“The juniper berries in this sauce for the venison is inspired. I am pleasantly surprised.”
“Why?” Elaine stopped eating with her fork midway between her plate and her mouth.
“I didn’t expect much by way of food here. Madame gave me the impression the strength of Rowan House was—” Lucia picked up her wineglass and looked at Martha over the rim “—its staff.” She swirled the glass and studied the fall of the deep-red wine as it coated the inside; then she sniffed it. A grimace crossed her face, and she placed her glass on the table.
Martha leaned forward. “Something wrong?”
“The wine is off.” She picked up her water glass and sipped.
“It’s fine. I sampled it myself.” Elaine’s voice was sharp.
Martha picked up her glass and sniffed. The scent of wine leaning toward the edge of vinegar filled her nose. She forced herself to take a sip. “Ye gods, Elaine, it’s off. She’s right.”
A thunderous frown crossed Elaine’s face. She rested her fork on her plate and narrowed her eyes at Lucia. “And you could tell from the bouquet? Are you a sommelier? Where did Madame find you? A cellar?”
Martha made eye contact with her sister. “That’s enough, Elaine. What the hell is wrong with you?” She tried to keep her voice even but failed.
Lucia cocked an eyebrow at Martha. “No need to defend me.” She met Elaine’s flinty stare with one of her own. “I met Madame in Dubai. Not that it’s any of your business.”
“Everything and everyone here is my business.” Elaine pressed her lips in a thin line and leaned forward. She tented her fingers and rested her elbows on the table.
Lucia reclined in her chair and picked up her water glass. She looked up and shook her curls back before she brought her gaze to Elaine’s face. “I was under the impression—” she inclined her head toward Martha “—Mistress Martha was in charge of the house.”
“We own it together. I am in charge of operations, and the stable; Elaine oversees the kitchen and guest services. We both entertain clients and participate in hiring.” Martha picked up her glass and took a long swallow of water, trying to clear the taste of the spoiled wine from her mouth.
Lucia tilted her head. “My apologies. However, it was my understanding I was here as a guest.” Her sharp smile at Elaine did not reach her eyes. “Do you treat all your guests like this? Or is this your way of getting to know me?”
Elaine inhaled sharply before she opened her mouth to speak.
Got to stop this. Get her out of here before Elaine goes off. Martha stood up quickly and had to catch her chair before it fell over, drawing Elaine and Lucia’s attention. “Are you ready for your tour?”
Lucia looked up at her. “Yes. I don’t think I’m interested in dessert.” She placed her napkin on the table and stood up, her gaze fixed on Martha’s face.
Martha offered her arm, and Lucia rested her hand on her forearm. Neither of them looked back, leaving Elaine and the tension of the lunch behind.
“I’M SORRY ABOUT Elaine’s behavior.” Martha stopped with her hand on the door to the largest playroom in Rowan House.
“You’re not the one who needs to apologize.” Lucia flexed her fingers, squeezing Martha’s arm. “Is your sister always so—forceful?”
“She is. She prides herself on being known as the harshest Mistress in the house.”
“Hmm.” She held Martha’s gaze. “And you? What do you want to be known for?”
“I haven’t thought about it. I follow Madame’s philosophy. I’m firm but fair, harsh but never cruel. Unless a sub needs me to be.” Martha opened the wide six-panel door to the main playroom, and held it open for her.
Lucia released Martha’s arm and stepped through the door. She waited while Martha turned up the lights.
“We have the overhead lights set on dimmers.” Martha pointed to the wall sconces. “We have it plumbed for gas also; it creates a nice ambience and lovely lighting. It has its own heating and cooling system so it can be fine-tuned for the needs of our guests. The larger pieces are designed to be moved so we can set up demonstrations in the ballroom. Any Mistress who wants to use this room has to complete a safety orientation.”
“Madame told me you don’t use safe words.”
“They are not required. We pay a bonus to our employees if they choose to work without one. And our guests are thoroughly screened.” Martha kept her tone neutral. She could only imagine what Madame had said. In all their time together it was the only thing they had ever argued about.
