Spanking Storybook

More Than She Bargained For

By Ginger Leigh

Chapter 4- Naughty But Naive

“Jarrod, I can’t believe you invited that infuriating woman to the house tonight!” Nick ranted.

The family, in the parlour partaking of before dinner drinks, was engaged in a spirited discussion of the guests who would be arriving soon.

“Now, Nick, I found the lady to be quite charming.”

“Oh, sure. That’s because you didn’t see the hissy-fit she threw in Sarah’s place today. And I thought Audra was spoiled.”

“Nick!” Audra protested from her seat next to Heath on the settee. Heath quirked a half smile and Audra slapped his knee with the back of her hand.

“What’d you do that for?” I didn’t say anything! Heath said innocently.

“No, but you thought it!” his sister accused, correctly.

Victoria, seated across from Audra and Heath, smiled at Nick’s pontifications and the sibling bantering. The Barkley matriarch was curious to meet Rebecca Louise Lord based on what Audra, Nick and Heath told her earlier about what had happened in town today.

Nick walked over to his sister and bowed.

“I hereby apologize, Audra, for all those times I called you spoiled.”

“Well, that’s better,” Audra laughed with Nick as everyone else smiled at the both of them. Their fun was interrupted by rapping on the front door. Silas appeared and made his way to answer.

Jarrod turned Pappyesque and admonished his siblings just as Silas opened the door to their quests, “You three behave yourselves.”

Victoria glided across the room toward the door, Jarrod close behind. Nick, Audra and Heath stood but remained where they were in the parlour.

“Mr. Lord, Rebecca, welcome to Stockton and to our home,” the hostess exclaimed as she greeted their guests with outstretched arms.

“Thank you, Mrs. Barkley. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” William responded.

“William, Miss Lord,” Jarrod greeted the pair. He shook William’s hand, and then reached for Rebecca’s right hand. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.

“Jarrod,” Rebecca responded, demurely, as their eyes met for a brief moment before she lowered hers.

Jarrod took Rebecca’s hand and tucked it under his arm for escort as he led her into the parlour. William and Victoria followed. Jarrod felt Rebecca tense when she caught sight of the other three family members. Nick looked at the lady on Jarrod’s arm with a stern expression. Audra eyed her suspiciously and Heath looked ready to head for cover. Big brother Jarrod wrinkled his brow at them and gave a slight shake of his head, a reminder to behave and be hospitable.

Jarrod patted his guest’s hand and spoke to her so only she could hear as they walked. “Don’t worry. Nick won’t bite. I’ll protect you, remember?”

She responded by tightening her grip on his arm and raising her chin, and consequently, her nose, a little.

“Miss Lord, I believe you have already met my brothers, Heath and Nick and my sister, Audra.”

All of them just nodded their heads at one another just as Silas announced dinner was ready. They made their way to the dining room, first William and Victoria, then Jarrod and Rebecca, then Audra and Heath, with Nick at the end of the line.

At the table, Jarrod seated Rebecca to his left before taking his place at one end of the table. William seated Victoria at the other end and took his indicated place to her right. Heath seated Audra across from William; Nick took the place next to Audra, across the table from Heath and Rebecca.

The dinner conversation centered on the Lord’s various business ventures and the places they’d lived and visited. Audra was fascinated by the tales of Europe; she hoped to make the trip herself someday.

Rebecca seemed more intent on seducing Jarrod than with conversation; a fact that didn’t escape Nick’s notice. The lady’s man in the family, Nick found himself thinking that if a pretty woman was doing to him what Rebecca was doing to Jarrod, he would have been putty in her hands by now, but Jarrod had a steel will and was not as pliable, much to many a woman’s chagrin. Steel will, or no, though, a man can only take so much.

Rebecca repeatedly found opportunity to turn toward Jarrod and move in a way that highlighted the ample cleavage exposed by her low cut dress, a dress her father fussed about when he saw her in it, but as usual, gave in and let her have her way. She found reasons to touch Jarrod’s hand; she pouted provocatively at him when he was speaking to her, or rolled her tongue along her lips.

At one point, Rebecca was looking toward Victoria and listening to something she was saying and Nick noticed Jarrod’s eyes grow wide. Curious as to why, Nick dropped his knife on purpose so he could look under the table. Rebecca had lost her shoes and had slipped a stockinged foot underneath Jarrod’s left pant leg.

