Chapter 10
Scarlet Lines
Natalie spared me nothing. I was terribly and sore below my waist. She told me I was every inch a female and could be proud of myself. She allowed me to stand as I pleased to assure myself that no blood flowed and my sex was still intact.
"Today's the day I rent you out, darling," Natalie told me. "It's going to be a wonderful experience for you, especially since your cunt is so tender and sensitive. I hope you're properly grateful."
"Yes, Mistress."
"Whipping your pussy like that did so much for me, darling. But the lovely little whip and the service you did after put me beautifully back on course. You can expect a repeat next time the rotation delivers you into my power."
"Yes, Mistress."
"I'm never sure about that 'Yes, Mistress' bit, but I suppose it's the proper thing for a slavegirl to say after being whipped. Bill Masters fucks so gorgeously, I have to say you're a very lucky girl."
"Thank you, Mistress."
"Gosh, there you go again! All right, all right, I won't punish you for that. I want you to carry this obedience right on through after Bill Masters comes. If you behave the way he expects, I can raise you price outrageously. Would you like me to whip your cunt again?"
"No, Mistress, thank you."
"Okay, but I want you to remember that if you blow this deal with Bill, I'll whip you like you've never been whipped before."
She patted my bottom affectionately. "But you've got more sense, darling. Perhaps you'll never be whipped again. I forgot to ask Bill Masters if he likes whipping girls."
"I expect I'll soon find out. Natalie, dear, would you be kind and ask this guy not to whip me the first day? You can show him between my legs so he'll know I don't need it."
I was puzzled by Natalie, she was doing something which the club would punish her for if they found out. Whimsically, I wondered what sort of slave Natalie would make for the Sensuality Club. But in the meantime there was me, and I couldn't see much to be happy about. If I wanted to be pawed over by men, I would never had joined the Sensuality Club. Now, being forced to lay down and spread my legs for one after another, didn't thrill me a bit. But it was in the rules, the Holy Rules.
"You've got the June bride feeling, I can tell," Natalie quipped as she made coffee. "Butterflies in the tummy and maybe a bit lower down?"
"It's worse than being a June bride, I've never seen the guy."
"I don't see why you're bothered, Angelique dear, you've been given to several men and it's never bothered you yet. Thing is you fell in love with Tom Fredrick's. Am I right?"
"I suppose so. Girls are crazy. And I've never been sure if it's the guy or his genitals we fall in love with. I read once they used to call it his rod and he used it to keep his woman in place. Maybe they grew them better then."
"You mean Tom Fredrick's wasn't ... ?"
"Yes, he was, very much so. But most of them are pretty damned feeble. Really, dear, I'm terribly sorry if I'm in a pessimistic mood."
"The fellow has a right to expect something, too, Angelique dear," she reproved. "Let's talk about something else. For instance, why don't you soft talk Bill Masters into granting you freedom? A few tears and a bit of friction in the right place does wonders with men. I'd be surprised if you couldn't twist him around your finger in a week."
"You'd be in a fine pickle if I did."
Natalie worked hard at making me feel better. I know my melancholy arose from the feelings I had for Tom. A girl can't love one man and spread her legs for another and feel right about what she's doing. True, I would be helpless when delivered to Bill Masters, and whatever he did to me or with me would not be by my choice. The more I mulled the whole thing over, the more jumbled my thoughts became. I was thankful when the doorbell rang.
On Natalie's instructions I clinked and rattled my way to the lounge and stood naked to await the master I must serve for the next couple of weeks. Natalie had also admonished to smile and look happy. Tugging frightfully at my handcuffed wrists, I did my best.
I felt increasingly foolish as I stood, naked and in chains, to await Natalie's boyfriend. When at last they arrived I had never seen Natalie more bewildered or flushed as she ushered in not a man but a smiling girl. It was Jennifer Seabright.
Imagine my feeling! I was even more baffled than my mistress. Not simply by Jennifer's presence but because she was accompanied by the sweetest thing I had ever seen, who could have been any age below nineteen. The girl was far too delicious to be walking around loose. I hungered for her instantly and could well believe Natalie was salivating, too.
"Her name is Desiree," Jennifer explained. "Isn't she just too darling for words?"
Along with shock I was receiving messages. With her back to Natalie, Jennifer contrived by her expression to tell me to shut up and let her do the talking. I contented myself with a, "Hello, Desiree, you're very beautiful." I longed to add, "Run for your life," but was too curious.