Lucia’s face betrayed nothing as she turned and walked over to the wall of striking implements. Whips, floggers, crops, quirts, and canes hung on hooks. Next to the neat display, all manner of harnesses, collars, cuffs, and spreader bars were arranged. She tipped her fingers along the bondage equipment. “Where do you keep your rope play equipment?”
“We don’t. I’ve not had any training. I’ve only had one or two Mistresses ask for it. I don’t want to put any of our workers in danger. I can’t supervise what I don’t know.”
A broad smile crossed Lucia’s face. “I can train you if you’d like. I’ve spent the last five years traveling to Japan for deshi, instruction. I’m not considered a nawashi, a rope master, yet, but I’m qualified to teach you and your staff the basics of shibari, if you’d like. Enough for safe play.”
Images of herself bound in intricate knots with Lucia holding on the end of the rope filled Martha’s head. “I… Well.” She swallowed hard. Where did that come from? Get a grip.
“If you’re not sure, I could do a demonstration. I brought my personal supplies with me.” Lucia’s gaze was steady. Her voice, soft and laced with seduction, wrapped around Martha and slid under her skin. Her face flushed and she looked down.
Personal supplies. Her bonds. Get it together. Does she imagine me like that? “Um. Well, yes. I’m sure I can find a sub who will be interested in working with you.” She looked up at the ceiling before she lowered her chin and met Lucia’s gaze. She’s testing me. What does she want? She’s a professional. Keep it professional. “How long will you need to prepare?”
Lucia’s half smile made Martha’s belly tighten with want. “I’d need about an hour to organize my equipment and prepare mentally.”
“We had planned a salon tonight for you to meet the rest of the staff. Would you be able to do a demonstration then?”
“I’d love to.” She spun in a slow circle as she surveyed the room. “I see the standard accoutrements in this room.” She trailed her fingers over the smooth wood of the Saint Andrew’s cross. “Where do you do heavy pain play?”
“We have a soundproofed dungeon. It’s next to the wine cellar.”
“It sounds positively medieval and delightfully wicked. Would you show it to me?”
The heat in Lucia’s eyes sent a rill of heat to Martha’s clit. I’d like to do more than show you. Easy. Get it together. When was the last time I wanted anyone like this? “Yes.” She held out her hand and Lucia clasped it, her fingers cool and firm. Martha waited a moment, savoring the sensation of Lucia’s grip and the softness of her skin, before she transferred her hand to her forearm. They walked side by side, their hips brushing occasionally in the hall. Martha spent the walk to the back stairs trying to keep her mind on the tour instead of on the intoxicating woman at her side.
“THIS IS IMPRESSIVE. Even the Onyx didn’t have anything like this.” Lucia smoothed her hands over the whipping post set in the floor. “Is the stonework original? It is amazing.”
“We copied the work at Dunvegan and added a few touches of our own.” Martha pointed to the floor. “We installed a heated floor.” She pointed to a dais, flanked by black velvet curtains. The dais held two ornately carved chairs with footstools. Dark mahogany wood contrasted with the crushed red velvet covering the chairs. Behind the chairs was a floor-to-ceiling tapestry with the Rowan House crest.
“How lovely. I can see why Madame thought I’d like it here. Do you have many gues
ts who ask for this?”
“Enough. We are known for it.”
“We?”
“Elaine has a reputation.”
Lucia raised her eyebrows. “Why am I not surprised?”
Martha smiled at her before she moved a small rug back with her foot.
Lucia pointed to the round wooden trap set in the floor. “Where does it lead?”
Martha moved to the first chair and pressed a button under the armrest. The wooden panel slid open without a sound. She pressed a second button. Overhead lights spotlighted the open pit in the floor.
Lucia looked down into the pit then at Martha’s face. “A pit? How deep is it?”
“Only fifteen feet but it looks much deeper from the bottom.”
“How do you lower them?”
