Belinda fought to keep her composure. They’d barely made it to the theater in time for the curtain rising, but there were people in the lobby, and they were staring and pointing. She tried to tell herself she didn’t care, but truthfully she did.

They’d taken their seats in Buxton’s box and Jonathan’s friends had greeted her warmly. The men looked amused at her dress and the ladies had looked a little shocked. It wasn’t meant for the theater, Belinda knew, but Jonathan had not given her time to change.

She had hoped he’d cancel their appearance but once again he’d surprised her with his actions.

Now that intermission was here, he and his male friends were standing in a group, their heads together, and Belinda was standing with their ladies. She felt uncomfortable, especially since Clarissa was with them.

The memory of being over Jonathan’s knee, with Clarissa and Andrew watching, still flamed up every time she saw the duchess. The memory made her blush furiously. Not a one of them had mentioned the dress, and she was glad for it.

Several other ladies that Belinda recognized joined them, and the conversation turned to the play.

They broke into smaller groups, all clustered around each other and Belinda was surprised when Clarissa pulled her aside.

“We haven’t really had a chance to talk,” the duchess whispered.

“I am fine, thank you, your Grace.” Belinda started to turn, but stopped when Clarissa put her hand on her arm.

“Please, I would like to put everything in the past. I hope you know that.”

“It is over, as far as I’m concerned. I was sincere in my apologies.”

“I understand. I would like…” Clarissa stopped talking when two others ladies joined their conversation.

“Lady Strauss,” said Lady Wince. “Your dress is unique.”

“Why thank you. Jonathan selected it, although I don’t know why, seeing as how he’s impotent. Perhaps he hopes it will help with the problem.”

The circle of ladies, including several ladies standing around them, grew quiet.

“I, um…” Lady Wince stammered.

“Oh yes, he’s not lifted a finger toward me, which is rare. I can only guess that he can’t perform as a man should and hopes that the dress will rouse that which has lain dormant for the last few weeks. Who knows, perhaps it’s lain asleep for longer than that.”

She shrugged her shoulders and took a drink of her lemonade. The looks she received showed that she’d hit home. Her words would reach Jonathan’s ears before the end of the play. Perhaps then, when he’d learned that she’d questioned his manhood, he’d allow her to be freed from this ridiculous arrangement.

She glanced at Clarissa, who stared at her as if she’d just spouted treason. Belinda looked away so fast her head spun. She gasped for air and put her hand on her chest.

“Are you all right, Lady Strauss?” Lady Wince asked.

“Just feeling a little woozy,” she said. “Either that or I’m just lamenting the fact that my protector is less than a man. It’s such a shame really. He is far too young to have this sort of problem. One can only wonder what he will be like later in life.”

Clarissa took her arm and said, “We should get back to our box, Lady Strauss. I’m sure the men are waiting for us.”

“Of course, your Grace,” Clarissa said. “We wouldn’t want to keep them waiting.”

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Clarissa said when they were away from the ladies. “More importantly, why did you do that?”

Belinda wanted to tell her it was the truth, but she kept her mouth closed. Telling Clarissa the true reason would not be good, either.

“We want to hurry,” she said instead. “We want to get there before the second act begins.”

Over on the other side of the room, Jonathan watched the ladies with interest. It seemed as if Belinda was behaving herself. She was laughing and smiling. When the group suddenly went quiet he felt his blood run cold. What had she said? He knew it had to have been her, because the other ladies were staring at her with shocked faces.

He watched Lady Monroe break away from the group and hurry toward her husband, where she whispered in his ear. Her husband burst into laughter and pulled her close for a half hug. When it broke, the man purposely strode toward Jonathan.

“Did you and your lady have a fight, Barton?”

“Excuse me?”

Around him, the members of the Club stopped and listened.

“She’s angry with you. She’s questioning your prowess between her legs. Seems she just told the group around her that you’re impotent. Not that I believe it, of course. You need to bring your brat to heel before she ruins your reputation, and your chances for a good match.”

He laughed as he walked off, and Jonathan felt his blood boil. Never once had anyone ever questioned his manhood. For Belinda to suggest that he was impotent was more than an insult. It was a disgrace that could harm him for some time to come.

“I told you to take her to your bed,” Buxton said with a laugh. “A lady like that needs to be tumbled often. She’s just letting you know that.”

“Hmm, I don’t think so,” Ellington said. “I think she’s trying to push you away. Perhaps you’ve done all you can and should let her go.”

“No,” Jonathan replied. “I will not. If I do that, then people will think her words are true. If you’ll excuse me, I need to leave for a bit. Please keep an eye on her, Ellington. I will return before the end of the play.”

