Captive Fox
Chapter 12

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. She's the one with all the good ideas.



As the verdict was read, Lady Sparlane looked toward Dana, admiring the stoic expression on the younger woman's face. Even now, when her world was crumbling, Dana Scully was a true warrior with no mannish, she reflected. "You may have a few moments with him, if you wish," she said, and Dana nodded.

Fox followed his lady as she led him toward a private corner of the courtroom, and when she turned to face him at last, he thought his heart would break into pieces. He opened his mouth to speak, but found himself unable to form words.

"Fox," Dana said, her eyes shimmering with the barest hint of moisture, "you knew the whereabouts of the servant, didn't you?" He said nothing, but his face told the truth. "You knew the risk when you released him, and you could have revealed his whereabouts and saved yourself, but you did not. You have shown yourself to possess an honor I did not believe a man could hold. I am very proud of you. You deserve to hear this from me before you are taken away." She took a deep breath. "I had believed to love a man made a woman weak. I now find I was quite wrong."

He stared, as if unable to believe he was hearing her words, but she continued. "You have proven yourself worthy of my love in every way, and I do not find that my feelings for you have weakened me one iota."

Tenderly she placed a hand on his cheek, caressing him lightly. "We shall endure this, my darling, and when your time with Diana is over, I will welcome you back with open arms. Do not ever doubt it. May you find strength in that assurance, and in the knowledge that I shall do my utmost to be worthy of your love."

"My lady, it is I--" his gasping reply was stopped by the sad shaking of her head.

Trembling, Fox took her hands in his and raised them to his lips, kissing them fervently, and then his eyes fell upon his marriage ring. Surely it would not survive the years with Lady Fowley. She would destroy it out of spite, if nothing else. Slowly, reluctantly, he slipped it from his finger and placed it in the palm of his wife's hand, closing her fist over it protectively.

"My lady...will you keep this safe for me?" he asked, fighting to keep the tremor from his voice.

"I will indeed," she replied after a moment. "And I shall take great pleasure in returning it to its proper place one day, sweeting."

The familiar endearment was nearly his undoing, and he felt a crushing ache in his heart, curiously coupled with relief, when Diana's hand closed around his arm.

"It is time to go, Fox," she said firmly. "You belong to me now."

Taking one last look into Dana's deep blue eyes, Fox turned away. Lady Fowley had her servants place chains about his wrists, and Fox followed her as she led him from the courtroom, his head held proudly high in the manner befitting a true Scully.

He did not look back.



When Dana strode into the main hall of Scully Manor, most of the servants were assembled, waiting to hear the news. They saw her glowering face, the absence of Lord Fox, and even the dullest among them was able to grasp the dire circumstance.

"Roberta! I wish you here this instant!" she yelled, and the butler stepped forward at once.

"Yes, my lady?" she asked, her tone filled with more respect than was her usual wont. Roberta had no desire the feel the lash upon her own back, and with the mood her mistress was in, it was better to grovel now than suffer later.

"I want that bastard Alex Krycek found," Dana stated calmly, the fury in her eyes frightening. "I want him found and returned to me. The man signed a lifetime contract, and by the Goddess, he shall feel every moment of it until Fox is once again free."



Maggie entered her chamber, closing the door behind her softly. Walter, who stood staring out the window, did not turn around. He knew what was about to happen, had prayed Maggie would relent even while knowing she would not, and had finally accepted his fate.

"If you are considering flinging yourself out that window, I would that you discard the notion at once."

He turned to her, a half smile on his whitened face. "I fear even by doing so I would not escape your wrath, my lady."

Maggie crossed to him slowly, her eyes locking with his. "What ever possessed you to keep such a secret from me, Bear?"

Walter shook his head, as if in disbelief of his own actions. "I am not certain, my lady," he told her truthfully. "I gave Fox my pledge that I would not reveal his secret. In truth, I do not see what either you or Dana could have done to protect him, especially so long after the deed was done."

"I would have done all in my power to see that this servant was found. I would have returned him to Lady Fowley."

Walter gazed at her, open-mouthed. "You would have condemned the man to death, Maggie?" he asked in disbelief. "Is the life of a man of so little worth to you?"

Her face darkened, and he took one tentative step back.

"The life of one man in particular is of great worth to my daughter," she said emphatically. "That life is in danger now, due to the reckless behavior of both you and Fox. You, as the elder, should have known to come straight to me, Walter."

As she spoke, she continued approaching him, and Walter continued backward until he was pressed firmly against the heavy mahogany wardrobe. His face was completely without color and his hands trembled a bit, but his voice did not falter as he informed her, "You disappoint me, my lady. I gave Fox my word. Would you have me violate his trust? Perhaps I should have tried to persuade him to tell Dana, but I had not thought you so heartless. Fox sacrificed his life for this man, and you would have made all the torment he has suffered for naught."

"Let me be perfectly clear, Walter Scully," she replied, leaning so close that he could feel her warm breath on his cheek. "I will do anything that is required to protect my family. Had I been forced to choose between Isaac and Fox, I should have chosen Fox without hesitation. He is the father of my granddaughter. He will be responsible for carrying on my family name, and his firstborn daughter will inherit Scully Manor."

"Is Fox nothing more to you than breeding stock?" he inquired sarcastically. "If that be the case, what good am I, as I am apparently unable to father children? Why, pray tell, have you not replaced me with a younger model, one who could impregnate you with more of the glorious Scully daughters?"

Almost before he had finished speaking, Maggie's slapped him forcefully, leaving a red mark across his face. He put his hand to the injury, but did not flinch.

"Walter, I am not your equal. I am your wife, and you will afford me the respect and obedience a husband is supposed to show his Lady and Mistress. Before we proceed, I want to make certain you understand that clearly. Must I explain the situation further?"

"No, my lady."

"Excellent. You will remove your clothing and bend over the chair. I shall deliver your punishment to your bare bottom, and I shall not be lenient with you this time, Walter. Your words have far overstepped the mark of good taste."

"Maggie, I--"

"Afterwards, we shall further discuss the issue of Fox and his foolishness."

She released him, and Walter got shakily to his feet. She pointed to the hated chair, and with a small sigh of resignation, he went and stood before it, disrobing slowly. Maggie watched, a glitter in her eye, as her beautiful husband removed every stitch of his clothing before lowering himself reluctantly over the back of the chair.

Maggie considered the tools of punishment she kept in their chamber--there was the feather, which Walter detested, but that seemed too light a punishment for the ill-advised words he had spoken. The cane was tempting, but she was far too angry to use it wisely. The paddle seemed too tame, and after a few seconds' consideration, she picked up the stout leather strap. Walter bit his lip firmly when he saw what she held in her hand; she had used the strap on him rarely, and it was extremely painful. He clenched his fists against the fabric of the chair and waited for the agony to begin.

"We shall address the issues singly," she announced before bringing the strap down with a sharp *crack* on his smooth, white flesh.

"Goddess!" he gasped, trying very hard to keep his legs still. Maggie didn't like it when he wriggled too much during punishment, and it would likely lead to very sore thighs as well as bottom. That was a situation to be avoided if at all possible.

"Firstly, Walter, you are never, *never* to keep secrets from me again." Another slap of the belt emphasized her words, and he strangled a groan. "Is that quite plain?"

