The Adventures of Clarissa Hardy

by Chloe Gillis

  This speech struck Clarissa as a bit odd, but she was a good sport, after all, so she smiled her most brilliant smile and said, “Why not!”

  The master threw back his head and laughed. Then he said, “Kitty, I do believe I shall enjoy your friend immensely!”

  That evening, Clarissa and Kitty joined the other guests for dinner in the enormous dining room. Brom Von Kessel sat at the head of the table, Clarissa on his right and Kitty on his left. The Brazilian Santiagos sat on Clarissa’s right and across from them were two Dutch women with pretty, round faces and stocky, strong bodies. After that, Clarissa rather lost track. There were about twenty people, including a young couple from the local neighborhood, and a single man from the Rhone Valley who had evidently been instrumental in acquiring the special new vintage that would be featured at the celebration the next night. The table was abuzz with conversations of all kinds. Brom Von Kessel proposed toast after toast, welcoming each person separately.

  At last, the meal was over. The merry company dispersed to their rooms, and some of the men retired to the library where Clarissa and Kitty had been served their afternoon refreshment. Clarissa was exhausted from the drive and the constant stimuli, and she intimated so to Kitty.

  “I am ready for some sleep, also,” Kitty assured her. “I shall ask Madam Sarkoff to show us our room.”

  Madam Sarkoff was duly summoned. “Come this way, please.” She motioned the two young women to follow her. Clarissa paid attention to the hallway as she followed the older woman. She needed to notice a few interior landmarks so she would know where she was. The house was vast.

  Madam Sarkoff showed them to a darling little bedroom. There were twin four-poster beds, ample room to unpack their clothing and make themselves comfortable, and a well-appointed private bathroom. No sooner had Madam Sarkoff bid them a good night’s sleep and shut the door behind her than Clarissa rifled through her overnight bag and plucked out her silk pajamas. She washed her face, brushed her teeth and tumbled into bed. Kitty was already snoring in the bed next to her. Clarissa thought it might be the most comfortable bed she had ever slept in, but before she had time to think about it, she was fast asleep.

  The next day proved interesting indeed. Clarissa and Kitty woke early, refreshed, and made their way down to breakfast. They sat across from the young local couple. Soon, the Dutch women joined them, as well as the Santiagos. Clarissa noticed that today, the woman, who was extremely beautiful, wore around her long neck, a soft leather collar set with precious stones. The buckle and ring were gold.

  Breakfast conversation was animated and light, mostly getting to know little personal details about each other. The local couple were a chemist and a school teacher. They had met the Dutch women at Melbourne House on a previous occasion and introduced them to Clarissa and Kitty. At last, just as Clarissa was finishing her cup of tea, Brom Van Kessel entered the room with a flourish. He addressed Clarissa directly.

  “Miss Hardy, my dear! Have you finished your breakfast? Oh, excellent! You must follow me now. We shall tour the cellars and the distillery, and you shall have the meat for your feature. We will get the work out of the way early, yes?”

  “Oh, yes,” agreed Clarissa, dabbing at her lips with her napkin.

  Brom Von Kessel pulled her chair out for her and took her arm. “Come, my dear,” he said. “Everybody, Miss Hardy, and I have work to do. Make yourselves completely comfortable. Madam Sarkoff and Hugo will attend to you.” He pulled a large gold watch from his watch pocket. “I ask that you are ready for play at eight o’clock this evening.” He bowed with a great flourish, all the while holding on to Clarissa’s hand. “I bid you adieu.” Then he led Clarissa away.

  It was a fascinating day. Brom took Clarissa first to see the distillery. Clarissa was awed by the huge steel tank and the copper tubing, the beautiful glass bottles, and the most pleasant scent.

  “Got rid of the pigs, I did,” he said. “Yes, yes. Sold them to a farmer right here in town, and glad enough he was to pay the price. They were fabulous pigs, you see, but I saw that this quaint little building, cleaned and shined, would be a most wonderful distillery. And so it is!”

  Clarissa was scratching away in her little notebook with her pencil, taking down the most interesting things the man was saying. She followed him back inside through a door at the back of the house. Across this entryway was another door, huge and wooden with great wrought iron strap hinges.

