The Bridal Discipline Omnibus Read online

  The Bridal Discipline Omnibus

  Golden Angel

  Copyright © 2021 by Golden Angel LLC

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Printed in the United States of America

  Cover Art by Wicked Smart Designs

  Edited by MJ Edits

  Formatted by Raisa Greywood

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  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Philip’s Rules

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  Undisciplined

  Author’s Note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Epilogue

  Gabrielle’s Discipline

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Epilogue

  Lydia’s Penance

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Epilogue

  Benedict’s Commands

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  Arabella’s Taming

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Other Titles by Golden Angel

  Acknowledgments

  My beta readers, who always help make my books better, my long-time readers who have supported me and loved this series so much, and my husband for always being my biggest fan!

  As always, a big thank you to all my fans, for buying and reading my work… if you love it, please leave a review!

  Philip’s Rules

  Book 1 in the Bridal Discipline Series

  Chapter One

  Happily married. The men at his club called the concept a myth perpetuated by the womenfolk, but Philip Stanley, the Marquess of Dunbury, thought he had a very good chance at just such a fantastical state of being. Of course, he was also privileged to know several couples whom were happily married - he was even related to two of them.

  The key, according to his cousin Hugh, was to marry a woman who fulfilled all one’s needs, including those many of the ton considered more appropriate for a mistress than a wife. Philip knew Hugh had no current mistress, and hadn’t had one, since he’d been married the year before. When Philip had visited his uncle and aunt last Christmas, he’d also met his cousins’ new spouses. Both Hugh and his sister, Eleanor, had been married within a month of each other last Season. Philip had met Eleanor’s husband Edwin, one of Hugh’s best friends, on multiple occasions, and he’d truthfully never thought the rakish man would settle down with a wife, much less happily.

  Even more shocking had been the news that their third friend, Wesley, had also married. Some part of Philip had still believed the announcement in the paper had been an elaborate ruse or a lame prank, until Hugh had confirmed the marriage and Wesley’s infatuated adoration of his bride. Of course, Philip had wanted to know more about what could have possibly driven Edwin and Wesley to such a state. He’d known that Hugh had married for the coup of Irene’s land, but he hadn’t expected to see his cousin so contented in his marriage. The obvious conclusion was that Hugh’s advice was quite right.

  That had led to a rather revealing conversation, after a few drinks. Hugh had lauded his use of spanking, and occasionally harsher discipline, with Irene as being a large part of his happiness. A few more drinks later, and with Hugh determinedly pretending not to listen, Edwin had confirmed Hugh’s statements with a few words of his own experience. Philip had certainly noticed a marked change in Eleanor’s demeanor, but at the time he had put it down to her marriage and impending motherhood.

  Spanking a woman’s curvy bottom had always been a particularly enjoyable past-time for Philip. He loved to see a woman’s reddened bottom, listen to her delicious cries and pleas, and then cuddle and fuck her into delirium afterwards. The idea of engaging in such activities, in truth, as a punishment as well as a pleasure... well it had caught him immediately. Like most men of their standing, he’d always assumed such perverse activities would be confined to his mistresses’ bedrooms after marriage. To see how fulfilled both his cousins were, on opposite sides of the equation, had sparked an envious desire in him.

  After all, his parents had both passed away several years ago, and, as their only child, he had a duty to them to continue his line. Going by the droves of females that had harried him the second the Season began, the women of Society agreed. Although, he didn’t resent their constant pursuit; it was what had driven him to accept an invitation to the Countess of Irving’s house party, which was where he had met his soon-to-be-bride.

  Cordelia Astley, the Dowager Baroness Hastings. The third wife of the late Baron, who had been quite elderly and quite desperate for a son when he’d married his young bride. She’d only been twenty-three when her husband had passed, leaving her and her step-daughter, Gabrielle, at the mercy of the new Baron. A man who had been all too eager to take advantage of their situation. A dark look crossed Philip’s countenance, as it always did at the thought of the new Baron Hastings.

  A cad and a heartless social-climber, he’d made Cordelia’s life quite difficult, and had actually cast her and Gabrielle off his properties when she’d refused to give in to his salacious offers. Just thinking about the bastard made Philip grit his teeth. What kind of man tried to push himself on a widow? No matter how young and beautiful she was.

  Quite beautiful too. A sweet, fragile, quiet beauty that had crept up on him at the house party, until his dreams had been wreathed with fantasies about her. He’d wanted to disperse the air of sadness that hung over her from the moment he’d met her, and during the house party, he’d only become more attracted. It had been his chance to play knight in shining armor when he’d asked about her circumstances and the Earl of Irving had relayed her story to him. The Countess was Cordelia’s dear friend and had hoped she might catch some gentleman’s eye during the house party.

  She’d certainly caught Philip’s. He’d proposed by the end of the week, and she’d accepted. Of course, he knew she’d accepted because of the protection he’d offered, as well as her desire to unburden herself from her friends, but that didn’t matter to him. From the moment she’d said yes, her face glowing with an inner light of relief, he’d known he would do whatever was necessary to keep her from ever having to worry again.

  During the few weeks between then and this morning, the morning of their wedding, they’d spent more time getting to know each other, which had confirmed his choice. Cordelia was altogether too sweet and giving to be without someone watching over her best interests. Her stepdaughter took advantage of her kind nature on a regular basis - a more demanding and selfish creature he had yet to meet, and that was saying something within Society. That behavio
r was something that would stop as soon as they were living under his roof. The inherent submissiveness in Cordelia’s nature appealed to him on a baser level, while her quick mind and gentle wit kept him engaged on a personal one, and he would not allow anyone, not even her stepdaughter, to abuse that part of her. He would protect and cherish his wife for it, as such women should be protected and cherished.

