Free Discipline of the Private House by Esme Ombreux

ladder at the side of the pool, into the lapping water. Barat stood, waved to her encouragingly, and went to find a large towel in which to wrap her when she emerged. He wouldn't let her stay long in the pool: just long enough to ensure that the swimming costume was thoroughly soaked. The material would be almost transparent when wet. He would dry her a little with the towel; it would seem considerate of him. And then he would hurry her back to her room to begin her education in the ways to please him.
    The dark streets were empty now. There were no pedestrians. Vehicles could be heard rumbling along the wide boulevards, but these narrow alleys were deserted.
    Itomi had come twice: once almost as soon as Stefan had started to bring his belt down on her bottom, and later, when her buttocks were burning with pain and Stefan had inserted his hand between her thighs and into her knickers to massage her copious juices round her clitoris. Now, feeling alive and excited and daring, she was walking the streets with her coat and skirt pulled up to her waist. Stefan was half a step behind her. She revelled in the sensitivity of her buttocks; she felt every draught of the cold night air and rolled her hips to encourage the caresses and slaps of Stefan's hand.
    Ttomi, my angel,' Stefan said. This is the place.'
    They are hiding here? On this road?'
    'It is a poor area,' Stefan said. 'But it's quiet. That's better for our purposes.'
    'Look!' Itomi whispered urgently. 'Coming out of that big, low building. Two people.'
    'Where? Yes, I see. A man and a woman. I'm sure of it. And wearing cloaks! They must be Heinrich and Leila.' Stefan swung the pack from his back. 'They're coming this way. I'll hide in this doorway. I have the tranquilisers and the nets. Itomi, go and bring the cab. Do you remember where we left it?'
    Itomi touched her backside, and winced. 'How could I forget? I'll be back in a moment. We'll have those two back at the Chateau by morning.'
    Three
    'They are idiots, madame.' Itomi felt Robert tug spitefully on her chains as he spoke. 'Idiots. They do not deserve your mercy.'
    Itomi and Stefan, naked and in chains, were kneeling in a circle of light in the centre of the Chatelaine's study. Itomi didn't dare to lift her face to look towards the shadowy bulk of the desk behind which the Chatelaine was sitting. Instead, she turned her head in the hope of exchanging a glance with Stefan. He was staring at the carpet, however, and Itomi caught the eye of the Chatelaine's servant Nicole, who was watching the scene with serene amusement, as pert and pretty as ever in her maid's uniform.
    Itomi heard a swish and out of habit leaned forwards slightly to receive the lash. Robert's whip-stroke landed like a line of fire across both of her buttocks. She shivered, and held the position in the hope of a second stroke. There was a slender chance that the Chatelaine might prescribe a whipping as the punishment for Stefan's and Itomi's failure.
    'Lift your head,' Robert said. 'Look at your mistress while you are being chastised.'
    Itomi looked shyly at the tall, elegant figure sitting straight-backed behind the desk. She tried to look contrite, but one stroke of the whip had, as usual, been enough to ignite the warmth in lier loins. She hollowed her back in expectation: already she wanted to feel the whip on the lowest parts of her buttocks and on the insides of the tops of her thighs. She had been punished by Robert many times, and she knew she could rely on him to be thorough and to seek out the most sensitive places.
    That's enough, Robert,' the Chatelaine said. The effort is wasted on little Itomi. You will have no punitive effect.'
    Itomi was surprised to see the Chatelaine's icy expression thaw into a smile. Her voice, too, was pensive rather than severe.
    'Stefan and Itomi must be punished, of course. A week of enforced abstinence should be adequate. Nicole, make a note of this. The two of them will wear control belts for a week; at