"I think my lord is angry enough with you at the moment," Claudia pointed out, mildly. "He is very creative when it comes to acting on that anger."

She can't help a shudder at the thought, half in anticipation and half in dread at what the end of this day will bring. It was almost strange to remember that there had once been days when she had wanted to escape the pain rather than feel blessed by those attentions so lavished upon her. "Unless you would rather I ask for the meeting to begin here."