Captive Fox 7

Captive Fox
Chapter 7

by Bluebonnet

Disclaimer: Yeah right, like I could create characters like these?

Rating: NC-17, baby!

Keywords: Sex and discipline--need I say more?

Summary: In a world where women rule and men are chattel, Fox Mulder Scully is his wife's most prized possession...

Notes: Most awesome thanks to my wonderful beta reader, Carolyn, who asks the hard questions, catches the little discrepancies, and makes me be better than I am, and who is entirely responsible for Alex's punishment scene ;)

After Sarah had taken away the wretched breakfast he'd fallen asleep again, huddled against the cold wall, wrapped in the quilt, but was jarred into wakefulness when the door creaked open. Fox squinted in the dimness, but even without sufficient light he was able to make out Dana's familiar form.

Silently he awaited her condemnation. Had she come to gloat at his position? To tell him that his incarceration was permanent? Or did she intend to describe to him in great detail everything she had done with Alex Krycek the night before? Whatever she did, Fox knew he must control his reactions very carefully. If he ever wanted to see the light of day again, he must win her approval so that she would release him from this dungeon, and if he ever hoped to gain her affection, he must prove to her that no man could serve her needs better than he.

"Well, Fox," she asked in a voice that he was unable to read. "Did your night spent below fulfill its purpose?"

Fox wasn't certain what the purpose of sending him to this prison had been, other than to serve as a release for her anger, but he knew what he must do. He moved away from the wall, into a kneeling position, his head respectfully bowed.

"My lady," he whispered. "Please allow me to beg your forgiveness for my actions."

It was the last thing she'd expected to hear from him, and Dana was momentarily taken aback. Quickly regaining her composure, she knelt beside him, stroking her hands through the dark hair that covered his bowed head. He chanced a glance up at her touch, then dropped his eyes again in contrition.

"It is forgotten, Fox," she told him gently, raising his chin so he was forced to meet her gaze.

He closed his eyes to escape her look, but opened them again when she kissed him softly on the lips. "My lady?" he questioned, and she gave him a tender smile.

"I do not wish to be forced to punish you this harshly again. I would appreciate it if you would strive to moderate your behavior in the future, as is appropriate for a man of your position."

He nodded miserably. "I will not disgrace you again, my lady, I give my word."

"Sarah says you were sick again before breakfast," she replied, changing the subject abruptly.

"I am well enough now," he told her eagerly, hoping that her altered tone meant he was truly forgiven. "I haven't been ill in hours."

"Are you certain?" she asked, examining him in the dim light with a critical eye. "You are not making light of your sickness, in order to gain my approval? I do not enjoy being lied to, Fox."

"No, my lady, I am much better, I swear it."

"I am glad to hear it," she replied, her voice softening. I missed you last night, sweeting. Perhaps in the future, you will also manage to keep yourself in my bed where you belong."

He smiled wanly. She'd missed him, truly? "Does my lady intend to release me?" he asked hopefully.

"Indeed I do." Reaching into her pocket, Dana withdrew a large key, which she then fitted into the lock of his collar. The steel band fell from his neck to the floor with a clatter, and Fox shuddered at the coldness of the sound. He never wanted to feel such a thing around his neck again.

"Thank you, Dana," he said quietly, and she smiled again.

Dana helped Fox to his feet and led him carefully up the stairs, mindful of his balance on the treacherous stone steps. They made their way to their chamber, and Fox was grateful that they completed the journey without meeting up with any of the servants. To have them view his release was almost as bad has having them witness his incarceration. He simply wished the matter to be forgotten as quickly as possible. It was truly the most humiliating punishment he had ever been forced to endure.

She assisted him in removing the now-filthy nightshirt in which he'd slept, then settled him in the tub, which was still filled with comfortably warm water, and rang for a meal. Fox cleaned himself in haste, hoping to be fully dressed by the time their chamber was invaded by the staff, but he was just rinsing the soap from his hair when the knock sounded at the door. He sank shyly into the deep tub, praying the servants would disperse immediately.

"Alex, why are you bringing the tray?" he heard Lady Dana ask, and clenched his jaw, suppressing his immediate flash of anger. Perfect, he must be a perfect husband, he reminded himself anxiously.

"Sarah was busy with a crisis in the kitchen, my lady," Alex replied, setting the tray down on a small table.

"A crisis?" Fox popped his head over the top of the tub to ask. Any kitchen crisis was his domain, one that the perfect husband would deal with instantly, in order not to trouble his lady. "What kind of crisis?"

"Ah..it was nothing, Lord Fox," Alex stammered, surprised at seeing his attacker naked in the bathing tub. "I would have summoned Lord Walter, since you were...unavailable...but it appeared Lady Maggie had need of him at the time. It has been dealt with to the satisfaction of Natalie, the chef. No doubt she will give you all the details when you come downstairs."

"Fox will not be coming down today, he must remain in bed to recover fully from his illness," Dana interceded.

"My lady, I'm fine."

"Do not naysay me, husband."

Fox dropped his eyes in defeat. He had displeased her again. "I am sorry, my lady."

"Perhaps you would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Alex for your behavior yesterday?" she continued, and Fox sighed quietly, knowing it wasn't really a request.

"I am sorry for striking you, Alex," he said, mustering as much sincerity as his stomach would allow. "It was quite ill-bred of me."

"Think nothing of it," Alex told him, giving Lord Scully a little smile. "Many times noblemen are bored with their lives, and highly strung. I wish only to serve."

Fox bit his tongue at the "bored noblemen" remark, not wanting to further irritate Dana. He had no intention of allowing Alex's brand of "service," but for the sake of his marriage he must present a pleasant front, so he nodded politely and waited while the young maid took his leave. When he thought his wife could not see, he shot a face, sticking out his tongue at the retreating man's back much as he had done when still a child. Dana snickered and he flushed, wondering miserably if he was about to be punished yet again.

"I do not believe you are sincere in your apology, but it was quite nicely done," she told him with wry amusement. "Now, put on a nightshirt and come to the table. I wish to see you eat a decent meal. Sarah says you have eaten nothing since yesterday."

"I had some bread last night."

She shook her head quickly. "Three small bites of bread does not constitute a meal, Fox. I realize you are still feeling ill, but you must take in enough nourishment to sustain your body."

He picked at the cheese on the tray, managing a few small bites, but his appetite was gone. Fox wondered if Dana would take him to her bed this morning, or if she would simply leave him to go about his daily duties. He refused to admit to himself how much he *wanted* her to make love to him. That was simply too embarrassing to acknowledge.

"Tell me, Fox, why did you attack Alex like that?"

The question startled him, and he prayed the look in his eyes hadn't revealed his feelings before he was able to guard them.

"I--I am not certain, my lady," he lied. "It was as you said. I was not myself."

"There was nothing more to it than that?" she asked with a twinkle in her eye. Reaching out a hand, she stroked his long, elegant fingers resting on the table. "You were not jealous at his offer to warm my bed while you are ill?"

Fox put down his slice of bread and cheese, feeling suddenly desolate. He thought he'd banished those images, but here they were again, as large as life.

"I should not like to see you take another to your bed," he said at last, staring at the fingers which caressed his own. "It is my place, as your husband, to share that intimacy with you."

"And is it not my right as a Lady of the Nobility to take a lover if I choose?"

Fox swallowed the suddenly huge lump in his throat and blinked back his tears. "Indeed, it is your right, my lady," he said formally. "Perhaps if you choose to do so, you would be good enough to inform me in advance, so that I may seek out another chamber on that night?"

"I shall do that which pleases me," she said gruffly. "And you, my little Fox, will remain in my chamber and in my bed, where you belong."

"Did you?" Fox could have kicked himself for not holding back the words, but they were out before he was even aware he was thinking them.

"Did I what?"

His hands clenched tightly in his lap, he waited until his breathing was under control to ask tightly, "Did you take him to your bed last night?"

She regarded him coolly for a moment, then rose deliberately from her chair.

"Your place is not to question my behavior," she told him arrogantly.

Fox bit back an angry retort as she made for the chamber door, leaving him sitting with his still uneaten meal before him. Reminding himself that if he ever hoped to win her affection he must be perfect, he placed his hands demurely in his lap and studied the tabletop silently.

Throwing open the door, she turned. "We are having guests come to stay with us," she informed him casually. "Lady Suzanne Modeski and her husband John. They will remain here for a week."

Fox stared at her for a moment, startled at the abrupt change in subject, his eyes wide at the implications of her announcement. Instantly, out of simple habit, he began mentally threshing over all the preparations that must be made.

"When will they arrive?" he asked, his thoughts already busy with menu plans and sleeping arrangements. "Have you an idea how many servants they will bring?"

