A Scandalous Arrangement

by Ashe Barker

  He checked his watch again, and calculated that she should be here within the next thirty minutes or so. She had sent him a brief note the day after he arrived back in Knightsbridge informing him of her intention to take the train that left Hebden Bridge at eight thirty-five on Friday evening and would then take a sleeper train from Leeds, in accordance with his instructions. She anticipated being in Kings Cross at approximately two o’clock on Saturday afternoon.

  Adam had checked the rail schedules himself and finding that he concurred with her, he had made arrangements for Victoria to be picked up at the station and brought to the Ritz. She would be tired from the journey, despite having slept on the train.

  He knew she would expect to be spending the weekend at his home, but the hotel seemed more appropriate. Not exactly neutral ground, but The Ritz offered a degree of anonymity that she might appreciate. And luxury of course. He intended to make sure his latest submissive was very well cared for.

  Adam liked to think of himself as a generous and patient, if demanding, dominant. He would require absolute submission, eventually, but he was prepared to take his time getting there. He had a suspicion that Victoria would struggle to comply with all his requirements, especially those concerned with obedience, and he had no desire to scare her off by pushing her too hard, too soon. Yes, the elegant surroundings of The Ritz would create the right ambiance, instilling a degree of normality and respectability to the proceedings. Once she experienced some of what he could offer her, he had little doubt Victoria’s own sensual nature would be more than sufficient to anchor her to him. She would be begging him for the rest, pleading with him to satisfy her curiosity and her lust.

  He suspected the presence of a seriously sweet slut under Victoria’s prim and efficient exterior. He intended to make the acquaintance of that slut as quickly as that happy state of affairs might be achieved. He would start by offering her a nice if belated lunch since he suspected Victoria would appreciate that after her journey. Yes, refreshments here in the lounge on arrival, and a tray to be delivered upstairs.

  He checked his watch. Where the hell was she? He calculated another twenty minutes at least. He glanced at the small pile of papers he had placed on the table. Their contents were perfectly familiar to him so he saw no need to refresh his memory. Instead, he unfurled the newspaper he had brought with him and resigned himself to the wait.

  Twenty-five minutes later he dragged out his watch again. She was late. He glanced toward the door, which remained firmly closed. Surely she had not changed her mind, right at the last minute. He doubted that, she would have telegraphed him. She would be here.

  He reapplied his attention to the previous week’s events in the House of Lords, as reported by the illustrious political journalists employed by The Times, as several more minutes ticked by.

  The soft knock at the door came not a moment too early. He was on the point of leaving to patrol the hotel reception area, convinced the doorman must have pocketed his note and sloped off for a sly break. Relief flooded Adam, and he let out a breath he had not realised he was holding.

  “Come in.” He refolded his newspaper and leaned back in his chair to survey the slender woman who entered the room. Christ, she was lovely.

  “I am late. I apologise. The train arrived ten minutes after it should have, then the traffic across London was heavy…” She paused, remaining by the door, which was ajar at her rear. “Thank you for sending a carriage for me though. That helped a great deal.”

  “Not at all. You have been travelling since yesterday evening, it was the least I could do.” He admired her soft blue travelling attire, a fitted jacket and skirt made of a fine wool cloth, trimmed in velvet of a darker hue. She looked elegant, smart, the perfect lady. His cock started to harden as he contemplated the pleasures to come, commencing when he would watch her peel off those demure and oh-so-respectable clothes. But, first things first, he had business to conclude with his guest.

  “Please be seated, Victoria. I have ordered a tray of tea… ah, yes, here it is.” He paused to allow her to take the armchair opposite his, and for the liveried footman who had appeared in the doorway to enter and lay their tray on the table beside his papers. Adam handed the man a few coins, which he seemed pleased with as he pocketed them on his way out. Adam returned his full attention to Victoria. She was doing a fine job of feigning poise and confidence, but the barely discernible shaking of her hands betrayed her as she removed her delicate white gloves. That and the dilated pupils that darkened her cobalt blue eyes.

