Page 26 of Desire and Discipline
And he was just like his father. If Joseph had guessed anything about his parents’ relationship, he would have assumed his father took the lead—that Elijah was the one following in his father’s footsteps. But no… Joseph was.
The revelation was both humbling and reassuring.
Priscilla
Coming home from Catherine’s house, Priscilla felt as though her head was overstuffed with new knowledge and ideas. Things she wanted to do. All the advice Catherine had given her on navigating this new reality. What she might expect as she and Joseph explored these new desires. Things to try for both punishment and pleasure.
There were voices coming from the drawing room, which drew her in without thinking. Josie and Evie were clearly enjoying an afternoon together, with only each other for company. Priscilla’s lips quirked as she entered the room and saw them there.
Evie was sprawled out on the couch, shoes on the floor, feet on a cushion, her head propped up on one hand as she popped a biscuit into her mouth. Going by the crumbs on the tea tray, there had been quite a few, though they were down to the last couple. Across from her, Josie had also taken off her shoes and was curled up on the chair, feet tucked up beneath her, slumped against the back of the chair.
Both of them startled as she came through the door, then relaxed again, back into their positions. Priscilla could only shake her head. Though they were both adept at putting on the appearance of being proper ladies, it was certainly not their first instinct.
Which, after her conversation with Catherine, made her wonder what she might be like if she went by instinct rather than the manners that had been drilled into her. But she was comfortable with those manners, and thinking of sitting as Evie or Josie currently were made her feel uncomfortable, so that was an answer on its own.
She did not have to change everything at once, and she was her own person. She might never be as relaxed as they were outside of company, and that was perfectly fine as well.
“Priscilla! There you are.” Evie sat up, her knees bending and making space on the couch, which she gestured to so Priscilla could sit. “We were wondering where you had got to.”
“I went to visit Lady Cross,” Priscilla replied as she sat down, spreading her skirts neatly about her so they wouldn’t wrinkle. Both Evie and Josie’s skirts were already a lost cause, she noted with amusement. They would not venture out of the house in their current attire, and the butler had already informed her that Lady Josie had decided she was not at-home to visitors, so it was doubtful they cared about the state of their skirts.
“You did?” Josie’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “Why?”
“She invited me. She is going to… mentor me. In the ways of the Society.”
To Priscilla’s surprise, Josie scowled.
“We could do that,” Josie protested.
“You could mentor me in disciplining a man?” Priscilla asked, tilting her head. Perhaps she had misunderstood some of the previous conversations among her friends—or perhaps some things had been left out.
Josie hesitated.
“Well… no. But we can still help.” Josie pouted.
Priscilla could not help but laugh. It seemed her friend was feeling possessive of her, which was very sweet.
“I am sure you will help, but I think it will also be helpful for me to have someone whose… interests match mine so closely.”
“Is she going to tell you how to punish Joseph?” Evie asked in a bloodthirsty tone. From the edge to her voice, she still felt some anger at her cousin. Priscilla gave her a hard look.
“Joseph and I have already worked things out between ourselves, and I will not be discussing that aspect with you. I doubt you would want Anthony speaking of such things to Joseph or Elijah,” she said repressively. It was best to nip that in the bud right away. While there were certainly still things she wanted to share with her friends, she would not embarrass her husband by speaking of any of his punishments.
“I am fairly certain Elijah does not want that, either,” Josie mumbled.
Priscilla pressed her lips together to keep from smiling because Evie was still staring at her as though she expected Priscilla to break.
After a long moment, Evie sighed.
“That is a very good look,” she told Priscilla, before turning her head to Josie. “It is a good look, is it not?”
“Very intimidating.” Josie nodded approval. “Just as good as Elijah’s.”
Priscilla would ask why it did not have much of an effect, but she already knew—none of the ladies ever appeared intimidated by anyone other than their own husbands. Oh well, it had been worth a try.
“You two are incorrigible.” Priscilla shook her head.
“We are. We are also concerned friends. If you need any help dealing with Joseph…” Evie let her voice trail off, her eyes flashing with emotion. Priscilla reached out to take her friend’s hand, touched by the defense and that Evie had chosen her over her own cousin.