"This is Miss Jennifer Seabright," Natalie informed. "She's brought me a letter and the whole thing is quite a shock."
"I can easily explain the whole thing," Jennifer said brightly. "I'm what you might call a professional slavegirl and Mr. Masters, who has been my owner for some time, wishes to trade Desiree and I in exchange for one Angelique Martin." She beamed to me affectionately as if never seeing me before. "I expect that's you, isn't it? Please don't call me Miss Seabright, Jennifer sound so much better."
"This has to be insane," said Natalie.
"Not really." It was as if Jennifer had her speech prepared. "For some reason of his own, my Master wishes to make a test with Miss Martin. He sort of wants to buy her from this club of yours and then give her the option of running around loose or enslaving herself to him." She smiled. "Men are so strange. But, anyway, he feels quite sure that in payment for Miss Martin you would be only too happy to accept Desiree and I. I think you're getting a very generous offer."
I had to agree but dare not do so openly. This girl was beautiful and well-built. She exuded sex, it radiated from her. If anyone wanted sex personified, it stood before me now with shinning eyes, lovely long blonde hair, and fantastic legs shown off quite well by the short dress.
"You have to be out of your tree," said Natalie.
"Don't tell me your fellow members would not approve?" said Jennifer. "I am absolutely sure they will approve and will be delighted by what they receive. Oh, and by the way, Desiree is my younger sister." I played submissive and stood silent but my heart was thudding with an intensity I hoped no one could hear. Natalie had stared steadily at the radiant child since bringing her into the room. Jennifer took Natalie a step further in sinking the hook into Natalie.
"Would you like Desiree and I to strip, Natalie? We're perfectly willing and have two of the nicest bodies you've ever seen." Then she added, "We'll let you handcuff us as a sign of sincere intentions. Won't we Desiree?"
"You'll love my pussy," said Desiree's musical voice. "All the girls do."
Desiree's fingers were already searching for the zippers. They both made quick work of the little clothing they had worn. And they were right. Jennifer was a treasure by any standards and Desiree was a fantasy come true. I longed to have her alone in some secret place and under my control. That dream would not happen.
The impact was what Jennifer desired. "I'm nice, aren't I? And Desiree is out of this world." Her eyes sought Natalie's. "Please say you agree."
"Of course I agree. The two of you are just too much." Natalie was breathless. "I could get a fortune for you."
"Why don't you? By the way, I do think you should handcuff us so it will be too late for us to argue about things. Behind our back is best, isn't it?"
Desiree's skin was virgin and flawless. Jennifer's bottom was vividly marked by whip marks. No one made reference to the colored strips. But they were one more evidence that Jennifer spoke true.
"I'm afraid I'd have to have the Board's approval," said Natalie. "If I set dear Angelique at liberty, there could be hell to pay."
Liberty! What a wonderful word. I had even enjoyed it once, a long time ago. But the thrill was every bit as strong, the desire as great now. I looked directly at my mistress, 'This means a lot to me, Natalie. If I wanted to be dramatic, I could say it means my life. And you're getting such a bargain."
"You and I can believe that, Angelique. But will the rest?"
Natalie was weakening.
"I really do think you should handcuff us, Miss Crosby," Desiree said in sweet innocence. "Jennifer look every so nice when we're handcuffed."
If I had been free, I would have handcuffed them myself. It was as if Natalie was in some sort of trance as she sought out two pairs of handcuffs for her visitors. When it was done, Natalie stepped back.
"I think you should tighten them one or two clicks," said Desiree sweetly. "Mine are not tight enough."
My heart melted.
Natalie tightened both pairs of handcuffs to make their wearers wince. I could tell she was hooked. All that was left was to reel in the fish. If Natalie loved them die club would love them, too.
There is some sort of magic about locking a girl's hands behind her back. She becomes helpless and everything she has can been seen. So it was with Jennifer and Desiree. I noted that both of them had nipples aroused and erect, indicating that they were also getting a charge out of this.
"I like being handcuffed and I'm obedient," said Desiree.
"If you want a bit of sport along with the whipping of our bottoms, and the other services you can compel us to provide, I'm quite willing to try and escape every chance I get." Jennifer contributed helpfully.
"But I simply must contact the Board." Natalie's voice was shaky.
"I'm afraid we can't wait for the Board to hold meetings and all that nonsense," Jennifer affirmed. "We think we're offering you a bargain. But if you don't want us, we won't be a nuisance, we'll simply leave."
