Beside him, Lady Pennington stiffened. He looked over the young woman upon Mistress Brownwen’s leash. She possessed similar flaxen curls to Lady Pennington but a more slender form. The two would look enchanting together.
“I think it a capital idea,” he replied.
After waiting till all the other guests had settled, he took a seat in an armchair and had Mrs. Pennington sit with her legs bent beneath her. In the center of the room, a man by the name of Master Troy was to demonstrate his flogging techniques upon his submissive, a Spanish beauty with large breasts.
“What think you of Mistress Brownwen’s pet?” Cedman whispered to Lady Pennington.
The young woman rested like a dog upon its hindquarters at the feet of Mistress Brownwen, who sat upon a sofa near them.
“She is comely,” was the rather indifferent acknowledgment he received. Mrs. Pennington kept her gaze upon Master Troy, who had unfurled his cat-o-nine tails.
“Would you like to play with her?”
“I am partial to your sex, Master Ashley.”
“And mine alone?”
“Yes, Master Ashley.”
“That is an unnecessary deprivation.”
“I do not feel its loss.”
“Then you have never played with another of your own?”
“Never.”
“Then we shall rectify that tonight.”
She glanced sharply at him.
“You appear displeased again, Mrs. Pennington.”
“I would much rather…”
He gave her a hard stare. “Perhaps you wish to call off our arrangement?”
“No. I…I will do whatever pleases you, Master Ashley.”
Disappointed that she was not to withdraw her conditions, he gestured at Mistress Brownwen. “My pet wishes to play with yours.”
“Miss Cecilia would be delighted.”
Miss Cecilia sat up and faced Lady Pennington, who made no movement, as if frozen. Perhaps she was at a loss for what to do. If she was an experienced member of the Red Chrysanthemum, she should be accustomed to the notion of a woman pleasuring another woman. But if she should be repulsed by one of her own sex, all the better.
"Perhaps we should start with a kiss," he suggested. "Go on now, my pet."
Miss Cecilia sat at attention. Lady Pennington still made no movement. Mistress Brownwen raised her brows.
"Do not make me look poorly," he threatened her ladyship.
With apparent reluctance, she leaned toward Miss Cecilia and quickly brushed her lips to the latter.
"Come, you can do better than that. Take her head into your hands and press your mouth to hers. Savor the softness of her lips. Taste them inside and out."
She trembled a little but did as he bid. Cupping Miss Cecilia's jaw, she put her mouth to hers once more. Miss Cecilia parted her lips and flicked her tongue at Lady Pennington, who reared back in surprise. But knowing that he expected more, she inched her mouth back in place and received the other woman’s attention. It was an awkward kiss but titillating all the same.
"Kiss her harder," he directed.