Leah's Punishment Page 4

  'And does my lord admire me?'

  He turned her to face him. 'You know the answer.' Leah smiled warmly and kissed him and climbed upon his torso and made him kiss her bud that he had rendered so swollen. Then she made spoons with him again and milked his naked penis with her hungry body, wriggling, intensifying the feelings for him, seeking to milk out all the fluid she knew was bottled up inside him. When she felt the edge of pleasure tighten hard in his penis, she drew it out trembling and, making a claw of her other hand, used that to grip just the glans. Suddenly she felt the force of all the pent-up semen spurting hotly against her fingers. She kept her hand in place until his gasping had subsided and the pulsing had stopped completely, then she clenched the shaft and masturbated it quickly, tightly, with the slippery goo squeezing through her clenched fist, not stopping until the wrenching groan came again, as of a creature in the throes of torture. And then her lover of this night was truly spent. Before she had finished licking her fingers he was asleep and he did not stir until dawn was breaking.

  While Leah lay with her lover that night, another tryst was taking place a half day's journey away, in a sumptuous bed in a stately mansion. It was a congress of a young woman of sophistication – now a tradesman's restive wife – and a highly fortunate head groom.

  Through repeatedly denying her pandering old husband whenever he was home, Lauren's passion smouldered unchecked within her. Whenever he was away she had Kapler shed the necessary spark to make that passion burn. It mattered not that her head groom might privately use the servant-girls in fleshly fashion. It gave him panache; it strengthened what he brought to bear; and it endowed him with experience. And now there was a new and younger groom to be subsumed into Lauren's expanding circle of illicit learning.

  3

  Lady Lauren

  Lady Lauren arose from the bed – her husband's bed – in which, in her husband's absence, her head groom now reclined, tired but not yet exhausted by her attentions. Despite the delicious tell-tale marks of their joint emissions upon the pillows and sheets, he still retained the erection she had induced at the start of their evening's tryst. In this respect, as in many others, Kapler was a quite different article from her husband. Lauren prided herself in having made him so – or rather, in having forged his latent prowess into its present impassioned state, for one cannot fabricate a silken bolster from an old boar's scrotum. Her husband was living proof of this. And she took quiet pleasure in the thought of a relationship at once kept secret from her husband but acknowledged quite openly in his own servants' quarters.

  Nude and smiling, curling her silken blonde locks coquettishly around her fingers, Lauren tiptoed across the room and tugged upon the sash that summoned her chambermaid. 'No – don't cover yourself, Kapler. I want her to see – why shouldn't she? She must learn these things at some point. Lie back. Put your arms under your pillow. There . . . expressive, beautiful and proud.' Lauren sat on the edge of the bed and leant over him, kissing his lips, tonguing them, feeling her nipples coming erect again with the weight of dangling in her breasts, the nearness of his chest hairs, the tightness in his belly under the light stroking of her fingertips. It is a good way to kiss a man – with his hands imprisoned, out of the way, so he cannot take you in his arms and you remain in control and he can do nothing but react passively to the stimulation. She had had men ejaculate simply through the act of her kissing them while she was naked, nervously touching their naked supine bodies but not touching the penis in any way. This phenomenon was beautifully rewarding – for the man's belly would be flooded in semen while his pride was drowned in shame. And Lauren could then make amends by licking and drinking every pool and globule from his flesh then tonguing her victim deeply in the mouth, returning his yield to him, smearing it slowly and sexually round his tongue. And his erection would never wane. Her tongue now laved the last traces of shared semen into Kapler's mouth and she glimpsed his erection bobbing harder and straighter. Then, after a barely audible knock, the bedroom door opened.

  A petite, dark-haired and quite pretty girl entered. Lauren retained her position, naked on the bed beside the equally naked Kapler, and she watched the girl freeze then, trembling, begin to turn back towards the door. 'No, stay, Deneca,' Lauren said. 'Come here, girl.' She waited until the young girl shuffled closer, eyes downcast in embarrassment. 'Did I not ring for you?'

  'Yes, mistress,' came the murmured reply.

  'Look at me, please, when you answer.'

