A Scandalous Arrangement

by Ashe Barker

  Alone again, Victoria launched right in. She was anxious to know her fate. “You have examined the books. I trust you found all in order.”

  “Indeed, Miss Wynne. I have brought your accounts back with me since you will have need of them.”

  “Thank you. May I assume my offer is acceptable then? Are we to be partners?”

  He fixed her with that glinting green gaze she remembered with vivid accuracy from their earlier encounter. “Your offer is of interest to me, Miss Wynne, though I wish to vary the terms somewhat.”

  Victoria frowned, perplexed. “But, my terms were fair, generous even. You stand to make money, an excellent return in fact, from my management of Wynne’s. I can assure you, Mr. Luke, you would have no cause to regret entering into a deal with me.”

  “I trust I would not. Indeed, I am convinced of it. But as I say, I have a different concept in mind that I wish to put to you. The nature of my proposal is more personal in nature, such that it requires to be discussed face to face, and in private. I should say though, I hope you will find my terms to be generous too, and they are non-negotiable. You will either accept them, or you will not.”

  Victoria sank back into her seat, her optimism evaporating. “Please go on, Mr. Luke.”

  “All in good time. First, we will enjoy our tea.” Mr. Timmins entered the room, a tray in his hands. He placed it on Victoria’s desk, then left them to it.

  Adam Luke followed the clerk’s retreat with his eyes. “A most amenable employee. I hope you pay him well.”

  “I believe so. He has worked for my family for almost twenty years.”

  “I see. He makes a fine cup of tea as well, if I may say so.” Mr. Luke lifted the small porcelain teapot and poured two cups as Victoria regarded him in silence. He passed one to her. The next several moments were employed sorting out the milk and sugar and offering biscuits.

  At last, Mr. Luke sat back in his chair and took a slow sip. He raised his eyes to regard Victoria under his brows. “Miss Wynne, I want you to become my mistress.”

  His remark was followed by the shattering of china as Victoria’s cup slipped from her fingers to smash on the stone floor. Mr. Timmins hurtled into the room.

  “What has happened? Are you all right, Miss Wynne? Were you scalded?” Her clerk rounded the desk to fuss over her.

  “No, I am fine, just a little… Please, could you find me a broom?”

  “I will see to it. Are you quite sure you are uninjured?”

  “Miss Wynne has had something of a shock, but I am sure she will recover soon enough. She is otherwise unharmed. Perhaps you could clear up the debris, and bring another cup for Miss Wynne. Or may I call you Victoria?”

  Adam Luke remained cool, calm, utterly unfazed by the commotion. Had she retained her teacup in her grip, Victoria suspected she might have flung it at him.

  “Yes. No, I…” She was not normally given to stammering. This man brought out her worst failings.

  “Of course, sir. Right away.” Mr. Timmins appeared oblivious to his employer’s discomfiture as he crouched to pick up the shattered remains of her fine china teacup from around her chair. “I’ll just go and find a cloth. Please excuse me.”

  As soon as the door swung shut behind him, Victoria rounded on her tormentor. “Your suggestion, sir, is outrageous. Utterly scurrilous. You are without honour or morals.”

  He took another sip. “Up to a point, I suppose I could agree with you. Though I might be moved to challenge ‘scurrilous.’ I mean you no harm and I believe you would find the arrangement to be of some benefit. At the risk of sounding overconfident, I think I can promise you a good time in my bed, Victoria.”

  “Can you? Can you indeed? And would your wife be there with us, enjoying this ‘good time’?”

  “My goodness, what exotic tastes you do have. I had not intended to include anyone else in our arrangement, but if you would prefer company…”

  Victoria rose to her feet, her fists planted firmly on her desk. She leaned forward and glared at him. “Sir, you are an utter blackguard. You are both faithless and immoral. I will have nothing to do with this seedy little arrangement you have dreamed up. Indeed, I am insulted, mortally so, that you might even consider this a contract I would enter into. How dare you?”

