Читать книгу Wheatleigh's Golden Goose - Georgia St. Claire - Страница 6

“She’s good,” Rich told Boxford over the phone, as he sat at the front desk and watched Audrey through the open door to her classroom. He was sitting too far away to hear what she was saying, but her animation and clear enjoyment of her topic were exactly what kept students, if not on the edge of their seats, at least awake and taking notes.

The first week of Audrey’s time at Wheatleigh had passed uneventfully. She had been quiet and submissive, deferring to every single thing he had to say. Her performance had been acceptable, but unremarkable in the classroom. But now, as she finished her second week, clearly she had hit her stride. She paced the front of her classroom, her arms waving and gesturing with different mannerisms, voice raising and falling, even assuming an occasional accent.

He wished the desk were closer to the classroom door so he could hear. He had been amusing himself trying to guess what the topic of her lecture was when Boxford had called. He sighed and turned away from watching Audrey so he could focus on his superior. “I was worried that her spirit had been damaged by this whole set-up because she was so subdued, but her personality has emerged and she is doing great. I would appreciate it if you would continue to keep your distance. I think the reminder that she was bulldozed into this teaching position and is here, regardless of her personal wishes, for five years is what was keeping her down. But now she’s back to enjoying the day to day routine of teaching.”

“Have you been too heavy handed with your mentoring?” Boxford demanded.

“No, sir,” he answered promptly. “I simply ensured that she understood the reality of her situation and have been very accommodating in getting her settled in ever since. There have been no occasions to test the waters; she has been cooperative.”

“Make sure she continues to be that way. I don’t want to have to deal with any complaints until we are forced into addressing the grading issue.”

“Yes, sir.”

“She’s coming to the Gathering tonight, isn’t she? Everyone wants to meet the new member of our little family.”

Rich grimaced; he hated that metaphor. “Yes sir, I’ll make sure that she is there.”

“You too, Thornton. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how often you seem to miss these events. The intention of the monthly Gatherings is for the faculty to become familiar with all the successes our esteemed colleagues are enjoying.”

“Yes, sir. Which esteemed colleague in which science are we congratulating tonight?”

“Martha Agnus has just had a paper accepted for publication. Her topic is groundbreaking work in the study of the homing instinct in fruit flies.”

“I see. When are we going to celebrate Marcus Webster’s publication in the Journal of International Philosophy?”

“Oh, that’s right, I seem to remember that he did get an amusing little essay included several months back, didn’t he?” The sound of papers rustling in the background indicated that Boxford had clearly lost interest in their conversation. “Pity it came out during the graduation season, such a busy time of year. We’ll celebrate next time he publishes.” Rich ground his teeth but offered no response. “Make sure she’s there, Thornton, and make sure that you are as well.”

“Yes sir.”

“Good. See you tonight.” The phone went dead.

Rich looked around surreptitiously; no one was in sight, he stuck out his tongue at the phone as he replaced the receiver.

“I saw that,” Audrey whispered in his ear. She brandished the book she had pulled from a shelf behind him and returned to her classroom.

“So what was that all about?” she asked later as she speared a wedge of hard-boiled egg in her chef’s salad. She bought several at a time and kept them stocked in the refrigerator, so that when she finally finished her heavy load of teaching, lunch was ready and waiting.

Rich rummaged through the refrigerator and grumbled at his choices, finally he held up one of her salads. “May I? I’ll replace it tomorrow, I promise.”

“Sure, enjoy with my best wishes. No need to replace it. I’m getting kind of tired of chef salads, I’m thinking of switching to Greek salads next.”

“Thanks.” He pulled a fork from a drawer and sat down at the table. “Why do you buy all the same kind? It would be just as easy to stock a variety and then you wouldn’t get bored so quickly.”

“I tried that once, it involved too much thinking. How many salads should I get? How many different kinds? What kind out of all the ones in stock did I feel like eating each day?” She shuddered. “I just want to grab something that I know I like and not do any more thinking than that. The boring factor is actually part of the attraction.” She pointed her fork at him, “So are you avoiding my question?”

He glanced down and blushed. “I’m not proud of my behavior.”

She giggled, “There’s a young guy locked somewhere inside that old geezer. There’s hope for you yet! So who broke down your rigid control?” Her eyes got wide, “Oh! I just realized! It had to be President Boxford. He really has a talent for getting under your skin, doesn’t he?”