  The girl raised her terrified eyes to the stark scene. 'Yes, ma'am, you did.' After that first instruction, Lauren was pleased to observe that the girl's gaze, when it faltered, only did so after nervously inquisitive glances towards the head groom's naked midriff, crowned by that blatant erection.

  'The sheets have become soiled – a little accident . . . You understand me?'

  'Yes, ma'am.' The girl was barely audible.

  'Then you know about such things?'

  'Oh, no, mistress.' The girl looked mortified. Her cheeks glowed a beautiful, youthful red.

  'But you said you understood how my sheets had become soiled.'

  'I meant only that . . . only that I would change them, directly, ma'am.'

  'Wait.' For the girl had taken a half-step forward and had slightly raised her arms, almost as if to encourage the naked pair to vacate the bed. Evidently she was quick-witted – Lauren would allow her that – but that alone would never save her from the present inquisition. Her eyes were an uncommon shade of green – quite attractive. Undoubtedly she was a virgin; her demeanour spoke it; the below-stairs tittle-tattle confirmed it. Virgins – of either sex – are always the best for training: since their experience is so restricted, their imagination roams wild. Lauren could see some of that suppressed waywardness in those eyes.

  'Deneca – your gaze is quite brazen, for one so young. Have you never seen a male disposed in such a state?'

  'Only the horses, ma'am,' the girl responded unblinkingly, and Lauren inadvertently laughed out loud.

  'Thank you, miss – young madam: you may go now, Deneca. Attend to the laundry later.'

  Lauren waited until she had curtsied and left. Then she turned to her accomplice. 'I like her, Kapler.'

  'She has a cheek.'

  'Surely she flattered you?' But his demeanour hinted at some ill-feeling towards the girl. Perhaps he had already attempted approaches? No matter . . . She would need Kapler's assistance in what she was planning, so she tested the water: 'I thought I would pair her with Ean, the new groom – Ean and Denni, what do you think?' Kapler looked away. Lauren stealthily ran her fingertips across his torso and clasped his erection round the base, steadily increasing the pressure of squeezing. Kapler did not resist. Smiling wickedly, Lauren watched the glans swelling. 'We could train them together,' she whispered. 'You could deal with young Denni if she becomes fractious. And I with Ean . . .' And, maintaining her merciless grip about his swelling stem, she reached down and sealed the bargain by kissing and licking him very lewdly on the lips.

  'Ean! Ean – wake up!'

  Ean opened his eyes, blinked and gradually took in his surroundings – the hayloft where he had finally fallen asleep after shifting so many sacks of feed.

  'Ean!'

  His vision slowly focused on the urgent face of the girl who was shaking him back to reality. 'Denni – what is it? What's happened?' He scrambled to his knees, brushing the hay from his tunic.

  'The mistress wants us – all the servants – assembled in her drawing-room. Now!'

  'All of us – why?'

  'I don't know. It must be important. Don't look so worried – just make yourself presentable. And be quick about it . . .' Denni began pulling away the stray strands of hay, then started to smooth his hair, until she caught his stare, when she suddenly stopped, embarrassed. 'Come on,' she mumbled, turning, and disappeared swiftly down the ladder, leaving him wondering more about her than about the mysterious assembly. Why had she troubled to find him and show concern for his a
ppearance? He paused at the slatted window to watch her hurrying back across the yard and glancing behind her as if suddenly fearful he might catch up with her.

  Ean was the last to arrive at the drawing-room. He crept in quietly, controlling his breathing, for the room, though crowded, was completely silent. The servants were arranged in little groups – stable-hands, kitchen-staff, chambermaids. Some of the women were seated – uneasily, self-consciously. Denni was standing by a window. Her cheeks were still flushed with the exertion of hurrying; her gaze met Ean's for a moment before she looked away, staring expectantly at the mistress, who stood grave-faced by the great fireplace with Kapler beside her.

  Lady Lauren took a step forward and began to speak in a soft but measured tone: 'I thank you all for assembling so promptly in response to my request.' She glanced pointedly at Ean, who bit his lip and uneasily looked round to see if the others had noticed the reference to his tardiness. When he looked back at his mistress, he caught a transient smile – again directed at him – before her expression returned to solemnity. 'As you will know, my husband and I value loyalty in our servants. For me it rides above all the virtues. So when there is breach of loyalty, it is a matter of the utmost gravity – in fact, it is a poison for which the only remedy is excision.' Lady Lauren's determined gaze swept across the anxious, silent, trembling faces. Then she said: 'I shall come directly to the point: there is a thief among us.'

