Is he a Sinner? Or a Saint?

[Merelan]

Breakfast was nice, but I felt a bit off, not having slept well, till she had held me. What did she think of me now. Had she known what I had been dreaming? I needed to talk to her, alone, to explain, and hopefully not lose her. my lusts were just going to have to be reigned in.
What was he saying?

"I thought of you much of the night, remembering how you came to me, wrapped in silk, so soft and beautiful. If I may so, your form is such that I could not ignore. I doubt that any man could. I hope that you could forgive my kiss, or more hopefully accept it."

Kiss? Last night? Me soft and beautiful? But I was blind and no. No. His hand on my arm felt like fire, and ice. I felt a blush form.

"Please Albert, I wish you to feel welcome here always. You have done so much for me already, just coming here. We all have memories that haunt us, visit us in the night. If I can calm you at all, that is enough for me."

No, it wasn't. I wanted him, wanted him to take me and touch me, kiss me, smother me in passion. Rip the clothes from me and make me naked. Turning my head away the heat made me feel faint. My free hand clenched at my skrts tightly.

 

[Tibxo]

Desmond Capp

"Oh come along, Desmond and don't dawdle." The large middle-aged woman shouts to the young man standing some way behind her. Desmond Capp swallows deeply, feeling the tight starched collar around his neck.

"Do we have to do this, mother?" He protests meekly, knowing what the answer will be.

"Of course we do!" She retorts. Mrs Edith Capp is a formidable woman in anyone's eyes and she gets what she wants. It was this drive that helped made her family wealthy in their home city. "We haven't come all the way from Manchester for you to back out now. You are going to meet Miss LaTrou and you are going to like her. More importantly, she is going to llike you."

"Mum!" The man whines.

"Don't you 'mum' me!" She says, her voice low as she draws next to him. "And it is 'mother' in front of company. I allowed you to botch your last marriage. I won't let you to it this time. Your father (God Rest His Soul) and I have worked too hard for you to fail us now."

"But, mother. She may not even like me." He immediately shuts up as he sees her glaring at him.

"Now," She says after a brief pause, "I expect you to act like the perfect gentleman and rush this woman off her feet."

Desmond does not say another word as he follows her to the front door...

 

[Subo97]

Albert

"Well," Albert answered, "you've calmed my fears, but you've also aroused my interest. Perhaps, together, we can drive away the things that haunt our nights." With that he cupped her chin and turned her face toward him, leaned over and kissed her on the lips. He moved his lips on hers insistantly, opening her mouth as they kissed and let his fingers glide down across her soft throat to the upper curves of her breast. She gave a short gasp and, feeling her mouth open, Albert slid his tongue past her lips into her mouth seeking hers. As his tongue entwined with hers, his fingers pulled at the lace kerchief she had used to cover her bodice and slowly removed it, allowing him access to the curve of her breast. Her hands came up to grasp his forearms, but did not push him away and the intensity of his ardor increased as his hand slid into the top of her dress. Her breast was soft and full in his hand, and as he pressed further, his fingertips brushed a hard nipple.


Suddenly, a knock at the dining room door caused him to jerk himself upright and let go of Diana. The young maid, Molly, entered and announced that visitors had arrived. For a moment, Albert and Diana stared at each other, speechless, then Diana whispered softly, "Oh my" and straightened her dress. Albert placed the lace in his pocket and turned to face their visitors.

 

[Merelan]

Without warning he was kssing me, his fingers felt like feathers onme, burning me, scalding my skin.
I gasped and could only lean into him, my body trembling.
But a loud knock interfered, saving me? Damning me?
I pulled at my bodice, he he had taken the lace so it was now a bit lower then it should be.
Who the hell was here?

Pulling myself together I let him lead me to the study. Though my legs shook with emotion and fear. Was it his family? Come back?

 

[Sweetp4u]

Natalie

Sitting in the quiet den alone and reading, I heard the faint knock and Molly's voice as she opened the door. I wondered who could be visiting and then let it go. Obviously Albert had some friends or something arrive here.
Changing the page in the journal, I kept reading about the sexual encounters of Diana and Henry (rest his soul but he was a wicked man!)

 

[Merelan]

Molly had shown them into the study and had them wait, then leaving them to fetch Diana. Finding them in the corridor.

He led me in and I felt the eyes on me for the first time in a long time. They were staring at my blindfold, I coudl feel it. Who were they. But I stepped forward and introduced my cousin.

