Alleyn, Fredrica (7 page)

'How many rooms are there in the chateau?' asked Nicola, following the dark-haired maid along a corridor and down a flight of stairs.

'Many, many rooms,' murmured Sophie tonelessly.

'It's so beautiful! I can't believe how lucky I am to be staying here.'

Sophie, her face expressionless, held open one of the French doors that opened out into the courtyard and gestured for Nicola to step through. She wondered just how lucky the girl would think herself after a few more days here.

Emerging into the brilliant sunlight Nicola blinked, trying to adjust her vision. There was a well in the middle of the cobbled courtyard, and over the top of the well long metal struts arched inwards to form a decorative lovers' knot at the top, some six feet above the actual well. Dry stone walls surrounded the square on two sides, while the third side was protected by a dense hedge that entirely blocked out any gentle breeze.

As she walked hesitantly over the cobbles, Nicola saw that Cassandra and the baron were seated side by side in a canopied swing seat. Cassandra was wearing
³
r
^h
"
^{CUt swimsu}
it in an exotic tropical flower print Z K «
^ma
tching loose shirt-style cover-up that was unbuttoned so that her long, slim legs, tanned and firm,

^{t0 th6ir best}
^vantage*

Nicola was surprised that they didn't seem to have heard her approaching, because the baron was slowly stroking his mistress's right leg, his hand lingering near the top of her thigh where the swimsuit cut into the flesh and Cassandra's head was thrown back against the top of the seat, her eyes closed in enjoyment.

Nicola watched the way the baron's hand moved, saw his lean fingers skimming over the tight skin and suddenly her whole body felt far too hot. The short-sleeved blouse could have been a woollen jumper from her skin's reaction and her culottes, far from being cool, were heavy and clung to her legs as she walked.

She cleared her throat softly and although Cassandra didn't move the baron's eyes flicked towards her and he smiled. 'There you are at last. We were getting quite worried about you. It's easy to get lost in the chateau.'

Nicola's mouth was dry and she couldn't take her eyes away from the baron's still moving hand. 'One of your maids showed me the way,' she muttered.

With his free hand he gestured towards an empty garden chair where she could sit with her legs extended and her head protected from the sun by an overhanging top. 'Lunch will be served in a few minutes.'

The chair was positioned opposite the swing seat, and as Nicola sat down awkwardly on it, thrusting out her legs and leaning back against the cushioned headrest, she was very aware that the baron's eyes never left her, even though his hand continued to caress Cassandra's leg.

For Cassandra, the insistent stimulation caused both pleasure and tension. The baron's instructions had been clear; she could allow herself to become aroused but not to climax. He wanted Nicola to see Cassandra's pleasure, but not the final result. Tonight he would touch the newcomer for the first time, let her flesh start to experience some of the secret delights that lay in store for it, but until then gentle subconscious arousal was his intention.

Unfortunately for Cassandra he seemed particularly involved in his task and her breathing was already rapid when he let his thumb skim between her thighs, across the tightly stretched material of her costume and over her swollen nub of pleasure. She felt the heavy tightness at the base of her stomach and the pre-orgasmic tingles of impending release deep within her centre. Desperately she clenched her abdominal muscles, subduing their attempts at spasming with excitement and at the same time she forced her mind away from the sensations, thinking instead about the girl sitting opposite her.

The baron felt Cassandra's thighs tremble as her orgasm threatened to spill over, and he watched from beneath lowered lids as she successfully fought it off until at last her breathing returned to normal and only the droplets of perspiration in the hollow of her neck betrayed her silent conflict. He leant forward and licked them. Cassandra's eyes opened and he smiled briefly into them before turning his full attention back to Nicola.

She had watched the scene in wide-eyed astonishment. Cassandra's flushed face and shallow breathing had been obvious to her, but the true meaning of it all had been beyond her understanding. What she did know was that her breasts felt too large for the constraints of her bra, her stomach was tense and her skin hot and uncomfortable. When the baron licked at Cassandra's throat Nicola's heart thudded loudly in her ears and she wished that someone would bring out their lunch and shatter the heavy, heat-filled silence in the courtyard.