"The will be here in two days time." She waved her hand dismissively as she exited the room. "As to sleeping arrangements, Lady Suzanne prefers the Blue Chamber for herself and John. You will have to arrange for the servants once they arrive, as I have no idea as to their numbers."

She turned to go, then swung back again. "Preparing for their visit should allow you to occupy your time properly, rather than in concerning yourself with things that are none of your business."

She was gone before he could protest, and he stared after her in shock. Two days? Only forty-eight hours to prepare for a week of entertaining? Hastily he dressed, intending to make his way down the stairs and begin at once. He was halfway down the corridor of the East Wing before he remembered her command to remain abed today. He sighed heavily and turned back toward their chamber. The perfect husband would obey his wife in all things, he reminded himself sternly, regardless of how inconvenient her orders might be. The perfect husband would also make certain his lady's home was in excellent condition to receive guests. Fox pondered the dilemma for a few moments. How was he to prepare for guests when he was trapped in his bedchamber?

With a silent curse, he turned at last and trudged back to the chamber. He was uncertain how the tasks would be accomplished, but he knew he could not risk bringing her wrath down upon him again so soon. He supposed he could go over the menus with Natalie from his bed, and there was no reason, he mused, why he couldn't ask Walter to direct the servants today. He simply must be well enough tomorrow to be allowed downstairs, though, he thought mutinously. Dana couldn't expect him to do all the preparations from his bed.

Fuming, Fox undressed and slipped back into his nightshirt. He jerked angrily at the bell cord before climbing obediently into bed. He had no wish to see the uppity maid yet again, but he knew there was no choice if he was to remain in the bed chamber all day.

"Enter," he called, settling himself against the large headboard with a pillow for padding.

"You rang for me, my lord?" asked Alex a bit sullenly, poking his head into the room. He glanced around, as if searching for Dana, and when he did not see her, entered the room fully.

Fox swallowed his dislike of the man and reminded himself that he had a position to maintain. He must not disgrace Dana further.

"Send Natalie to me as soon as her luncheon preparations are under control," he ordered Alex. "And bring me some writing paper and a pen."

Alex nodded and disappeared, returning shortly with several sheets of paper, a pen and a lap-desk. Fox thanked him absently, his mind full of possible menus and preparations that must be made. He waved an offhanded dismissal to Alex, already beginning to scribble down notes, but called to the servant just before he made his escape.

"Alex, tell Lord Walter I would like to see him, if he has a free moment," Fox instructed, not even looking up from his papers.

"Just you wait, my fine lord," Alex muttered under his breath, seething quietly as he left the room. "Not long now until I have you firmly beneath my thumb."

By the time Walter arrived, Fox had made a list of tasks that needed to be accomplished that day, and another list of things to be done on the morrow, provided he was able to supervise. Walter had his own duties on the estate, and could not put them on hold indefinitely simply because Fox was unable to fulfill his role.

"Alex said you wished to see me?" Walter asked, after he was bidden enter the room.

"Yes, Walter, please sit down," Fox said, indicating a chair, and Walter realized with quiet satisfaction that very little remained of the beaten man he had seen in the dungeon the night before.

"My lady has informed me that we are to have guests--a Lady Modeski and her husband..." Fox cast desperately about his memory for the name of Lord Modeski.

"John," Walter supplied helpfully.

"Yes," Fox agreed, relieved. "Do you know them?"

"I have met them--they visited when Lady Maggie and I were married. They are very nice people. You will like John, I believe. He is near your age, with a well-defined sense of humor. The relationship between the two of them is...odd."

Fox perked up, his curiosity aroused. "Odd?" he questioned. "Odd how?"

Walter sat in silence for a few moments, wondering how best to explain the unusual camaraderie between John and Lady Suzanne.

"She...treats him differently," he offered at last. "Almost as an equal. And the servants are never allowed to touch John, not even in jest."

Fox's jaw dropped and he stared at Walter as if the other man had gone mad. "An equal?" he asked skeptically. "A husband? How can that be?"

Walter shrugged. "I do believe the lady is in love with her husband," he commented.

Fox felt his heart soar at the words. A lady could love her husband, then! Surely, in that case, it was possible for Dana to someday come to genuinely care, perhaps even to love him as well. He would do all in his power to make it so, he vowed silently, and with renewed determination, turned his attention to the task at hand.

"Lady Dana insists that I remain in bed this day to recover from my illness," he told Walter, and Walter nodded, suddenly understanding. "They are to arrive in two days' time."

Walter raised a surprised eyebrow at the shortness of time. "We haven't a moment to lose in preparation!"

"Exactly," Fox agreed. "I have written out a list of things the servants should accomplish today, but I am unable to assist or supervise. Do you think perhaps you could..."

"Say no more, Fox," Walter nodded, taking papers the younger man offered. "The estate's accounts are in excellent condition, and now that you are here as Lady Dana's husband, I have little to do in the way of running the household. I can devote my attention to preparations for our guests for the next two days. Just keep me informed as to what you would like me to do."

"Thank you, Walter," Fox said gratefully, clutching at his friend's hand for a moment. "And...thank you also for coming to me last night. I do hope you didn't get into any trouble?"

Walter laughed. "Indeed no. I requested permission from both Lady Maggie and Lady Dana before I came to you."

Fox's eyes widened. "Did she know you brought me bread, and a quilt?" he questioned.

Walter hesitated, remembering Dana's direction not to tell Fox she had sent the quilt. "She knew," he said at last.

The smile on Fox's face could have lit up an entire room, and Walter wondered once again if there was more to their relationship than he was seeing.

"In any instance, I thank you. And now, let us prepare for our guests."

Walter nodded and left the chamber, pondering the odd behavior of the younger Lord Scully. Could it be he had come to care for his lady already? It would be unusual for a man to fall in love with his wife so quickly, but Walter had learned enough already to know that Fox never did things by halves.

He smiled as this opinion was reinforced by the sight of Natalie entering the East Wing, a book of the Scully family's favorite recipes tucked under her arm. Natalie nodded pleasantly at him before tapping at the Mistress' bedchamber door. Fox might remain abed today, but he would most certainly not be resting, Walter told himself with a quiet laugh.

Dana entered the mansion wearily, dropping her riding gloves and crop to the floor, barely noticing when Ethan, one of the house boys, scurried to put them away. It had been a hellish day, compounded by the inadequacy of the notes she had written up for her cases on the night Fox had earned his harsh punishment. Rubbing her eyes in exhaustion, she swore never to combine brandy and work again.

Grumpily, Dana decided to blame the entire situation on Melissa. She had brought home that barrel of Josephine brandy from France, after all. Melissa knew that Dana had fallen in love with the expensive liquor during her army days, and she always brought some as a gift for her sister. For a hateful second, she wondered how long they would be forced to extend Melissa their hospitality, and was instantly filled with guilt. Melissa was a good sister, she reminded herself. It was not her fault that she was attracted to Fox--any woman would be.

Just as she let the thought go, forcing herself to take deep, calming breaths, the object of her irritation entered the great hall.

"Dana," Melissa smiled. "It's good to see you. Sit down, you look tired. I'll ring for refreshment for you."

"No, thank you," Dana replied evenly, training her gaze firmly on her sister's left shoulder. "I must take myself upstairs and see to my husband. Is he perhaps well enough to join the family for dinner?"

"I have not seen Fox today."

"Not at all?" Dana asked, attempting to mask her irritability with teasing. "No idle strolls in the garden?" She had seen the tender gallantry with which her sister had treated Fox, as well as his predictable response to it, and found it difficult to believe that Melissa had stayed away from him for an entire day.

"He has remained in his bed throughout the day, as you ordered, Sister," Melissa answered in a slightly puzzled voice. "Indeed, I do not believe he has done anything at all today that would try your patience in the least."

Dana ignored the twinkling in Melissa's eyes, and with a curt nod, took her leave. Fox was willful and spirited--at least he was most of the time. It seemed too much to accept that he had remained abed as she had commanded. Indeed, she almost hoped he had not. Although Dana hated to admit it to herself, she secretly cherished the battle of wills in which they engaged, and found disciplining her beautiful husband exciting in the extreme. She had always been bored with the perfectly behaved men that mothers paraded before eligible women. To find herself married to such a man would have been unbearable.

She made her way to the East Wing quickly, pushing open the heavy doors and striding determinedly toward her chamber, when she was accosted from the salon by the voice of her newest employee.

"My lady Dana," Alex called to her, and the familiarity with which he used her name grated on her already frayed nerves.

"Yes, Alex, what is it?" she asked brusquely.