"But I promised! My honor was at stake!"

"Had you not made such a foolish promise, there would have been no threat to your honor."

"Yes, my lady!"

"Secondly, you will never address me in that tone again. You will speak to me with respect at all times."

"Always, I swear it!" He flinched again when the third smack criss-crossed the previous two. "Maggie, please!"

"Thirdly, you will never again make such foolish accusations against me. Think you truly that I would merely allow a man to die without intervening? I would have filed a petition with the court, claiming Isaac's life was in danger under Lady Fowley's care, if necessary. Her Ladyship would probably have allowed Isaac to break his contract in that case. I would not merely have turned him over to Diana to torture and kill."

As she lectured her husband, Maggie kept a steady rhythm with the strap, and noted with satisfaction that his bottom was now a bright shade of red. She tightened her grip on the strap. It would be much redder in hue before she was finished teaching him this lesson.

"Those things understood, you must realize that nothing is of more importance to me than this family. Had Dana and I been warned in advance of the danger to Fox, perhaps we could have devised a plan to save him. Instead, he is now in the hands of that foul woman, and will remain there until we are able to free him in some way."

Walter was beginning to sob now. The sting of the strap was vicious and his legs sagged a bit as he fought to endure the remainder of his punishment.

"I do not think of Fox as mere 'breeding stock' at all. Indeed, I am quite fond of the boy. As is my daughter. Do you not see that?"

"Yes! Yes, I do, my lady! Please, no more..."

She stopped for a moment, rubbing his sweaty back and giving him time to catch his breath before continuing.

"We are almost finished, but there is one very important issue I have yet to address. Can you guess what it is?"

Sobbing into the chair, he shook his head from side to side. Maggie smiled fondly; doubtless all he could think of right now was the pain in his bottom.

Punctuating her words with strokes of the strap, she continued, "*You*, Walter, are a man, my husband, and your life is of the utmost importance to me. Indeed, you are the most precious person of all to me. Do you not know that?"

"I--I know--" he gasped through his tears.

Maggie pulled him slowly to his feet and embraced him warmly. "Then also know that I love you more than my life, and let us have no more of this foolishness. Now, you are quite exhausted, Bear. You will climb into our bed and sleep. Do not argue with me."

Careful to keep the coverlet away from his sore bottom, Walter did as he was told.



Earlier that morning, after leaving Scully Manor, Melissa sat astride her horse in the middle of the road for several minutes, her eyes narrowed in deep thought. Jake had been gone for hours already, and none of the women who had joined in the search had seen him. They were all to be trusted, but there were others in the village who were less noble, who would not hesitate to take advantage of a man like Jake should he fall into their hands. She knew that, although Jake pretended to be carefree and disregarding of his own safety and modesty, in truth he was as much in need of protection as any man--perhaps more so because of his extreme beauty.

They had searched every road out of town for Alex and had found no success. Melissa had been certain Alex would head for London, intending to disappear into the throngs who crowded the gutters there, but had finally been forced to admit her error. Had Alex made for London, they would surely have found him, and had Jake followed their search parties, one of them would surely have come across him on the return journey.

Now, she stared off to the northeast as a horrifying thought struck her. Cursing her own stupidity, she urged her horse onward through the trees, ignoring the trails and searching for any sign that a man had passed by recently, either on horseback or on foot. Soon, she was rewarded when she spotted a certain pattern of broken twigs, and when the trees gave way to open fields, a clear evidence that someone had recently trampled the tall grass. Jake had gone this way, damn his hide, and perhaps Alex as well.

Melissa dug her heels into her horse's side, spurring him on to a gallop, and made for the docks, fifteen miles from Azure. If Alex had gone there, he would almost certainly be captured and raped, possibly taken as a sea captain's personal maid and bed warmer. While it was no more than the slut deserved, right now the Scullys needed him whole. If Jake had gone there--Melissa shuddered at the possibilities, praying she would find him alive. Traveling as quickly as she was able, she amused herself with thoughts of how, once she found him, she would then proceed to kill him.



The ride to Lady Fowley's estate was accomplished in near silence. Fox sat staring stonily out the carriage window, ignoring the smirk of satisfaction on the noblewoman's lips. She rested her hand gently on his knee, giving a threatening squeeze when he attempted to draw away, but other than that one familiarity made no move to molest him. Fox supposed he should be grateful she did not intend to take him right here in the carriage in broad daylight. According to the many stories he had heard, coupled with what he had seen for himself, he knew there were not many boundaries Lady Diana would not cross.

When they reached the Fowley carriage-drive at last, Fox breathed a prayer of thanks to the Goddess that he seemed to be, in fact, quite numb; it would have simply been too mortifying if his knees had shaken as she assisted him from the carriage.

Diana kept her hand firmly on his left arm, while one of her servants grasped his right, and he was led into the large house immediately. Fox wanted to turn around and take one look back, to see if he could spot the rooftop of Scully Manor through the trees, but he did not trust himself to be able to endure such a sight. Instead, he allowed himself to be drawn into the dark, cool receiving chamber without protest.

The Fowley servants crowded around in order to better view their Mistress' new prize, and Fox kept his gaze fixed firmly on the stone wall ahead of him. The servants' babbling was nothing more than unintelligible noise to him until Lady Fowley's voice rang out above the others.

"Take him to my chamber."

At Lady Diana's words, Fox felt a wave of despair wash over him. He had not realized until just this moment how much at her mercy he truly was. Praying that somewhere in her heart she had a shred of compassion, Fox slowly lowered himself to his knees in an attitude of supplication.

"My lady, I will be your servant, I give you my word, happy to perform the most menial of tasks, but please, I--," he stopped just before his voice broke. Diana regarded him, amusement in her eyes, waiting for him to finish.

"I have known no woman except my lady wife. Please, I beg your mercy. Do not take me to your bed. Do not shame me in this manner."

"Dana has been far too soft on you," Diana replied, twining her fingers in his hair and giving a tug so he was forced to look up at her. "I should have you whipped for your insolence. You are not my servant, Fox, you are my slave. How dare you even suggest that you could command me?"

He shook his head frantically, as if to deny her words, but she went on before he could speak.

"You are, as you say, my servant for the next four and one half years. During that time, your *only* task will be to please me in my bed. I require nothing else of you. I have plenty of servants to see to my other needs. You, my beautiful wild Fox, will make your luscious body available to me as often as I wish to make use of it."

His face blanched at her words, but he held her gaze proudly in spite of the tears that wanted to surface. He was a Scully, he reminded himself fiercely, and a Scully was never a coward.

Diana stared into the pooling hazel eyes for a few moments, lost in their beauty, unable to believe that such a specimen was truly hers. She would not keep him for long, she knew. Diana had no illusions that Lady Scully would allow her to retain ownership of Lord Scully for the entire four and one-half years. Dana would either find a pretext to kill her, thus regaining Fox, or she would simply steal him and spirit him away from the village. At any rate, Diana intended to gain as much enjoyment from her new pet as possible before she lost him.

"Take him to my chamber at once," Diana ordered again, releasing her grip on his hair. "Prepare him for me. I shall be upstairs when I am ready."

There was nothing more Fox could say. It was obvious now that Diana did *not* possess a shred of compassion, but he should have known that, he reminded himself as he meekly allowed the servants to lead him upstairs. He was in this predicament because she possessed no compassion, and because he had an abundance of it, perhaps more than he had of good sense.

