Chapter Sixteen

She bent the little girl over her chair and spanked her hard using the wooden spoon that had been on the table as part of a decoration. It hurt like hell but Annabella did not know of the Moretti strength of will and was stunned to see the child did not cry.

‘Take her to her room and let her starve, a few days of only bread and water will sharpen her appetite’

She snarled at the maid who gently took Alcina’s hand and led her back up the staircase and stayed to help her undress,

‘Come on let me help you Child’

She whispered rubbing in the arnica cream to help her poor little ass heal,

‘Poor kid, I’ve a feeling your brute of an Aunt will have me using this by the bucketful lass, she sure has it in for you.’

The maid was so gentle and kind helping her into bed and bringing her a large mug of cocoa and biscuits so she did not go to sleep on an empty stomach that Alcina allowed her to comfort her. She needed the gentle hugs and soft kisses the maid gave her as it was the start of a pattern