Chapter 2
Joined Wrists
The suitcase was innocent enough, its contents were not. Angelique viewed the pile of chrome and steel that fell from it with a thrill of dismay and to the tune of Avis's laughter.
"You'll be so much more comfortable in this, Angelique, my pet. And I think they'll have a psychological effect. Let's try them out. Which pair of leg irons would you chose?"
"I don't want any of them. Take them away."
"Aren't you tired of these old ropes?"
"I sure am but I'm not going to like that stuff any better. Avis, darling, please stop this nonsense."
Avis Bonner paid no heed. Darling Angelique was coming along nicely, but constant spasms of revolt were to be expected. She would deal with them kindly. She now selected a pair of leg irons with a short but heavy chain. "Watch what I'm going to do, Angelique. Just think, for half a minute you're going to have free feet! For goodness sake, behave."
It was Angelique's first step into an uncharted land. She could not deny a thrill as she watched the untying of the rope from her bare ankles. She was conscious of breathing heavily as the rope, which had served its purpose well, was cast aside and Avis picked up her choice of irons. All Angelique could think to say was, "Please don't. Oh, Avis, please don't lock those things on me!" He voice was close to breaking.
Avis Bonner carefully adjusted the chrome circlets and clicked them shut to form a tight, neat band upon each ankle. "There, surely that's a lot better! Or would you prefer I used the rope again?"
Angelique sniffed sulkily. .She was not going to admit to any kind of preference for begin bound or chained in any fashion. She wanted out! All she could think to say was, "Well, if that amuses you ..."
"You're hands are the real test, sweetheart, I have to free them before I can use the handcuffs." She was looking at her captive doubtfully. "Are you going to give me trouble?"
"Suppose I do?"
"I'll whip you."
So simple! So easy to weaken Angelique's resolve.
"Go ahead and do what you like," Angelique said despondently. "I know I can't beat you. Go ahead, I'll behave."
It was beautifully simple, even the girl who now wore metal instead of rope had to admit the convenience. And felt an absurd affection for the cord she had worn upon her wrists for the five days as it was cast aside. It was a new and quite strange thrill to feel the chromed steel close around her wrists and click shut. She wished she had thought to ask permission to stretch her arms but quickly it was too late. Then it occurred to her that these iron shackles might just remain on her forever. For the first time in this strange captivity, the thoughts of teasing and practical jokes dissolved to be replaced by a new reality. She could never free herself from these chains and would never know where Avis kept the key. It was a solemn thought she now voiced, "You really mean this, Avis. You and the club members are never going to let me free. You've got me and you're going to keep me." Her voice took on a tone of wonder. "And it's so easy, so damnably easy! All you have to do is buy a pair of handcuffs and that's the end of Angelique."
"You've got that wrong, darling, it's not the end but the beginning. From now on you'll live with an intensity you've never realized. When one of us makes love to you, it's going to be twice as good. Darling, I'm thrilled to bits. Give me a smile."
Since the final click of the locks, Angelique had been testing the metal by which she was now held prisoner. It was smooth and held her with a firm grip and a certainty which said all too clearly she could stop tugging and twisting. But that she knew she would never do, it would always be a testing of a captivity she must somehow escape. She gave Avis the requested smile and said, "You've really got me. You and the girls have got me forever. This is the first time I've really believed ..."
"They really feel good?"
"Yes, if I have to be a prisoner, they feel good."
"Try walking."
Each careful step produced a metallic jingle before the chain snapped taut. Except for the" sound, there was little difference from the rope. Of course the rope could be cut, whereas the heavy chain could not. Angelique was still practicing when they received a visitor.
"I simply couldn't wait. I've been simply dying of curiosity since I got the news. Avis, you're simply wonderful!" Dark eyes flashed and black hair was swept aside as one more member of the club drank in the chained and lovely girl she would one day own. Isabel Travis was entranced.
"I've just handcuffed her for the first time. Quite something, isn't she?"
Angelique's blush was not as vivid as before, she was beginning to wear nakedness like an invisible cloak. She stood passive as the newcomer ogled her handcuffed wrists and leg-ironed ankles. Isabel Travis took Angelique's head in her hands and looked deeply into captive eyes.