He stifled a sudden urge to swing out at the servants guarding him and run for his life. It was useless, that much was certain; his wrists were still chained, and he would not get as far as the front door before being set upon and dragged back. Fox had no doubt that punishment at Lady Fowley's hands would be swift and severe. Instead of running, he took care to observe his surroundings carefully as he ascended the staircase, in order to better make use of any escape opportunity which might present itself in the future.

The Fowley estate was built almost entirely of stone, and Fox shivered in the dampness that seemed to permeate his garments. Unlike his home--Scully Manor, he corrected himself, for it was no longer his home--this place held no warm fires or inviting salons. The downstairs was almost entirely made up of one large room, and the steps leading up to the sleeping chambers were of old and chipped stone. Fox followed carefully, attempting to avoid slipping on them, trying desperately not to think about what was about to happen to him. When at last they reached the top of the stairs, the servants led him to a room directly opposite. When the door was swung open, he stopped in horror, stifling his gasp at the sight.

The room was enormous, and appeared not so much a bedroom as a torture chamber. One entire wall was hung with implements of discipline, hung on hooks and stacked on shelves. There were whips and straps and canes of every size, and those were the most innocuous of the items he saw. A set of thumbscrews, a collar with spikes pointing inward, and a large whipping bench caught his attention first, then his eyes wandered over the various tools. Fox wondered why one woman had need of so many items used for punishment. Being a servant on this estate must truly be the depths of despair.

With a barely concealed shudder, Fox turned away from the wall of horror only to find his eyes focused on the massive bed. Posts rose from each corner all the way to the ceiling where they were securely fastened with iron bolts. Strong manacles hung from each post, and Fox shivered again.

He started when the chamber door opened, and several more servants entered the room bearing hot water. The tub was filled, and Fox sighed, resigned to his fate. He only hoped they would leave him alone while he bathed. His hopes were for nothing, for no sooner had they emptied the last of the buckets of water into the tub and unfastened his chains than they all reached for him at once, stripping his clothing from him quickly and efficiently.

"No!" he cried out as he heard his shirt rip, and bit his lip at the giggles that ensued.

"Not to worry, Fox," one of them smirked. "Lady Fowley isn't likely to allow you clothing anyway."

He stared at her, shocked at the implication, and barely noticed when they began pulling him toward the tub. Soon he was immersed in the water, feeling several of the servants scrubbing at him all at the same time. He yelped when one of them reached for his manhood, but the women merely cleaned him methodically, then tugged him to his feet once more. He was dried off with a large drying cloth, then led toward the bed.

At that point, Fox began to panic, but before he could formulate a plan of escape, he was lying flat on his back on the bed, completely naked. He heard the clank of metal, and moments later tugged at the collar that had been locked around his neck.

He closed his eyes, seeing himself in Isaac's position again, and turned on his side, pulled his knees protectively against his chest and buried his head in his arms. Suddenly comprehending his nakedness, he grasped at the coverlet and tugged it quickly over his trembling body.

As the servants exited the room, throwing jeers and crude innuendo his way, he remembered Dana's face as he had been led away from her. With rapidly increasing desperation, Fox begged the Goddess for Her assistance as he fought valiantly to hold back his tears.

How cruel a joke She had played, giving him the love he craved just as he was to be denied it.



Melissa shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun shimmering on the ocean, focusing on the sight approaching--a man on horseback was leading another man by a rope. Since they did not turn tail and run at the sight of her, she could only presume the correct man had the correct man on the end of the rope.

As they approached, she was able to see very clearly that Jake had tied the rope securely around Alex's waist, trapping his arms at his sides, then fastened it to his saddle. He trotted along at a pace that forced Alex to jog, and the hapless prisoner appeared exhausted.

"Before I whip you within an inch of your life, tell me where you found him," she commanded, her eyes roving up and down Jake, noting with relief that he appeared unharmed. "Tell me you were not so foolish as to approach the docks alone. Tell me you found him lying in a convenient ditch, far from the waterfront."

"Actually, my lady, I discovered him slinking about the waterfront like the sewer rat he is," he told her grimly. "I am afraid I was forced to be quite rough with him in order to persuade him to return with me. He apparently had plans to board a ship for the colonies, intending to pay his way with this." Jake held up a gold neck band which Melissa recognized immediately, for it was identical to the one her mother had given her for her previous Name Day. Melissa nodded with sudden understanding, then turned her attention back to Jake.

"You went to the docks," she clarified.

He nodded, still glaring at Alex with disgust.

"You went to the docks, where hard and ruthless women gather, with no protection whatsoever, and attempted to apprehend a dangerous criminal."

"I *did* apprehend him, Melissa," Jake pointed out.

"Alone and unescorted, without even your "Brunhilda" to watch over you. Nobody to protect you should a bevy of seawomen spot you and decide you would make an excellent plaything for their shore leave." As she spoke, her face grew redder and redder and her voice deceptively calm.

"I wasn't without protection," he contradicted, withdrawing one of Dana's pistols from his saddlebag. "I had this."

"I shall surely whip you until you are not able to sit for at least a fortnight," she said mildly, but her eyes glinted in a way that made Jake shiver inwardly.

He swallowed hard, but replied with a wicked grin, "I shall look forward to it."

"So. You located this gutter rat after all. He will make an excellent target." Melissa drew her own pistol and aimed it squarely at Alex's forehead.

"Wait, Melissa," Jake said hastily. "I would that you did not kill him just yet. I have an idea in which he may be of some use to us."

Melissa dismounted slowly, walking over to stand before Alex. Her eyes took in his defiant glare as well as the slight cut on his lower lip. "Did you do this?" she asked Jake, pointing to the cut, and he nodded. "Excellent work."

Seconds later, the toe of Melissa's boot connected sharply with Alex's groin, and he fell to his knees in agony, gasping for breath.

"Observe, Jake, another reason why men are the weaker sex. Your manly parts are all on the outside, where they are vulnerable."

Ignoring Jake's wince, she helped him down from his horse, her tender touch belying her angry glare, then tossed Alex across Jake's saddle. She tied the rope firmly about the saddle so their prisoner did not slip to the ground, then mounted her own steed and pulled her fiancé astride in front of her.

"We will take him to Her Ladyship," she said brusquely. "Blackmail, thievery and illegally defecting from his contract. I believe that should take care of Alex for quite some time. I'm certain he will prove very popular in prison. As we ride, you will tell me this idea of yours."

"Yes, my lady."

"You will also tell me what made you think to search the docks when I, with all my military experience, believed Alex to be heading for London."

"Yes, my lady."

"Afterwards, I shall whip you soundly."

Jake only smiled.



Fox raised his head when the door opened, knowing it would be Diana but hoping against hope it was not. He saw her sinister smile first, and suppressed a shiver. Clutching the coverlet close around his neck, Fox watched as she approached.

"You are lovely," she commented, stopping to look him over. "If only I could see more than your nose and one eye, and that thatch of dark hair..." So saying, Diana reached down and whipped away the coverlet without warning. Fox curled into a ball, trying vainly to protect his naked body from her eyes.

