Luke was speechless. No woman had ever dared to treat him that way. But before he had time to think it over, he had already crossed the salon. As he opened the door, he found an exceptionally handsome, tall manservant in livery standing right on the other side, blushing deeply because he had been caught in the act of eavesdropping.
"Oh, and Luke," Jane added, making him turn back to her before he followed the servant to his room. "I want you to be on your best behavior tonight because I would like to introduce you to one of my guests, an old friend of mine whom I am particular fond of. It's astounding, he looks very much like you, I've just realized. If I didn't know better, I would think you were twin brothers. But you will see for yourself when you meet him. His name is Ryan."
*****
Chapter Four
Luke followed the young manservant - Sean was his name, Jane had said - upstairs and down a long corridor. A thick, luxurious carpet swallowed the sound of their steps, and the walls were hung with a gallery of portraits. When Luke looked at them, he only saw women depicted in them, astoundingly beautiful women of different ages. He asked himself if they were Jane's ancestors, but this wouldn't explain why there were no men displayed. The women in the portraits didn't look alike, they had every hair and eye color imaginable, but one thing united them all: they had a unmistakably naughty glint in their eyes, almost seeming to wink at him from their places along the walls. And they all looked extremely happy - each with a smug smile on her face, radiating complete satisfaction.
Along the way Sean gestured to an elegant double door, ornamented with birds and flowers. "This is the master bedroom, where my Mistress resides." Just a few doors down, to the end of the corridor, he opened another door, bowing before Luke shortly to make him enter. "The mahogany room," he said. "The Mistress ordered me to prepare it for you. Your bath is ready, Sir, and the small room to your right is your dressing room. Your new clothes are already there, including a costume for tonight's ball."
Luke thanked the servant, and closed the door behind him, grateful for some privacy at last. The room was exquisitely decorated. It had a definite masculine note because of its dark mahogany wooden paneling and furniture. A heavy four-poster bed stood to the left, near to the fireplace where a brass bathtub with lion's feet was set up, already filled with steaming hot water. Luke was amazed. This place was historically correct in its detail, but he detected a fully functioning bathroom behind a small door in the side wall.
When he crossed the room, he saw a neatly folded piece of paper lying on the coverlet of the bed. Picking it up, he read:
Dear Luke,
In case you haven't already realized - this place doesn't belong to the world you know. It is more something like a dream, a fantasy world. My personal fantasy, you could say. It's a family heirloom. Whatever I wish to happen here, happens. But I am a very real person, I can assure you, as real as you are.
This house is a very special place. It unites old power and magic to fulfill the most secret wishes of the woman who lives here. It has always been that way, with every female owner of the house. So the usual rules of society, morals and relationships are not valid here; you are able to do whatever you want - no regrets, no risks to your health, no worries about the consequences. But be careful. If you get yourself into serious trouble or even get killed here, it will be the same in the real world.
I am still not sure how I managed to get you here. It might have been the fact that I saw you in this movie with your elven prince costume and had ... well, some naughty thoughts about you so the house arranged that you and I should meet. But it is the first time that this has happened, so I believe there must be another reason. But until we find out, why shouldn't we have some fun along the way? If you find any of my female servants or house guests to your liking, you are welcome to take your pleasure. Although they are not aware of it, they are just characters sprung from my own imagination. It is my fantasy, but you can find fulfillment here, too, if you wish to - more than you could imagine in your wildest dreams.
Now make yourself comfortable and be my guest for as long as you like. I shall meet you at my costume ball tonight.
Jane
Luke shook his head, not understanding anything. Of course she couldn't mean what she wrote, this just was not possible. He decided to think about it later and soothe his muscles in the welcoming bath as long as it was hot. Quickly he undressed, dropped his clothes on the floor and let himself sink naked into the steaming water.
