The next morning Marcus got up before Valerie had awakened. He looked down at her while she slept, so innocent, so clean, and so pure. He bet she really had been a virgin the other night, if that was the case, so much the better for him. That meant she'd already made a significant commitment. Everything else would fall into place so much more easily. There was something else that made it great too. If she really were a virgin, then she was all his. Imagine! It was like Christmas, a never been used brand new toy.
Marcus got up, stealthily showered, shaved, dressed, and left the bedroom. Going downstairs he made arrangements for their day. The ladies would go up and dress her while he finished what he had to do. They would start with a morning horseback ride, a short respite, followed by a filling lunch. After lunch he planned an afternoon of sailing on the nearby lake. The breeze was fair so he could handle the small sailboat with minimal concern. It was only a little sunfish. He thought they'd end up with a light snack, some wine, and perhaps a little intimacy. Later in the evening he thought a private dinner, just he and Valerie. It was his hope that, by the later part of the evening the exercise, his charm, and if necessary some special pharmaceuticals, his own private stock, would all induce her to skip work Monday. If he succeeded in keeping her here tomorrow, he'd be able to keep her all week. If he had her for the week, then he had her.
Marcus walked back into his bedroom. He heard the shower running so he figured Valerie was busy. Not knowing what else to do he sat back in one of the chairs and pretended to be reading the newspaper he'd brought back up. She had no clothes so he knew her appearance in the next few moments would be as nature planned it. How appropriate, him dressed, her naked. Him Tarzan! Her Jane!
Valerie turned off the shower and, wrapped in a towel, stepped into the bedroom. When she saw Marcus sitting and reading the paper she put one arm high on the bathroom door and leaned her body slightly forward. She made an inviting sight.
Marcus thought she looked lovely. What a lovely thing to possess. He said. "Come over here."
Valerie didn't need a second invitation. She walked demurely to where he was and partly leaned partly sat on the arm of the chair.
He pulled her onto his lap. "Well my little sparrow I have a lovely day planned for the two of us. Are you ready?"
She snuggled up and cooed appreciatively. "Yes sir."
He kissed her on the cheek. He thought nice, nice and docile. "Before we get started there's one minor little problem we have to tidy up."
She leaned back. She was curious. "What's that?"
Marcus gave her a sober look. "You do remember last evening when you were serving?"
Valerie nodded.
He added. "You remember the unexpected and untoward noise you made?"
Valerie gave him an incredulous look. "You mean when I sighed?"
Marcus had to be careful. This was going to be an important step. "Darling." He deliberately used a term of endearment hoping to soften what he had planned. "You know that was a formal dinner?"
She answered. "Yes, but I was tired."
He squeezed her. "I know you were dear." Another endearment matched by an affectionate squeeze. "But it was still a formal affair. The sigh was an honest mistake, but during those kinds of things it's a distraction, and distractions can cost money."
She realized he was being serious. She wanted to get this out of the way. It was an unpleasant interlude she didn't like. It could spoil her plans. This was to be the day she drew him into her web of love. "I'm sorry Marcus. I don't know what else to say."
He pushed her onto his lap and bounced her slightly. "It's OK. But I really think I should punish you."
She didn't feel comfortable with the direction this was going. "Punish? What do you mean punish?"
He laughed. "You were a naughty girl. Not seriously naughty, but naughty just the same. You were a naughty little girl." He deliberately repeated the word naughty, and he deliberately insinuated the term little girl in the sentence. He wanted to put her in a place where she'd be more amenable to his future plans. He hesitated, and then added. "I think you need a spanking."
Valerie gasped. "You're kidding!"
Uh oh thought Marcus. He had to go to plan B. Gently pushing her to her feet he stood up himself. "Never mind. It was just a joke." He said it in an off hand manner and started to walk to the door. He turned around. "The ladies, Hannah and Hilda, will be up shortly. I had them run out last evening and buy you some riding apparel and some other things to wear for today. I'll meet you downstairs for breakfast." He paused. Then added. "I hope what they selected will be acceptable." He turned and opened the door.
Valerie called out. "Wait! Don't go!"
He turned back. "Why? What's the matter?"
She sort of stared for a second. Something was wrong! She responded. "I'm sorry. You can spank me if you want to." She must be crazy she thought. She'd never been spanked in her whole life.
He waved as he walked out the door. "It was just a joke. Never mind."
