The dance floor was crowded with elegantly dressed people of all ages, some dancing on the sprung floor and others seated at tables around the perimeter of the floor. Thomas guided Sophie to a vacant table and pulled a chair out for her to sit. She hesitated, knowing that his permission might be needed but he nodded and she sat. The band had just finished playing a waltz and now struck up once more. Sophie watched the couples take their positions and hold it in the stiff, formal style of a tango that she loved so.

A distinguished looking older man, sixty perhaps, walked up to Sophie and bowed deeply. "May I?" Sophie turned to look at Thomas and he nodded curtly. Gracefully she rose and, taking the gentleman's proffered arm, walked on to the floor.

Sophie found he was a wonderful dancer; the sort who could make her feel as if she was floating on air. They glided easily across the floor, making an attractive couple. When the music stopped the gentleman escorted her back to the table, thanked her and bowed to Thomas. Sophie saw a knowing look pass between the two men and the older man nodded conspiratorially.

Now the orchestra was playing another waltz. Sophie's partner this time was a tall thin man in his twenties, he swept her on to the floor and they whirled around to the music. She felt breathless and intoxicated; perhaps the wine and champagne were finally kicking in. The tall man held her very close, pressed to his body; she could feel she aroused him. His hand was placed suggestively on her bottom. She wanted the dance to end, she wanted to go back to Thomas but she knew she had to obey him.

After her partner walked her back to Thomas's side she saw the same, almost imperceptible, nod. A third partner approached and she was whisked away. Again she was held too close and forced to feel her partner's hardened member. Then yet another claimed her for a fast foxtrot. This one murmured in her ear that he looked forward to "seeing more" of her in a leering voice that made her skin crawl.

Each foray on to the dance floor ended with Thomas being given that appreciative nod. Sophie's head was spinning. She longed to just sit by her lover and watch the dancers, so she was relieved when Thomas told the next prospective partner that she was going to sit that dance out.

"Well done, Sophie. You are a hit." He said proudly. "I wanted my friends to see what a jewel I have found."

Sophie smiled and blushed at this praise.

"Now I want you to meet some important people." He stood and offered his hand.

As she rose, couples took the floor for a lively Charleston and they wove their way between the bobbing dancers. Thomas stopped at a table where Sophie's first partner of the evening, the older distinguished gentleman, sat with an attractive but stern-looking woman of 40 or so. .

"Sit, my dear." The older man stood and gestured to a chair, smiling at her. "You are a fine dancer and a beautiful girl." Once she was seated he sat too. "Thomas, you should be very proud." Thomas sat next to Sophie and smiled modestly.

"Sophie is learning to be a true asset to me." He replied, "She has a long journey ahead but she is brave and strong."

"Strong willed?" The woman asked quickly, looking sharply at Sophie.

"She is trying hard to bend that strength to use in a new way." Thomas said, taking Sophie's hand.

"So.She has some resistance to you?" The woman asked insistently.

"She has forgotten herself and misunderstood me once or twice." Sophie felt Thomas squeeze her hand gently. Sensing that this woman was waiting to trip her, Sophie tensed and waited.

"So, my dear" the woman said in an overly sweet tone. " You've obviously captured our Thomas's heart."

"I simply want to please him." Sophie murmured, her head lowered.

"Oh, I'm sure you do that." The woman's sarcastic edge made Sophie wince.

"So, are you ready to let us see what Sophie has learnt, Thomas?" The older man asked

"Yes, Jeremy. I willingly give her, she is yours for as long as you deem necessary."

Sophie kept her eyes down but she could not believe what she was hearing. Was she Thomas's to be passed around like a marijuana joint? His words of that morning rang in her ears, he had asked her if she would obey him unconditionally and she had agreed.

"We will expect you at 9 tomorrow night. You know the rules -" Jeremy was staring at Sophie as he spoke to Thomas and she felt a shiver of discomfort. Thomas stood and motioned Sophie to join him. Obediently she stood, eyes lowered.