Six days later on a rainy Thursday evening Dominique prepared herself
for the strangest dinner party she would ever attend.    She was not
looking forward to it - in fact the whole idea was scaring her witless.  
The dinner was at Erica's house.    By a dreadful coincidence it had
turned out to be Erica who had the key to Elli's freedom and this
evening was the price she had demanded.    Elli was not invited and
had no idea of what was happening in her name.    It was Dominique
who would pay but, though she was scared of that, what frightened her
most was the thought of what Erica may want from Amelie.  

Dominique had reluctantly gone to plead with Erica after M. de R.V.
had revealed to her that Erica was the only person who knew enough
of Ray Herbert's business dealings to be a danger to him.   Ray had
made two mistakes with Erica.    One was to cast her off gracelessly
after a short but tumultuous affair and the other was, mixing business
and pleasure with an eye to profiting from both, to involve her in certain
of his dealings.    The affair had finished months ago and Erica, who
did not easily forgive bad treatment, had searched in vain for a way to
hurt him with a package of damning evidence connecting him with drug
importation, fraud and even murder.    In spite of all her connivings she
found he had protected himself so well that she could not strike at him
without damaging herself.   On the other hand, not knowing what she
would or could do made it difficult for him to dispose of her in the way
that he usually did with his enemies.    This stalemate had lasted nearly
a year and Erica was bored with it.    When Dominique came to her
and, with M. de R.V.'s backing, asked for the evidence she realised it
was time to give up.   It was not in Erica's nature, however, to give
anything away for nothing and she was determined it would be on her
own harsh terms.

Erica still had painful memories of the thirty humiliating strokes of the
strap she had received at Dominique's hands;  being forced to return
each month to strip in front of a roomful of her peers and be reduced to
tears again and again by the stinging leather.   The worst of it had been
the long dinners beforehand when, for sometimes three hours, she was
expected to hold light social chat with people were there to watch and
were laughing at her behind their hands.   However elegant and
composed she tried to appear, they all knew perfectly well that soon
she would be dancing around, clutching her bare rear and crying for
mercy.     She liked Dominique in a way but she could never obliterate
the memory of those shameful sessions.   If Dominique needed her
help now she would pay dearly for it.

She didn't know why Dominique needed evidence against Ray but she
didn't care - it suited her.   She would get her revenge on both of them
at once.   Her answer to Dominique was simple.

"Come to dinner on Thursday.    I will give you the evidence as you
leave.    On one condition - your little friend, Amelie, I will need her to
serve dinner that evening.    You have no objection?"

"I'm sure she'd ... but why?"

"Good.   But for that evening, you understand, you will not know her.   
If anyone in the room imagines even for a moment that you and Amelie
are more than complete strangers to each other, I will burn the
envelope and you will never find a way to lay a finger on Ray Herbert.   
Understood?"

Dominique's blood ran cold at the thought of such an evening.   She
knew what Erica was capable of and she knew about some of Erica's
friends, but she had only one chance to help Elli.

"It's Amelie's decision.   I'll talk to her."

Of course Amelie had agreed immediately.    She was utterly unafraid
and nothing Dominique could say would make her even consider
refusing."

"It's only an evening.   What can she do?"

"Amelie, she can hurt you most dreadfully."

"Like she did to you."

Dominique blanched at the memory of it.

"Yes," she murmured.

"Dominique, I belong to you ... "

"You mustn't say that ..."

"... I love you.    I don't understand why it is so important for you to help
this Elli but I do it just for you.    I will suffer anything if I know that you
are near and that you need this from me."

Dominique had always been a little more distant with Amelie than the
girl would have liked.    Her parents had no notion of the nature of the
relationship between them and had let her come to L.A. because
Dominique would give her a safe home while she was at college and
would pay her a small allowance for looking after Tess.   It was partly
because of Tess that Dominique was careful.    Amelie frequently
admitted her feelings but, though Dominique often longed to give
herself completely to this beautiful adoring girl, she felt that for Tess'
sake she must hold back.   Tess was only three and so very attached
to Amelie.    If things ever went wrong between them it would be awful
for her to be caught in the middle.

