Rankin Blake for political advantage in spite of the fact you knew him to be a cruel man."

  "No Elizabeth, that is not true."

  "Don't lie Mr. Jones. It isn't worth it for we all know what you are. Now Emily and I want our inheritance. Not for ourselves. There are so many women and children who are victims of men like Blake - cruel men, who ill-treat their wives and children. We want to build sanctuaries for such women and children and have money to help them get away... permanently. The law doesn't protect them so we want to create an organization that will. If you hand over every cent of that money you will be allowed home without charge."

  Henry was shocked. "No Beth that will not do. This man should be punished for all his misdeeds."

  Arthur sat watching her. It seemed to him she had somehow grown taller and stronger. She was entirely respectful to her husband but right at that moment she was in charge. Even Emily was deferring to her.

  "Oh, he will be. He will not be able to run again for any public office for if he does we release what we know. When he has returned our inheritance he will be poorer than before. Just think about him living with the woman who pretended to be my mother. She is demanding, and now he will have to live with her disappointment and criticism. I know her and that is indeed a punishment. If there is a trial we may have to be present and even give evidence but we will have other matters on our minds. If he agrees to return our inheritance, we let him go."

  Jones was pale and seemed to everyone like a pillow that had half its feathers removed. "I agree. It will take a little while to untangle my affairs, but it will be returned."

  Charles was firm. "I will supervise that. I have friends in your state who will help me. Make sure you don't cheat or there will be consequences."

  Mr. Jones was given a document to sign by Charles who had drafted it very quickly. He signed without argument but before he went Emily had a question.

  "Why did you put me in an orphanage but not Beth? I bear no grudge on that because I got Momma and Poppa, who loved and cared for me, but I just want to know."

  "I wanted to keep you both but Ada was firm. She could see the potential of keeping one but it was a lot of trouble to keep both. Ada chose which one of you to keep. I don't know why she chose Elizabeth and not you."

  Jones was escorted by Henry's deputy to the Kirkham whis
tle stop to wait. He was sent with dire warnings about what would happen if he defaulted on his commitments. He seemed far too defeated for any further trouble.

  The family remained together but Henry was not satisfied. "Beth, I'm not happy with what just happened. What will you two have to worry about that will make giving evidence hard?"

  The girls spoke together. "We're both having a baby."

  For quite some time afterwards there was chaos, but eventually Henry and Charles took their wives home, treating them as if they were about to give birth at any moment. John, Mary and Arthur waved them off and John turned to Arthur, "Well, we're going to be busy son. We have to help them build a proper house. Henry has already promised Beth a bigger house and that place above the newspaper and law office isn't much use for children. Our grandun's will need a bit of space."

  "They're not having a baby. I have one of my feelings about it." Mary looked serious.

  John looked worried. "What do you mean? They ought to know."

  "Don't you think it's strange they should both get in the family way together when Emily had already been married some months? This was meant to be and I tell you it's not a baby but twins they are each having."

  "Twins! Four grandchildren!" John believed his wife. They had been married for too long for him to ignore her 'feelings'. He looked at Arthur, "Are you ready for all this hard work?"

  "Yes I am, but why don't we build a pair of houses next to each other? Then the children will all be able to play together easily."

  Mary looked fondly at her two 'menfolk' eagerly discussing their plans. Everything was working out so well for them all. Emily was having babies. Beth had arrived and she too was having babies. Arthur was safe and was to be their son. She looked up sending a prayer of thanks and another that Arthur's mother could at last rest in peace.

  Also by Susan Thomas...

  The Reluctant Bride

  Ellen's grandfather wants her to marry wealthy businessman, Hector Monroe - but Ellen does not share his enthusiasm. She values her independence, and besides, her priority is to trace her brother Andrew, who left home six years previously following a disagreement with their grandfather.

  Enthused by her quest, Ellen sets out to find Andrew and soon hires the trustworthy Edward (Ted) Kent to assist her. Although Ted admires many of Ellen's capable qualities and becomes increasingly captivated by the pretty 18-year-old, he also finds her difficult and opinionated and the two of them soon clash. A battle of wills ensues, and Ellen earns herself a well deserved spanking from Ted when she ignores his advice and puts herself at risk. As their relationship develops, more bare bottomed spankings ensue, and Ellen becomes increasingly attracted to this dominant man who disciplines and cares for her. They share many exciting adventures and Ellen gets to demonstrate how capable she is handling a gun. But when Ted proposes marriage, she wavers ... for being married would mean giving up what she fiercely clings to - her independence.

  Set in America towards the end of the 19th century, this 'clean' romance focuses on the domestic discipline relationship between the spirited Ellen and the man in her life, Ted Kent.

  The Spanking Adventures of Butterfly McKendrick

  When 18-year-old Butterfly McKendrick visits her uncle, a brilliant but rather eccentric inventor, she discovers he has created a Fiction Insertion Device that allows the user to insert themselves into any work of fiction. She tries it briefly with A Christmas Carol, but back home again she uses it on the kind of story she really likes: spanking fiction! Inserting herself into 'Kane Court School' she finds herself dressed in full school uniform at a boys' boarding school that has recently begun to admit girls to its sixth form. Here she discovers that the cane and slipper are in frequent use by both teachers and prefects, and quickly finds herself on the receiving end of both. After a failed attempt to lose her virginity with the incredibly handsome head boy, David, she extracts herself from the story.

