"Yes, Mr. Davenport. To both questions."
"Very well, then. Mr. Bevy, you have the paperwork?"
Jordan slid two sheets to Emma and handed her a pen. “This document certifies your acceptance of the board's decision. Please sign and date it where indicated."
Dan wanted to rip the paper out of her hand
. Stop, Emma!
He desperately telegraphed a warning, but she scrawled her name. Jordan took one of the copies and left the other with her. “That one is yours."
"Mr. Bevy will escort you out, and we will render our verdict shortly. Our decision will take effect immediately."
On her way out the door, Emma peered back at Otis. “If...if the board chooses to implement the other...uh...discipline, then it's all over, right?"
"Yes.” Otis paused, glancing at each board member. “Your debt would be considered paid in full, and the matter will be closed."
Dan couldn't listen to any more. “This is insane! Just terminate her membership and be done with this!” He shoved back from the table, but Jared placed a hand on his arm and shook his head.
"This is the Rod and Cane process,” he said quietly. “And it's Emma's choice."
It couldn't be her choice. Not her
informed
choice. She had no idea what she was doing, but Jared had his forearm clamped in his viselike grip, and short of punching the vice president in the face, Dan had no option but to permit Emma to leave with Jordan.
Self-loathing and regret tasted bitter in his mouth. He could have prevented this if he hadn't lost control of his anger, if he had been willing to speak to her. Why the hell was she doing this? Her membership in the Auxiliary had been a sham, so why bother to retain it? The Society wouldn't emerge from the shadows to seek legal redress, so it had no power over nonmembers. Emma could breeze away unscathed. Why put herself through this?
Unless she'd truly had a change of heart. Dan's chest contracted. If she'd changed her mind about the Society, did that mean everything else was real too? Like her feelings for him?
Jordan reentered the chamber and resumed his seat.
"Well, gentlemen. You have heard Miss Dupree's statement and request,” Otis said. “I remind you that we are determining the consequences for a willful violation of the confidentiality agreement, not to exact revenge because we may have been angered by the article."
McGinnis snorted. “So it doesn't matter that she defamed us?"
"We weren't defamed.” Dan glared at him. “She didn't report anything that wasn't true."
"She implied we were a bunch of perverts.” McGinnis looked as if he'd eaten something that had spoiled.
"No, she didn't.” Dan scowled. “Her tone may have contained a certain...incredulity, but everything she reported was accurate."
"Indeed,” Otis agreed. “So, in accordance with the bylaws, we have two choices: rescission of the privilege of membership or corporal discipline."
"Why not fine her?” asked a newer board member.
"The bylaws don't allow for it,” Jordan said.
"Our organization is more than seventy years old. It formed when few women were employed outside the home and had a source of income other than their husbands’ or parents'. It may be time to reevaluate the bylaws, but that's not the business on the table today,” Otis explained. “So, do I have a motion from the floor?"
"I move Emma Dupree be subject to a level-three corporal correction,” McGinnis stated.
"No fucking way!” Dan leaped from his chair, fisting his hands. If he had to, he would drag Emma kicking and screaming out of the mansion before he'd allow her to receive forty lashes with a cane.
"Mr. Tanner!” Otis rapped his gavel. “Please control yourself. Do we have a second?"
Silence followed the question, and McGinnis glowered at Dan.
"Very well, motion fails due to lack of second. That did seem rather severe, Paul,” Otis commented.
Dan sank back into his chair, his heart pounding. McGinnis was out for blood. Literally. A level-three caning would have left raised welts and would most likely have broken the skin. He raked a hand through his hair. Why was such a thing even in the bylaws?
"A level-three has never been meted out in the seventy-year history of the Society,” Jordan pointed out.
"I move we implement a level-one corporal correction,” Jared said quietly.
"I second,” said another member.
Otis restated the motion and called for discussion.
"I move we stop this insanity and revoke Emma's membership,” Dan said.
"You can't vote, and you can't make a motion!” McGinnis snapped.
"Mr. McGinnis happens to be right.” Otis nodded. “You may participate in the discussion inasmuch as you are here in an advocacy capacity for Miss Dupree. But you cannot vote or offer or second a motion. And in any case, one cannot make a new motion while one is on the floor."