Once again, he fixed his gaze on a distant point, doing his best to summon up the tender words Dana had spoken to him just before he was taken away. If he could concentrate on her, on those sweet phrases, perhaps he could survive this. After all, he told himself firmly, there was no shame in what he had done to help Isaac. If Diana took him against his will, could there possibly be shame in that either? There was, after all, nothing he could do to prevent the situation from occurring.

She lay a hand gently on his hip and Fox felt his stomach turn over, suddenly overcome by the nausea that he had been certain was past. Breathing evenly in order to control his stomach, Fox tried to make himself go numb again. He was unsuccessful, and as her hand inched toward his waist, his feeling of illness increased.

"My lady, please," he whispered, closing his eyes and pressing his hands against his stomach.

"Yes, pretty one, you will please me," she purred, sitting beside him on the bed. She leaned over and placed a kiss on his shoulder, then trailed them down his arm toward his hands, still clenched over his protesting stomach.

"I don't--I can't--my lady, I'm afraid I am quite ill!" he gasped.

She ignored him, her fingers sliding between his legs to grasp his limp manhood, stroking it, attempting to coax a response from him. "You belong to me now, Fox," she said firmly. "Pretending to be ill will not save you."

The feel of her hands on his most intimate parts was too much for Fox, and leaning over suddenly, he vomited noxious bile all over himself, the bed, and Lady Diana. She screeched and jumped away from him as if she'd been burned, staring at her ruined gown in fury.

"Blessed hell!" she cursed, ripping at the fabric in an attempt to rid herself of the foul-smelling garment at once. "You damned useless male!"

Summoned by their lady's scream, the servants burst into the room.

"My lady, is everything all right?" asked one of them as they all halted, staring in dismay at their soiled mistress and at Fox, who was still retching, oblivious to his nudity at the moment.

"Take him to the north tower," Diana said coldly, holding out her arms as her maid quickly removed the soiled gown. "He will be over his illness soon enough, and then I shall teach him the manners he is so sorely lacking!"

The servants obeyed immediately, unfastening the chain that held Fox to the wall and jerking him roughly to his feet. He followed them reluctantly, still trying to calm his nausea, too intent upon his sickness to notice that he was being led through the entire house completely unclothed.



Dana jumped to her feet when Melissa led Alex into the house like a pony, ignoring when he stumbled tiredly and jerking him back to an upright position with the rope.

"As you can see, the fugitive has been located," she commented mildly as the family gathered around. "Dana, hold." She held out a hand to stop her sister. "You cannot kill him."

"Pray tell me, why not?" Dana demanded, her eyes glittering with hatred as she regarded her runaway servant, her eyes lovingly fingering the hilt of the dagger at her waist. "My husband has been given over to that vile woman because of this worthless guttersnipe."

Melissa nodded. It had been no more than she had expected--the law was quite explicit on these matters. "Because Jake has come up with a plan, a most excellent one, a plan devious enough to have been designed by a woman. I think you will enjoy it. I had intended taking him to Her Honor Lady Sparlane at once, but I believe Jake has devised a way we may save Fox."



Fox shivered in the lonely tower room, watching through the single window as the sun set. It had not been that many hours since he had been taken from Dana, and yet it seemed forever since he had seen her face. He shifted position, attempting to find a more comfortable spot to rest his cramped legs, and wished she was there to wrap her strong arms around him. His heart ached with the desire to be in his own bed, warm and safe in the company of his lady, and he swallowed an enormous lump in his throat as he willed away tears. He was done with crying, he told himself staunchly. It could do him no good now.

Although, he congratulated himself wryly, vomiting on Lady Fowley had engendered excellent results. It had not been his intention to avoid rape by disgusting his would-be attacker, but the coincidence of nausea and fear had combined admirably. Now, if only he could find a way to escape before Lady Diana overcame her loathing and again desired to bed him.

The collar around his neck was quite stout, and while the spikes did not bite into his flesh, they pressed against it uncomfortably. He was afraid to rest his head against either the wall or floor for fear of one of them severing an artery. Instead, he propped his chin on his hands, resting his arms on his knees, and studied the room. It was quite empty, save for a few dust balls and the chain which held him captive.

He gave an experimental tug on the chain and for a moment thought he felt it give. Rising to his feet, Fox examined the rusty iron ring embedded in the wall. The dampness that enveloped the entire house appeared to have weakened the bolts that held it, and as he tugged again on the chain, he rejoiced quietly--there was definite movement, very slight, but still enough to give him hope. Ignoring the cold and the feeling of hunger that was beginning to gnaw quite enthusiastically at his insides, Fox found the loosest of the bolts and began to work it with his fingers.



Dana handed the hastily scrawled message to Fox's maid, Aja, and bid him, "Take this to the Lady Fowley at once. Wait for a reply." He scurried away and she turned to Sarah and Roberta. "Wash Alex thoroughly. See that he is at his most attractive. Then bring him to me. And Roberta?" Roberta waited. "Now is not the time to take your pleasure of him. I want him fresh and rested for tonight."

"Yes, my lady." The two servants disappeared, dragging Alex between them, and Maggie arched an eyebrow at her daughter.

"Will this plan work, do you think?" she asked.

Dana shook her head slowly. "I do not know, Mother, but I pray it will. We have few other options, and as often as I have sworn to kill Diana, it would be best if we can end this situation without bloodshed."

Maggie smiled and gave her daughter a quick kiss on the cheek. "You grow wiser every day, my dear," she said approvingly. "And now, I must check on Walter."

"I take it, from the noises I heard emanating from your chamber earlier today, that you assisted him in seeing the error of his ways?"

"Oh yes, daughter, I punished him severely. Walter will learn not to keep secrets from me if he learns nothing else."

"Where is Melissa?"

Maggie's eyes twinkled. "I believe she is in the process of teaching Jake not to keep secrets from her."



"We will now discuss certain matters regarding your behavior, Jake."

Jake leaned back in his chair and stretched his long legs, crossing them at the ankles. He regarded her lazily from beneath his long lashes, fully aware of his own beauty and the effect it had on ladies. They were in the East Wing salon, where they had taken their tea in private, and the entire upper floor was absent of family and servants at the moment.

"Certainly, Melissa," he acknowledged, feeling his irritation rise at her autocratic manner. "Perhaps we may begin with why you chose to order me about like a stable boy."

"I did nothing of the sort. I commanded you to remain here with Walter--"

"Which I told you I did not wish to do!"

"Which order you completely disregarded, with no thought to your own safety or to my reputation--"

"How did I endanger your reputation? I was merely attempting to apprehend Alex Krycek. I believe you are jealous because I found him instead of you. You, the great Commanding General, could not guess that the man would make immediately for the waterfront. Had the search been left entirely in your hands, Alex might well be on his way to the colonies even now!"

His anger had gotten the better of him, and he jumped to his feet, towering over her as he practically yelled his last words into her face.

Melissa allowed Jake to finish venting his spleen before rising to her feet, crossing to the door, and locking it securely. He watched her, confused at her action but still too angry to realize he should be concerned.

"Oh, now I suppose you shall give me that whipping you keep promising," he taunted sarcastically. "You are a woman of many words, Melissa, but I see little action."

