Raising Charlotte (closed)

[saedo]

Closed for PersephoneHeart


“I shall be taking my new position with the Cavendish family on Monday,” said Mrs. Bale.

James Rosecroft sat behind his desk as he listened to his family’s governess resign her position. He’d been expecting this conversation for some time, but even forewarned, he could not keep the slight frown off his face.

“Surely you can see that it is wholly impractical for Charlotte to continue to have a governess,” continued Mrs. Bale. She was a tall woman with a face that appeared hewn by an axe – all planes and angles. Her hair had been iron grey since he’d first met her, but her exact age remained a mystery. “In all honesty, Mr. Rosecrcoft, I could have departed once she reached marital age, but I stayed on since you remained unmarried and have such time-consuming work. But now that she is 18, she is a woman grown and my presence here is superfluous. Time that I move on to a family that can use my services.”

James nodded. “You are, as always, correct, Mrs. Bale.” He’d known her since he was a toddler, but he had never once addressed her by her given name, Lucinda. Mrs. Bale was a stickler for formality; she had not once addressed him as in the dozen years since he succeeded his father as the head of the estate.

“I confess I will be most reluctant to see you go, but it is indeed time. Though it seems like only last month Lottie was still a child who dug holes in the garden and slid down the banisters, she is indeed an adult now. I wish to thank you for all your years of service to my family. I and my sister could not have managed without you all these years. We are eternally grateful.”

Mrs. Bale let a slight smile appear on her face – a rather generous display of emotion for her. She nodded at the compliment. “Thank you, Mr. Rosecroft. I shall take my leave and see to my preparations for departure.”

He rose from his seat along with her. One found it hard to resist being formal in her presence. Mrs. Bale turned and strode from the room, her tall, slender form as ramrod-straight as ever. Closing the door behind her, he was alone with his thoughts.

James sat at his desk and frowned slightly as he drummed his finger across the desktop. Lottie was a bright, educated, well-spoken woman who in many respects was quite capable of looking after herself. Moreover, he had functioned as her father figure for well over a decade now, so he should be used to the role. Still, he’d come to rely heavily on Mrs. Bale in the past dozen years and the prospect of being sole caretaker, even for an 18-year-old, made him uneasy.

James had first taken up that mantle upon the tragic death of their mother and father in a carriage incident. James had been in his early 20s at the time and had recently completed his schooling abroad. As the eldest of the four children, he naturally stepped into control of the family estate. His younger brothers, Paul and Christopher, had both been in their late teens at the time and were quite capable of looking after themselves. But little Lottie had been born several years after the boys and was barely more than a toddler at the time.

Initially, James had tried to manage the estate and look after his siblings all on his own. But as Paul and Christopher had departed to pursue their own fortunes in the world outside Langstonshire, the burden of looking after his young sister while still attempting to establish his own presence in the scientific world had proved increasingly difficult.

For a time he had even attempted to use science to aid him. He glanced over at a locked side panel that had sat unopened for years. Utilizing a some of Futlton’s work on the steam engine combined with some of his experimental work with electricity and cathode ray tubes, he had constructed a video monitoring device capable of displaying images captured from distant observation devices. Secreting these observation devices in some of the areas of the manor most frequented by his sister at the time, he had hoped to keep tabs on her activities while still allowing himself time to work.

Alas, Charlotte had been a bit of a wild child after the loss of their parents and even this video observation proved insufficient. On more than one occasion he had even gone so far as to spank her, a punishment he had only seen his father use in extreme cases; yet even this did little to curb Lottie’s misdeeds.

Fortunately, a family friend had suggested the services of Mrs. Bale. Her no-nonsense approach soon brought Charlotte to heel. After over a decade under such tutelage, his sister had become a well-behaved girl.

Or rather, a well-behaved young woman. James found it odd to think of his little sister as an adult, despite her age. Looking down upon her from his 6’1” stature, she seemed as petite as ever. Still, though Mrs. Bale’s stern approach to fashion had kept Charlotte in conservative dresses, even James had started to take note of Charlotte’s increasingly feminine profile. Just the other week he had taken her to the theater and Mrs. Bale had consented to let Charlotte wear evening attire. Though her dress was far from revealing (at Mrs. Bale’s insistence, naturally), James had been rather surprised at the sweep of his sister’s hips and the swell of her bosom.

He was also not the only one to take note. His sister had always had a lovely face, but combined with her now womanly body, she attracted quite a share of glances from men that night. This latter part concerned him. Charlotte was of marital age and would no doubt begin to draw the attentions of suitors. In short order he might find himself alone when she married. As natural as this was, James was not eager to see his sister depart the estate. He was exceedingly fond of her and found it hard to imagine not seeing her on a daily basis.

Such thoughts made him turn back to the locked panel. He had ceased using the monitoring device years ago when Mrs. Bale’s presence made it superfluous. Feeling a sudden craving to check up on her, he wondered if the device might still be functional.

 

[PersephoneHeart]

Charlotte Rosecroft sighed blissfully as she allowed herself to sink into the steaming bath, closing her eyes to more fully enjoy the sensation of being enveloped in liquid warmth. Tonight's bath was scented with rose, her favorite flower, and it helped to calm the heart which had so recently been pained. The girl's blue eyes opened with an expression of sadness, occasionally replaced by one of happy memory as she began to polish her ivory skin to a rosy glow.

Charlotte, or Lottie as she was known to those dearest to her, had been a rambunctious child, and she knew it. After the tragic death of her parents, the little girl had been placed solely in the care of her eldest brother, and could remember no one but him in her earliest memories. While Paul and Christopher had been off trying to carve out a fortune for themselves, James had taken his position as head of the family seriously, and had cared for little Lottie as if she were his own daughter. Indeed, he was in Charlotte's eyes the perfect father and brother. Calm, constant, kind, gentle, warm, stern when necessary, and not one to hold back punishment when it was needed. The girl had also believed him to be magical, for he could tell her what she had been doing that day without ever seeing her, and when questioned he would smile and answer "It's magic."

