The Training of Scarlet Worthy (10 page)

I sat up straight, stretching myself to my full seated height – staining a bit to see as far down the hill as I could without letting go of My Lady’s hand. I wanted to see all of the garden. Lady Julia squeezed my hand. I believed she saw my excitement. I was right.

“Go ahead Sibyl, feast your eyes. It’s natural for you to enjoy this. That is why I brought you here. That is why it was designed - for all to enjoy. It is a treasure, a treasure born of absolute love, and for all to treasure and to love. Let your eyes love it. Do so and it will love you back.”

Lady Julia seemed such and enigma to me. Most times she was so calm, yet always in charge, and bold, she was so devilish bold. I thought about my damp pussy.
I’m beginning to like her bold side.
I thought.

But she was thoughtful and kind too, and also generous. I thought about my cottage home. Cook will be preparing my supper soon. I smiled at the image of the little French woman darting about preparing my meal for me. I looked at my riding clothing. The major horseracing events such as Royal Ascot or the Cheltenham Festival would not find a woman so well turned out as I.

I returned my attention to the gardens. There was a wide gravel path, large enough for cars I thought, but it was more suitable for a carriage ride, or a long walk. The path started in front of where we were seated and continued until it met a circular pool, a fountain graced its center. The path split to circle the pool and continued for a quarter mile. It split again at a second fountain a mirror image of the first. I rubbed my eyes. It was hard to believe the scale of the garden. I hooded my eyes with my free hand. Beyond that fountain was a triangular lake.
Are there boats in there?
I blinked my eyes.
Good heavens,
I thought.
They are boats!
Adult toys for guests to row about while visiting the garden.

And the flowers, tears formed in my eyes, so beautiful were the flowers, and so many colors and varieties. Each side of the lane produced acres of flowers, seemingly endless patches of color dazzling to my eyes. In the center of each section of plantings stood hedges trained in the same image as My Lady’s crest. The hedges the unique design of pairs of hearts inverted upon each other.

I turned to her. Tears lay on my cheeks. My Lady withdrew an embroidered hanky and dabbed my tears.

“What is it my dear? What is troubling you? Feel free to speak.”

“It’s all so beautiful and so sad. I feel so badly for you my dear Lady, and for his Lordship too. Do you see him? Does he write to you? It’s such a beautiful love story, and now you’re alone and he, - is he alone? Is he somewhere far away and sill thinking of you? I have so many questions, but I fear that they are too personal. I’m so sorry.” I sniffed.

I bent over, my forehead resting on my knees. She stroked my back to comfort my sobs.

“I’ll speak of this but once child. There’s no need for your sorrow. Certainly not for me. I have all that I need here at the Manor. And I have many men who queue a line to meet me, and a select few whom I see regularly – believe me I don’t deprive myself of male companionship.” She laughed sarcastically at the last remark.

“Yes, I hear from Lord Roseau often, and when I need to contact him, Madison is most able to find him for me. See dear, I still love his Lordship as he does me. Let’s just say that we are uniquely distant when it comes to our relationship. We have adjusted in our own way, and in that way, we are both very happy. Let this be the end of your interest in his Lordship as well as an end to your sorrow. Trust your Ladyship my sweet and sensitive Sibyl. Your sorrow is an unfounded and unnecessary.”

I sat up to look at her, hoping to gauge her sincerity. She was smiling and ever so calm and radiant, and so very genuine. I believed all that she had said.

She rose and took both of my hands in hers. “Come we must get you home. Tomorrow will be a busy first day for you in your position, in your new office. You will have much Estate business to get acquainted with.”

She whistled, and to my surprise and delight, the horses looked up from their grazing and began to walk toward us.

“I need to make a call. Be still a minute while I take care of a few matters.” She engaged the tiny earpiece. Unlike mine hers was a complete phone.

“Madison,” She spoke. The device dialed her servant by voice and by name recognition and within seconds she began to give instructions.