  Adam Luke appeared unconcerned, which Victoria discovered enraged her further. Had the man no conscience whatsoever? She remained standing as he sipped his tea again, glancing in the direction of the door as Mr. Timmins returned carrying a cloth.

  She held out her hand to take the rag from him. “I’ll do that. Please, would you escort Mr. Luke from the premises? He is leaving.”

  Mr. Timmins hesitated, glancing from one to the other. He did not relinquish the cloth.

  Adam Luke offered her clerk a truly dazzling smile. “Miss Wynne is mistaken; my business here is not entirely concluded, at least not to my satisfaction. Please, would you be so obliging as to attend to the mess, then you may take the rest of the afternoon off.”

  “But—” Victoria started to protest, but was silenced by an abrupt wave of Mr. Luke’s hand.

  He continued. “Please be seated, Victoria. We still have much to discuss. More tea?”

  Uncertain why she obeyed him, Victoria nevertheless sat. She fumed in silence as Adam Luke poured her a replacement cup of tea, and Mr. Timmins dealt with the drink she had spilt earlier. No words were spoken between the three of them until the clerk backed toward the door.

  “I will see you in the morning, Miss Wynne. It was pleasant to make your acquaintance, Mr. Luke.” At a brisk nod from her nemesis, Victoria’s only possible ally in this matter scurried off to enjoy a rare half day of free time.

  Adam placed the fresh cup before her on the desk, then resumed his easy pose in the chair opposite. “So, shall we continue? I believe I may not have made the situation entirely clear.”

  “Please do not trouble to elaborate, Mr. Luke. I have heard enough.”

  “I am not married.”

  “What? Do you take me for a completely gullible fool? Please do not add falsehoods to your string of failings, Mr. Luke. I assure you that list is already quite lengthy enough.”

  “I am not married,” he repeated, enunciating the words with care, “though I can appreciate where the misunderstanding arose. I recall you made mention of a Mrs. Luke over breakfast at our last meeting. I should have cleared up the misunderstanding then.”

  “And what misunderstanding might that be? A wife is a wife, not a ‘misunderstanding.’”

  He nodded, still unperturbed. Had he no shame at all? “A wife is indeed a wife. Unless she is a sister-in law. Then, I believe she might be adequately described as a misunderstanding, would you agree?”

  “What are you babbling about? You are a married man, Mr. Luke. You told me so, Mrs. Jennings told me so. Of course it may suit you to deny it now—”

  “Babbling, Victoria? I have been accused of much in the course of my life, but never babbling. At the risk of repeating myself, I have no wife. The Mrs. Luke you are referring to is in fact the widow of my younger brother who died in an unfortunate hunting accident some three years ago. Violet lives in Portsmouth. She does occasionally come to London, but prefers the quiet of the south coast. I gather she is contemplating remarrying so the confusion will soon be at an end when she takes a new name.” He paused to set his teacup down on the desk. “I trust that addresses the matter to your satisfaction.”

  Victoria furrowed her brow, far from convinced and still bristling. “Why would I believe you? Of course you would say some such thing.”

  Adam’s expression darkened, and Victoria felt the first stirrings of unease. His tone, when he responded, was clipped. “I do not babble, Victoria, and neither do I lie. Especially on such a weighty issue. I will be happy to introduce you to my sister-in-law in due course if that helps to make you feel more comfortable. At her wedding, perhaps.”

  Victoria tilted her chin at him. �
��I can conceive of no possible reason that would see me attending your sister-in-law’s wedding, sir.”

  He smiled. “Ah, you do at least believe me. This is progress. And you would attend the function with me, as my mistress.”

  “Mr. Luke, I am not—”

  He forestalled her outburst again by the simple expedient of lifting one lordly finger. “Please hear me out, Victoria. And may I suggest you call me by my given name, since we are to become such close associates.”

  She opened her mouth to again protest, but that raised finger was enough to silence her. She settled instead for glowering at him across their teacups.

