Free A Scandalous Arrangement by Ashe Barker Page B

the experience uninjured.”
    “And if I refuse? If I turn down your, your—offer?”
    “Then I assume your original proposal remains on the table.”
    “You will accept it? You will agree to enter into a purely business partnership, with none of the other, the other—terms?”
    “I would, if I must. But I should advise you, Victoria, I am unlikely to repeat my offer to you. I am a dominant, and for reasons I do not choose to go into at this precise moment, I currently find myself without a submissive. This is a situation I intend to rectify. I am optimistic that you will agree to fill the role and that you will do so admirably, but if you choose not to, I will look elsewhere. The position will not be open to you for very long.”
    “What would be involved? In this demonstration, I mean. What would I have to do?”
    He smiled, and Victoria realised this was the first time he had done so, for her at least, since his arrival. Perhaps he scented victory. Perhaps he was right. For reasons she could not yet fathom she was actually considering his bizarre notion. The prospect of an extra twenty-five percent of the profits was tantalising enough, and might be sufficient in itself. But there was more, something else, something lurking deep down in the pit of her stomach. Perhaps lower.
    Curiosity. She was shocked, certainly, but intrigued too. Mr. Luke might be a scoundrel, a sexual predator, a sadist if she understood his intentions correctly. But he was also devilishly handsome, attractive, and charismatic. She felt drawn to him at the same time as his outrageous suggestions repelled her. In short, she was confused. She should be appalled, but in truth she was not, not nearly so much as she had implied. His disgraceful words created images that danced around her head, and caused her pussy to clench and moisten. Victoria had little time for romance, and no social life to speak of. But she understood lust well enough, and she was no stranger to arousal. She normally explored those alien concepts in the privacy of her room at Wynne House, but she probed nonetheless. She was interested, and Mr. Luke could satisfy her yearnings. There was more he might offer too, but she would save that aspect of their discussion until later. First, she needed to know exactly what she might be getting into.
    “Today is Tuesday. On Friday you will conclude your business here in decent time, and take a train to Leeds. From there you will catch the overnight express for London. You will come to my home and spend the weekend with me. You will return to Yorkshire on Sunday afternoon, and by then I guarantee you will be in a position to make an informed decision.”
    “I cannot just—”
    “You can, and you will. Won’t you, Victoria?” His voice had lowered; it was little more than a whisper now. He leaned forward, his emerald green eyes catching and holding hers.
    Victoria hesitated, but her reluctance was not borne from modesty, nor even fear, she realised. It had rather more to do with the practicalities of getting away for a weekend of illicit—whatever—with this sinfully attractive man. And practicalities were something she could manage.
    “Yes. I will.”
    “Excellent. I believe we will get along famously, you and I. Now, would you be so kind as to conduct me on a tour of the mill? I always value an opportunity to properly understand any commercial enterprise I engage in.”
Chapter Five
     
     
    “What is that building? The one close to the gate into the mill yard?” Adam pointed to the long, single-story structure across the cobbled courtyard.
    “That is our school. It was founded by my father.”
    “A school? Is there no educational facility available in the town then?” He admired the fine set of Victoria’s jaw as he questioned her. He had enjoyed his tour of the premises and had learned as much about the woman who ran it as he had about the intricate process of weaving fine cloth. It was clear to him that she took immense