  “Come this way, my dear,” he said, swinging the giant door open and flicking a switch. A low, yellow light illuminated the room.

  Clarissa gasped. It was a spectacular room, long and built of brick. Each wall was a series of arches and inside the arches were the wines on wooden shelves. Hundreds, no, thousands of bottles of wine of every imaginable vintage.

  “I am indeed impressed, Mr. Von Kessel,” remarked Clarissa honestly. “This is the finest collection of wine I have ever seen!”

  “I assure you, it is. And later this evening, you will get to taste some of the elegant flavors stored on these shelves. Come, let me show you.”

  He took Clarissa slowly down the long room, stopping to explain this vintage and that, telling the most charming stories about some of them, where they came from, how he came to have them. Clarissa was ecstatic. So much fodder for her article. Surely, this would impress Chauncey and Adam MacLaren like nothing she had written before.

  “And now, my dear, would you like to see where I shall host my party this evening?”

  “Why, yes, I would.”

  “Come right this way.” And with that, Brom Von Kessel pulled a ring on one of the wine casks. The whole end wall, wine bottles and all, swung slowly aside. Clarissa was wont to gasp again.

  Brom turned to her proudly. “Quite impressive, no?”

  “Quite impressive!” exclaimed Clarissa.

  “Follow me.”

  Clarissa followed Brom somewhat apprehensively into the room. It was cavernous, with brick walls and vaulted ceilings. Chandeliers, hung at various heights, washed the room in a shimmering light. Low couches were grouped here and there around low tables, and thick Persian carpets covered the floor. Despite its being underground with no windows, the room was warm and dry, albeit a bit spooky.

  Clarissa looked round her. There were various wrought iron rings in the brick walls, and scattered here and there were odd machines and what seemed to be equipment one would find in a high school gymnasium. At the far end of the room were two great chairs, almost like thrones.

  “Why, what an interesting room,” remarked Clarissa diplomatically. “It really is a private place for a party.”

  “It is, isn’t it!” agreed Brom. “We have had as many as a hundred people here. Tonight will be a small collection of my favorites, about thirty all told. We do themes. Do you like themes, Miss Hardy?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean by themes,” said Clarissa slowly, trying to figure out what all the machination was. “Do you mean fancy dress?”

  “Well, it’s similar. We do ask that you dress to fit the theme. Appropriate dress will, of course, be provided. Would you like to know tonight’s theme?”

  “Why yes, I would!”

  Brom made a flourish with his arms and a bow. “Tonight’s theme will be Ancient Greece. It’s one of my favorites! We have had A Thousand and One Nights, Asian Dynasty, things like that, but Ancient Greece remains the most fun! I think it might be because of the wine and the food. We do authentic food, you see, and music. Tonight we will have minstrels playing the lyre and the harp.”

  “Oh, it sounds lovely!” said Clarissa, enchanted.

  “I hope you enjoy yourself,” said Brom, suddenly taking up her hand. To Clarissa’s surprise, he bent forward and kissed it. “I think you will be much admired at this party.” He released her hand. “Now, it is getting on toward afternoon. Let us rejoin the world above. You will find your party clothes in your room. Kitty has been to parties before. She will instruct you. Rest well this afternoon because we p
arty until dawn and our games can get quite—how should I say?— rowdy!” With that mysterious remark, he bade her follow him out of the room and up the stairs.

  It was later than Clarissa had guessed. After Brom had bid her a temporary adieu in the hallway upstairs, she turned to go back to her room and ran headlong into Madam Sarkoff.

  “You should watch where you’re going, young lady!” said the woman sharply.

  “Oh, dear! I am so very sorry, Madam Sarkoff!”

  Madam Sarkoff’s face softened imperceptibly. “Yes. Well. I believe Kitty is in the library with Mrs. Santiago, Hilda, and Ursula. You should join them. I shall see you again later tonight.”

  “Thank you, I will! And I am very sorry I was so clumsy!”

  Madam Sarkoff smiled shrewdly. “Don’t worry, my dear. You shall have ample opportunity to make up for it.” She laughed softly and continued down the hall.