"You can't. You're naked and handcuffed. I could keep you and Angelique, too." Natalie was right on target. "I've got you and I don't have to bargain."
"There is your conscious, you know," Jennifer said slyly. "We're not doing this on our own, Mr. Masters is in on it, too. If one of us doesn't report to him this afternoon, you'll have him knocking on your door." Jennifer smiled. "He told us to tell you that as a last resort, if he thinks you haven't played fair, he'll go to the police."
Jennifer was wasted as a slave. She should have been in the United Nations. But I knew how she felt about the handcuffs and all the rest of the scene, handcuffs puckered up my pussy, too. Girls are shockingly weak when it comes to their glands.
"Do we have a deal?" Jennifer inquired sweetly.
"I'll be ever so nice between your legs, darling," Desiree said as if she could hardly wait.
"This is something I simply can't decide alone, you'll have to give me time. I simply can't let Angelique walk out the way you ask."
"In that case please unlock our handcuffs and we'll walk out." Jennifer's voice was firm.
"And I would so have loved to have eaten you, Miss Crosby." Desiree sounded soooo sincere.
"Very well," said Natalie, utterly enraptured. "It's a deal. When I've put leg irons on your ankles, I'll turn Angelique loose. I suppose she can take your car."
"Of course."
As if by afterthought, Natalie demanded, "I suppose you realize what you're doing makes you prisoners for life. Do you really want that?"
"We wouldn't be here if we didn't, Miss Crosby."
I stood in silent disbelief as Natalie took the leg irons from my feet and locked them on Jennifer. There was another pair for Desiree. When my mistress unlocked the handcuffs on my wrist I knew myself in a dream come true. Half an hours later I was driving Tom Fredrick's car down the highway, totally clothed and free. In the handbag given me was two hundred dollars and ahead of me Tom Fredrick's would be waiting. I had to wonder how he had impressed Natalie in his role of Bill Masters, but after all I'm only a slavegirl and needn't bother my head over such trifles. My heart was signing.
A girl has to lose liberty to know how glorious and wonderful it is. Even though I was driving I took time to kick my feet or wave an arm. Freedom is also intoxicating and in my euphoria it suddenly occurred to me that I should not be delivering myself to Tom, even though he had purchased my release this second time. It just suddenly seemed so logical to return to my home, call Tom on the phone and make him come to me. I knew, of course, should he refuse, I would immediately go to him. But I would not tell him that. At the first safe opportunity I would turn his car around and head for my own home from which Debbie had unkindly snatched me a short time ago. My heart was now singing even more loudly because I was my own mistress again.
I thought of the Sensuality Club and shivered. It was a really marvelous idea to have a pet slavegirl to pass around. That is, so long as you are not the slavegirl! I knew that after my more than a year of enslavement I would never be quite the same again. I don't mean more or less but simply different. My mistress had unlocked within me sensations and emotions I never knew I had. I had to admit to the strangest and most erotic sensations during all those punishments the girls thought up for me. I'd never fallen in love with being whipped even though it was sensual, too. I could figure I'd be whipped often enough if I went back to Tom or if he took me by force. There is something different and special between a man and a woman.
But I refused to dwell on it and concentrated on getting home. I knew myself terrible in love, that much was sure.
Thinking about Tom Fredrick's made my panties wet. I suppose one of the reasons for my own doubts about love arose from my inability to forget those powerful thrusts by which Tom made me know I was most surely female.
I was in a dither of happiness when I pressed a little button and my garage door opened. When it closed again behind Tom's car I knew I must not make the same mistake again but to immediately phone a locksmith to render those keys to my home which the Sensuality Club possessed valueless. My house was empty as I made for the little room I call my office and the phone. For sure the Sensuality Club would not catch me napping again.
Waiting for me beside the phone was Tom Fredrick's.
I was not rooted in shock, nor did I stand with my mouth wide open as people are suppose to do when shocked out of their socks. Without pause I flung myself on him, put my arm around his neck and repeated over and over, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
When we came up for air his welcome was typical, "I thought I should kidnap you before that damned fool club of yours did it again. Now take off those stupid clothes, you look ridiculous."
Shedding the dress was instant nudity. Kicking off the shoes I immediately resumed position. After Tom had played with my nipples a little while, I implored, "Please take me to bed. Can't you sense that I'm in agony?"