'This is my Cousin Albert, and I am Diana the mistress here. Welcome to my home." Hoping they would introduce themselves.

 

[Subo97]

Albert

Albert fingered the lace in his pocket as he walked into the drawing room, Diana on his arm, to meet her guests. They were not related to he and Diana, and Molly had not announced them as her former husband's family, so he was more than a little curious as to who they were. the woman was obviously in charge, the young man looked almost eager to flee. Albert waited impatiently for the introductions, peeved that the moment with Diana had been broken. She had not slapped him, at least, for his impetuosity and he longed to return to his possession of her intoxicating mouth. From his vantage point at her shoulder, he could see down the front of her bodice, made bare by his theft of the lace that she used to hide her breasts. He remembered the feel of them under his hand and the hard nipple that his fingers had found and had to step slightly behind her to hide the obvious bulge in his pants. Something always came between him and this woman, yet something always drew them together. He contented himself for the moment to stand beside her, her hand on his arm, his own hand on the small of her back.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Natalie

"You have guests to serve.." I peeked over my shoulder and spotted Molly hanging her head in the doorway.
"Alright, thanks." I set down the book I was reading and moved to stretch out and get going. Glancing at the time, i wondered who could possibly be here?

Walking into the kitchen, I gathered the tea and lemonaid, unsure which they would want? Setting out cups I asked her how many to serve.
"Four." Was her curt reply.

Knowing Molly, something was bothering her and she wished to be alone, so I grabbed the tray and left.

Arriving in the parlor, I set down the tray and eyed the beast of a woman glaring at me.

"This is their guest?!" She reminded me.... "HOLY SHIT!" My mind went blank when I realized who this 'battle axe' was sitting there. I felt my blood run cold and my heart start to hammer loudly.

"E-Excuse me M'Lady." Paling I stood upright slowly, leaving the tray and cups behind and slowly walked towards the door. That's when I was brave enough to turn and look back.

I felt like I was going to faint if not die on the spot! Desmond was here?! Why?! how!? Good Lord! Clutching the door frame for only a moment I heard the woman comment on 'strange servants' and left it at that.

.. Thank god she did not recognize me!

I quickly made my escape as fast as I could to the den, shutting myself in, I leaned against the door with my hand over my heart. That was too close! I had to get out of here! No no...... think rationally... They need to leave..

SHIT! I paced, I did not show diana their annoucement card nor acknowledge we had receieved theirs, hoping to god they would not arrive here for this 'visit'! I knew their motives.. Well his mother's! She wanted a name.. She wanted a grand name no one would snub. She had money but she had no title and that ate at that old croney more than anything else!

 

[Tibxo]

Mrs Edith Capp

Mrs Capp sits on the offered sofa while her son stands behind her. In front of them is a young man and woman, both looking slightly untidy, but it is the woman which has her interest.

Why is she wearing a blindfold? Is something wrong with her?

'This is my Cousin Albert, and I am Diana the mistress here. Welcome to my home." The blindfolded woman is saying.

Mrs Capp is about to respond when she is interrupted.

"E-Excuse me M'Lady." Says the servant girl that has abruptly come in. Just as quickly, she leaves before Mrs Capp can look at her (if she had wanted to). However, she does comment how rude she thinks the girl is.

"I beg your pardon." She says realising that she yet to introduce herself. "I am Mrs Edith Capp. You may have heard of Capps Mines?"

No response.

"Well", she says, "that is my husband's company, the biggest mining corporation in the North of England."

She pauses but before anyone can speak, she continues.

"Anyway, my husband, Mr Joseph Capp, passed on a few months God Rest His Soul. He was never the same after my poor son was jilted at the alter a few years back. Oh the poor boy, he loved that girl and all she did was spurn him." Mrs Capp pauses to pull out a hankerchief and wipe her eye...

 

[Merelan]

Diana

Capp Mines? Nothing rang a bell, but she had been isolated for awhile.

"How sad to hear dear. Some woman have no feelings. Cousin Albert, could you pour us some tea please? You must excuse me and my household Ma'm. I am sure you understand the troubles one has with help. But with my sickness I have ony had a couple girls' stay to help me. Natalie is perfection itself, but they do get overworked easily. It is so hard to find help here. But my Cousin has come to help me, haven't you Albert?"

Taking the cup he handed me and sipping. What did this woman want here? No one came to visit me anymore, there wasn't any reason too, unless.

Her son. He was here too. I could sense that. Was this the one she was discussing?