He growled and then looked up at her and smiled sadistically. “Of course, you are in this too, although you haven’t been shanghaied into attending these for years. Yet. After a few years let’s see how you feel about it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“There’s a faculty Gathering tonight, the monthly faculty Gathering. Our fearless leader called to make sure that you were going to be there and he mentioned my less than stellar attendance history.”

She cocked her head. “Obviously it’s something that you don’t enjoy. Why? And do they really keep attendance?”

“Each month we celebrate the success of a colleague. It’s their moment to have the spotlight and be the darling of the administration. Somehow, the physical sciences are disproportionately honored. Surprise. I asked when Marcus Webster was going to be honored for getting his philosophy article published; it happened months ago. Boxford belittled it and blamed the timing of the publication, said we’d celebrate next time he’s published. The bloody journal comes out the same time every year, so it’s never going to fit into Boxford’s schedule.”

“And we have to go tonight?”

“Yes, a command appearance for both of us, I guess. He wants to show you off as the newest jewel in Wheatleigh’s faculty; he wants to remind me of his power, put me in my place.”

“Does everyone know I’m the golden goose?” she asked quietly.

He reached out and patted her hand. “No, you will be accepted on your own merits. That financial matter is strictly secret. It’ll be the feather in Boxford’s cap when that endowment happens, the thing that makes his presidency stand out from all the past occupants of the position.”

“If he’s still in office five years from now.”

Rich looked surprised. “What are you saying?”

She shrugged, “College presidents come and go.”

“Audrey, do you know something?”

She grinned. “I know many things and have several degrees to prove it! Do I know something about the matter we’re discussing?” She shook her head, “No. I’m sorry, I don’t. But the last two weeks have taught me a lot about how power can be wielded behind the scene. If I ever find out who set this up, I intend to have a few words with them.”

Rich shook his head. “As much as his attitude frustrates me, Boxford has been good for Wheatleigh. Don’t put him in your sights; he hasn’t done anything to deserve it. He’s actually been more hands-off than I expected. Let’s let sleeping dogs lie, okay?”

“All I have to do is talk up to my family about how disrespected the History Department is here. If they’re so worried about the family’s reputation that they bought me this job, you’d think they’d want the department I work in to have the college president’s respect. Someone will do something.”

“No, Audrey. Don’t be manipulative like that.”

“Are you sure? It might protect your job.”

He smiled, “My job is not in as much danger as I may have intimated when you first arrived. But I warn you that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to do everything I can to make your time here successful.”

She cocked her head and studied him. “Something changed. You weren’t deliberately misleading me about the danger to your job when I first got here. You’ve figured out some kind of insurance for if things go wrong and now you’re more relaxed about it.” She sprawled back in her chair. “Then I say we blow off the faculty Gathering tonight and show Mr. College President that we refuse to dance to his tune.”

“No Audrey, as tempting as that might be, we will dance tonight. This is a minor matter in the grand scheme of things. No point in asking for trouble. Below the radar, remember?”

She pouted. “I hate being so dutiful all the time. Always having to do what other people tell me to do. I didn’t choose to be here. I’ve been really good about the whole thing. I don’t want to be a dancing puppet.”

Rich felt a shiver go up his spine. “You aren’t going to be a dancing puppet. You are going to be the new jewel, remember? You are probably the youngest member of the faculty; you are smart, attractive, vivacious, and, fairly rare for Wheatleigh, female. You are going to be surrounded by admiring men all night. You’ll have an enjoyable evening; don’t worry about it. Poor Martha is not going to have the spotlight on her for very long.”

“That’s wrong, too,” she said quietly. “I shouldn’t be getting the attention when it is her night.”

Rich studied her. “We will go. We will be dignified and respectful to our colleagues. After an hour and a half we can leave and no one will say anything against us. The History Department will not be shamed tonight, understand? No shenanigans.”

She crossed her arms and looked away.

“Don’t do this, please, Audrey. Haven’t things been good over the past couple of weeks? Don’t make me come down on you. No matter how much I dislike having to kowtow to Boxford, the dignity of this department means a lot to me and I will punish you if your behavior isn’t exemplary.”

“I hate Boxford,” she hissed suddenly. “Things could be so nice here, but he’s got to go and ruin it all!”

“I told you, he’s actually being better than I expected. What’s the problem?”

“He’s making you be mean to me so that I’ll stay and make him lots of money!”

“I’m not being mean to you!”

She blushed, “No, you haven’t been. You’ve been very nice; I’m sorry. I’m referring to the future. It’s coming and I can’t avoid it. He’s gloating over it. He shouldn’t count his golden goose before it’s hatched,” she concluded darkly.