  Clarissa pondered this mysterious remark, but the thought evaporated from her thoughts as soon as she entered the library. It was a gathering of a few of the women who had been at dinner the night before. They were drinking wine or sipping tea while munching on the most delicate of cakes and candies. They greeted Clarissa with a cacophony of good cheer. Kitty patted the sofa next to her, and Clarissa seated herself comfortably. Ursula, one of the Dutch women, poured her a glass of wine, and the rest of the afternoon passed quickly in a melee of good humored chatter.

  Finally, Kitty stood up and said, “I think we had all better go to our rooms for a short beauty nap. The festivities tonight are looking promising, and you all know they can last until the sun rises!” She took Clarissa by the hand. “Come, Clarissa, we need to rest. Good afternoon, ladies. Enjoy your cleansings! I’m looking forward to seeing you all tonight!”

  Kitty led Clarissa down the hallway and continued past the door to their room.

  “Where are we going, Kitty?” asked Clarissa. “I thought we were taking our rest.”

  “We have an appointment for our cleansing and then back to our rooms for our rest.”

  “Cleansing?”

  “Yes. You shall see. We go to the baths and are cleaned inside and out. It really is quite invigorating and helps one to enjoy the food, drink, and festivities to the maximum.”

  “Why not!” said Clarissa cheerfully.

  Kitty led the way down a flight of stone stairs. At the bottom, Hugo stood in front of a large wooden door.

  “Good afternoon, ladies,” he said. “Are you here for your appointments?”

  “We are indeed, Hugo,” answered Kitty.

  Hugo swung the door open, and Kitty and Clarissa walked through. The door shut behind them. Clarissa found that they were face to face with two women dressed in white smocks and trousers. Their heads were swathed in snow white turbans. One of them spoke to Clarissa. “Follow me, miss,” she said.

  Clarissa glanced at Kitty. Kitty said, “Have no fear, darling. Trust me, you will enjoy it. I shall meet you back here in a little over an hour.”

  Clarissa nodded and followed the woman into a room that opened off the reception area. The woman closed the door behind them. Clarissa looked round the low lit room. There was a deep stone bath, filled with steaming water. The air was permeated with warm, relaxing steam. In the middle of the room was a sturdy table, upon which lay a soft mattress swathed in brightly colored cloth. Shelves on the walls held towels, bottles, and jars.

  The woman said to Clarissa, “I work silently, only speaking to you when I need to. You will do the same. It is part of the cleansing. First you must undress fully.”

  Clarissa felt a slight stab of apprehension, but, as she was curious and did not feel particularly threatened, she did as she was bid. When she had disrobed, the woman handed her a towel.

  “Wrap this round your hair,” she said, “and step into the tub.”

  Again, Clarissa obeyed. As she stepped into the tub, the woman poured something into the water. The air was suddenly awash with the most intoxicating fragrance. Clarissa sat down and let the warmth and aroma of the water sink into her skin.

  “Stand for a moment, please,” ordered the woman.

  Clarissa stood. The woman slipped oversized gloves on and poured something on them. Then she began to wash Clarissa. At first, Clarissa was mildly shocked, but, as the washing felt so good, she obliged. The gloves were of a material just rough enough to be extremely pleasant. The woman soaped Clarissa from top to bottom and everywhere in between, using a gentle, circular motion. She had Clarissa sit on the edge of the tub and suds her hands and feet as well. Finally, as Clarissa stood there, she parted the lips of her pouting cunt and washed it tenderly.

  When she had finished, she said, “Turn your backside to me.” When Clarissa obliged, the woman spread her buttocks and washed between them, including her tight little sphincter.

  “Now stand while I rinse you.” The attendant took a small tube with a shower head and sprayed Clarissa all over with the steamy water. “Come lie down upon the table, front side up.”

  The attendant had been right. She said no more than was absolutely necessary. Clarissa made herself comfortable on the soft mattress. The woman brought down from the shelves a small pot and a straight razor. She gently spread Clarissa’s thighs and proceeded to foam Clarissa’s thick growth of hair with shaving cream.