"I hope the tea is to your liking Mrs. Capp? And..." letting my voice trail off, so she could introduce who was with her. But also wondering about Natalie, that had been unlike her, to be so abrupt.

 

[Subo97]

Albert

"......my cousin has come to help me, haven't you, Albert?

"I hope to try my best, my dear," he answered, handing her a cup of tea. "Though events sometimes conspire against us," he muttered under his breath and stood behind her chair. Placing his hand on the back of her chair, he let his fingertips brush lightly against Diana's neck underneath her golden curls.

Albert wasn't buying Mrs Capp's story of woe. He ahd lied and cheated far too many people over the past few years not to recognize mendacity when he saw it. He was much more interested in what had sent Natalie into an inchoherent frenzy. He wondered if she knew something of these people, but didn't want to leave Diana alone with the old goat.

Diana didn't know them, so that let out debtors and debtees, which left only suitors and social climbers. Poor dumb bastards, they didn't know Diana's in-laws had kicked her to the bottom of the social ladder.Very well, then , he thought, Let's play the game, shall we?

 

[Sweetp4u]

Natalie

I felt cornered, trapped and my safety and sanity was in question.

"How did he find me?!" I whispered as I paced in the den. I had sat back down, trying to read the journal and get lost again in it, but it just would not happen! Not with Desmond and his evil twisted mother in the house!

"Wait! he didn't! Other wise he would have said something.. They don't know!" I smiled, ready to jump for joy and excitement. But then again the urge for revenge took hold tightly in my gut. I wanted to make him pay for this.. For all of their sneaky tricky ways that landed me here in the first place!


........ but how?...

Thoughts and ideas came and went as I paced the Den, to aggitated to sit in one spot, too worried about being discovered! Something good though.. I must think of something good.. No! I better not, I needed to hide until they left! That was the best bet, the only way to avoid his disgusting pawing hands! Only way.. If he knew who I was, he would be all over me in a heart beat! My father's name carried much more weight than diana's. That was why he was so upset I ran away.. He wanted.... No no.. Again it was his MOTHER! who wanted a title... She wanted to be important! The selfish bitch!

I paused in my pacing, tempted to throw something across the room in anger. My temper risen, my body still turned on from my reading and now this scum was here! I didn't know which I wanted more right at this particular moment.. But I did know I wanted to remain unknown.. Hidden. Yes. Perfect solution.

I needed to speak with Albert since Diana couldn't see me and get the hint I needed to speak with her..... But how do I get his attention? Lord, I needed them out of here!

Creeping back towards the door, I purposely put on my hat a little tighter and tucked my hair out of site. Keeping to the wall I crept towards the parlor and peeked in. Desmond and his mother had their back to me! This was perfect..... I hoped..

I waved my hand a little, trying to get Albert's attention but he was focused on the two snakes currently. Biting my lip, I had to think of something more that would work. Tapping my nail against my lower lip, I thought perhaps if I annouced urgent business?? No, that would upset Diana and worry her.. lord knew I did not want those two turning and seeing me!

I glanced up just as Albert did and made a motion with my hand to "come here!" I pointed towards the den and quickly vanished before someone noticed he was looking this way. Walking briskly back towards the den, I had to think of something to get them out of here..

 

[Merelan]

Diana

Making small talk was hard, I didn't know any gossip, except about me.

"Hasn't the weather been simply lovely this year? The flowers are so blooming, the scent fair intoxicates me." His fingers touched my neck again, with a squeeze. Trembling, trying to focus on him.

What game was he playing, and them? I felt like a pawn between the two. Only able to sit and chatter.

 

[Subo97]

Albert

While pretending to listen to mrs Capp's endless prattle, Albert watched Natalie's pantomime in the sevant's door behind the Capp's. Diana tried to keep the old fool engaged, oblivious to the circus going on around her. He almost envied her.

"Will you please excuse me, " he blurted out, "I have some unattended business I must attend to." Turning to a surprised Diana, he said, "I shall only be a moment, cousin, and I promise to return right away." He patted her shoulder and left the room, not sure if Mrs Capp ever even stopped to take a breath.

Walking into the den, he found Natalie in an excited state. "All right, then, Natalie, who are thses people, waht do they have to do with you, and for God's sakes, why are they afflicting this household?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Natalie

I stopped pacing and glanced at Albert. Quickly moving, I shut the door behind him and locked it. A glare on my features, I tried to figure out how I was going to explain this??

