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E zra’s hold tightened around Beatrice’s waist. There were more people here tonight than the past few weekends. He scowled under his mask. He knew there was a risk bringing her here, but he was hoping the end-of-season balls would have kept the majority of people away.

Ezra made eye contact with a few familiar people as he escorted Beatrice down a low lit hallway.

Her body was radiating electricity and nerves. His finger twitched slightly against her back and she jumped, her eyes flashing to his for reassurance.

He continued to guide her through the throngs of people, some milling around, some kissing, and some doing more than kissing.

Her eyes were bouncing around, trying to take in all the new sights around her. And new sights indeed. Ezra doubted Beatrice saw many people kissing in the provocative manner most were currently partaking in. Couples were draped over each other in almost every corner of the manor.

Ezra’s hand slid to hers and stepped in front of her.

He navigated her through a particularly crowded area where people’s inhibitions were becoming more lax.

Beatrice gasped and her footsteps stopped behind him.

He turned to find her staring at two women kissing each other while sitting on a man’s lap.

Ezra took a step back and leaned down to her. “No judgement here, Lady Mouse. You don’t touch them, they won’t touch you. Remember my rule. Now come along. There’s more to see.” Ezra took a step before turning back. “Unless you do not wish to continue?”

Beatrice’s eyes snapped to his as she swallowed. Her eyes were still wide under her mask. Even with the anonymity of the mask, there was no hiding the fact she was innocent.

Her eyes cleared from shock as she shook her head slightly before gesturing to continue on. He took her around entwined legs, discarded clothing, and inviting smiles and stopped in front of a door. He knocked twice in rapid succession before the door opened.

Ezra stood to the side and motioned for Beatrice to walk in first. As much as he wanted to enter first, who knows how far into the demonstration they would be, he wanted Beatrice to walk in under her own volition.

With a cautious look to Ezra, Beatrice pulled her shoulders back and walked into the room with her head held high.

Ezra couldn’t help but smile at her determination, and stubbornness. She will be a fun one.

Beatrice’s confidence evaporated when she was met with a couple sitting on a couch facing the doorway. Several couples occupied chairs and lounge chairs placed in front of the couple on the couch, as if the couple on the couch were on a stage.

Her steps halted as curious eyes turned to face her.

“Umm…” she brought her hand up as to wave and Ezra grabbed it and put it back at her side.

“No touching, and no talking.” His whispered into her ear, loving the shiver his words caused her.

She nodded once and allowed him to guide her to the couch directly in front of the couple. Beatrice looked at the other occupied chairs, all of them were off to the side or even behind the open couch. Her face said it all.

Why must we sit here?

Her features were painted with worry and confusion. Ezra said nothing but sat on the couch. With one look, Beatrice plopped down onto the couch with more emphasis than she probably intended. She dipped her head and squeezed her eyes shut.

There was an unfamiliar tug inside of Ezra. As much fun as he thought this would be, ruining an innocent, and even at her own behest, he found himself wanting to make it slightly easier for her.

Taking pity on her, he placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her back into him as he leaned back onto the couch. Her body was stiff and rigid underneath his touch.

This won’t do.

“Relax, Mouse. We’re just here to watch.” He nodded to the couple on the opposite couch as he spoke.

Beatrice dipped her chin. “Watch what?”

A low moan from the woman on the opposite couch halted Beatrice’s next question.

Beatrice lifted her gaze to see the woman, who was also dressed in only a nightgown leaning back onto the couch. Her one hand gripped at the cushion while her other one played with the ribbon at her neckline.

Beatrice’s breath caught and she leaned forward a little. Ezra watched as her eyes took in the scene before them. Her eyes displayed her emotions perfectly; curiosity first, then confusion, back to curiosity before understanding finally dawned on her.

Her breathing increased as her eyes traced over to the man sitting next to the woman. His lips were on her neck with open-mouthed kisses. His one arm laid across the back of the couch while his other one was underneath the woman’s nightgown.

Ezra bit his lip to stop from smiling when Beatrice’s expression turned from understanding to indecision.

Ezra leaned into Beatrice. “Enjoying the show, Mouse?”

Beatrice’s brows furrowed. “I don’t understand what we’re watching.”

Ezra cocked his head to the side, to which Beatrice rolled her eyes.

