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Chapter 4: Caught

An icy chill filled the room. The color drained from Violet's face as she lay on the bed, the vibrators buzzing softly in the frozen air. The four of us were too terrified to move, much less acknowledge the Madame in the room with us.

Sissy maids at Belmont were given a certain amount of leeway. Toys were provided and playing with other girls was allowed — even encouraged. But there was one iron-clad rule that could not be broken: only Madame Belmont may gift an orgasm. We were meant to be perpetually, desperately horny for her pleasure. It may be unspoken, but the rule was well known.

And we had just broken it.

It would have been one thing if Violet had been locked. Accidents happened. Sometimes girls went too far or got too lost in the fun. They were still punished, of course, but Madame Belmont was lenient with them. The last girl who had done it had her chastity sentence doubled, and there had been rumors of worse things happening behind closed doors, late at night.

Madame Belmont was smiling, and the lack of fury made it much worse. Her face was a flat mask of calm as she examined us, pencil skirt stretching around her legs as she strode into the room. The corner of her lips were turned up in a small smile that could have been contempt as easily as it could have been amusement.

This is all Violet's fault. But something told me that Madame Belmont would not be particularly receptive to that line of argument.

"I've been in this room a very long time without the appropriate greeting," she said softly.

There was an instant flurry of activity as we cascaded off the bed and snapped to attention against the wall. We were a motley group. Messy skirts were held in frantic curtseys, eyes glued to the floor as if there was nothing more interesting in the world. Leftover panties and quietly, happily humming toys were scattered on the bed. Stockings drooped where they had come undone from garter belts. Smeared make-up that had once been so delicious to see was now a sloppy reminder of the mess we were in.

"Girls, girls, girls." She was shaking her head as she paced in front of us, the quiet click of heels echoing loudly in our ears.

There was a long pause. The air was shaking as much as our legs. Then Violet began to speak, her voice thin and reedy.

"I'm so sorry, Madame Bel—"

"You have no idea how sorry you'll be, girl, " our Madame hissed, her voice now dripping with acid. "Of all my maids, Violet. You? "

She shook her head, hands on her hips, too exasperated for words.

I dared to glance down at Violet. She was shaking, skirts wiggling around her. For the first time since I'd put on a dress, the sound wasn't arousing. This time it didn't mean sweet, lovely things were coming. This time it didn't mean locking lips and rubbing pantied rears.

?This time it meant punishment.

"You two," she spat at Erica and Jenna, pointing towards the door.

The girls all but sprinted out of it. The longer they lingered, the worse things would go for them. Maybe they'd get lucky and would be spared the bulk of Madame Belmont's ire — but that meant that Violet and I would be the ones to suffer it. The thought made me shiver.

"In all my time," she continued, fiery gaze swiveling towards us. "I've never seen anything like this. Never has one of my girls been so… so…"

She inhaled deeply, lips pressed tightly together. Her jaw was clenched and I could see muscles working on the side of her head. Her body was as rigid as a board, erect and almost quivering. The color had drained from her face, but her eyes were bright and wide.

"Contemptuous. Disrespectful. Arrogant," she breathed, shaking her head. "I have half a mind to fire you both."

Violet's gaze snapped up to the Madame's, her expression open horror. "Please!" she squealed. "Madame Belmont, please, no!"

"And you?" she asked, wheeling on me. "Are you desperate to stay here as well?"

I swallowed, throat dry. "Yes, Madame Belmont," I answered, my words like sandpaper.

Her eyes narrowed and her nostrils flared. I could see her staring at us, deciding what to do next. How to discipline two maids who had ignored her rules. Wondering if those maids even could be disciplined. If they deserved it.

"You're on thin ice," she finally said, her voice measured even as her face was still tight with fury. "Your punishment will be severe. We will carry it out this evening. Until then, you are confined to your rooms."

She strode quickly out of the room, heels clicking. When she reached the door, she paused, one hand on the ornate frame.

"The one thing I ask, girls," she said, facing away from us. "Is commitment. Not just to me, but to the rules. To your fellow maids."

She inhaled deeply, then looked over her shoulder at us. "Tonight will be your chance to prove that you're both ready to be avid members of this house."

Then she disappeared, leaving Violet and I alone and afraid.