"I want you in agony, you aggravating pussy cat." His fingers fell away. "I'm still annoyed over giving you freedom and you toss it away without even trying to keep it. I'll make sure you're never free again."
"Do I get whipped first thing?"
"You deserve to. But the signs indicate you've been pretty well whipped already. Some girl must have been a real pussy fancier. I suppose the marks on your back and rump were donated by the club?"
"That's right." Snuggled up close. "But if you want to whip me again now I won't mind, honest I won't. It feels so good with you."
"You're a vixen who needs and deserves a few lessons. But you needn't think I'm going to whip you every day just to appease that lusty little cunt of your. Good gosh, just feel it now!"
"I'm so glad you made me take off Jennifer's dress. I've been naked so long I hate clothes. Am I permitted to ask about Jennifer?"
"Not really, but I'll stretch a point in this case. Jennifer was simply a case of too damned much, too damned often. And that little trick Desiree she called in to please me is too young. But I figured she'd please those lesbian cats at the club. I simply prefer you."
"But the club will keep her for life, won't that cost you a fortune? That deal you make with her?"
"I'll be disappointed if it does." He laughed. "I'll be damned good and surprised if Jennifer and her little sister aren't back home by tomorrow. When they got there, were they searched?"
"They were stripped naked."
Tom laughed again in most evident amusement. "Jennifer and that little nymphet had more handcuff keys tucked up in places or in their hair than they'll ever need. Pity the poor girl responsible for them, she'll wake up to an empty nest."
I felt sorry for poor Natalie, the club would be furious. I could only hope she wouldn't suffer the wrath of the Sensuality Club too badly. I thrust concern away to demurely plead, "Please take me to bed."
"No! You have to be punished for all your absurdities, so you can damned well wait until it's me who gives the word. Don't you ever start telling me what to do."
"I'm sorry, Master. I'm so terribly happy, I've forgotten what I am. Am I still a slavegirl?"
"Wouldn't you sooner be my wife?"
The heavens opened and I heard violins and angels. The best I had been hoping for was to be his slave for always. His simple question left me breathless. I had been kneeling at his feet as we talked. I had been gazing up at him. "Master—oh, Tom! Do you really want to marry me? I want to be your wife so damned bad."
"There's strings attached, honey."
"You mean you want to punish me some way first?"
I could tell Tom was delighted with me. I knew it the same way a child knows it has pleased it's elders. Tom's voice was sober as he said, "What punishment, sweetheart? Since I got you back this time you've been willing and almost anxious to be punished as if I'm a practicing sadist with nothing else to do. I love submission in a girl but that collection of hens have got you so well broken I'm not sure I like it."
Perhaps without knowing it Tom was opening up for me fresh vistas. I could be myself again. I could be Angelique Martin who had opinions and could make them known And who could indulge in a pout or a sulk when so inclined. Tom's voice took me a step closer. "Whether you're my wife or not, you'll still be captive. I want a wife who can go out and around with me on occasion. But what I want most of all is my own captive maiden who will always be trying her damndest to escape. I don't want a doormat. Am I making sense?"
I laughed delightedly. "What you want, Master, is the Angelique who lost that lottery' months ago. When I think of all the agonies I went through ... ."
"You've got the idea. Now I propose to make it real. I'll keep you prisoner for thirty days. I've even treat you rough. I don't mean whipping you, but cords and chains and ropes and stuff. You'll be a well confined girl. If, at the end of the month, you have failed to escape then that is that. I'll keep you prisoner and enjoy you to the full. If, on the other hand, you manage to escape my ropes, the two of us will go and get married. And live happily ever after."
"But, darling, in all the time I've been a prisoner I've never managed to get loose from anything. I've never even come close to getting loose."
"I have to hand it to that bunch of Lesbians for keeping you a secured prisoner. They know what they're doing. I'll admit you never had a chance, a girl just can't defeat handcuffed wrists and chained feet. That's why I'm promising you no metal. No handcuffs."
"There were times when they simply kept me tied, I never got loose then, either."
"Stop quibbling. I'll be very surprised if sometime during the next thirty days you don't get the best of a bit of cord."
"Couldn't we get married now and I'll escape afterwards?"
"A remark like that can get you a stripped bottom. Watch it!"
"I'm sort of free right now," I said. "Do I get. . well, fastened?"
"I'm being nice to you. And anyway, I want you free for a purpose I have in mind. I've got something I want to show you. But, first, do we have a deal?"