Still, though her brother had been all a little girl could want in a father, he could not care for her at all times and manage an estate and attend to his expiriments. Without a woman's presence in her life, little Lottie, with her angelic face and golden-brown curls, had become something of a wild tomboy. She remembered the time she had slid down all the bannesters in Rosecroft Manor, squealing with glee and wholly unaware of the danger she was putting herself in. It was only when she was older that she realized she could have easily fallen over the rail and cracked her head open, but at the time, all her young mind could understand was the sheer exhiliration of zipping down bannester after bannester and pretending to slide down rainbows. Another time, after hearing a bedtime story about pirates and hidden treasure, Charlotte had woken up the next day and promptly dug up most of the garden looking for "golden pantaloons." James had given her a smart spanking for those two offences, and though she had cried and sniffled and declared it to be "unfair", she never did slide down the bannesters or destroy the garden again.

When Mrs. Bale had first arrived to look after Lottie and turn her into a proper young lady, Charlotte had been afraid of her sharp-featured face and unyielding, no-nonsense manner. The little girl had attempted to rebel, but when it became clear that Mrs. Bale and her brother would not budge, the child had at last begun to accept the new restrictions in her life. Over time, Lottie was transformed from a wild child to a good, properly behaved child. She was intelligent and eager to learn, so she excelled in her studies, and her natural need to please was awakened so that she worked hard to make her brother proud. Charlotte began to realize that she enjoyed being ladylike, and though she never lost her excitable nature and childlike heart, she wholly abandoned her brattish defiance and tomboyish ways. Mrs. Bale instructed Lottie on how to dress, speak, walk, sit, make introductions, properly arrange cutlery, entertain guests, and every other social grace needed to become a proper young lady of her class, and the girl passed each lesson with flying colors.

When Charlotte's body had begun its transformation from one of a child into one of a woman, she had expected Mrs. Bale to allow her greater freedom of dress. But the governess was firm on this point, and would say "Proper young ladies should not flaunt themselves before their time, and preferably not at all." She continued to have the girl dress modestly in public and at home, Lottie's loose blouses, jackets, and high necklines obscuring the blossoming curves beneath. It was only within the past year that Mrs. Bale had permitted her to wear evening attire when she and James went out, and the beautiful young woman with ivory skin, laughing blue eyes, golden-brown curls, and womanly figure attracted more than her fair share of male admirers. Still, though Charlotte was typically feminine and loved to wear pretty dresses and be seen in society, the girl was wholly innocent as to how her beauty influenced the men around her.

Now Mrs. Bale, the strict woman whom she had grown to love, was leaving them, and to Charlotte it felt as though she were losing a second mother. She had known that this day would come, but even several years of warning was not enough to numb the pain. She had clung to the woman and wept, while Mrs. Bale had gently reminded her that she must control her emotions before others, no matter the circumstances. James had been especially tender with her that day, and allowed her to retire early after saying one last farewell to her former governess. In her rooms Lottie had wept one last time, then started a hot bath for herself, knowing that to pamper her body would make her feel better.

Charlotte lingered in the bath for a while after her body and long hair had been washed, thinking of what other changes she should expect soon in life. All of her friends, young women like herself, now spoke of little else other than which man they would like to marry, and who would design their dress, and where the honeymoon would be, and which house they would like to live in. Charlotte had joined in with their enthusiasm, but had admitted to herself that she had not yet met the man who she could love more than her dear brother, and the thought of moving away and leaving James all by himself filled her loyal, loving heart with pain. Lottie could never abandon her beloved brother, the only father she knew, and began to think that she should not marry at all.

Rising from her bath and draining the water, Charlotte dried herself and slipped into her favorite robe, a pale pink silk kimono trimmed with soft white lace. Tying the sash loosely around her slender waist, the girl entered her bedroom and stood before the long mirror permanently fastened to the wall, draping her long hair over her shoulder. Her hair was one of Lottie's pride and joys, nearly long enough to be sat upon, and as she began to comb it, as she did every night, the girl gazed at her barely clothed reflection, thinking of how much time had changed her.

 

[saedo]

James found the monitoring equipment had a slight trace of dust from years of non-use, but otherwise showed no external signs of deterioration. He flicked the main power switch to on and heard the slow hum as the capacitors warmed up. Eventually the main screen began to glow softly and a black-and-white image began to form.

He smiled as the first image came into view. The room was dominated on one side by curtains drawn tight over a large bank of windows. On the opposite side were a few easels. This was the art room. Or rather, it was now. Mrs. Bale had thought a proper young lady should have knowledge both practical and aesthetic. Lottie had since become fairly capable at sketching with charcoal and paper. More recently she had started to dabble in painting. Her first efforts were a bit crude, but Mrs. Bale always said that one did not become a Raphael overnight.

But much further back in the house’s history, this had been Lottie’s playroom. Where once there had been art supplies, she had a large dollhouse. A rocking horse had formerly occupied the space with easels. Both were now residents of the attic, bygone remnants of a former age.

He cycled through some of the other locations. Most were places where young Lottie would be expected to be found. A few were she was not supposed to go but had a predilection for disregarding her brother’s cautionary words. He’d installed the one on the main stairs after catching her sliding down the banister. Lottie had loved the speed of rushing down the gently curved wood, never mind the inherent risk if she should lose her grip. She was all the more terrifying in her choice of dismounts. Lottie had always been quite nimble and flexible, so rather than simply slide off the end, she would launch herself into a back flip just shy of the bottom steps. Catapulting through the air end over end, she would then drop to the floor in the splits, hands aloft as the gymnast triumphant. Such recklessness put such fear in James that he had been rather severe in his punishment. Fortunately, Mrs. Bale’s arrival soon put an end to such foolhardy risk-taking.