Nick, placing his dropped knife back on the table leaned over and spoke to Jarrod. “What’s the matter, Big Brother, you look a little flush.”

Jarrod, temporarily flummoxed by the behavior of the naughty lady next to him, looked at Nick and the big grin he wore. He realized Nick was well aware of Rebecca’s antics. Not as amused as Nick apparently was, Jarrod felt a strong sense of protectiveness toward Rebecca. For all her brazenness, he believed Rebecca was probably sexually naïve and had no idea the effect her flirtations had on a man.

She needs to be taught a lesson about teasing a man and inflaming his passion. If this is typical behavior, it’s a wonder she hasn’t been ravished by now against her will.

What happened in the next few minutes left everyone at the table surprised and speechless. However, just as her father had predicted, Rebecca Louise was by far the most surprised of all.

More Than She Bargained For

By Ginger Leigh

Chapter 2- An Extraordinary Woman

“Sign here, Mr. Lord, and we will be done.”

William Lord slid forward in the red leather chair opposite Attorney Barkley’s desk and signed the legal papers where indicated. As he did so, he spoke to Jarrod.

“Please, Mr. Barkley, call me William. I hope Rebecca and I will be counted among your friends in Stockton now that we have finalized our move.”

“Of course, William. And to hurry that friendship along, why don’t you and Rebecca plan to join us for supper tonight. I’m sure you two could use a break from setting up house. I’m looking forward to meeting this daughter of yours that is so obviously the apple of your eye.”

William set down the pen and slid the papers back toward Jarrod. He readjusted himself in the chair, crossed his legs, and joined his hands together, looking thoughtful.

I appreciate the invitation, Mr. Barkley . . .”

“First names, remember?” the attorney admonished.

“Quite. I appreciate the invitation, Jarrod. And you are right; Rebecca Louise is indeed the apple of my eye. She is beautiful and bright; she’s had a fine private school education and has been an asset to me in my business dealings. She has been everything to me since her mother died when Rebecca was just two years old. . .”

The distinguished gentlemen seemed as if he were drifting off and remembering that sad time.

“I’m sorry, William. It must have been tough raising a daughter alone.”

“Yes. And I’m afraid I’ve rather done the girl an injustice.”

Jarrod leaned forward and offered the older man a cigar from the box on his desk. William declined but Jarrod lit one himself, and took a long drag. After exhaling the smoke, he asked the obvious next question.

“Whatever do you mean, William? She sounds like an extraordinary woman.”

“Oh, she’s extraordinary, all right. Extraordinarily spoiled.”

Jarrod laughed.

“Oh, come now. It can’t be all that bad. However, I can understand your concern. I’ve been guardian to my younger sister since she was eleven when father died and there are days when I feel the same way about her, but then again, every girl deserves to be just a little bit spoiled, don’t you think?” Jarrod’s eyes twinkled as he said so.

“But you don’t understand, Jarrod, my boy. I have never been able to say no to her, from the time she was a little tyke until this very day. Now, I’m not sure anyone, husband included, could live with her bad temper when she doesn’t get her way! She may be unmarriageable. Even though I would love to have her near me always, it is not fair to her. That’s the unfortunate effect of my indulgence toward her.

Jarrod smiled at the worried father. Something stirred in the eldest Barkley son as he listened to this paternal appraisal of Rebecca Louise. From somewhere there sprang a desire to conquer this extraordinarily spoiled woman. Perhaps it was because he had attended a performance of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew last month in San Francisco. Yes, that was probably it, but watching a shrew on stage was one thing, living with her was quite another! Still, he had to admit; he was curious to see for himself if William’s assessment of his daughter’s temperament was accurate.

He didn’t have to wait long. There came a commotion from outside his door. Just as Jarrod stood to see what the problem was, Nick flung the office door open. With his right hand, he had a struggling, pretty young woman by the arm. Neither of them was happy.

“Let me go, you beast!”

“NICK! What is the meaning of . . .?” Jarrod began, alarmed at his brother’s behavior.

“Are you this lady’s father, Mister?” Nick demanded of William who was by now standing and walking toward the pair.

“Papa . . .” Rebecca said in a plaintive voice as she held out her arms toward him.

