Anonymous - Julie

Perhaps we shall even tame the males by taunting them-who knows?” came Nina's laugh. Slurping sounds came as from the joined lips, then Adelaide of a sudden slumped, rippled out another small, sweet shower against my mouth and was still. I rose, wiping my lips. Nina sat up and sparkled! Adelaide lay with her eyes closed and her face coyly to one side. “She will lie so and then join us in the garden, will you not, Adelaide?” Nina asked. The lady's lips moved, but no reply came.

We tiptoed out and closed the door. Another victory, as might be said! “We shall see if she joins us and comports herself now in a civilised manner. If she does not, I shall birch her and then Frank and Edmond shall mount her both,” Nina said in the most practical fashion as we descended. I admit to being as enthralled in her company as I always was in yours, Julie. You both have the same intent and both meet, it seems, with the same success! Three quarters of an hour passed while Nina and I sat under sunshades in the garden and listened to the rollicking of the boys. Then Adelaide appeared, gazed all about uncertainly and then joined us, though ever watching nervously for the appearance of Matthew and Mark. “I… I must leave today,” she twittered. “You have nothing to fret about, Adelaide. Why return?

Maude may not wish to leave.” “Oh, she surely will,” Adelaide replied to Nina. “Be not so sure, my pet; she has enjoyed herself and is doing so at this moment, too, I wager. She is perfectly safe with Frank and Edmond, and knows herself to be. Ah, here are Mark and Matthew!” Nina exclaimed as the boys emerged from behind a shrubbery and came towards us, making Adelaide quite jump. Before she could move, however, they had run to their Mama's side, Nina taking on a mischievous aspect and saying to them, “Now, you are not to be naughty again unless I bid you to. You understand?” “Yes, Mama, but oh, the lady is so beautiful!” Matthew replied, so that Adelaide blushed and knew not where to look-might indeed have risen and run indoors had not Nina put up a gently warning hand. “You see how taken they are with you, Adelaide? Come, give her each a kiss, boys, and say you are sorry and will not intrude upon her again-unless she wishes it, in which case…” “Oh!” exclaimed Adelaide, but quick as darts the two youths ran and kissed her on the mouth and were off like skylarks before she could recover! “You see how sweet they are?” Nina chided her. “I… I cannot say! I do not know what to say! I have never encountered…” Adelaide began. “Two at once? My pet, they are virile, eager, mean no harm. Did they change places in the night?”

Nina asked with such delightful charm that only the most utterly miserable could have resisted her. “They may with me tonight-if they want,” I said quickly, whereat Nina laughed and asked Adelaide, “You see?” Quite what Adelaide might have replied to that I cannot guess, but then an interruption came of a most unexpected nature. Her husband was announced! Oh, my goodness, how she sprang up from her wicker chair and looked as might a lady who has lost her drawers in public! “Adelaide! Be calm, be still! He can know naught of what has passed, nor shall,” Nina said while a maid stood waiting for instructions. “I shall see the gentleman in the drawing room,” she then told the servant, who was, of course, perfectly used to hearing all sorts of strange remarks passed in the house. The maid departing, Nina then told her guest, “Leave him to me, my love. He can have no doubts about you and therefore you have none to assuage. Edmond in due course will be introduced to him as a friend of Franks-as indeed he is.” “B… b… but Maude!” choked the lady, whereat I intervened. “She will be utterly discreet. Leave that to me,” I said to her relief, whereat I accompanied Nina within and there met with the gentleman of whom I believe, Julie, you have some acquaintance! Being told that his wife awaited him in the garden and that Maude was out, he could not help but let himself be entertained by us for a few moments. One does not rush one's greetings to one's hostess, after all! He had searched in several places for his wife and offspring, it appeared, but was now at rest and comforted. Being told that Adelaide had fallen asleep in her garden chair and need not be disturbed at the moment, he settled more and danced his eyes all over me! Nina then pretending she had to speak to cook, I was left alone with him. Immediately then his expression changed, for he had learned from a chance remark of Nina's of my sojourn with you and thus knew me to be acquainted with Maude in other ways than here at home in England. “Did you find it irksome?” he ventured, pretending great ignorance of your superb establishment. I, seated opposite him (but not too far!), moved my hands coyly, but then gazed at him boldly-for that, as you told us, intrigues them, and it does. “Not at all.

At first perhaps one finds it a little unusual-a trifle sportif, shall we say-but then one gets used to it and takes pleasure from it,” I replied, alternately looking at him and then not, as if my eyes were skaters on a pond. He cleared his throat. “Maude, though…” he began. I looked about us as if for fear we might be interrupted.

“Shall we to the library? We have less fear of being overheard there,”

I said, which of course pleased him much! He was quick in following me. The door closed upon us. I stood by a window and gazed down. He ventured to come as close to me as he dared. “I have spoken with Maude much since her return. She is more settled now and regrets leaving.

She is better tutored than she was,” I murmured carefully. His hand nudged my hip as if he had made an accidental motion of his hand. I did not move. As you have frequently told us, a young lady should be composed at all times save when she is being birched or bedded! “Better tutored?” he repeated. “Madams ways are unusual. One would not find the like in England, sir. She teaches that which cannot here be taught-or leastways, not with such skill, such understanding, such delicacy. Some might say such daring!” I said and bit my lip as though to quell a smile. I heard him swallow and turned my face to him. “Judge every second that passes and act upon it,” you have said, Julie. I did! “Ah!” said he. He clearly wished me to continue, and I did. I sighed as if I were revealing secrets but saw no other path to take. “Maude was fretsome and impulsive. Had she stayed at Madam's she would have learned that which she has learned here-from Nina and myself,” I said with emphasis. He appeared relieved. Evidently I had set the right tone! “My dear, if you have been of help,” he said, and dared to enlace my waist with his arm. “I trust I have. You will not be put out with Maude for that? She has known here-entirely in the most discreet of female company and no other-both the sweetness and the sting, if I make myself clear.” He swallowed again. Our noses brushed. “If… if I were to interpret that, so to speak…” he began while giving every indication with his eyes that he wished me to do that for him. I brought my feet together trimly, girlishly, as you have taught. My head was bowed. I could not then help but perceive the large lump that had arisen in his trousers! “You show every sign of understanding,” I remarked and then uttered a most pleasing sound as he dared to kiss me and projected his concealed erection against my thigh. “Were you thus made bold?” he asked-his voice a croak! “In privacy, sir, yes. Not over-bold, though. A girl must needs be coaxed-and hence the stings.” “Of the birch, you mean?” he asked. His mouth belaboured mine with quite a gentleness. I started not away! “With the birch, the cane, the strap. One comes to know the way of it-as Maude now has. Discreetly so, you understand? Your dear wife knows nothing of it- pray do not say a word,” I said naively, for I knew he would wish such a tone to come into my voice.