Ellington nodded and Jonathan moved to walk off.

“What are you going to do?” Andrew stopped him.

“I’m going to teach her another lesson, but not tonight. I have to set it up first.”

He went downstairs and borrowed pen and paper from the theater manager. He wrote several notes, and then went outside to find a messenger. Once he was assured the notes would be delivered to his butler, he straightened his coat and went back inside.

When he took his place beside Belinda she frowned at him. He narrowed his eyes and was rewarded with a look of uncertainty from the lady.

“Where have you been?”

“Why do you care?”

“I just…”

“Hush, and watch the play.”

“But…”

“I said, hush.” His voice was low with barely controlled anger.

She closed her mouth and turned her eyes toward the stage. Jonathan looked down at her hands, clasped in her lap. Then, he looked back at her face. He could tell she was nervous, that she knew she’d pushed things just a little too far.

Now, she would have to suffer the consequences, and he would have to fight to keep people from believing the rumor she’d started was true. He just hoped that he could do it quickly.

Belinda stretched her arms above her head and smiled. It had worked. Jonathan had been so furious with her last night that he’d barely spoken to her in the carriage on the way home. He’d seen her to her door and then turned on his heels quickly.

She laughed out loud. She’d shown him who was the boss in their relationship. He might be able to spank her, but he couldn’t stop her from living her own life. Now that she’d branded him impotent he had no choice but to drop her from his life.

She was sure he would be by today to sever their ties. She was sure that soon afterwards he would find himself a suitable bride, marry and make lots of babies. That would show society that he was a man, in the true sense of the word.

Belinda knew he was a man, but saying otherwise had been to her good. She gathered her pillow close in a hug and laughed. She would sell the house as quickly as possible. Then, she would move. The more she thought about it, the more she thought Scotland was the place to go. There, she would be free of her reputation and she could find a proper husband.

A loud noise from downstairs made her sit up. Jonathan’s voice drifted through her closed door seconds before it burst open.

“Get up. You have one hour.”

“What?”

“We are leaving, you and I, for some time in the country. You have one hour to pack. If you waste that hour then you’ll go with nothing. It won’t matter to me if you spend the entire time we’re gone roaming my home naked.”

“You cannot…” No, no, no! This wasn’t going as she’d planned.

“One hour!” He looked as if he could curdle milk with one look. “Merry!”

The maid appeared in the doorway.

“Pack milady’s bags, quickly. And you.” He pointed at Belinda and she felt her heart stop. “Get dressed. If you think I’m joking about this just try me. You’ll find that I’m not impotent in all things.”

“You cannot order my maid to do things!” But she was speaking to an empty spot. He had left the room as quickly as he’d entered. She ran out behind him, following him down the stairs.

“You can’t do this to me! You don’t own me!”

“In the eyes of society, I do.” He stopped on the stairs. He turned to her and she took a few steps back. Perhaps she had misjudged things just a bit. If she could go back to last night she would change what had happened, try something different. But it was too late for that.

“I’m sorry to inform you that the gossip sheets will spill the word this morning that Lord Barton is taking his mistress to the country for a little air. She is not feeling well, and needs to spend some time alone with her lover.”

“I hate you! I hate you!” Belinda had no doubt that he’d do as he said and make her go naked.

“So you’ve said,” he called out as he went down the remainder of the stairs. “You are using what little time you have screaming at me. If I have to carry you to the carriage naked it will make for entertaining reading in the gossip rags.”

“Where are you taking me?” She yelled at his retreating back.

“Less than an hour now!” Jonathan’s voice drifted back to her. Seconds later the front door slammed and Belinda slumped against the stairs. Dear heavens, what had she done?

“Where are you taking me?” Belinda sat in a corner of the carriage, wringing her hands in her lap.

“You would be wise not to speak to me until we arrive.”

“Arrive where?”

“Don’t push me, Belinda. I am so angry with you that there is no telling where your words will take us. Do I make myself clear?”

“You cannot expect…”

“Enough!” His harsh word filled the carriage and she flinched. “I will not tell you again.”

He turned back to the window and studied the landscape as Belinda fumed.

She’d had half a mind to disobey his order about packing, but she knew that he’d been telling the truth. If she hadn’t done it she would have left with nothing.

He’d returned in exactly one hour. The packing wasn’t half done but he’d ordered the bags closed and loaded onto the carriage. Then he’d handed Belinda inside and sat opposite from her. He’d remained silent until their exchange just moments ago.

They stopped for food at an inn, and Belinda knew they were nearing Bath. They didn’t speak during the meal, and after Jonathan had helped her back into the carriage she heard the driver say they’d be at their destination in two more hours.