Dominique left at 7.30 and made her way to the Santa Monica
Freeway.    Amelie had already gone to Erica's by taxi in the middle of
the afternoon to help prepare.    For the first time ever Dominique had
had to leave Tess with some people she didn't know very well.   They
were a couple, very sweet with two small children of their own, who both
worked for the Ricato conglomerate that Dominique ran.   They were
kind and loving people and Tess had been to their house before;  even
so Dominique was not comfortable about it even though Tess settled in
there immediately and wasn't at all disturbed when Dominique left.

People had already gathered when Dominique arrived.    Erica opened
the door herself and kissed her on both cheeks in greeting.   
Dominique was introduced to several people but could scarcely
concentrate on who she was meeting as she anxiously searched for
some sign of Amelie.    Vaguely she recognised two or three of them.   
Todd was there, of course, although it had been rumoured that he and
Erica were breaking up - a quarrel about money, it was said, which
didn't surprise anyone.    She recognised Harry Edwards, chief
executive of Filey Pharmaceuticals.   He had seemed like a pleasant
and civilised man when she had met him - it surprised her to see him
here amongst Erica's friends.

Suddenly Amelie was at her elbow.

"Du champagne, Madame?" she smiled brightly.

For a moment it was almost impossible to resist the impulse to greet her
but Dominique managed with only a momentary awkwardness.

"Ah, j'en veux bien," she said and gave Amelie a slightly nervous,
relieved smile in return.

Amelie handed her a glass and passed quickly on to other guests.  
She seemed relaxed and quite at home in her new role.   Dominique
even suspected she was secretly enjoying their pretence.   She was
dressed in the traditional maid's short black dress and white apron.   
The little headress suited her perfectly and people couldn't help
responding to her sweetness and charm.    It was Amelie at her best.   
She was there for Dominique, working for love, and determined to be
the best maid anyone had ever had.    She was courteous and careful.   
She moved silently and, while not intruding, always managed to be
there when a glass was empty or something was needed.    Dominque
knew that Erica was not short of efficient help - she had more in mind
for Amelie than giving out champagne - but even so, if Amelie
continued like this it would be hard for her to find an excuse to punish
the girl in the way Dominique assumed she intended.

Dinner was served and Dominique chatted amiably with the two or
three people nearest to her.   She smiled a great deal at Erica, perhaps
trying to soften whatever hard ideas she may have had in her mind.   
At the same time she marvelled at Amelie.    She was getting better and
better.    Dinner was served without a slip.    She anticipated people's
needs, bringing, serving and removing with such quiet efficiency that
people might scarcely know she was there - except that she looked so
pretty that most of them, both men and women, could hardly keep their
eyes off her. 

Towards the end of the evening, as the coffees were being served,
Erica began to speak to the whole table.

"As you know, no dinner party of mine ever passes without some little...
entertainment around this time.    This evening I thought I would most
certainly be finding some reason to punish my new maid, Amelie.  
Superb entertainment, you'd have to agree."

At that moment she caught Amelie around the waist and held her close,
facing the table.

"But to my surprise ... I can't find a single reason."   She smiled and
looked affectionately at Amelie who blushed deeply and curtsied to a
round of applause.

"However you all know the risks of coming to my dinner parties.    If all
else fails - you're it.    Here I have all our names, mine included - and
Amelie's too - in this bag.    All again in the second bag.    In the third
bag the names of six implements and, in the fourth, numbers from one
to forty.   Whoever is picked from the first bag will, for our
entertainment, receive as many strokes as come out of the fourth bag,
with whatever implement is chosen from the third bag from the hand of
whoever comes out of the second.    And I think I will ask Amelie to
choose for us."

Amelie's face was alight.   She was proud of having done so well all
evening and at the recognition it had gained for her from this powerful
woman.   She felt herself beginning to like Erica in spite of all
Dominque's dire warnings.    Erica had been nice to her all day and now
she was being very fair - she could always have invented a reason to
punish her if she had really wanted to be cruel.

Amelie glanced around the table with shining smiling eyes and then
reached into the bag.    She drew out a little folded piece of paper and
handed it to Erica.   With slow precise fingers Erica unfolded the paper,
grinning around at the expectant faces as she did so.    She glanced
down to look at the name and suddenly her face clouded.

"Oh, Amelie ... that's bad luck."

Amelie looked down at the piece of paper and paled.   The smile died
from her face as she saw her own name written there.    Erica turned to
her with a sympathetic frown.