“When it is time for grading, I will help you through it. Hang in there, work with me and hopefully everything will be fine.” She smiled sadly as she shook her head. He was startled to see tears gathering, “Audrey.” He felt helpless to deal with her mood changes. “Talk to me here, why are you suddenly so down?”

“I can’t do it, Rich. I know I can’t. Do you think I wanted to fail so spectacularly three times? If there were a way to solve my problem I would have, someone would have figured it out before now. I wasn’t going to teach any more and then someone pulled strings and here I am dancing again. I may be the newest jewel, I may have men gathered all around me tonight, but it’s all under false pretenses. I’d rather just be a shadow on the wall so no one misses me when I go.”

“Audrey, you aren’t going. Not for five years, at least. Things can be, things are nice here for you. Don’t mess it up.”

“But I can’t help it!” she wailed. “I told you that I can’t do it. I don’t want to fail, of course I don’t want that; but I’m not stupid, after three times I learn what I can’t do!”

“Don’t borrow trouble!” he said sharply. “Your first challenge isn’t for two weeks when we have midterms. Let me deal with that. You focus on being nice tonight.” He sighed. “It sounds like you’re having an overload of good behavior. Don’t rebel yet. Get through tonight without earning a spanking and I will help you find some way to blow off some steam over the weekend, okay?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Boxford doesn’t think his golden goose was a bad girl. You won’t have to spank me.”

“Audrey, we have to have a chat. Go upstairs and wait for me. I’m going to lock the doors so we don’t have to worry about any stray students wandering in and I’ll be right up.”

“Why? What do we have to chat about?”

“If I wanted to talk about it here, I wouldn’t have told you to go upstairs. Go. Now.”

She stood and started to protest, but she saw his face and decided not to test him, scurrying past him to the elevator.

He went down the staircase to lock the building. When he entered the living room she was hovering nervously near the corner where she had stood the first night. “Am I in trouble for something? Should I stand here? Sir,” she added.

He shook his head and pointed to the sofa, “Come here and sit down, please.” When she was seated, he began pacing. Finally he sighed. “Audrey, I have made it clear to you how I feel about good manners and I am forced by circumstances to see that I have been guilty of an appalling lack of manners myself. I should never have let you see how I felt about Boxford. The man may be someone I don’t particularly like, but that is my opinion of him based on years of my interactions with him. He deserves to begin with a clean slate with you and you should form your own opinion of him based on your interactions with him. He’s excited to have you here and plans to show you off tonight, and all you can think of is ruining it somehow. I’m beginning to suspect that we may have begun our association together under a misunderstanding that is harming Boxford. I want to clarify that he has not given me any specific instructions about how to deal with you. He merely told me to achieve the desired results. He didn’t tell me to use corporal punishment. That is my choice. I think a lot of your dislike of Boxford is based on the anticipation of being spanked over the grade issue, and that is completely my decision, not his.”

She gaped at him and then shook her head. “No.”

“Yes.”

She shook her head again, “You misunderstand me. When I say no I mean that Boxford is not guilt free. He knows that I am going to be spanked. He is looking forward to it. I can practically see him drooling over it.”

Rich tilted his head. “Do you really think so? I promise you that he and I have never spoken a word about how I will achieve the results necessary.”

“Then he wants deniability, but he knows. He definitely knows. I don’t know why or how he knows, if you haven’t discussed it, but he fully expects you to spank me. Have you spanked people before? Is that why?”

“That is getting into my personal life, Audrey. I don’t intend to have that discussion today. I just wanted to make certain that you understood that Boxford is not responsible for any corporal punishments that I may or may not administer to you. So let’s go back to our earlier discussion. I want to make it clear that we will be stellar examples of college faculty tonight. Nothing is going to occur that will harm the History Department’s image. Am I understood?”

“Yes sir.”

“Thank you. The Gathering starts at five thirty. It’s about a fifteen minute walk. We will go together so I can make sure that you don’t get lost. Afterwards you do not need to feel obligated to leave with me if you want to make other plans, however I am happy to also walk you home. Just in case, I’ll point out that it is an expected courtesy for you to let me know if you don’t plan to return home with me. Business attire is the norm, although you will see a range of dress tonight. Do you have any questions?”

“No sir.”