Martha pressed another button, and a panel slid over to reveal rungs set into the smooth walls. “Making them climb down is part of the headspace. It has its own heating system. We never have to worry about cooling the space.” She moved the tapestry and revealed a screen and pressed the button on the panel beneath it. The bottom of the pit came into view. “We can monitor them visually, and there is an intercom system so you can talk to your sub.”
“Ingenious.”
“Would you like a closer look?”
Lucia stepped away from the pit. A flash of panic crossed her face before she smoothed her expression. “Beg pardon?”
“Oh. No. I didn’t mean like that. I… Oh hell. I wanted to know if you would like to see how we’ve outfitted it, in case you wanted to use it, with a sub, I mean.” At Lucia’s arched brow, she stopped. “I’m not making it any better, am I?”
Lucia laughed. “No, but it was fun listening to you trying to clear things up. And no, I wouldn’t. I don’t like small spaces.”
Martha pressed the buttons, and the rungs disappeared and the spotlight shut off and the wooden trap slid back into place.
Lucia moved over to the brazier and pointed to the iron rack next to it. “Who makes your irons?”
“We have a local smith. We’ve not had a branding ceremony in years. I fear it’s too permanent for the younger crowd.”
Lucia moved her hands over her hips before she pulled her cardigan tighter. “It is a commitment.” She looked away from Martha.
“Can I ask you something?” Martha stood with her hands clasped behind her back.
“Anything. I don’t promise to answer, but feel free to ask.”
“The first time we met, you were so angry at Madame’s request, and dismissive of me. Why the change in your attitude?”
“At first I was jealous Madame chose you to be executor. I owe my life to Madame.” Lucia kept her head down, avoiding Martha’s gaze. “After she told me about your financial skills and qualifications, I understood why she chose you. I promised her to keep an open mind about the rest.”
The rest? What did Madame tell her? This is not about me. This is about her promise to Madame. She’s not interested. She’s keeping a promise. And I’m a fool. “If you’ve seen enough, I can show you the rest of the house.” The bitter taste of disappointment welled up in Martha’s mouth. She’s being polite. That’s all. What was I thinking?
Lucia looked up and met her eyes. “I’m tired. I’d like to rest a bit before dinner, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. I’ll escort you to your suite.”
Chapter Five
THE SALON PROGRESSED as each of the submissives in turn was introduced, along with their particular set of skills, kink specialties, and hard limits. Martha tried to keep her focus on her staff, but she was drawn to Lucia’s face, the fine curve of her cheekbones, and the long line of her neck. She appeared to be focused as she watched. Her breathing never shifted, nor did she show any signs of excitement or interest. Robin was the last submissive to appear. Lucia shifted in her chair, her gaze settling on Robin’s face.
Does she like her? Know her? A tendril of jealousy wove its way into Martha’s head. What is wrong with me? What if she does? Robin kneeled before them, her palms up, head bowed. She listed her favorite kinks. Her voice had the quality of someone ordering fast food. Martha huffed her disappointment. She has to go. I need to examine her contract, talk to Elaine.
Lucia’s voice cut into Martha’s thoughts. “Do you have experience with rope play?”
Robin’s head snapped up before she appeared to remember her place and lowered her head. “Yes.”
Elaine’s sharp voice echoed around the ballroom. “A Mistress has asked you a question. You’ll answer correctly.”
“Yes. Mistress.”
Lucia looked at Martha. “I would like to use her for my demonstration, with your permission.”
Martha pursed her lips, unsure why she wanted to say no. “Yes. Of course. Robin, eyes at me.”
Robin raised her gaze to her Mistress’s eyes.
“Are you willing to participate in the demonstration?”
A fine sheen of sweat shone on her face, but her voice was strong. “Yes, Mistress.”
The other submissives waited against the wall. “The rest of you come here.” The group came as one. “I would like you all to observe. Mistress Lucia is going to favor us with a demonstration of shibari. Pay attention. We will most likely offer this as an option for future clients.” She gestured to the rug in front of her. “Sit.”
