The Inheritance (35 page)

"I am humbled,
Sir," Lord Michael replied, and lightly bowed his head.

Elizabeth felt
her heart swell. Everything was going so beautifully and she was
determined to see it through to the end, but the thought of a
strange man touching her so intimately filled her with a deep sense
of modesty and fear.

A hand, though
she guessed it was not her Master's, unbuttoned the slip of fabric
at the small of her back. He pulled it ever so gently from between
her cheeks and let it drop, but her state of arousal was so great
the fabric stuck against her sex.

"As you can
see gentlemen, this young woman is a strumpet indeed. Were she not
so hungry, were she not such a true submissive and just an obedient
slave, this fabric would not be sticking to her as it does."

She could hear
hushed comments but could not decipher the actual words, then to
her chagrin the fabric was pulled away and her private pussy was
revealed for all to see. A finger touched and she clenched her
teeth.

"Yes, she is
as soaked as the covering suggested she would be. And if she truly
has the passion I suspect," he winked at Lord Michael, "in spite of
her loyalty to her husband and Master, which I'm sure is great, she
is doubtless wishing she could wriggle and press against my finger.
Isn't that right, Elizabeth?"

To her shame
his words rang true. She was so filled with wanting, the tempting,
teasing finger barely inside her entrance made it almost impossible
for her to think. Every instinct in her body was telling her to cry
out and say yes, and wiggle her bottom to show he was right.

Knowing her
passion, Lord Michael, for the second time that night held his
breath, convinced it might be a difficult test for her. She was a
passionate, lustful young woman - a strumpet - and strumpets could
get lost in their need.

Cedric wiggled
his finger, teasing and tempting her.

"Well,
Elizabeth. Don't you want more? Don't you want to wriggle and press
your bottom back so I may thrust this finger where you want it so
badly? Isn't that really what your nature desires?"

Constance
, she thought.
What a pretty mare. I do love you so. I am so
looking forward to my honeymoon but it will be grand to come back
to you
.

The
distraction she forced upon herself did the trick, and moments
later the torturous finger dropped away.

"This is an
exceptional young woman, Lord Michael. I congratulate you. There is
just one more test. If you would please be so kind as to insert you
finger where mine was so happy to have just visited, and ask her to
wriggle that delicious bottom for us all."

"It would be
my pleasure," Lord Michael replied, filled with pride. Elizabeth
was performing splendidly.

Pleased as he
might be he was not about to take anything for granted. Cedric was
a skilled leader and if there was a way to trip her up he would
find it. There was a reason the inner circle had such a limited
membership and those who were fortunate to belong, held in such
high regard.

Lord Michael
placed his finger at Elizabeth's juicy door and pushed in just an
inch, as Cedric had done. Touching her bottom he gave her a slight
smack and immediately she wiggled in a most libidinous manner. The
audience murmured approvingly as she continued her backside dance
until Cedric gestured to Lord Michael that he could signal her to
stop. He tapped her again and she froze.

"Another
demonstration, gentlemen. This man is a Master indeed."

There was a
smattering of applause, after which Cedric requested Lord Michael
button the flap back in place, help her off the chair and have her
stand next to him. She felt the fabric being laid across her sex,
pulled up between her cheeks and fastened to the corset. Lord
Michael gently helped her from the chair and stood her next to
him.

"Elizabeth, so
far you have passed the initiation," Cedric declared, walking over
to stand on the other side of her. She now had her Master on her
left and Cedric on her right.

Elizabeth
heard the words 'so far', though Cedric had murmured them quietly,
emphasizing the words that followed. She waited cautiously, her
senses alert.

"Congratulations. You should be very proud of yourself."

She did not move or speak. If she'd not been paying close
attention, if her mind had been on her hunger, or the relief that
Cedric had suggested the initiation was almost over, she would only
have heard the word,
congratulations
, and could easily have
muttered a 'Thank you, Sir'. Lord Michael had heard the
manipulation as well but he knew Elizabeth. She could not be so
easily fooled.