At last he located his sister in her bedroom. Lottie, always a great reader, could often be found here stretched out on her bed with a new book in hand. She was also fond of the full-length mirror at one end of the room. Always mindful of her long hair, she would often sit on the edge of her bed, brushing the beautiful locks to a fierce sheen. Thus did he find her tonight, looking much as she had a decade before.

Well, not quite. Lottie wore the silk kimono he had imported from the Orient for her a few years ago. She had adored the feel of the smooth fabric against her skin and hugged him fiercely. But seeing her in it now, he could see that the slim robe was now looking a bit small. James found himself surprised at how large Lottie’s bosom appeared under the thin fabric. He had of course noticed that Lottie had developed such feminine curves, but the dresses she wore always suggested she had only a modest endowment. In this informal covering, however, her breasts seemed rather large, particularly on such a slender girl. Was this some trick of the light? Could James really have failed to notice?

His thoughts seemed to have the power of prophecy, for a moment later, Lottie set her brush down beside her and slipped her hands into her robe. The fabric glided off her shoulders and James found himself looking at his sister, she bare to the waist.

His first instinct was one of panic. He had never meant to spy upon his sister in a state of undress. She normally changed in her private bathroom or in the large closet, both of which he had deliberately chosen not to monitor. Lottie deserved her privacy. He fumbled for the power switch.

But a second, more primal instinct slowed his hands. Lottie’s breasts were breathtaking. Their size beggared his imagination. In all his years, he had never seen such an incredible bosom. The cleavage they created seem canyon-like in its vast depth. And James felt an overpowering desire to place his hands upon them.

James was as nearly shocked by this sensation as at his breach of privacy. Surely it was improper to have such thoughts about his sister. But in the few seconds that he glimpsed his half-naked sister, his heart rate and breathing had accelerated. More tellingly, his cock throbbed with lust, its swollen girth straining at the seams of his trousers. James turned away from the monitoring station, but it was many minutes before this feral lust eased from his system.

 

[PersephoneHeart]

As she carefully combed her wet locks before her mirror, Charlotte's blue eyes began to stray more and more to the reflection of her bosom, just barely covered by the thin silk of her robe. The girl had never looked at herself unclothed before since she was young, and then Mrs. Bale had caught and scolded her. Even covered as she was, the great changes in Lottie's figure were obvious, and she found herself overcome by the desire to see herself, to witness the body she now inhabited.

Her lovely face lightly flushed , Charlotte allowed the loosely tied garment to fall open, revealing the large, creamy, glorious breasts she had been granted. Framed by the soft white lace of her robe, the full, ripened fruits and their rosy nipples appeared all the more alluring, and the girl's face flushed deeper with self-consciousness, while her blue eyes filled with fascination and disbelief. They seemed to ask "Is this really me? Is this body truly mine?" It seemed like only yesterday that Lottie had stood before the same mirror, shorter, younger, and with a flat chest that had only begun to show signs of budding. But now... now her dewy, freshly bathed flesh was that of a woman, her dangerous curves almost too much for her petite, delicate body.

Opening her robe completely, Charlotte beheld more wonders. Her flat tummy, her flared, curving hips, her femininity, crowned with a curly tuft of hair. Then there were her long, shapely legs, ending with the delicate ankles and feet that were sometimes seen when she danced or broke into an excited sprint. Every piece of Lottie had been exquisitely formed, but together they created a new Venus. Having seen no other nude body but her own, the girl did not know if she was anything special. But she was utterly amazed and fascinated, her delicate hands gliding over the smooth, silky skin of her hips and abdomen before making their way to her breasts.

First Charlotte cupped each endowment, weighing them in her hands and amazed at how soft and supple they felt, like two perfectly formed fleshy pillows. She squeezed them gently, expirimentally, blushing as she noticed her nipples hardening and standing erect. Delicately stroking one with her fingertip, Lottie shivered and let out a tiny moan as a pleasurable, entirely new sensation seemed to trickle through her body. She was tempted to explore further, but the girl was beginning to feel ashamed at her physical self-absorption, and with a flushed face she covered herself and stepped away from the mirror. In a few moments she had slipped into her nightgown and switched off the lights, falling into a deep, restful sleep within the warmth of her bed.

 

[saedo]

James hoped that his momentary surge of lust at Charlotte’s naked form would prove an ephemeral sensation that would pass with time. The following weeks provided no such respite from his thoughts. Rather than fade from his memory, the image Charlotte’s magnificent bosom grew all the more solid.

Charlotte did nothing to encourage such thoughts. As always, she wore the same dowdy clothes Mrs. Bale had brought her up to wear. Yet even such concealment of her figure dissuaded James’ feelings not in the slightest. Her very presence now seemed to stir his blood with desire.

James naturally hid these feelings from Charlotte. He loved her far too much to scandalize her with his spectacular failings. If he could not eradicate this desire from his soul, he would at least shield her from this horrid truth.

Thus did he manage, though not without some cost. By necessity, he had to limit his contact with Charlotte; his reserves of willpower were not without limit and he feared that too prolonged an interaction with her might let the truth slip past his attempts to conceal it. He could tell Charlotte felt mildly hurt by his increasing absence in her life, though she seemed to accept his explanation of how much work was consuming his time.

He was most sorely tested when the time came to attend the theater. He had hoped to avoid this entirely, but Charlotte pouted when he attempted to excuse himself. “I hardly ever see you, dear brother,” she complained. “Surely your work can permit a single night away.” Having no response for such a pointed invitation, he acceded.