Dan pictured himself introducing McGinnis to the motion end of his fist. But beating the crap out him, as satisfying as it would be, wouldn't help Emma. He had to keep a cool head if he was going to get her out of this. She couldn't possibly have known what she was agreeing to.
"Emma is a new member. She's a single woman. If she had been married, we wouldn't be here,” Dan argued. “The matter would have been brought to her husband, who would have handled it privately. Given those circumstances, I believe leniency is in order."
"True,” agreed a board member. “But unlike a married woman whose membership is often submitted by her spouse, Miss Dupree joined on her own and agreed to our terms."
"Exactly!” McGinnis said. “She knew what she was doing.” A scowl darkened his already ruddy face. “A level-one paddling is nothing more than a slap on the wrist. At the very minimum, she ought to receive a level-two. Paddling is not sufficient. I think her behavior merits caning.” A level-two was primarily a paddling, but with the final strokes delivered with a cane.
"The goal of physical discipline is to correct behavior. Emma has had a change of attitude and heart.” Dan glanced at each board member, trying to read their faces. “She joined as a skeptic and has become an advocate. In effect, the outcome of discipline has been achieved."
"If you believe Miss Dupree's remorse is real,” McGinnis sneered, “then I have some oceanfront property in Death Valley I'd like to sell you."
"My impression is that Miss Dupree's remorse is genuine,” Jordan said.
Otis peered over the rim of his readers. “I agree with Mr. Bevy. I believe she sincerely regrets her actions. I suspect that subconsciously, Miss Dupree chose to write about the Society because she was drawn to it, that the concept of discipline fulfilled a deep need. She's the kind of woman who benefits the most from Rod and Cane."
Several board members nodded. “It's obvious she could use the discipline,” membership chairman Steven Glickman said wryly.
"We have certain rules and expectations in our home. My wife knows them. When she violates those rules, I spank her,” said the board's recording secretary.
"Accountability is part of discipline.” Otis nodded. “Actions have repercussions, and while I believe there is justification for leniency, I believe Miss Dupree would benefit from experiencing the consequences of her actions."
Like a listing ship, the board's opinion shifted with Otis's words. Dan could feel the collective mind of the board adjust to the destination Otis had designated.
"Shall we vote on the motion?” Otis asked.
The men nodded.
"All in favor of administering a level-one correction to Miss Dupree?” Otis called.
Five ayes rang out.
"Nay.” McGinnis glowered.
"The ayes have it; the motion carries.” Otis rapped his gavel.
Dan's heart thudded. Emma's punishment wasn't as severe as it could have been, but it was unpleasant enough. He felt as if he'd let her down. The only thing he could do now was try to convince her not to go through with it. A disciplinary paddling would not be anything like the erotic spankings he'd given her. She had to realize that.
"We need to select an administrator,” Jordan said. “According to the bylaws, we may draw lots, or we may select someone by vote."
"Let's draw lots,” McGinnis said.
Emma would have a one-in-six chance of having McGinnis paddle her, and he would do his best to convert a level-one into a level-three. Dan's stomach lurched.
"I move we appoint Mr. Tanner as administrator,” Jared said.
"What?” Dan and McGinnis gasped together.
"I second the motion,” the board's recorder said.
"That's absurd,” McGinnis sputtered. “He's the last person who should have that responsibility."
Their reasons were different, but Dan agreed with McGinnis. He couldn't do it. Erotic spanking occurred within a wholly different context. He couldn't bring himself to punish Emma for real.
"I don't—” Dan broke off when Otis lifted his hand.
"Before you object, let me ask you this: if you're not the one to mete out discipline to Miss Dupree, who here would you appoint to do it?” Otis raised his eyebrows.
The president's words punched him like a left hook. Who indeed? Dan tightened his fists at the thought of McGinnis wielding the paddle. He glanced at Jared, Otis, the others. They would be, if not merciful, more evenhanded, but he'd have to thump them too if any of them touched her.
"No one,” Dan announced grimly, the onus of responsibility settling on him like a lead weight.
McGinnis jabbed a finger in Dan's direction. “He's fucking that broad."
