Page 67 of The Duke's Pet

All thoughts of reading and writing, drawing and weaving left her. The duke had a fabulous ass. If she could get away with it, she’d feel it all over, kiss it and squeeze it. Learn the shape and texture of his buttocks so she’d never forget.

He reached for his undergarments and held them over his cock. “I will get ready for the day in the adjacent room, when I have finished you may do the same.”

“Yes, Sir.” She licked her lips, still thinking of kissing his ass.

“And then come downstairs, naked.”

“Naked.”

“You heard.”

He left the room and she flopped back on the bed. She hoped she’d have a reprieve from the tail today. The painted-on nose and whiskers she could handle.

Gingerly she felt her ass. There were still faint raised lines from the cane. She’d have to be sure not to get another punishment.

After ten minutes, and listening to water splashing, she heard the door in the adjacent room open and close.

Reluctant to leave the warm soft bed, but knowing she must for the sake of her stomach and her ass, she did. Before heading to the water closet, she stood at the window.

Dew glistened on the lawn and several rabbits nibbled the grass beneath a huge pine tree that stretched into the blue sky. To the right she spotted a deer, standing with its head up, as if on high alert, and in the air a buzzard soared.

It was good to be here at Hillcrest and it made her happy. But she knew she mustn’t get used to waking up in the duke’s arms, or having food served to her every few hours. Because soon she’d have to face real life again. She’d have to lie back and be touched by vile men, men who stank and sickened her.

I don’t think I can do it.

But what choice did she have?

The pheasants. She’d have to take them. Do as Emily had suggested and make her own wage if Madam wasn’t paying her...

So yes, she’d have some cash after this week. She could use that to set herself up somewhere else, get a job that didn’t involve selling her body. That would be much better. When she left Hillcrest she wouldn’t be at death’s door anymore. She’d have a few pounds, which would be the means to implement a plan of a more honorable, Godly life path.

“Yes,” she said aloud. “I will find another way, a better way and I’m sure He will forgive me for one small sin.”

By the time Jemima was walking down the stairs, albeit naked apart from the collar and necklace, she was feeling more positive about the future. A smile had spread on her face that went right to her heart.

And when she went into the warm quiet study, the duke seemed to sense this. “You are looking stronger each day, my little kitten.”

“Thank you.” She ran her hand over her breasts, enjoying the way his attention followed her movements.

He shook his head, as if remembering something. “Come eat. You must be hungry.”

“Yes. I am.”

A breakfast tray had been set beside the fire, and the duke fussed, making sure she liked the eggs and that the tea was to her taste.

“It is all wonderful,” she said. “Really, all of it.”

“Good. I want it to be exactly right for you.” He nodded at his easel. “I have work to do, but when you have finished eating, you, too, have work.”

“I do?”

“Yes. I have more reading lessons for you.”

“I am pleased and ready to learn.”

He smiled then stepped up to his table and began scrabbling through a box of brushes.

Jemima ate everything that was on the tray, enjoying the taste of every morsel.

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