Virginia's Awakening [The Blood Red Rose Club 3] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Clair de Lune

  “Well, as you have found a place, let’s go and see it,” he suggested.

  “Now?” she asked incredulously.

  “No time like the present,” he said, and got back an odd look. What the hell have I done wrong now? Does she want me to argue and persuade her to stay? There’s nothing I’d like better, but I don’t believe that will be good for her.

  He helped her into her coat and they went down to the car. Once in the flow of traffic, it was a mere ten minutes before they arrived at the flat. As rented places went, it wasn’t bad. It was small, with one main room, a bedroom, and bathroom. It was furnished, but there was room for Virginia to add bits and pieces of her own. The main room was a kitchen and sitting-room, divided by a counter. It was clean and it would do for a while. He hoped she’d soon decide that she wanted to move in with him.

  “Do you like it?” she asked.

  “It’s better than I thought it was going to be. I can add some bolts to the door and secure the windows for you, and then I shall be happier. Are you sure you want to do this, Virginia?”

  “Yes. Well, I don’t want to exactly, but I feel I need to. If I prove myself able to live independently, I shall be all the happier.”

  “Yes, I understand that. I don’t like it, but I accept that you need to do it. Now let’s get those alterations done. The sooner you move in, the sooner you will be ready to move back in with me. That can’t come soon enough, my dear.”

  * * * *

  She hadn’t said anything to Valkyrie until she found the flat. She thought he might not be too happy about it, but when she explained and he agreed with her, she cried a little in his arms. Such a difference. He sees what I need. It’s not what he wants, but he is prepared to let me go my own way. When he had said, “let’s go now,” it gave her a jolt. Does he want rid of me, then? Why do we have to go right now? Why isn’t he trying to dissuade me? Is he tired of me? What a fool I am. I’m happy that he sees my need, but then when he agrees with me, I begin to doubt him. I need to pull myself together. I won’t let Geoff be right about me. I’m not the woman he crushed.

  When they got to the flat and he said he liked it, she was happier. Then he explained why he was in a hurry for her to move in, and the clouds rolled away. She smiled and smiled. How foolish of me. He does still want me, and as soon as he can get me. He wants me to be safe, too. No-one has ever cared for me like that.

  Once he had bought and fitted the bolts to the door and the window locks, she made him tea with the supplies they’d bought.

  “Now, to practical measures. How are you to get to the other side of the city? More importantly, how will you get home late at night? There’s no safe parking here, my dear.”

  “Well, I can get a bus to the club and a taxi back,” she replied.

  “The bus to the club is fine, but I’ll drive you home. I want to know you’re safe every night.”

  “There’s really no need…” She got no further.

  “I need to do this, so please don’t argue,” Valkyrie said. He took her hand and kissed it as he said it. She looked into his eyes and found she couldn’t refuse him.

  “Thank you. That’s very kind of you.” She smiled at him.

  * * * *

  Valkyrie held her close as the after-shocks of a powerful orgasm caused her limbs to tremble. He breathed in the scent of her arousal and her perfume, blending to make the unique aroma that was his Virginia. She smells so good. I can’t live without her now. There’s been no-one else since I first set eyes on her. She’s ready to move on now. I love my Virginia. Did I really say that? Do I love her? Yes, I believe I do. How does she feel about me and the life I lead? She’s happy to make love, and I’m sure she wouldn’t if she weren’t certain of her feelings. She’s no light woman, ready to hop into bed with anyone. I’ve seen the way she handles the approaches of the Doms in the club. He chuckled as he remembered one particularly persistent Dom. Virginia had left him in no doubt that she wouldn’t do a scene with him, and when Valkyrie was about to step in to help her out, she’d leaned over and given the Dom a piece of her mind in a quiet but firm voice. He’d looked startled, but then had got up and left to go and pester some other sub. Valkyrie had been so proud of her. A few short weeks before, she wouldn’t have been able to do that. He was convinced that it wasn’t only the clothes and the new hair-do that gave her the confidence she’d lacked. I flatter myself that it comes from feeling loved and secure in her feelings. Well, how do I proceed from here? What’s the next step? I always wanted a family, but Virginia is well past the age for child-bearing. Perhaps we could foster. I can discuss it with her and see how she feels. It would mean a new home. No child will be brought up in a sex-club. Now there’s a thought. Maybe they won’t allow us to foster, as we both work here. Well, that hurdle will have to be faced eventually. What’s the next step?