Nick rolled his eyes and let her go. She ran toward her father and wrapped her arms around his waist. William embraced her and patted her back as she cried feminine little sobs into his chest. He could only imagine what she’d done. He knew she only called him Papa when she was performing.

“Now, now, dear. Tell Papa what’s wrong,” he played his part.

“That man, Papa, he hurt me. He attacked me in the dress shop and . . . and then he . . . he drug me down the boardwalk to this office!”

“Nick, is that so?” Jarrod asked in a way that indicated he hoped it wasn’t.

“I DID NO SUCH THING!” Nick was as shocked by her accusation as Jarrod was.

Rebecca put her hands on her father’s chest and looked up at him.

“Papa, take me home, please. I don’t want to be in the company of this mean man another minute!”

“Now, hold on, Missy.” Nick fussed.

“Nick. Maybe it is for the best that you take your leave of Miss . . . Rebecca, is it?” Jarrod asked the distraught young woman with a smile, hoping to dissipate some of the angst in the room with his charm.

At the sound of his voice, for the first time Rebecca noticed the other man present. One good look and she was, for the first time in her life, in love. Never had anyone affected her as the handsome lawyer had in the moment her eyes met his.

What a delicious man! That voice! Those eyes, they are the color of sapphires.

“Mr. Jarrod Barkley, my daughter. Rebecca Louise Lord.”

Rebecca cast her eyes down while she performed a slight curtsey. Jarrod walked up to her, reached for her hand, and kissed it.

“Mr. Barkley, I’m charmed.”

“The feeling is mutual, Miss Lord, I’m sure.”

“Now look here!” Nick broke in again, agitated. “I brought Miss Lord here because . . .”

“Nick,” Jarrod interrupted and starred at Nick as he spoke, daring his hot-tempered brother to contradict him. “I’m sure that whatever the problem was, it no longer matters.”

Nick looked at the smug look on Rebecca’s face at Jarrod’s pronouncement that effectively put an end to his mission to tattle on her to her father. He could have sworn that she stuck her tongue out at him.

“Fine,” Nick declared but then pointed at father and daughter. “But hear this, Mister. That darling daughter of yours is way over due for a good old-fashioned. . . “

“NICK, that’ll be enough.” Jarrod scolded once more before Nick could finish expressing his thoughts on the matter.

Nick finally gave up. He threw up his arms, spun around and stomped out the door, spurs jingling.

“How can I ever thank you for rescuing me, Mr. Barkley,” Rebecca crooned. “Am I to understand that horrid man is your brother?”

“Rebecca!” William declared.

Jarrod laughed.

“Yes, that man is Nick Barkley. He is my brother, but I assure you, he is far from horrid. He is a fine man. It’s just that he has a propensity for . . . aggressive, and somewhat loud, action, sometimes before he fully assesses a situation. I’m sure you will get along famously as soon as you have a chance to get to know another, and if your father will accept my invitation to supper with my family this evening, getting acquainted will occur sooner rather than later.”

Jarrod spoke to William, “What do you say, William. Should we try to give those two a second chance to get along?”

William looked at his daughter who smiled up at him.

“I’m willing, Poppa. I would love to dine with the Barkleys. May we?”

“I don’t know, Daughter. I don’t know what you did to offend Mr. Nick . . .”

Rebecca started to defend herself but her father held up his hand and continued, “And I don’t want to know, but Mr. Nick seems like a mighty determined fellow. I’m not so sure he won’t just haul off and give you what he thinks you deserve! I’m not sure I could protect you from your just desserts!”

“Oh, don’t be silly, poppa. He wouldn’t dare! Besides . . .”

Rebecca sided up to Jarrod and put her arm through his as if for an escort, “I’m sure Jarrod can handle his brother, as he has already demonstrated today.”

She looked up at him and Jarrod replied in his deep silky voice, much to her delight, “Indeed, Rebecca. You are safe with me.”

You are going to love this story!  Many thanks to Ginger Leigh for allowing Spanking Storybook to post her Big Valley spanking fan fiction story.  Sit back and enjoy!

More Than She Bargained For

By Ginger Leigh

Chapter 1- New In Town

“I’ll take this one, please,” the newcomer to Stockton, Rebecca Louise Lord, declared to the dressmaker, Sarah Hampton.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Miss Lord, that dress was made for one of my regular customers.  She should be in today, as a mater of fact, to pick it up.”