"Well.... See... Shit!" I started pacing again, uncertain how to proceed?

I glanced at him again and seen he was growing tired of waiting. Blushing slightly, I stammered, "I needed to ask if I could take a day or two off.. Personal time... for... well just relaxation." I nervously wringed my hands as I paced still.

"That woman is a battle axe! I've met her a few times and she is domineering.. And.. OK...." I sighed, sitting down heavily in the chair and rubbing my temples. I needed to think how to word this, but I had to tell him something!

 

[Subo97]

Albert

"All right, you don't want them to know you're here," Albert said, moving up to her and putting his hands on her shoulders, "but you know something about these people. Are they a danger to Diana? Do they know her family? You owe her answers, you know." He patted her shoulders. "Diana thinks a lot of you, and I think last night shows I do too." He bent down and kissed her neck softly. " You know my reputation, I'm not about to throw stones, she loves you, that's enough for me. Just tell me what's going on. I have to get back in there soon, I'll find a way to get Diana back here with you" He patted her shoulders again and kissed her neck, "They don't know you're here, we have the upper hand, in whatever game this is."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Natalie

I nodded, resting back against him as I thought about it all. Where do I start? I had to tell them and I needed their help as well to put those two in their place!

With hope, perhaps I could figure this out a little more?

"I am not sure what to do, play their game? It would be amusing... Desmond's mother wants her son to be married to a name.. that is all she wishes.." I shivered a little, my nipples hardening in my gown as his lips met the curve of my neck. Picking up the journal, I quickly closed it and pushed it behind me as I turned to face him.

"I dont want them to know I am here, yes.. Please help me? And as long as you are aware of their plans, Diana will be aware also. But I would like them to stay a few days.... See if I can straighten out this mess I am in with some information...." I knew I was hiding things from him, but I was a little afraid to say who I was and who they were to me.. Not yet, I needed time.

"Please Albert? Don't alert Diana to anything but their need for status.." My free hand grasped his, hoping he would conceed.

 

[Subo97]

Albert

Please, Albert......." He loked at her and nodded. She did not even seem aware that she had used his first name. It had always been more formal. The walls were breaking down. Perhaps thay had always been illusions anyway.

"All right," he said, "Stay to your quarters.....or Diana's. I'll get back to her, but you owe me," he smiled and winked at her before going back to Diana's guests.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Natalie

Sighing with relief, I nodded my head.

"Yes, I owe you. Thank you!" I whispered, briefly kissing his cheek before I hurried out of the room and upstairs. Hiding myself away in Diana's room, I curled up on her bed and tried to read more of the journal.

Wasn't an easy task, I kept waiting for someone to burst in the door and bellow out, "FRAUD!" Although those that did know me before all of this would have a laugh if they could see what I was wearing now...

Sighing, I laid on my side and stared at the words before me. Owed him? I couldn't fathom what he could want from me, but I would repay him for this.. Some how.

 

[Tibxo]

Desmond

Standing by the sofa, behind his mum, Desmond faguely listens to her as she sprouts the virtues of the company and his late father as she always does in these situation.

God Rest His Soul. I wonder what people would say that it was her that killed him? Running him into the ground in her blind ambition. Not that you would know from the way she talks about him.

He looks at the woman opposite him. At least she is a looker though it is obvious to him that she is blind.

Wonder how that happened to her?

Whatever. He wonders how good a lay she is? Good he hopes if he has to marry her, though he bets she is not as good as the whore he met before leaving Manchester. He can feel his lust building as he recaps that night. Both of them hot and sweaty as they hump each other soundly. Unlike the other prostitutes he visited, this one seemed to enjoy what they did, especially his little kinks. What he wouldn't give to be with her now.

"Will you please excuse me. " Desmond looks at the man who is standing next to Diane. "I have some unattended business I must attend to."

Something in the man's manner catches his attention.

"I shall only be a moment, cousin, and I promise to return right away."

His interest aroused, he silently leaves the room. Leaving the poor woman in the hands of his mother...

 

[Tibxo]

Desmond

He hides behind a corner as Natalie leaves the room.

He had heard it all. Well, the most important parts.

Well, well, well. This is where my little Nattie ran off to.

Her hair is shorter and she looks slightly thinner but that is definitely his ex-fiancee. Now she is someone he wouldn't have minded marrying. To get that little minx in bed and to show her what it is like to be with a real man.

He grins to himself at the thought.

He suspects that she wouldn't have liked it much. Then again, for what a wife is needed for, it doesn't really matter.