"I understand poor Lord Fox is still ailing," he said with just the hint of a smile playing about his lovely mouth as he licked his lips suggestively. "I wanted to remind you that I am available for any extra...services you might require of me."

Two pairs of eyes stared at one another for a long moment, one green and inviting, one icy blue, until Dana moved to pull the cord that summoned a servant from downstairs. Just for good measure, to demonstrate her displeasure, she gave it an extra tug, and within seconds several pairs of feet were heard clattering down the corridor.

"My lady, is something wrong?" Sarah asked anxiously, peering into the salon, flanked by Roberta and Alice, the butler's assistant.

"Yes," Dana replied tersely. "Young Alex has earned himself a most severe punishment for overstepping his place yet again. Take him downstairs to the whipping post and give him ten lashes with a switch, Sarah. Then you ladies may take your will of him for the evening. Make certain that he is well used before and behind. See that he does not have any further desire to make impertinent suggestions to me."

"What?" gasped Alex, panicking at the eagerness the three female servants displayed. They immediately accosted him, dragging him forcibly from the room. "You can't do this!" he cried desperately, jerking away from the hands that clutched him and falling to his knees.

Dana roughly grasped a fistful of his hair and forced him to look up at her.

"You signed a lifetime contract with me, Alex," she reminded him evenly. "Indeed I can do this, and much worse, should I so choose. I advise you not to try my patience further."

She released his hair and her eyes sought out Sarah.

"On your way outside, arrange for bath water to be brought to me," she ordered casually

Ignoring Alex's further protests as he was hauled toward the stairs, Dana entered her bed chamber. Her husband lay stretched out on the bed, his chest slowly rising and falling as he slept, his hand still loosely holding a pen, papers scattered beside him. She crept closer, and saw that he had been working on the week's menu plans, no doubt in anticipation of their guests. Smiling with affection, pleased at his devotion to running her household, she carefully removed the pen from his hand, trying not to disturb him, but Fox awakened at her touch.

"My lady," he whispered, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "I missed you."

She smiled wider, and he blushed, embarrassed at his forward manner of speech, and yet held her gaze steadily, for his words had been sincere.

"I missed you as well, my Fox," she said softly, caressing his smooth cheek. "My day has been long and tiring."

He placed his hand upon the one stroking his face, relishing her touch after the many hours apart.

"If my lady will allow me to get out of bed, I will order you a relaxing bath," he offered, eyes downcast shyly.

"How are you feeling?" she inquired. "Your color seems to have returned."

"I do believe I am fully recovered," he told her. "I have not sickened again today, and I am dreadfully tired of looking at the ceiling!"

"But you have been looking at other things as well," she contradicted, picking up the quill and lightly tickling his nose with it.

"I--wanted to make certain all was in readiness for Lady and Lord Modeski," he told her earnestly. "I followed your command and remained abed, I swear it, Dana!"

"So I have heard," she smiled. "And that is why I shall reward you now. I should like that bath, and later, after supper, I will take you for a walk in the gardens."

"Oh yes, my lady, please!" he agreed, sliding to the edge of the bed in preparation to rise. As he did so, the hem of his nightshirt slipped up, revealing a well-defined hip, and Dana felt her lust stir in spite of her fatigue.

Before Fox could stand, she placed her hands on his shoulders and claimed him with a deep, thorough kiss that went on and on. His fingers, of their own accord, slid up her arms and caressed her back, and she was dimly aware, through her passion, that it was the first time Fox had touched her without asking permission. She smiled to herself as she continued to plunder his mouth. While no proper noblewoman wanted a husband who took liberties, somehow she found herself enjoying the warm touch of his hands on her back. She decided she would allow it without reprimand.

Fox had lost himself in her scent and her kiss, but suddenly remembered the expected behavior from a perfect husband, and guiltily dropped his hands.

"Why did you stop?" she asked gently. "I liked what you were doing. It was quite pleasing. You may touch me again, Fox."

Looking as if she had handed him a great gift, he returned his hands almost reverently to her back, caressing her neck, shoulders, and sliding his fingers through her hair while she nipped playfully at his lips, throat and ears, then returned to deeply kissing his mouth until they were both panting with need.

Regretfully, knowing she was in no condition to give him the attention she wanted to devote to his lovely body, she rose and backed away, and he groaned in frustration.

"We'll finish this later, sweeting, when I am able to take you properly," she promised, giving his behind an affectionate pat. "For now, I must relax and restore my good humor."

"My lady seems in good enough spirits," he teased, but she shook her head slightly.

"It is all because of taking your sweet mouth, I assure you, husband. Before I entered the room, I was in a foul temper indeed."

"Was I responsible for your temper?" he asked anxiously, and she laughed, moving behind the screen to begin disrobing.

"Not at all, for a change," she called. "It was actually one of the servants."

Fox straightened, feeling guilty that he had been in his bed rather than attending to the servants, as his position dictated.

"Who has displeased you, my lady?" he asked immediately. "I will--"

"I have already dealt with the matter, Fox, you needn't concern yourself," she replied, returning to him dressed in the midnight blue robe that he found so attractive.

He moistened his lips unconsciously, taking in the sight of her, looking slightly rumpled and totally delectable, and was disappointed when the servants knocked at the door. 'Later,' she had said, and he intended to do all in his power to be certain she kept that promise.

"What is happening?" Maggie demanded, hearing the ruckus as Alex was dragged downstairs by Sarah, Roberta and Alice, soon to be joined by several of the other servants. "Roberta, explain!"

"Lady Dana has given us a treat, my lady," Roberta informed her, letting go her grip on Alex's arm and finding it instantly replaced by another eager female. "The new servant is to be punished, and then he is ours for the evening."

Lady Maggie raised an eyebrow, in a remarkable imitation of her youngest daughter. "What did he do to earn such a punishment?"

"My lady, I did nothing wrong!" Alex cried, struggling against the hands that held him captive. "Please, make them release me!"

"He offered himself to Lady Dana again," Sarah replied, ignoring Alex's struggles and pleas.

Lady Maggie sighed. "Dana was quite specific in that regard, Alex," she answered him. "I'm afraid there is nothing I can do for you."

Any further protest he made was drowned out by the giggling, squealing females as they dragged him out the door toward the rear courtyard.

Alex struggled fruitlessly as the women stripped him naked.

"Bind his hands behind his back," Roberta commanded, and another maid instantly obeyed. Alex continued to plead and fight as her next orders were quickly issued:

"Sarah, go to the stable and ask Miss Phoebe for the salve she uses on the ponies, and that gaited whip Lady Dana carries when she rides her saddle horse. Bessie, go to my chamber and fetch the black leather case in the trunk at the foot of my bed. Amanda, fetch me some of the small clothing pins we use when hanging up my lady's lingerie."

Alex's heart raced as he remembered some of the stories he'd already heard about Roberta--the stories of her sexual antics were legendary on the Scully estate. She was a big woman, strong and competent, who had already had three husbands, plus numerous lovers. He bit his lip in fear, wondering what was to become of him, and if he would emerge alive from the ordeal.

"Throw him down on his back over that wide bench," Roberta ordered the three women holding him, and they hastened to obey. Only one of them, the youngest, Mary Ellen, questioned.

"But Lady Dana said he was to be lashed and punished, ma'am," she objected respectfully. Mary Ellen did not want to disobey Lady Dana, but she certainly did not want to attain less-than-favored status with Roberta, who informally commanded all the servants on the estate.

At Mary Ellen's concern, Roberta threw back her head and laughed heartily. "Oh, he will be, my dear. He'll never forget this night. And he'll think long and hard before he offends a lady of the Nobility again. Watch and learn, so that you may discipline other impertinent men when necessary."

By this time, Sarah had returned carrying a small jar and a short carriage whip. Roberta unscrewed the top and sniffed the pungent mixture as Bessie emerged from the servant's quarters.

"Excellent, my dears. Now mind you, follow my directions very carefully. Sarah and Nancy, you grab his feet and pull them back over his shoulders. Spread him out. I want to see that fine ass and that arrogant cock for myself."

Alex was pinned helplessly as his legs were pressed up against his chest and held there by two very determined women. His bare bottom was exposed to the butler's lustful gaze and roaming hands as he begged for sympathy.

"The first thing to do," Roberta instructed those women gathered around, "is to make sure that his pretty manhood is up and ready to service us as often as we wish it this evening. Mary Ellen, you start sucking on it, and Rachel, I want that ribbon from your blouse."

Mary Ellen immediately picked up the rather large, although still limp penis, and began licking and nibbling. Alex moaned as he felt his arousal begin.

"Now, you let me know when he's good and hard," Roberta told her. "He's not to have his release tonight and spoil our fun."

