House of Intrigue

by Yvonne Strickland

  Once through the minor formalities, she emerged into the main concourse with her two cases perched on a baggage trolley. She looked about at the waiting crowd but of the soft face, light brown hair and welcoming smile she expected to see, there was no sign. She began walking across the concourse towards an area where there were fewer people, a place where she might be seen more easily.

  'Karen! Wrong way!' came a voice from close behind her. She stopped and turned.

  'Oh Val! Oh, it's great to see you!'

  The Latin eyes and vivacious smile framed with long, crinkly black hair thrown about her shoulders greeted Karen.

  'And you, love! I waved like mad back there but you didn't see me.'

  Valerie took her by the shoulders and kissed her warmly on both cheeks. Karen kissed her in turn.

  'I expected Kim ... I thought that she was supposed to be -'

  'I'll explain that later,' cut in Valerie. 'Let's get out to the taxi with your things.'

  'Where are we going first?' asked Karen. 'Where's your car?'

  'It's near the railway station,' said Valerie as they left the building. 'I thought you might want a bite to eat in the town before we head back.'

  'Yes, OK, I didn't feel like eating on the plane but I could polish something off now. Have you anywhere in mind?'

  'I certainly have,' replied Valerie, smiling, as they reached the taxi. 'Somewhere for a good nosh and a good old chinwag!'

  During her previous stay at the house it was Valerie, in charge of the beauty parlour, and her assistant, Kim, who had given Karen her first orgasm there. True, it had been arranged by Pauline as a trick to embarrass her, but Karen, Valerie and Kim had understood this afterwards and it had not spoiled their friendship as Pauline had intended. Indeed, it had helped to open up within her the need to express her sexuality in ways she had never before imagined and to begin to understand the secret world of the dominant and the submissive. It had gone further still when she found her relationship with Sonia developing and it was the uncertainty of this which had decided her to return to England for a time.

  That time was over, for gone was the uncertainty. And what of Richard now she was back in France? She thought of him now as a part of her past. A past never to be repeated.

  <

  Homecoming

  The sound of a door, opening and closing softly, reached her ears. Her hearing was all that Jackie could rely on for the time being for she remained seated where Pauline had placed her. Why was the room so quiet? What was Pauline doing? She sighed, the air whistling faintly around the red rubber ball.

  Was it just a trick? Was Pauline waiting for her to move about on the stool so as to find an excuse to use the whip again? But she could hardly move anything, only twist about a little. She decided that Pauline had left the room and that she was now quite alone to contemplate.

  They both knew what punishment did to her. The whip hurt her and inflamed her sexually at the same time. Even the thought of its angry sting made the currents stir uncontrollably in her belly. The restraints too could provoke her arousal. She imagined herself helpless and on display in front of strangers, though the imagery in her mind was a product of memory rather than of fancy.

  She squirmed her legs against the straps and worked her behind against the leather stool, feeling the stirring in her sex. After a time her breathing became louder and shorter. She began to twist about on the stool, gently at first, but then more vigorously. It was too late for her to stop. She couldn't stop even if a thousand doors opened, even if a thousand Paulines screamed at her. She rocked back and forth on the stool, moaning and gripping the rubber ball with her teeth.

  Afterwards, she let out a long, deep sigh.

  Only a few minutes seemed to have passed before the sound of the opening door caused her to turn her head. She wanted to ask who it was but the quiet murmur she emitted was of no more use than the turning of her head in the darkness. She sensed someone approaching and at once sat rigid and upright.

  'Hold still!' came the voice close to her ear.

  Unseen fingers tugged at the head harness and the straps began to loosen. Light appeared at the sides of her eyes and Pauline, positioning a paper tissue under the rubber ball, withdrew it, glistening wet from Jackie's mouth, and lifted away the harness. Jackie blinked against the brightness and swallowed. The straps had left pink indents about her forehead, cheeks and chin and her jaw ached from the prolonged intrusion of the ball.

  She looked directly ahead as the buckles lower down were loosened and her legs freed.

  'Stand up while I undo this,' ordered Pauline, tugging at the back of the straitjacket. 'You can run off out and play in a minute,' she continued, 'and let's hope you remember what we agreed. I dori't want to find that -' She hesitated and regarded the seat which Jackie had occupied until that moment. A streak of wet glistened on the padded green leather. Jackie saw the expression on her face and turned to see what had attracted her attention. At the same time a hand struck her across the mouth. 'You dirty little bitch! How did you .. ?'

  'I couldn't help it!' moaned Jackie, cringing from the blow. 'It just happened!'

