Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

LIZZIE

I awoke with a start. Sitting up on the lush circular cushion that had been placed on one side of the cage, I grimaced when my sore muscles protested.

Looking around, I could only see towering palm trees and large, glossy leafed bushes in bloom. From the marble tile and high glass ceiling, I could only assume I was in some sort of conservatory. Catching a few glimpses through the foliage of the outside world, all I could see were rolling fields of grass and more trees. I must be at one of his estates, I mused.

Sucking air through my teeth, I braced for the pain as I stood. Running a hand over my collarbone, I realized the gold chain was gone but the diamond collar remained. Wrapping my hand around one cold metal bar, I tested its strength. It held. Looking up, I could see the domed ceiling of the cage. It stretched a couple of feet above me and was at least twenty feet wide. Dangling just out of reach, suspended from the center, was what looked to be a swing covered in black velvet.

I was in a birdcage.

Hadn't he always called me his little bird?

His new game was to treat me like his pet because I had failed at being treated like a girlfriend. Richard was many things but subtle wasn't one of them.

Had this been his plan for me all along? From the first bejeweled bird pin? The thought was chilling. Sitting down, I hugged my knees to my chest as tears streamed down my cheeks.

What had I done?

How had I attracted the attention of such a madman?

Once more I thought of the almost cab accident. He said that was not when we first met, maybe he was right? Could I not be remembering how we met? How was that possible? He had threatened that he had ways to make me forget and I truly didn't doubt that. A man of his power and wealth probably had access to untold resources. Look at this cage. Someone had to have willingly built it for him. And his staff? They had to know I was here and yet they didn't care.

I realized with a start. No one was going to save me.

Not even myself.

It was a harsh, sobering thought. A moment of too much bright clarity when all I wanted to do was curl up in a self-pitying ball and weep, but I had to face the truth. I had put myself in this cage as much as he. I might as well have willingly crossed the threshold and locked the door behind me.

Hadn't I encouraged his games?

Hadn't I willfully refused to question him when he stated we had met earlier than I remembered?

Or questioned any of the other anomalies of our relationship?

How he seemed to know things I hadn't told him?

Hadn't I let him lead me down this dark and twisted sexual path of ever-increasing tortures?

In a fucked-up way, I not only wanted it, I practically begged for it.

There was no denying it. I loved the attention. The amazing sex. The thrill of being with such a powerful man. I loved the fact that he took control over my life. Loved that he bought me beautiful gowns and dictated when he wanted me to wear them. Loved the jewelry and the fancy restaurants. Loved how he commanded both me and the room.

To be around Richard was intoxicating. All that arrogant confidence and control. I began to crave it, need it, to breathe it in like air.

He was dangerous and domineering and I submitted to every moment.

He may have invented the game but like it or not, I was a willing player.

There was a loud bang as two large doors at the end of the conservatory swung open. I could just see the tops of their heads over all the leaves and flowers but it looked to be about six or seven of them struggling with something heavy. As they neared the cage, I scooted back to the far end of the cushion, aware Richard had ripped off the back of my costume and I was now bare and exposed.

I knew better than to try to call out to one of them.

Between them they carried a massive circular object. It appeared to be made out of clear, thick glass. My brow wrinkled as I watched them place it near the cage. Each of the men refused to even glance in my direction and they quickly scurried out of the room. Next a long line of women, dressed in maid's uniforms, filed in, each carrying a copper bucket. One by one they filled the massive glass bowl with steaming water. At one point, one of them broke rank and took a few hesitant steps toward the cage. Unwinding my arms, I sat up straighter. Was she going to speak to me?

A matronly looking woman cleared her throat and the maid rushed back into line. That same woman picked up a few small pitchers off a silver tray secured to the side and poured the contents into the bath. Through the clear glass, I watched the iridescent, creamy liquid soap swirl and slowly dissipate into the water as fragrant wafts of steam rose above the rim.

Without even a glance in my direction she left. The final sound was the closing of the far door.

"Do you like what you see?"

I screamed as I raised a hand to my heart.

Richard.

I had no idea where he had come from or how long he had been watching me.

Was his presence why none of the servants even dared to speak to me?

Wearing a gorgeous deep purple cashmere robe, he approached the cage. Pulling a brass key from a deep pocket, he held it up.

"Will my little bird try to fly away if I let her out of her cage?"

Crossing to him, I grasped the bars and leaned forward through the space. He was standing so close I could smell his sandalwood cologne. Pressing till the bars pinched my cheeks, I placed a chaste kiss on his chest where the robe exposed a small V of tanned skin and curling black hair.