Alex bit his lip hard, willing himself to remain silent as Mary Ellen sucked him deeply into her warm mouth. As she nipped at the underside of his penis, he felt the first trickle of pre-come emerge from the engorged head.

"I believe he's ready, Miss Roberta," Mary Ellen said, a little in awe at the results of her efforts. Roberta nodded in satisfaction. He was certainly a fine size for a man, and should bring a great deal of pleasure this evening.

"The next step is to secure his manhood," Roberta continued. "You tie a ribbon, or a strip of leather, around the base of this big, fine cock, then slip some extra loops around his balls. He'll be staying hard and pleasurable for hours." If any of the women were surprised by her crude language, it did not show on their faces. They gave her their rapt attention, as if they were listening to an important lecture at University.

Alex moaned again as he heard her unsnap the leather case. "Now this, ladies, is one of the finest implements you will ever find for disciplining a stubborn man."

He heard the giggles as she continued, "Note that it begins narrow, and is nice and wide in the middle. Plus, it has this little hand pull on the end. He cannot push it out, if you insert it proper like."

At that, Alex began swearing and struggling against his captors like a man possessed--he was unable to see what Roberta held in her hand, but he knew what it had to be.

"You girls hold him down nice and tight, now. To make it more effective, I'm going to rub a little of this tail set ginger on it, and on his tight little hole, as well. 'Tis that salve we use on those hackney ponies to make them carry their tails up and step lively when they pull my lady's carriage. Little extra things like this make all the difference when teaching a man to behave."

Her large fingers smeared his rectum with that evil mixture, and Alex screamed his rage as he felt the huge implement pressed against his most private area.

"There, now the ginger salve stings enough that he will open his cute little hole up to rid himself of it. When he does, all you do is push the plug in. Here, Nancy, you try it," commanded Roberta, quietly slipping out of her cotton under drawers.

After a few tentative thrusts, Nancy pushed hard against his sphincter. The burning salve made Alex sob as his asshole dilated to expel it. He thrust up hard with his pelvis as the offending implement slid all the way in. Moments later, he heard Roberta laugh as she lowered herself onto his weeping manhood.

"You see, my dears, he will keep bucking like that, and every time he does, the ginger will sting more, and the plug will rub his pleasure spot. Now, lower his legs and let me ride him."

Her wet womanhood engulfed him, and as he thrust up into her again and again, Roberta reached back and twisted the plug in his behind. He screamed aloud as it raked across the spot that increased his sensation, and arched until only his shoulders and heels touched the bench. Roberta cried out her woman's pleasure and dismounted with a chuckle.

"Not bad for a first time, my boy," she informed him, reaching up to pull hard on his nipples. "Now, you'll pleasure Sarah while I whip your ass."

Alex began to curse again, but Roberta reached for the small pins used to hold clothing to a drying-line. "I think you need an additional reminder of your place on this estate," she snapped, and clasped the little pins to his sensitive nipples. "There, now. Two little extra remembrances of this night, and what happens when you offend Lady Dana. And for every time you swear at me, I'll open them up and snap them closed again."

Alex shut his mouth in mid-curse at her threat. Without further ado, Rachel and Bessie picked him up from the bench, and Sarah immediately pulled up her skirts and lay down upon it. Alex felt the ropes binding his hands together cut into his flesh as he struggled against them. The two women lay him carefully between Sarah's widely spread legs, but he was determined to remain still in order to deny them any more pleasure. That is, he was determined until he felt the first stroke of the lash bite across his buttocks.

It stung like a hundred angry wasps, and he thrust forward to escape the pain, only to find himself pushing into Sarah's eager womanhood. He heard the women laugh as he tried to twist away, only to receive a second stroke that hit the torture device Roberta had inserted into his bottom.

"Goddess!" he gasped. "No more, please!"

His pleading earned him no mercy as Roberta continued her task.

Lady Dana ordered ten lashes, and ten it shall be," she replied, striping him yet again with the lash. "Now you hush up and keep moving, boy. You've got four or five more women to pleasure this evening. I'm sure Lady Dana won't mind if we give you a few extra, in order to keep things lively."

As the butler applied more of the hated salve and twisted the device in his burning buttocks again, Alex swore to himself that Fox Mulder Scully would pay for this evening, in ways he never imagined.

"My lady, what is that ruckus?" Fox asked curiously, hearing the voices rise and fall from outside the mansion. He left Dana in the tub, where he'd been massaging her shoulders with scented oil, and peered out the window, but their chamber faced north and the sound seemed to be coming from slightly to the east, out of sight. With a start, he realized it emanated from the copse of trees that surrounded the rear courtyard.

"Is something happening?" he queried, returning to his task, and Dana, who had been enjoying her husband's attentiveness, relaxed against his strong hands as they once again began to soothe her tired muscles.

"No doubt it is the new servant, receiving his punishment," she said carelessly. The hands on her shoulders stilled for a moment, and Dana glanced up at him. "Fox?"

"Alex is being punished?" he asked in a carefully neutral tone. "Was it he who offended you?"

"Yes," she said shortly. "He offered himself to me yet again. I find his brashness tiresome."

Fox smirked to himself even as he felt a twinge of pity for Alex--it was obvious the irritating servant was being whipped. "What is the nature of his punishment, my lady?" he asked curiously.

"He has been turned over to Roberta for a sound lashing and correction. No doubt she will teach him better manners." She gave a sly grin. Dana knew exactly what type of "instruction" Roberta would give to Alex, and she felt he deserved every bit of it. After all, it was partly his fault that Fox had spent a night in the dungeon, she decided, conveniently forgetting that it was largely her own temper that had deprived her husband of his freedom for the night.

He paused again, feeling his face drain a bit, his delight in Alex's punishment suddenly tempered by his realization that Roberta could be quite strict. "What will they do to him, my lady?" he asked with forced lightness.

She studied him, not fooled by his attempt at being casual. "Roberta uses very effective methods of Discipline, Fox. Alex is stubborn--he would never change his impertinent ways if he were merely sent to bed without his supper. Some men simply require more correction than others."

He dried his hands absently as he pondered her words. Was he one of the men she felt required "more correction"?

"Alex will emerge exhausted, but unscathed," she reassured him, mistaking his silence for concern over the servant. "You need not worry on his account."

"It is not Alex for whom I worry," he murmured to himself, turning away in the hope that she would not read the fear on his face.

Dana caught his softly-uttered words, and immediately went to him, clasping his face between her hands tenderly.

"I will never give *you* to the servants, Fox. Is that what you fear?"

He nodded slowly, staring down into her clear blue eyes. "My lady is sometimes...severe," he whispered, dropping his eyes to the floor, "and I am often badly behaved. I am afraid that I will someday anger you to the point that--"

"No other woman will ever have you," she told him fiercely, her grip on his face tightening a bit. "Have I not demonstrated that to you sufficiently on previous occasions?"

Remembering her anger at Melissa's touching him, and the ferocity of her lovemaking that night, he smiled, comforted somewhat by her obvious possessiveness.

"You have, my lady," he agreed, nodding as much as he was able with his cheeks still held between her strong hands.

"Good. I would that you remember that, sweeting." She reached up and kissed him again, then released his face with a tender pat. "Now dress yourself. You shall take supper with the family tonight."

Hastily, eager to escape the chamber after such a long confinement, Fox obeyed, slipping into the despised high boots he knew she liked and fastening his breeches snugly about his hips. His shirt, which was tucked inside the breeches, was opened to mid-chest, and Dana released two more of the fasteners before nodding her approval. She rubbed his nipples teasingly, and he sucked in a breath of surprised pleasure. Dana dropped a promising kiss right in the center of his chest before stepping away. He had a beautiful stomach, and she enjoyed seeing his manly flesh displayed for her pleasure. It was proper, now that he was married, but Fox still blushed modestly at the amount of his skin that was revealed.

Following behind her, two respectful steps to the rear, Fox followed his lady downstairs and into the dining room, teetering slightly on the heels which he had despaired of ever growing comfortable with. Melissa was already there, staring pensively out a window at the beautiful gardens below, and she turned to them with a smile when they entered.

"Fox, you are looking quite lovely tonight," she told him, pulling out a chair for the young man to seat himself. "Sister, you should be proud."

"I am quite proud of my husband, Melissa," Dana replied, with a slight emphasis. "Perhaps you should consider finding one of your own."

"I have thought about it, you know," Melissa confided. Dana seated herself at the head of the table, and Fox took his place on her right side. Melissa seated herself on Dana's left, across from her brother-in-law, and reached for a goblet of wine.

"Thought about what?" asked Maggie as she entered the dining room, trailed by Walter. She sat at the other end of the table, Walter at her right, next to Melissa.

