Sir Avery’s words were cut off into a pained hiss by the crack of Annie’s whip. The man issued a pained yelp when Annie hit him again and tugged at a chain attached to two clamps on his nipples.

“You speak altogether too much, Sir Avery,” she chided him, coldly. “Not another word out of you until I am done here tonight.”

John started toward him unconsciously, but found himself being held again by one of the men who had accompanied Sir Avery earlier. The woman rounded on John, her skirt billowing out behind her. He caught a tantalizing glimpse of her stocking-and-high-heeled-stiletto clad legs, her garter and navel-exposing bodice all of which framed a shaven and completely naked mons. His mouth watered and he could understand the look of joy on the face of the man whose name he still did not know.

“Stay and watch, John Palmer,” the woman called Annie commanded. “Sir Avery likes to be the centre of attention. After his flogging I will make him attend to us while I make love to you, though from the looks of things you may prefer it that I flog you as well.”

John took a step back, away from the woman, not entirely liking the prospect of doing this with total strangers but he bumped into the tall man called Saul whom he had forgotten was still standing behind him. The man reached over and restrained John by hugging his body against him. John could feel his unmistakeable hardness beneath the peasant dress costume, a crude attempt at depicting one of Annie’s slave lovers, John surmised.

“Come, come John, we’re all adults here, aren’t we?” Saul murmured seductively into John’s ear in an unmistakably polished British accent. “No one need know about this when we get back home. You’re among friends. We all saw how excited you got at the sight of Annie’s whip, and Avery pegged you as someone who enjoyed the lifestyle. As Annie said, he likes a bit of an audience. It adds a little spice,” he turned away slightly, “And black cock adds a bit more excitement on occasion, doesn’t it Avery?”

John struggled to get away from the man. Mistress Nnenna had never forced him to be with men at any time but somehow he did not believe that this lot would respect his wishes when it came to being entertaining.

“Come on John, be a sport,” the bigger man whispered and planted a light kiss behind John’s ear.

John was about to try to heave him over his shoulder in a desperate bid for escape when Annie saved them both the scuffle.

“Stop it Saul! You and Takoo come and finish off Sir Avery now.”

“Wait!” John croaked. “What do you mean finish him?”

Everyone, including Sir Avery laughed.

“John, you don’t mean what I think you do!” Annie exclaimed. “You’ve been watching far to much television! I am not the real Annie Palmer, surely you know that, don’t you? I am someone who offers some special services to a few select clients. The hotel would not approve of its guests making so merry, so we have to keep it quiet. You almost outed us all so we took you with us; and recognising you as a fellow… enthusiast, shall we say, we invited you to join us for a night of decadence reminiscent of the Rose Hall of legend, after a sense.”

“And we couldn’t ignore the fact that your name really is John Palmer!” Saul interjected.

“No we couldn’t,” Annie continued. “Saul is not going to kill Sir Avery; we don’t plan to go that far, but we’re all professionals who like a little something extra and we’re trying to get it away from the prying eyes at home in London. Sir Avery is not our only celebrity here. Saul recognised you from your pictures in the papers in London, but since he’s a Harley Street doctor he is hardly in a position to out you.” The woman grinned at him, “and, I’m a solicitor by day,” she added as an afterthought.

Then, without warning she turned toward John and flicking her whip she caught him once on his left buttock. John’s erection strained toward her, desperately. Saul’s hand strayed dangerously down John’s stomach toward his prize, but Annie stopped him again, sending him to Sir Avery’s side. She reached for John’s todger and pulled him, roughly, toward her.

“So, John Palmer, are you with us this night?”

“Yes,” John hissed, “and perhaps I can invite you all round to my flat for Guy Fawkes Night drinks next week?” He glanced at Saul a sly smile on his face, “if you all promise to behave.”