The night proved to be grueling almost beyond measure. Freed from her need to dress as plainly as possible, Charlotte wore proper evening clothes. Though her gown was modest by prevailing women’s fashion, it did at least hint at the generous curves beneath. Knowing as he did how much more to behold there was yet to see, James spent the entire night on tenterhooks, afraid that his restraint might falter and he would give away the truth.

He came narrowly close when during the third act, Charlotte had leaned over to him and he felt the underside of her breast brush against his arm. Even through his suit’s jacket, the gentle weight pushed him close to the brink of a lustful moan. He managed to contain himself, but only just.

It was with great relief when they at last returned home. He eschewed his normal glass of wine, saying he was tired from a long day. He could sense Charlotte’s puzzlement at his behavior, but he could endure no more. Excusing himself as quickly as he could, he retired to his room.

Finally alone, he let loose a breath that he felt he’d been holding in for hours. He removed his clothing with shaky fingers, feeling as if he’d just finished a footrace. He stumbled out towards his private bathroom and ran just the cold tap in the tub. Given the aching desire still throbbing in his groin, a chilly bath was definitely called for. Perhaps then he might find sleep tonight.

 

[PersephoneHeart]

During the next few weeks, Charlotte slowly became accustomed to the absence of Mrs. Bale, learning to become more independant while still missing the woman greatly. The whole house seemed different without the governess' to rule it, and even her brother James seemed to be touched by the loss. Since the night Mrs. Bale had left them, James had begun to act very strangely, keeping to himself whenever possible and almost seeming to avoid Lottie altogether. When she would see him, he either looked pale or flushed, and when she attempted to touch him affectionately upon the shoulder or kiss him on the forehead as she did every night before retiring, her brother seemed to recoil from her. Thinking he was perhaps unwell, Charlotte had at last asked him what was the matter, and James had explained that he was very close to another scientific breakthrough, and the long, hard periods of work was a little straining to him. Lottie had accepted this explanation, tenderly urging her brother not to over tax himself in the name of science.

Though feeling reassured that James was not ill, and though she became more tolerant of spending the day alone at her needlework, reading, or gardening, her dear brother, when she chanced to see him, looked as strained as ever. Charlotte had begun to make orders for a new wardrobe in keeping with the current fashions for young, marriagable women, one that, though certainly not scandalous, would be a little more revealing in the evenings and would not so compress her bosom that she could barely breathe. Though she knew that most men had little interest in women's fashion, Lottie had wanted to ask her brother for his opinion on some of the styles in question, but in his current state she was loath to trouble him with such trifles.

Though Charlotte knew her place and usually yielded to her brother's wishes, she had retained some part of her youthful stubborness. Fearing that so much isolation would do him harm, she had at last confronted James and very tenderly but firmly insisted that he accompany her to the theater that night. Lottie could be especially adorable when she was so adamant, and finally her brother had reluctantly agreed. Flushed by this victory, and certain that it would do him good, Lottie had looked especially lovely that night, her blue eyes shining, her dress modest but attractive. She had enjoyed the play very much, but James still seemed to wish to avoid her, shivering or recoiling whenever she leaned over to read from his program. Even during the ride home he could not seem to remember much of the play. Most troubling, when they arrived home James asked to forgo his evening glass of wine. Serving him this glass every night had been a loving ritual Charlotte had performed since she was young, and to have him refuse it now struck her heart with pain.

More than ever concerned for her brother's welfare, and a little hurt at his continued avoidance of her, the girl spent some time in her room, going over the few playthings from her childhood she had not the heart to give up. Lottie smiled as she remembered how James would kiss her and her dolls goodnight when she was young. All her life he had been so loving and fatherly, but now... In another flare of tender stubborness, Charlotte decided to serve James his glass of wine regardless, believing that it could only do him good in his disturbed state. Leaving her room and walking with a light yet hurried step, Lottie made her way downstairs and poured out the glass of red wine as she had done thousands of times before. Holding it carefully in her hand, she climbed up the stairs again, this time heading toward her brother's rooms.

If Charlotte had stopped to think, she would have realized how improper her plan was. To enter a man's room unannounced and uninvited, especially if the man was not ill or incapacitated, went completely against Mrs. Bale's teachings, even if James was her brother. Lottie's plan was simply to leave the glass upon his bedside table and leave, and when she arrived at his door, she gave a gentle knock to be sure he was not inside. Receiving no answer, the girl opened the door and made her way inside, just stretching out her arm to put down the glass when the bathroom door suddenly opened. Charlotte was startled and spun round, the wine glass slipping from her fingers and shattering upon the carpeted floor as she beheld her brother.

James was nearly nude, wearing only a white towel wrapped around his waist that reached to mid-thigh. Lottie's first instinct was horror at walking in on her brother in such a state of undress, but for a few moments she could do nothing but stare in utter silence. The girl had never seen a man's body before, not even a drawing, and though this particular body happened to belong to her brother, she was fascinated and enthralled at the sight of his masculine form. James' skin was still moist from the bath, trickles of water running over his chest and arms. He was tall, as Charlotte knew already, but at this moment he seemed taller still, almost majestic. His chest was hairy and his body leanly muscled, so different from her smooth softness, and Lottie felt a sudden magnetic attraction to this man, this god, longing to be pressed against his chest.

At this blasphemous thought, Charlotte snapped out of her revery, her face burning red with shame and embarrassment. Stammering an apology and saying she would tell a maid to clean up the mess, the girl positively fled from the room, not stopping until she was safe within her own room, throwing herself upon her bed and praying that she would be purged of all she had thought and felt.

 

[saedo]

James was caught by surprise when he found Charlotte in his bedroom. Fresh from the bath, he was stark naked save for the towel at his waist. Acting instinctively, he grabbed the towel with both hands to ensure that it could not slip down.

