Gina's Education (19 page)

Rose put down her cup and tried not to choke. Having missed most of the story, she turned to Robert and asked, “Who would think that of you?”

Robert smiled. The idea was crazy, but somewhat funny.

Paul continued, “The two men demanded to know more, and her explanation was, ‘Ya know, it’s the place you go when you feel like knocking a girl around for a bit and fucking her brains out.”

Robert winced at the description of the services he provided. Clearly the woman no longer worked here because she had no idea what she was talking about.

Rose was equally appalled, and wondered how much of the story she had missed. “More coffee, gentlemen?” As she poured, she watched Robert, hoping he would understand she wanted to know more. His slight nod told her she would be informed, in due time.

“Well, Larry took it upon himself last night to find out why there was no Gina here, and who answered the door but the girl wearing the choker engraved with the name Gina.” Paul looked at Rose and commented, “She really is your doppelganger, Rose! You can’t imagine how much of an impact you had on him with the whip in hand, looking so much like the woman he had just beaten up! He believes you’re twins!”

Robert asked about the ‘dead’ woman and told Paul about her sister’s visit.

Paul said, “The drunken husband has been charged with murder. I’m sure even the court-appointed lawyer will get him manslaughter. Either way, he’ll have a good long time to think.”

“I’ve been thinking about offering to send them both to the farm. I told her I had a job for her, but I wonder if they wouldn’t be better off starting fresh.”

“I hope they take you up on it. Seems to me the farm has good success.”

“They do good work. I thought Isabelle would be fine when she took a regular job, but the brother-in-law must have been a thorn in both their sides.”

Paul knew the answer to that. “He is. We have been to that house more often than you would expect. I didn’t realize Isabelle was employed here.”

“I’ll call her later and see if they want me to make arrangements. I think her sister will have a better chance of recovering if Isabelle is with her. Otherwise, I’ll take them in until they can get on their feet.” They were heading for the door, so Robert shook his friend’s hand.

“Talk to you later, Rob. By the way, my wife is so looking forward to the wedding!”

Rose had an appointment that evening with a boot-licker. Not something she cared much to do, but it was part of the job. The man enjoyed being humiliated, and her job was to accommodate him. She wore a black bustier, garter and stockings with a tiny thong and long black boots. She would call him names and whip him a bit; tonight she decided to introduce a little modified pony play, but he was late. She slipped into a red silk wrap dress and went downstairs.

While she waited for her client to show up, she sat in the lounge with the men who were visiting and drinking with Robert and Drew.

In addition to Robert and Drew were Police Chief Paul Sullivan, the DA and the new Assistant DA, the new Mayor and both the candidates for the next Senator race. The men had been in the middle of a heated political debate, and from what Rose heard, the incumbent Senator should win hands down.

The new ADA, David Marks, appeared to be even cockier than the last. He kept ogling her and actually looked shocked when all the other men gave him dirty looks for asking Rose, “Hey, how ‘bout you and me getting it on?”

Rose didn’t miss a beat and stood. “My client seems to have stood me up. Come on, David – I’ll let you lick my boots, while I shove a plug in your ass and I whip you into shape.”

He blushed. The rest of the men roared laughing.

The men went back to their conversation and the new ADA kept quiet for a while. It was clear that Rose’s appointment wasn’t going to show up, so she bid the men goodnight and headed upstairs.

As she left, she heard the new Mayor saying to Robert, “You should consider getting into politics. You would have so much more power.”

Rose smiled at Robert; she was looking at one of the most powerful men in town!

Shortly after Rose left, the politicians did as well.

Robert, Drew and Paul continued their conversation from the morning. Paul filled Drew in on what Norman, Rose’s ex-fiancé, had done and what happened to Larry after he attacked Gina.

Robert filled them both in on the report he’d gotten from the private investigator. “The man I hired is tops in his field. Turns out, Norman Elliot hired the same man when Rose’s identity was stolen. He told the man there was an inheritance coming, probably in a few months, from a distant relative. He claimed to want to put a stop to the problem before that came about. The investigator found the girl and gave Norman the information. He also investigated the inheritance and there is indeed a distant cousin with no other living relatives. The PI was very surprised to learn of Gina/Rose’s situation when she came here!”