After eating, she wondered how she could get out of what was about to happen. It would be easier if she knew what was about to happen. She was sure that whatever it was, she wouldn’t be happy about it.

Two hours later, the carriage rolled through the gates of a country estate.

“Where are we?” she whispered.

“At my country home. It was a gift from my father. I told you, Belinda, I am not without resources.”

“Why are we here?” She hated places like this. They were so far away from civilization. If she decided to run during the middle of the night it would take her forever to get anywhere; and what devilry would she face on the road as she ran from the man who was supposed to be her protector?

A little voice in her mind told her she had no one to blame but herself, but she didn’t want to believe it. She wanted to blame him for everything. It was all his fault, not hers. He was the one trying to take control of her life.

“To teach you some manners.”

“Jonathan…”

“I realize you don’t like me, Belinda, and that you’re angry with me about your spankings. But you can’t say what you said the other night and not expect some reaction from me.” At least he sounded calmer now. “There are consequences.”

“Did you bring me out here to beat me?”

“No. I don’t beat women. I did bring you out here to spank you, yes. But it is obvious to me that spankings alone will not do as I planned. So I’ve devised a few more punishments that will, hopefully, teach you a lesson. When we’re done, we’ll go back to London and spend a respectable amount of time together to allow my reputation to recover. Then, I will release you from your obligation.”

“How many is a few?” She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer to that, but it was something that needed to be asked.

“How ever many I think it takes.”

“That’s your answer to everything,” she said.

“Then why do you ask when you already know the answer?”

Jonathan wanted to spank her right now, but he knew that his anger was still too fresh. He needed to get a grip on his feelings. Then he could take her over his knee. First things, first, though. He needed to make sure that she knew who was the boss in this situation.

They stood in his bedroom, her hands were on her hips and fury was in her eyes. It almost made him laugh.

“I want my own room.”

“Sorry, Belinda, but I am unable to accommodate your request. You will stay in here, with me.”

“So you can prove me wrong? I told you you’d never touch me in that manner.”

“No, I have no intention of having sex with you. You being here will simply allow me to keep an eye on you, the whole time we are here. Now, take your clothing off to your corset.”

“I thought you said you didn’t want me that way.” Belinda flashed him a coy look.

“What I want is for you to be somewhat uncomfortable, as I have been since last night. Shall I call in a maid, or will you do it yourself?”

“I am quite able to undo my own clothing.” She undid her stays and stepped out of her dress. When she was down to her corset and stockings, she reached to undo the laces on the stockings.

“Stop. That is far enough.” He clenched his hands into fists. “Do you see that corner over there?”

He pointed to a corner he’d ordered cleared of everything. When she nodded, he smiled.

“Walk to it and stand there, with your face turned toward the wall.”

“You can’t be serious. You expect me to stand in the corner, like a child?”

“If you act like a child you’ll be treated like one. I would rather spank you right now but you wouldn’t want that. My anger is still too raw. Believe me, you will thank me for this small punishment.”

“And if I refuse?”

He narrowed his eyes. “I wouldn’t, if I were you.”

Several emotions flittered across her face. Then she threw up her hands in disgust and walked to the corner, her arms crossed in front of her chest.

“Stand up straight, hands locked together behind you.”

“Jonathan!”

“Now!”

She complied. Jonathan stood still for a few moments, to make sure she would do as he said. Then he began to unpack the bag he’d brought upstairs. Soft crying sounds soon filled the room.

“Cry all you want, Belinda. You brought this on yourself.”

After he was done unpacking the bag, he sat in a chair and watched her. Twenty minutes passed, then twenty-five. She started to prance, moving from one foot to another.

“Uncomfortable?”

“Yes. I need to move.”

“Not yet. Stand still, or I’ll lengthen the time.”

After thirty minutes, he called her toward him.

“Do you see the items on the bed? Go over there and pick two.”

She didn’t look at them, instead she rubbed her shoulders, which he was sure ached from being held in the same position for too long.

“Why?”

“The two you pick will be the ones I use to spank you while were here. Choose wisely, Belinda, or I will choose for you.”

Belinda stared at him. She couldn’t believe what he’d just said.

“Take me back to London.” She strode to the door and pulled on the knob. It didn’t give, though. The cretin had locked it.

“Very well, I will choose for you.” He stood and walked toward the bed. She hurried after him, tension gripping her stomach. No one had ever treated her this way before. She’d always managed to be on top in every relationship she’d ever been in. She’d even cajoled Melbourne into giving her trinkets he couldn’t afford. She realized too late they were things he had taken from his wife. She’d realized too late that he was not only stealing from Clarissa, but other people he knew. Still, she loved him. She couldn’t help but love him, even after everything came out about him.