"Taking a husband," Melissa replied. "I would like have Lady Gainsborough add another dashing, handsome husband's portrait to the family gallery. If there are any such men left in the county, now that my mother and sister have had their pick," she added, winking mischievously at both Fox and Walter. Both men dropped their eyes in unison, embarrassed at her gallant attentions.

"Come, Mother, Dana," Melissa teased. "These two pretty fellows blush entirely too easily when a woman praises them. Perhaps you do not tell them often enough that they are pleasing to you."

"My lady voices her pleasure with me often," Fox offered quickly, and Dana smiled.

"As does Fox," she replied, lifting her goblet in a silent toast to him, and Fox looked on, bewildered, as the women exploded in laughter. He glanced at Walter, who stared at his lap, his lips pressed tightly together, and vowed to ask him later what had been so funny. Fox hated being so un-worldly, and he knew the laughter was probably at his expense. Irritated, he stabbed at a string bean with his fork.

"Do not be upset, sweeting," Dana said, stroking the back of his hand. "I find your innocence a total delight."

She raised his hand to her lips and kissed his fingers tenderly, and Fox could only stare, a slightly glazed look in his eye. It was what Melissa had done upon their meeting, and he had been impressed with her gallantry, but the touch of Dana's lips on his flesh gave him a tingle that he felt throughout his body. He wished she would kiss him again, indeed, he wished she would invent a reason to hurry him upstairs this instant and take him to her bed, but instead, she merely gave a secret smile and lay his hand gently back on the table.

Fox released his breath at last, modestly swallowing his desire, and flushed again when he caught amusement in Melissa's eyes. Was everyone at this table bound and determined to laugh at him throughout the meal? Ignoring the rest of them, he began to consume his food absently, his thoughts still occupied with images of Dana's sweet body beneath his, her whispered endearments in his ear, her legs wrapped firmly around his body. Realizing that his manhood was growing uncomfortably firm, and that his breeches were rather revealing, Fox took a long drink of water from his tumbler and forced himself to think of other things.

He hoped they could make their escape as soon as the meal was completed, but Lady Maggie suggested an evening of cards in the parlor, and Melissa excused herself, announcing that she must write some letters. Smothering a sigh, Fox followed Dana to the salon and took his place across from her, forcing himself to concentrate on the cards in his hand rather than his wife's luscious lips and delectable form.

He thought the evening would never end.

At last, when the clock was near to striking ten, Dana announced that she was tired. She stacked the cards neatly in the center of the table and stood, nodding goodnight to her mother.

"Fox," she said, holding out her hand to him, "Come. Let us take a walk in the gardens before retiring."

"Yes, my lady," he replied, trying not to sound too eager. A walk in the gardens, and then...bed? He hoped so. Politely bidding Lady Maggie and Walter a good night, he followed as Dana led him from the room.

"Walter, stop stifling those yawns," he heard Maggie say behind him as she rang for a tea tray. "Surely you can remain awake long enough to allow me to best you at a game of chess."

Dana laughed as they let themselves outside. "Poor Walter," she said sympathetically. "When Mother gets involved in her games, time has no meaning for her."

She wrapped her cloak around her husband's shoulders, mindful of his bared chest, and led him toward the path through the garden. Leaning against his broad chest for a moment, she happily inhaling his scent.

"I have wanted you all evening," she whispered.

"My lady has delighted in tormenting me," he replied with shy amusement.

She laughed again. "Come, let us find a bit of privacy and I shall torment you all the more," she promised, and Fox gulped as she led him deeper into the gardens. Surely she didn't mean to take him outside again?

Feeling her determined tug on his hand, he was afraid she intended exactly that, and as they approached a particularly well-hidden gazebo, he became convinced.

She stopped, before entering the gazebo, and stared up at the clear night sky.

"The stars are beautiful tonight," she observed. "This is my favorite kind of night, when the air is still and only slightly cool, and one can see beyond the moon in the darkness."

"I sometimes look up at them and wonder..." he began, and trailed off, embarrassed at revealing one of his deepest secrets to his practical wife.

"Wonder?" she prompted, and he glanced down at her, expecting to see derision but finding only kindness and curiosity.

"Wonder if there are people out there somewhere, just like us," he confessed.

She regarded him for a moment, finding no trace of teasing in his tone or demeanor, and considered. "I suppose it is possible," she conceded at last, "however, I find it very unlikely. And even if there are other worlds out there with people inhabiting them, we shall never learn of them. Our Goddess planted us on the ground, and on the ground we shall stay."

"Perhaps, my lady," he said softly, admiring the way the stars twinkled in her eyes. "I sometimes dream of flying through the sky like the most free of birds. To soar, unfettered, unobstructed, uncatchable."

"But you are catchable, my Fox," she said in a low, husky voice. "Indeed, I have captured you well."

His arousal, which he had managed to suppress during the long, tedious evening, sprang back to life at her words, and he touched her arms, grasping them with his hands almost reverently.

"My lady," he breathed, sliding his fingers up to entwine in her silky hair. "Please--allow me--" He got no further, simply lowering his head until his mouth met hers. What began as a sweet kiss soon became a passionate embrace, as both of them gave vent to the urges that had been kept carefully banked for the past few hours.

Fox took liberties he had never before dared, allowing his mouth to leave her lips and travel down her throat and shoulders, as she often did with him, stroking his fingers across her soft breasts and enjoying the sudden gasp of arousal his actions elicited from her. She pressed against him tightly, and his hardness ground into her softness until he feared he would scream with frustration.

"Inside, now," she growled, shoving him toward the gazebo, and he obeyed instantly, allowing her to pull him over to a bench where they sank down, lost in their passion. She then proceeded to drive him absolutely wild with her mouth, kissing, licking and nipping at his burning flesh until he could stand no more.

"Dana, please," he groaned, feeling as if he would burst out of his breeches if she did not release him soon.

Instead, she pushed him gently off the bench and to his knees, placing her heels upon his shoulders. She was wearing a long skirt tonight, rather than the loose trousers that were her usual attire, and with both hands, she raised the fabric to her waist, revealing her soft woman's flesh to him in the moonlight. Her scent was intoxicating, and Fox inhaled deeply, wanting nothing more than to bury himself in her at once.

"I will teach you a new way to please me tonight, husband," she said hoarsely, and he nodded, grasping at her legs eagerly.

"Anything, my lady," he begged. "Just tell me what you wish of me."

"I should like you to pleasure me with your mouth, as I have done with you in the past," she told him, and his jaw dropped in amazement.

"Is that--is that *done?*" he asked incredulously, and she almost laughed, biting back her mirth at the last moment. Somehow, Dana sensed Fox had had enough of being laughed at for one evening.

"Indeed it is," she told her seriously. "It will bring me much pleasure, Fox. And afterwards, I shall allow you to come inside me."

Hesitantly, uncertainly, Fox lowered his face to her inviting warmth, reaching out his tongue and softly touching the pink flesh that was Dana. He expected to be repulsed, but instead, to his surprise, found the entire experience quite to his liking, and before long he threw himself into his new task with characteristic enthusiasm. Dana wriggled beneath his ministrations, and he drew back, concerned.

"Am I hurting you, my lady?" he asked.

"No," she whispered fiercely. "Continue!"

He obeyed at once, lowering his tongue to lap at her again, feeling the contours of her body with his lips, tracing the folds of her sweetness and occasionally dipping his tongue inside her. His hands caressed her hips while he continued nuzzling at her until he felt her muscles tighten, then latched his mouth onto a particularly sensitive part of her and suckled enthusiastically. Moments later she threw back her head and screamed her pleasure, her heels digging into his shoulders and her fingers clutching at his arms, holding him in place, thrashing and moaning and ordering him not to stop, not to stop, not to dare stop.

Finally, when Fox feared his very tongue would fall out of his mouth with fatigue, she relaxed and tugged gently at his hair.

"Did I please you, my lady?" he asked anxiously, and she graced him with one of her most dazzling smiles.

"Did I not voice my pleasure with you sufficiently, Fox?" she asked innocently, and laughed aloud as the full meaning of the dinnertime laughter dawned on his handsome face. "You did indeed, sweeting, and now it is your turn. Should you like to be atop me this time?"

His eyes lit up, for lying over her and sinking his manhood into her softness was greatly pleasurable to him, but Fox found his curiosity aroused as well.

"Perhaps," he said carefully, "I could come into you as you sit here on the bench?" The words were hesitant, unsure, but he felt reassured when Dana smiled again.

"An excellent plan," she said enthusiastically.

Fox wasted no time in plunging his rod into her, sinking in to the hilt at once. She cried out her pleasure again, and he whimpered, almost overwhelmed with the sensation of having her all around him, still tasting her on his lips, feeling her and smelling her sweet scent and just *having* her beneath him.

