lords and ladies, welcome to my naughty, little soiree," Lady Shackelton announced with a conspiratorial grin as tittering laughter rippled through the small crowd. "I have some delightfully unique games and sport planned for everyone's pleasure starting tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy the champagne and each other. And remember, if you require anything at all - and I do mean anything - my staff is here to please."
After Lady Shackelton's welcome, various couples around the room began to link arms and stroll out of the parlor into the main hallway, anxious to begin the more private entertainments of the evening.
Blackhurst and Fairfax noticed Lady Prunella beating a determined path in their direction. Blackhurst hurriedly drained the rest of his glass and handed it to a passing footman. "Time for me to retire," he announced and made a hasty retreat.
"You're an assho—" Fairfax started to yell after Blackhurst's retreating back, "--ello, Lady Prunella," he finished as he turned to the matron.
" Bourreau , Fairfax. Qui fait Blackhurst de chevre ?" asked Lady Prunella in a high-pitched whine he was sure she thought made her sound younger. In addition to having the unfortunate moniker of Prunella, she was about twenty years past her prime and had been after Blackhurst for twice as long. She also thought she knew French and spoke what passed for her version of it frequently. Fairfax was fairly certain she had just referred to herself as an executioner instead of saying good evening, and had asked what Blackhurst was doing with a goat. He could not possibly imagine what French word she had intended instead of goats but thought he would have some fun with her all the same.
" Bonsoir, madam. Blackhurst ne pas baser les chevres ," Fairfax quipped, waiting to see if Lady Prunella would react to him informing her Blackhurst does not fuck goats. But alas, she did not.
"Stop toying with me, Duncan. Where is he?" she demanded in a much deeper more acerbic tone.
"Tut, Tut, madam. You sound your age," he taunted.
She stomped off in a huff. Fairfax made his way to the billiard room. He had some time to kill before he sought out Madeline.
Chapter Four - Lady Shackelton Gets Shackled
Lord Fairfax stared into the dying embers of the billiard room fire as he swirled the contents of his brandy snifter. To the casual observer, he was a relaxed lord at his leisure. But a closer look would have revealed the tension across his shoulders, the tight set of his mouth and the hard, determined glint to his eye.
There was a soft knock on the door, followed by a tentative question. "My lord?"
"Enter," Fairfax ordered without taking his eyes off the fire. "Did you retrieve what I requested?"
"Yes, my lord," answered the nervous footman.
"No one saw you, correct?"
"No, my lord."
Fairfax extended his hand. In it was a large banknote. The footman took the note and handed Fairfax a key.
"You are very generous, my lord."
"This key is worth far more I assure you."
With a bow, the footman left the room. Fairfax returned to contemplate the fire, this time with a relaxed smile.
* * * * *
"Is that too tight?"
"No, it's perfect," said Lady Madeline Shackelton over her shoulder to her lady's maid tightening the laces on Madeline's new purple silk corset. She put on the sheer black lace dressing gown and tied the matching purple silk sash.
"You are all ready for your gentleman caller, my lady," said the maid with a secretive smile.
"Not quite," said Madeline as she moved to her vanity. Picking up a black riding crop, she gave it a few sweeping arches through the air. "Now, I am ready. Place the box of dildos on my bedside table and then you may go."
The lady's maid did as she was bid. Then with a bow, she left the room.
Madeline did not have long to wait before there was a soft knock.
"Well, I wasn't expecting this," she said with a grin after opening the door.
Lord George Boffin and Lord Arthur Gridley both stood before