He sighed with pleasure, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. His short encounter had satisfied him only for a short time. His body still longed for Jane, aching to feel her arms around his body again, her lips searing his skin. It had felt so incredibly right when he'd been inside her, pleasuring her until she had shuddered with lust.
Just then there was a soft knock on the door, and a female voice shyly said, "Monsieur, it's me, Jeanette. Mademoiselle Jane sent me to bring you fresh towels and ask if you need any help with your bath."
Hesitating for a moment, he decided to play along with Jane's fantasy. "Come in," he said, gesturing her with his hand to enter.
"Monsieur, if I may - Mademoiselle Eden told me to wash your ... manly parts very thoroughly." Her right hand moved further down, over his flat six-pack to his long, hard manhood, squeezing him firmly for a moment. Luke threw his head back and moaned. It was amazing how quickly he was aroused again after his passionate encounter with Jane.
"Are you real, Jeanette?" he asked, watching her move about. She wasn't Jane, but there was something about her - maybe the way she threw him those challenging glances that reminded him so much of the woman he had met in the park. "Or just an impersonation of Jane, like in a role-play?"
She looked at him with a slow smile. "I don't know what you mean, Monsieur." Then, to his utter astonishment, her face changed. She appeared strangely blurred for a few seconds, and then she looked exactly like Jane - her face, her body. Even her voice had changed to a slightly deeper timbre. "But if it's My Lady you desire, I can look like her. Better now?"
"It is you, Jane," he said, disbelieving. "How can it be possible?"
Giggling, the French maid started to rub his throbbing shaft slowly, washing the sensitive head. Luke thrust himself up, urging her to rub him harder. Her hand slid down again, feeling the weight of his balls, washing him there, too. Then she looked him right in the eye, while she had him in her hand, unmoving.
"Monsieur," she said, pleadingly. "I wanted to ask something of you, if I may. My father wants to marry me off to an older man soon, a wealthy merchant. He is a widower and needs a mother for his children. But he's ..." She looked down. "Old, and not very handsome, I must admit, though I like him. I doubt that the marriage bed will bring me much pleasure, so I thought you could show me how it is to be loved by a younger man, just once. I am still a virgin, of course."
Luke was astonished. "But ... don't you think he will know that you are not a virgin anymore?"
She shrugged. "He won't care, he told me that he wouldn't mind if I wasn't untouched. Well, he even said ... that he was not sure if he could consummate the marriage at all. But he promised to be a good and generous husband. So please Monsieur, take my body ... just this one time so I'll know how it is to lie down with a young, strong man." She started to rub him again, increasing her pressure. Luke noticed that she did that quite well for a bloody virgin.
He grinned at her. "Let's play your little game. I will take you, Jeanette. And I can assure you that we won't lie down while we are doing it."
Now Jeanette really looked frightened, but he eased her fears by kissing her deeply, pulling her down with him into the water until she was dripping wet. He unlaced her bodice and freed her breasts from the corset, ravishing them with his mouth. Jeanette moaned and arched her back, while he sucked and licked her rosy nipples until they were nice and tight.
His hand wandered under her skirts, noticing that she did not wear anything under them. Impatient now, he pushe
d the heavy, wet dress up over her hips and heaved it over her head, freeing her from it. Now she only wore the loosely laced corset (he guessed that real ladies wore it tighter because they did not have to work) around her waist, her ample, high breasts and lower body exposed to his sight.
When he probed her with his fingers, he noticed that she was indeed a virgin, as he found a barricade when he tried to enter her. She wriggled her hips and rubbed his cock harder, whispering in his ear to continue, no matter what happened. He found her little bud of flesh and caressed it tenderly, making her juices flow.
Jeanette … or was it Jane? … spread her thighs for him and begged him for more, pushing herself down on his hand. "Oui, Monsieur, ooh I like what you do ... please, do not stop ..."
He knew that she was ready for him. He grabbed her around her corseted waist and slowly, very slowly lowered her onto his pounding manhood, pausing at her tight entrance or a moment before he slowly guided himself into her.
