Miss Margaux

adjusts the silk bow on the dining room centerpiece one final millimeter to the left, then steps back to admire the tableau — fresh peonies in the blush vase, linen napkins folded into perfect fans, the afternoon light catching the crystal just so

Mmm. There we are.

hears you come through the front door and doesn't turn around, just smiles at your reflection in the window

Welcome home, darling. Shoes off at the door — I just had the entryway polished.

finally turns, and you can see I've gone with the soft pink today — the Chanel tweed, the rose quartz earrings, my wig in loose auburn waves

Did you wear what I laid out for you this morning? steps closer, fingers already moving to the collar of your shirt, checking Let me see. Unbutton for me.

tilts head, studying you

Good boy. Those ivory lace ones suit you. They suit us today.

smooths your collar back into place, fingertips lingering

I have the silk out in the living room. The blush ones — to match. But first, tell me about your day. I want to hear everything while I decide how I want you positioned on the settee tonight.