Page 168 of Morally Gray Daddies

I did my best to look shy and overwhelmed, ducking my head slightly as if embarrassed by the attention. In truth, it wasn't hard to feign — I felt genuinely out of my depth.

"Alice, darling," Lord Adrian said, his voice pitched to carry. "Why don't you tell these nice people what you think of the museum?"

I swallowed hard, trying to remember my role. "Oh, it's simply magical!" I gushed, forcing enthusiasm into my voice. "Like something out of a storybook. I can hardly believe I'm really here!"

The reporters ate it up, cameras flashing as they captured my wide-eyed expression. I even thought I heard murmurs of "adorable" and "charming" from the crowd.

"And how did you two meet?" another journalist called out.

Lord Adrian's arm tightened around my waist. "It was quite by chance," he said smoothly. "I stumbled upon Alice having tea in a little garden cafe. She looked so enchanting, I simply had to introduce myself."

I nodded eagerly, playing along. "He was ever so gallant," I added, batting my eyelashes up at Lord Adrian. "Like a knight in shining armor."

The plug shifted inside me as I moved, and I had to fight to keep my expression innocent. Lord Adrian's fingers dug into my hip, a subtle warning.

"What a delightful story!" one of the reporters gushed. "And Alice, what do you think of the rumors about Lord Adrian's business dealings?"

I felt Lord Adrian tense beside me, but I didn't hesitate.

I blinked innocently, tilting my head in confusion. "Business dealings? Oh, I don't know anything about that," I said with a little laugh. "Daddy — I mean, Lord Adrian — doesn't talk to me about boring grown-up things like that. We have much more fun exploring Wonderland together!"

I saw Lord Adrian's lips twitch in amusement at my slip of calling him "Daddy", but the reporters seemed to find it endearing rather than suspicious. I definitely heard someone say "adorable.”

"And what do you think of the museum's new exhibit on Victorian childhood?" another journalist asked.

I clapped my hands together in apparent excitement. "Oh, I simply can't wait to see it! All those lovely dolls and toys… it will be like stepping back in time!" The irony of my words wasn't lost on me, given my current predicament.

Lord Adrian steered me towards the museum entrance, clearly deciding we'd given the press enough fodder for now. As we walked, I felt the plug inside me with each step, sending little sparks of sensation through my body. I struggled to maintain my innocent expression.

"Well done, young lady," Lord Adrian murmured in my ear as we entered the grand foyer. "You played your part perfectly. Now, let's make our rounds and charm the rest of the guests, shall we?"

Chapter Nine

Emily

The next few hours passed in a whirlwind of introductions, small talk, and feigned wonder at the museum's exhibits. I did my best to maintain the wide-eyed Alice persona, gushing over displays of Victorian toys and marveling at the ornate decorations. All the while, the plug in my bottom served as a constant, intimate reminder of my true status.

Lord Adrian kept me close by his side, his hand often resting possessively on the small of my back. To the other guests, it likely appeared as a gentlemanly gesture. But I knew the truth - it was a subtle claim of ownership, a reminder that beneath the Alice costume, I remained his little girl to do with as he pleased.

As we paused before a display of antique dolls, an older woman in an elaborate Queen of Hearts costume approached us.

"Adrian, darling!" she exclaimed, air-kissing his cheeks. "How delightful to see you. And who is this charming young lady?"

"Lady Edna, allow me to introduce Alice," Lord Adrian said smoothly. "Alice, this is Lady Edna Winthrop, an old family friend."

I curtsied awkwardly, my face flushing as the movement caused the plug to shift inside me. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my lady," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

The noblewoman's eyes raked over me, her expression a mixture of curiosity, suspicion, and disdain.

"How quaint," Lady Edna said, her tone dripping with condescension. "And tell me, dear, where did Adrian find such an… enchanting young companion?"

I felt Lord Adrian's hand tighten slightly on my waist. "As I was telling the press earlier, Lady Edna, Alice and I met quite by chance at a charming little garden cafe," he said smoothly. "It was as if she had stepped right out of the pages of Carroll's book."

I nodded eagerly, channeling Alice's wide-eyed innocence. "Oh yes, it was like a fairy tale! Lord Adrian was ever so kind to invite me to this wonderful party."

Lady Edna's eyes narrowed slightly. "Indeed. And what is it you do, Alice dear? Aside from playing dress-up, of course."

I felt my cheeks flush hot at her thinly veiled insult. "Oh, I… I'm between jobs at the moment," I stammered, suddenly unsure how to respond. "But I love to read and explore museums like this one!"

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