“Not from fighting, no. But when I was twelve, my thumb was caught in a drawer I shut with too much vigor. It had to be set, and I cried like a babe.”
“How ever did you manage that?”
“It is not something I am proud of. A moment of youthful anger and frustration. I simply wasn’t paying attention.”
“Oh, that’s so dreadful, I—” She started to step out of her position, but he smacked her bottom with his hand so hard that she squeaked.
“Stay in your position,” he said. She turned to him in anger, ready to lash out, and before she knew it he’d smacked her bottom again. “That is another lesson for you to learn. You may think that anger will give you strength in a fight, but in truth anger blinds, and that makes you vulnerable.”
Audrey winced. Her bottom stung. Skirts, as irritating as they w