"Tell me, dear, how it feels to know you'll never be free again. We own you."
Angelique debated refusing to speak, but why deny herself the pleasure of these two vivid girls who, expect for a few clothes and a couple of bits of metal, were the same as she! "It's frightening, you've no right to do it to me." Her retort was an explosive bitterness, "I hate it!"
"You don't really, you just think you do." Isabel's laugh was catchy. "We all knew it would be a shock for you but I think you're doing fine. I see Avis has whipped you?"
"Yes, a real fun thing. She does it with a long, yellow cane." Once more the bitterness burned bright
"I expect we'll have to whip you a lot to get rid of that anger and resentment, darling. I've been reading up on the subject, dear, and the whip or the cane is sure fire! But, isn't it nice to know we'll never be brutal?"
"I wish you'd all come to your senses and let me go."
"That's a song she sings constantly," Avis explained apologetically. "I could probably whip it out of her but I expect she'll wear it out herself."
"I love the way you girls talk about me as if I'm not here, or as though I'm a bag of potatoes," Angelique said sarcastically. "If you girls want to play this silly game, you should take turns with one of you submitting herself for seven days every twenty-fifth week. I don't see why you have to pick on me for my entire life, you'll be bored stiff with me by the end of a year."
Isabel turned shining eyes to Avis, "Shall I tell her?"
"Sure, why not?"
Isabel playfully pinched an unprotected nipple. "We'll never get tired of you, darling, I'm sure you know that. But we're not going to have you carry the whole load. You're our prototype, we're going to learn a whole lot from you. And when you've got really settled down, and stop this silly business of thinking of escape and what a rotten deal you've got, when you're exactly as we want you, we'll get a second slavegirl and let you train her for us! You will, won't you, dear?"
"No, I won't!" But stuck by a sudden thought, Angelique added, "Not unless you draw lots and she's one of your twenty-five members. I'd like that."
"That's still under debate, darling. If none of the members want to take the chance, we'll pick up an outsider."
"You'll kidnap a girl? You're crazy!"
"But what's the difference? You're every bit as much kidnapped as if we picked you up at the beach or the park."
"You'll all get yourselves into trouble," Angelique sounded pleased. "When you're all in prison, I'll come on visitors day and remind you about right now. And ask you how you like handcuffs. And what's it like to see everything through bars." Angelique sniffed. "That's what's going to happen if you don't watch out."
"Oh, we're watching out alright, we've made you disappear as if you never happened. Darling, what does it feel like to be whipped?"
"I don't want to talk about it. You're only asking to get yourself excited. If you really want to know what it's like, I'm sure Avis will cane your bottom, why don't you take your clothes off and ask her nicely?"
"My, my, she is adjusting!" Isabel's exclamation was filled with admiration. "Angelique, you're far too pert and impudent. When it comes my turn to own you, I've got this darling little whip you'll just flip over. It will cure you completely. I'll see if I can't talk the girls into letting me have you right after Avis."
"Isabel, you're forgetting, she's been a prisoner less than a week. Today's the first time she's been handcuffed. By the time I'm through with the sweetheart, she'll be a lot different than she is right now. How would you feel if you were in her shoes?"
Isabel Travis laughed. "Okay, okay, I know I'm a bit of a bitch. But dear little Angelique needs a lot more than you've done. If you're squeamish about it, how about letting me do it? She needs training."
"Wait your turn, Isabel, right now she belongs to me and I'll use a cane on her when I think she's ready. You would beat Angelique purple and get nowhere. Hold your horses."
The handcuffed girl felt tension slip away. Avis was sweet. Isabel had always been fun but the naked captive shivered at the thought of being delivered to her in this state of helplessness. Angelique felt a wave of thankfulness for the way things were.
"When you get me, I'll be tremendously obedient, Isabel," she assured earnestly. "I won't give you a single reason for punishment, I'll be very well behaved, I promise."
The avowal earned a kiss. "I'm sure you mean that, honey, but for sure I'll find some excuse to whip you so you might as well get used to the idea. Gee, I wish my turn wasn't so far down the line." She turned to Avis, "Are you sure you wouldn't like me to give our little Angelique a small thrashing?"