  Virginia stirred, and he soothed and petted her. He wanted her to rest before her shift in the club and he needed to think. He could do that very well with the warm bundle of his love snuggling close, her head on his chest, and as usual, her fingers laced in his and lying over his heart. She said she liked that because she could feel his heart beating. He was just happy to have her in his arms. He kissed the top of her head absently.

  “Rest, pet, you’re safe here,” he murmured.

  “Yes I know that. I feel safe and protected. I love you, Valkyrie,” she said sleepily and drifted off again.

  Valkyrie blinked and looked at her. Had she really said that? Did she mean it? Would she regret it, if she remembered it later? Well, he had to seize his opportunity. Maybe she’d said in her half-awake state what she’d have hesitated to say, had she not been so drugged with sleep. Time to plan. He lay thinking for a while, and then an idea came to him and he smiled to himself. Yes, she’ll like that. She’s more confident now and she’ll enjoy it. That’s just what I’ll do.

  * * * *

  Next day in the staff meeting, on Virginia’s day off, Valkyrie outlined his plans.

  “I’ve called you all together to let you in on a secret. I want to organise a party for Virginia’s birthday on February 14th. I want it to be a surprise and I need your help.” His words were greeted by a stunned silence at first. A few enigmatic looks were exchanged, and eyebrows raised. Valkyrie said no more, but instead just waited. A few of the rumours that were circulating about his involvement with Virginia had reached his ears. He’d never confirmed or denied them. This would be seen as confirmation, as he’d never done anything like this for any of his other lady friends.

  “Congratulations, Valkyrie,” Mrs. Laurens said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “This special party for Virginia on St. Valentine’s Day?”

  “Well it’s just that, a party.” Valkyrie wasn’t about to tell them anything more. They could put two and two together and make five if they wished.

  “Well, time will tell, sir, “Mrs. Laurens said enigmatically. He noticed several of the staff smiling indulgently and nodding. He judged it was time to move on and deal with the details of the food and the special birthday cake he wanted. His staff took notes, and he knew all would be done to his specifications.

  “I’ll put together a guest list for your approval,” his secretary said. “Does Virginia have family?”

  “None of them live nearby, so we will just keep it to our friends in the club,” Valkyrie said. He knew she did have family, but none of them knew of her involvement in the BDSM world. He’d find out if she was close to any in particular.

  “Limit the list to her particular friends in the club, and mine, of course,” he added.

  “Give me an idea for numbers for the catering as soon as you can. It’s only a month off. Where will you hold the party, in your flat or the main club room?” Mrs. Laurens asked.

  Valkyrie hadn’t thought of that. If it was in his flat, the numbers would be limited, making it more intimate. If it was in the club, he’d have to close on one of the most popular nights of the
year.

  “My flat, I think. We’ll keep the numbers down and let the club open as usual. There will be the Valentine’s Day celebration for the rest of the members.”

  “Will you want the same refreshments to be available for the club as for your party?” Mrs. Laurens asked.

  “Whatever is simpler for you, Mrs. Laurens,” Valkyrie answered with the sweet smile that won him the loyalty and hard work of his staff.

  “As soon as the list is ready, I’ll send out the invitations with a date by which we need an answer,” Valkyrie’s secretary assured her.

  “Well, if that’s all, I suggest we close this meeting. Can I just remind you it’s a surprise, so please make sure Virginia doesn’t find out about it?”

  I need a ring and a special collar now. Where am to get them? I know, I’ll ask Angus since he bought such a wonderful collar for Jane. It has to be something special.