"Of course we have a deal. I can't really lose, can I? I'll try my damndest to become Mr. Tom Fredrick's. But, if I fail, you're stuck with me anyway. I'll just have a couple of chaffed wrists."
"Damn it, Angelique, I can't see why you can't steal a kitchen knife or sucker me into tying you less tight. And there's always the fictional way of rubbing your tied hands against something sharp. When I think of all the tricks girls play on men, you and I will be walking to the alter within seven days."
I kept silent. After being a prisoner for so long I did not share Tom's optimism. If I was tied by Tom, I was sure I'd stay tied. But I could see this meant a lot to him. And I could see it adding a delightful spice to whatever he did to me or we did together. I tucked the marriage bit away in the back of my mind and told myself I was a very lucky girl.
Suddenly I was in Tom's arms and for quite a long while I entirely forgot ropes or anything else.
Being loved made everything right. It didn't matter to Tom or I what the rest of the world thought. We were happy. When, after we surfaced, he told me to come and see his surprise, I followed without a thought. When he threw open the door to my lounge and waved me in I was totally unprepared. Naked on my rug and bound tight into the contortion of a hogtie was Nancy Turpin.
"She seemed to be in charge here when I arrived so I put her on hold," Tom said casually. "Probably you know who she is."
"Untie me this instant, Angelique," Nancy said. "This idiot of a man is insane."
I wanted to laugh. I know the reaction is unkind but emotions have been piled on emotions, and a tied up Nancy Turpin, stark naked was just too much.
"Tom's very nice when you get to know him. I'm sure he'll untie you when he gets ready."
"I'm not asking him. I'm telling you. Angelique! Do as you're told."
I have to admit that I was tempted to obey orders. But Tom took over. "You can stop ordering Angelique around. I suppose you're one of those hens from the Sensuality Club. You've lost Angelique. Angelique belongs to me now." He paused a few seconds. "And so do you."
It hit poor Nancy hard but she did her best. "I'll have the police deal with you," she said harshly. "You probably don't realize the power of our club. I have to suppose you've stolen poor Angelique again. But if you now set me free and allow me to dress, I will convey whatever messages you wish to the Board."
Tom gently clapped in mock applause. "Magnificent, simply magnificent," he said. "Yes, I now own Angelique. But I also own you. I'm well on my way to a harem."
"You are disgusting. These ropes hurt. Untie me."
Nancy was very beautiful there on the rug, naked and with very tight ropes cutting into her arms and legs. I wondered how good a sport she would be about the reversal of our roles. Tom caught my eye and winked. "See if you can get through to her, Angelique."
I'd seen Nancy naked before but I have never seen her hogtied. Innocently, and trying to please, I ventured, "You really do look beautiful like that, Nancy."
"I don't. I look horrible. And I feel horrible. Angelique, if you don't untie me right now, I'll report you."
"I'm afraid I don't belong to the club anymore. I belong to Mr. Fredrick's. So do you."
"Nonsense! Men don't count. Either tell him to untie me or do it yourself."
I sighed. I could almost feel the authority of the Sensuality Club from this tight-bound girl on my rug. Tom was right, I had been their prisoner far too long. I tried again, "Nancy, dear, I think you have to understand that you've become a prisoner of war. If I were you, I would be very polite to Mr. Fredrick's. If you are, I'm sure you won't be whipped very often."
"You little cheat!" Nancy was staring at me and what she saw as my disloyalty. "When the club is deciding how to punish you for this, I won't help you at all."
I sighed again. "It would be better if you told Mr. Fredrick's that you're happy to be his prisoner and that you want to please. Nancy dear, don't get yourself punished."
Being hogtied and naked while a man looks on isn't the easiest thing for a girl, especially for a member of the Sensuality Club. Getting nowhere myself, I was thankful when Tom took over.
"Stubborn little bitch, isn't she? Don't bother arguing with her, I'll just have to whip some sense into her. Or would you like to do the whipping? Was she mean to you?"
"The way the club figured it, none of them were mean."
"But you still collected a lot of marks on your skin?"
"Well, yes. But, Tom, it's so hard to explain."
"I'm sure it is." Tom's voice was harsh. "Especially with her ladyship listening. Maybe I should whip her immediately. I can tell she's not going to talk sense until she's well stripped."