"Take whatever pace suits you, sweeting," she whispered, and, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude at her generosity, he set a slow pace that made her moan with pleasure, nearly driving himself insane in the process. He was proud of the fact that he held himself back long enough to drive that screaming, spasming pleasure from her yet again before he at last found his own release. Thrusting into her fiercely until his seed was fully spilled, he collapsed to the bench beside her, panting for breath.

"You will be the death of me, my lady," he whispered, and she laughed, a sound he had already come to love.

"You are young, healthy and virile, Fox," she replied, teasing his bare chest with her tongue as she snuggled against him. "I expect you to pleasure me often, just as I intend to pleasure you."

"Well," he said teasingly, "a husband's work is never done, and he must do as his lady commands. Ouch!"

She nipped again at his flesh, suckling the spot at the base of his neck that she seemed to find so enticing.

"Be still," she commanded. "Or I'll find something else to nibble on."

She tormented him with her lips and tongue until he was almost whimpering, amazed that he wanted her again so quickly. She pushed him gently to the floor, then raised her skirt again and positioned herself above him, plunging his manhood into her and riding him wildly, her fingernails digging into the white flesh of his forearms as she took him hungrily. Very soon this time, she cried out her pleasure, and he found that he had still more seed to spill within her. Fox collapsed against the floor of the gazebo, breathing heavily, feeling as if he simply must slip into a faint at any moment, so lightheaded was he from her attentions.

"That was delightful, sweeting," she announced, climbing off his lap and shaking out her skirts. "You please me very well." Dana smoothed her hair down with her hands, and straightened the bodice of her gown, while Fox sat up and stared in amazement.

"Now I know why ladies sometimes wear skirts," he murmured. "It must be a great convenience when one intends to make use of a man repeatedly."

She leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips, stroking some semblance of order to his own hair with her tender fingers.

"I do hope you felt I was doing more than simply making use of your body, Fox."

He stared up at her luminescent eyes, her hair that was golden in the moonlight, and a surge of emotion washed over him the likes of which he had never known.

"Dana," he said softly, taking her hands in his. "Do you think--you could ever--I mean--"

He bit his lip in agitation, dropping his eyes to her shoes, and she prompted, "Could I what, Fox?"

"Is it possible, my lady, that you could ever come to care for me?" He said the words all in a rush, clenching his eyes tightly against her answer. He opened them again when she stroked his face tenderly, and gazed up at her, full of hope.

"My dear, sweet Fox," she said slowly. "I do care for you, a great deal. I have been quite fond of you ever since we were children. I thought you knew that."

"I did, my lady--I do. But one is fond of candy. What I mean is, could you ever *really* care for me?"

She smiled in amusement. "Fox, are you asking if I could fall in love with you?"

"Is it so ridiculous a notion?" he asked, dropping a kiss on the hands he still held. "Am I so unlovable?"

"You know that you are not--all who know you find you attractive and amusing. Certainly I enjoy your company--in or out of bed," she added mischievously. "But Fox, what you are asking...falling in love--*really* in love--only makes a lady weak. I know. I have friends who have made that mistake."

"Lady Modeski?"

She nodded. "Suzanne was a fine officer. I served under her command for several years, until she met John. We were involved in the most secret of missions, some I am not free to speak of even to this day. Once John came into her life, however, I lost a good commander, and almost lost a good friend."

"How did you almost lose her friendship?" he inquired curiously, straightening his own clothing and rising to his feet. Dana slipped his arm through hers and began to lead him back toward the house.

"She was in love with John from the beginning," she mused, almost as if she were talking to herself. "We could all see it, and we teased her about it unmercifully. That didn't seem to bother her, but the night John came to our barracks to visit her and she was not there..."

Her voice trailed off, and Fox swallowed a sudden lump of fear. He could guess what had happened, and his thoughts turned to Alex, at the mercy of the servants at this very moment.

"We didn't hurt him," she continued after a moment. "We teased him a little, groped him a lot, and removed most of his clothing. We had all been drinking that night, you see. Poor John was as frightened as you were on our marriage night, Fox, and yet, we did not know he was a virgin. We thought surely, at his age...and John was not of the Nobility. His mother was a chef in a London restaurant."

"My lady, you didn't--"

"Well, the one thing about that night on which I can remember without feeling shame is that no, *I* did not. But they did."

Fox remained silent, horrified at the revelation.

"As I said, John wasn't hurt--not physically anyway. They were quite gentle with him, but...when he left our barracks, he was no longer pure," she said, raising a serious face to his. "And Suzanne..."

She shook her head.

"She was angry?"

"Furious. Livid. We were given punishment duties of which I shall not tell your tender ears. Suffice to say we were all humiliated and exhausted. But the worst part...the worst part was when she had John address us all. He was terrified to face us, poor man, but Suzanne stood beside him while he told us that we had ruined him. Of course he was quite proper about it, not ungentlemanly at all, but we knew what he was really saying. It was soon after that Suzanne left the service to marry him."

She kicked absently at a pebble under her foot, still lost in her memories.

"Suzanne was cold and hostile to all of us after that, except for myself and two others who had not participated in the rape. John told her we had tried to help him, and we did, but..."

He waited for a moment, then prompted gently, "But what, Dana?"

"Sometimes I wonder if I tried hard enough to protect John," she sighed. "It is one of the reasons I am so adamant about your protection, Fox. I refuse to be responsible for the rape of an innocent man again."

"But Alex..." he said in a low voice, afraid of angering her.

"Alex earned his punishment, Fox," she reminded him sternly. "And I assure you, Alex was no virgin before tonight."

"How do you know?" he asked curiously, wondering just exactly how one ascertained if a man was pure, since there appeared to be no outward sign.

She gave a snort of derision. "A lady knows, Fox, believe me."

He mulled over her words for a time. "You were not responsible--" he began at last, but Dana cut him off.

"It is the job of a Lady of the Nobility to protect the weaker gender," she insisted. "Had I truly made an attempt, I and the other ladies who held back, perhaps we could have saved John from his fate. If he had been a man of the Nobility, perhaps we would have tried harder..."

"I do not believe that of you, my lady," he defended staunchly. "You would not first ascertain a man's station in life before running to his assistance. You are a kind woman."

She gave him a small smile, pulling him again toward the house. "Perhaps," she said softly. "I was much younger then."

Her mood seemed questionable, and they walked in silence for a few more minutes before Fox found the courage to voice his next question.

"My lady, there is one thing I don't understand. Why do you say that loving him made Lady Modeski weak? I find it an admirable quality that she would stand beside the poor, dishonored man."

"Ah, but Fox, you did not know Suzanne before. It was not the first time we had taken a man as a plaything for the evening, although it was the first and only time the man was not a willing participant. Suzanne was always the ringleader in such activities. She would often recruit several men if we were camped near a town, to be our entertainment. She never cared for their desires until John. Then she went soft."

"And softness is not a good thing in a soldier," he stated flatly.

"It is not. Nor in a wife. Come," she replied, slipping her arm around his waist again. "Let us forget this unpleasantness and return to our chamber."

"Oh, my lady..." he began with a slight groan, and she laughed outright.

"Do not worry, Fox. Our play this evening has tired even me. I plan on doing nothing more than sleeping in my bed chamber, but I wish to do so with a beautiful fox cub in my arms tonight."

"I wish that as well," he responded eagerly as they entered the mansion.

They had just reached the top of the stairs when voices from below drifted upwards.

"I am amazed, Walter, truly," Lady Maggie was saying as she and her husband mounted the staircase. "Who would have believed a man could outsmart me at chess?"

Placing her finger conspiratorially over her lips, Dana pulled Fox into the darkest corner of the hall, and they both suppressed their giggles as they eavesdropped.

"I am certain it was a chance occurrence," Walter replied blandly as he followed his wife upstairs.

"Are you?" Lady Maggie asked suspiciously, stopping to look back at him.

He tried to hide his smile, but was unable to keep his satisfaction a secret.

"I must confess, my lady, that chess is one of my strong points," he allowed with a shy smile. "I learned from Lady Sharon's mother, and it appears I have somewhat of a gift for the game."

"And Lady Sharon, did she play as well?" Maggie asked as they continued their upward trek.

Walter groaned, gripping his head in mock pain. "She played, my lady, but she should not have. She was hopeless at the game, I fear."

Maggie laughed.

"The worst part was that she was forever gambling on her games, and never learned to stay away from chess. I saw Lady Sharon lose many a gold piece to opponents. On one evening, when she had imbibed a particular amount of brandy, she lost a diamond necklace that had been a family heirloom. Her mother was furious."