Knowing the cousin is not far behind him, he slips back into the study to find his mum finally rounding up. He quickly takes up his former position.

"I must thank you for your kind hospitality, Miss Lay Troo." Damn! She can't even pronounce her name right.

"Unfortunately, we must leave." His mum gets up. "Business meetings to go to. Capps Mines keeps me very busy being such a profitable company."

She pauses.

"We was wondering. My son and I are staying at the Dorchester Hotel which is not far from here. It is not up to my standards you understand but it will have to do. Anyway, we would be very happy if you could come to dinner one night. Say sometime this week?"

He knows the drill, of course. The woman will say 'yes' even just to be polite, his mum will then pin her to a day. Then on the night, she will say she isn't feeling very well, leaving him and their guest alone so that he can charm her.

But that doesn't interest him. What interests him is the serving maid...

 

[Merelan]

It was nice of her to ak me out, but surely she could see I was blind.

'I thank you Madam, but I do not go out in public anymore, it dicomforts people to see me this way. But you are welcome here, anytime. I have a lovely garden, and would enjoy the company, though I have nothing much in the way of comforts to offer." Where was Albert?

Then I heard the door, hopefully him. This was ridiculous, what did she want? And why didn't he speak? I had heard him go after Albert, my hearing being more then it had been. But what was the game?
Frustrated as I seemed the only one not in the know.

 

[Subo97]

Albert

Returning to Diana's side, albert patted her shoulder reassuringly, "All is well, cousin. Just a bump in the household staff is all. My apologies, Mrs Capp." His eyes narrowed on the graceless old toad. Diana was trying to fend her off, but the woman was oblivious to the subtler aspects of parlor conversation. The woman was out of her depth, perhas even unaware that he wasn't himself welcome in most parlors anymore. "Diana prefers the privacy and comfort of her own rooms," he told her, but we're grateful for your company when you're in the neighborhood."Snow her under with polite verbiage

"I have an idea, cousin. Perhaps tomorrow night, Mrs Capp and Desmond could join us for a late supper." he squeezed her shoulder slightly to signal her to get on board. Natalie wanted them here for some reason and they were better observed here than in town. Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer Besides, if it made Natalie more indebted to him, it might make her repayment that much sweeter. "We could chat, perhaps sing a song or two, and the Capp's could spend the night here at the manor. It would be a change from the hotel, and in the morning, the Capp's could be off to Manchester well rested." He had to get Diana and Natalie together alone. Indeed, he looked forward to private time with both of them.

"I hope you'll forgive us Mrs Capp, Desmond, but we have a full day of work ahead of us. Manors are somewhat like factories, I'm afraid, they require management in order to supply the pleasures we enjoy. I fear my cousin is becoming somewhat drained, she's not used to this much activity. We should be much better prepared to entertain tomorrow evening." Hopefully the old troll would take the hint.

 

[Merelan]

Albert returned and reinforced my inviation, yet they still wouldn't leave. What was it they wanted.

The night? Why would he want them to stay the night here? I wanted them gone now, to let him work in peace, to get alone and think of what he was doign to me. I flushed as his fingers feather touched my neck again. Swallowing hard as I tried to pay attention to the woman's response.

 

[Subo97]

Albert

Standing behind Diana, Albert could not resist placing his hand on her shoulder and letting his fingers caress the back of her neck. Gently his fingertips brushed the delicate skin of her graceful neck, their movements hidden by the golden tresses flowing down from her hair. So soft, like every inch of her he had touched, he felt her neck quiver slightly as he stroked it and noticed her breath quicken and cause her lovely breasts to rise and fall. From his vantage point above her, Albert could see them from their outer curves to the cleavage formed as her corset pushed them up and together. He wanted to replace his fingers with his lips, kiss the back of her neck around to the sides while his fingers explored once again the soft mounds beneath her bodice. She had such lovely breasts, well formed and full, and from his memory of the night before and the brush of his fingers earlier, tipped with coral buds that called out to his lips and tongue. His other hand brushed his jacket and pressed the drawing of her that he had found against his chest. He wanted her like that, open for him, but bound by desire instead of rope, her arms reaching out, inviting him, pulling him down to her soft, eager body.

But for now, there were these interlopers and Natalie's mysterious connection to them to deal with. Perhaps there were clues in the accounts that he was to supervise. Perhaps they were former employers of Natalie. He had given her leeway for Diana's sake, but the girl had much to answer for.