He sighed, “Apparently, sir doesn’t always soothe me. I am sorry Audrey, that you are unhappy with me. I hope that we can return to our previous comfortable interactions soon. You have the afternoon off. Do you need me to drive you anywhere?” He had been shocked to discover that Audrey didn’t have a car and didn’t have plans to get one.

“No thank you, Rich. That is very kind of you to offer, I appreciate that. Shall I meet you here in the living room or at the front door at five fifteen to go to the Gathering?”

“Here. We’ll take the elevator down and go out the back, it’s slightly closer and that door is easier is lock. The front door sometimes sticks.”

She nodded, “Okay. I will meet you here at five fifteen. Am I dismissed?”

He sighed again, “Yes.”

She stood and marched to the elevator.

* * *

“Your protégée is crying in the woods behind the squash courts,” Marcus informed Rich when he answered his cell phone.

“Great.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Are you where you can see her? Is she going to be okay or should I go get her?”

“Depends on why she’s crying. Did you discipline her?”

“No, but she is heading towards a spanking. She’s been angling for one all afternoon.”

“Considering that it’s not much past one o’clock, that’s pretty impressive.”

“She started yanking my chain right after Boxford did a number on me, knowing that he had.”

“Do you think she is asking for a spanking? Sometimes women like to clear the air that way.”

He sighed, “Maybe. She is so certain that she is going to fail and be spanked, maybe she just wants to have it happen.”

“So if you haven’t spanked her yet, why is she crying?”

“She’s mad at me. She wants to blame Boxford for the spanking she thinks is coming and I made it clear to her that it is my choice. She wants to act out tonight and invited me to do it with her and I made sure that she knows I will punish her for it.” He paused, “There is something else that came up in our conversation. She is convinced that Boxford knows I will spank her and is anticipating it. She wonders why Boxford would know that since he and I haven’t discussed it and asked me if I had spanked people before.”

“Wow. So you think Boxford knows you’re a Dom?”

“He must at least suspect it. She’s right, he’s been pretty heavy handed with his comments.”

“Do you think he knows that I am also?”

“No clue. I asked him why we hadn’t honored the publication of your essay at one of our Gatherings. He was pretty dismissive, but didn’t seem hostile. I bet he lets you sit down when he calls you into his office.”

Marcus chuckled, “He makes you stand?”

“We have a war of manners. He hasn’t told me I had to stand, he just hasn’t invited me to sit.”

“He knows that you’re a Dom and he hates it,” Marcus said decisively. “It’s making him uncomfortable and that’s why he’s doing these little power plays with you. We have been discreet, but haven’t been overly concerned about being totally secretive. I’m not surprised that he’s at least heard something to make him wonder.”

“Yeah, I guess. How convenient for him, given the golden goose that dropped in his lap.”

Marcus chuckled, “If there is anyone who can make her produce on time, you’re the one. Considering how important you are to the scenario, I’m surprised that Boxford isn’t trying to be a little nicer.”

“Hmm, maybe he is. I remarked to Audrey today that he has been better about staying out of it than I expected.”

“So she wants to be mad at him and you told her that he didn’t deserve it.”

“Yeah, more than once. What can I say? I’m fair.”

“She’s going to show up to the Gathering with red eyes and nose if you don’t straighten her out soon. Do you want me to talk to her?”

“She hasn’t even met you yet. Don’t you think that she’ll be scared if you approach her?”

“Then she should have stayed in her room and cried like a normal woman. If she chooses to cry in public, strangers may approach her. Maybe if I scare her she’ll run home to you.”

“Marcus! Don’t do that! She’s here for five years. I don’t want to have to play peacemaker between my best friend and my co-worker the whole time. Wait to be introduced tonight and make nice.”

“She’s yours. I won’t interfere, but you’re sure handling things differently from how I would if I were in your shoes.”

“Yeah, I know. I don’t believe what I’m doing either, but I’ve always gone with my gut on these kinds of things. Her spirit is pretty fragile, a spanking may break it.”

“I guess so, if she’s crying in the woods because you defended Boxford.”

“She told me that she’s tired of being good. I think she feels a need to act out. I told her that if she gets through tonight without earning a spanking, I’d help her find a way to blow off some steam this weekend. Maybe she’s trying to do it by crying.”

“It’s a shame. She’d do better with a spanking before the Gathering.”

Rich grabbed his keys. “I’m going to come get her. Will you please keep an eye on her until I get there?”

“Sure. What are you going to do?”

“Don’t know. Gonna play it by ear as it unfolds.”

Marcus shook his head, chuckling, “I’m glad it’s you, not me. Good luck.”