"You've clipped my wings, my lord."

I could feel the rumbling growl as his chest trembled at my words. His fingers dug into my hair and raised my head. "You are my treasure."

Placing the key in the latch, the gold bar door swung open and I stepped into his strong embrace.

He hugged me close for a moment.

Not wanting to reopen a still fresh wound, I still needed to say it. "I'm sorry," I rasped against the thick lapels of his robe. "I'll never lie to you again."

Holding my head between his hands, he stared down at me with those dark inscrutable eyes. "I can't trust my actions when it comes to you, Elizabeth. I can't explain why, but I feel too deeply for you. When you are not by my side, under my control, I feel this beast clawing inside my chest, raging to get out and find you. Please, don't ever test me like that again. You have no idea what I'm truly capable of."

My body trembled as I crushed his cashmere robe in my fists.

Looking up at the cage, then back at me, he threatened, "This is nothing compared to what I would do if I thought, for a moment, you would leave or betray me."

His hands had tightened on my skull. Once again, I felt the physical power of his words.

"I won't. I promise."

Leaning down, he kissed my forehead. "Good girl."

Taking a step back, he released the belt of his robe and let it fall. Underneath he was unabashedly naked, his thick, hard cock jutting out from a nest of black hair just above his heavily muscled thighs. Reaching for the straps of my leotard, he pulled the feather patterned fabric off my shoulders and over my hips. When I was naked, he put an arm under my knees and lifted me high.

Taking a few steps toward the bath, he lifted me over the rim and placed me gently into the water. I couldn't hide my gasp of pain as the hot water rushed over my punished skin. Richard climbed in after me and pulled me to sit between his legs, my back against his chest.

The heated water quickly soothed my sore muscles and I relaxed into his arms.

Scooping up a handful of bubbles, he held it before me so that I might blow them into the air. Watching as the rainbow spheres floated high above us then burst.

Leaning over, Richard picked up a cloth from the silver tray affixed to the side and began to run it over my shoulders and back, gently bathing me.

I giggled.

"What is so funny, my love?"

"This is all so… so… not normal."

We were taking a bath in a massive crystal tub next to an equally large custom-made birdcage in the middle of a conservatory.

I had become a heroine in a romance novel… and a dramatic, bodice-ripping one at that. The orphan girl being seduced by the dark and powerful duke. I said as much out loud.

He laughed, the sound rich and deep as it reverberated off the glass walls. He laughed so rarely it was fascinating to hear.

Placing a finger under my chin, he twisted my face to the side as he leaned down. "It's the orphan girl's fault for enthralling the duke so completely with her innocence and beauty."

Our lips met. It was a soft and gentle kiss, not like his usual conquering possessions. His cock lengthened against my back and my own body awakened in response. Turning in his arms, the silky water dripped off my shoulders as I straddled his hips.

Reaching between my legs, I sought to position his cock at my entrance. For a moment, the head brushed my still sore asshole and I gasped, before feeling him push inside my pussy. Gingerly, I let my body adjust to his girth as I slid down the length of his shaft, impaling myself on him.

Offering myself to him.

Richard nuzzled his face between my breasts, the bristles of his stubbled jaw sending shivers up my spine as I began to raise my hips up and down, slowly fucking him.

Later, as I lay sideways on his lap amidst the cooling water, he stroked my wet hair as he said, "I have another surprise for you."

Despite the calm of our sated bodies, I tensed.

There was always a sharp, painful edge to Richard's surprises . Dark shadows lurking behind sunlight.

"You do?" I asked, trying to keep the fear from my voice.

"I hope you won't mind a little conspiracy between your friend Jane and me, but I had her give me some of your designs."

Caught off guard, I sat up. "Really?"

He nodded. "You are truly gifted, especially the Victorian gowns. They're stunning."

I shrugged. "Just a fantasy of mine. I've always wished people still dressed like that, you know? With the corsets and skirts and rows and rows of silk and bows."

He tapped my nose. "Fortunately you are with a man who can make that happen."

Tilting my head, I slanted my eyes at him. "What do you mean?"

"I've had a few of your designs made up. The dresses arrive tomorrow. There was a champagne chiffon off-the-shoulder one I particularly liked and I've decided to have your portrait painted in it."

My mouth opened. I didn't know what to respond to first. The fact that I was going to see one of my designs come to life or the fact that I would be the one to wear them for an actual painted portrait.

Water splashed over the edge as I rushed to hug him.

As I looked over his shoulder, the low-hanging sun had caused the spidery shadow of the birdcage to creep over the marble floor and envelop the tub.