Before he knew what had happened, Jake found himself flat on his back on the soft carpet, gasping for the breath that had been knocked out of him by Melissa's lightening fast attack. She straddled him carefully, one knee poised above his manly parts, his wrists pinned firmly across his chest. He struggled briefly, but she lowered her knee slightly and finally Jake lay still. It was no use to fight her in this position; she could cripple him easily if she chose, and while Jake did not think she would, there was no arguing that for the moment he was helpless.

When he stared up at her, conquered yet not defeated, Melissa leaned very slowly toward him, her lips approaching until they barely brushed his. He shivered with a sudden wave of lust.

"I will show you all the action you are able to withstand," she growled into his mouth before claiming it with an expertise that left him breathless.

As she kissed him, her leg slowly straightened until she was lying fully atop him. He could feel himself pressing into her heat and the sensation only served to increase his torment.

"Melissa--" he gasped, and she raised her head a fraction of an inch.

"You will address me with the proper respect."

"You will never make me submit!" he whispered fiercely.

In response, she began dropping tiny, feather-light kisses all over his face and neck, allowing her tongue to lap at his sensitive skin on occasion, nibbling at his earlobes, until at last he was unable to bite back a small whimper.

"Give up to me, Jake," she insisted softly. "We shall both be the happier for it."

"Never." His single word was almost a moan, and he felt her satisfied smile against his mouth with chagrin. He tried to shift his body beneath her, to remove the enticing, tormenting feel of her against his manhood, but she would not allow even that tiny victory.

"No," she said flatly, nestling herself more firmly against his stiffened rod. "You belong to me, Jake, and before we leave this room, you shall admit that fact."

"My lady..." It was clear he wanted to say more, but his eyes were beginning to glaze over and his face was flushed.

She smiled. "That is an excellent beginning. Spread your legs a bit, my dear."

Without thinking, he did as she commanded, and felt her settle more firmly against him.

"Oh--Goddess!" he gasped, and she grinned wider.

"It is not the Goddess who will please you this day," she told him, her kisses becoming more passionate as Jake became more acquiescent. "It is I, your lady and mistress, I who will have every claim on you as soon as Her Majesty approves the match."

He froze. A sudden, horrible thought struck him, sending a cold shaft of terror straight to his stomach. "Mel--my lady, what if she does not?"

Melissa grabbed his chin, holding it firmly, and stared down into his beautiful eyes. They gazed back at her, wide and afraid. "You will trust me to take care of matters, Jake. Do you understand?"

He nodded slowly.

"Then do not worry about my petition for you. Her Majesty shall grant it, I assure you."

Any answer he might have made was smothered by her lips, while her hands went to work quickly stripping the clothing from his body. Soon, he found he was quite naked beneath her, writhing with need and biting his lip to keep from begging her to take him immediately. He could tell she sensed his surrender, could feel her amusement, and it would have angered him had he been able to summon any sense at all; instead he was swept away on a cloud of pure desire.

His hands at last released from her grip, he slipped them beneath her tunic, sliding upwards until he found her full, soft breasts. The feel of them beneath his fingers only served to increase his frenzy. Melissa pulled away only long enough to remove her boots and trousers, and returned to him almost before he was aware she had been gone. Now the heat of her arousal was pressed squarely against his manhood, and he felt as if he must surely die in the next second.

"My lady...please..." he groaned against her shoulder, and she raised herself as if to give him his prize, poised just above his straining sex. He waited for her to sheath herself on his rod, and when she did not, opened his eyes to see a slight smile twisting the corners of her mouth.

"Tell me now that you belong to me," she commanded roughly.

"I--I--"

"Tell me."

"My lady..."

"Tell me you are mine, or I shall leave you in this state. Your need is much more urgent than mine, I assure you."

His eyes widened, but he saw only deadly certainty on her face.

"You surely did not do this merely to torment me!" he managed.

"Indeed I did not. It is my wish to take you quite thoroughly, but you are a wild young man, Jake. You must be tamed, and your first lesson is to admit that I am your mistress, that you belong to me and no other. I will not have a husband who attempts to rule."

Jake clamped his lips tightly shut, determined not to let the words pass between them, but the feel of her against him was too much. At last, as desperately as a drowning man striving for air, he gasped out, "You, my lady! I belong to you!"

Instantly, she slid herself onto his waiting manhood, enveloping him with her softness, and he felt raw tears of need and relief sting his eyelids.

As if sensing that the lesson had been almost too much for him, she brought them both quickly to their release, biting firmly into his shoulder, marking him as her property as her muscles clenched around him, milking the seed from his body. He threw back his head and screamed in a mixture of pain and pleasure that was surely the most intense sensation he had ever felt.

When at last she raised her body off his, holding out a hand to help him to his feet, Jake felt completely drained. They were both covered in sweat, and his clothing was thrown haphazardly about the room.

Melissa took his face tenderly in her hands and kissed him softly on the lips. "You are a wonderful student, my little one, and I am proud to be your teacher."

He smiled at her endearment, silly in a way, as he towered over her, and yet somehow appropriate. "May I ask a question, teacher?" he queried, looking at her coyly from beneath his lashes.

She smiled, as if amused by his attempt at coquetry, and nodded.

"When exactly *are* you planning to whip me, my lady?" His impish grin revealed his lack of belief that she would actually punish him physically, but he shivered when she stroked a finger down his chest, gently fondling him until her hand cupped his manly parts.

"Soon," she promised solemnly. "Very soon."



Dana looked Alex over approvingly as the servants brought him before her. His still-naked body was completely clean, and she could tell from the look about him that her orders concerning him as plaything had been obeyed well. He glared at her, but there was no exhaustion or defeat in his eyes; indeed, the steady challenge she saw there pleased her. If all went according to plan, Diana would be intrigued by the beautiful young man, and she would regain possession of her husband.

"Excellent," she said. "I have received word that Lady Fowley has accepted my request and will meet with me in an hour at the tavern. He will do quite nicely."

"Should we not clothe him, my lady?" asked Sarah cautiously, but Dana shook her head.

"No, Sarah. Cover his manly parts only. He does not deserve the kindness of garments, and my interests will better be served if he is nearly naked."

Alex did not struggle as a soft loincloth, which he filled quite nicely, was wrapped about him and fastened; it was obvious he saw the addition as desirable, if not all he could wish for.

"Bring him," Dana said when the task was completed, and she and Maggie left the room, followed by the servants. They were joined by Melissa in the hall. "Where is Jake?" Dana asked curiously.

Melissa gave her sister a wicked grin. "He is pacing Mother's chamber at the moment. He wished to come with us, but was quickly persuaded to see my way of things. Mother, I do hope you don't mind the addition to your rooms for the evening. I thought he and Walter could be company for one another."

Maggie shook her head fondly. "I fear they will not remain there for long," she commented. "Jake is quite headstrong."

"Oh yes, Mother, they shall both remain there for as long as we wish."

"You locked them in?"

"I did."

Maggie smiled her approval while Dana grinned. "Unless you tied Jake to the bed, Melissa, I've no doubt you will have a runaway on your hands. A greater scamp I have not seen."

Melissa tapped her crop against her thigh pointedly. "Perhaps, Sister, but I am an excellent hunter. No prey can elude me for long. Now, let us rid ourselves of this swamp rat and bring Fox home." Turning to Alex, she shook her crop threateningly in his face. "If you cause one speck of trouble, I shall see to it that your pretty back pays the price for your foolishness. Am I clear to you?"