She suddenly knew it hadn't really been a joke. She'd made a deal out of something silly. But it apparently wasn't silly to him. She'd overreacted. Now she'd hurt his feelings. She followed him to the door. The spanking comment must have been some kind of test, or some affection thing. She knew from stories she'd read men were funny about that kind of stuff. She got to the door. What to do? What to do? She didn't have anything on. She couldn't chase him down the hall. She knelt on the floor. "Master! Come back. I've been bad. I need a spanking!"
Marcus turned around. She was on the floor in the hallway with nothing on. Internally he thought, this was great! He laughed. "Yes you do need a spanking! You're out here in the hall with no clothes on. Get back in the bedroom!" He smiled and laughed again. "Get back in there and wait for the ladies! Now you owe double!" He smiled and waved, turned and continued down the hall.
Valerie slipped back into the bedroom a little bit relieved. She'd retrieved the situation. She laughed to herself. All men are just boys at heart.
Marcus went on downstairs. That had worked out better than he thought.
Shortly Hilda and Hannah arrived at Valerie's room. They walked in again, as had been the case the day before without announcing their presence or asking. One said. "We have clothes for you, and we have to get you ready."
The other announced. "Quickly now into the shower."
Valerie obediently went in and turned on the water. Hilda, she believed it was Hilda, stood at the side of the faucet and started to lather her hair. "Don't you do anything." The lady asserted. "We'll do it all."
Valerie replied. "You don't have to bother. I can clean myself."
The second lady emerged with some bottles. "No dear. That's our job. We'll get in trouble if we don't do our job. You don't want us in trouble do you?"
Valerie smiled and responded. "Of course not."
The first lady, presumably Hilda went on with the hair work. The second she could tell was preparing her attire. It didn't take long and the first lady had Valerie's hair washed, her body fully scrubbed, and ready for dressing. Out came one and the other went for the clothing. They had purchased a very attractive outfit, not an official riding outfit, but good garb for riding. There was a practical cotton bra and panty outfit. A pair of loose fitting jeans, and a relaxed fit button up cotton blouse. They'd also found some good soft cotton socks, and a pair comfortably fitting shoes. Presto! In seconds Valerie was ready for a rodeo!
Valerie and Marcus met in the kitchen, had a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon, and were off to the barn. Two horses had been selected. A robust looking young stallion and a slightly smaller less vigorous mare were awaiting them. Marcus helped Valerie on the mare, and climbed on the stallion.
Off they went for a gentle morning ride. Marcus wasn't confident about Valerie's horsemanship so he made sure they took it slow. Her horse was older; twenty to be exact, and well trained so she had few problems. They walked down the path to the woods and cantered along some of the back ways of the wooded area. It was a quiet pleasant ride for both. When a young girl Valerie had taken some riding lessons, and wasn't a complete novice. The horse was a kind gentle old mare, and the two of them got along well. Marcus enjoyed the ride, and he enjoyed Valerie's presence, but he was careful to keep conversation to a minimum. He understood the least thing could startle a horse, and Valerie could be thrown and injured in a split second.
They meandered down to a little stream where they got off and sat on some rocks while the horses rested. Valerie was the first to bring anything up. "I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't know whether you were kidding or serious about the spanking."
He answered. "If you had agreed I would have spanked you. Certainly not hard, but only as a tease. Don't fret about it. It was just a joke."
She answered. "I've never been spanked. I always thought that kind of thing was sort of degrading anyway."
Marcus didn't exactly bristle, but he made it clear her comment wasn't appreciated. "I didn't have your degradation in mind. You're a liberated woman. You do what you want. It was a joke, nothing more, nothing less." He got up.
"Come on. Let's head back."
She knew she'd slipped up again. She knew now he had wanted to spank her. He had meant it. She knew he'd never bring it up again, and more than likely their weekend together was just what it was, a weekend. Later today or this evening she and he would kiss good bye, she'd go back to the city, and that would be the end of it. He might have over stepped himself a little bringing up a spanking, but she'd ruined everything with her stupid mouth. Worse, if she tried to fix things by offering to get spanked now, it would seem like she was trying to appease a child. That would never do. He'd see right through it, and never go for it. If she wanted this relationship to continue she had to think of something, and think of something pretty darn quick.
As Marcus went to remount his horse Valerie went over to the stream and stood facing the water and away from Marcus.