  “I will shave your cunt,” she said. Clarissa lay quietly while the woman worked industriously, shaving all the hair from Clarissa’s mons. She even skillfully shaved Clarissa’s labia, and, after turning Clarissa onto her stomach, removed any stray hairs that might have been around the little pinky-brown sphincter.

  “There. A fine looking bottom you have, indeed! Stand up and I shall rinse you.”

  By this time, Clarissa was relaxed and beginning to feel aroused. She struggled to ignore the tingling between her newly exposed labia as the woman directed the spray of water between her legs.

  The attendant finished rinsing Clarissa and patted her dry with a large towel.

  “Now, we have one more step. You must be cleaned inside as well as outside. Please, return to the table and kneel at the end of it, with your knees apart.”

  Clarissa’s heart was thumping as she obeyed the woman. The attendant rolled in a pole from which hung a large rubber bag. A long tube with a cylindrical attachment was connected to it. The attendant held the cylinder in her hands.

  “Have you douched before?”

  “Why, no. I have not,” answered Clarissa.

  “There is no need to worry. It is quite pleasant.” The woman stepped behind Clarissa. Clarissa felt her hand between her legs and then felt the woman’s finger working its way between the lips and into her cunt. “Ah,” she heard the attendant say. Then Clarissa felt the cylindrical apparatus being introduced into her cunny. The next thing she knew, a warm wash of fragrant water was filling her inside. The woman worked the cylinder gently in and out. The water began to come out, streaming down Clarissa’s legs.

  “Pay no mind,” comforted the attendant. “This is the cleansing. Water in, water out, taking all the impurities with it.”

  At last she withdrew the cylinder. “Stay right where you are,” she instructed Clarissa. She proceeded to massage Clarissa’s cunt with a fragrant oil. Clarissa nearly came.

  “We are now ready for the final procedure. Lean forward on your elbows. Put your bottom into the air.” Clarissa, breathing more rapidly, again did her bidding.

  The woman refilled the bag and hung it back on the pole. Then she spread Clarissa’s nether cheeks. Clarissa felt her dribble warm oil directly onto her bung hole. The attendant massaged with her finger round and round, and finally worked it into Clarissa. Clarissa groaned. The woman left her finger in Clarissa for what seemed like at least five minutes.

  “Do not move,” she said. When she withdrew her finger, Clarissa felt loose and relaxed. The woman quickly inserted the cylinder, working it in and out, and round and round. “I will now fill you with the cleansing water to remove any impurities.
It will feel warm. When I am done, you may evacuate in the water closet.”

  Clarissa felt herself filling with warmth. The attendant moved the cylinder inside her as deeply as she could go, then withdrew it slowly. She moved it in and out rhythmically until Clarissa felt she might come then and there. At last she removed it.

  “Now, evacuate and return to the table.”

  Clarissa went into the water closet and let nature take its course. When she returned to the table, it was entirely remade with a soft, clean mattress.

  “Lie down, facing up.”

  Clarissa obeyed.

  “Would you like to have an orgasm?” asked the woman clinically. “I am allowed to do this for you, as it relieves the tension that the procedure often arouses in the recipient.”

  “Oh, yes, please,” gasped Clarissa. She was mad for her climax.

  “Bend up your knees and spread your legs.”

  The attendant spread Clarissa’s wet cunt as wide as she could and inserted a heavy dildo of thick proportion. Then she began to work it in and out, all the while pulling on Clarissa’s clit. Clarissa writhed in ecstasy.

  Finally, the attendant bent her head and began to lap Clarissa’s taut, stiff little clit. Faster and faster she lapped and sucked until Clarissa gasped and moaned and gave a little shriek as her climax exploded over her.

  The woman allowed Clarissa to lay on the table until her heartbeat returned to normal. Then she helped her dress. “You were a pleasure to cleanse,” she said and gave a little smile as Clarissa left the room.

  Kitty was already in the anteroom. She smiled at Clarissa. “How do you feel?” she asked.

  “Surprisingly light and energetic,” answered Clarissa.

  “Then you enjoyed the experience?”

  “Oh, yes. I was confused at first, but now I feel so good! It does cleanse one!”

  “I knew you would enjoy yourself! And if you enjoyed that, you will certainly have fun at the party!”