A few minutes later, Rich asked, “So where is she?” But his searching eyes had already located the huddled figure sitting on a fallen tree. “Shit! She’s not wearing a coat. Why didn’t you mention that, Marcus? She’s been gone nearly an hour. She’s sure to be freezing. You know how easily people from Away get chilled. I should have brought her a jacket.”

Marcus shrugged, “I didn’t notice. So, go warm her up.” He punched his friend’s shoulder and then walked away.

Rich sat down on the log next to Audrey. “Honey, you need to stop crying. Can you stop now, please?” He rubbed her back soothingly.

She shook her head and curled up into a tighter ball of misery, burying her face in her hands.

“Okay, sweetie, I’m going to help you. Come here.” He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her onto his lap.

She cooperated with the change of position until she realized that she wasn’t going to be sitting on his lap, but would instead be face down. “What are you doing?” She struggled weakly.

“I’m helping you to stop crying.” His hand smoothed the seat of skirt and then he started spanking.

She squirmed. “But why? I didn’t do anything wrong, did I? Why are you punishing me?”

He continued his steady barrage. “I’m not punishing you; are you bare bottomed?” He administered a much harder spank to show his irritation and then resumed the easier spanks. “I’m giving you something to cry about and then when this is over you will find it easier to stop crying.”

She tried to put her hand back to block him, but he captured it and held it with his left hand which was holding her in place. “Stop Rich, it hurts.”

“Not yet, it doesn’t. But it will.” He paused to push her skirt up to her waist, smoothed her bottom as he admired her lace panties and began spanking again.

“Please stop. I’m sorry. Stop.”

“Audrey, who is in charge?” He kept spanking steadily.

“I’m face down and you’re spanking me! Who do you think is in charge?” she demanded and gasped as his spanks suddenly got a lot harder. “Ouch! Stop it!”

“I spoke prematurely earlier when I said there was no question about your intelligence. As you’ve just noticed, you are face down getting spanked. And yet, you are coming out with extreme attitude. Let’s fix that problem and then we’ll go back to my question.” His spanks concentrated on her sit spots and thighs until she was squealing.

“I’m sorry, please, I’m sorry. I was wrong. I’m sorry.” She was squirming trying to avoid his hand. “I’m sorry, sir,” she said with inspiration.

He reduced the intensity of his smacks and went back to reddening her bottom. “That’s better. Now, who is in charge, Audrey?”

“You are! Please stop! It hurts so much! You’re in charge!”

“Yes, I am in charge, but you are still in some confusion about that and we are going to resolve that before you are on your feet again.” He continued spanking, but didn’t say anything more.

Finally, she stopped struggling and gave into her curiosity, “Why do you say I’m confused about who is in charge?”

“I’ve been trying to give you a piece of advice, but you weren’t ready to listen, so are you willing to learn something now?”

“Yes sir, please,” she answered meekly.

“When you tell me to stop, you are giving me an order. That indicates that you haven’t accepted my authority. Every time you tell me to stop I increase the length of your spanking. We can’t have you thinking that I might actually obey you, now can we?” He changed the angle of his hand and gave her a spank on her sit spot with enough force to bruise.

“Ow!” She bucked with shock.

“That one is going to last a while. Hopefully the advice will be permanently retained.” He was still spanking, but had returned to the lesser intensity.

“Yes sir. That was very good advice, I will definitely remember it!”

“I am glad to hear it. Now, do you think you have settled down enough to stop crying?”

“Yes sir!”

“Good.” He stopped spanking, but continued to hold her in place and stroked her pantied bottom. “Now, always the teacher, I’m wondering if I should take advantage of this opportunity to give you another lesson.”

She gulped. “What would that be, sir?”

“I’m concerned that you may be confused about the nature of this spanking to settle you down and think that it was a disciplinary spanking.” She moaned. “I don’t want you to think that you would get off this lightly with a punishment spanking. Perhaps you ought to have just the tiniest taste of a punishment spanking so the difference is clear to you, especially since you were contemplating some misbehavior tonight.”

She whimpered. “Please sir, I don’t think I can take any more. It hurts so much!”

“I’m sorry, sweetie. I wish we could have avoided unearned spankings, but you needed this and I will always give you what you need. And that has made up my mind. You need to know that you can take considerably more, it is amazing how resilient your bottom is.” His hand stopped stroking and took hold of the waistband of her panties, pulling them down to her knees. She wailed in despair. “Hush, this won’t be long, and you’ll learn a lot. Just don’t tell me to stop, all right?” She sobbed and nodded. “No, Audrey. When you are in a situation like this and are asked a question you need to use your words.” He pinched her sit spot.