  “Thank you, Victoria. So, where were we? Ah, yes, my terms for entering into partnership with you…” He settled back in his chair. “So, first the residential property. Wynne House, I believe it is called?”

  Victoria nodded.

  “Yes. A fine house, gracious I gather, and somewhat on the large side. Twelve bedrooms.”

  She offered no further encouragement.

  “I am prepared to return the house to you. The freehold will be yours.”

  “What? Why? Why would you do that? It’s worth—”

  “Please do not torment me with details. I am well aware of its value, but I am content that Wynne House should be returned to you. It is your family home and I would not wish you to be homeless. It would not suit me at all to see my mistress and business partner living in such reduced circumstances.”

  “And in return, I must sleep with you. Is that it?”

  “Not entirely, Victoria. My tastes are somewhat—singular, and though I will permit you to sleep when absolutely necessary, that will not be my primary purpose.”

  “You know what I mean. You want sex. With me. In return for not forcing my family from our home.”

  “I do want sex with you, but your home is yours whatever you decide on that matter. I am not a greedy or unreasonable man, Victoria. Your brother’s debt was more than covered by the mill itself, so we will concentrate our dealings on that. The house was superfluous, I have no doubt Edward only included it in the wager through ignorance or sheer carelessness. It is yours, or will be once I have instructed my lawyer to expedite the transfer.”

  “I see. Thank you. So…”

  “So, now that that is settled we can return to the sex you were so keen to discuss. Your offer to manage the mill on my behalf in return for a salary and a share in profits is an acceptable one. However, under my terms your share will be seventy-five percent rather than the fifty you suggested. You will find yourself in a position to repurchase the mill somewhat more quickly than you might have imagined. You will work long hours, I appreciate that, in order to achieve the return we both require, but your free time will be mine. To do with as I will.”

  “As you will?”

  He nodded. “Your time and your body. Mine.”

  “I take only occasional weekends off. And I seldom finish work before late in the evening.” It did not escape Victoria’s notice that she had not yet advised him to go to hell.

  “You will cease those practises immediately. You are no use to me or to the mill exhausted. I will appoint another assistant to take on some of the load, and we can promote Mr. Timmins. I am convinced he will make a fine under-manager.”

  “That is ridiculous, a preposterous suggestion.”

  “You disagree? Mr. Timmins strikes me as most able.”

  “Not that. You, me, and…”

  “You and me, and the sex?”

  “Yes. That.”

  “There I must disagree with you. But before we move on to discuss the finer details, I should explain exactly what I have in mind, what I will require from you.”

  “I may be unmarried, sir, but I am not exactly ignorant in such matters. I know full well what it is that you are suggesting.”

  “Excellent, but permit me to elucidate anyway. I will wish to tie you to my bed, blindfold you, gag you. Spank you. Whip you, and fuck you until you forget your own name. This list is not exhaustive but should be sufficient to convey the general flavour of my intentions. I am looking for a mistress who is also a sexual submissive, one who will be dominated by me. Are these the matters you are not ignorant of, Victoria?”

  “I… I…” Victoria gaped at him, uncertain whether she had heard him correctly. “Mr. Luke, you cannot… I mean, no one would… Would they?”

  “Oh, yes, Miss Wynne. They would. I would, and so will you. If you agree to my proposition.”

  “No. Oh, no, certainly not.” Victoria shook her head, leaning away from him. Her actions were not lost on Adam Luke.

  “You appear frightened, and I confess I have stated my requirements somewhat plainly. I felt it best to put matters out in the open. Please be assured though, I will not harm you. Your safety and wellbeing will be my utmost concerns. Should you agree to my terms as my submissive, I will expect obedience and respect from you, and as your dominant I will punish any failure to deliver those. Such punishment will usually be physical. However, a dominant’s responsibilities do not end there. I will also ensure that you are safe, cared for, and I will give you pleasure beyond your imagining.”

  “Pleasure? You imagine I will derive pleasure from being beaten. You are deluded, Mr. Luke. Quite deranged.”

