Chapter 5

Chapter Five

M ichael didn’t want to face what he knew he must, and by the time he sat on the platform, waiting for the train, it was already well into the afternoon. Jones had taken his luggage on an earlier train and gone ahead, so when the whistle sounded from the approaching train, all he had to worry about was getting himself onboard.

He folded the newspaper he’d been staring at and stood. His stomach was already queasy, and he still had a two-hour train ride ahead of him before he had to actually face her.

“Michael!” He turned at the sound of his name being shouted. Patrick was jogging toward him. “I’m glad I caught you.” He stopped for a moment to catch his breath.

“What is it?”

Patrick placed a hand on his shoulder before speaking. “Let me start with the important part, she’s safe.”

“Who’s safe?”

Patrick gaped at him. “Who do you think I’d chase you down on a train platform for? Your wife, of course. She’s here. She’s at your townhouse, with Rosie, and she’s safe.”

“Are you telling me she came all the way down here alone?” Ice dropped into the pit of his stomach at the thought.

Patrick nodded. “But like I said, she’s safe.”

Michael pushed past him without another word and strode from the platform. He gave his address to a waiting cab and Patrick climbed in behind him. Anger simmered in his veins. How could she do something so reckless?

“How exactly did she end up at my townhouse?”

“I don’t know the details. Rosie and I happened to be passing when she was knocking on your front door.”

“Well thank God you were there at that moment. I’ve given all my staff time off because I figured I’d be away for a while again.”

Patrick nodded. He obviously knew, since he’d let her in. “Ash showed up just after me. Apparently, a telegram from Glenwood was delivered to the club to alert you after they discovered her missing.”

Mrs. Ingram was no doubt worried sick about her. When they finally pulled up in front of his townhouse, Patrick stopped him before he could jump down.

“I know you’re angry because she put herself in danger, I would be too, but just take a breath before you go in. You don’t want to say something you’ll regret.”

He shook Patrick off and jumped down. Of course he was angry. She could have gotten herself killed. “Did someone send a telegram back to Glenwood?”

“Immediately,” Patrick said with a nod.

“Thank you.” And then he did take a deep, steadying breath before he strode into the house.

Tension fell like a heavy fog as he entered the sitting room, but he was still relieved to see her there, safe. Rosie held Belle’s hand as they sat together on the sofa.

“Thank you, Rosie, for watching over Belle in my absence.”

“It was my pleasure,” she said with a kind smile.

“Patrick is waiting for you outside.”

She whispered something in Belle’s ear that triggered a nervous smile before letting her hand go. On her way out, she stopped in front of him and looked him in the eye. “You go easy on her.” She didn’t wait for a response before walking through the door, leaving him alone with his wife.

Belle’s eyes were wide and her breathing quick and shallow. Good. She should be scared after doing something so careless. “Do you know how many people have been worried about you? I’m sure you put Mrs. Ingram through hell with your little escapade.”

She stood, her back ramrod straight. “I had to.”

He grabbed her upper arms. “Do you have any idea what could have happened to you? You could have been killed… or worse!”

She snorted. “What could possibly be worse than killed?”

He closed his eyes and stopped his anger from escalating as Patrick’s warning played in his ears again. “That’s not the point. This has to stop. What am I going to do with you, Belle?”

Nervously, she moistened her lips with her tongue. “Are you going to spank me again?”

Michael dropped her arms as if they had burned him, remembering his shameful behavior. But it wasn’t fear or goading that sparkled in her eyes. It was, without question, desire. Was it possible his wife had enjoyed being spanked? No. That couldn’t be. But red instantly flared in her cheeks and she turned away from him, embarrassed.

Only a fool would allow such an exquisite opportunity to pass him by.

* * *

Belle cursed herself as blood pounded in her temples. Her cheeks burned with humiliation. Why had she said it? He’d recoiled at the words. What must he think of her? Shame prickled her skin as she felt his scrutiny.

A low growl was the only warning she got before his hand clamped just above her elbow. “You’re coming with me.”

She scurried to keep up as he pulled her out of the room and up the narrow staircase.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked, her heart suddenly thundering like a galloping horse inside her chest. What was he going to do with her?

He didn’t say anything until they reached the end of the hall. He threw the door open. “Inside,” he ordered.

It was his bedroom.

She looked up at him, the hard lines of his face daring her to defy him. “What are you going to do?” Her voice cracked on the last word.

He raised one confident brow. “I’m finally going to give you the spanking you deserve.” Her pulse quickened, and a tingle of excitement sparked in her belly. “Inside,” he said again.

She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry, and then stepped through the doorway into the large chamber. His massive bed sat majestically on the far wall to her right, with its large mahogany posts and deep blue and gold damask counterpane, the centerpiece of the room. Or perhaps it just felt that way because of what she feared was going to happen.

