"Stop! Please stop! I can't take anymore, it hurts so bad," Ailene cried out.

"Nae until you've had a total of 100 swats, my Lady," Frang said. "You can take it. Many others have before you."

Stuart knelt on the floor by her head and he began smoothing her hair, wiping away her tears, while whispering to her. "I've gotten many a strapping myself in the past. Let the pain wash over you. Go to a lovely place, a lovely time, in your head. Think about that, not the pain, it will become less."

Just as she had that very morning, she thought again of her marriage night, the pleasure...