The women sat on the rug on the floor in front of the chairs for Elaine, Martha, and Lucia. Myfanwy arranged her curvy body close to Martha, bending to press a kiss to the toe of Martha’s boot before she took a position next to her chair. Her simple gesture of submission and the view of her beautiful full-figured body at her feet had Martha thinking of how much she had missed Myfanwy in her bed. Tonight. I want total submission. Complete control of her lush body. Martha rested her palm on the top of her head before she slipped her hand under her thick hair black hair and rested it on the back of her neck. The small sound of Myfanwy’s satisfaction under Martha’s touch and the way she leaned against Martha’s knee-high boots sent a wave of want through her. Rachel settled her considerable frame on the floor close to Elaine’s chair, taking the spot Roxy normally would have occupied. Martha noted Roxy’s glower, directed toward Rachel, when Elaine wound a bit of Rachel’s hair around her finger and toyed with it. That’s going to be trouble. Elaine needs to tend to her.
Lucia rose. The low-cut inky-black gown she wore flowed about her legs. Robin waited on the stage. Lucia carried a white silk bag with a phoenix embroidered on the side of it in gold, red, and blue threads. She mounted the stage and opened the bag to withdraw a thick coil of white rope. She stood to the side of Robin and passed the length of the long rope through her hands.
“Passing the rope over my hands allows for me to make sure the rope is smooth and has no rough spots or bits of debris that could damage my submissive’s skin.”
Martha watched Robin’s face. Her eyes held fear, and Martha considered stopping the demonstration.
Lucia gathered the rope in her hand. She grabbed Robin’s chin and forced her head back. “What is your safe word?”
“Fig, Mistress.” The tremor in her voice undid Martha, and her clit grew thick as she watched the interchange between Lucia and Robin.
She released her chin. “Stand.”
Robin rose, and Lucia looped the rope over her neck. With quick hands she tied a series of knots in the rope, moving down Robin’s body. She tied a final knot above the tidy pale-brown triangle of hair between Robin’s legs. “Spread.”
Robin spread her legs, and Lucia passed the rope between them. “Turn.” Robin turned away from them. Lucia brought the rope up and passed it around Robin’s waist. “Keep the rope smooth and flat and even. Uneven coils and twists can cause bruises and abrasions. Smooth coils with appropriate tension support the body. Turn again.” Robin turned back, and Lucia passed the rope between the knots, pulling and weaving under the rope and making diamond shapes over her body. She passed the rope to the back again. “Turn.”
Robin faced away from them, and Lucia finished binding her with a half hitch above the small dimple over her hips, leaving a loop to function as a handle. “Turn to the side.”
Lucia stood with the loop of rope in her hand. “Put your hands behind you, one hand above the other, and clasp your wrists.”
Robin obeyed, and the position thrust her breasts forward and arched her back.
Lucia bound her hands. She put her hand on her shoulder and turned her to face the crowd.
The beauty and sensual effect of the simple rope wound in smooth coils and intricate knots around Robin’s body, her vulnerability, the way her lips were parted, and the needy look in her eyes made Martha squirm in her seat. Lucia reached between Robin’s legs and worked them a moment before she pulled her fingers free. Liquid evidence of Robin’s excitement covered her fingers. Lucia pushed her fingers into Robin’s mouth, and she sucked greedily. Lucia pulled her hand from Robin’s mouth. “Bend over.”
Robin leaned forward and bent at the waist with her hands bound behind her. Lucia set her legs and held on to the rope binding Robin, keeping her from falling. She thrust her fingers in deep, fucking her roughly while holding her place with the rope. Robin panted and groaned. “Oh please. Mistress. I’m going to come. Please. May I?”
Lucia slowed her strokes. “You greedy girl. You want to come? What have you done to earn it?”
Robin twisted her head from side to side. “Please, Mistress. I… Please let me come. I’ll do anything.”
Knotted Legacy Page 4
