His eyes fell. He sought for words he could not speak and then said simply, “Yes.”
I released the chain. His retirement was slow, uncertain and redolent of a deep selfconsciousness, but he did not turn. The door received him and he passed through. Jennifer immediately threw herself into my stepmother’s arms and laughed, “OH!” as though in wonder at herself. She was clasped silently and warmly, then released.
“Let us see to the others,” my stepmother said. Conspirators now settled in their ways, we ascended and sought Millicent. There upon a bed she lay dressed and with Clive beside her naked, his limp cock cradled in her hand. They slept and looked like two babes in so doing.
Had her drawers not been lying on the floor, the scene would have been one of even greater innocence.
CHAPTER TWENTY
What shall we find, I wonder, upon our return?” my stepmother mused while a more restful crossing bore us back towards the cliffs of Dover.
“I cannot conjecture, but I have no doubt that you will put things in order should they have gone awry,” I replied. I had seen her witchcraft at work all anew and was much strengthened by it. The little denouement of which I have just spoken added the final resolve to Jennifer and caused her much amusement rather than jealousy. Her progress thereafter was rapid and Millicent duly took second place to her, not by rote of anything said but by silent understanding, for she who had shown the greater boldness drew the greater strength. Even so, the Wills of the two males were quickly redrawn to show the two females as equal beneficiaries, and so all was well, the four remaining in Nice for a further two weeks and Jennifer to report to my stepmother on their return.
As to our household, I had expected Bertha to be left in charge, but having given much silent thought to the matter, my stepmother had finally decided upon Sarah that she might be put on her mettle. I wondered aloud at this frequently when alone with Stepmama, but she ever said simply and wisely, “Let us see,” and sought not to draw upon any conjectures of my own nor proffered any of hers.
“Do not birch or cane her if she is in trouble,” I pleaded as at last our coach rumbled along the wellknown lanes towards the house.
“There will be no need for that. At least, I trust there will be no need for that. As to any birchings, Clara, they will be performed henceforth by you.”
I said nothing but felt myself further elevated, yet could not but be apprehensive for Sarah’s sake when at last we arrived. Bertha stood upon the broad, stone steps and I hastened alongside my stepmother to hear her first words.
“All is well, m’am,” said she to my vast relief and then, looking up, I saw Sarah waving to me from a latticed window. Immediately I ran within, leaving the two talking together, and raced upstairs. There my beloved Sarah laughed and kissed with me and drew me into her room.
“All is well-Bertha said so!” I gasped unguardedly, such being my relief.
“Of course!” she sparkled and then we kissed again and sighed and hugged one another, I then at last removing my cloak and bonnet and casting myself on her bed to hug my knees, for she was demanding news of me as I of her.
“No-you tell first!”-“No, you!”
So we argued back and forth and our stepmother not then intruding since she had learned all she wished to know from Bertha.
“Well, Clara, you will not believe this, but I had such fortune,” Sarah conceded at last. “Do you recall the Weatherbys?” she asked. I frowned, thought for a moment, then said yes. We had come upon them a few times, though not in recent years. I recalled dimly the Mama and Papa of the family and a brood of children among whom were a son, Phillip, and a daughter, Rose, who were but thirteen or so when I last saw them and were twins. This last point burst upon me and I was pleased to remember it.
“That is so and quite by chance they came to stay,” Sarah said, “for we met them in the market town and I impulsively invited them. Their dear Mama is pleased to have two less to look out for during a week or so. Rose is quite pretty now and Phillip handsome.”
Sarah looked at me and giggled.
“Go on!” said I excitedly.
My sister put her finger to her mouth as sometimes she will do when looking coy, or making great pretence to do so.
“She… she will not do it with him, nor with Robert,” she exclaimed dolefully, though at the same time biting back a smile.
I could scarce hold myself in for glee. “Have you not spanked or birched or feathered her?” I asked.
“Oh, I tried, but she makes such a squealing of it and Bertha would not help me-said as I must make my way. I have put Rose to her room and made her stay there.”
“And her brother? Come, I am sure you have had more success with him. Oh, you naughty thing, tell me!”
“I did not. Honestly, I did not. Bertha, you see, she said that I was to have Rose ready first, for they are both supposed innocents,” (at this she sniffed), “and better it is, Bertha said, for Rose to be prepared before she takes their cocks. I would not put her with Papa or Tim at first for that might make her more rebellious.”
“Yes, you were right,” I began to say and then Stepmama opened the door and looked in upon us.
“What is to do?” she asked. Sarah thereupon rushed to her, was hugged and kissed. Turning in our stepmother’s fond embrace, my sister gazed at me not a little victoriously, her eyes sparkling.
“We were discussing what to do, Mama,” said I, full well knowing she would have received from Bertha as much intelligence as I from Sarah.
“Very well, my pets, then I will leave that matter in your hands. To all such arrangements as you think fit,” she added, turning at the door with a sweet smile and then departing.
Sarah clapped her hands and said, “Oh! She is not then displeased with me!”
“Why should she be, you silly? You have shown your aptitude sufficiently in guiding Rose and Phillip here. How long have they been so?”
“Two days-no, three.”
“Why, that is perfect. You had no need to rush matters. Have you fondled her, kissed her enough?”
“Oh yes, she does not mind that too much-has shared my bed. What an adorable cunny she has! I have licked it a little, poured words of praise into her ears and got her flushed, her nipples all erect. But still she will not so much as look at Phillip’s cock, nor Robert’s-has seen only her Papa’s for once when in his cups he showed it all stiff before her, but she ran away, thought it an awesome sight-so big, she said!”
“Will you have me see to her?”
“Oh, will you, Clara? She is in the bedroom next to yours and mine. I thought it better so. I held her nose and made her tipple wine, but still she would not warm herself up to the thought of it.”
“I will warm her up enough-have no fear of that. You will bring Robert to her first, but not before I call you. Have you milked him well of late? I trust you have, and not only he?”
“Oh yes, for Bertha left it to me. He wears his knickers, petticoats and stockings better now and stands most docile while I frot his prick.”
“Good girl-and the others too, I trust. Have you the key to Rose’s room? Good, I will take it. Have Robert prepared, though not in girl’s attire. She will accustom herself to that later.”
“It will be nice for her, will it not-after you have birched her?” Sarah asked anxiously.
“It will be nice for you, too, if you are ever wilful again,” said I mischievously, but then kissed her on the lips for comfort and, telling her to leave her door open, to fetch Robert, and to be ready, I took a birch which she had thoughtfully placed in readiness in water, shook it out well, and betook myself to young Mademoiselle Rose, as I thought of her.
“Who is that?” her voice came nervously as I turned the key. Upon my entering, she sat down quickly again in a chair, remembering me perhaps better than I might have remembered her. Her eyes started out as she saw the birch and she sprang up and backed against a window.