As if on cue, the little bells on the door sounded and Audra Barkley entered Sarah’s small shop.

“We were just talking about you, Audra,” said Sarah as she walked forward to greet the only Barkley daughter.

“Oh?” questioned Audra.  She looked from Sarah to the very pretty, young, sophisticated looking woman she didn’t know and back to Sarah again.

Sarah reached for the kelly-green taffeta dress she and Rebecca were just discussing.

“Yes, Miss Lord here was just admiring the dress you ordered.”

Audra took hold of either side of the dress skirt and pulled it out to full width.  “Oh, I’m so glad you’ve finished it!  And, as usual, Sarah, you’ve done a beautiful job.”

“Well, thank you, Audra,” Sarah said humbly.

“Don’t you think so?”  Audra addressed Rebecca.

Rebecca didn’t answer, unless you call the haughty expression she wore an answer.

Sarah jumped into the tense moment.  “I’m sorry Audra, I should have introduced you,” she apologized.  “This is Miss Rebecca Lord.  She has recently moved to town with her father, a merchant from back east.

“How do you do, Miss Lord, nice to meet you,” Audra replied graciously in spite of the condescending way Rebecca nodded to her, as if she were royalty and Audra—wasn’t.”

“Miss Lord, Miss Audra Barkley,” Sarah introduced.

“Miss Barkley.  You have come at an opportune time.  I am going to purchase this dress.”

Audra and Sarah looked at one another, not quite sure just who this young woman thought she was to waltz in here and announce she was buying someone else’s dress.

“Um, well, may I call you Rebecca?”  Audra inquired lightheartedly.  It felt awkward to address this woman formally when she obviously wasn’t that much older than Audra herself was.

“Miss Lord will do,” was Rebecca’s retort, making Audra sorry she had asked.  “Umm, well, Miss Lord, Audra tried to explain again with more detail.  “Sarah made this dress for an event I will be attending with my brother in San Francisco.  He is taking me to the opera for my birthday.”

“That’s all very sweet, I’m sure, but I see no reason why you can’t just choose another dress.  Perhaps your brother would allow you to shop in San Francisco for appropriate attire.”

Audra didn’t know what to say, but she was thinking plenty.  She wanted to give Rebecca some grace because she was new in town, but found it difficult.  Audra thought this young woman was the probably the most spoiled creature she had ever met.  She obviously just wanted the dress because she wanted it and wasn’t used to being told no.  Audra felt vindicated in some way.  Her brothers chided her about being spoiled, especially Jarrod.  Just wait until he meets Miss Lord.  Then he will see what spoiled really looks like!

Rebecca slipped the velvet drawstring purse she carried off her wrist and opened it.

“I will pay you twice what this dress is worth, Miss Hampton.”

“But . . .” Sarah was flummoxed.  How was she supposed to handle this?

The cheerful doorbells rang again and Audra and Sarah were glad to see Heath walk in.  Heath was so disarmingly gentle.  Maybe he could solve this problem.

“Audra.  Nick and I need ta get back to the ranch.  I thought you were just goin’ ta pick up a dress and be right back.”

“Heath,” Audra took his arm and brought him to the other two women.

Heath was immediately struck by the beauty of the woman with Sarah and wondered who she was.  She sure didn’t look like she was from around here.

“Heath, you know Sarah.”

Heath nodded and smiled crookedly, “Sarah.”

And this is Miss Rebecca Lord.  She is new in town, she and her father.

“Ma’am,” he acknowledged, nodding his head.

“Heath is my brother,” Audra explained.

“The one taking you to San Francisco?”  Rebecca asked with a tone and look that said this cowboy would seem out of place at the opera.

“No, that would be Jarrod.”

“Counselor Jarrod Barkley?”

“Yes, have you met him?”

“No.  But my father is meeting with him now about some legal business.”

“I see.”

“Yes.  Now,” Rebecca turned to Sarah and continued, undaunted, her quest for the dress.
“i,f you’ll just tell me your price for this dress, Miss Hampton, I’ll purchase it and be on my way.”

Heath spoke up, anxious to be out of the frilly shop and back to work.

“Audra.  Ya ready ta go?”

