The Shunning by Susan Joseph

Author:Susan Joseph [Joseph, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
Amazon: B009GVN5BK
Publisher: Blushing Books
Published: 2012-09-24T21:00:00+00:00

* * *

"Why are you insisting we leave so early, Atlee?" Miriam asked. It was obvious she was not pleased with him, or at missing out on the fun. Miriam always insisted on staying until the last moment of the evening.

"I believe you already know the answer to that, Miriam. We have unfinished business between us."

"You surely are not serious!" she said, gasping.

"I am most serious."

"Atlee, you are making too much of nothing," she protested.

"Did you see Beth here tonight?" he asked.

"I wasn't looking for her," was her maddening answer.

"She was too embarrassed and ashamed to come tonight because of all the gossip at church this morning, and I believe you know that, Miriam." He helped her into his courting buggy and then climbed up beside her.

"You don't know that, Atlee. She could simply be ill."

"Ill with worry that gossip will reach her parents, perhaps," he said. "You should be ashamed of yourself, young lady. How would you feel if it was us in Miriam's and Seth's shoes?" he demanded.

Miriam did not reply. He picked up the reins and led his horse away from the gathering. Finally she asked in a small voice, "You are taking me home early as a punishment?"

"I am taking you somewhere private where I can keep my promise to you, Miriam. You earned a serious bletching for gossiping."

"But, I am an adult and too old for a child's punishment!" She was clearly upset with him.

"I do not intend to treat you as I would a child. I intend to treat you like the woman I hope to marry someday." Atlee was determined to follow through with the spanking he promised her.

"Even if I tell you 'no' and promise that I will never see you again?" she demanded, looking at him in fury.

"I hoped for a future with you, Miriam, but if you choose not to see me again after I give you the spanking I promised I would give you if you gossiped about Beth and Seth, then I will have to assume that you wouldn't have made me a good wife. I expect my wife to be obedient when I make my wishes known to her regarding a matter of importance, and I expect her to accept discipline when she disobeys. If you can do neither of these things, then there is no reason for me to court you further. But, since I promised you this bletching while we are courting, you will have it, or I will take you home and we are finished."

Miriam started crying and Atlee hardened himself to her tears. He would not weaken and let both of them down. He'd prayed over the situation, and when he talked with his sister, her advice rang true within his heart. He would not be married to a woman who loved gossip more than she loved him. "Well, Miriam...? Which is it to be; a bletching for disobeying me and gossiping, or taking you home early and saying our goodbyes...?"

"I have told you I am sorry, Atlee.

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