"Elizabeth,
you are most impressive. You have permission to speak. What would
you like to say? Anything at all. You may say anything at all."

The room was
completely silent, riveted on her - on what she was about to say -
or not say.

She thought
for a moment, then stated, in a crisp, clear voice, "Anything at
all."

The men roared
and applauded. When the noised died down Cedric turned to Lord
Michael.

"Lord Michael,
it is my great honour to welcome you and your lovely bride into our
midst. Brian, if you would be so kind, since you are closest."

"Oh goodness.
Yes, most definitely," the young nobleman replied, jumping up and
ringing the bell cord twice.

"I know you
have not consummated your marriage, Lord Michael, and doubtless you
are anxious to do so," he smiled.

The men
chuckled knowingly and nodded their heads.

"We have
arranged for a lovely suite of rooms upstairs. Our manservant will
show you the way and you are welcome to stay as long as you wish.
Overnight if you are too tired to travel home this evening.
Everything you may need is provided," he said, warmly. "But should
you care to join us for some food and drink after your nuptials you
are most welcome. Of course there is a small banquet prepared for
you and your bride in the suite should you wish to remain behind
closed doors."

"I am most
grateful," Lord Michael replied. "And my wife and I are deeply
honoured to be part of the Circle. I wasn't sure I would ever find
the right woman, and I feel deeply blessed that God saw fit to
bring Elizabeth into my life."

Elizabeth
thought her heart would burst. It took every ounce of her
self-control not to sob her joy, and was grateful for the light
applause in response to his short, but heartfelt speech. The door
opened and the manservant walked in, carrying a large velvet box.
He handed it to Cecil who turned to Lord Michael.

"Lord Michael,
it is with great pleasure that I present you with the collar of the
Circle of Masters Extraordinaire. When you attend the events of the
Brotherhood it will identify you as one of the chosen few," he
declared. "If you would please be so kind as to place it upon your
wife."

Lord Michael
took the box and opened it, not quite sure what to expect. The item
that stared up at him was exquisite and unique. An oval mother of
pearl cabochon was set in a gold casing, and at each side three
strands of pearls made up the band of the collar, which was
fastened by a diamond studded snap at the back. But it appeared to
Lord Michael that the gold band surrounding the cabochon was
unusually thick.

"Once you have
placed it on Elizabeth, I will be pleased to show you how it
operates," Cecil offered.

Since
Elizabeth's hair was already up and out of the way, Lord Michael
proceeded to unfasten the black leather choker and place it on the
chair. Turning to the box he removed the stunning choker, and
standing behind her once again reached his hands around and laid it
against her neck, snapping it closed at the back. He turned her to
face him so as to view the exquisite piece of jewellery. It was
flawless, and the manner in which it laid against her skin gave it
an even more beautiful allure.

"If I may,"
Cecil began, moving forward.

"Yes of
course. Thank you," Lord Michael replied.

"If you press
this tiny button at the base of the setting," Cecil explained,
"Elizabeth lift your chin, please. That's better. Thank you."

Elizabeth was
thrilled by the collar and the attention being bestowed upon her.
She was filled with pride and terribly excited, and as she lifted
her chin and Cecil placed his hands at her neck, it felt like the
most natural thing in the world.

"My goodness!"
Lord Michael exclaimed. "Isn't that clever."

"For the
leash," Cecil said, "which is waiting for you in your Bridal
Suite."

The wide gold
band was actually two, one lying within the other. Pressing on the
tiny catch released the inner band upon which a leash could be
attached.

"Should you
wish this to be at the back of her neck, the fastener in the back
is perfectly lovely as the centrepiece against her throat," Cecil
continued. "If its length needs to be adjusted just let me know and
I'll see to it."

"It's
magnificent. Thank you, Sir," Lord Michael said, beginning to feel
quite emotional.