"Quite sure. But thanks anyway "
Isabel was saddened but not upset. Her roving mind seized upon another opportunity to make the captive cringe. "Avis, shall I tell her about that other thing I spoke of?"
"You will anyway, so go ahead."
This time Isabel pinched both defenseless nipples and kissed the naked girl full upon the lips. "I'm getting my money's worth in thinking about the things I'm going to do to you, and with you, when I get you. I've thought of the nicest thing I'm sure you're going to hate. One of the things is that I'll make a gift of you for one hour to my boy friend. How does that grab you?"
Angelique shrugged. "I can be thankful I'm not a virgin. Really, Isabel, aren't you carrying this too far? If you actually did that, it would be rape."
"Who are you going to tell?"
"Isabel ... please don't do it. I suppose you'd deliver me to him chained the way I am right now so he can rape me to his heart's content. I think that's disgusting."
The voice of Avis was soothing, "Someone had to tell you about this, Angelique, and I suppose it might as well be Isabel or I would have had to tell you myself. The thing was discussed among the girls. The general feeling was that it would be a really erotic kick none of them could resist. I don't know how often it will happen but it's there."
"Gosh, Avis, you really are a sissy, you're going about this all wrong. I'd have the darling whipped and in shape in no time. There's no need to take your whole thirty days to bring her around. It's a good thing there's twenty-five or the poor dear would never get herself anywhere." She turned to Angelique and smiled. "You do want all the experiences you can get out of this, don't you dear?"
"I want to go home," said Angelique flatly.
Isabel said her goodbyes and departed. It was impossible to dislike Isabel, she was so vividly alive and curious about everyone she met. In spite of assurances of shame and pain, Angelique found herself wondering what it would be like when she was delivered as a chained captive to the dark-eyed girl who wished to whip her and whip her hard. She did not know but would undoubtedly find out. In the meantime there was Avis Bonner, the girl she loved who was also the girl who had whipped her with a long, wicked yellow cane. None of it made sense and Angelique Martin wondered what the final results would be. Would they, could they, really keep her a prisoner all her life? Even when she ceased being an attractive young women?
Angelique tugged at steel-clad wrists and knew they could indeed keep her prisoner. She turned to the only friend she had, "Hold me for a little while, Avis, darling. Isabel scared me. These handcuffs scare me. I've been turned into a frightened little girl. I can't face forever."
For large portions of each weekday, Avis Bonner looked after the estate inherited from her father, an estate comprising the entire building in which they lived and several others. Such an estate demanded supervision, and while the owner was busy with these duties she left Angelique along without even the cheerful unconcern of Possie. Possie enjoyed two or three hours of liberty each afternoon before returning to make the evening meal. Possie was alright as a companion when available, but showed no pity or desire to help.
"I don't see why you's beefing, Angelique. I thinks you got it good," she explained patiently. "You girls are all rich and you gets to live in nice penthouses like this. And all you had to do for a living is wear them handcuffs. I wish I could be so lucky."
"Then why don't we trade, Possie? You can wear my handcuffs and I'll go home."
"That's plum silly, Miss Angelique, and you knows it is. Ain't no way I'm going to get you loose even if I could. Ain't go no key so that's the end of that. If I tell Miss Bonner 'bout what you said, she'll whip your ass."
"You may think I've got it good, Possie, but I'll tell you it's just plain horrible."
"You ain't never been poor, that's why," Possie affirmed with feeling. "All you got to do is sit around and look pretty while I gots to work my ass off 'cause I got Ma and Pa to look after. And there's all that rent—shit! Them handcuffs don't amount to nothing."
It was a point of view which led Angelique to the comforting reflection that things could always be worse. Perhaps being terribly poor was worse than having your hands cuffed behind your back. She would never know. Possie's "No Help" policy was daunting, leaving the chained girl in a claustrophobic isolation.
"You gals don't know what it's like to be the way I is. You ain't never done a lick of work, an' you don't have to get up at five o'clock to do two jobs. If Miss Bonner offered me a hundred bucks to cane my ass, I'd grab it so damned quick!"
"Would you like me to suggest it, Possie?"
"I already done that. She said it weren't no good that way. She give me the hundred but I never felt right about it."
"I'll give you a thousand to let me loose, Possie."