  “Please be still, Sir,” his valet admonished in a tone that indicated a demand more than request. Mouth quirking, Philip stopped fidgeting as Marshall concentrated on tying the perfect trone d’Amour knot in his cravat. On such an august day, Marshall was obviously feeling the pressure of sending his master out in sartorial splendor.

  And Philip had to admit, his valet was doing a remarkable job. The man had been with him for years now and had never let him down, although he could become remarkably stuffy when he was feeling anxious and didn’t feel Philip was taking his appearance seriously enough.

  A knock at the door had Philip turning his head and Marshall growling under his breath as the stiffened fabric of the cravat was pulled in an incorrect manner.

  “Come in,” Philip called.

  His butler opened the door and stepped inside. “Mr. Hood has arrived, my lord.”

  A wave of relief flowed over Philip. “Well I suppose if you’ve already let him in the door...”

  With just a hint of a smile, the butler stepped to the side, allowing Felix to enter. Third son of the Viscount Hood, Felix had no honorary title and was a mere ‘mister,’ however thanks to his investments in the railways, he was also a very wealthy mister. His advice had also made Philip a tidy sum of money, which had saved the coffers of the Dunbury estates when he’d been new to the title. They were the best of friends, and Philip had begun to doubt that Felix would arrive in time to stand beside him.

  “Cutting it a bit fine, aren’t you?” he asked his friend as Felix came in, standing and looking Philip over with a judgmental eye. Whereas Philip relied on Marshall to keep him in the current style, Felix was something of a clotheshorse and one of the trendsetters among the young men in their set. With his striking black hair and eyes so dark they looked black as well, not too many could pull off the same colors and styles Felix could, and many couldn’t afford the level of his tailoring either.

  Felix snorted at Philip’s admonishment. “Well, I could have done with more notice.” He gave Philip a somewhat exasperated look. “I was in Scotland, you know, with no idea that you’d have some hare-brained idea about getting leg-shackled. As it was, I had to leave a whole set of baggage behind.”

  “Oh the horror,” Philip mocked, grinning. Felix always traveled with twice as many clothes as he needed anyway. Looking at him today, in his dark plum waistcoat, navy trousers and superfine jacket, no one would think he’d been rushed in his dressing. “I didn’t know I’d be getting married when you left for Scotland or I would have told you.”

  “So how’d she do it?” Felix asked, settling himself down in the chair across from Philip. Some men would sprawl comfortably in such a casual setting, but never Felix. He was never less than perfectly presentable.

  “Do what?”

  “Trick you into proposing, of course,” Felix said, raising his eyebrow at Philip. “Unless, of course, you were caught in a compromising situation, although I hadn’t heard anything to the effect. But I have been in Scotland.”

  To Philip’s amusement, Marshall shot Felix a dirty look. Most of the time his best friend and his valet got on admirably, but his staff had been quite entranced by Cordelia, and Felix’s insinuations had apparently struck a defensive nerve in the man. Even more amusing, he felt quite pleased by it.

  “She didn’t trick me, and she hasn’t been the least bit compromised.”

  Well. Mostly not compromised. There had been some very passionate kisses exchanged in the past few weeks, but Philip had conducted himself admirably, considering how easy it would have been to sweep her away and... Remembering where he was and seeing how closely Felix was watching him, Philip shut down that line of thought. Marshall gave Felix a superior kind of look as he finished off Philip’s cravat and went to get his jacket.

  “Well, I did hear she was a widow, so it would be hard to compromise her.”

  “A very respectable widow,” Philip said. Almost too respectable. Keeping their encounters to kisses and caresses had done a number on his willpower, but it had been worth it. In some ways, Cordelia was quite skittish. While she wasn’t an innocent, he didn’t think she’d gotten much in the way of experience in the old Baron’s marriage bed either. Open-mouthed kisses had shocked her the first time, but she was quite eager with them now. There was a passionate woman buried under her respectability, one which he was looking forward to unleashing tonight.

  “Dear god,” Felix exclaimed, rolling his eyes. “You’ve become a romantic.”

  A small smile curved Philip’s face as he held out his arms so Marshall could help him into his jacket. “Perhaps a bit. You’ll understand when you meet her.”

  Although Felix made a derogatory noise, Philip could tell that his friend was highly intrigued. Despite the fact that Philip had shared his thoughts on marriage, after talking with Hugh and Edwin, Felix had remained unconvinced that Philip was serious - or that he would be able to find what he sought.

  “All ready, my lord,” Marshall said, smoothing down the lapels of Philip’s jacket and giving him a last once over. “May I extend the congratulations of the staff? We’re very much looking forward to you and your ladyship’s return this evening.”

  “Very good, thank you, Marshall,” Philip said with a nod of dismissal. The staff couldn’t possibly be looking forward to their return more than he was. What had possessed him to agree to an afternoon wedding rather than a morning? There was still at least half an hour before it would be time to leave for the church. Ah yes... he’d been hoping to give the reprobate in front of him more time to arrive.

  Seeing Philip’s gaze landing back on him, Felix grinned. “You’re looking very good, old chap. I’m glad to see Marshall’s keeping you in tip-top shape.”

  “As if he would allow anything less,” Philip said with a snort. He gave himself one last glance in the mirror before turning away. Although he knew he was good-looking, he wasn’t given to Felix’s kind of vanity. “I have a favor to ask of you.”

  “Oh-ho,” Felix said, his eyebrows rising. Philip was not the type to ask for favors, usually preferring to do things on his own. “And on your wedding day no less. How can I refuse?”

  Ignoring his friend’s joking sarcasm, Philip pressed onward. Today was too important for Felix’s levity, and he wanted to impress the seriousness of the situation on him. “I need you to keep an eye on Cordelia’s stepdaughter, Gabrielle, today and keep her out of trouble.”