<br/><br/><strong>Hugh, Baron Covington</strong><br/><br/><div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/03/Geraint_Baron_Hugh_Covington_Av.jpg)</div>Lucy had fled without a word, nor even an acknowledgment of his reminder that his offer remained open.  But the fact remained that she had become visibly aroused by his spanking her.  Indeed the scent of that arousal lingered in his study in a most delicious way.  As to whether or not she would return, he had no clear indication, other than that bouquet still caressing his nostrils.  After all, he knew the woman not at all.  But he'd rarely had that emphatic a reaction to a simple spanking.<br/><br/>He was well within his rights in doing so; indeed he could have caned her, a punishment not unusual for servants.  But the Baron's interest had already departed the domain of discipline for it's own sake, given that there were so many other delicious ways it could be used.  In truth, it was not an unusual pleasure to be pursued by a gentleman, and there were a number of clubs catering to such tastes.  But it was a taste that most wives would never acquire, and not something he would impose unwilling upon his own wife, though any number of Lords did so within their rights.<br/><br/>No, Lady Katherine he would spare his baser tastes; a gentler hand he would offer her.  She stirred different instincts in him entirely and he was already quite besotted with her.  For her there would be flowers and whispers, gentle caresses and sly intimacies in dark corners and behind trees.  His wife, he would woo, and he would make her a good husband as well.  But her maid, decidedly roused the baser beast in him.<br/><br/><br/>*****<br/><br/><br/>The Baron had slept well, and dreamt vividly, and was in high spirits for the day.  His plans for a quite walk in the garden with his intended had not reached fruition, but a lovely ride in the countryside had.   In fact he an Lady Katherine had even managed a walk together, just the two of them leading their horses, while others raced off after a an incautious fox.  They had had a lovely conversation.  And between the horses they had shared a delicious first kiss … and another …<br/><br/>Perhaps the distraction had been too much though for Lady Katherine, or she was simply too tired, for she had tumbled off her horse upon their arrival back at the Manor House.  She wasn't injured luckily, and it did give His Lordship a good excuse to carry her into the house to be attended.  All in all it had been a very pleasant day, and Hugh and Lady Katherine had grown closer together.  They spent much of dinner looking at each other and covertly holding hands under the table when they could.  And the fact that they were getting along so well had added a certain amount of gaiety to the proceedings, even if both of them begged off early.<br/><br/><br/>***<br/><br/><br/>As Hugh sits reading in a comfortable chair in his study, he has no particular reason to believe that Lucy will pay him a visit.  He'd given her a lot to consider, and she was very dedicated to Lady Katherine as well.  But he is of a habit to read in the evenings, and he does have a feeling that he might be seeing her sooner rather than later, just remembering her state when she left this room last night.  Perhaps she will want to investigate his habits further, or just maybe she will want more of what he had to offer her personally.  And if not tonight, then perhaps tomorrow.  So the light knock on the door makes him smile.<br/><br/>The Baron goes personally to answer the door, locking it behind them after showing her in.<br/><br/>"Welcome Lucy, I'm very pleased that you've returned; it's not often that I get to welcome a promising student of the art I practice.  I hope you will fine your time in this room fulfilling.<br/><br/>In returning, of course, you are thus committing yourself to abiding by my rules, as described last night.  Would you like me to pour you a glass of Port for your nerves?"<br/><br/>He leads her further into the room as he talks, stopping at a sideboard, to pour two glasses of Port, in case she wants one.  He speaks to her half over his shoulder, though he does make eye contact.<br/><br/>"Take off your dress please, Lucy; that will make things much easier ..."<br/><br/>He turns fully back to her, sipping from his own glass.<br/><br/>"Unless you would rather that I do for you, of course …"<br/><br/>Unlike the situation last night, his tone is friendly and not at all threatening.  There's no reason to necessarily make this an adversarial situation, unless of course it would add to their enjoyment.  But it's as good a time as any to see if Lucy actually intends to comply with his rules.<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>[OOC Note:  The story is proceeding without Aadreal for now, with her knowledge and blessing.]<br/><br/>