"Yeah. Ah bet you would. And then I wouldn't have no job and there'll be twenty-five gals looking to make me trouble. You stay the way you is. Miss Angelique and think yourself lucky. Gosh, nothing to do but nibble a girl's what's-it!"
"Would you do that, Possie? I mean, with your wrists handcuffed behind your back and your feet chained together?"
"Gosh, yes! Just give me the change. I'd do whenever she wanted and I'd do it good. The rest of the time I'd sleep. You ain't got no idea how lucky you is."
"But I've been told some of the members will whip me and others will give me to a man. You wouldn't want that."
"You're so damned fussy," Possie complained. "A little whipping don't hurt no girl none. My old man used to belt into me real proper with a strap he left hanging on the wall. He'd warm my ass so bad I'd cry myself to sleep. But it ain't nothing to worry about. I got so I sort of enjoyed the first few swats. And, as for them handcuffs, if you ain't doing nothing, what's the difference?"
Possie had a logic all her own. It was hard to refute, comprising as it did, a commentary upon the life and times of a black girl without either influence or cash. In it also was some faint comfort for Miss Angelique Martin who still hoped the-black girl might be a path to freedom. Angelique wondered if Possie knew where the key was hidden. On the next occasion she voiced the question.
"If you can find the key to these chains Avis has locked on me and can set me free, I think I can gather five thousand dollars real quick. Please give me my freedom."
"No way, Miss Angelique. And, anyway, I don't know where the key is."
"You could buy one."
"Maybe I could but I ain't going to. Miss Bonner, she been real good to me, and what's more she told me you were gonna to try and put ideas in my head jus' like you're doing right now. I'm suppose to let her know. I'll bet if I were to tell her what you said, she'd lace into you real good. And I ain't so sure it won't be good for you."
The five thousand was the best Angelique could manage. She abandoned Possie as a channel to escape. The black girl was fun to talk to but that was all.
"Possie tells me you offered her a bribe if she would help you escape," Avis said casually. "Is that right, darling?"
"Yes, wouldn't you do the same?"
"I should whip you."
"Go ahead."
"I'll think about it. But if it's all still new to you and I absolutely must make allowances for the way you feel. You're right, I would have asked Possie, too. But that doesn't alter the fact that the club expects me to whip such notions out of your pretty head. They want you so you don't even think of escape, let along proportion Possie."
"All right, I'll leave Possie alone. But, darling, what's the next item on our agenda, I get so terribly bored when I'm alone here in the afternoon? Sitting on the couch, naked and chained, seem such an awful waste. Avis, don't you understand, this is my life."
"Very well, supposing I come home early and cane your bottom every day before dinner. Would that make you feel better?"
"Oh, Avis, please! We always get back to the damned cane, and I'm beginning to think you're as bad as Isabel. She would have cut me to bits with it. And you mention it once or twice every day."
Angelique wrinkled her nose. "I know I'm chained so I can't do anything but I really suppose I'm behaving rather well. I've become obedient to the point of nausea. I no longer ask anyone to unlock my hands. Where do we go from here?"
"Tomorrow's Saturday so I won't be going to the office. I could start your training."
"What do you mean 'training'? I'm trained already. Good gosh, everything's happened to me so what else is up your sleeve?"
"Oh, Angelique, I'm so sorry I'm the way I am." Avis paused as she thought. "Minding your Ps and Q's comes next, sweetheart. As well as a few touches of humiliate which, right now, you're not all that strong on."
The Sensuality Club's captive maiden did a lot of wondering about the word 'Training" but said no more and asked no questions. When the fatal moment came she was troubled by sight of the yellow cane. Avis Bonner meant business,
"Darling, your kneeling posture needs a bit of polishing up," she said casually. "Kneel down and I'll give you a few pointers because this is the first thing every girl will expect."
"Do I have to?"
The answer was swift and painful. The yellow cane cut bitterly across an unprepared bottom. The pain was terrible, and when Miss Angelique Martin returned to normal, she wasted no time in falling to her knees. Her only comment was, "I think you're mean."
"You took that cut well, Angelique, I expected tears."
"I haven't any left. What do I do now?"
"Try and get a touch of humility in both your mind and your pose. Keep your knees wide apart and bow your head."