  There were gasps from some of the women; the men stood silently exchanging guilty expressions. Ean was fearful now, since he was the only person to have been singled out by his mistress's gaze. In fact she was looking at him again when she declared: 'My emerald necklace – the treasured betrothal gift from my husband – has gone missing from my bedchamber.' Again there came gasps from the women, and whispered exchanges, abruptly cut short by the mistress's next remark: 'But now it has been recovered . . .' And to prove it, she held up the beautiful necklace of bright gold set with glowing green stones, as she again surveyed the anxious faces arraigned before her. 'And it was found, where . . . ?' She stepped back. 'Please tell them, Kapler.'

  Kapler too looked pale but his voice was firm, though his hands seemed unsure – whether to clasp together or enfold with his arms or reach out to the assembly. In the end he stood almost to attention as he spoke: 'On your instruction, my lady, I searched the maids' quarters first. I found the necklace in your second-chambermaid's box.'

  Amid the gasps and hubbub, Ean felt as if he had been pole-axed. Denni . . . How could it be? All eyes were now upon her and she stood as if turned to stone.

  'Come forward, girl,' the mistress beckoned. Denni didn't move. Some of the women began shaking their heads; others bit their lips. The assembly parted to let Kapler through to Denni. He dragged her by the arm to her mistress, who addressed her with a trembling voice: 'Why did you do this, Deneca? You could never show such jewels. Was it from spite?'

  'Mistress – no!' But Denni looked at the floor.

  'Then why?'

  'I didn't take it. I didn't take anything.'

  'Then how did it come to be with your things?'

  Denni just shook her head and bit her lip. Murmurs of disapproval came from some of the other servants. Denni turned on them. 'I didn't take it!' she cried out. Ean saw the tears running down her burning cheeks. He looked to the mistress, who seemed almost as distraught as Denni as she sealed the maid's fate. 'It is a matter of loyalty and trust. I do not see you as a bad girl. But whatever your reasons, your loyalty stands gravely tainted by the issue. Trust between us is gone. Is there anyone here who will gainsay this?' She looked slowly around the room. Ean's tongue cleaved to the roof of his mouth. 'Deneca, I am afraid you must leave my service forthwith.' A gap opened between Denni and the door. Ean's heart sank to the soles of his boots as he watched the poor creature turn to go.

  'Wait!' said the mistress, clasping her by the wrist. She took the necklace from Kapler and pressed it into the girl's hand. 'Take it. I want you to keep it, notwithstanding. It matches your pretty eyes.'

  'No!' Denni cried. 'I never took it before nor shall I take it now!' And she threw the necklace to the floor and ran sobbing from the room.

  Kapler began ushering out the servants. 'Stay behind, Kapler . . . and Ean, too, if you will,' said the mistress. Ean, jarred by the mention of his name, felt his heart pounding as he waited guiltily for the room to clear. His mind raced to fathom the reason for his singling-out by the mistress. When she looked at him he glimpsed compassion in her gaze before he was compelled to look away; so many emotions raged within him.

  Lady Lauren walked over to him. 'That was very unfortunate,' she said gently. 'For the world, I would not have wished it. You liked her, I understand?'

  Ean could not easily answer. He hardly knew Denni; she was attractive and warm-hearted and she was honest – of that he felt sure, but until today the thought that he might feel anything deeper for her had not really occurred to him. He glanced up at his mistress without replying.

  'Thank you, Kapler,' Lady Lauren said and Ean heard the door closing behind the head groom before she continued in a soft voice: 'It is difficult to speak of such matters of the heart – I understand this. But Deneca often spoke of you.'

  'She did?' Ean was surprised and bewildered by this revelation.

  'Very warmly . . . and I could see in your face your concern for her just now.'

  'I cannot believe she would do such a thing, my lady.'

