Page 65 of Innocence Tamed
I couldn’t deny the truth of her words. Each humiliation, each painful lesson had driven me deeper into a submission I’d never known I craved. The shame of it still burned, but beneath that shame lay something profound—a sense of rightness, of belonging.
“Come,”MadameDubois said, helping me to my feet. “Let’s get you ready for dinner.Monsieuris waiting.”
She led me back into the bedroom, where she retrieved the black lingerie set from earlier. I bit my lip asMadameDubois expertly fastening the hooks of the basque up my spine, cinching my waist and pushing my breasts up until they threatened to spill over the lacy cups.
“The stockings as well?” I asked, glancing at the sheer black nylons.
“Of course,” she replied. “Monsieurappreciates attention to detail.”
I sat on the edge of the bed as she rolled the stockings up my legs, attaching them to the suspenders with practiced skill. I stepped back into the tiny panties, wincing as the delicate lace brushed against my tender flesh. The high heels completed the ensemble, transforming me from punished girl to something more deliberately seductive.
“Perfect,”MadameDubois pronounced, stepping back to assess her work. “Now remember,Mademoiselle—your punishment is complete. Dinner is a reward, not a continuation of your discipline.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady myself. The thought of sitting through a formal dinner wearing only lingerie still mortified me, but after what had transpired in the library, it seemed almost tame by comparison.
“Thank you,” I said softly. “For everything.”
MadameDubois smiled, a rare softening of her usually professional demeanor. “You’re welcome,Mademoiselle. Now, shall we go down?Monsieurdoesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
I followed her out of the Lavender Suite and down the grand staircase, acutely aware of how exposed I felt in just the lingerie. Each step in the high heels made my body sway in ways that emphasized my femininity, my vulnerability. The welts from the cane still throbbed beneath the tiny panties, a constant reminder of my submission.
As we approached the dining room, I heard the low murmur of male voices. My heart raced, my palms suddenly damp with nervous perspiration.MadameDubois paused at the doorway, giving me an encouraging nod before announcing our arrival.
“MademoiselleCampbell,Monsieur,” she said formally.
I stepped into the room, my eyes immediately finding Pierre. He sat at the head of the elegant table, still in his dinner jacket, looking every inch the aristocratic master of the chateau.MonsieurDubois stood nearby, a decanter of wine in his hands. Both men turned to look at me, their gazes traveling over my scantily clad form with undisguised appreciation.
“Audrey,” Pierre said, his voice warm with approval. “You look exquisite. Come, sit beside me.”
He gestured to the chair at his right. I crossed the room on trembling legs, feeling the weight of their eyes as I moved. The cool air of the dining room moved over my exposed skin, making my nipples tighten against the lace of the basque.
Pierre stood as I approached, pulling out my chair with old-world courtesy that seemed bizarrely at odds with my state of undress. I sat carefully, wincing slightly as my tender bottom made contact with the cushioned seat.
“Wine forMademoiselle, Etienne,” Pierre instructed, resuming his own seat.
MonsieurDubois stepped forward, filling my glass with a deep ruby liquid. “A Château Margaux, 2010,” he informed me. “One ofMonsieur’s favorites.”
I murmured my thanks, taking a small sip to steady my nerves. The wine was exquisite, rich and complex on my tongue. Across the table,MadameDubois began serving the first course—a delicate soup that smelled of herbs and butter.
“Did you enjoy your riding lesson today, Audrey?” Pierre asked conversationally, as if inquiring about a perfectly normal activity.
I nearly choked on my wine, the memory of being naked astrideÉtoileflooding back with vivid clarity. “It was… educational,Monsieur,” I managed, my cheeks heating.
“I thought so,” he replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You have natural talent, though your posture will need work. I’ve asked Etienne to schedule regular lessons during your stay.”
My stomach fluttered at the thought of more ‘riding lessons’ like today’s. Would the Duboises be present for those as well? The idea should have horrified me, yet I couldn’t deny the shameful excitement it provoked.
“What do you think of the soup?” Pierre asked, changing the subject with practiced ease.
“It’s delicious,” I replied truthfully, grateful for the momentary reprieve from more provocative topics. Every bite seemed to have every possible delicious thing in it: onions, leeks, even luscious bacon that somehow both gave its smoky note to the soup as a whole and retained a bit of extra, pleasantly chewy flavor in each lardon.
“Aimee’s specialty,” Pierre said with an appreciative nod toward the housekeeper. “A family recipe passed down through generations. So ancient it doesn’t even have a name—we just call it country soup.”
The meal progressed with surprising normality, despite my state of undress. Pierre directed the conversation toward art, literature, and music, drawing me out on topics I felt comfortable discussing. The Duboises served each course with professional efficiency, their eyes occasionally lingering on my exposed flesh, but their demeanor remaining perfectly composed.
By the time the roast arrived I had almost forgotten my near-nakedness. The wine had relaxed me, and Pierre’s genuine interest in my opinions had made me feel valued in ways that transcended the physical.
“Audrey,” Pierre said asMonsieurDubois poured coffee, “I’ve been thinking about your work at Energy Partners.”
