At Wor

When the crowd left, Francesca passed Thomas a bag of pellets; he took a handful and held them out for Anne as she knelt.

It felt odd to be eating out of a man's hand, but he was patient and gentle with her; soon she had gone through the whole bag and smiled her thanks up at him. He ruffled her hair. Anne liked him.

Francesca described her plan to go jogging that afternoon and invited him to make a third; they agreed to meet in an hour. She took Anne back to her house, where she changed into a running outfit before leading Anne to the trail. Thomas was already there and she offered Anne's leash to him.

Thomas was in superb shape and could have run circles around the other two if he chose. Francesca was game but not up to his level; and months of confinement had taken their toll on Anne. Seeing this, Thomas slowed down and let Francesca run ahead.

Anne was ashamed of her condition but Thomas took no notice of it, matching his pace to hers and complimenting her on her form. She was profoundly grateful to him. He told her how much the sight of her pert little behind improved the view, and she grew warm at the thought of pleasing him.

Francesca waited for them to catch up at a crossing. "This is enough for the first day. Not a bad start," she added optimistically. "I hope Anne didn't hold you back too much."

"She did well enough. Anne was made for horizontal activities, I think. Let's rest here a minute and then set an easy pace back. A few weeks of this should have everyone tuned up. Why don't the two of you come over for dinner tonight?"

Francesca accepted for both of them. The group set off slowly for the starting point, and on reaching town dispersed to their homes. Anne lay on the floor of her cell until Francesca appeared in the doorway dressed for an evening out and walked her to his house.

He greeted them and apologized that he had nothing for Anne to eat. "No problem," said Francesca who pulled out a bag of feed. They all repaired to his living room, where Anne knelt as usual beside her mistress. He poured a glass of wine for himself and Francesca.

Turning to Anne he said "I haven't forgotten you; just a moment." He went into the kitchen and returned with a bowl of water, which he set on the floor. "I understand you like white Burgundy."

Anne blushed at the memory; she had told Francesca on the day they met about the role that beverage played in her seduction, or induction, into her present life. He poured a little wine in the bowl and stirred it into the water.

She leaned over and inhaled the fragrance. Thomas and Francesca chatted about the town and mutual interests while Anne listened or drank quietly from the bowl.

In time they had dinner. Anne knelt next to Francesca, and Thomas sat opposite them. He watched Anne lap her water. "Just like a cat," he observed. As he poured coffee for them he looked inquiringly at Francesca; at a nod from her he got out a saucer and poured a small quantity in it for Anne.

She beamed with pleasure at the unexpected treat, unknown since she gave herself to her first owner Paul.

She had almost forgotten what it was like to receive an atom of kindness from anyone but Francesca, and she wondered about this unprecedented relaxation of her discipline. It was probably a one-time event, Francesca would speak to him out of her hearing, but all the same it made the occasion special.

She snuggled up against his leg as he stood over her, and began to feel the stirrings of desire for him.

When they returned home Anne could tell her mistress was in a good mood as well, the stresses of her first week at work momentarily forgotten. She led Anne into her bedroom. Though deprived of the use of her hands, Anne had been trained to give pleasure without them and she soon had Francesca in the throes of physical ecstasy.

Her athletic owner returned the favor until Anne was unable to think straight.

After their passion was satisfied Francesca let her sleep on the carpet, this time secured to an eyebolt low in the wall. Unbidden images of Thomas came to her; Anne was mortified to harbor such thoughts in her owner's bedroom so soon after making love to her, but they would not be denied.

The sun rises early in June. Anne woke before six to find the room flooded with light and her mistress making little noises as though she were rooting for truffles in her sleep.

She had never heard Francesca snore; but she had rarely seen her owner sleeping. Anne reflected on how little she knew of her; not that it was any of her business, of course. After a short while the sleeper stretched, rolled over, and opened her eyes.

"Spend a good night, little one?"

"Oh yes, ma'am; like a log. Did you? And can I bring you anything?"

"Make that two logs then. And a cup of coffee would be nice; with a brioche, unless the mice found them first."

"I put them in a metal breadbox ma'am, and set a plate on top."

"I should have guessed you'd take care of them." She smiled. "For this I can get up." She rose and released Anne's leash and hands before climbing back in bed and pulling up the covers.

Anne took the butter out of the refrigerator to warm and retrieved a jar of honey. While the coffee brewed, she split and heated a brioche and spread the toppings on it. Putting both on a tray, she set it on a table beside Francesca's bed and crouched to await her next instructions.

"Looks like it's going to be a nice day; probably hot by afternoon. I think we'll exercise you on the frame and hit the trail in the morning, then stay inside out of the sun. You know, this evening I leave you in the care of Maria and Renee for a week."

Anne had not forgotten. She looked down in silence as Francesca considered her plans. "I don't think you'll come to any serious harm there. Maria has her ways but I think she knows her responsibilities, and you need harsher treatment than I can give you. I wonder why Renee changed her name; are you sure she used to be Nicole?"

"That's what Sir Nigel called her, ma'am. Maybe she took that name to please him, and after he disappeared she went back to her real name or chose another."

"Hm. Renee the reborn, but not changed much. I suppose I could send you to St. Agnes if Maria doesn't work out; but that's awfully expensive."

Anne shuddered at the thought of being returned to St. Agnes Academy where she had been trained in obedience and submission the previous year.

Francesca noticed and said "That's out then; I'd be broke and you'd be hamburger." The two women giggled despite themselves and enjoyed a quiet moment in each other's company.

Finishing her breakfast, Francesca rose to dress; Anne tried not to stare. Donning a track suit, she went to wash up while Anne removed the dishes and rinsed them in the sink. She led Anne out to the frame and stretched her in the familiar X position under the early-morning sun.

As she laid out the various whips and crops she planned to use that morning, she noticed a number of neighbors looking in their direction. She waved and went over to them, then returned shortly.

"We're going to have spectators this time; I invited them to bring chairs and watch up close. No reason not to share." As individuals and families settled in, Francesca worked Anne over extensively for the better part of an hour - Anne quickly lost track of time - with a variety of instruments.

Now that she had lost her shyness over being whipped naked in public, having an audience brought out the best in Anne. She responded to her owner's strokes with unusual sensitivity. At the conclusion, Francesca invited the audience to return the following weekend and bring their friends. She held a slow-running hose up for Anne to drink from, then left her to recuperate and went inside.

About fifteen minutes later, she lowered Anne from the frame before binding her hands and leashing her. "Now for the trail." Anne had recovered some, but it was a struggle to keep up at first. In time she regained her breath and tried to match Francesca's pace, though not without effort.

After a mile or so, she had an unexpected break as the two of them encountered Maria and Celeste strolling along the path. Anne and Celeste were leashed to a tree while their owners conferred privately. Francesca retrieved Anne and led her home at a brisk pace.

The afternoon was quiet; Anne was subdued at the thought of spending a week at the mercy of Maria and her household, and Francesca studied for her conference. After supper, she led Anne over to Maria's house and handed her the end of Anne's leash.

As soon as Francesca had left, Maria passed it to Renee as Celeste stood beside her and said "Oh, how I wish you were mine." And to Renee, "Take it downstairs."