“A collar and leash that match, Holly. When she is fitted with them, bring her to the beginner playroom.”
“Led walking or—?”
“Of course not. Stockings are acceptable if you care to provide them to her.”
Lord Evston left the room, and Brandese exhaled. Her nipples had begun to throb, and she cupped her breasts.
“What happened while I was gone?” Holly asked.
“I forgot to call him sir and when he corrected me he didn’t care for my tone, which I suppose was brisk rather than sweet.”
“Brisk,” she echoed. “You mean disrespectful?”
“I suppose he may have taken it that way.”
“Layda,” Holly began, then paused. “I have something to ask you.”
“Yes?”
“Are you sure you want to undergo this assessment?”
“Quite sure,” Brande said without the hesitation she felt.
“You have not seemed nervous, which actually isn’t normal. You understand that you are about to be disciplined. Doesn’t that concern you?”
“I mean—” Brandese shrugged. “Other girls have withstood it. I won’t be maimed for life, will I?”
“Not physically, no. But Master V is very adept at sensing resistance and breaking it down.”
“I’m resilient.”
Holly leaned forward and spoke softly. “You’re behaving like you think it’s a game. It’s not.”
Yes, it is, Brande thought. She reached for the clamp on her breast, but Holly grabbed her wrists.
“Don’t touch those.”
“He fastened them too tightly.”
“No, he fastened them to the degree of tightness he wanted. You may take them off if you’re requesting your clothes so that you can go. Otherwise, don’t touch.”
Another flame of rebellion surged. Brandese studied the young woman, understanding now. Holly suspected who she was, too. She may even have been the one to summon the lord to the center. Was that why she’d been left mostly on her own for two nights?
“I’m not leaving,” Brandese said.
“As you wish,” Holly said, unable to keep the concern from her voice. “I’ll be right back.”
As soon as Holly stepped out of the room, Brande loosened the clamps. She exhaled. The ache was rather stimulating, but also painful. There was no way the clamps should be left to pinch anyone to that degree. It would turn into torture.
A couple of moments later, Holly returned. She placed a smooth white collar around Brande’s neck and hooked a leash to the ring on the front of it. She handed Brande a pair of pale gray sheer stockings that came up to mid-thigh and were held in place with white stretchable lace.
“Down on your hands and knees.”
Color rushed to her cheeks, and her eyes widened.
“Yes,” Holly said with a nod. “I lead you by the leash. You crawl.”
Outrageous, she thought.