  When they’d all left, Valkyrie picked up the phone and set the rest of his plans in motion.

  Chapter Eight

  February 13th was wet and windy. The forecast was for heavy rain. After her shift, Valkyrie dropped Virginia off outside her flat and waited until she was inside and put on the light, and then he went back to the club. He was very tired, but he was looking forward to the party that evening and he was hopeful she’d say “yes.” The rain was falling very heavily, and in fact, it was bucketing down. That would mean the usual floods. A city with three rivers gets used to that. The flood barriers had been repaired recently, so all would be well. He returned to the club, and after the security check, he went to bed and lay for a long while, dreaming of the morrow and his future with Virginia.

  * * * *

  When she got into the flat, the first thing she did was put on the light. Valkyrie would be waiting. He wouldn’t leave until he saw her light. She locked the doors. She was feeling under the weather, her head ached, and her throat was sore. Oh, for goodness sake. It can’t be the flu. Valkyrie is planning something special for tomorrow night, but he won’t tell me what. I just can’t be ill now. A good dose of that flu medicine will cure me. Now if I could just remember where I put it? After a search, she located it, and took a double dose. She made a cup of tea and took it to bed with her. She was weary and her bones ached, so she lay down and was soon fast asleep.

  When she woke up, she could hear running water. Oh, damn, could I have been so stupid as to leave the tap running? I don’t think I did. This bed seems to be floating, why is that? I must be worse than I thought. The dratted light’s not working. What next, I wonder?

  She got out of bed. “Hell, that’s water. How did that get in here? I can’t have left the tap on and made that mess. I have to get out of here and find out what’s going on,” she said aloud.

  She managed to locate her wellies and a coat. There was a torch on the shelf, and when she turned it on, she was horrified. The water was dark and dirty. It was obvious that it was flood-water and not of her making. She shook her head to clear the remains of the flu medication. I have to get out of here, and soon. She made her way to the front door and tried to open it, only to find the key wasn’t in the lock. For goodness sake! What did I do with the keys? They must be in my handbag. Where did I put it? She shone the torch about the room until she located it. She picked it up and took out the keys. The water was deeper now, and over the tops of her wellies. That made it hard to wade.

  * * * *

  Valkyrie got up to go to the bathroom. He was thirsty, so he made a cup of tea and put on the radio. It was tuned to the local news. What he heard appalled him.

  “This is a public service announcement. Due to the unexpected severity of the rainfall last night, the river Eden overflowed not only its banks, but also the flood defences. There is extensive flooding in the Warwick Road area, and residents are being evacuated. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area. Further bulletins will be issued as we receive them.”

  Valkyrie dropped his cup and ran to get his clothes. He scrambled into them and collected a large torch, his raincoat, and his car keys. He left the club, putting on his wellies at the door, and got into the car. Then he headed for Warwick road.

  She must be all right. Nothing can happen to her. I have to go and get her to safety. I must think. Where can I park? Will this rain never stop?

  He pulled over to give way to a fire-engine with all its lights flashing and the sirens wailing. Then he continued on his way. His heart was in his mouth and he was so very afraid. He knew she’d not been well. Would she have taken medication? If she had, would she wake up in time? No, he wouldn’t go there. He’d found her, and he wasn’t going to lose her. There was a barrier across the road and people under umbrellas standing about. He stopped the car and got out.

  “You can’t go any further, sir. It’s not safe. The fire-brigade are there and doing all they can,” the burly policemen standing by the barrier said.

  “But my girlfriend lives on Warwick road. I need to get to her.”

  When he told the officer the number of her flat, the man said, “Well that area has been cleared. There are shelters. The Salvation Army are helping. You’d best check and see if she’s in one of them. They’ll have a list of those who have been saved.”

  Valkyrie set off at a run for the first shelter. It was too early for lists of names to be available, so he had to walk up and down the rows, checking. In the first one, he couldn’t find her or anyone who knew her or had seen her. Frantically, he went to the next one and started to look. He was worried because of the location of her ground floor flat. Will I find her? Has she escaped from the flat? Where is she? How is she?