“Some fiancé! Does Rose know?” Drew was angry; he was very fond of Rose.

“No, she has no idea. The PI was under the impression that the fiancé kept the information about the inheritance from her.”

“From what we could piece together after talking to his friend, Norman was trying to get Rose back before she inherited the money. He thought she would call him back within a short while and was stunned when he went to see her and the house was empty! Then he tried to find her and started playing those dirty tricks on her when he was drunk. The buddy said he seemed obsessed with getting her back, but he didn’t understand why.”

Robert added, “The PI said he mailed letters to Rose with his findings. Either Norman took the letters, or they were sent after the mail was redirected to Gina’s PO Box. I’m sure Rose never got them.”

Paul asked, “Would you like some police attention for the man? I bet we could find reasons to give him some trouble.”

“I think we will give Mr. Elliot a free night in the playroom,” Robert said, and the other men nodded in agreement. “I think Gina will be happy to play with the man especially when she finds out he sent Larry.”

Paul laughed loudly. “Fitting. Just let me know if he is any trouble, Rob. We’ll be glad to give you a hand.”

“Will do, Paul. Meantime, I’ve gone to all the banks I could find that are holding accounts in the name of Gina Perry and have notified them of her legal name change. Oddly enough, the girl had put quite a bit away, but now the little minx is penniless. Probably won’t matter, though. Now that she knows they are actually sisters, I’m sure Rose will take care of the girl.”

Both men agreed with him. Rose wouldn’t let her sister be homeless.

Chapter 18

The Herald trumpeted the announcement of the knighting ceremony from the upper terrace, and the people gathered inside, crowding the Throne Room. The ornate, gold-trimmed, red velvet chairs for the King and Queen were on raised platforms with a step up to each of them.

The returning soldier entered the room in his white tunic and chain mail, striding forward to the King and Queen, and bowed low before them.

King Robert rose and told him, “Kneel.” In the most commanding voice anyone had ever heard from this soft-spoken man, Robert announced a list of battles attributed to the man before him, and asked him if he was ready to take his oath.

“I am,” was the simple answer.

The oath Robert was demanding of the man was part that of a Knight, and part that of a Master. From the scroll he read:

“The knight is on the side of

good, light, life,

and love of his fellow man.

The knight loves truth,

as lies are a disservice to his fellow man,

a denial of the love and service owed to all.

The knight is reverent and generous;

protector of the weak

and champion of what is right and good.

A knight is at all times courteous,

honest, and trustworthy

and always in control of himself.

Do you swear to abide by these principles?”

Glen looked up and answered, “I do swear, to the best of my ability.”

King Robert continued, “Wear this medallion in token of your prowess to remind you that training of mind, body, and spirit are necessary to provide service to love and the light.”

Drew, dressed as a Musketeer, brought forward a medallion on a heavy chain resting on a velvet pillow. As he placed it about the candidate's neck, The King said, “Wear this chain to remind you that you have bound yourself in this course, that you have a commitment to teach and inspire others by your example.

Bear your sword with strength, so disposing your heart to goodness that you never use it to injure anyone unjustly, but always use it to defend the just and right.”

Then the King struck the candidate upon the shoulders with the flat of the blade, saying, “Bear these blows and no others in remembrance of oaths given and received.”

As he struck the right shoulder, he said, “In remembrance of your lineage and obligations.” As he struck the left shoulder, he said, “Be thou a good knight.” He struck him on the head, saying, “Rise, Sir Glen!”

The ceremony was so moving that tears were flowing freely down Lacy’s cheeks, and at the end, the crowd applauded and cheered enough to rattle the windows. Everyone was in such good spirits, enjoying all the pomp and ceremony.

The crowd wandered back out to the lawn where the troop showed some dance steps and refreshments were laid out on long tables. While everyone ate, the stage was being set for the next event.

