<strong>Hugh, Baron Covington</strong><br/><br/><div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/03/Geraint_Baron_Hugh_Covington_Av.jpg)</div>The sight of her whirling around with the flogger in her hands brings a smile to the Baron's face.  It's not a smile of amusement exactly, but rather of recognition of that moment when one is caught with her hand in the cookie jar.  He rather suspects what it is she hides behind her back, though he wonders if she knows what she has found.  For a moment, she looks as if she is going to brazen it out, at least until he mentions what he thinks is her name.  Certainly she is the maid who arrived with Lady Katherine, which would make her Lucy from the list he was provided.  Hugh makes it a point of knowing the names of everyone residing within his estate.<br/><br/>Her gasp and paling of her face confirm his suspicions, and is she does not look panicked, she certainly seems to be thinking hard.  Hugh has no intention of embarrassing his betrothed, of course, even if she did send Lucy to snoop, but he does see an opportunity in the situation, should she so choose.  Lucy seems to be a bright young woman, and one of some curiosity and daring.  She's also quite attractive, though his needs do not require that.  And she seems quite relieved, even eager, when he offers her an option.<br/><br/><em>"Yes … I have heard whispers, my lord, and... well, here I am"</em><br/><br/>Hugh has no doubt that she has heard whispers, but he also suspects that she has no idea what she holds in her hand.  In a way, he is surprised that she accepts his solution so eagerly.  But it certainly offers a possible solution for him as well, even though there is a risk.  It really all depends on Lucy's willingness, and her wish to protect Lady Katherine.  In that, she and the Baron are not at cross purposes at all.  But he does want things made clear.<br/><br/>"In that case, Lucy, I find myself willing to undertake your tutelage, so long as a few conditions are clear between us.   The first is that you have come to me of your own volition, that you willingly seek this of me.  The second is that you surrender yourself entirely to my control while you are here.  The third is that you are free to go or not come back at any time; this ties back to the first of course.  And the fourth is that what happens here stays between us."<br/><br/>He pauses for a moment to consider, though he really doesn't expect an answer now.<br/><br/>"I know that Lady Katherine will be looking for you soon, if she isn't already, so I shall not detain you long tonight.  Should you return, though, I'll take it as a token that you accept my conditions.  In the meantime, however, there is one other matter to be settled tonight ..."<br/><br/>He takes the flogger from her hand then, tapping his other hand with it.<br/><br/>"That you came here in stealth, without my permission, is not acceptable behavior, nor certainly is rummaging through my belongings not open to public view.  Indeed it is a crime … for which there must be punishment ..."<br/><br/>He pulls over a a nearby armless chair, and seats himself.<br/><br/>"So if you will kindly array yourself across my knees, I shall offer you timely and appropriate justice, to which you will submit willingly as a token of your sincere penance."<br/><br/>The look in his eyes suggests he is quite serious, and also somewhat impatient.<br/>