He regarded her with insolence for a moment, but when Melissa showed no sign of weakness or retreat, Alex swallowed hard, dropped his eyes and nodded his head once.

"Very well. Let us take our leave."



Fox swung around, startled at the sudden sound of a key in the door, and shoved the bolt guiltily back into the hole he had almost managed to worked it from. He had spent the last few hours on his task, and now standing in front of the iron ring, he prayed Diana would not discover his attempt to escape her clutches.

To his surprise, Lady Fowley was not present--several servants entered the room, one dragging a large bathing tub and the rest carrying buckets of water. The last servant to enter the room held a fine suit of clothes.

"You must bathe and dress, Fox," one of the women informed him. "Lady Fowley wishes it."

Terrified they would discover the loosened bolt, Fox backed up against the wall. "Please, I am still unwell," he began, but one of them reached for his collar, releasing it from his neck with a turn of a key.

"That's of no importance," she retorted. "Lady Diana ordered us to bathe and dress you, and that's what we shall do. It will go easier for you if you do not resist us."

Fox didn't resist--there was no point. He allowed them to clean the remnants of his illness from him--which to his gratitude they did as clinically as they had earlier in the day--and dress him in the fine suit of clothing. It was similar to the clothes Dana had chosen for him before she found out they were expecting a child--tight breeches and an embarrassingly revealing shirt--but Fox was grateful for it.

When he had been clothed and groomed, they formed a tight circle around him and led him toward the door.

"Where are we going?" he questioned, but his curiosity was ignored. "Lady Diana really should hire servants with more conversational skills," he muttered to himself.

One of the women glared at him as if she would like to box his ears but didn't quite dare. "You'd best keep silent," she told him pointedly. "You aren't a nobleman here, Fox, you're nothing more than a simple male servant. If you wish your life to be at all bearable, you will keep your sassy tongue behind your teeth."

Fox nodded soberly, afraid of the look in her eye, and followed without comment. He was taken downstairs and was presented to Diana, who looked him over carefully.

"Beautiful," she said at last, approaching him with still another collar, a soft leather one this time.

Fox did not flinch as she fastened the collar about his neck and attached a short lead to it. She ordered her servants to bind his hands behind his back, which they did quickly. Then Diana turned on her heel and strode out of the hall, leaving the servants to escort Fox to her carriage.

"My lady, where are we going?" he asked tentatively when he had settled himself on the seat beside her.

"I did not give you leave to speak," she chastised sharply.

Fearing punishment, Fox merely nodded and stared again out the carriage window. Now, when he might have been able to endure the sight of Scully Manor, it was far too dark to see that distance through the trees.



Jake paced the chamber restlessly, while Walter sat beside the lamp and attempted to read. At last, unable to concentrate, he put down the book and spoke to the younger man.

"Jake, do sit down. You shall wear a hole in the carpet."

Jake took a few more angry steps. "I wanted to go with them," he threw over his shoulder at Walter. He watched from the window as the carriage departed.

"I know."

"Melissa should have allowed it. Fox is my cousin. I wish to be of assistance to him."

"Perhaps Lady Melissa felt you could be of the most assistance by remaining behind and letting the women take care of such matters." Walter spoke calmly, but his bottom was still quite sore from the strapping Maggie had given him earlier. At the moment, Walter's only desire was to avoid further punishment, and he had no intention of allowing Jake to draw him into trouble. Instead, he tried to divert the young man's attention. "Come, sit down, Jake. Let us have a game of chess."

Jake ignored him, staring purposefully at the tree growing outside the window. As Walter watched, he flung open the sash and reached for the nearest branch. Before Jake could even grasp the tree with one hand, Walter ran to him and grabbed him around the waist from behind.

"You shall *not*," he objected fiercely. "I have already been the recipient of one punishment due to that infernal tree. I shall ask my lady to have it cut down!"

"Walter, let me go!" Jake struggled against Walter's restraining arms, but Lord Scully the Elder was quite strong, and possessed bulk where Jake was slight. Finally, he relaxed, and felt Walter's arms loosen a bit from around him. "All right," he agreed testily. "Let me loose. I shall not attempt to leave."

Walter studied Jake's face, the sincere expression in the hazel eyes that were so like Fox's. Then he remembered his young son-in-law's escapades as well as his recent lecture on family responsibility, and made a quick decision.

"Indeed, you shall not," he announced, dragging Jake toward the large bed. "I shall make certain of it."

Jake fought like a wildcat, but within a few moments Walter had his wrists securely fastened to the large bed posts with two of Maggie's scarves. He stepped back and regarded Jake with amusement as the angry young man glared at him.

"Untie me at once!" Jake ordered. "If you do not, I shall call for my servants."

Smoothly, Walter grabbed up yet another scarf and stuffed it into Jake's mouth, wrapping it around his head and tying it firmly. "You shall do nothing of the sort," he replied, giving Jake a satisfied grin. "I have discovered the value of safeguarding the Scully men, as well as our family name. And if you attempt to cause me any further trouble..." He let the sentence hang, but he crossed to Maggie's bureau and withdrew the cane she had used on him on occasion. Jake's eyes grew wide, but he continued struggling and hissing insults at Walter from behind the gag. Walter gave him one stroke on the side of his leg with the cane, simply for emphasis, and Jake--quite shocked at the turn of events--decided silence was his best choice.

Happy with the job he had done, Walter again settled himself in his chair, taking up his book, and proceeded to read uninterrupted until his wife returned.



When the carriage drew to a halt, Diana's servants quickly opened the door and waited for their lady to exit. Then, reaching inside, two of them grasped Fox by the arms and pulled him out, steadying him as he struggled for balance. Diana took hold of his lead and gave a slight tug, and Fox, being allowed no choice in the matter, followed.

His eyes grew wide as saucers when he realized they were about to enter the Tavern. From the noises inside, the evening's activities were well underway. Fox grew suddenly very afraid; he could think of no reason for Diana to bring him to such a place unless she intended to wager him.

"My lady--" he said, turning imploring eyes to her, but her glare stopped him.

"You will remain silent," she hissed. "If you speak again without my permission, I shall gag you. Then I shall allow all my servants to take a turn at punishing you when we return home. Is that understood?"

Subdued, Fox nodded, lowering his eyes to the ground and following as she once again made to enter the tavern.

When the two of them stepped into the room, the noise diminished, then fell off altogether. All eyes in the room were on Lord Scully, for the news of his fate had spread throughout the village quickly. When Lady Dana had arrived, with the barely-clad Alex Krycek in tow, gossip had begun, but now that the two foes were face to face, everyone in the tavern feared a duel was inevitable. Lady Maggie and Lady Melissa had accompanied Lady Dana, and the sight of the three noblewomen, Alex Krycek bound tightly and forced to kneel before them, was an intimidating vision.

Diana, not at all intimidated, flanked by her faithful servants, merely led the leashed Fox over to stand before Dana, forcing him to his knees as well. He did not raise his head to look at his wife, keeping his eyes fixed firmly on the rough wooden floor.

Diana's eyes went directly to Alex, taking in every inch of the lovely servant with the utmost appreciation. She licked her lips hungrily when she observed the bulge of his manhood beneath the loincloth. At last she dragged her gaze from Alex to confront Dana.