  Adam approved of her nervousness; it showed a proper appreciation of her situation.

  “Would you pour, please?” He gestured to the teapot, then smiled to himself when she spilled a few drops into his saucer as her hands shook even more. She peeped at him under her lashes. Now she knew he knew, and would become even more flustered.

  Adorable.

  He sat back and waited until she had finished, then he pushed the stack of documents across the table to her. “I thought we might conclude our paperwork down here, then retire to our suite.”

  “Paperwork?” She tilted her chin at him. “What paperwork is that?”

  “The fine businesswoman that you are, I thought you might like to inspect your contract before we proceed. If you are happy with it, you can sign now and I will instruct my lawyer accordingly.”

  “Contract? Why do we need a contract? I thought we had agreed all that needed to be settled in this arrangement of ours, that there would be no requirement for further negotiation.”

  “This is your contract of employment, Victoria. And the papers setting out the terms of our business partnership. The principal terms are indeed settled, but the details still required to be set out in writing. I hope you find the remuneration I have suggested acceptable.”

  She appeared to visibly relax, on familiar territory again. Adam was amused, and it endeared her to him all the more.

  “I see. Of course, the business partnership.” She picked up the papers and started to read.

  “I could have contracts drawn up relating to the more personal aspects of our future dealings but I doubt they would be enforceable in law. We will have to rely on our integrity. This is a matter of trust, would you not agree?”

  “I, yes, I suppose that is the best description.” She shot him a surprised glance. “Mr. Luke, this cannot be correct. No manager in my acquaintance is paid such a sum.”

  “I am a generous employer, and you have been at pains to assure me your credentials are impeccable. Are you not worth such a salary, Victoria?”

  “Of course, yes, but… it is a great deal of money. Especially as I will have to take at least one day a week off to travel around the kingdom for our assignations.”

  “Ah, yes, I had meant to talk to you about that. I appreciate your efforts in presenting yourself here, today, as instructed. In the future though our liaisons will take place either in Yorkshire, or at my home in Liverpool. I trust those arrangements will be easier to make, and less tiring for you.”

  “Yorkshire? You cannot mean to come to Wynne House?”

  He grinned. What a delightful notion, but he supposed it would not do. “I was thinking more of a hotel, perhaps Leeds. Or Bradford. Do you have a preference?”

  “No, not really, I suppose. You have a home in Liverpool? I had been under the impression you lived either here in London, or Portsmouth.”

  “My family live in Portsmouth, but it is generally more convenient for me to move between London and Liverpool. I maintain an apartment there. Not as grand as my townhouse in Knightsbridge, but perfectly acceptable, I’m sure you’ll find.”

  His family? That would be the widowed sister-in-law then. “I see. Yes, Liverpool will be more accessible. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. So, do you have any further comments or questions about the contract?”

  He waited as she scanned the pages, gnawing on her lower lip in her concentration. She read the
entire document before lifting her eyes to meet his gaze again.

  “The contract is fine. Very fair, and accurate. Do you have a pen to hand, Mr. Luke?”

  “Of course.” He stood to retrieve the required objects from a side table across the room. “And please, while we are in private you should call me Adam. Or sir, but I will explain the proper terms of respect presently. Upstairs in our suite.” He placed the pen and inkwell before her, and waited again while she signed the final page in her neat, sloping hand. He took the pen from her and added his own signature below hers.

  “I will have these conveyed to my man of affairs, who will make arrangements for your salary to be paid to you each month. Now, if you have finished your tea, perhaps we might adjourn upstairs. I have reserved rooms for us for tonight. I am sure you will be very comfortable. Well, some of the time.”

  “I had not expected to stay here.”

  “A last-minute decision, I confess. But I think the rooms I have reserved will suit us very well.”

  “Rooms? You mean separate rooms?”