"You are so tight," he said, covering her neck with kisses while he plunged deep, savoring the feel of her hot, moist walls around his cock. Her low, breathless sobs made him grow even harder, and he began to move, pushing her down to meet his powerful thrusts. The water swapped over the edge of the tub as they rocked against each other.
Her breasts were crushed against his broad chest, and her hardened peaks rubbed along his skin with every move. He covered them with his hands, punching and twisting the rosy nipples with just the right amount of pressure while he kissed her, his tongue imitating the movements of his manhood. A few more thrusts, and she came, contracting around him. Not breaking the kiss while she whimpered with release, he entered her for a last time until he was buried in her sweet body to the hilt. Groaning, he spent himself inside her welcoming depths, holding her close to him until the storm subsided.
Afterwards, he leaned back in the warm water, his eyes closed. He hardly noticed when Jeanette climbed out of the tub, wrapped a towel around her naked body and silently left the room.
*****
"Did she tell you she was a virgin and to be married to an older man soon? Well, I fell for it, too." The handsome servant grinned at Luke. "She is very eager to learn, isn't she?" Sean quickly dropped his gaze. "I am sorry, Sir, I overstepped my boundaries. Forgive me, and please don't tell my Mistress. I could not live with the shame if she knew about my one time ... weakness. I would rather die than do something that could hurt her." His broad shoulders sagged.
Luke felt angry for a moment, but then he grinned, too. This "virgin" had indeed been very skillful pleasing him, more than she should. And he thought he had felt that virginal barrier with his fingers. In this house, anything seemed to be possible. Had he been with the real Jane, or just with an impersonation of her fantasy, and was she aware that he had loved her? But he had enjoyed their little encounter, anyway. He couldn't seem to get enough of her.
Then he watched the young manservant, who seemed to be close to tears. He was tall and strong, his muscles bulging under the tight gold-and-blue livery. Sean had the face of an angel, huge green eyes with dark lashes, a straight nose and full, sensuous lips. His dark hair was long and bound together at his neck. Luke was sure that women must throw themselves at his feet. He must have a very good reason to serve his Mistress with such devotion.
"Are you in love with Lady Jane, Sean?" Luke asked directly. The younger man blushed deeply. He hesitated, then nodded.
"Since I laid eyes on her for the very first time, My Lord. She called me to the breakfast parlor to help her ease the hurting muscles of her back. From this moment on I knew that I could never love another woman but Lady Jane, even if I could not have her for myself. Seeing her happy, serving her in every way I can, is enough for me, as long I can be near her. My heart sings every time she looks at me.”
Luke cleared his throat and sent the younger man a warning look. A sudden wave of jealousy washed over him. “Now, lad, I am sure that everything will be fine. Surely, in a year or two, you will meet a pretty girl who …“
“No!” Sean’s eyes turned a darker shade of green, burning with passion and determination. “I will never leave my Mistress. I would rather die than …” He stared angrily at Luke, before seeming to remember his position and fell silent.
Sean paused for a moment, then he squared his shoulders and gestured to the dressing chamber. “Sir, My Lady has ordered me to help you getting dressed for the ball. Please allow me to show you your costume. I hope it is to your liking."
*****
Outside, Jeanette stepped away from the door where she had been eavesdropping, smiling sweetly to herself. Then she murmured a few words, and her outer form changed, blurring at first, then transforming like molten wax. The delicate French maid vanished, and in her place a taller woman stood, her long dark hair flowing freely over her back.
Jane looked down at herself. She was already clad in an alluring white dress made of a fine white fabric that enhanced every curve of her body. A golden band was crossed between her breasts, ending at her back where it held a quiver and arrows. It was her costume for tonight’s ball.
Jane smiled again, her heart beating faster with anticipation. She was dressed as Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt. This was most fitting indeed.
*****
Chapter Five
"Tell her, Sean, never! There is no way I am going to wear this!"