  A week later, Butterfly uses the device again to insert herself into 'Blushing Bots for Blushing Brides' where she meets the Rev. Jack who spanks her for putting herself in danger. She accepts the job of Parish Secretary and gets to witness Rev. Jack spank a whole series of penitent women. After a while, Butterfly realises she has fallen in love with him and, despite spanking her bare bottom with a hairbrush for dressing inappropriately in church, he asks her to marry him. Rushing home, she consults her uncle regarding the consequences should she decide to accept... what will she decide to do?

  The Disciplined Women of Chapel Island

  When 18-year-old Kate and her wealthy parents make yet another house move, this time to their luxury new home on Chapel Island, Kate senses from the outset that there is something both mysterious and exciting about the place. The island is beautiful, though somewhat unusual in that it has its own currency and a police and security force known as The Guardians - and it isn't long before Kate has her first encounter with them. Whilst exploring on her bicycle, she narrowly avoids colliding with a golf cart (the mode of transport on the island) and is later questioned by two Guardians who tell her that her mother will be informed.

  Subsequently, Kate is puzzled when she notices that her mother has to go out and pay some kind of penalty, and on returning home is taken by her husband to his study where she later emerges rubbing her bottom. Kate's curiosity deepens and she follows her mother to the Accountability Suite in the House of the Guardians. As a result of Kate's investigations, she discovers that domestic discipline and corporal punishment are an accepted way of life on the island - and the reason Kate's parents chose to reside here. Under this regime, many infractions are dealt with publicly with all manner of spanking implements.

  This is a rite of passage for Kate, who discovers that the ritual of such punishments excites her, and that excitement is carried through to her intimate relationships. When she breaks the rules, she is up for correction, and joins the other island women on stage, all naked and waiting for their punishment, which is often severe. But she is still inquisitive and discovers there is much subterfuge going on, with hidden cameras in her home. Why is she being spied on? Who can she trust? And who are 'The Five' who have control of everything that happens on Chapel Island? She finds out eventually, and becomes empowered...

  Other Western Romances from LSF Publications...

  Love on the Oregon Trail by Abigail Armani

  When Rosalind Cole first sets eyes on the brooding cowboy in the battered hat, little does she know what fate has in store for her - for she is destined to travel the same path as William Adams and their lives are to become unequivocally linked. Against her sister's wishes, Rosalind sets out with other pioneers from Independence, Missouri - their destination, the lush Willamette Valley, Oregon, where each and every one of them will settle and make a better life.

  The attraction between Rosalind and the wagon train captain deepens as the journey continues. He is enamoured with the independent, tempestuous and courageous beauty; she finds herself enthralled, not only by his looks, but his commanding presence, for he is a natural leader, a dominant, confident man who rapidly earns respect. Their courtship, although unconventional, blossoms, and the hardships they face on the Oregon Trail only strengthens the bond between them. But William's love for her doesn't prevent him from turning her over his lap for a spanking when she crosses the line - which she inevitably does, as the spirited Rosalind is not used to doing as she's told!

  This period Western romance is a real treat. It is a tale of courage and adventure, love and adversity, portraying characters that are easy to connect with, and an engaging storyline.

  Montana Escape by Hallie Miller

  Anxious to get out of an abusive relationship, Sammy goes to see her best friend, Anna, travelling from Baltimore to a fabulous ranch in rural Montana where Anna lives with her fiancé, Gabe. Anna is so excited about Sammy's visit that Gabe has to calm her down a little and remind her that she will still get spanked if she doesn't behave herself! Sammy soon settles in to her new routi
ne and is surprised and pleased to meet Gabe's best friend, Mason. As well as being one hot guy, he is also the local sheriff.

  Sammy's visit is gradually extended, and Anna slowly discovers Sammy's secrets - the boyfriend James who was at first so charming and kind turned into a violent brute, and Sammy took the opportunity to get out of town while he was in jail.

  Sammy tries to put the past firmly behind her as she begins to form a new relationship with Mason, but freaks out when she learns not only that Gabe and Anna have a domestic discipline relationship, but that Mason wants the same type of relationship with her! However, as her trust with Mason deepens, she finds that being spanked isn't so bad - and can even be quite enjoyable!

  Life is good for Sammy, until a threat from the past returns. But Sammy is no longer alone; she has good friends and Mason to protect her now ... but will he be in time?

  Four Mail Order Brides

  With over 130,000 words in total, this box set which includes best selling titles, features four mail order bride novellas packed with romance, adventure, spanked sassy females and the hunky cowboys who tame them.

  Mail Order Mayhem by Rue Chapman: Isabella has grown up with a wealthy father who doted on her. But after his death she loses everything: her home, clothes, beloved piano, and her fiancé. In desperation she answers an advertisement for a mail-order bride out West. The stage coach trip is rough, but what happens when she arrives is rougher still. Bella is kidnapped by Zeke Warner, sworn enemy of the man she was supposed to marry as a mail-order bride. Zeke takes her to a dilapidated cabin in the woods. When she tries to escape, she discovers the price to be paid for a woman who disobeys a man. However, Bella does not marry the man to whom she was promised - she marries Zeke instead, and learns that she is taken to the woodshed and punished when she disobeys. This is a story full of passion and adventure and the spark between two people that blossoms into love.