He could not fathom why she had entered his bedroom at this hour, but then saw the glass of wine in her hand. Father had generally had an after-dinner drink in his study and Mother often had one of the children bring it to him. After their deaths, Charlotte had kept up the same ritual with James, a quiet tribute to lost loved ones. James, so exhausted from concealing his true feelings for Charlotte all night at the theater, had foregone the ritual, but apparently his sister had other ideas.

But as time slowed to an excruciating crawl as he struggled to decide how to react, he caught a glimpse of something else in Charlotte. She was clearly embarrassed at her rude intrusion and shocked at seeing her brother so nearly undressed. As a proper young lady, she would ordinarily not see such almost-nudity in a man till she was married.

But he also saw in her eyes a hunger. James had been nude before in front of a few rather improper ladies in his time and had seen a similar craving in their eyes. He suspected that his own face exhibited a similar avarice when he first gazed upon his sister's topless form.

For the briefest of moments, Charlotte lusted for him.

If pressed, James might have consciously acknowledged that it was logical that a woman of her age would naturally feel sexual urges. But a subconscious awareness that his sister was human was a far cry from seeing her lust writ plain upon her face. Even more stunning was the brief revelation of her desire for him in particular. Taken aback, James could do nothing but stare
back at her, transfixed by this moment of time.