“Well, Heath.  We have a little problem.  This is the dress I came to pick up,” she pointed to it.  “But Miss Lord also wants it.”

“Ummm, can’t one of ya just pick another dress?”

“Exactly my suggestion, Mr. Barkley, but your sister here is being rather stubborn.”

“She’s good at that,” said Heath with a chuckle.

“But the dress was made for me!”  Audra stated emphatically.

Heath looked at Sarah who nodded and shrugged her shoulders a little.

“Oh,” said Heath.

With the company inside the shop once again at an impasse with the dress, the doorbells jingled yet again.  This time they sounded angry rather than cheerful because the door was opened with such gusto.  Nick barged in, hollering.

“What the devil are you two doin’?  We’ve got work to do, Heath!  Audra, if you don’t come on, you can just ride home with Jarrod when he is finished in town!”

“Let me guess.  Another brother?”  Rebecca said and Audra nodded.  “Good heavens, how many do you have?”

“Just three—Jarrod, Nick, and Heath.”

“Well, thank goodness for that.”

Rebecca walked over to Nick and offered her hand for a formal greeting, thinking:  This one seems good and bossy.  Perhaps he can be persuaded to make his obstinate sister give up her dress.

“Mr. Barkley, I’m Rebecca Louise Lord, it is such a pleasure to meet you,” she flirted.

Nick immediately softened and became the perfect gentleman, kissing the offered hand when she introduced herself.  Heath and Audra rolled their eyes behind Rebecca’s back.

“Mr. Barkley . . .”

“Oh, please, Rebecca, call me Nick.”

“Very well, Nick,” Rebecca said with syrupy sweetness, complete with batting eyelashes, “Would you please inform your sister that she needs to release her claim on the dress hanging there,” she pointed, “so I may purchase it and be on my way?”

“Audra.”  Nick returned to big brother voice and glared at his sister.  “What’s goin’ on here?  You givin’ this lady a hard time?”

Heath shook his head and raised his hand with pointed finger to try to explain, but Audra beat him to it.

“For your information, Nick,” Audra stated forcefully, like the mad hen that she was quickly becoming, “that dress was made for me, for my trip to San Francisco.  It is mine!  She has no right to it.”

“What?”  Nick asked, with a confused male look.  Not believing he was in the middle of an argument over a blasted dress when he had work to do, he moved Audra out of the way and spoke to Sarah.

“Sarah.  Is what Audra said true?”

“Yes it is, Nick.”

“Uh, Rebecca,” he asked politely.  “Do you understand that this dress was made for Audra?”

“I do.”

“So….what’s the problem?  You’ll have to choose another,” Nick stated what he thought was obvious.

“But.  I.  Don’t.  Want.  Another,” Rebecca steamed impatiently.  “Can’t you all get that through your thick skulls!  I WANT THIS ONE!”

“WELL, YOU CAN’T HAVE IT!”  Nick shouted back, prompted by Rebecca’s change in demeanor.

“How dare you shout at me!  My father will hear about this!”

For some reason Nick didn’t quite understand, he was suddenly fully engaged in battle with this exquisite but infuriating female.

“I’ll say he’ll hear about this!  Where is he?  I will escort you there myself!”  Nick grasped Rebecca’s arm.

Audra, seeing an opportunity to be rid of her new nemesis, helpfully offered, “You’ll find him at Jarrod’s office, Nick.”

“Fine.  Let’s go, lady.”

“Unhand me, Sir!”

“Nick . . .” Heath pleaded.  He was concerned at what the two of them barging into Jarrod’s office was going to do to Jarrod’s day.  He tried to distract Nick back to the task at hand.  “We have work to do.  Remember?”

“Hang the work, Heath.  This brat’s father and I have some talkin’ to do!”

Before Heath could argue, Nick escorted, none too gently, the now livid female out the door.  The three in the shop could hear his boots and spurs hitting the board sidewalk with determination as he and a not-so-cooperative Rebecca Lord made their way to Jarrod’s office just a few doors down.

“Boy, Howdy,” Heath offered.  Poor Jarrod.  Dynamite is fixin’ to go off in his office.

Audra and Sarah laughed, but Heath wasn’t so sure it was funny.

Audra spoke to Sarah.  “Quick!  Wrap up that dress!”