“I obviously know what we’re watching, but why?”

Ezra let the smile he was holding back free. “Some find it entertaining.” He nodded to a man who was sitting off to the side with a drink in his lap, just watching. “Some find it arousing.” He gestured to a couple sitting on a chair to their right who were kissing and quickly undressing each other.

Beatrice gasped and dropped her eyes, shielding herself from both couples.

“This is highly inappropriate.” Beatrice’s words rushed out.

Ezra worried that for all her bravado, she really was an innocent girl. He had found that the most sheltered society girls say they want danger and adventure but when the opportunity actually presented itself they turn back to what they know.

He took in her huddled frame as disappointment settled within him. He had hoped she was one who truly wanted adventure.

A slight movement caught his eye. Beatrice had shifted in her seat and while her head was still down, her eyes kept flashing up to the scene in front of them.

A jolt of electricity shot through Ezra. She does want it, she just doesn’t know how badly she wants it.

Ezra relaxed against her and once again pulled her to him. With his arm around her shoulders he whispered into her ear.

“There is nothing to be ashamed of here. Why people come to watch, or participate, or do anything is not for us to decide. It’s only for us to become inspired.”

Beatrice brought her eyes up to his. “Inspired?”

Her light brown eyes were nearly black from her pupils being dilated. She was aroused.

He gestured for her to watch. As she leaned back against him, taking in the scene before them Ezra continued to whisper in her ear.

“From your own midnight discovery you know there’s a special spot on a woman, that when touched just so causes ecstasy and enjoyment.”

Beatrice bit her bottom lip. Even in the dim light he could see the blush blossoming on her cheeks. She was no doubt remembering the night she came to him and what she had done just before.

She swallowed and licked her lips. “She’s enjoying it? Being touched so intimately in front of complete strangers?”

Keeping his lips close to her ear his eyes floated to the couple on the other couch. The man’s hand was moving faster, his own hips raising into the air. The woman’s eyes were squeezed shut with her mouth forming the perfect ‘o’ through her growing moans.

“Mmmm, indeed. See how her hips are pushing up into his hand? I highly doubt she remembers there are others in the room.”

Beatrice’s breathing was becoming erratic as she nodded her head slightly. She licked her lips once more and shifted again in her seat.

“Do you remember when you touched yourself the other night?” Ezra’s words were low and rough. He could feel his pants tighten as he watched Beatrice process his question.

She didn’t answer but shook her head in acknowledgement.

“Did you not enjoy it?”

She slowly blinked.

Her head bobbed again.

“Well, if you enjoyed it then, think of someone one else doing it for you. Just you and him, no worries of getting caught, all the freedom in the world to explore what your body likes, wants, desires.”

Beatrice’s body swayed to his words. Her eyes became heavy, as if she was under a trance, listening to his words and watching the couple in front of them.

Once again she shook her head to clear her thoughts. “Why is it hot in here all of a sudden?” Beatrice closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. This was going better than Ezra could have imagined. She was very responsive to stimuli.

The woman moaned, throwing her head back against the couch. Beatrice sat up in earnest. Her leg began to bounce underneath her nightgown. She reached for Ezra’s hand but he took her hand and placed it on her own thigh.

“No touching tonight, remember?” He scolded lightly

Beatrice scowled. “I thought you meant other people. Plus, you also said no talking and we’ve been talking this whole time.” She squirmed on the couch, her fingers fidgeting in her lap. Suddenly her movements stopped and her eyes glanced at him from their corners.

Ezra noticed the change and got the sneaking suspicion his little mouse was up to something.

Surely enough, she lifted her hand and started to lightly touch the neckline of her nightgown. Ezra watched as her fingertips traced the ribbon that was threaded in and out around her throat.

His mouth ran dry and he tried to swallow over the lump that had formed in his throat.

Not only was she a responsive little thing, she was a quick learner as well.

Ezra’s hand that was draped around her shoulders caught her wandering hand. “I said no touching, Mouse.”

A sly smile warmed her lips. “You said no touching other people. You said nothing about touching myself.”

Images of a writhing Beatrice with heavy lidded eyes flashed in his mind sending his body into an inferno of want.

“You’re walking a very fine line right now, Mouse.” Ezra shifted, hoping to quell the hardening cock in his pants.