Fortunately Charlotte proved equally mesmerized by the intensity of the sensation and in so doing, let her grip on the wine glass slip. The crystal shattered loudly and the temporary reverie dissipated. Charlotte flushed with embarrassment and fled from the room. Too cowed by his own feelings, James made no effort to follow.

~~~~~
The next day, Charlotte approached James with head held down and meekly apologized for her transgression. James quickly rushed to tell her that no harm was done and that they should just consider the incident forgotten.

Would that his words proved to be so. Instead, he found himself increasingly distracted by thoughts of Charlotte. His mind's eye conjured up an image of her approaching him, her silk robe parting to show her naked body, and her full lips parting to beg him to bed her.

In reality Charlotte continued to dress much as she always had, albeit in slightly less dowdy attire. James, however, found even her normal appearance stimulating. He could almost swear that she was continuing to develop, her bustline straining a little more each day against her dresses.

Consequently, he found himself controlling himself all but impossible. Even sitting alone with his thoughts, his thoughts naturally drifted to her and soon thereafter his cock would swell with lust. With extreme will he could compel himself to a semi-flaccid state, but without such diligence, the bulge in his trouser soon returned.

With such pressure building in his groin, the temptation to relieve it was great. But James felt yielding to such desire would be even worse. He half-hoped that by refusing himself, he might starve the desire out of him. Instead it seemed to only fuel his lust further, swelling his cock to ever increasing girth.

He could sense that Charlotte was not quite her usual self after the incident in his bedroom. She too seemed less comfortable in his presence.

But through it all, she insisted on the nightly ritual with the glass of wine. James found these perhaps the hardest time to bear. It took every ounce of energy to behave as if nothing was amiss and to steel his thoughts against the lust lurking in his soul. Thusfar he seemed to manage, but each night his resolve was tested anew.

 

[PersephoneHeart]

It took many days for Charlotte to recover from what she had seen, and even then, the image of her brother's body continued to haunt her. She now began to behave much like him, unable to be with James long before finding a reason to excuse herself and be alone with her various pastimes. But as Lottie would read or paint or sketch, she would imagine her brother and his masculine form rising from the waters of a lake, like a god in the mythologies she had read. Despite herself, the girl began to wonder about the parts she had not seen, the parts that James' towel had concealed. What did men... look like there? Charlotte as a child had noticed that male animals tended to have certain parts, but she had no idea whether or not men shared the same features. After wondering for a few moments, Lottie would scold herself harshly, ashamed at her thoughts, especially when they concerned her brother.

Charlotte continued to dress prettily, her new wardrobe slowly trickling in from her favorite seamstress. Barely able to look at her brother for so long, she never noticed how James would either look at, or avoid looking at her gradually less dowdy figure. Every night she would bring him his glass of wine, but throughout the day the two would barely speak to each other, other than to utter the usual civilities. It hurt Lottie for her once open, loving relationship with her brother, her only father-figure, to be so strained, until at last she tried to convince herself that the longing she had felt for James' body was not as severe as she had imagined. Surely men and women were designed to long for each other's bodies, else they would not fall in love and marry. The fact that she had been attracted to her brother for that moment was merely an instantaneous reaction. Of course she had no real immoral feelings toward him. It was merely her sense of shame and embarrassment that had led her to believe so.

So Charlotte would rationalize her feelings, until at last she felt morally strong enough to attempt a return to their usual routine. One night, after serving him his evening glass of wine, Lottie asked James if she could sit with him a little longer that night. She wanted to finish crocheting the blanket she was making for for the Gordan's new baby. James had seemed startled, almost distressed, but Charlotte had sat across from him and began working before he could protest, and prevented him from leaving by truthfully revealing that she missed his company. For a long time the brother and sister sat in an awkward silence, the only sound in the room being the monotonous ticking of the mantle clock. Desperate to lighten the mood, Lottie at last began to bring up some of the naughty things she had done as a child, a subject they had formerly enjoyed retelling over and over again. "Brother, do you remember when I used to slide down all the banisters? Oh what a daredevil I was! I remember..."

Giggling at the memory of her childhood antics, Lottie started to believe that the strain between them was not so bad as it had seemed, and began to cheer up in earnest.

 

[saedo]

James was hesitant when Charlotte proposed that she linger with him in his study. Just seeing her stirred his cravings and he crossed one leg up over the other's knee to shield his lap. Just struggling not to think of the things which would make his arousal all too evident was a struggle. Still, he loved Charlotte too much to deny her, so he acceded to request.

At first, they sat awkwardly, but gentle Charlotte began reminiscing of her younger days. Though hesitant at first, he found himself joining in. Remembering Charlotte when she was just a child at the manor helped banish the lascivious thoughts from his mind. He ceased to see the luscious beauty that she had become today and saw only his adorable little sister, looking up to her big brother for guidance and protection.

When next they noticed the clock, nearly an hour had gone by. "Oh my, it grows late indeed," said Charlotte. "I had best head to bed soon."

"Yes, goodnight," nodded James. "But I am glad you stayed to talk, Lottie. I have missed our conversations of late."

This immensely pleased Charlotte. "Oh, I am delighted to hear you say that, dear brother! I have felt an unpleasant distance between us of late. It feels good to be close to you once more."

Moved by this surge of affection, Charlotte chose not to merely kiss her brother goodnight on his cheek as usual, but instead sat down on his lap instead to give him a hug as she used to to do when she was a little girl.

Only Charlotte was not a little girl anymore. Charlotte's unexpected presence in James' lap caught him off guard. Her warm thighs rested atop his and her firm bosom brushed against his chest as she leaned into him to hug him. He could smell the sweet trace of jasmine in her hair as her face came next to his ear and whispered, "Goodnight, dear brother. I love you."

Unprepared for such an assault, James' restraint collapsed utterly. Blood surged into his cock, the mighty shaft engorging rapidly. In no time, his trousers bulged ominously beneath Charlotte's slender thighs.

 

[PersephoneHeart]

It had been a long time since Charlotte had passed so happy and comfortable an hour with her brother, and her heart was full of joy from speaking and laughing with him so freely once again. Lottie's happiness was so great that when it was time to say goodnight her childlike impulsiveness took over, and without warning she sat right in James' lap, just as she had as a child. Mrs. Bale would have scolded her for such unladylike behavior, but all Charlotte could think about was how much she loved her big brother, hugging him tightly and nestling against him as she whispered "Goodnight, dear brother. I love you."

Unaware of the strain she was putting upon James' self-control, Lottie remained for some time in his lap, blissfully happy until she felt something poke at her. Even through her skirt and petticoats, the girl could feel something extremely hard pressing against her thighs, and though she squirmed a little to shift position, she could not escape the feeling of whatever it was prodding her. Charlotte looked up at her brother with large blue eyes, her innocence and curiousity apparent as she asked "Have you something in your pocket Brother? What is it? It pokes at me so!"

 

[saedo]

James tried to conjure a plausible cover story to tell Charlotte. He had left one of his tools in his pocket, perhaps. It had shifted as she sat on it, hence the sensation that it was growing.