Just then Monique and Sophie emerged from an opening in the hedge. One was carrying a large silver tray of rolls, assorted cheeses, grapes and peaches while the other maid's tray held two bottles of wine, a pitcher of lemonade and three ruby red glass tumblers as well as plates and knives. The trays were placed on a
wooden
table which the maids then lifted and left between Nicola's chair and the swing seat.

Languidly, Cassandra lifted her head and stared about her as though uncertain where she was. The baron half-filled a tumbler with Chardonnay and handed it to her.

'Here,
liebling,
this should make you feel better.'

Cassandra knew that it wouldn't. Wine in moderation only increased her sexual desires, but she took the glass and drank some of the chilled liquid, savouring its distinctive bouquet.

The baron smiled at Nicola. 'Wine, or lemonade?'

'Lemonade please. I'm so thirsty.'

'The lemonade is certainly refreshing. You can try some of my wines at dinner tonight. I hope you like good wines?'

'I don't have much experience,' admitted Nicola.

Cassandra smiled at her. 'You'll soon learn,' she said quietly and Nicola's stomach tensed because the words, although innocent, sounded almost like a threat.

'Come/ said the baron briskly. 'Eat, savour everything to the full. We believe in pleasure here. Do you enjoy eating, Nicola?'

'I suppose so. I'm not fussy about my food, if that's what you mean.'

He frowned. 'That wasn't what I meant at all. Tell me, have you left a heartbroken lover behind in London?'

Nicola, trying to cope with a crisp baguette, creamy brie and some grapes, wished he'd just ignore her. She felt so out of place with the pair of them and longed to retreat to her room as she frequently had done in London when she felt awkward and unsure. 'No one at all,' she confessed. 'I hardly met up with any people of my own age in London. Daddy's library took up my days, and in the evenings most of his friends were elderly or unsuitable.'

'Unsuitable?' queried Cassandra, who'd now regained control of herself.

'Before my mother died she apparently made my father promise to keep me safe from temptation. She didn't want me growing up too fast. I think she was very religious.'

'But you are nearly twenty-one! It is time for you to grow up now, would you not agree?' asked the baron, his brown eyes fixed on her with a peculiar intensity.

Nicola nodded. 'Of course, but you can't grow up on your own you know!'

There was a sudden silence. Nicola looked at the baron and now his eyes were gleaming, as though there was a light behind them. 'Your father understood that,' he told her softly. 'That is the reason you're here, little one.'

'To meet new people you mean?' she asked eagerly.

He sat back on the seat and steepled his fingers so that they were just touching the end of his chin. 'To be awakened,' he said softly.

Nicola's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't believe she'd heard him right. 'Awakened?'

He nodded. 'Your father has asked me to finish your education. To turn you into a complete woman. Doesn't the idea appeal to you?'

Both the baron and Cassandra were watching her closely and a wave of panic swept over Nicola. She jumped out of her chair and her plate fell to the cobblestones, shattering into hundreds of pieces. 'I'm very tired,' she gabbled, her legs shaking and her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides. 'If you'll excuse me I think I'll go to my room and lie down for the afternoon.'

The baron nodded. 'But of course. And do relax, my dear Nicola. Believe me, by the time you leave here you will be eternally grateful to your father.'

Nicola turned on her heels and stumbled away, in through the French door and out of their sight.

'Why did you tell her that?' asked Cassandra.

'She'd have worked it out soon enough and I wished to add a frisson of fear to her afternoon. It should heighten her senses tonight.'

Cassandra looked doubtful. 'She didn't seem very grateful or enthusiastic when you explained.'

'She is already afraid of her own responses. She watched us constantly, without once closing her eyes. There is desire there, and definitely sensuality. The only thing I cannot tell is along what particular paths her preferences will take her.'

