“Free as a bird,” Drusilla gloried in their joy. “You mean it’s over?”
“Your slavery is. In the morning we’ll catch Belinda unaware and give her a taste of her own medicine. Three of us should be able to handle her.”
“Make it four?” implored Petty.
“Oh, Drew, I do love you!” Ginny was once again the joyous moppet with sparkling eyes.
“It’s Petty you have to thank.”
The keys were used to the accompaniment of delighted chatter. When Ginny’s handcuffs were removed, her bottom was patted and she was told to go and find clothes and make coffee. There were hugs and kisses and a scampering of youthful feet. When the Mistress and her slave were alone in the suddenly empty cell they stood awkwardly in indecision.
“Am I still handcuffed on purpose, Drew?” Diana’s voice was wary.
“Yes.”
“You’re going to reverse our roles, darling? Maybe you should.” Diana sounded weary. She grinned wanly at her erstwhile slave. “That bitch spoiled things. I feel soiled, and cheap, and ineffectual. I’m no Mistress.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I screamed... ! Oh, Drew!”
“I’d have screamed, too.”
“But I’m me! At least, I was me! Now I don’t know. Drew, leave me handcuffed. So long as it’s you—”
“I intend to.”
Diana tensed, her head reared, then drooped. “I don’t mind. I’m glad. Keep me always—the way I was going to keep you.”
Drusilla became a whirlwind of arms and lips. “Silly, silly! Ginny can’t possibly have a slave girl for a mother.”
They looked at each other and laughed. “I’d forgotten that,” Diana admitted. “But you’re keeping me handcuffed for something. What is it? Tell me?”
“You’ll stay handcuffed until I’m sure you’re going to be sensible.”
“Drew darling, if you mean being your Mistress again, I can’t. It’s ruined. You saw what Belinda made of me. Everyone saw. I’m just Diana. That’s all.”
“Then you can stay handcuffed.”
“But, Drew... ?”
“Ginny can have one key and I’ll have the other. We’ll keep you as a pet.”
“Drusilla!! !”
“Yes, darling?”
“We can’t! I’d love it, I’m shamed! But there’s Ginny.”
“I knew I’d have this trouble with you,” Drusilla said cheerfully. “If you won’t have me for your slave, I’ll make a present of myself to Ginny. She’d put my handcuffs back on in two seconds flat.”
“And cane your bottom to boot, I’ve no doubt.” Diana managed a wry grin.
“Well, what’s it to be? Want me to call Ginny?”
“Oh, Drew!” There was infinite longing in the words.
“Yes, Mistress?”
“You’re too beautiful. Too perfect. I don’t deserve—”
“I also love you.”
The pause was brief. Diana turned her back. “Unlock me.”
It was a precious moment. When Diana turned again, her slave girl held the handcuffs and the key. They looked deep into each other’s eyes before she proffered them. When the Mistress took the familiar metal in her hands, she asked softly: “Front or back, dear?”
“In front, Mistress,” Drusilla requested demurely. “I have to lift my coffee cup.” She knelt and raised her hands. The shining steel was warm, prisoning her wrists with its own special sounds, tightly and forever.
“You look so sweet,” said Ginny from the door. “I told her the same thing,” said Petty proudly.