“The next time I have to repeat myself,” his deep voice rumbled close to her ear, and she felt the vibrations low in her belly. “There will be consequences. Understood?”

She looked at him over her shoulder and nodded.

“When I ask a question, you will answer it with words. Understood?” He spoke slowly, his voice stern but not angry.

“Yes.” She could only manage a whisper.

“Yes, my lord,” he corrected.

The words stoked a gently growing fire within her and suddenly her corset felt tighter across her breasts as she breathed. “Yes, my lord.”

As the corners of his lips lifted slowly, a sensuous flame appeared in his blue eyes. “Good girl.”

His deep, rumbling voice and intimate praise made her knees weak, and she desperately wanted to make him say it again. What was happening to her?

“Before we begin, I want to make something very clear. You can always tell me to stop, at any time, and I will.” He looked directly into her eyes. “Understood?”

There was that tenderness again and it stole the breath from her lungs. “Yes, my lord,” she whispered. If she could stop him, that meant anything that happened from this point forward, was something she wanted. Somehow, that made it all even more terrifying.

Suddenly, the laces holding her belt in place came loose and it dropped to the floor. She spun around. What was he doing?

“Turn around and hold still so I can get these off of you.” He gestured up and down her body. He wanted to remove her clothes?

When she didn’t comply, he raised a warning brow. “What did I say about having to repeat myself?”

She slowly did as he’d instructed. In short order, the buttons on her shirt, skirt, and petticoat, were all open. Her apprehension elevated even more when he pushed her skirts down and ordered her to step out of them. What had she gotten herself into? This was clearly not just a spanking.

He picked the garments up off the floor and shook the wrinkles out of them before draping them neatly over the back of a chair as if he were her maid. When he returned to her, he slowly slipped her blouse and corset cover from her body and put them with the other clothing, taking his time, seemingly in no hurry, whatsoever. As he loosened the laces of her corset, she closed her eyes, trying to hide within herself, uncertain if she was more shocked by what he was doing, or by the part of her that was enjoying every second of it.

Belle gasped as his warm arms wrapped around her and unhooked her corset, leaving her in nothing but her chemise, drawers, stockings, and shoes. Cool air flowed easily through the thin fabrics, chilling her skin.

“Go and stand by the bed.”

A shiver of panic swept through her. She wasn’t ready for this. Her mind flashed back to the warning Lizzie had given her about what he would want from her in the bedroom. Was that what he was going to do? Sudden fear had her feet frozen to the floor. When she didn’t move, her backside was met with a firm smack.

“I said, go and stand by the bed.” The sting on her flesh dislodged her feet and she moved quickly to the foot of the bed. Would he really stop if she asked him to?

Even if he would, she didn’t want him to, in spite of the nervous fluttering in her stomach.

He removed his coat and hung it on the back of the other chair before he lazily sauntered across to join her, his gaze never leaving her. Gently, he grasped her wrists and positioned her hands around the bedpost at waist height. He covered her hands with his and looked intently into her eyes. “These don’t move from here. Understood?”

“Yes, my lord.” The strange desire that had faded came flooding back and her pulse quickened. Why did those words affect her so? And what was this neediness that was growing within her?

He gripped her hips, his touch gentle but firm. The heat from his large hands easily penetrated the fabric of her chemise and drawers. Slowly, he guided her backwards, forcing her to bend over and stretch her arms above her head to the bedpost. She’d never felt so vulnerable before, and yet, she believed she was safe with him.

“You know you were a very naughty girl, and you deserve to be punished, right?” Her cheeks burned with renewed abashment, and she nodded. The resulting smack was a quick reminder of his rules.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Good,” he purred.

Two stinging cracks landed on each side of her bottom. The jarring impacts caused her hardened nipples to rub against the fabric of her chemise, sending flashes of an exquisite sensation through her body to the ache that was growing between her thighs. She’d never felt anything like it, and she wanted more.

“You caused a lot of chaos and worry today with your antics. Poor Mrs. Ingram was probably worried sick about you, and with good reason.” The next two strokes were a bit harder, but the sting only intensified her longing.

“I’m sorry, my lord.”

His hand rubbed her softly, soothing her burning skin. A reward for her apology, perhaps. She closed her eyes, allowing the tender gesture to flow through her.

“You won’t be doing anything so reckless again in the future, will you?”

“No, my lord.” Her words were breathless. She wasn’t ready for this to end yet. Her body was crying out for more.

He massaged her gently. “Good girl.” The words sent a thrill through her body. His fingers were so close to the part of her that was begging to be touched and her hips twitched of their own accord. A low purr rumbled inside his chest.

His other hand reached beneath her body and a fingertip brushed against her sensitive nipple. The resulting streak of pleasure startled a moan from her before she could stop it. She clapped a hand over her mouth, mortified by the sound that had escaped.

Her backside immediately received a swat. “What did I say about your hands?” She quickly returned it to the bedpost.