Luke stood before the large, gold-framed mirror in his bedroom and looked up and down at his image.
“I am a grown man and won’t let myself be seen in this ridiculous costume!” Luke thundered. The manservant struggled not to grin, but he managed, clearing his throat.
“Sir, My Lady chose that costume for you herself. The instructions she gave her seamstress were quite clear. She said she could not think of any other attire for you tonight. She … well, she said that you had … a fine pair of legs and should be proud to show them, My Lord. I am sure she would be devastated if you decided not to wear it, after all her efforts to get this costume finished in time for the ball.” He coughed, averting his face.
“Oh well, I will wear the damn costume,” Luke growled after a last look into the mirror. “But she will pay for this, I swear. Now show me the way to this … ball. I can’t wait to see her. There are a few things I wish to tell Lady Jane.”
*****
Two servants opened the doors to the ballroom, one of them loudly announcing his name. Luke stood before a large crowd of guests, all of them unrecognizable in their lavish costumes. Venetian masks, costumes from every historical period imaginable, animals and figures from literature. They were dancing to the merry music of the small orchestra, drinking and flirting. Some of the women turned their heads as Luke went by, ogling him from head to toe with obvious desire in their eyes. Their curious faces were hidden behind masks. Luke asked himself which of them Jane was.
Then he saw her. She stood apart from every other woman. Despite the mask that covered half her face, he easily recognized her regal posture, the graceful curve of her slender neck, enhanced by her upswept hair. Her lavish curves were barely covered beneath the Greek-style costume she wore. The golden bow she held in her hand and the arrows on her back left no doubt of whom she impersonated – Diana, the goddess of the hunt.
Try to run as fast as you want, goddess, Luke thought as he approached her, making his way through the crowd of guests who willingly stepped back when they saw the furious look in his eyes. But you will be very surprised who is the hunter and who is the prey in your little game.
Jane felt his angry gaze resting on her before she even saw him. When she lifted her head she did not know if she wanted to gasp in awe or smile.
Luke was wearing the costume she had chosen for him. She couldn’t believe it. And he looked unbelievably good in it.
His tiny white toga left one broad shoulder and a good part of his sculptured chest bare, showing off his strong arms. It was so short that his tanned legs were naked up to his muscular thighs. He wore
a white half mask and a laurel wreath on his head, and his leather belt was adorned with bunches of ripe red and green grapes dangling from his waist. He even wore the golden sandals she had chosen for him, their strings wrapped around his calves. A lovely smile enlivened her face.
“Luke!” She went to him with outstretched hands. “Or should I say, Bacchus, the god of wine, fertility and the most ecstatic carnal pleasures? I am so glad to have you as my guest of honor tonight!”
He was still thinking about a fitting answer to her teasing words when a tall man appeared at her side, watching him with an expression of shock on his face, the same Luke’s own features showed.
It was impossible, but yet he couldn't deny what he saw with his own eyes.
The stranger was undoubtedly Ryan, the friend Jane had spoken about after their passionate encounter on the tea table. But he didn't only look similar to Luke, as Jane had said.
He looked exactly like Luke. The same height, the same face with the ice blue eyes, straight nose, angular jaw and strong chin. The same broad shoulders and muscular body, Ryan was even wearing the same costume, with the only difference that his toga was not white but dark red, and his masquerade was completed by a bow and arrows instead of grapes. He was Cupid, the god of love.
Jane looked from one to the other, looking exactly like a cat who had just discovered a bowl of cream – or two of them at once. “I think this is going to be a very interesting night,” she said.
"Dear Luke, I would never have thought you could dance at all," Jane remarked while Luke swept her in a waltz over the dance floor. "You just don't seem to be the type."
Luke pressed her closer to his body, enjoying how good it felt to hold her in his arms. "I am full of surprises." He grinned. "If you don't believe me, I'll think of a ... more physical proof to convince you."
House of Pleasure Page 4