Yes, he could make her believe that. Clearly Mrs. Bale's prudish instructions on the birds and the bees meant Charlotte was rather clueless about human sexuality. If she did not realize what that hard, cylindrical lump was, he could persuade her to believe whatever story he wanted.

But staring into her big blue eyes drained the will out of him. He had been hiding the truth from Charlotte for months now. To lie directly to her face as she earnestly looked to her big brother for answers? How could he countenance such a betrayal of his sister's trust?

Moreover, his lie would be revealed eventually. Charlotte might be naive now, but one day she would wed. After sleeping with her husband, might she not recall this night with James and realize what had actually occurred? How could he ever face her again once such a deception became known?

Finally, the thought of prolonging his charade any longer seemed too much to bear. After but a couple months, he felt mentally exhausted by the daily strain to conceal his true feelings. Prolonging this farce with additional deceit would break him.

James took a deep breath, then met her gaze squarely. "I cannot lie to you Lottie. The object you feel is my cock. Such was not my conscious intent, but my body reacts without my control. I am deeply sorry for such egregious behavior. "

 

[PersephoneHeart]

Charlotte blinked a little, her blue eyes filled with surprise and confusion. At first she had thought James was claiming to have a rooster in his pocket, but she quickly saw that he meant something else, and the look of shame written upon her brother's face made the girl's heart fill with concern. Was he ill? Why did he look so ashamed? What did he mean by his body reacting? Was that hard mass she felt... a part of him? It was then that Lottie remembered wondering if men had the same parts as male horses and dogs. Could that be what pressed and throbbed against her so urgently?

Still innocent as to the organ's sexual use, Charlotte guessed that she must have hurt it when she sat upon James' lap, causing it to swell and throb. Afraid that he was in pain, the loving sister quickly got off her brother's lap and knelt before him, her voice filled with concern as she exclaimed "Oh, James, have I hurt you? Are you in pain? I'm sorry. I know so little about the male anatomy. Oh, it looks so big and swollen! Would ice help? Should I send for the doctor?"

Lottie's lovely face looked up at his with love, concern, and an eagerness to help, wishing to do anything to ensure her brother's comfort.

 

[saedo]

James sighed softly. He assumed that Charlotte had at least a basic knowledge of human anatomy and reproduction. After all, he knew that Mrs. Bale had been instructing his sister on how to be a lady. Granted, he'd never actually broached the subject with the stern governess, but he'd assumed his sister's education on would include more ht that would include more than how to curtsy.

Still, as Charlotte's guardian, providing for her education ultimately fell to him. He couldn't let his own sense of shame and embarrassment stop him from living up to his responsibility.

He looked down at her. This would not be easy on him. Charlotte was kneeling in front of his chair, her big blue eyes staring up at him with concern. He could not help but notice that her heavy bosom was resting atop his knees, not far away from where the bulge running down his right thigh ended. Whatever awkwardness he felt at discussing this situation, his cock was not about to retreat with the objects of its desire so close.

"Lottie," he began tentatively, "no, you haven't hurt me and I'm not in pain." He paused. Honesty. "Well, it's a bit uncomfortable, I suppose, and certainly distracting, but no, I've suffered no injury and I've no need for medical attention."

He sighed, then continued. "Lottie, I don't want to be dishonest with you. I thought that certain . . . sensitive topics would have been covered by Mrs. Bale during your education, but I gather she did not. I feel a woman would be better placed than I to address this subject with you, but better that I do than for you to continue on in ignorance. I just want you to know that however uncomfortable this conversation may be, I feel this is information you should be aware of as an adult."

Charlotte nodded, clearly a bit confused, but eager to attend her brother's words.

"Very well. I shall keep it rather basic. When I referred to my cock, I was using a euphemism. The correct anatomical name is 'penis'. It is the male sex organ, the counterpart to a woman's 'vagina'. You may have heard euphemisms for that like 'pussy' or 'cunt'."

Charlotte blushed. "Mrs. Bale used to call it a woman's 'flower'."

James cleared his throat. He really, really didn't want to be discussing this with her. Still, it must be done. "Right. Well, as I hope she at least told you, we humans, and for that matter, all mammals, produce offspring by having sex. That occurs when the male inserts his penis inside the female's vagina, or flower, if you prefer."

Charlotte's blush intensified. James cleared his throat again and pressed on.

"Anywise, ordinarily the man's penis is soft and flexible, but in order to insert it into the woman, it needs to be stiff. So when a man is . . . sexually aroused, his penis fills with blood and becomes hard and erect. And . . . well . . . that is why I have that bulge in my trousers. Do you understand?"

 

[PersephoneHeart]

Charlotte's beautiful blue eyes went wider and wider, her cheeks burning redder and redder as she learned the basics of sex for the very first time. Her lovely face was a mask of surprise, wonder, embarrassment, and perhaps a touch of disbelief. Lottie knew that her brother would never lie to her, but it all sounded so incredible, so improbable. As she stared at the enormous, throbbing, cylindrical bulge in James' trousers, she wondered how anything so large could possibly fit inside her untouched flower. Were all men so... robust?

The act of imagining her brother's cock being inside her made Charlotte flush with shame. Though she had previously been innocent as to the mechanics of sex, she did know that such "improper intimacy" was strictly forbidden between family members who were closer than cousins. All the same, she thought she had felt a sparkling shiver run down her spine, one that awakened her childlike curiousity and filled her mind with a thousand questions.

Looking up at him with eyes full of innocence, wonder, confusion, and concern, Lottie replied "Yes, Brother... I believe I understand you. But... how can such a... large object fit inside a woman's... private place? Surely it is far too big! Does it hurt? Does a woman's flower become hard as well when "aroused"? Do women become aroused? How does one become aroused? Is it quite normal for you to be so... aroused like this, James? Is it quite right to be aroused outside of marriage? Dear Brother, what could possibly arouse you so?"

Before he could answer her eager flood of questions, the innocent girl added "Perhaps the doctor has a cure. Are you sure we should not send for him?"

 

[saedo]

James cringed as Charlotte burst forth with a new litany of questions. He’d hoped he might bring tonight’s embarrassment to a swift conclusion, but apparently this was not to be.

He first hastened to forestall her thoughts to bring outside aid. “No, Lottie, I assure you there is no need for the doctor nor anyone else. I am quite embarrassed enough at the situation and would like that what has transpired thusfar go no further than just the two of us.”

He grimaced slightly. He really didn’t care to address some of her queries on the mechanics of procreation. Still, having gone this far, it would be silly to refrain further. “As for fitting inside a woman’s . . . flower . . . well, I assure you that a woman’s flower is rather resilient. After all, after a woman is with child, the newborn infant enters this world out that same aperture.”

“With regard to a female’s arousal, perhaps you have experienced a sensation where your flower grew warm and red with blood? Perhaps you felt it moisten as you secreted your . . . nectar? You may have even felt a portion of it grow stiff and sensitive to touch? Such are fairly common reactions to your own arousal.

“And it is of course perfectly natural for a healthy adult male or female to have such sensations. After all, such sensations are crucial to reproduction and since as humans have no fixed breeding seasons, we may experience any such sensations at any time.

“What does matter, of course, is how we react to such sensations. Such arousal signifies on readiness for . . . sexual activity. But of course one cannot always participate in such activities in proper society, so one learn to contain such energies until either the desire passes or a permissible opportunity to release those energies presents itself.” James swallowed and continued. “I’m afraid that I did a poor job of controlling myself, so I apologize for my indiscretion.”

 