He leaned down and whispered into her ear. “You don’t need to hide your pleasure from me.” Gently, he rolled her nipple between his thumb and finger, coaxing another moan from her. Sensations she’d never known began building in her body as his fingers continued their teasing.

“Do you like that?”

“Yes, my lord,” she panted.

He replied with an appreciative growl.

“Please.” The word slipped out, unbidden. She didn’t really even know what she was asking for. But he seemed to.

He nudged her feet apart, the warmth of his hand moving to settle between her thighs. She gasped as one finger slipped inside her split drawers and slid along her sensitive skin, finally touching the place that had been desperate for him all along.

“Is this what you’re begging for?” His finger rubbed slow, gentle circles over that magical spot, stoking pleasures she’d never before experienced.

“Yes.”

But then his hand was gone. It came down on her backside once more. “Yes, my lord,” he corrected.

“Yes, my lord,” she said desperately, and thankfully, his fingers dived back between her legs. Each flick of her nipple sent a jolt of pleasure to join the glorious feelings building between her thighs. The sensations grew within her like a fire. Her legs trembled and jerked. What was happening to her?

“I don’t know if I should be…”

“You’re doing just as you should. Don’t hold back.”

His words only heightened her pleasure and she moaned. Each swirl of his fingers stoked the flames higher and higher, and yet she was desperate for more. It was like her body knew there was a destination, but she didn’t know what it was.

Finally, just when she was sure it was too much to bear, there was an explosion. A release that sent waves of pleasure hurtling through her body. A groan of ecstasy accompanied each swell of sensation as it pulsed through her.

Slowly, the storm of pleasure began to ease. Only then did she realize her knees had buckled, and her weight was being supported by the arm he’d apparently slipped beneath her hips. His hand moved slowly from between her legs to rub soothing circles on her back.

“Good girl,” he said softly, his voice deep and soothing. The words seemed to wrap themselves around her heart. What just happened? And who was this man? Stern and confident, yes, but so gentle and sweet.

Still in a haze of euphoria, he helped her to stand before lifting her into his arms and settling her on the side of the bed.

He gently raised her chin. “Have you learned your lesson?”

Embarrassment made it difficult to look into his eyes, but when she did, there was an alluring sparkle in them that made her stomach flutter. “Yes, my lord.”

“Good.” His warm lips pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, and then he dropped to his knees before her to unfasten her shoes. It was odd to have him waiting on her. This whole experience had been odd, if she was honest. He hadn’t been angry with her as he’d spanked her. Firm, yes, but not angry or violent. And somehow, submitting to him had been a relief. She’d never had someone in her life that she could just allow to be in control of anything, really. Everyone around her had always been a servant and sought her permission or her instruction. This was something new, and she liked it.

He set the shoes aside and then pulled back the corner of the covers. “Climb under the blanket. It’s cold in here.”

He was right, it was cold, but she hadn’t noticed before. She did as he instructed, expecting he would climb in with her, but then he simply pulled the blankets over her. They certainly hadn’t completed the act that Lizzie had described to her. And from what she’d said, her husband was not only entitled to it, but would expect it.

He unbuttoned his waistcoat and untied his tie. Of course. He needed to undress first. But then he didn’t do that either. Instead, after putting those aside, he rolled up his sleeves and knelt before the fireplace. The fabric of his shirt hugged his broad shoulders, and she could see the muscles in his back rippling as he worked. Why did the sight make her long to touch him? After a few minutes, there was a growing fire burning in the grate.

“Don’t you have servants for that?” It was strange to see him tending to a fire. At Glenwood, servants had seen to every little thing. Surely he had some kind of help here, as well.

He wiped his hands with a handkerchief. “I do under normal circumstances.” He dropped the cloth on the floor beside his armoire and then bent to remove his shoes. “Today is not normal circumstances.” He gave her a pointed look.

“I’m sorry, my lord.”

His answering smile was kind and tender. “No more apologies. What’s done is done. You’re safe, and that is what’s important.

Coming to London on her own had seemed like such a good idea at the time, but it had created a much bigger stir than she’d anticipated. Perhaps she really had put herself in more danger than she’d realized. When she’d arrived and very quickly had a whole group of people fussing over her, that’s when she knew she’d made a big mistake. They were all so worried about her and relieved to see her safe, and she didn’t even know who they were, but they knew immediately who she was. They had all been so kind and reassuring, though. They cared about her because they cared about her husband.

“Scoot over.” The command startled her out of her thoughts. He gestured with his chin and she quickly complied.

He surprised her once again when he lay down on top of the blanket rather than underneath with her. He crossed his ankles and turned his head to look at her. “And no more my lord, just Michael. Until the next time you earn yourself a spanking.” He winked and Belle felt as if her stomach did a full somersault.

Who knew a spanking was something a person could look forward to?