  * * * *

  Virginia was afraid, but she put the key in the lock and it turned easily. She breathed a sigh of relief. That was short-lived, as the door was stuck and wouldn’t open. She wrestled with it, but she wasn’t strong enough to open it. She went to the window, only to find it locked. The latch was stiff, but at least it wasn’t painted over, and at last she succeeded in opening it. She tried to get out onto the street. There was water everywhere. It was dark and she couldn’t see far.

  Am I going to get out of this alive? Why did I ever want to come and live here? I could have been safe in Valkyrie’s flat. Why did I think this would prove my independence? I’m letting what Geoff said and thought influence me and ruin my life. Who cares what he thinks? Who cares what he said? I’m worth better than he ever gave me. Valkyrie loves me and has waited for me for years. What am I waiting for? Why am I making him wait? So I can live in this poky little flat, to prove I can survive on my own? It is only survival, too. I have to get out of here. The water is almost up to the window. I wonder how deep it is. She was kneeling inside on the window-sill, trying to decide what was best to do. She caught a glimpse of a yellow flashing light and began to call out.

  “Help, please help me. Over here. I can’t get out.”

  To her immense relief, the emergency services arrived in an inflatable boat. A tall man dressed in oilskins came over and plucked her off the window-sill as if she weighed very little. He put her over his shoulder and waded through the water. Willing hands helped her into the inflatable, and when they had rescued more people and the boat was full, they took them to a rescue centre. She was wet through, frozen and shivering. The Salvation Army was on hand with hot tea, dry clothes, and blankets. Army cots had been arranged in rows and she was found a bed, where she lay shivering and shaking under a couple of blankets. Her teeth were chattering and she couldn’t get warm. Oh, my love, where are you? I need you so. She had no means of knowing how long she lay there. She could hear crying and people talking in low voices. She drifted in and out of sleep, but she couldn’t get warm. She was cold, so very cold. She wanted Valkyrie. Where was he? Why wasn’t he there?

  A large, warm palm was placed on her forehead. She opened her eyes and he was looking down at her.

  “Is it really you, or am I dreaming?” she asked.

  “I’m here and you’re safe now,” the
familiar voice said.

  “Thank goodness. I’m cold, so very cold,” she said and closed her eyes.

  * * * *

  He gathered her into his arms and walked out of the refuge. He held her close, covered in the blanket as the rain poured down. Reaching his car, he laid her on the back-seat and tucked a couple of dry blankets around her, and then he set off to take her to his flat in the club. Once there, he stripped off her wet clothes and got her into a hot bath. He helped her to wash and dry herself, and then he put her to bed. Virginia was ill. She trembled uncontrollably in spite of a couple of hot water bottles and several extra blankets. Valkyrie was very worried. When she became delirious, he rang NHS 24. They were very busy. They said there would be several hours’ delay. Valkyrie didn’t know what to do, so he sat and held her hand. He stroked the back of it and talked to her. Her raised her hand to his lips, and found she was burning with fever. He bathed her forehead and tried to stop her throwing off the clothes as she alternated between burning up and bouts of shivering. He was at his wit’s end when the doorbell rang. It was the doctor, at last. After an examination, the young lady doctor extracted some antibiotics from her bag.

  “She’s caught a chill, on top of what looks like a bad case of the flu. You must keep her warm and make sure she takes these, one four times a day, and she must finish the course. Give her lots of fluids. She won’t feel like eating for a couple of days, but she must drink. I’ll send a report to her GP, and he may want to call in and see her."

  There were forms to fill in, but it was soon over. The young doctor had many more calls to make. Valkyrie settled down for a long night. It was a long, hard couple of days. Mrs. Laurens brought his meals up to him and made soups, which he fed to Virginia. She slept fitfully most of the time, tossing and turning. He was in the kitchen making a cup of tea when he heard her voice.