"Oh, Amelie, I'm sorry.   It's unfortunate.   Just as long as you know it's
nothing to do with your work which we all agree is wonderful.   It's just
the luck of the game.   We all play it every time - someone has to lose.  
But you're a brave girl and you wouldn't want to let us down, would
you?"

Amelie thought of Dominique and knew she mustn't let anyone down.

"No," she murmured, her confused emotions bringing her close to
tears.

"Good girl.    Well, perhaps it won't be much.    Why not choose from
the fourth and let's see what you're in for, my dear.   It might not be so
bad after all."

Amelie gave her a nervous little smile and reached into the fourth bag.  
She felt a little foolish being made to choose her own punishment out of
this little bag.

"Well," said Erica quietly after she had looked at the piece of paper.   
"You understand it was a number between one and forty, Amelie.   It's
thirty.   Okay?"

Stunned, Amelie just nodded.    Her eyes were full of tears and she
didn't trust herself to speak.    Dominique was in agony.    She could
see Amelie crumbling before her eyes and she was powerless to help.  
Just when they had begun to think things were turning out alright
suddenly this stupid game was turning everything upsidedown.   
Amelie had reached into the third bag and was handing another note to
Erica.    Dominique was praying it would be the hand or a ruler or
something;   anything but ...

"The strap," Erica said, her voice very flat.   "Thirty strokes of the strap
for you.   Poor girl, that's so unlucky.   One more bag, Amelie.   Let's
see who will be giving them to you."

With trembling fingers Amelie reached into the bag.    Dominique could
feel several around the table craning forward.    She was sure that not
everyone was keen to see Amelie punished in this way but a few were
clearly itching to get their chance.    Suddenly Dominique felt Erica's
eyes on her and she looked up.    Something told her as clear as if it
had been spoken that Erica knew the answer even though she hadn't
unfolded the paper.   Of course - 'mine included' she had said.    Erica's
own name was in there and it would be her that got it.    The thought
stopped Dominique's heart.   With just ten strokes Erica had nearly
killed her and now she was planning to give thirty to this young girl.    It
was impossible.   If it was Erica she would stop it immediately.

"Dominique."

Dominique realised suddenly that Erica was waving the piece of paper
at her.

"Dominique - it's you."

The truth became immediately and ridiculously clear - thirty strokes with
the strap.   It was exactly the number that over three sessions she had
given Erica.    Poor little Amelie - she had never stood a chance.    It
was what Erica had intended right from the start - it had all been a
sham.    Of course she could challenge Erica and prove the game was
rigged but then Erica would feel herself under no obligation to keep her
side of the deal.    In effect Dominique had now to choose between
Amelie and Elli.

"Dominique hesitates."    Erica's voice cut through her thoughts.   "As
hostess I think it would be my right to nominate a substitute if
Dominique isn't keen.   Todd, perhaps."

"Yeah!"   Todd's enthusiasm fairly echoed around the room and Amelie
looked at Dominique in alarm.

"No," said Dominique.   "I won - I'll do it."

She recognised a tiny grateful smile in the back of Amelie's eyes.    It
gave her a little confidence.   She desperately wanted to communicate
with Amelie but she knew there was danger in that.    She knew already
that there was a risk that her reticence was raising questions.   She
would have to be severe and deal cruelly with Amelie to avoid the
others guessing the relationship between them but by what secret sign
or language could she reassure the girl of her love for her.

Dominique rose a little unsteadily to her feet and looked towards where
Erica, one arm still around Amelie's waist, was reaching into a drawer in
the table.   She drew out a long leather paddle and spoke quietly to
Amelie.

"This is for you."

Amelie stared at the strap in horrified fascination, her quick shallow
breaths telling Dominique how her heart must be racing.

"Would you like to run your fingers over it.   Touch it.   Soon you will
feel it on your skin.   I have reason to remember how well Dominique
knows how to use this strap.   She makes it sting and burn.   She will
hurt you."

Amelie listened, mesmerised to Erica's strangely kind reassuring tone.

"But if Dominique is not strong enough today.   Todd will take over.   
Either way, I promise you, you will have the best possible use of it."

Erica's manner was confusing Amelie.

"Th ... thank you," she stammered.