"Two hundred dollars, Mr. McGinnis.” Otis snapped his gavel. “You were warned. One more inappropriate outburst and you'll be excused from the proceedings."
McGinnis flashed his eyes menacingly at Dan. “My apologies to the board. I merely wished to point out that Mr. Tanner has a conflict of interest due to his relationship with the young lady.” The words were civil, but the tone was anything but.
Jared twisted his mouth wryly. “By that reasoning, none of us would be appropriate disciplinarians of our wives."
McGinnis pointed his scowl at Jared. “You're obviously on Tanner's side."
"I'm on the side of justice. Discipline should be measured and controlled, not angry or emotional,” Jared said. “The goal is to teach and guide appropriate behavior, not to exact revenge."
"I'm not saying I agree with Paul.” The recording secretary spoke up, glancing at McGinnis. “But how do we know Dan won't soft-pedal the discipline?"
Another member nodded. “We all spank our wives. But it's a duty we fully embrace. In this situation, clearly Mr. Tanner doesn't feel discipline is warranted. Mr. McGinnis might be correct in this instance. I don't think Dan is the right person."
Triumph glinted in McGinnis's malevolent gaze. “That's what I've been trying to say."
Dan's heart constricted. He didn't want to paddle Emma, but considering the possible alternative—McGinnis—it was the only way to protect her. “I can assure you all, I will perform my duty to the fullest extent,” he said urgently.
One of the dissenting members spoke. “With all due respect, Dan, I'm not convinced. I think you'll hold back to save your lady friend some pain."
"You're not allowed to vote because of your relationship, so I'm inclined to think you shouldn't be the one to carry out the board's decision,” said another.
"Are you questioning my allegiance to Rod and Cane?” Dan went on the offensive in an attempt to defend Emma. “I've served this organization in an exemplary manner. I haven't given any of you reason to believe I would shirk my duty.” He glowered at his opponents.
"I'll monitor the session,” Jordan said. He gestured toward the drapes concealing the two-way mirror. “And the board will be able to observe as well."
"In the event that the board determines Mr. Tanner is not fulfilling his obligation, a new administrator will be appointed,” Otis said. “I believe we've heard all arguments from both sides. Let's vote."
Dan's heart hammered as he sized up his support. Otis and Jared would vote for him, but they accounted for only two ayes.
He knew with certainty which way McGinnis would go, and was almost as sure about the two other dissenters. He glanced at the recording secretary. He would be the swing vote. If he sided with McGinnis, Dan couldn't shake the horrible feeling his nemesis would be the one to discipline Emma. But even if the recorder voted with Jared and Otis, the best Dan could hope for was a tie. What would happen then? How would the deadlock be broken?
None of this favored Emma. The wall clock ticked ominously.
Otis cleared his throat. “All in favor of Mr. Tanner administering the discipline of Miss Dupree?"
Chapter Nineteen
In the disciplinary chamber, Emma knotted her hands in her lap and perched on the edge of a ladder-back chair that faced a large mirror. Her fate rested with the men on the other side of the mirrored wall. The rooms were obviously soundproofed, because she couldn't pick up so much as a murmur.
Seeing Rod and Cane members in all their glory had caused her legs to tremble with apprehension. Despite physical differences of age, build, hair, and eye color, the men appeared to be cut from the same dominant cloth. They commanded and controlled, demanded and received female submission.
It opened her eyes to view Dan in that context. She'd considered him a masculine man, but among his peers, all softness had vanished. The strength and power of his taut muscles, his erect posture, his chiseled features, had attracted and scared her at the same time. It was difficult to picture this stern-faced stranger as the lover whose cheeks had dimpled so adoringly, who had held her so tenderly, who had spanked her so playfully.
Her betrayal undoubtedly contributed to the austerity of his demeanor, but she sensed the demands of Rod and Cane influenced it as well. Within the mansion fortress, Dan was a different person.
If he had approached her with that same fierceness she saw in the boardroom, she wouldn't have allowed him to spank her—but she would have craved it more. Emma inhaled a shuddering breath. Yes, seeing Dan with these men revealed not just a side of him, but the essence of who he was. A man among men.