The Princess and the Huntsman by Green Patricia

Author:Green, Patricia [Green, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Stormy Night Publications
Published: 2013-10-29T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

He spanked her. Of course he spanked her. What could Brandywyn expect for her foolish behavior? And it hadn’t been so bad, despite the lecture and the hardness of the swats.

First, he’d butchered the boar, of course. It was a dirty, smelly job, and took much of the afternoon. The meat would spoil, however, if not dealt with quickly. Leaving Brandywyn to stew in her own feelings of trepidation, he used his horse and a small wagon to take the meat into the village.

More of the afternoon passed, and Brandywyn didn’t know quite what to do with herself. She baked a fresh loaf of bread, feeling rather proud of the lumpy, slightly overcooked, but crisp and fragrant food she had prepared with her own hands. But would it be enough to mollify Tom and get her out of her punishment? Unlikely.

When he returned, he was tired and hungry. He sought something in the pot that dangled from an iron hook near the hearth, but it was empty. Brandywyn did not know how to cook in a pot, and Tom, if he would only believe her a princess, should have known it, too. Instead he eyed her with a hard stare.

“I baked some bread,” she offered, handing him the loaf.

“Verily, you did.” He ripped off a part and slathered it with the butter she fetched from the stream. After several hunks, he seemed satisfied, and to Brandywyn’s relief, somewhat less dark-faced.

“You did a very foolish thing, Brandywyn. You put yourself in great danger. I would have been back soon enough. Why did you not trust me to return?”

“I did trust you, Tom,” she explained. “But I was bored after I made the butter. I did not know the way to the village, nor back to my home. I was… lonely.” She hoped she sounded pitiful and earned herself some mercy.

“I shall spank you for your ill behavior,” he pronounced. “I cannot trust you to behave rightly when I go away, and yet I must hunt to provide meat for our table and goods from the village. You must behave!”

“I shall. I promise, Tom. I shall never wander again. Please do not spank me.”

He stood and went to his chest in the corner, pulling out a leather glove. He slapped it once against his other palm, and Brandywyn realized that the glove palm was made of very sturdy leather, not unlike a hard strap or belt; and much thicker than a normal glove. She jumped out of her chair and hurried toward the door. Tom caught her easily and hauled her back inside.

“Take your punishment, Brandywyn. Let us get beyond this thing and move forward.”

“No! Please do not make me!” She stamped her foot. “I want to go home! I do not want to be here where you make me do servants’ chores and treat me like the meanest lackey.”

“Are you really so unhappy learning to fend for yourself?”

He was sneaking up on her, plying her with questions, trying to calm her down so that she would cooperate.

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