Erica smiled sweetly at Dominique when she heard that.   It was perfect
confirmation of how well she had manipulated Amelie and she wanted
to be sure Dominiqe knew.    Gently she patted the girl's shapely rump.

"Off you go now.    Take all your clothes off - you may leave them on
the chair - and Todd will help you with your restraints."

Dominique watched as Todd took out two leather wrist cuffs joined by a
chain.    He hung them from a hook in the ceiling and then waited
calmly while Amelie approached.   She glanced nervously at the cuffs
and then hesitated.

"Undress, Sweetie," Todd said, without impatience.

Poor Amelie.   With Todd in front of her and the whole table behind she
had nowhere to hide.  Eyes bowed with shame she took off first her
black sweater and then the little apron followed by her skirt.    Next she
sat on a chair to undo her shoes.

"You can leave your nice white socks on," said Erica.   "That would be
charming."

She looked around the table and got a murmur of assent.    Dominique
could feel the tears springing into her eyes at Amelie's shame and
humiliation.   She wanted to hug her so they could cry together but she
knew she mustn't.   If she weakened and gave one sign of how she
was feeling it would all be for nothing.

Amelie seemed to have reconciled herself to what she had to do.   With
her back to the table she took off her bra and slipped her panties down.   
She couldn't avoid Todd seeing her but it was too late to worry about
that now.    He took her hands and fastened them into the soft leather
cuffs high above her head.    When it was done he stood back and
devoured her with his eyes from head to foot.

"You're a very pretty girl, Amelie.   I hope I get to strap you too." 

At this moment Dominique knew she must assert herself.    She took a
step forward and Todd, seeing her expression, returned to his seat.  
She picked up the strap from the table in front of Erica.

"You or Todd," Erica murmured.   "Better make it good."

Dominique approached Amelie's trembling body from behind.    She
hoped the girl might turn her head so that at least with her eyes she
could send her a message.    To her surprise, instead of turning her
head, Amelie began to turn her body - swinging round until the whole
sweetness of her graceful form was facing the table.    Dominique was
amazed at the wantoness of the gesture.   Her whole body swayed as
she hung from the chain and her eyes, fixed on Dominique's, were filled
with desire.    Perhaps it was her way of dealing with the crisis she
knew she would face or perhaps it was a reaction to finding herself
nude and helpless in front of so many eager eyes.

But Dominique had never seen her like this before.    Amelie's passion
had always been the bright excited sexuality of a young girl, never the
powerful heat of adult desire that Dominique could feel in her now.  
Colouring, she remembering her own arousal when she was to be
punished by Erica.    She saw Amelie's eyes stray almost adoringly to
the leather in her hands and she knew that it was the thought of being
subjugated so completely and so publicly to her beloved mistress that
was filling the young girl's veins with fire.    She knew she must act
quickly before Amelie's obvious state of exultation gave them away.

"Turn around, Amelie."   She spoke fiercely and saw a tremour of fear
sweep deliciously through the fevered girl's naked body.

She knew she had to protect Amelie as much as possible but she
wanted her to be under no illusion right from the start that it would hurt
like hell.   She drew back her arm as soon as Amelie turned away from
her and sent the first stroke streaming full across the centre of the girl's
buttocks.    Without pausing she repeated the stroke twice in almost the
same place and then gave another two even harder on her upper and
mid thighs.  She wanted Amelie screaming right from the start.   The
more reaction she could get from her early, the more she could soften it
for her later on.

Amelie responded perfectly.   The rush of adult lust she had shown
Dominique, had vanished on the first touch of leather.    After the shock
of the first three strokes she had gathered breath to shriek and after the
fifth she was screaming hysterically and lifting her legs to avoid the
stinging slap of the leather.    Dominque paused to let her recover for a
moment but then started again.    Thirty strokes was a lot - she did not
want to let her rest yet.

The leather cracked unmercifully across the poor girl's burning flesh.   
Three more across her thighs, four across her buttocks.   Dominique
was careful now to lay as few strokes as possible on places she had
already covered.    Though the fresh places would sting her more she
would recover more quickly than with repeated punishment on the
same spots.   This was the first way she was able to protect Amelie.    
Later on she was sure she could also make the strokes softer - in this
state Amelie would scream at anything so the chances were that no-
one would notice.