“Choose, Lady Brat.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Why? You continue to act like it. It’s only fitting.”

She lowered her gaze to the bed and gasped at the items she saw. Lethal looking canes and straps of leather. He meant to use these on her? He wouldn’t dare!

“No, I won’t.”

“Fine. I select this.” He picked up the riding crop and held it in front of her face. “And, let’s see. How about…”

“No! I’ll do it.” She quickly grabbed the hairbrush and the short piece of leather that looked less lethal than its brothers. “Use these if you must be a brute.”

“Very well, the three of them will do nicely.”

“You said two!” She reached for the crop and he pulled it away from her.

“You were too slow, so we’ll go with the three.”

“You can’t do this to me.”

“Did you think about what you could or couldn’t do last night when you told everyone near you I was impotent?”

“I will make it right, I promise. Please.” She crowded close to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She traced her lips along his chin. “Please.”

“As attractive as your offer is, I’m afraid I must decline.” He put his hands on her hips and gently pushed her backwards. “Go to bed, Lady Brat. The harsher punishments start in the morning.”

Belinda cuddled into the hard chest next to her. It had been so long since she’d woken up next to a man that she’d forgotten how wonderful it felt. She glanced down and blushed. Her statements about Barton had been erroneous. He wasn’t impotent. In fact, he was quite impressive.

She ran her hand down his chest toward his morning erection. She was inches away from her goal when his hand grabbed hers and stopped her progress.

“That’s not why we’re here, Lady Brat.”

“But I can help you with it.” She tried to pull her hand from his grasp.

“Thank you, but no.”

“Do you not want me because of my past?”

“Who said I didn’t want you?”

She sat up and stared at him.

“If you want me, why won’t you let me touch you?”

“Because, Lady Brat, we’re here because of your behavior. If I wanted only to bed you, we could have stayed in London.”

“Then you’re going to spank me now?” Her voice quivered.

“Not just yet. Part of the punishment is waiting for it, not exactly knowing when your spanking is coming. I may use the implements we picked, or I may not. I may spank you several times a day, or I may only do it once. You won’t know what is going to happen, or when it is going to happen. I will.”

“You must hate me with all your being.”

“On the contrary, Belinda, I find you quite appealing. On the other hand, I find your behavior quite appalling.”

“So if my behavior were better?”

“Tell me, Belinda, have you always been a brat?”

Oh how she hated that word! “That is none of your business. And I’m not a brat!” She leaned down to slap his chest. He grabbed her wrist and quickly turned her so she was flat on her back, and he on top of her.

“You are, and you know it. Tell me when it started.”

“Get off me!” She put up a halfhearted effort to push him off, then quickly lifted her lips toward his. He pulled away just before they met, and at that time there was a knock on the door.

“Come!”

“No, get off me!” She struggled in vain. Who else was here? Were the Ellingtons here? The Essexes? The McIntyres? Or, worse yet, Clarissa and Andrew? “Please, don’t let whoever it is come in!”

Belinda peered over his shoulder to see a man walk into the room.

“Milord. Welcome home.”

“Thank you, Mathias.”

“Milady.” He nodded at Belinda, who crouched down further. “Will you want breakfast here, or in the morning room, sir?”

“The morning room will be fine,” Jonathan replied. “We’ll be down shortly.”

“Yes, sir.” The man called Mathias left, and Belinda collapsed under Jonathan.

“I can’t believe you let him in while we are still in bed.”

Jonathan laughed.

“I need a maid.”

He stood and walked toward the end of the bed. Belinda feasted her eyes on his erection, which still rode hard against his stomach.

He pulled on a robe and opened the door to shout for the maid. When the young girl entered, he smiled.

“Help Lady Brat into her corset and stockings.” He turned to Belinda. “You may wear that, and a robe to breakfast. If you have other clothing on, I will be displeased.”

He left the room before she could respond. She lifted the pillow and screamed into it. Then she dropped it and, to her surprise, she laughed. No man had ever, ever told her what to do. She found that she almost liked it. Jonathan made her heart beat faster, and made her quim quiver. She might still hate him, technically, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t explore a new facet of their relationship, if she could talk him into it.

She hugged the pillow and sighed. She knew that offering herself would only seem like a bribe to him. She didn’t want him to think that of her. For the first time in her life she wanted to go to bed with a man because she wanted to, not because she wanted to see what she could get out of him in the way of gifts or trinkets.

But she was at a loss on how to do that. Maybe if she tried hard enough, Barton would come to the realization that she wasn’t a bad person, and he would make the first move. She just had to behave herself. And she had to take his punishments, which she knew she had coming to her.