  Adam grinned at her and shook his head. “No, Miss Wynne, I do not. You will not only share my bed, you might well shortly find yourself tied to it. But even so, I do not expect you to be cramped. We will have plenty of space.” He folded the papers and slid them back into his inside jacket pocket, then gestured toward the door. “After you.”

  * * *

  He followed her up the stairs, admiring the gentle sway of her perfect little bottom. The fitted skirt she wore was smart and very respectable, if a trifle wilted from her long journey, but it framed her rounded buttocks beautifully. He managed not to reach out to cup those delectable globes, but it took some effort. He would wait though; he had decided he wanted her kneeling and naked before he touched her.

  “Left at the top of the stairs. We’re in the Alexandra Suite, towards the end of the corridor.”

  She nodded and proceeded as directed, stopping at the correct suite. The sign beside the door proclaimed this to be the place. Adam leaned around her to unlock the door, then gestured her inside.

  He followed her, taking the time to remove the Do Not Disturb sign from the inner door handle and hang it on the outside. He took the further precaution of locking the door behind them.

  Victoria stood in the centre of the sitting room, gazing around her. She glanced at him. “This is very nice. And spacious as you said. You have spared no expense.”

  “No, Victoria, I haven’t. I don’t skimp on things that are important to me, but I do expect value for money.” He didn’t elaborate, but he was confident she realised he was not just referring to their accommodations. He strolled across the room to drop the key on a side table. “Would you like to freshen up? I’ve ordered a dinner tray for later, but if you require afternoon tea, that will be no problem.”

  “I am quite all right, thank you, not at all hungry. A bath would be pleasant though.”

  Adam wondered if this was a delaying tactic, at the same time as he blessed the modern plumbing, which meant the bathtub could be filled without the necessity of a procession of hotel staff parading through their rooms with buckets of hot water. He considered her request for few moments, then dipped his head in agreement. “I’ll sort that out for you. You will undress here though. Now.”

  “Now?” Her voice was a low whisper, and he saw her hands were shaking again as she clasped her fingers around her gloves. He needed to get her past this useless fit of modesty, and quick.

  “Yes, now. Do you require my help with your fastenings?” He thought not as her jacket buttoned at the front, but still, it was polite to enquire.

  She inhaled, a sharp, determined intake of breath, then, “No, I can manage.”

  Adam offered her a tight smile before he headed into the bedroom and straight on through to the bathroom where he turned on the taps. When he returned to the sitting room, she had got as far as removing her bonnet. He did not believe for a moment that she was deliberately procrastinating, and he appreciated this would not be easy for her. But he also knew her hesitancy would not diminish for drawing out the inevitable. He wanted her naked, and he wanted that without further delay.

  “Victoria, please do as I asked. I don’t like to be kept waiting.” He injected a deliberate note of authority into his tone, preferring to start as he meant to continue. He intended to be in charge here, she would obey him.

  “No, of course. I’m sorry.” She unbuttoned her jacket and removed that, then looked around as though seeking somewhere to deposit the garment.

  Adam settled himself in a chair in front of the window. The light behind him would obstruct her clear view of his features, whilst he could see every detail of her. “Just put your clothes on the chaise lounge behind you. When you’re naked I’d like you to kneel on the floor, here, just in front of me.”

  Victoria gulped, but made no protest, though her perplexed expression told him her mind was whirling. Silence did not signify agreement. At least, not yet.

  She unfastened her white blouse and removed that too, placing it on top of her jacket. Next she loosened the ties holding her skirt in place and peeled that down to her ankles. She stepped out of the pooled fabric and placed the skirt neatly with the rest.

  Adam shifted in his chair, conscious that his erection was very obvious. He made no attempt to conceal it, preferring that she understood the effect she had on him. Her eyes widened when her gaze rested on the bulge betraying his arousal. Clad in just her fine silk combinations she presented an exceedingly fetching sight, concealing nothing of her curves. He would have defied a monk to remain unmoved. On another occasion he might have allowed her to remain as she was and enjoyed the display. The first time was always somewhat awkward though, for a submissive at least, and he preferred to press on.