"Well, Lady Scully, you asked for this meeting. I presume, based upon the unconventional locale, that you wish to conduct a wager, in the hopes of regaining your husband from me."

"Indeed, I do not."

All parties glanced down at Fox when he gave an involuntary gasp, but he did not look up.

"Then why, pray tell, have you brought us all here?"

"Because I wish to offer you a trade, Lady Fowley. One which it would greatly benefit you to accept."

Diana's gaze swept over Alex again. "A trade?"

Dana nodded. "This servant has signed a lifetime contract with me. I will sign his contract over to you in exchange for my husband's freedom."

A lifetime! A lifetime with the luscious beauty at Dana's feet, or four years and six months with the one at her own. Diana glanced back and forth between the men for a few seconds. Fox still stared demurely at the floor, while Alex kept his glittering eyes straight ahead, an expression of something very near contempt marring his beautiful features. How tempting, how exciting it would be to wipe that look from his face, to bend such a creature to her will. And to have an entire lifetime to accomplish the task... If she tired of him, she would merely banish him to the fields. From Diana's perspective, it seemed an excellent opportunity. However, she disliked allowing Lady Scully to win so easily.

"You are forgetting, Dana, that the servant in question must agree to such a transfer of his contract. I doubt your pretty toy would be anxious to work for me once he understood that his sole duty would be to warm my bed."

She leaned forward to ask Alex, "What say you to this proposition, servant?"

"No." The single word was spoken very clearly, and none were surprised.

"Perhaps you will wish to reconsider, Alex, when I describe your future duties to you," Dana told him in a dangerously silky voice.

He glanced up at her, barely masking the worry on his face, and she continued.

"I intend that you spend every single night here at the tavern while Fox is in Lady Fowley's hands. I shall rent you out to the tables and become quite wealthy, for all the women will wish to have a chance at punishing your pretty flesh or partaking of your manly charms. You will spend your nights here, lying flat on your back pleasing the women, or lying on your stomach while they turn your skin a lovely shade of scarlet with their riding crops. Then, after you have had a minimal amount of sleep and food, you will work the afternoon cleaning my barns and pig sties, returning here to the tavern at night to continue pleasing the women of the village.

"After Fox has finished his sentence and is returned to my care, I will then have you arrested for thievery and blackmail. You will be sentenced to at least twenty years in prison for your crimes, I've no doubt." She leaned closer and whispered directly into his ear, "A beautiful man such as yourself should prove quite popular with the lonely *men* in prison."

Alex was unable to suppress his shudder. His eyes had drifted to the long tables at one end of the tavern while she spoke, and his face had paled.

Fox, who had never been able to discern the usefulness of the tables on his own, blanched as well as the unmistakable meaning of his wife's words sank in.

Alex tried to speak, finding no voice, and swallowed hard. Making another attempt, he managed to croak out, "I--see the advantage to agreeing, my lady."

Dana smiled in satisfaction. "I was certain you would." She straightened up again and looked Diana square in the eye. "Well, Lady Fowley? Do you agree to the trade?"

Diana appeared to consider, but in truth she was already decided. The young Alex was lovely, more beautiful even than Fox, and taming him should prove quite a satisfactory experience. Holding out her hand in a gesture of agreement, if not goodwill, she replied, "Done."

Melissa immediately produced a parchment and pen, where she scrawled the terms of the contract clearly. Dana and Diana both added their signatures, Melissa signed below as witness, and Alex applied his mark with only a bit of hesitation.

"Release him," Diana said brusquely to her servants, indicating Fox, her mind already on her new possession. When the servants removed the collar from Fox, Diana took great delight in attaching it to Alex's neck. She caressed his cheek softly. "You belong to me now, pretty one," she informed him. "I shall teach you my rules, and you will obey every one, or you will become quite acquainted with my methods of discipline. I assure you, you shall not enjoy them."

Without another word to the assembly, she tugged on the leash and turned to leave the tavern.

"Fox."

He raised his head slowly, staring up into Dana's beautiful eyes, scarcely able to believe the transaction which had just taken place.

"My...my lady."

She smiled and held out her hand to him. "My lord. Let us go home."



"My lady, it is quite improper that you be in my bed, as we are not yet wed," Jake protested, for the sake of propriety's sake only. He had answered a rap at his chamber door and been delighted to find Melissa there.

"I am not in your bed, Jake," she corrected, striding confidently into the room. "And rest assured that when we share a bed, it shall be *you* in *my* bed, not the converse."

"If you did not come to take advantage of me, pray tell, why are you here at this hour?" he asked, crossing his arms across his chest and grinning at her. "When you released me from Lady Maggie's chamber, you spoke not a word. Were you so angry, really? Did you expect any less from me?" He glanced at the clock, which read half-past ten, and was certain she was only teasing him before taking him to bed. He felt himself beginning to harden in anticipation.

"I am here to deliver your much-promised thrashing," she replied, shutting the door and fastening the lock securely. "The one to which you have been so looking forward. I have been quite displeased with your behavior of late, and yes, I was extremely angry that Walter was forced to restrain you tonight to keep you from disobeying me and endangering yourself."

Seeing her determined face, Jake's assurance faltered a bit, but the idea that she would truly punish him was absurd; Lady Iris had never done so. She had treated him as if he were as delicate as a porcelain doll. It had gotten quite tiresome after a time.

"I see," he smiled, standing his ground.

"Remove your night clothing."

"Gladly." He stripped himself to his bare skin immediately, knowing her eyes were drawn to his stiffened manhood, hard and ready for her. He hoped she would not wait long before finally taking him, but Melissa did love the thrill of teasing.

"Lean over the end of the bed."

It seemed an odd request, but even though he had known several lovers, Melissa was much more experienced than he. Jake seated himself on the foot rail and lay on his back, allowing his legs to dangle over the end of the bed. Melissa smiled.

"On your stomach, Jake."

"What--?"

"Do as I say. Now."

Seeing the uncompromising expression she wore, he obeyed immediately, wondering how she intended to make love to him with his manly parts buried against the coverlet.

Melissa approached his lovely, naked form slowly, savoring the view. She stroked her hands over the warm flesh of his back and smiled when he gave a quiver. Then she placed her palm firmly in the middle of his back, holding him in place.

"Melissa?" he asked uncertainly.

"Address me properly, Jake."

"Surely you do not expect me to call you 'my lady' all the time, as Fox does with Dana," he protested.

"Indeed I do. It is a term of respect, one which I deserve and which you shall deliver."

"We shall see." She could not see his face, but she knew his lower lip was protruding in a delightful pout.

"We certainly shall." Melissa reached under the belt of her trousers and withdrew a small riding crop. Jake, with his eyes facing the opposite wall, suspected nothing until the first stripe landed upon his upturned bottom.

"Hey!" he yelled, squirming vainly beneath her hand. "Stop that!"

"I shall stop when I feel you have learned the first of the many lessons I must teach you," she said calmly, landing another stroke on his flesh.

"Ouch! Melissa!"

"Address me properly."

It took six hard lashes before Jake gasped out the words she wished to hear. "My lady!"

"Very well done. Now that you have learned that lesson, let us move on to the next."

"The next?" he asked fearfully, trying without success to move his vulnerable bottom out of her reach.