Angelique obeyed. But her breasts were heaving rebelliously, her wrists busy with shinning steel. Her remark was to be expected, "Shall I lick your shoes or something?"
Sarcasm earned a second stroke, this one squarely across the lovely, naked back to send its owner jerking onto the floor in agony. But with the easing of the bitter scold, Angelique got back into position and was silent. If her breasts had heaved before, they were doubly active now.
The mistress viewed in pity her unwilling subject. No doubt Isabel had been right, Angelique was rebellious and inclined to sarcasm. Avis found herself trembling in strange sensations of her own as she surveyed the scarlet strip she had placed upon the lovely skin of the submissive girl. It was beautiful, there was no other word for it! Crisply, she recited what was expected of slavegirls who knelt and bowed their but only to be countered by Angelique's pained exclamation, "But, Avis darling, do we have to deal in all this nonsense?"
As though by magic the third scarlet line sprang into terrible relief across Angelique's skin. This time she screamed. When the scream died down, she had to admit, "Alright, you've made your point! I'll stop being lippy and do what I'm told. Please don't hit me again, you simply have no idea how awful it is. What do you want me to do next?"
"Get back into the kneeling position and name those parts of yourself I'm going to touch."
Avis Bonner felt a bitch. But if she could conclude this job without giving Angelique more than three strokes, she could consider the time well spent and the penalty no more than to be expected. She tried to keep the strange passion she felt from her voice, "Kneel, keep your back straight, and name those portions of yourself I'm going to touch."
Angelique longed for tears, for screams, and above all, her freedom. Instead she quietly did as she was told, awaiting the touch of the quivering cane! Avis teased a frightened nipple.
"Name it," the demand was not to be ignored.
"A nipple. I've got two of them, one on each breast."
The tip of the cane now made a winder circle to encompass a firm, youthful mound. "And what's this?"
"It's my breast, I have two of those as well."
"It has other names, use them."
"They get called all sorts of things. Mostly it's boobs, or cans, or knockers. I hate them all."
"But if I told you to shake your knockers, you'd know what I meant?"
"Yes, I know."
The tip of the cane explored once more. "Name this, Angelique."
"It's my navel. I never did discover what it's for but it's there. You've got one, too."
The forth stroke two and three across the back. The owner of that back moaned dismally upon the rug before getting back to her knees. She said abjectly, "I'm sorry, Avis, I really am."
"But you wouldn't be if I hadn't struck you."
"No, I suppose not. But, Avis, I am trying."
"Watch it!"
This time the tip of the cane played idly within the very private silken fronds. "Come along, name it."
"That's my pubic hair." The chained girl dared say no other word.
"And this?"
"There's all sorts of names for it. Would be enough if I just say it's my pussy'?"
"No. Give me more."
"It's my twat, my cunt, my snatch. A doctor would call it my vagina." The young voice registered a slight break. "I thinks there's also nats, and pub, and there's also slit." Hurt eyes met the mistress in anguished appeal. "Oh, Avis, that's all I can think of and I'm not even sure about all them. Did I please you?"
It went on. Angelique had never realized how many parts of herself were of interest to others, nor how many names there were for them. What mattered was that there were no more vivid strokes across her back and her bottom burned under only a single mark. When it was done she was fondled and kissed most comfortingly by loving arms and tender lips. She knew she must obey. Both girls know the training session a success.
It was a somber reflection for the Sensuality Club's captive girl that everything now took her one more step away from the free life she had once led. The cane imposed a great deal of instruction to help her on that path from freedom. She tried to hate Avis Bonner but could not. The club had clearly mapped a course for the training of its slave and Avis would interrupt that course as kindly as possible. It was questionable if other girls who would get her would be as kind. The thought arose in her mind, "Avis, am I a member of the Sensuality Club?"
"Of course, dear, and with all the rights and privileges."
"I haven't noticed any privileges or rights. What they've done to me is an outrage."
"You best not tell them so. They're getting a big bang out of it being an outrage, but they don't want to hear it from you. Darling, the club is holding a meeting at Dorothy Dawson's place tomorrow. Would you like to go?"
"I can't possibly go anywhere like this. Or could I possibly have my hands back? And some clothes?"