  “Quite lovely, Victoria. I applaud your taste in undergarments. Did you purchase that especially for me?”

  “Yes. I wasn’t sure what… I just wanted to look my best.” Her lovely features were starting to pinken, but she maintained eye contact with him. There would be occasions when he would require her to drop her gaze, but for now he found her pride and determination admirable. He had no interest in a mewling, shrinking little virgin.

  But she is a virgin, he reminded himself. He would soon remedy that though.

  “Good choice. I may permit you to put it back on later, with the crotch left unfastened of course. For now, remove it, please.”

  He loved the way her face flushed, the rosy hue starting at her neck and chest and rising steadily as she undid the buttons down the front. The display of bare flesh was tantalising as the two halves gapped open. She lifted her gaze to his again, and he raised one eyebrow deliberately. She needed to do as she was told, without hesitation or argument. He expected no less.

  “I will not kneel.” She tipped up her chin, defiant.

  “No? Why not, Victoria?” He kept his tone deceptively low.

  “I have agreed to do as you want, to allow you to do—things—to me. But I am not here to be humiliated or debased.”

  “Of course not. You are here to be cherished, admired, pleasured. But those rewards have to be earned, through submission and obedience. Talking of which, I require you to be naked. I have said so on numerous occasions now so I will count to five. If you are not nude and on your knees by then, I will consider our arrangement terminated.”

  “What? You would just send me home again?”

  “No. You are welcome to remain here in the suite. I would be the one to leave. Two.”

  “But—”

  “Three.”

  “Oh. I…” She abandoned any further attempt at conversation and slid the remaining undergarment from her body. It dropped to the carpet and she made no attempt to pick it up. Instead she stood before him for several moments, then lowered herself slowly to her knees.

  The rebellion was over. Adam breathed out, relieved to have averted that crisis.

  He leaned
forward to peruse her body as his cock swelled yet more. He would not have believed it possible; his balls were about to explode. She was exquisite, quite breath-taking. He’d known she was attractive, beautiful even behind the haunted, stressed demeanour and formal clothing. He had had the wit to recognise that fact the moment he set eyes on her, but this vision of loveliness was beyond any and all expectations.

  Victoria looked up at him from her position at his feet, then slowly, deliberately, she dropped her gaze.

  Fucking perfect.

  “Good girl. Thank you for doing as I asked. Now, I’d like you to remove the pins from your hair and let it loose. Then part your thighs if you would, please, and place your hands on the back of your head.”

  He waited for the protest, but again there was none. She reached up to release her hair from the neat coil at the nape of her slender neck and the dark tendrils tumbled around her shoulders, concealing one perfect, upturned breast. She shifted her position so her knees were a few inches apart, then lifted her hands to lace her fingers behind her head. In her new position eye contact was more natural, and she held his gaze. It was Adam who looked away first, but only to inspect her in more detail.

  He ran his gaze over her torso, noting the swollen nipple and pink aureole that tipped the breast still visible to him. He reached to sweep her hair back over her shoulder in order to better admire her. Her breasts were small, but delightfully curved. He would enjoy lifting and moulding them in his hands, squeezing her tender nipples until she squealed. He was ready to wager a year’s profits that no man had ever wrapped his lips around those delicious peaks and sucked.

  His gaze drifted lower to her neatly trimmed quim. She had prepared herself for him, and he appreciated that. He also wondered how she had known what he would like. Whose counsel had she sought? Not her mother’s, surely?

  He stood and strolled around her to examine her from the rear. Her shoulders were narrow, her back slender. She appeared fragile, delicate even, though her bottom was lush and beautifully rounded, an arse made for spanking. It would not be wasted here.