"You are most
welcome. Gentlemen," he proclaimed, turning to the members. "You
may remove the blindfolds as you wish, and you as well, Lord
Michael, if you so choose. But first if you would, please
rise!"

The group of
men stood from their chairs, and as they did the manservant stepped
forward from the shadows with a tray offering champagne. When each
of them had a drink Cecil raised his glass.

"Please
welcome our new members, Lord and Lady Michael Kensington."

The glasses
lifted into the air toasting their newest members.

"If you would
follow me, Sir, I shall take you to your Bridal Suite," the
manservant offered as he approached Lord Michael and Elizabeth.

"Thank you,"
Lord Michael replied. "And thank you all again," he declared,
turning and facing the group. "Elizabeth and I are greatly looking
forward to many happy times here."

The men spoke
their approval and sipped their drinks, some offering a little
refreshment to their wives kneeling beside them.

Taking
Elizabeth by the leash, Lord Michael followed the manservant from
the room. When he heard the doors close behind them he slipped the
handle of the lead on to his wrist and quickly removed her
blindfold. She blinked her eyes open, glanced around for a moment,
then up at him.

"Master," she
whispered, tears in her eyes.

He smiled down
at her.

"Give me your
hand," he said, lovingly.

She lifted her
arm and he locked his fingers through hers.

She
gasped.

It was the
first time he had ever interlaced their fingers. Whenever they
walked together he would take her by the elbow, or loop her arm
through his.

The small act
took her breath away, and as they ascended the stairs she gripped
tightly. The small gesture felt like a gigantic moment, and it
would be one she would never forget.

Epilogue

As soon as
they were in the Bridal Suite and the doors were closed he took her
in his arms and kissed her. He kissed her with a fervent passion,
transmitting his love and complete adoration as he pressed his lips
against hers. Feeling the flow of his ardour she returned his zeal
and kissed him back with an uninhibited display of deep desire.

When they
broke apart, each breathless with their emotional and physical
need, he rested her head against his chest, stroking her back,
willing their pounding hearts to settle.

Only when she
was calm did he slowly, languidly, undress her, softly pressing his
lips upon each and every part of her body as piece by piece, her
clothing was removed, leaving her in a state of near swooning.

Lifting her up
and gently placing her on the bed he stripped hastily, then laid
alongside her, travelling his fingertips across her body with
floating fluttering caresses, eliciting moans and panting cries of
pleasure.

Rolling her on
her side, he glided his cock through her swollen, succulent
silkiness, moving leisurely, his hands gently cupping her breasts
as he whispered his devotion and adoration in her ear, riding her
to their harmonious finish, their mutual orgasms a loving,
mellifluous moment.

Lying
together, exhausted and happy, Elizabeth moaned her contentment,
then shifting back to face him, kissed his nose, his cheeks, his
mouth, then stared solemnly into the soft brown warmth of his
eyes.

"Master."

"Yes,
Elizabeth?"

"May I ask you
something?"

"Of course.
You may ask me anything you wish."

"Tonight -
when you - uh - you held my hand."

"Yes?"

"You have
never held my hand so - um - well - the way you slid your fingers
through mine. It felt so special. Heavenly - I just
wondered..."

He lifted his
hand and wiped a lock of hair off her face.

"My darling
Elizabeth, I have never held any woman's hand in such a manner, not
until tonight."

She felt
herself being engulfed by a wave of warmth - a sanguine energy that
lingered around her.

"I'm not sure
I quite understand."

"I think you
do - you just don't quite believe it," he smiled.

A fresh wave
of happiness washed over her and she smiled back at him.

"Tell me
anyway - please, Master."

"Of course I
will. I have been saving that intimate gesture for the very special
woman I would fall in love with and marry. You Elizabeth. You are
the only woman whose hand I have ever properly held, or ever
will."

A hint of a
tear appeared in his eye, then slowly took shape and dribbled down
the side of his face. Leaning forward she pressed her lips against
the salty moistness, feeling her own eyes brimming with droplets of
joyous bliss.