Cassandra stood up. 'May I take Peter to my room now?' she asked.

The baron laughed. 'I think not! I shall join you there and we will enjoy ourselves while at the same time keeping an eye on Nicola. I would like us to have Monique for company.'

Cassandra nodded. 'I'll fetch her.'

'Excellent! I'll go up and prepare things while you do.'

Monique was sitting on the high step outside the huge kitchen, enjoying some of the early afternoon sun. Inside the chef and his assistant were hard at work preparing dinner, using the modern high-technology equipment that the baron had allowed into this one room.

He expected to eat well and had listened to his chef's requirements when refurbishing the chateau. However, because of the white surfaces and gleaming stainless steel it was a room he resolutely refused to enter, so it was always Cassandra who had to go there when the maids were needed. If the baron wished to speak to the chef, he sent for him.

Cassandra crossed the room and called Monique's name. When the girl appeared she was totally expressionless. 'You're needed upstairs, Monique,' said Cassandra softly.

Monique's pale face flushed and when the flush faded her skin seemed even whiter than before but she nodded obediently, put on a clean white apron and mob cap and followed her mistress up the stairs. She was relieved to discover that they were heading for the double bedroom, not the punishment room.

Unusually for times like this, the baron was fully clothed. He also had a TV screen on, and Monique could see a fair-haired young woman wearing only a pair of white high-cut briefs lying on her back in the middle of a huge bed.

Cassandra glanced at the screen. 'Has she done anything?'

The baron shook his head. 'She took off most of her clothes, that's all. I trust she has indulged in self-pleasuring at some time during her life!'

As the couple talked, Monique waited silently, hoping that the baron would be in a generous mood once they got down to whatever activity he had in mind. He watched the motionless blonde on the screen for a moment longer then turned to the maid. 'Take off all your clothes and then undress your mistress.'

Monique complied. Her uniform was easily divested, but Cassandra's outfit proved more difficult and when she fumbled with the leather belt the baron clicked his tongue in disapproval.

Finally both women were naked. The baron sat Cassandra in a chair opposite the foot of the bed, threw a bolster filled with duck feathers onto the bed and gestured towards it.

'Make love to it, Monique. Wrap yourself around it, press against it and keep your hips moving all the time. I expect you to come within five minutes.'

Although used to the exercise, five minutes was a very short time at the start of a session and Monique wasn't sure she could manage it, but failure was never a pleasant thought in the chateau and she quickly climbed onto the bed. As she felt her body sink into the feather softness she closed her eyes and pretended it was the baron pressing against her, arousing her naked body, and the faster she moved her hips the quicker her arousal grew.

'I shall enjoy watching Nicola do this,' murmured the baron, letting a hand stray over Cassandra's breasts. 'How firm you feel,' he added lightly, and pinched each of the small pink nipples in turn until they lengthened and grew hard.

Cassandra moaned softly. She was watching Monique, listening to the girl's subdued but rising sounds of excitement and waiting tensely for the moment when the slight body would shake with release.

Monique was nearly there; her breasts were on fire, her stomach full and tight and suddenly the liquid warmth spread through her in a rush and she gave a cry of relief.

The baron glanced at his watch. 'Four minutes ten seconds. Excellent! Now lie on your back on the bolster with your legs spread out on each side.' Monique obeyed. 'Good. Next I shall use my mouth on you. This time you have four minutes.'

Suddenly Monique saw the way the game was going and knew that once again by the end of the session her pleasure would be edged with pain, but this was what she had come to need and was the secret of her refusal to leave the chateau.

Cassandra moved
to
sit next
to
the
girl as
the baron
put
his head between her thighs. When his tongue touched the still highly sensitive flesh of her inner lips
Monique's legs
started
to close
and Cassandra slid a hand
beneath the cheeks
of
the
maid's bottom,
one
slim finger resting lightly against the opening there. Immediately the girl's legs opened fully again.