"No clothes, and no hands, Angelique, dear. But there's no trick to getting you to Dorothy's place and back again. You'll never be free, not ever, but that doesn't mean you won't be taken around. We'll probably have a short meeting tomorrow, and you'll be entitled to a vote, the same as me."
"Twenty-five girls all staring at my body! No thanks!"
"Wouldn't it be better than sitting her alone? You say you're lonely when I'm away. In fact, sweetheart, I won't allow you a decision, I'll take you to the meeting and that's the end of it."
Angelique did not argue. To be taken from the penthouse would be an event. There would be a ride in a car. No doubt she would be covered by a blanket or something but there might also be some happy change opportunity to find help or hobble far enough to hide! It was a very small hope for freedom but it burned with a flame. Angelique found herself excited at the prospect and wondered how deep her blush was going to be.
One of the benefits of owning the building was the private elevator to .the penthouse. Confronted by its open door, Angelique balked. "You can't take me in there like this. Avis!" She tugged at handcuffed wrists and kicked her chain.
"Why not? It's my building and my elevator. We go straight to the garage."
"Well, yes, I know, but aren't you going to cover me?"
"Don't be silly, Angelique, the club wants you naked and that's the way you're going to be. Do you want me to get the cane?"
"No, never mind." She took short, hobbled steps into the unknown. There was none to view as she was inserted into Avis's car and laid face down on the back seat to have the leg-iron chain drawn up to handcuffed wrists and there fastened to take away initiate.
"It's not all that far and if you lay there quietly, you'll be comfortable," Avis admonished. "But if you struggle and fall on the floor, I'll leave you there."
"But, Avis, this is a hogtie!"
"A very mild one,. Stop beefing."
"But suppose we have an accident or something? I can hardly move. And, anyway, I hate laying on my face like this."
Avis started the motor.
The invisible cloak which protected Angelique in the penthouse now dissolved beneath the bright eyed stares of twenty-five pairs of expectant eyes. It had been Isabel Travis who came up with the inspiration of having the Sensuality Club's latest possession stand on the platform at the end of the big room for them all to see and to deliver a short speech on the subject of being a chained and naked slavegirl. A displayed cane assured that she would feel like public speaking at this time. Her further cooperation was assured by Isabel's guiding her up the steps and then standing to one side with the cane in hand. The naked girl stared back at the twenty-five girls who had been her friends and wished the floor would open and swallow her up. This was nakedness and helplessness for sure!
"I think you're all mean!" Shyness fled, the handcuffs and her nakedness was forgotten in a vital need to make these girls under the seriousness of their actions. "I wish everyone of you could be the way you see me now. You wouldn't like it one little bit. You don't have a right to take away my life, to keep me chained and naked for you amusement. The only reason I'm up here making this silly speech is because you'll whip me if I don't. You can make me do or say anything by whipping me. It's not fair."
The applause was spontaneous and undoubtedly sincere to tell the girl on the stage most clearly that they heartily approved of her status and spirit. It was the death knell of liberty. Angelique became more heated. "You've made me helpless, there's very little I can do for myself. I have to be fed like a baby, and bathed like a child. If I say something wrong, I'm punished. If it happened to you, you'd hate it every bit as much as I do. Please give me back my life."
There was more applause but Angelique realized it was more a recognition and approval of their slavery than of her statements. She was becoming what wanted and they were pleased. Once more she poured out her heart in motions and well as word, twisting her shackled wrists. When the final round of applause had diminished to a silence there came an innovation.
Carrying and expensive looking box, Debbie mounted the steps to the platform. She addressed the naked prison as well as the audience. "We think you're wonderful, Angelique, darling, and we're all so glad we've got you. We'll never allow you to escape, you're too precious for that. But all the girls have joined to show their appreciation of what you have become by a couple of little gifts I have here in this box."
Angelique would not have been surprised by thumbscrews or gold-plated handcuffs. Instead she gasped and glowed at sight of an excellent example of the metal-worker's art, a round circlet that might have been of sliver. It's beauty lay in its symmetry and the manner in which its ring was contrived without either weakening or spoiling the effect. Her name had been engraved upon its surface to be followed by the words, "Property of the Sensuality Club." When Debbie placed it around the captive neck and clicked it shut, Angelique shivered in a mixture of emotions in which pride vied with fear in the knowledge the rite just performed was forever. The weight of metal upon her neck would be there always. The fit was perfect.