“We will ride the horses back to the Manor house. Have someone from the stables collect them there and return them to the stables. Also have them secure the surrey and the pony for the night, and Madison - I want you to discretely assemble applicants for the stable management position. Miss Sibyl will interview them at her convenience. Don’t tell Murphy. Call Lady Bradstreet, tell her that I wish to speak with her tonight by phone. That is all - hold that Madison, one more thing. That Carlton boy, the young man from the stables, bring him to me at noon tomorrow."

My Lady disengaged from the one-way conversation.

“Now Sibyl dear. Let’s be off you and me, and let us both enjoy a fine and rewarding horseback ride.” She flashed me a wicked and knowing grin.

Normally I'm an early riser, being the curious sort that I am, I'm always afraid that I'll miss something. But on this first morning as the new manager of Brighten Manor, I slept longer than usual, and if it were not for the shuffling below from cook arranging my breakfast, I likely would have been late to appear at my new office.

The first garment I saw, was the cream satin evening robe. I slipped it on and hurried down the stairs and stood by the carefully placed breakfast. I didn't take time to sit. I stood and wolfed down some bacon and toast, drank the orange juice and ran back upstairs with a cup of coffee which I drank while my shower water was warming.

I showered quickly, dried myself and dressed in the black skirt and the white high collar blouse. I cinched the black leather belt about my waist, slipped on my heels and grabbed a dark blue blazer out of the closet. I checked myself in the mirror.
Good enough,
I thought.
This is good enough, I just can’t be late.

In moments I was hotfooting it out the front door of the cottage. I dashed over the lane and soon found myself, breathing hard and facing the side entrance to the Manor house. I rapped on the door and I was greeted by the smiling Madison, he again smartly dressed in a tuxedo, a black tie and an unusually high collar for a man’s suit.
Never-mind,
I thought.
He looks as dashing as ever. It’s nice to see a friendly face.

"Well Miss Sibyl, a delight to see you again, come in, please come in. I was informed that you had been selected for the position. May I be the first to offer my congratulations?"

I stepped through the door. "Thanks Madison. I'm afraid I overslept a bit. Do I look alright?" I adjusted my blazer, and stretched out to my full height.

"You look smashing,
and
very official."

He was pointing to my breast pocket upon which was engraved the unique red Crest for Brighten Manor.

"Oh, how about that," I whispered conspiratorially. "In my rush I hadn't noticed. Madison, you know what? I think that Crest is on everything around here."

Madison smiled, he touched my cheek gently. "Yes, the Crest is placed on all of My Lady's property. My guess is that you will discover, as have I, that My Lady likes her assets well accounted for, easily identified, and traceable. She's quite predictable in some ways. Have you eaten Miss Smith?"

"Yes, Cook brings my meals."

Madison seemed a bit startled by my report about Cook."

"Anything wrong Madison?"

"No, I was taken a bit off guard, that's all, just surprised, apparently My Lady has already elevated you within the household staff. I'm sure I'll be briefed on your responsibilities. Are you able to find your office by yourself?"

"I'll find it. I got a pretty good tour yesterday. I have much to learn, but I can find my way. If I need help may I call on you Madison?"

"Always, it would be my pleasure to assist you in any way that I may. I believe I’ll soon discover that
I
will be
in your service." He smiled as if he knew a secret.

I was puzzled by Madison's meaning, but I couldn't afford to waste my time chit-chatting. I hurried toward the front hall and into my office entrance near the front door of the Manor House.

I seated myself behind the desk.
Now this is first class Sibyl girl,
I thought.
It’s certainly not like the old dorm room.

I took stock of the goodies on my desk, blotter, stapler, tape dispenser, letter opener, and a large computer monitor, all so neatly arranged.
I wonder who set this up for me. The desk was bare the day before. This gets better every minute,
I thought.
It looks like I may have an assistant in this place. I'll ask My Lady when she comes to brief me.

"Sibyl," I almost jumped out of my skin. The desk monitor flashed to life and the image of My Lady appeared upon it. She was seated, and behind her I could make out a large four posted bed. Two maids, both dressed alike in Edwardian maid’s attire were busily changing the bed linens.

