Just a demonstration.

Roland's arm stopped midstroke, right by her ear, the tip of the crop vibrating with an audible hum. Ian began freeing her hands, while Anthony reached up and removed her blindfold. "Diane, is something wrong?"

Mrs. Nesbeth still had her eyes closed and rubbed at her wrists, taking long slow breaths. With another long exhale, she opened her eyes and took Anthony's cheek with her hand. "No, there's nothing wrong. I just wanted to show Mr. McKay that my safety if your priority and that you will stop when I told you to," she smiled before fixing her gaze upon me. "Have your concerns been addressed, Mr. McKay?"

"Dear God above," I gasped, running my hand slowly down my face. It came away cold, clammy and trembling. "They, they have, Mrs. Nesbeth. I, I just need a moment."

"Take all the time you need, Mr. McKay," Roland said, hopping off the table and pouring me a glass of wine. Rather rudely, I snatched it out of his hand and drained it, willing it to steady my nerves quickly.

My unease must have been extremely evident, as Mrs. Nesbeth hummed in thought. "Boys," she said, "I think that we should put the crops away. This is Mr. McKay's first exposure to how things are done in this house and perhaps it might be a bit much for him."

Her husbands exchanged looks with each other and they all shrugged. "Fine by us," Roland said, picking up the crop he had been using on her, "but, for Mr. McKay's sake, would you like to to have all been listening or for one of us to have not been paying attention?"

My head snapped up. She had just told them to not use them, they all clearly heard her, and yet, Roland had the audacity to ask her if they could ignore her request. Mrs. Nesbeth pouted, took another look at me and said, "I would like for you to put the crops away and hang the key up."

Obediently, Ian collected the riding crops and placed them all in a nearby chest. Securing it with a heavy lock, he showed me the key and hung it on a nail just above the chest before returning to the table. "There you are, Mr. Mckay," Mrs. Nesbeth smiled, "the most damaging items have been put away. Now, if its alright with you, may we resume?"

By this time, I had just finished my fourth glass of wine and had, for the most part, collected myself.