There would have been applause had not Debbie held up a warning hand and once more reached into the expensive box. This time the gasp was both from the audience and the naked girl and was one of awe. The belt, seemingly so small for maiden waist, was larger copy of the sliver band already locked on Angelique's neck, except that instead of being perfectly round, it had been curved and widened enough to fit the contours of her waist. It too had a metal ring firmly attached to it but, in addition, was made more beautiful by inserts of emeralds and sapphires to thrill a feminine heart. Like the collar, it fitted Angelique's taut waist to perfection. When its lock was final, the girl who wore it was able to use her joined hands to explore its surface and the heavy ring the purpose of which she could easily divine. Before leaving the stage, Debbie prompted, "Say a few words to them, darling. These things cost an awful lot of money."
How does a slave say thank you for chains? Angelique was vividly conscious of the weight of both circles she must now wear. But she was thrilled by their beauty and supposed them made her no more helpless than she already was. And obviously they were tokens of affection and a strange gratitude for being what she was. She shrugged at her audience and smiled, "I have to thank you, I want to thank you. And I suppose this could be me cue to say that if you love me enough to spend all this money on these lovely things, then surely you must love me enough to let me go. But I mustn't say that ... right?" She grinned in sudden humor, "I should say how proud I am to wear these always in memory of this moment but I have no choice. I'll wear them always because you've locked them on me and I'll never, never get them off." Her voice quivered. "I wish I had hands to feel them. All I can touch is the ring behind my back and I know what that ring means"' She raised her chin to stare, almost defiantly, at every member of the club. "Please be kind to me."
Angelique was kissed and fondled and had a variety of intoxicants pressed upon her, which, having no hands to push them away, she had to drink. Every girl in the place loved her and could scarcely wait to get possession. There was reverence about them as if they were well aware of privilege in owning this girl who wore her signs of captivity with such grace. Once more the invisible cloak descended upon the naked girl as she talked girl talk with friends who held glasses to her lips and whispered longingly of things they would do when she became their personal slave. Most prefaced their remarks with a breathless, "I can hardly wait ... ."
"Darling, you were a knock-out!" Debbie was delighted. "They all told me what a wonderful job I had done. But it wasn't me at all, it was you. I might not have done half as well with another girl. Darling, that's the finest steel you've got on your neck and around your tummy. We chose steel because it can't be easily cut if anyone tries to take it from you. It's some special stuff that cost a lot of money. Is it too heavy?"
"I'll get used to it." She stared hard at Debbie. "They're made for me to wear forever, that right? I'll bet there isn't even a key."
"That's right, darling. But they're something you should ever be ashamed of. Do you like them?"
"I love them, darling, thanks a million. Honest, I think they're positively gorgeous."
"Well, that looks after that, I really am pleased about the whole affair. There were a couple of girls there with the bright idea of giving you your first public whipping right there on the stage as a sort of get acquainted act. But the rest wouldn't go along. I thought you ought to know."
"So, whenever I fall into their clutches I'll know what to expect? Avis, dear, I wish you could keep me always instead of handing me around from girl to girl. I can guess which ones will be mean. Gosh, I wish I was free!"
They went to bed but in their love-play, Angelique was constantly aware of a sliver circlet around her neck and a band locked around her waist, each bespoke another step to slavery.
The communal slavegirl had a myriad of memories to occupy her mind when left alone. One was of a tawny-haired beauty at the party, a girl she know only slightly but who singled her out to say, without preamble, "I want you so badly. I can hardly wait for you. I'm going to whip you and whip you and whip you. I hope I get you soon."
Once it would have seemed bizarre but now was no more than within the context of the Sensuality Club's purpose with their new possession. Perhaps the alcohol generously given to her helped her take the bad news in stride. She even retorted casually, "I don't see why you would do that. I've never done anything to you. I thought we were friends."
"Oh, but we are, darling!" The tawny-haired girl was anxious to exonerate herself from any thought of cruelty. "It's just that you're so ... so ... so whippable. I've wanted to whip a naked girl all my life and this is the first chance I've had. You do understand, don't you?"
