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Roselyn had obeyed his instructions to perfection, particularly considering that this was the first time he had required her to be naked in his presence. He had been tempted on many occasions and as his prisoner there would have been little she could do had he decided to take advantage of her vulnerable situation. When her very life hung in the balance his innate sense of honour would not permit him to stoop to such an act, but all had changed now.
She turned her head as he entered the room. “My lord…?”
“You will not speak, Roselyn, unless I ask you a direct question. You may of course scream—indeed, I believe my people will expect it.”
She nodded and bowed her head.
He paused for a moment to peruse her slim body. Had there been the slightest mark remaining, any residue of her beating at Kelso, he would have insisted that this issue between them be deferred. There was not.
Very well then, we continue.He strode past her to fetch the bolster from the head of the bed and moved it to the foot. Blair considered the arrangement for a moment, then took a length of folded plaid from a chest and added that to the pile. It would do. He turned to regard Lady Roselyn.
“I shall require you to lie across the foot of my bed where I have placed pillows which will lift your bottom up for me. I expect you to remain still and in position until I am finished, and I have no doubt that you will find that difficult. If you move I shall be obliged to start all over again, so to avoid disappointment to both of us I shall tie you in place. Your wrists shall be secured, and your ankles.” He moved to stand immediately in front of her and tipped up her chin with his fingers. “I will hurt you, Roselyn, for that is what I intend, but I will do you no lasting harm. Do you understand the difference?”
“I… I believe so, my lord. You are not at all like my brother.”
“No, I am not. So, may I help you up?”
She nodded and reached for his hand. Blair helped her to her feet then paused to peruse her naked form. “You are quite lovely.” He meant it, but now was not the moment to pursue that disruptive line of thought. Instead, he brushed his lips across her forehead then led her to the foot of the bed. “Lean forward and rest your body on the pillows. You may take your time to get settled, and when you are ready I shall tie you in place.”
He stepped back to allow her the space to move, and moments later he was rewarded by the sight of her upturned, naked buttocks presented prettily for his punishment. His unruly cock stood to attention as Blair admired the vision before him. For several moments he did not move, but then he heard her whimper. She was afraid, utterly terrified. He should conclude this as quickly as he might and ogle her later.
“Spread your legs as wide as you are able, Roselyn. I shall secure your ankles first.”
He crouched and fastened her delicate feet to the bedposts, his actions both swift and deft. He used leather straps, sufficiently flexible not to cause undue discomfort, but neither could she escape or kick. He had every confidence she would do her utmost to achieve both before they were done.
Next he moved to her side and took her right hand in his. He pulled it into the small of her back, then drew her left to join it. “I shall bind your wrists like this.”
She lay still as he finished his preparations, her breathing rapid. Satisfied that she would remain quite still during the proceedings and not wishing to prolong her ordeal unnecessarily, Blair returned to the outer solar to select his first bundle of switches.
Chapter Six
Was it possible to actually die of fear?
Roselyn contemplated that prospect as she lay, face down and tied in place, over the foot of her Highland captor’s bed. Her eyes were closed, and since the moment she heard his footsteps approaching the sleeping chamber she had fought to control her terror but she was losing that battle. Perhaps it would have been easier to bear her punishment at his hands if Blair had treated her harshly, but he did not. He was gentle, courteous, considerate of her comfort as he prepared her for what was to come. And now, it was time.
His tread was soft as he moved across the room, and she knew the creak of the outer door. He was fetching something, and she knew what it had to be.
He had ordered her to be silent, but she had to ask.
“Sir…?” Her word was more of a sob.
“Roselyn? What is it?”
“How…? How many, sir?”
“I shall stop when I deem your punishment concluded. When I am satisfied that you have truly paid for your wrongdoing.”
“Oh… but I—”
“It is over when I say that it is.” His tone was hard, the timbre in his voice strict and implacable. She had known since she first encountered him on the steps at Etal that this Scottish warlord was a man to be feared. He would do what he considered right and just, and she had no choice but to accept his discipline. There was a part of her that would have it no other way.
“Are you ready?”
No! Never.Roselyn managed a small nod.
The sound of the switch slicing through the air was almost more awful that the sheet of white-hot pain which exploded across her bottom as he landed the first stroke. Roselyn let out a high-pitched scream, surprised by the intensity of the fire he lit despite her most fearsome imaginings. This was worse than she had thought. Nothing could have prepared her for this.
Almost before the agony started to dissipate he swung again. Roselyn jerked in her bonds, struggling to get upright but unable to because of the sprawled position of her feet. She could gain no purchase, and even if she could she would not be able to move from this position.
