Free Hall of Infamy by Amanita Virosa

also increasingly uncomfortable. Jamie had strapped the girls’ wrists behind their backs. Each wrist was secured to the opposite arm by a second strap, buckled just above the elbow, so that their arms were bound across the small of their back. This left their befrilled bottoms available and impossible to protect. Collars had followed, and chain leashes attached to these.
    â€˜Now, listen carefully, my pets.’ Jamie had taken the leashes from Betsy and smiled at his captive’s amiably. ‘There are a lot of stairs and, without your hands available to save you if you fall, I want you to be very careful and try to trot along in step.’
    Amelia had had just enough time to add this outrage to the catalogue she intended to bring to her aunt and uncle’s attention before he had set off. After that, she had had to concentrate. There was no real reason why they should trip, though the heels on their white button-boots were certainly perilously high. However, the feeling of having no recourse to her arms, usually taken for granted, made her feel dreadfully insecure.
    When they had finally got to the dining room Amelia had taken a deep breath, ready to present her long list of complaints. But to her utter fury, Jamie had produced a padlock and secured the leashes to an iron ring set into the wall by the dining room door. He had then kissed Clara on the forehead and told them to wait.
    â€˜I suppose they are having their dinner,’ Clara mused, belatedly answering her cousin’s last question.
    Amelia glared at her. The position of her arms had tautened the thin silk over her breasts, and her pretty nipples were sticking out. The bunches made her look even sweeter and more vulnerable than usual. Amelia shook her head. ‘And what about us,’ she demanded, ‘what about our dinner?’
    â€˜Oh Amelia,’ Clara said softly, ‘I – I don’t think we are allowed to eat with… with… them.’
    â€˜Them? And who are they?’ Amelia demanded furiously as the blonde girl quailed, her chain leash clinking as she cringed away. ‘The adults? The quality?’ Amelia spat the words, pulling herself to her full height and standing as erect and proudly as her bondage and shaming outfit would allow. ‘I am an adult. I am nineteen and I am a baronet… I… I… I—’
    â€˜Of course you are Amelia, my sweet,’ the Marchioness of Hatherby’s husky, amused voice put in.
    â€˜Oh, Aunt Alicia.’ Amelia was a little taken aback at Lady Alicia’s abrupt appearance. Her ladyship was looking particularly resplendent in a mauve silk evening gown trimmed with cascades of white lace. Long mauve satin gloves complemented the dress, and her raven tresses were coiffed into an elegant arrangement. She smiled fondly at the tethered girls.
    â€˜And Clara, how lovely. My, how you have grown!’
    â€˜Jamie, he – he,’ Amelia spluttered, ‘he made us, he has dressed us like this, he – he chained us and left us here—’
    Lady Alicia put a satin-covered finger to Amelia’s lips. ‘I know, and I know what a trial it must be to a girl of your spirit. Never mind. Look, he has given me the key.’
    The woman winked and held up the padlock key, and Amelia felt her heart lift. Lady Alicia released the lock and took the ends of the leashes in her elegant gloved hand.
    â€˜Those men are having their cigars and port and—’ she bestowed a radiant smile on the cousins ‘—no doubt discussing awful crudities.’ She gave the leashes a firm tug and Amelia found herself stepping forward uncertainly. ‘So you two little darlings had best come along with me.’
    Amelia and Clara followed their aunt into the splendid drawing room.
    â€˜Aunt Alicia,’ Amelia said as her aunt tugged them over to a comfortable chaise-longue.
    â€˜Yes, my dear?’ Lady Alicia paused and half turned with a