My Lady continued. She wore a cream satin dressing gown that draped her shoulders and floated over her body as she moved. "You were late rising this morning. Don't make me check on your whereabouts or your tardiness again. I find it tedious and unbecoming of my Chief of Staff. We will discuss this further in private. Be prompt from this day forward."

"Yes My Lady," I stammered. "I'm sorry, please forgive me?"

She didn't respond to my plea of contrition. She continued. "You look presentable in the clothes I chose for you. Consider your presentation to be a work in progress. I will be busy today. In my absence, begin by familiarizing yourself with the personnel files in your desk. You will find a key to the drawer under the blotter. Keep it on your person or in an otherwise safe place. There is just the one key."

I chose a pen from the desk top, and as I had always done in College, I began taking notes. It was an old habit that had served me well when a teacher was giving instruction or home assignments.

I glanced at the monitor. A third woman was now standing behind Lady Julia. She was dressed in what appeared to be a white apron and she was slowly brushing My Lady's hair. Her face was above the camera range so I could only see the white apron and her hands stroking My Lady's long blond tresses. The girl’s stokes were tender, graceful and well-practiced.

I leaned forward to insure that what I was seeing was accurate. I sat straight up. The woman in white turned to pick up a second brush, and she was naked under the apron. Her breasts were clearly visible and unsupported. I could see her bare bottom as she bent over to choose a herringbone hair barrette. I saw the side of her face, but only for a few seconds. Her hair was as white as her apron and short like a man’s. She was pretty.
What is that around her neck,
I thought.
Oh my word, it's a steel collar, it’s unmistakable, she’s wearing a one inch high steel collar with a steel ring attached to the front.
She stepped out of my line of sight. I rubbed my eyes.

I could hear My Lady speak. "Finished with my hair Lucy, I think you have brushed it quite enough. I'm pleased. You may go. When you return to the Spa have Heidi prepare a station for my massage. I'll be down in about an hour."

I watched in fascination as the naked servant collected her brushes and combs. She spoke in a barely audible whisper.

"Thank you My Lady, but it is I who is thankful. It is such a joy for me on these mornings to be privileged to touch your hair."

With that, the soft-spoken woman bowed, turned her back to me, and I watched her provocative ass wiggle through a doorway behind where My Lady was seated.

"Did you see something you like Sibyl?"

I gasped.
Of course,
the video feed is two way. My Lady is also watching me.

"Uh, no, I mean yes," I stammered. "My Lady is lovely this morning. I'll get right to those files. Is there anything else Lady Julia?"

"Yes. Keep a brief log of any important items that you may have questions of me, only the questions that need answers in order to do your job. Do this daily, and at the end of day, seal it. You will find the Brighten Manor seal kit in one of your desk drawers. Give the sealed report to Madison. He will present it to me for review every evening, and as time goes by I will expect that the report will diminish in length as you become more familiar with your position.

Each morning I’ll speak with you briefly as we are now. If there is a critical issue we can discuss it at these sessions. If you need to see me in person, Madison also keeps my calendar. He will schedule a time. Soon you will take that duty off of his hands. I hope you enjoy your first day Sibyl dear. Welcome to the Manor staff."

The monitor went blank. My mouth was dry.
Did I really see what I thought I saw?
Was the woman really naked and why - why was she wearing a collar? Was it some bizarre choice of jewelry?
I had more questions than I had answers, and my inquisitive mind was turning over the last ten minutes like a rewound movie clip.

I thought about Lady Julia's question. Had I seen something I liked? I felt a small tingle in my belly. I like looking at My Lady. I liked it a lot, and I was stricken that I would not be with her today as I had the day before, riding together and having fun. I missed being with her. I felt a tinge of rejection, and I was envious of the woman in the white apron. I wished it was I who was brushing My Lady's silky blond hair.

I shook my head to sober my thoughts.
Get to work girl,
I thought.
Puzzle your questions at another time, on your own time.

I found the key under the blotter. I unlocked the drawer and placed the key in the pocket of my blazer. There were a hundred or so files. Getting familiar with all of these people seemed an insurmountable task. I removed a handful of files and placed them on the desk in front of me.