  'Nor could I at first. But the evidence is compelling and the denial was weak,' she said firmly. 'This household cannot suffer such a blighting of trust. But your friend shall not go empty-handed: I have instructed that she be paid her dues and more besides. One must hope that she learns from all of this and that loyalty rates better with her in the future.' Her expression turned from firmness to kindness as she looked at Ean again and sighed: 'You need the air, Ean. We both do. Saddle my horse. Come with me. Take the bay.'

  They rode for perhaps an hour, in short gallops interspersed with canters but mostly at a walk, moving ever deeper into the woodland bordering the estate. The mistress appeared to take no obvious route but Ean was content to let her lead, for that allowed him to ponder the day's cheerless events. He searched his mind for anything over recent days that might have betokened Denni's interest in him. He recalled little incidents – glances perhaps, and cheeky remarks, and always her heart-warming smile. She had spoken of one day leaving service and seeking work along the waterways; it seemed a strange thing for a girl to want: perhaps she was not at ease here. But she was always kind and generous to him. The more he thought about her now, the more clearly he pictured her lovely face – her black, black hair, her soft warm lips and eyes as green as jade. It was true – that emerald necklace would indeed have suited her beauty. Why had he not returned her interest or spoken to her more often? Perhaps events might then have taken a different turn.

  When he looked up he saw that they were emerging into a small glade with a shallow, sun-dappled, reed filled pool at the end. The place was unfamiliar to Ean but the mistress seemed acquainted with it. She dismounted, allowing the reins of her stallion to hang loose. Mistress and stallion went forward and stooped to drink from the pool. They made a pleasant scene – the horse arching his strong neck, Lady Lauren crouched, back-lit by the softened sunbeams, scooping the dripping water into her delicate hand and drinking, careless that it spilled in dark blotches over the breast of her tightly buttoned tunic. She too was beautiful – older than Denni but finely-featured, and very elegant. Her tunic top had an extra, belted fastening that served to accentuate her breasts by constricting her waist. As she turned and he saw her in full profile, Ean could not help but imagine her nude.

  Unlike Denni, the mistress seemed well aware of her own beauty, but that did not diminish it. All the male servants were envious of the master's choice and even more so of the special status that the head groom seemed to hold with her. So Ean felt pleased and a little proud that his lady had chosen hi
m rather than Kapler to escort her on her ride.

  Lady Lauren looked up at him. 'Ean, come and drink.' Self-consciously he dismounted and led his horse to the edge of the pool but kept hold of her reins with one hand as he stooped to take water. Lady Lauren gave a little chiding laugh. 'You fear her escape?'

  'Habit, my lady.'

  'Leave her free a moment and come here.' Docilely he submitted, finding himself on one knee before his mistress and suffering the unfamiliar pleasure of receiving ice-cold water tipped from the slender bowl of her cupped palms. Her small cold fingertips touching his open lips sent shivers down his spine. He had never been so close to his mistress; in fact he had never touched her and now she was touching him in this intimate way, deliberately touching his lips as she administered the water. He closed his eyes then suddenly felt a shock – the beautiful sweet arousing wanton sensation of her lips, so small and soft and deliciously cold against his open mouth, closing now upon his lower lip and then upon the upper, sucking it as if it were a warm fruit, and then her tongue, a little darting urgent hot tongue exploring inside his mouth, and then her sigh of satisfaction as her hand came so expertly upon the captive flesh now straining against his breeches.

  'There – I have the upper hand and you shall do my bidding.'

  He felt something being slipped around his left wrist and he looked down to see a loop of rope encircling it. He threw a questioning glance at his mistress, who only kissed him again while she tightened the loop. She then stood up and tugged the length of rope. 'Come, my captive groom, that we might begin your grooming.' Aroused and spellbound under the sexual promise of the unknown, Ean rose and allowed his mistress to lead him as she chose. She was desirable and evidently experienced; he was a novice but a willing participant in her game. Her allure was intense; already he craved more of those deeply sensual kisses. But as she tugged the rope again, he was shy of moving, so evident was his state of arousal. Lady Lauren only smiled and whispered: 'Perhaps I should have tied the loop around that . . . great thing . . .' She stepped closer, took hold of it through his breeches and, as she kissed him on the lips again, squeezed the glans of his penis with a slow sensual pressure. He felt his erection subside a little then swell again even harder. When she drew back, still stroking it, her teeth were gritted and her eyes flashed wickedly.