Page 170 of Morally Gray Daddies

I felt my cheeks burn even hotter. "Oh, I'm fine," I said, trying to inject some of Alice's cheerfulness into my voice. "Just a bit overwhelmed by all the excitement!"

Lord Adrian's hand came to rest on my thigh under the table, squeezing gently. A warning.

"Indeed," he said smoothly. "Alice is still getting used to high society events. It's all quite new to her."

The gentleman — whose real name, I learned, was Sir Geoffrey — leaned in conspiratorially.

"Well, my dear," he said with a wink, "the key is to just relax and enjoy yourself. We're all friends here."

I nodded, trying to smile despite my discomfort. "Thank you, Sir Geoffrey. Everyone has been so kind."

As the first course was served, I found myself struggling to participate in the conversation. The wet diaper chafed uncomfortably with every small movement, and the plug seemed to make its presence known with each shift in my posture. Lord Adrian's hand remained on my thigh, alternating between soothing strokes and warning squeezes when I fidgeted too much.

Lady Edna kept shooting suspicious glances my way, her eyes narrowing each time I stumbled over my words or blushed at an innocent comment. I could tell she didn't quite buy the innocent Alice act.

"So, Alice dear," she said during a lull in the conversation, "tell us more about your background. Where did you grow up? What does your family do?"

I felt Lord Adrian's fingers dig into my thigh as panic fluttered in my chest. We hadn't discussed a backstory beyond our chance meeting.

"Oh, well," I began hesitantly, "I grew up in a small town. In America, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. Nothing terribly exciting, I'm afraid. And my family… they're quite ordinary. My father works in an office, and my mother stays home."

Lady Edna's eyebrow arched skeptically.

"How... quaint," Lady Edna said, her tone dripping with disdain. "And what brought you to England, my dear? Surely not just the chance to play dress-up with Adrian?"

I felt my cheeks flush hot at her thinly veiled insult. Lord Adrian's hand tightened on my thigh in warning.

"I… I've always loved English literature," I stammered, trying to channel Alice's wide-eyed innocence. "I came here hoping to see all the places I'd read about in books. It's been like stepping into a fairy tale!"

Lady Edna's eyes narrowed further. "Indeed. And how convenient that you happened to stumble upon a wealthy lord to fund your little adventure."

I opened my mouth to protest, but Lord Adrian cut in smoothly.

"Now, now, Edna," he chided gently. "There's no need for that. Alice has been a delightful companion. Her enthusiasm for our culture is quite refreshing."

He squeezed my thigh again, this time in what felt like reassurance. I gave him a grateful smile, though inside I was a mess of conflicting emotions. The wet diaper, the plug, the constant need to maintain this facade — it was all becoming overwhelming.

Just then, a waiter appeared to clear our plates. As he reached across me, his elbow accidentally jostled my arm. I jerked in surprise, causing the plug to shift dramatically inside me. I barely managed to stifle a gasp at the shockwave of sensation traveling through my body. My face flushed hot, and I gripped the edge of the table, trying desperately to maintain my composure.

"Are you quite alright, dear?" Lady Edna asked, her eyes glittering with barely concealed suspicion.

"I'm... I'm fine," I stammered, forcing a smile. "Just a bit startled, that's all."

Herr Stier, to my left, leaned over and murmured in my ear, “I shouldn’t wonder, with that Lady tormenting you to get at your companion. Courage, my dear: Lord Adrian did well to come tonight, and to bring you. I’m a real-life Swiss banker, as tired and pompous as that sounds, and… well, we know these things.”

“She is awful, isn’t she?” I whispered back. “I like Lord Adrian very much, but…”

“Yes?” prompted Herr Stier.

“Well…,” I started.

I hardly realized that my voice had begun to rise in volume with the gradual increase in ambient noise in the hall. As I continued, though, I suddenly became aware that a lull had arisen in the conversation among Lord Adrian, Lady Edna, and Sir Geoffrey. My next words, already begun, would be clearly audible to them, and the glass of wine I had drunk kept me from caring, though a moment later I knew I should have cared very much indeed.

“The rest of the British are just… insufferable.”

Chapter Ten

Lord Adrian

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