She was going to pause but then she realised that Amelie was twisting
her body round to escape the strokes on the back of her legs.   
Without hesitation Dominique whipped the strap across the unmarked
front of Amelie's thighs;  holding her by the shoulder and giving her six
blistering strokes that had her squirming and howling for mercy.    Now
Dominique let her rest and gather her breath.

"Very impressive, Dominique.  I might almost think you had done this
before."

Erica's voice was a sneer.

"But still a little cautious, wouldn't you say?" she continued.

If Dominique had been getting tearful in her desperation, this snapped
her right back out of it.

"I have no need to damage this girl, Erica.  She is ... very young."

"And pretty ... Todd thinks so, don't you, Todd?"

Dominique despaired.   There was no chance of softening Amelie's
punishment with this kind of scrutiny.    She was flattening the strap as
much as possible to avoid the edge cutting into her or the tip catching
her where she was really vulnerable but there wasn't much else she
could do.    Amelie was writhing on the end of the restraints and in so
much pain she could scarcely cry.

Dominique approached her from the front, putting an arm over her
shoulder, and gripped her hair at the back.   It looked like a painful trick
but in fact it allowed them to come close enough for Dominique to
whisper to her.

"Courage, ma cherie.  Je fais tout ce que je peux."

Unseen by the others Amelie kissed her cheek which gave Dominique
the strength to continue.   Clamping Amelie's head on her shoulder,
she gave her four sharp strokes on the hithertoe untouched sides of
her thighs.   She felt Amelie buck, howling in anguish, and held on tight
to her until she quietened.   Quickly she then moved to the back, pulling
the girl's head back by a handful of her hair, and gave her four similar
strokes on the other side.   This time Amelie was facing the table and
they could see her screaming.   Looking over Amelie's shoulder
Dominique could see their faces.  The men were laughing and joking,
pretending to be relaxed at what they were seeing, but the women were
intent.    The fascination on their faces was palpable and at least one
that Dominique could see seemed to be touching herself under the
cover of the tablecloth.    

It hardly mattered anymore.   Amelie now only had four strokes left to
face.    Dominique knew they would have to be climactic and
convincing but she knew she had got away with a lot in placing those
on the sides of the thighs. Even though they looked dramatic, no-one
could see how hard or soft they had been.    With a dramatic swing,
intended more for appearance than effect, she strapped Amelie hard
across her lower thighs to make her scream and kick and then quite
softly across her upper buttocks.    Amelie's reaction to the first was
enough to cover for both.   She was preparing to do something similar
for the last two when Erica's voice rang out.

"That will do, Dominique.    I don't think you've been trying at all.  The
thighs were a joke."

"I know my business,Erica."

"I'm just not sure you're doing it, darling.   No, no good ... Twenty
strokes extra awarded and Todd gets them."

Todd cheered and staggered to his feet.

"You can't do it.   I know how much I have hurt her.   You can't.  She
can't take it."

"Strangely protective, Dominique."   Erica's voice was a warning.   
"Does this girl mean something to you?"

"She's a human being."   Dominique was sounding weak and
desperate.  "Please."

"Forget it,"  Erica snapped as Todd moved in for the kill.

"Erica."   A quiet, commanding voice emerged from the far end of the
table.

It was Harry Edwards.    He smiled at Erica in a reproachful fatherly
way.

"Apart from being a businessman I am also a fully qualified doctor,
Erica.    I don't think I would like to see this girl hurt anymore."

Todd faltered.    A staring match followed, between Harry and Erica, at
the end of which she turned to Dominique, hissing through her teeth.

"These last two better be good, Dominique."

Todd sighed and sat down again.    Amelie who had been watching in
terror at the way things had been developing now turned back to
Dominique.   She looked relieved - she knew she could face two more
from her beautiful friend no matter how bad they were.   Dominique was
scared.     She had heard the warning in Erica's voice.   Whether she
got the evidence or not now hung by a thread.    If she didn't impress
Erica with these last two then all Amelie's pain could have been for
nothing.

Trembling Dominique moved towards Amelie.    Their eyes met and
Amelie paled at what she could see there.    She breathed deeply and
tried not to think of it.    Dominique had decided to do what she had
avoided doing up to now.    She would place the last two strokes across
the lowest and most sensitive part of Amelie's buttocks.   It was what
they wanted to see, the most satisfying shot, and Amelie would go mad
with pain.    She rubbed the leather gently across Amelie's flesh to
prepare her for where the pain would be.    Amelie understood what had
to happen to her and even pushed her bottom out to meet the strap and
make it easier for Dominique.

