'I will not be a moment. Be still, both of you', murmured Astrid mockingly..
From a drawer she took one of Julia's gifts to her-a short, brown-leather strap with a thin, lengthy chain attached to it. Jemima had seen it on the occasion when Astrid had first opened her valise. Astrid had not told her what it was, for she deemed it rather too advanced for her younger sister's age. Patricia's education as to its use would soon be complete, for it was a penis strap, a device whereby a male could be led by the chain to a waiting female.
Moving it through her fingers, Astrid left the boudoir and proceeded to her father's study, whence came a waiting and wondering quiet. Around her, the neighbouring bedrooms echoed a similar silence, where all lay with nervous expectancy upon the breaking of a new day. All now was well and secure, and all was in her domain, Astrid told herself, as with a gentle smile she clinked the chain lightly and opened the study door.