"I understand that I'm frightened to be handed over to you. Please, do you have to!"
"Oh, absolutely! I couldn't possibly keep you around the place .as a prison without doing it. For me, it is a positive MUST. Maybe if I give you one horrendous whipping right at the start and get it out of my system ... ?"
"I'm never going to want to be whipped so what do you expect me to say?"
"You might show more enthusiasm. It's not as though you've never been whipped, there's some lovely marks on your skin right now. Aren't you one of those girls who enjoys it?"
"No, I'm not. I hate it! If someone whipped you, you'd know what I mean. And after you've been whipped you wouldn't want to ever have it done again. Or to anyone else." The cocktails prompted recklessness. "Look, darling, before you get possession of me, why don't you get one of the girls to give you the same whipping you're thinking of doing to me? You really should, you know, so you'll know how bloody awful it is ... please?"
They had parted friends but without her future owner changing her mind one bit. When tawny-hair got possession of Angelique the chained girl could expect to be well and truly whipped without mercy.
There was also the auburn hair with whom Angelique had often shared coffee or tea. Auburn hair worked hard to maintain an air that she was not over eager to get her hands on the naked and chained girl. "Really, Angelique dear, this is all a bit too much, don't you think? I can understand your being mad. What I'm wondering is what the girls will do when they get you alone with them." She cocked a speculative eye.
"I'm sure they'll think of something. Some want to whip me."
"Well, that just goes along with the whole thing, you know. You've read the books. I mean those special books that nice ladies are not suppose to read." Her eyes glinted. "You know I've got some money so I don't have to work. That means that I can devote all my time to you. You know what we'll do at night, of course, but I'm wondering how it would be during the day. I mean, like I start making you uncomfortable at nine AM and carry on through to five each day. After that there would be dinner and brandy in the lounge, then bed. How does that strike you?"
"How uncomfortable do I have to be to give you a kick?"
"I don't think you're suppose to ask questions like that, Angelique. I believe a respectful silence would be better. But what I had in mind was a few little notions that will keep you all hot and bothered but won't do you any harm. Have you ever heard of that ancient device called the 'horse'?"
"That's torture, pure and simple."
"Well, I suppose it is, but I'm thinking of a nice, wide, round pole that won't cut your poor pussy to bits. I'll show you what I mean when I get you."
"Couldn't we just talk? Or go for a ride in the car? I mean, with these handcuffs I'm completely helpless. And then there's the leg irons on my ankles. I can't possibly escape." Angelique's eyes were pleading.
"We'll do that too. But there has to be some more ... more dramatic things. I know some of the girl want to whip you but that's old hat, it's been done before. And besides it leaves a lot of marks I don't care for. I've brought myself a safari cage and it's positively darling. You'll love being locked inside."
There had been a long list of similar delights, all of which told the captive girl she was in for it. He apprehensions were partly relieved by Betty Hunt.
"Gee, Angelique, you were wonderful up there on the stage. But I do hope all the girls will do what you say and be at least a little bit kind. Gosh, when they talk to me, they sound positively blood-thirsty!"
"I think it's the cocktails."
"Well, anyway, Angelique dear, I'm not going to whip you. I'll make a gift of you to my boyfriend once or twice, that is if he behaves himself! I'm sure you won't mind that. He's got the loveliest, big you-know-what."
"I'd think it a lot nicer if I just belonged to you, Betty. I don't want a man to make love to me while I'm in chains."
"But, darling, that's a thrill, it's a bonus, it's something extra!" Betty's eyes shone. "I know a guy who does the nicest things to a girl once he gets her clothes off. He's terribly inventive and ties me up in knots. When he goes home I just lay on the bed and live it all over again. Next time he shows up I'm terribly, terribly ready. Don't you see, that's the way it is going to be with you?"
That had looked after Betty, Betty was simple sex. It was evident that between the twenty-five girls who shared her body, there was real diversity of interest. Angelique could see she would not be bored.
At that point, and in a desperate longing for the freedom she would never know, Angelique went wild in panic to tug and twist frantically at handcuffs which held her easily. The steel mocked her frenzy until she knew it hopeless.
She would never escape.