  “I am neither, Victoria. May I venture to suggest that your experience of these matters is perhaps more limited than you had previously believed?”

  Victoria lifted her chin and glared at him down her nose, an expression well-honed over the years spent running Wynne’s and that never failed to intimidate millworkers and owners alike. “No, sir, you may not. You may not venture to suggest anything at all to me. This is madness. What about if I should become pregnant? Have you thought of that?”

  “I have. I will take every precaution to prevent that eventuality, but as you rightly point out, it is a possibility. Please be assured, if there should be a child I will make the necessary provision.”

  “I don’t want providing for. I can stand on my own feet, I have for years. I want you to leave. Now.”

  Adam showed no sign of compliance with her demand. Instead, he helped himself to another cup of tea and settled back again. “Please do not forget, Victoria, this is my mill. You do not get to order me out.”

  “You cannot force me to, to…”

  “And I will not. I would never force you to do anything against your will. Quite the reverse, in fact. I will require your willing submission. I merely ask that you consider my counterproposal, and the benefits it offers. I had not intended this, but I am even prepared to grant you a brief trial period, in order that you can become convinced of the truth of my assurances. Allow me to demonstrate how much pleasure I can give you if you submit to me, and that you will emerge from the experience uninjured.”

  “And if I refuse? If I turn down your, your—offer?”

  “Then I assume your original proposal remains on the table.”

  “You will accept it? You will agree to enter into a purely business partnership, with none of the other, the other—terms?”

  “I would, if I must. But I should advise you, Victoria, I am unlikely to repeat my offer to you. I am a dominant, and for reasons I do not choose to go into at this precise moment, I currently find myself without a submissive. This is a situation I intend to rectify. I am optimistic that you will agree to fill the role and that you will do so admirably, but if you choose not to, I will look elsewhere. The position will not be open to you for very long.”

  “What would be involved? In this demonstration, I mean. What would I have to do?”

  He smiled, and Victoria realised this was the first time he had done so, for her at least, since his arrival. Perhaps he scented victory. Perhaps he was right. For reasons she could not yet fathom she was actually considering his bizarre notion. The prospect of an extra twenty-five percent of the profits was tantalising enough, and might be sufficient in itself. But there was more, something
else, something lurking deep down in the pit of her stomach. Perhaps lower.

  Curiosity. She was shocked, certainly, but intrigued too. Mr. Luke might be a scoundrel, a sexual predator, a sadist if she understood his intentions correctly. But he was also devilishly handsome, attractive, and charismatic. She felt drawn to him at the same time as his outrageous suggestions repelled her. In short, she was confused. She should be appalled, but in truth she was not, not nearly so much as she had implied. His disgraceful words created images that danced around her head, and caused her pussy to clench and moisten. Victoria had little time for romance, and no social life to speak of. But she understood lust well enough, and she was no stranger to arousal. She normally explored those alien concepts in the privacy of her room at Wynne House, but she probed nonetheless. She was interested, and Mr. Luke could satisfy her yearnings. There was more he might offer too, but she would save that aspect of their discussion until later. First, she needed to know exactly what she might be getting into.

  “Today is Tuesday. On Friday you will conclude your business here in decent time, and take a train to Leeds. From there you will catch the overnight express for London. You will come to my home and spend the weekend with me. You will return to Yorkshire on Sunday afternoon, and by then I guarantee you will be in a position to make an informed decision.”

  “I cannot just—”

  “You can, and you will. Won’t you, Victoria?” His voice had lowered; it was little more than a whisper now. He leaned forward, his emerald green eyes catching and holding hers.

  Victoria hesitated, but her reluctance was not borne from modesty, nor even fear, she realised. It had rather more to do with the practicalities of getting away for a weekend of illicit—whatever—with this sinfully attractive man. And practicalities were something she could manage.

  “Yes. I will.”

  “Excellent. I believe we will get along famously, you and I. Now, would you be so kind as to conduct me on a tour of the mill? I always value an opportunity to properly understand any commercial enterprise I engage in.”