The Truth

"Actually," Emma said in a whisper, "I was just snooping." She said it as if she was joking. If Edward took offense, Emma could just play it off as a joke.

Even from the dim shadow, Emma could see Edward's smile. Her Uncle moved around to the other side of the bed. There he opened the drawer in the nightstand. He turned to look at Emma and beckoned her over like a little kid.

Emma looked back down the hall, half suspecting Aunt Maude to jump out and scream at both of them. When no frumpy woman jumped out at her, Emma snuck over to her uncle's side. Peeking in the drawer, feeling as much like a little kid as Ed had seemed, Emma couldn't believe this had worked. She felt a new bond forming between her and her uncle as they violated Maude's trust.

The drawer had some regular lotions for faces and feet, and a bottle of lubricant. Nothing too risqué. Next to the lotions and lube however, there were a leather pair of handcuffs, and a wide paddle. The paddle seemed to have what looked like blunted metal studs lining one side.

Emma stifled a giggle and looked at her uncle. He was having as much fun as she was. "Your auntie likes a bit of discipline," He said, grinning like a fool, then he added, "You didn't hear it from me, but I think it reminds her of dear old dad." He nodded to one of the old portraits, a middle aged man looking more serious than Maude.

"Spanking, or being spanked?" Emma asked, finding it hard to picture Aunt Maude letting anyone discipline her.

"Both, but between you and me, she'd rather be on the receiving end, no pun intended." Ed said, still smiling.

Emma shook her head. "I can't picture that. I would have put good money on that being the other way around."

Ed said, "She's a multifaceted gem, that Maude." His smile finally seemed to fade, then he said, "Afraid that's all the good stuff you'll find in here, though. We're not a very exciting clan, most days."

Emma didn't believe that either.