He smiled fondly as he held the door to the West Wing open for his wife to enter, and Dana and Fox, still hiding silently in the opposite corner of the room, clutched at each other as they held back shouts of laughter. The idea of the very proper Lady Sharon getting drunk and losing at games was hysterical, for they both remembered her as a somewhat prim, quite reserved lady.

When the door to the West Wing closed behind her mother and Walter, Dana grabbed Fox by the hand and dragged him toward the East Wing.

"Come, husband," she ordered with mock severity. "I wish to determine whether you are able to beat me at chess!"

"And if I win, my lady?" he teased, following her eagerly.

"If you win, I will take you into town with me next week, after our guests leave, so that you may visit the shops and enjoy yourself."

Lord Scully's eyes sparkled at the prospect, for he had rarely been allowed into town before his marriage, and since joining the Scully household, had simply been too busy for such pleasures.

"And if you should manage to best me?" he inquired as they entered their chamber.

"Punishment by pleasure."

The door closing stifled his groan.

"Perhaps I could be of assistance?"

Fox started at the unexpected voice behind him, then smiled gratefully at Walter. He had been busy all day, supervising and assisting with the cleaning of the mansion from top to bottom, and he was exhausted. His stomach growled loudly, for he'd had no time to stop for lunch, and Fox was surprised to realize it was already half past four.

"Thank you," he breathed, handing the dusting cloth to Walter and sinking slowly into a chair. Normally, he would not be doing such menial work himself, but with the shortness of time, every pair of available hands was needed. He groaned, grateful Dana only required the heeled boots for dinner and formal occasions, and slipped off the comfortable shoes he was wearing today. Fox rubbed his aching feet while Walter took up his chore.

"Who thought it was a good idea to have eight thousand porcelain knickknacks in this room?" he groused, staring around the chamber gloomily. "We shall never be ready in time."

"We shall be ready," Walter replied calmly, taking up a small ceramic vase and dusting it thoroughly.

"Lord Fox?" came Alex's voice at the door, and both men turned.

"I've finished scrubbing the floors in all the upstairs chambers. What would you like me to do next?"

"Take the carpets from downstairs outside and begin beating them," Fox ordered promptly. "Take Sarah and Ellis to help you. They are both very strong, and can handle the heavy carpets easily."

Alex gave a sullen nod, moving rather stiffly as he exited the room, and Walter bit back his laughter when he saw the face Fox made toward the man. So Fox was still jealous of the young maid, was he?

"You've nothing to fear from him, you know," Walter told him as they pulled down the curtains for airing. "Lady Dana would not give him a second glance."

"Why wouldn't she?" Fox demanded petulantly, tugging at the heavy fabric and almost ripping it before Walter managed to unhook it from the curtain rod. "He's beautiful."

"He is," Walter agreed. "But he is also forward and loose. Dana prefers modest men who know their place."

Fox looked disbelieving, and Walter continued. "I believe she is quite taken with your company," he said, feeling sudden compassion toward his son-in-law. "Fear not, young Fox. She will not be taking that one to her bed."

"How do you know?" he asked suspiciously.

"Because I am older than you, and have been married far longer. I have seen the look a woman gets in her eye when she wants to bed a man, and Lady Dana does not have that look for the new servant."

"But the night I was downstairs..." Fox said hesitantly, rubbing at a spot of dust on the bureau.

"Lady Dana slept alone," Walter told him firmly.

The hopeful look on the younger man's face went straight to Walter's heart.

"Are you certain?" he asked eagerly.

"I am," Walter said positively. "I heard some of the servants discussing the fun they'd had with Alex that night. They kept him much too busy to warm Lady Dana's bed."

Fox, his heart singing, went about the rest of his chores with a feeling of light cheerfulness.

He entered the kitchen to check on the evening meal, and when the smell of food cooking hit his nostrils, realized how long it had been since he had eaten. Grateful that he was no longer feeling ill, he sank down on one of the benches at which the servants took their meals and asked Natalie to bring him some soup. He tugged off the cloth he'd wrapped around his hair to keep the dust out, and slipped his filthy apron over his head, tossing both to the bench beside him.

"My lady says you are to eat a proper supper with her, in the dining room, Lord Fox," Natalie contradicted. "She is awaiting you now."

Fox glanced down at his grimy clothing, swiped at his sweaty face, and lamented the fact that his hair was a mess and he most certainly smelled rather ripe. He debated the possibility of sneaking upstairs for a bath, but knew that Dana would never tolerate being kept waiting. A perfect husband would not keep his lady waiting, anyway, he chided himself. A perfect husband would present himself at his lady's table, appropriately groomed and ready to attend to her needs. With a sigh, he realized perfection was a goal which he would be long in attaining, but he must keep trying in order to win her affections.

Quickly, Fox slipped outside to the pump, managed to wash his face and clean away some of the sweat-smell that clung to him, and returned to face the family at table. Dana smiled when he entered the room, seeming not to notice his disarray.

"Ah, Fox," she greeted him. "I am glad to see you looking well."

"Thank you, my lady," he murmured, sliding into his chair. "Please forgive my appearance. I had not realized it was so near supper time."

She examined him critically, saying, "You do look as if you could use a bath," and then proceeded to discuss patients she had seen that day with her mother, for the most part ignoring her husband.

Fox sat beside her, shoving food around his plate and occasionally taking a bite, but his appetite had gone with her words. She had not seen him all day, and all she could do was criticize his appearance? He didn't even want to be at this table--he would much prefer to be soaking in a tub of jasmine scented water just now, but she had demanded his presence.

He caught Walter's eye, and the older man gave a slight smile. "Do not let it bother you," he said softly, and Fox nodded, swallowing the lump that had appeared in his throat again. Of course Dana wished to discuss business with her mother. She was an important healer in the village, and Lady Maggie had many more years at the practice of medicine behind her. Dana simply wished to take advantage of her mother's expertise.

Yawning tiredly, Fox began pulling apart the slice of bread that lay beside his plate.

"So, what did you do all day, Fox?" Dana asked pleasantly, when she had finished her meal and pushed her chair back from the table. "Did you manage to keep busy?"

Fox choked back his retort, angered at her inference that his job consisted of so little work that he must search for things to keep himself occupied. Perfection, he reminded himself.

"I have been preparing the house for your guests, my lady," he said demurely, eyes on his plate. "It is quite a task. I don't believe some of the chambers have been cleaned properly in twenty years. I simply wanted everything to look nice for your guests."

Dana shrugged. "But surely the house was clean enough?" she teased. "It was hardly necessary to go so far as dusting the attics and polishing the weathervane."

Clearing his throat, Walter cut in, "I believe Fox has been quite industriously supervising and assisting with a thorough cleaning of the mansion, my lady. He has not even stopped for a meal. Because he was ill abed yesterday, he has had much more work than usual to accomplish today."

Dana took notice for the first time of the weary slump to her husband's shoulders, the limpness of his hair and the lines of fatigue on his face.

"Fox, we have servants to clean the manor," she said gently. "There is no need for you to work yourself so hard."

Fox took a deep breath before replying, "I realize that, my lady. It was the shortness of time that presented a problem. Every pair of hands was necessary, including mine. And Walter has assisted in many ways as well, which I thank you for allowing, Lady Maggie," he added, giving a nod of deference to his mother-in-law.

"Indeed, Fox, the two of you have accomplished a great deal in the past two days," Lady Maggie responded with an affectionate smile. "Dana and I will be quite proud to have you at our sides when our guests arrive."

Fox nodded gratefully, closing his eyes just for a moment, and felt the conversation melt into a blur around him. What seemed as if it could only be seconds later he felt Dana's strong hands pulling him to his feet.

"You are asleep in your chair, sweeting," she laughed. "Come, let's get you into bed. You must be fresh and pretty when Lady Suzanne arrives tomorrow."

He allowed Dana to lead him to their chamber, still half-asleep, and sat on the side of the bed while she washed some of the dirt from his hands and face with water from the basin next to the bed. He fell back wearily to the pillow, giving a deep sigh of relief, and Dana kissed him soundly on the lips.

"Rest now, Fox," she instructed. "You may have a proper bath in the morning. Get as much sleep as you can, for tomorrow night I intend to take you quite thoroughly."

His eyes flew open as she left the chamber, wondering uncomfortably how he was supposed to get to sleep with *that* thought in his mind. He felt his manhood stir to life as he realized she'd neglected to put a nightshirt on him. Climbing out of bed, Fox intended to rectify the oversight, until a thought stopped him. Perhaps she'd intended him to sleep in the nude, as she often did? One thing he had learned about his wife was that she rarely did anything by mistake. A perfect husband would not dress himself if his wife wished him naked. Hesitantly, he fingered a clean nightshirt for a moment, then slammed the dresser drawer and slipped back into bed. If Dana wished him dressed, she would tell him so, he decided sleepily.