Pretty soon, the Herald trumpeted the announcement from the upper terrace that the newly Knighted Sir Glen would be showing off some of his prowess in the joust. The crowds gathered around beside King Robert and Queen Rose as they took their seats on the thrones under a colorful canopy. Princess Lucia was seated to the King’s left and when Sir Glen presented himself to the royal family, the princess dropped her handkerchief for the knight. Rose smiled at the impromptu gesture. Glen picked it up, sniffed her perfume, bowed and mounted his horse.

The joust was all very well orchestrated, and the victorious knight returned to kiss the hand of his lady. Lacy was thrilled with the play, and Glen saw something in her not previously shown to him. She was truly excited about the scene and the parts they were playing. She had never seemed so alive!

The jousting concluded after a couple more bouts, and the crowd again went about enjoying the activities and entertainment of the Renaissance Troop. With a nod from Robert, Glen took Lacy’s hand and started toward one of the tents where some bawdy jokes were being told. None of the jokes were providing the material Glen needed, but one of the performers crossed his eyes and made a face at Lacy. It was just what he needed.

“He reminds me of your brother,” was all he said.

Lacy was very protective of her brother, who happened to have a wandering eye when he was tired, so she immediately took his bait. She snapped her head around so fast it even startled Glen, and spat out in a low tone, “How dare you mock my family?”

“What mocking? The guy is cock-eyed.” He shrugged innocently and he watched her seethe. “I just state the truth.” Glen wasn’t proud of attacking his brother-in-law to be, but he needed to provoke her into the next part of the scene.

Lacy crossed her arms over her chest and started to walk away.

“Hold on there, missy,” he said, adding fuel to the fire.

“Missy! Just who the hell do you think you are calling me missy? I will not…” Before she could finish the sentence, Glen took her by the hand and started marching toward the manor. Lacy had no choice but to follow, sometimes stumbling along the way. “What are you doing? Have you lost your senses? Glen! Talk to me!”

He stopped at the entrance to the lower level and spun her around to face him. “Let’s get one thing perfectly clear, my lady,” he said in a tone so quiet it surprised her. Normally when they argued, he did his share of yelling. It became clear to her that he was doing this on purpose, but she couldn’t imagine what that purpose might be. “You don’t walk away from me when you are angry. For that matter, you need to stop getting angry. Tomorrow we’ll be married and tonight I am going to show you just who is boss!”

Lacy looked so delighted, then tried to frown and pretend to be disagreeable. “I’ll not be spoken to in that manner!”

Glen could hardly believe his eyes. She was playing along! He changed his mind about taking her inside to paddle her behind, and took her over his knee right there at the end of the lower terrace!

A crowd had followed the pair and gathered around to see what would happen. As his hand came down on her fanny, they all cheered him on, counting out the smacks he delivered and laughing at the screams from Lacy.

When he finished, he slid her struggling off his knee and she landed on the terrace, raising another cheer from the crowd.

Glen waited, and Lacy raised her hand.

He waited, still, and she requested, “help.”

He waited, and she said, “Would you please help me up?”

When he didn’t move, she finished, “Please, Master.” The crowd applauded and he helped her to her feet.

Lacy looked at him demurely and asked, “May I hug you, Master?”

Glen wrapped his arms around her, noting a look of satisfaction on her face. He later admitted to Robert that he wasn’t even close to being convinced about this plan until he saw that look. “She really did want to play this out!” he said, still sounding surprised.

Most of the guests continued to enjoy the afternoon activities and refreshments. Glen and Lacy moved about the crowd and found their personal friends to visit with them for a while before they had to go and change for the banquet.

The serving maids wandered about with trays of drink and food, keeping everyone satisfied throughout the day. They added a lot of color as each of them was wearing a tabard or vest over their chemise, barely covering their attributes and exposing a lot of cleavage. Their skirts of one color and an apron of another, none of them matching the vest, they added a lot to the décor and many eyes were on them!