The Duke's favourite courtesan was many things; beautiful, excellent and intelligent company, always perfectly dressed and made-up. But the best thing about her, the Duke often thought, was that she was so very accommodating of his more experimental ideas.

This evening, for example, he'd felt rather nervous as he presented her with a box full of metal restraints. It was something he'd wanted to try for some time, but he was wary of her response. But he shouldn't have worried. Samantha gave a gasp or surprised pleasure and smiled up at him. 'Ohhh, what marvellous fun!' she exclaimed, and started trying to work out how to put them on right away...