"Obedience, Jake. There are many things you must learn, for you are wild and undisciplined, but respect and obedience are the primary things I require of you. Follow those rules and the rest will fall into place naturally."

"If you expect me to become a pansy like Fox--ouch!"

"I expect you to be yourself, Jake, with the added characteristics of respect and obedience." She whipped his thighs a few times, ignoring his protests.

"I am not an obedient man, therefore if you wish me to be myself--ouch!--you cannot wish me to be obedient!" The last word came out as a screech.

"Do not try to win an argument with false reasoning, Jake," she told him as she continued to whip his now quite red behind. "Always remember that I am the woman, and I am the one wielding the crop. You are in no position to disagree."

Jake was fighting back tears by now, doing his best to hide them from her, but Melissa saw and she was pleased. It gave her no pleasure to hurt him, but it was her duty and her delight to instill the necessary discipline in his character. The Commanding General of the Queen's Guard could not have a hellion for a husband.

At last he was unable to stifle the sobs, and Melissa continued punishing him until he lay limply against the bed and his defiance had disappeared. Then she slipped the crop back under her belt and drew him to a standing position.

She wiped the tears from his face and pulled him into an embrace.

"I hate you," he said, his voice muffled against her shoulder. "I shall ask the Queen not to grant your petition."

"You shall do nothing of the sort, my dear," she replied, tenderly kissing his still-damp face. "You love me, and I love you. We belong together. However, I shall not tolerate disobedience or disregard for your personal safety. Am I quite understood?"

He sniffed.

"Jake?"

"Yes, my lady."

"Now, let us get you into bed. You are tired."

"I'm not tired," he protested, a gleam of wickedness entering his eye as she covered him. In spite of his raw, sore backside, he felt his desire beginning to grow once more. "Please, my lady, do me the favor of remaining until I fall asleep. You could lie here beside me and we could engage in deep, meaningful conversation. Perhaps we could discuss Shakespeare."

She saw the gleam and smiled at him with one of her own. "I am quite fatigued from administering your punishment," she conceded. "Perhaps I should rest a bit before venturing back to my chamber."

"Indeed, my lady," he answered, drawing her down until her lips met his.



Fox snuggled happily against his wife, hugging her tightly for the hundredth time, still unable to believe he was safely at home. After a warm reception from the servants, Walter, and a still angry Jake, she had hurried him upstairs, where she had proceeded to make love to him slowly and gently. Fox had felt his eyes nearly cross with pleasure as he gained his release, and she had cried out her own at exactly the same moment. Now she lay softly against him, almost asleep.

"Dana?"

"Mmm?" she rumbled drowsily.

"Did you mean what you said this morning?"

Her eyes opened, and she started into his but said nothing. It seemed weeks ago that she had spoken those words to him, rather than mere hours.

"About...about loving me, I mean..." he finished hesitantly, carefully studying her shoulder in order not to see the look of amusement that must surely cross her face at his foolish question.

Instead of laughing, Dana put her fingers beneath his chin and forced him to look at her squarely once more.

"Is it so important that I love you?" she asked.

He nodded mutely.

"Why?"

Fox took a deep breath, letting it out with a sigh that shuddered slightly. "Because, my lady, I love you," he replied honestly. "I had intended to attempt to win your affection by becoming a perfect husband, but I seem to have failed miserably in that endeavor. I am afraid I cannot promise you perfect behavior at all times, my lady, but I assure you, I shall attempt--"

He was cut off by her lips on his. The kiss began softly, then deepened until he felt light-headed and dizzy with renewed desire for her. At last she raised her head, looking into his bemused face with quiet delight.

"Such an admission is difficult for a woman like me, Fox," she conceded, "but you may rest assured, I never say things I do not mean."

Fox gave a brilliant smile and stroked his fingers through her hair, pulling her down for another kiss.

His hands ran gently down her body, coming to rest over her womb where their child--their *son*, he told himself happily--grew inside her. Thankfully, the nausea seemed to have completely passed, and after such a stressful ordeal, Fox found himself looking forward to breakfast.

His thoughts of food were quickly interrupted when she commented mildly, "Just because I cherish you does not mean you shall escape punishment for keeping secrets from me, Fox."

His expression changed to one of apprehension immediately. "What--will you do, my lady?" he asked falteringly.

She appeared to consider. "Perhaps you should spend the morning in the stocks," she replied. "Indeed, perhaps I shall give Thunder a morning treat."

"Dana, no, please--" he began, but was again cut off by her lips as they took possession of his. He felt himself growing warm and hard, and noted with relief that her womanly parts were moistened with desire.

Moments later, all coherent thought fled from his brain as she took him again, quite thoroughly. His last thoughts before dropping into an exhausted sleep were of the two of them spending long and happy years together.



Epilogue:

"Where is Fox?" Dana asked, entering the house after a morning of visiting patients. "I have a letter from Melissa. I thought he would enjoy hearing how Jake is adjusting to London."

"He is upstairs with the children," Maggie replied, moving her rook to another square. "Walter, I fail to see how you, a mere man, can repeatedly best me at chess!"

"You must be off your game, Maggie," he commented mildly. "Indeed, I'm certain it must be the rainy weather that causes my lady to play so poorly, constantly putting her queen in checkmate."

She looked into his soft brown eyes and smiled. "Perhaps I am merely blinded by your beauty, my Bear."

Walter returned her smile happily, and Dana shook her head before leaving the room. Her mother and Walter had grown much closer since Lady Rutherford's attempt to take him away. It was almost nauseating to see one's parents acting in such a manner.

She climbed the stairs quickly and entered their chamber to find Fox lying on their bed, stroking their son's back. Elizabeth, their daughter, was just beginning to fuss a bit in her crib.

"She wants feeding," he told her.

Dana picked up Elizabeth and settled herself in the rocking chair, bringing the baby's soft rosebud mouth to her breast.

"I have had a letter from Melissa. She and Jake are well, settling happily into their marriage, and Jake is thrilled with life in London."

Fox grinned at her. "My cousin always hated the isolation of the country," he told her. "I'm certain he will find unlimited mischief in London. I, on the other hand, would wish nothing more than to remain here with you and our children for the rest of my life."

"I cannot believe they are already six months old," she commented, staring at Elizabeth's face in wonder. "Fox, as I said once before, I find myself quite content with my life. Although you have certainly added excitement to it," she continued, her eyes twinkling.

Fox caressed the soft hair of Elizabeth's twin brother, Douglas. "We have been through much together, my beloved lady."

"Indeed we have. However, I have no doubt that I can meet any difficulty life may send my way, as long as you are at my side until I go to meet the Goddess."

He frowned at the thought. "And if I should meet Her first?"

She glared him sternly. "You shall not. I expressly forbid it."

"Yes, my lady." His expression was glum at the idea of life without her, and she quickly amended her decree.

"We shall go together."

Fox smiled, his hand resting on the baby's back, and kissed his son's soft cheek.

"Many, many years from now."

"Oh, indeed," she agreed. "I wish many more daughters from you first, Fox."

Still not forgetting how ill he had felt during the beginnings of Dana's pregnancy, Fox shot her an irritated look, but she ignored him, prosing onward, "Perhaps I shall try for triplets next time."

He buried his groan in the coverlet.

THE END