Page 47 of The Duke's Pet

“I know what you’re thinking,” he said.

“You do?”

“Yes, that I am working and not paying you attention.”

“Well, yes, that did cross my mind.”

“I must work, my commitment to documenting in exact detail the fauna of the estate, of Yorkshire, is more than a job, it is a passion, a life ambition, and I find it a compulsion to keep chipping away at the mammoth task.”

“I understand.”

“But do you?”

“Yes.”

“Even though you always worked to survive on the farm.”

“Then and now. I am still working to survive.” She swallowed and stared at the big oak front door. “And yes, I understand that it is important for learned folk to understand and document the world around us.”

“I am pleased. That you feel that way.” He nodded at the huge window that was lit with sunshine. “The weather is quite warm,” he said when they reached the hallway. “And I, too, will lose some clothing.”

He shrugged out of his morning coat and hung it on a coat stand.

His shirt stretched over his broad shoulders and was tucked in neatly today at his waistband. He also wore black braces that clipped onto his pants. He reached for a shiny wooden cane, on the end of which was carved a lion’s head that matched that on the gates to Hillcrest.

“Now for our stroll,” he said, cupping her elbow. “And be sure to look after your tail.”

She walked at his side toward the door, the plug shifting a little with each step and the tail hanging behind her, brushing her legs. When she reached the dresser of trinkets she eyed the pheasants again. Surely one alone would be worth two pounds if it were solid silver, maybe more.

He ran his hand over the small of her back, then down over her ass. He grabbed the tail, pulling it very gently.

She gasped and bit on her bottom lip.

Damn it, I’ll take both of those pheasants. God will understand why.

“You appear to like my array of ornaments.”

“You live in a fine house.”

“With items of the like you have never seen before.” He pulled the tail up between them and swiped the tip over her nose.

“It’s true, some are unusual.” She twitched her nose; the blasted thing tickled.

“And worth a pretty penny, too.”

She pressed her lips together and glanced at the staircase. What she’d really like to do was run up there and hide in the bedchamber all day. Get away from the duke and away from the horrifying thought of being outside with a tail.

It’s okay, this time next week I’ll sell those pheasants and have made myself a handsome wage for this craziness.

“You do remember,” he said softly, “what I said about stealing?”

“Yes... Sir.” She struggled to return his eye contact, but managed... just.

“Good, because the punishment would be severe.” He leaned closer, so his cheek touched hers and his lips were by her ear. “And the very start of it would be not the plug in your ass, but my cock, hard and big and filling you in a way you’d never forget.”

She gasped and pulled back, horror coursing through her.

The right side of his mouth tipped, as though enjoying her shock.

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