"Don't you dare!" Nancy went into a positive frenzy of rolling and twisting against Tom's ropes. "Angelique, tell him he mustn't. Tell him how wrong his is. Tell him. Oh, tell him anything you like but don't let him whip me." "All Tom wants to do is make you understand."
"Go to hell."
I was shocked by that outburst. A slavegirl, and that was what I was thinking of Nancy as, simply did not talk like that to anyone.
Nancy simmered down a bit 'Tell the damned fellow I'm ready to listen to whatever he wants to say. But you can also tell him he's making a bit mistake."
"Why don't you tell him, Nancy?"
"Tell you what, Angelique, girl," Tom said, "you go and make coffee while I talk to the princess here."
I still wanted to laugh but still felt sorry for poor Nancy. A girl who has been a mistress does not happily become a slave. I made coffee and enjoy every second of being free. I glowed with the thought that Tom loved me. All the days ahead seemed wonderful. And I wondered how long it would take Tom to tire of Nancy and send her back to the club.
When I returned with the coffee, I got an instant command. "You can untie the hog, Angelique. But not her hands and feet. In her present mood I think she'd be a trouble. When I drew away the cords binding her feet to her wrists. She seemed grateful but sat up on one hip and said, "I take it I'm not to be set free."
After a little coffee Nancy ventured, "Would money buy me freedom?"
"No. Don't need it."
"Can I abase myself some way to earn liberty?"
"No. Don't need the service. I've got Angelique."
The poor dear wiggled and twisted a bit before she asked, "So you keep me prisoner? I can't stop you. What can I expect?"
"Pretty much the same as you gave Angelique. Depends on your behavior."
"Is there something I can say or do or some price I can pay to avoid being whipped?"
I gave her more coffee. I also straightened out her hair for which I get a really sincere thank you. Girls hate to have men see them with their hair mussed.
"I was never all that unkind to Angelique."
It was a cry for help.
"Ever whip her?"
"Well, yes. All the girls whipped her. At that time she was the only slave we had."
"How many strokes?"
It was dangerous ground and Nancy saw the trap. Looking at me, she lied, "Five. It was mostly five."
"Horseshit! I might believe thirty?"
My former mistress twisted towards me. She was distressed. She sought help. "I never did give her thirty. Tell him I never did give you thirty, Angelique ... please!"
"Angelique feels sorry for you so I can't believe a word she says," Tom replied coolly. "I'll start you out with twenty. That won't be hard and with a whip that won't draw blood."
'Twenty! I'll die!"
"We'll have your remains delivered to the club. Is this your first time ever?"
"Of course it is. And you're a brutal beast for tormenting me like this."
Once more she turned to me. "Oh, Angelique, what am I to do? What is going to happen to me?"
"If I knew what was going to happen, Nancy dear, I'd tell you. But slavegirls don't know anything. Maybe it would be a good idea for me to tell Tom what you did to me."
"Please don't, it will sound terrible."
Nancy relapsed into a sulky pout.
I knew Tom was enjoying this whole thing. In a way I was enjoying it, too. There is something delicious about humiliated pride, and I'm only human. Dear Nancy was at the top of a slide into a humility she could not even imagine.
When Tom told me to untie her feet, I knew her time had come.
My house had a basement but no dungeon, whipping post or cage like other members of the Sensuality Club. But Tom said he would make do and we all went downstairs. When Tom paused before one of the heavy timbers, Nancy chose to be dramatic. "A whipping post, I presume? How appropriate."
When he untied Nancy's wrists she went crazy. I knew she believed that she could run free and being naked she would attract instant attention. I stood there as she used all her strength to fight my man until he grabbed a handful of hair and shook her head. Nancy's struggled stopped.
"I should batter you around a bit, that's the conventional way to handle a struggling woman. You want that?"
She did not answer. He shifted to one of her wrists.
"The police will get you for this."
Tom snorted a short laugh and that was the end of that discussion.
Nancy's wrists were soon tied one to each side of the massive timber and she was a prisoner. The rest of her was free and available. I wiped away the tear which escaped her and whispered hope, "Girl's don't die from being whipped. You know that from the way it was with me. It will soon be over."
"No it won't," Tom vowed decisively. "This is her first time and she is going to enjoy it. None of this soon be over business. Here goes number one."