He recalled her final words, and resolutely rolled onto his stomach, forcing himself to call to mind all manner of unpleasant thoughts in order to banish the image of her lovely body possessing his. He had almost accomplished the task, drifting slowly into much-needed sleep, when there came a knock at the door.

"Enter," he called sleepily, raising his head in curiosity. Who could be wanting him now? Surely the entire mansion was in readiness for the company that would arrive in the morning.

Fox sighed in resignation when Alex slipped through the chamber door. Groaning inwardly, he wondered what he had forgotten to do, and why the servant he most detested had been sent to remind him.

"Yes, Alex, what is it?" he asked wearily.

"We need to have a talk, my lord Fox," Alex replied, his sneering expression conveying none of the respect the words should contain.

Fox frowned. "I dislike your tone," he said evenly, gripping the coverlet to contain his anger.

"You shall dislike much more than my tone by the time I am finished," Alex replied, throwing the latch to lock them inside the chamber.

Fox's eyes widened, but he refused to allow the servant to see his sudden flicker of fear. The entire family was downstairs, out of earshot should Alex attempt to harm him, but surely there were other servants nearby. His eyes rested momentarily on the bell cord. It was two feet from the bed. He could make it before Alex reached him if he must.

"Don't consider calling for help," Alex told him coldly. "I assure you, my lord, you do not want the rest of the household to witness what I have to say."

"Why should I wish to listen to anything--"

"You will listen," Alex interrupted, reaching the bed in three quick strides. He grasped Lord Scully's left arm without warning and twisted it behind his back, holding him in place. "You will listen to all I have to say, and when I am finished, you will do exactly as I tell you. If you call for help, I will reveal my story to the entire household. Surely you wish to hear it before you allow that to happen?"

Fox closed his mouth and nodded once, sullenly, then waited for the servant to continue.

"I know your secret, Fox," Alex whispered harshly. "I worked with Isaac Tremont in London, and he told me all about how you helped him escape from Lady Diana Fowley."

Fox stared back at Alex, too stunned to even protest, all the breath suddenly leaving his body. It couldn't be! Surely the man was lying! And yet, if he did not know the truth, how would he ever connect Isaac's name to his? Isaac must have-- Fox clenched his jaw in fury. He had sworn Isaac to secrecy about his part in aiding the poor servant's escape, and Isaac had vowed to protect him. If Alex knew, how many others did as well?

"I see I have managed to render you speechless," Alex continued with wry amusement. "Did you truly believe you would never be found out?"

"I had thought that the man I saved was trustworthy," Fox replied bitterly. "Obviously I was mistaken."

"Isaac is trustworthy, Fox. He is also very, very grateful. He confided in me, late one night, about a gentleman of the Nobility who had helped him escape from a lady who held a five year contract for him. The Lady in question had left him to die. Isaac didn't give any names at first, but..." Alex shrugged.

Furious, Fox tried to punch at Alex with his free arm, but the servant grasped him around the waist, squeezing his arms so tightly against his body that he could scarcely breathe. "What did you do to him?" Fox demanded, fearing Isaac had been made to suffer further because of his own actions.

Alex smiled, and there was nothing but ice in his expression. "I got him drunk," he said simply. "I convinced him I was his friend. I convinced him I was *your* friend. He told me everything I needed to know. I only had five months left on my contract, and when it was up I came here. Luckily for me, your Lady was quite eager to hire a young, pretty upstairs maid, but had she not been so eager, I had another card to play."

"How do I know *you* are not lying?" Fox spat angrily. "You have no proof of your accusation. My lady will believe the word of her husband over that of a mere servant."

Alex gave a short laugh. "Do you think I never considered that possibility?" he smirked. "I have a letter from Isaac, addressed to you, recounting his gratitude to you for all you did to help him. He's quite thorough with the details of your assistance, and begs that your Lady employ me now. He knew I would be looking for a new employer in this region, and wished to help his friend."

"You? A letter? You, who cannot read or write?" Lord Scully's derisive tone only angered Alex further.

"Yes, I who cannot read or write, but who knows how to survive, how to bribe those with more learning but less intelligence than myself, and how to make their arrogance work in my favor," he hissed. "I know exactly what the letter says, I have committed it to memory. I'll allow you to see it if you wish. There is another copy in existence, left in the hands of a trusted friend, one who has instructions to deliver the letter to Lady Fowley in the event of my untimely death or disappearance."

He sat quietly for a moment, but Fox seemed unable or unwilling to respond.

"So you see, dear Fox--you belong to me. You will do as I say, or I will see you delivered into her hands immediately, and there will be nothing your fine Lady can do to save you. The law is clearly on the side of Lady Fowley."

Fox struggled angrily at Alex's words, but he was unable to escape the servant's iron grip.

"What do you want of me?" he demanded, his chest heaving.

Alex looked thoughtful, gazing down at the beautiful man beneath him, and Fox felt pure terror pierce his heart. He had heard of men who preferred to lie with other men, but had never felt any such urges himself. The thought that Alex might demand to use his body sickened and terrified him.

Alex seemed to perceive his thoughts, for he gave a short bark of laughter.

"Not that, Fox," he whispered softly, running his free hand down his captive's cheek gently. "Although if I thought you would be willing..."

Fox shuddered.

"I'm not a rapist," Alex went on coldly. "However, I am not above extortion. I can use you, Fox, for many things. I can improve my life immeasurably with your cooperation. Should you choose to be difficult about the situation...well, Fox, if the idea of lying beneath me is horrifying to you, picture yourself at Lady Fowley's mercy. She would have the right to claim you for a period of four and one half years, the length of time left to Isaac's contract when he escaped her. Do you believe she would pass up the chance to do so?"

Fox didn't answer, but he knew Alex saw the defeat in his eyes.

"What shall I do?" he asked dully, suddenly feeling as dead as winter inside.

Alex appeared to consider, but Fox had a suspicion that he had planned every move before coming to his chamber.

"For now," the servant told him carefully, "I want you to step forward and take the responsibility anytime I am to be punished."

Fox swallowed hard, remembering the whipping Alex had so recently received, not to mention what came after.

"The--the respons--"

"The responsibility *and* the punishment," Alex told him quietly.

"But I--"

"Do not look so desperate. I have no doubt that Lady Dana will deal much less harshly with you than with me. I am certain she would not give you to the servants for an evening of their pleasure."

Fox did not miss the bitterness beneath the words, and his kind heart softened for a moment.

"I am sorry that happened to you," he said sincerely. "I would not wish to see anyone suffer such a punishment."

Alex's face darkened. "What do you know of what happened to me?" he demanded. "Have you ever been forced to pleasure woman after woman, denied your own release, while your bottom is whipped and you have a--" He stopped suddenly, surprised at the sudden guilt that crossed the other man's face. He had not expected Lord Scully to have a conscience.

"If you value your freedom, it will not happen again," he continued quietly. "Do we have a bargain, or shall I contact Lady Fowley?"

Fox met his challenging stare for a few seconds before closing his eyes in surrender.

"We have a bargain," he answered faintly.

"Good." Alex stood, releasing Lord Scully's wrists, and Fox merely lay upon the bed, wanting to accost the servant but fearing to make the attempt. If he should try and fail...

"Do not consider revealing this conversation to your Lady," Alex warned, "or my friend will go directly to Lady Fowley. You cannot escape me, Fox. There is no use in trying."

Fox nodded dumbly, waiting until Alex released the latch and left the room, and then curled up into as tiny a ball as he could manage in the center of the bed, fighting back his tears of anger and fear. With one fist, he pounded the pillow in frustration. He had been trying so hard to be perfect, and had almost begun to believe his plan had a chance of success. In spite of her words, Fox had begun to believe that she might truly care for him, just a bit, and hoped her caring would grow into something more. He had been so happy with Dana, and now this...this *maid* was threatening it all. And yet, what choice did he have but to agree to Alex's demands?

Fox had no doubt that if he told Dana the entire story, she would have Alex killed, and he knew he could never live with the guilt that would bring. He also knew that she would punish him severely, but maybe she would not send him away. Besides, if he told her, and she dispensed with Alex, there was the other person, whose name was unknown to him, who would immediately reveal his secret. It was simply too dangerous to risk.

Burying his face in his hands, Fox prayed silently, begging the Goddess for Her help--surely there could be no assistance from any other source.

End chapter 7

Captive Fox Chapter 7

by Bluebonnet

Captive Fox
Chapter 7