“Eeeyow! Yes sir! No sir! Whatever the hell I’m supposed to say!”

He chuckled as he stroked. “And to think that I was worried about breaking your spirit. Be careful about swearing, dear. Some Doms won’t allow it at all, but I’m not so concerned about it when we are private. No swearing when you are representing the History Department, though. Now focus your mind. This is what a disciplinary spanking feels like.” His hand left her bottom and came back with a crash. He lit a fire in her ass.

She screamed and fought as hard as she could. And discovered that her efforts made not the least amount of difference. Defeated, she went limp and the spanking ended.

Rich pulled her panties up and put her skirt back in place, but kept her over his lap as he stroked her hair and back. “There you go, sweetie,” he crooned over her sobs. “Several lessons learned so quickly, baby girl. Now you know what a disciplinary spanking feels like, you know that fighting me doesn’t work and the sooner you stop fighting and submit, the more quickly your spanking ends. You know when to use your words and when to be careful about your choice of words. You know that I am always in charge and will punish you when you try to tell me what to do.”

He hefted her and had her sitting upright in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and brought her head against his chest. “Hush now, you’ve had a reason to cry and that reason has ended. It’s time to stop crying now.” He produced a handkerchief and mopped up her tears. “Come on, honey. You shouldn’t be outside without a coat. Stop crying so we can get you home.”

His body heat was making her aware of just how chilled she was. “I’m cold,” she whimpered.

“Yes, I know, sweetie. I’ve got a blanket in the car. Stop crying and we can go get you wrapped up tight.” She tried gulping to slow the sobs, but wasn’t successful. “Need some help, honey?” Her eyes widened and she frantically shook her head. He chuckled and pulled her head in tight against him. “No, I’m not going to spank you any more right now. Take a deep breath and hold it and then slowly breathe out. Come on, breathe with me.”

He demonstrated the calming breathing and she followed his lead as best as she was able. Her crying quickly slowed and finally came to a stop with a big shuddering gulp. “That’s a good girl!” He quickly stood her on her feet and led her out of the woods to his car parked by the squash courts. Opening the trunk, he took out a blanket, which he used to swaddle her tight. Then he placed her in the passenger seat, buckled her in and went around to the driver’s side. He had the heat blasting as soon as the engine had warmed up.

“I can’t move,” Audrey complained. “Why did you wrap my arms inside the blanket?”

“You were chilled for so long I wanted to get you warm as quickly as possible. Keeping your arms against your body like that makes a big difference. That’s why they swaddle babies.”

“Oh. I thought it was just supposed to be soothing for them. I didn’t realize it was for warmth, too.”

“You can do with a bit of soothing as well, can’t you?”

“Yeah,” she gave a ragged sigh.

“We’ll put you straight to bed for a nap. Hopefully the red will be gone and those baby blues will be sparkling again by the time we have to leave.”

“Oh bother, I forgot about that. What a pain; I wish we didn’t have to go.”

“But we do and we’re going to be model faculty members, remember?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good girl.” The drive back to Abernathy Hall was accomplished quickly. They parked in the back and he unlocked the basement entry and led the way to the elevator.

Audrey was still wrapped in the blanket and felt like a walking cocoon. “I feel silly walking around like this.”

“Do you feel warmer?”

“Yes, much warmer, thank you for this.”

“What possessed you to go out without a coat?”

“Pride. It would have spoiled my big exit if I had stopped for my coat and purse. I realized that I was making a mistake as soon as the wind hit me, but I wasn’t about to go back upstairs and have you laugh at me.”

He chuckled as he watched her waddle from the elevator. “I wouldn’t have laughed at you. I was in my rooms and wouldn’t have even realized that you had returned. I hadn’t given you a thought until a little bird called to tell me what you were up to.”

“Someone saw me crying in the woods?”

“Yes. You were visible from the back of the building. Anyone who walked instead of driving to the squash courts could have seen you. Your sobs caught his ear and he looked to see if you were in trouble, realized who you were and called me.”

He opened her door and ushered her inside. “Into bed with you now. I’ll come wake you up an hour before we have to leave.” He loosened the flap of the blanket that he had tucked in on itself.

She dropped the blanket and nodded, “Night, night.” She climbed into her bed and was instantly asleep.