Dominique stepped away from her and raised her arm as high as she
could.   With all her strength she brought the strap down in a wide arc.   
It cut viciously across Amelie's softest flesh.   The girl leapt in the air
with a horrendous yelp then came to earth wailing as the second wave
of pain consumed her.    Dominique waited patiently for a moment then
spoke sharply to her.

"Still, Amelie!"

Amelie backed away from her pleading 'No, no, no' until Dominique
grabbed her by the shoulder and made her stand straight.    Amelie was
crying convulsively but, placed by Dominique, she stood her ground.   
Dominique raised the strap again and gave her the second tumultuous
stroke.    Involuntarily Amelie lunged with her hips to avoid it but to no
avail.   The last stroke landed precisely on top of the previous one and
she dissolved, howling, in a sea of pain.    This time at least Dominique
could release her wrists so that she could soothe the hurt herself.  
Amelie fell to her knees immediately and Dominique covered her in
Harry Edwards jacket which was hanging from a chair nearby.    

"I think I would like to go home now, Erica," she said.      "I think
perhaps you should make arrangements for your maid to do the same."    

Erica walked her to the door of the dining room.

"You'll find an envelope on the table in the lobby - you can collect the
rest of your baggage round the back in five minutes.    Sweet kid."

"Don't talk about her.   You bitch."

Erica 's voice descended to a growl. 

"There's something I really want you to know."   

Her eyes were on fire and she spoke with a slow deliberation that made
Dominique feel sick.     

"You fucked up, Dominique.    I would have given you that envelope if
you'd spent tonight at the ball game - in fact I would have begged you to
take it.    Explain that to your sweetie, if you can."   She laughed
harshly.    "Tell her as you lick her wounds."

"We're quits, Erica."

"I don't think so, sweetheart.   I don't think so."

Erica laughed again and closed the door.

Dominique checked the envelope.     It contained everything she
needed - of course it did.    Erica's revenge was complete.   She had
punished Dominique so completely and now even in bringing about
Ray's downfall Dominique would be doing no more than Erica's bidding.   
What a fool she was to have fallen so comprehensively into this vicious
woman's trap.    And Amelie.   Poor Amelie thought she had bought
Elli's freedom and perhaps even saved her life.   How could she explain
to her now it had all been unnecessary.

The cook, a beautiful middle-aged black woman, brought Amelie, naked
and still sobbing, to the service door.   Quite naturally, she was alarmed
to find Dominique waiting there;   but when she saw how they
embraced in floods of tears, she shook her head and left them together.   
She put the bag containing Amelie's clothes on the step.

"You must put something on, my darling,"   Dominique murmured.   
"You're shivering."

Amelie lifted her tear-soaked face to look at her beloved friend.

"Dominique."   She was breathing heavily and could hardly speak.   
"I've decided something ... important tonight."

Dominique stared at her.

"What ... what, Amelie?" she whispered.

"All I'm ever going to wear for the rest of my life is my t-shirt and socks."

They burst out laughing and embraced again then with Dominique's
coat around them they hurried to the car.

That night, for the first time, Dominique let Amelie sleep with her.    She
stroked soothing lotions into the girl's raging skin and made love to her
until the early hours which helped a lot.   Also for the first time she
allowed Amelie to return her love-making which she did so sweetly that
Dominique was almost afraid of the feelings she aroused.    

Amelie was so beautiful and so willing.   It was unnerving that she was
still so young but her love had been unwavering for nearly three years.   
She knew Dominique would never be her property - she seemed to
understand that and to be content to be near her and to serve her,
expecting only as much love and attention as Dominque could give   
She adored Tess and perhaps this was really the strongest relationship
for her.    Amelie was a painter - she was studying it at college - and her
calm concentration was inspirational to Dominique whose days were
telephones, computers and wall-to-wall meetings.

Amelie took a long time to find a way to lie that wasn't excruciatingly
painful but
finally she drifted off to sleep.   Lying cradling her in the half-darkness
Dominique began to think that perhaps from now on she would be a little more
open with Amelie and not so afraid.