“Let me take Vicar to Dawson for the night, and then we can make an escape.”
It didn’t take William long to dispatch Vicar to a secure room for the night. When everyone began talking loudly about going out, they slipped from the room hand in hand. The cold of the hall almost took Matilda’s breath away. Although she was bundled up in her blanket, the chill in the air made her nose burn and she hugged the fabric closer to her skin. William led her firmly away from the white drawing room, and Matilda pulled him up the stairs. “I have a Christmas gift for you in our rooms.”
“You do?”
Matilda nodded. It had taken all her cunning to hide his presents in her luggage and not have them discovered. “It is warm there. Come and let me show you.”
They hurried toward their guest bedchamber as voices burst out laughing below and doors clattered shut. Matilda was breathless with anticipation for the surprise she was about to reveal and quickly slipped into the bedchamber assigned to them on their arrival.
“Darling.” His kiss was fierce and consuming as he pressed her against the door. Matilda flicked the lock when they drew apart a few moments later. “Billy.”
“That’s my Mattie, always seeking the fastest way to please us both.” He kissed her some more, but they both were aware that time was short and privacy paramount. He turned her around and placed his hand at the back of her neck. “You are a terrible tease, my love.”
She shivered as he steered her toward the huge four-poster bed. “Then punish me, Billy.”
She had already laid out his present. A mask, red silk strips of cloth, riding crop, and an unworn snowy white cravat cloth of his waited.
His fingers tightened on her neck. “Matilda?”
“Surprise.” Matilda took two bold steps forward, halted at the foot of the bed, and dropped her arms to her sides. “Merry Christmas, Billy Boy.”
William came up behind her, glancing at the items she’d spread out over the bed. “They were in a locked chest in the attic at home. What are they doing here?”
“They belong in our bedchamber.” Teasing William was always pleasurable for her. Matilda wiggled her bottom, bumping against his groin deliberately. His sharp intake of breath made her smile. She glanced up, making sure he noticed the hook dangling from a length of rope tied to the high rail.
William reached for the hook and tested it. “This will not be quiet,” he told her. “You might cry out a little more than normal.”
“Then tie me up and gag me,” she said as she cast an innocent glance over her shoulder and then gestured to the cravat and the other things. His eyes widened farther. “That is what they are for.”
He nodded slowly.
It had taken Matilda some time to figure out what each length of red cloth was used for. She had studied the creases on each until she’d figured out William must enjoy binding women during sex. Since he’d not done so yet but often held her wrists, pinning her against the bed or walls, she decided he would probably like to do it with her one night.
This evening was the perfect moment to experiment, but time was short. “You do want to restrain me, don’t you, William?”
“Hell, woman.” He raked his hand through his hair and then shook his head. “I love you, Matilda. Even more than I thought possible.”
Her gown disappeared, corset and chemise too, until she was standing naked before him. His hand struck her bottom, and a pleasant burn warmed her cheeks.
He secured the first long silk tie around her body so it crossed between her breasts and tied it at her back. “I told you not to touch that chest.”
“Thank you for this perfect Christmas,” she whispered.
“My pleasure,” he said, winding another around her right thigh firmly. He reached for a third strip and tied it around her left leg. “Or it will be very soon.”
Matilda widened her stance, bent over the bed, prepared for more punishment.
He hooked his fingers in the silk band tied about her chest at the back and held her firmly in place. Then he spanked her with his hand until her legs trembled. Moisture coated her thighs, and her sex quivered with need by the time he stopped. She did not feel the cold, only the heat of her husband’s regard.
He drew her upright using the silk bonds, bound her wrists in front of her briskly, and then reached for the long white length of cloth. He twisted it between his hands and then pressed it to her lips. Matilda opened her mouth, accepting the gag, and breathed deeply through her nose as he secured it at the back of her head. Her mask slipped over her face next. She loved to wear her mask. It made her feel mysterious and safe all at once.
A rough growl left William’s throat as his skin pressed against her from behind. He was naked, aroused, and ready to punish her. His arms wrapped around her body instead. “Darling.”
Matilda couldn’t respond with the gag in her mouth, but lifted her arms up toward the hook. With his help, she dangled from the mooring point, her toes barely touching the ground.
“When the punishment becomes too much,” he whispered, “bring one knee up onto the bed. I will stop immediately.”
She nodded her understanding, excitement filling her with restlessness. She swayed from the hook, but the first light smack of the crop against her nipple caused her to groan. He brushed her body all over with the crop, sliding the leather between her legs too, and tapped lightly over her clitoris. Matilda moaned around the gag as her body b