[PersephoneHeart]

Remaining upon her knees before him, Charlotte once again fell silent and listened to her brother's words, her blue eyes reflecting her every emotion. James' insistance that no doctor should be sent for worried her, but she trusted his judgement in medical matters, and could understand her brother's wish to keep his... condition... a secret. Lottie watched his face, James' pained, uncomfortable expression filling her with loving pity. She knew that it was not easy for him to discuss such an intimate subject with his little sister, and the girl admired him all the more for perservering.

Charlotte was greatful to learn that her... flower... would be able to endure such a mighty intrusion when the time came, but her brother's description of feminine arousal caused her lovely face to flush crimson and her eyes to go wide with fear. She remembered the night long ago when she had gazed upon her body in her bedroom mirror. She had touched and explored her breasts, and Lottie remembered a warm, tingling wetness between her thighs. Had she been... aroused? Then there was the awful night when she had seen most of her brother's body. Charlotte was in an agony of shame as she remembered longing to be pressed to James' chest, her body flushed, the same tingling wetness burning between her thighs. Did it mean...? Had she been...?

Lottie's eyes dropped from his as she tried to conceal her emotions, afraid that her brother would somehow read her mind and flee with disgust. She continued to listen as he spoke, the sentence "Such arousal signifies a readiness for . . . sexual activity" reverberating mercilessly within her head. Is that what it had meant? Had she become aroused because she had wanted to be... improperly intimate with her own brother, the only father she had ever known? No. No, it couldn't be! Charlotte shook her head as if to clear away such wicked thoughts, then stood, daring to once again look into James' eyes.

The girl, an innocent despite all of the carnal knowledge suddenly thrust upon her, was still unaware of the reason for James' arousal. Never once imagining that she herself was the object of her brother's desire, Lottie turned her head to look about the room, her long, golden-brown curls bouncing as she asked "But what has aroused you so tonight, Dear Brother? Has anything in this room provoked you? Please let me know so that I may have it removed and spare you from any further embarrassment."

 

[saedo]

Charlotte standing before James caused him to issue a low groan. Now looking up at her, her bosom seemed unbelievably massive from this angle. The feral desire in him strained at such a prize.

He wanted desperately to spare Charlotte from this shocking truth, but her exuberance to assist him would not be curbed. Grimacing, he responded. "Lottie, that which has aroused me so greatly tonight is...." He paused, hoping to find some other way to answer her, but finding none. "... is you. "

Seeing her eyes widen with shock and confusion, he blabbered on, hoping to soften the blow. "I let my composure slip this night and saw you as merely the young, voluptuous woman you are rather than as my dear sister. The fault is entirely mine and I deeply apologize for my failings. "

He bowed his head in shame. "I see now that in trying to deny my urges, I have merely compounded the problem by bottling up these energies till they overflowed their constraints. If I am to master myself, I must release this internal pressure.

"As such, I would ask that you take your leave of me tonight. You should not be present for the carnality that follows. " Without looking, James pointed her towards the door. He was too embarrassed to meet her gaze. He heard her after a moment take a few steps towards the room's exit.

"Unless, of course, you would like to watch." James knew not to what dark corner of his mind such a shameless proposition sprang from. Aghast at the horrible idea, he could think of nothing to say to take back his scandalous words.

 

[PersephoneHeart]

"Lottie, that which has aroused me so greatly tonight is.... is you."

Charlotte could not restrain a gasp of shock, her blue eyes going wide with what could only be described as a look of loving horror. Could it be? Could it be that her beloved older brother actually lusted for her? Could it be that the mere thought of her caused his manhood to so grow and harden in the desire for sex? Lottie's eyes were suddenly opened, and she now realized just why he had been acting so strangely for so many weeks. His wish to be alone, his inability to talk to her or look her in the eye, his aversion to her slightest touch, all to avoid the raging symptom of improper love which now pulsed upon his lap.

The revelation was almost too much for the girl, once again torn by emotions of horror, shame, and guilt conflicting with nuances of flattery and intrigue. To think that she could cause so strong an emotion in so great a man as James! Her own lustful feelings for him once again flooded her mind, and once again she imagined him putting his steely maleness deep into her hot, wet flower. But no, it was forbidden, wicked, and she had obviously behaved improperly to inspire such incestuous thoughts in her brother, the epitome of goodness and discipline. Charlotte wanted to fall at his feet and beg for forgiveness, but her voice seemed to be locked away within her throat, and as he asked her to leave so he could attend to his... desire... she felt that she could not refuse.

Without a word, Lottie obediently went to leave, her light step and rustling skirts following her to the door. Just as she had placed her hand upon the knob, she heard James add "Unless, of course, you would like to watch." and she froze while her wrist was in mid-turn. Initially the thought shocked her. No lady, particularly a man's sister, particularly one whom he lusted for, would ever stay and watch as he... unburdened himself. It violated all decorum to even suggest it. But after this initial horror, Charlotte was forced to admit that she was very curious to see how a man did... cure himself of desire. Beyond that, she began to feel that it was her duty to stay. If she had, however unwittingly, inflamed his passions to the point that it caused him such discomfort and shame, was it not her duty to aid him in his release?

After hesitating for a moment longer, Lottie made up her mind and turned back, her rustling skirts signalling her return as she stood devotedly beside her brother's chair. In her confusion, Charlotte had taken out the soft linen handkerchief she always carried with her, the fine cloth carrying her scent of roses and white jessamine as she held it timidly within her hands. Looking down at James from where she stood, her voice and expression filled with love, devotion, pity, and remorse, the girl whispered "Dear Brother... what can I do to ease your suffering? What can I do to alleviate your desire? I plead for forgiveness for the misery I have caused you. It was never my intention to... inspire you so. Please James. If I am the cause, it is only right that I be the cure. Please... tell me what I can do."

 

[saedo]

James looked up at Charlotte, amazed by this turn of events. He could hardly believe he had uttered such an invitation, let alone that his innocent sister might then accept it. For a moment he sat immobile, unsure of how to proceed.

After an uncomfortable pause, he sensed a possible avenue. "Lottie," he began cautiously, "I see within my transgression an opportunity. An opportunity to provide you with some of the education which you have been deprived. I do not know that I may fully redeem myself in this fashion, but perhaps I can make some little progress towards that ultimate goal."

He stood up, wincing slightly as his cock fought valiantly against this shift in position. Standing over Charlotte, he looked down in her blue eyes, their pupils wide with emotion. He cleared his throat, and continued.

"If we are to proceed down this path, I must ask that you entrust yourself to me. From here on, I will be more than just your brother, but also your schoolmaster. The lessons you learn here will require your undivided attention and unwavering obedience to my instructions.

"It is important that you understand the implications of that. Like any good student, I shall praise you when you do well. But should you falter in your responsibilities, then as a bad student, you will be disciplined. So before you commit to this path, first consider if you are willing to undertake both the rewards and the costs.

He paused, giving time for his words to sink in. "When you have decided, let your actions announce your course. If you feel that you are not ready, then you may leave the room and retire to your quarters. But if you wish to proceed, then assist me in removing my shoes, socks, and trousers."