I swear I felt the pain. I winched at the truly awful sound of a leather thong cutting into the skin of a naked girl. I knew this was going to be bad. Nancy refused to scream. I knew she would hold her screams for as long as possible out of pride. But she went wild in trying to escape her timber. She even went to the length of thrusting a bare foot against the wood. I longed to tell her how useless it was but, on the other hand, struggling helps. Screaming helped, too. Tom was being totally The Master. "I want you to get the full effect of each impact, Miss Turpin. Whether you've been whipped before or not it is still a unique experience, you should pay attention and enjoy. I'm going to note the effect of my leather across your skin. Fine colors form, especially when two strokes are laid over each other.
The second stroke caught her still struggling from the first. It evoked much the same response save for a larger gasp. Nancy was breathless but Tom continued, "One tenth of your punishment. Think what a changed young woman you will be when I count out twenty."
"You bastard! This doesn't change anything expect to make me hate you."
"If twenty does not achieve our purpose, we can start all over again, Miss Turpin."
Nancy stood there panting. This time she refused to speak and waited. No doubt she was thinking of the power of the club. I counted three, four, five and six. At number seven Nancy began to scream. At the start they were more gasps of agony. But as seven and eight marked her skin they were closer to pleas. She never ceased struggling against the ropes that held her.
"When you feel humbled, tell me," said Tom casually.
"That isn't going to happen," said Nancy in gasps. "I suppose you know you're killing me."
The whole affair was beautifully spaced. Tom was indeed a Master. When the word ten was pronounced, I knew Nancy heart it only as a promise of ten more to go. She moaned and for the first time failed to scream as the leather kissed her bare shoulders. As if out of a clear blue sky, she said dully, "If you'll stop whipping me now, I'll do whatever you want. Please?"
Our master did not stop. Instead he suggested, "Do I notice a change in tone, Miss Turpin? Are you beginning to realize you are not the only young woman in the world?"
"Whatever you want. Just stop this."
"Excellent, Miss Turpin. You are reacting beautifully. Please keep me advised as we progress."
There was eleven and then twelve. The leather was wet now with Nancy's sweat and had a different sound. Her struggles were less wild now. And her skin was more marked up. It was terrible and beautiful at the same time. After the fifteenth impact of leather, I heaved a sigh of relief she did not share. So far as Nancy was concerned, her whipping still had far to go.
At number sixteen, she gave her loudest scream of all. Then she was silent and immobile. When the word "twenty" was announced, she simply stood panting. Miss Nancy Turpin had traveled a long road.
Tom and I stood silent as though in awe. I don't suppose either of us had doubt about Nancy's state of mind. We merely awaited confirmation. It came as she slowly said, "You were right, I've been a proud and haughty bitch. And I wasn't all that kind to Angelique. But please don't whip me anymore, I've had enough. I didn't even believe I could take this."
It was about a beautiful a surrender as a man could wish for but Tom was not satisfied. His voice was crisp. "Who and what am I?"
The answer was instant. "You are Tom Fredrick's, my Master."
"And what are you?"
"I am your slavegirl. I will obey. Please don't whip me again."
"And what is Angelique?"
"Angelique is the girl you love. I expect to obey her."
The beautiful response had not been mechanical. But each had been filled with feeling. Nancy had indeed traveled a long and painful path.
Tom consulted his watch. "I liked the way you said that. You have arrived at these conclusions in the space of forty minutes. Should you find your feelings changing, the whip is here. Draw comfort from that."
"Yes, Master."
Another job was done.
We left the naked Nancy tied to the post to take her time in returning to normalcy. Tom and I went to the lounge where I poured brandies in what I suspected might be the last of my freedom. I had no doubt about how to dispose myself, offering Tom's drink while on my knees.
"Think you can handled it?'
"You mean to be whipped the way Nancy was?"
"Hell, no! You're whip-happy, Angelique. I'm talking about the thirty days."
"Of course I can handle it! Darling, don't you see, I can't possibly lose."
"That's a flaw in the arrangement I should correct. It's no fun having a situation in which you can't possibly loose. If you fail to find you freedom in thirty days, you not only become a permanent prisoner, but you also become ..." He eyed me shrewdly. "What would be really bad for you? Fifty?"
Fifty would kill me. I was sure of it. It was impossible. But I cheerfully replied, "Fifty would be nice, Master. Perhaps you should make it sixty."
Tom laughed, recognizing bravado. "It's a deal then," he said. "You get yourself someway free and you become Mrs. Tom Fredrick's. Or you get the whipping of your life and become a slave forever. Looks like a pretty good deal to me."
I did not contradict.