  'Oh, just happened did it, madam?' responded Pauline sarcastically, her hands on her hips. 'Well, something else can "just happen" now. You'll wear the straitjacket for a while longer, in case you get up to more mischief!' Jackie backed away, almost stumbling, as she saw the whip picked up from the table. But the currents of fear and anticipation in her stomach calmed when Pauline coiled it around and held it in her fist. 'It won't do you any harm to be out of the way for an hour or so and I've got work to do.'

  Pauline moved her towards the main door. Jackie thought it better at this point not to question her intentions, let alone to resist, and soon found herself in the first floor corridor. The door clicked shut behind her and she was shepherded directly across to the door opposite, the coiled whip pressed against her back.

  T suppose it's a little unfortunate for some that I now hold keys to a couple of the guest rooms.'

  Pauline opened the door and gestured for Jackie to enter first. The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the rose pink cornice lights.

  The door closed and the voice behind her said, There's somebody in here who might well be glad of your company.'

  Jackie looked about her. There was the chrome and black leather furniture, the table and the cupboards, but no one else to be seen. She glanced in apprehension at Pauline as she was propelled across the room towards the far side, where the large archway with its ominous black velvet curtain stood. She moved on, feeling that Pauline was only waiting for her to hesitate, and that should she do so it would be more than sufficient reason for her to inflict further punishments.

  Pauline lifted the curtain aside and guided her through. Jackie was, of course, familiar with this, as well as the other 'games' rooms, as were they all. But the events which took place in them and in front of the cameras had a predetermined sequence; a well-defined beginning and end. Outside 'working' hours, Pauline had long used the facilities in her own suite to restrain and humiliate the girls directly under her control, particularly young Jackie. Everyone knew that Jackie provoked Pauline and they all knew why. Everyone knew as well that she often regretted her actions afterwards.

  But why was she being brought into this place? Surely Pauline was not going to be too extreme with her. She had done nothing to elicit real punishment, and that was the unspoken rule between them. There had to be a reason, though Jackie was not always made aware of that reason until Pauline had her under her control.

  This room was also lit by the subdued cornice lights. Jackie looked about her at the chrome and leather equipment and fittings with their straps and manacles. Then she saw. At the far end of the room stood a figure, quite naked. Jackie was propelled towards her. The figure was stretched out, her arms pulled up above her head and attached by steel cuffs to a chain which hung from a ring set into the ceiling. Her legs were pulled apart and held by steel cuf
fs, each attached to a short chain and a bolt set into the carpeted floor. She looked at the long fair hair, the soft round face and the mouth sealed tightly shut by the strip of white plastic tape. It was Kim.

  The conversation is going to be a bit one-sided,' remarked Pauline, 'but I'm sure you have a good idea why she is here.'

  Standing before the chained figure, Jackie observed the pink weals about her thighs and saw the three-tailed strap laying on a nearby bench. Kim's eyes still glistened with residual tears. She looked from one to the other in enforced silence.

  The coiled whip pushed into Jackie's back.

  'Come on!' ordered the voice, and she was guided forcibly over to an elegant chair with slim, padded back. 'Sit!' commanded Pauline.

  Unable to use her arms, Jackie leaned forward to maintain her equilibrium before falling slowly down on to the seat. Pauline moved around her and took hold of one of the straps hanging from the chair, then passing it around the girl's waist, buckled it securely at the rear of the seat.

  'That should do,' she breathed. 'We don't want you walking about, do we?'

  Moments later, with a swish of the black curtain, Pauline was gone. Kim flexed her limbs, trying to adjust herself in the creaking chains.

  'I'm sorry,' said Jackie, looking up at her eyes. 'She made me tell about Karen coming back and where I got it from. She started to whip me ... I didn't want to say anything but I . .. but she just kept on ... I'm sorry I got you

  into this mess. Honest I am.'

  * * *

  They alighted from the taxi at the station car park and transferred the cases to Valerie's Peugeot.

  'Right, that's that out of the way,' said Valerie. Taney a little walk to the main square?'

  'I'd fancy a walk anywhere at the moment. God, the air's so warm and pleasant - I'd almost forgotten.'

  When they left the Rue Maguelone and entered the Place de la Comedie, the first stars had pierced the dome of the darkening sky and early evening strollers were scattered about the great marble square. Before them were grouped clusters of small round tables and wickerwork chairs. Valerie gestured towards them and said, 'How about here? We can sit and watch the world go by.'

  'Right now,' said Karen, smiling, 'I couldn't think of anywhere better.'

  'Good, let's organise some grub and a drop of wine. I'm starving!'

  'So, your trip to the UK wasn't all light and happiness,' said Valerie over the empty plates. 'Apart from this bloke you teamed up with, that is.'

  'You could say that,' answered Karen.

  'Sonia hasn't said a lot,' continued Valerie, 'but she did mention you were keeping in touch.'

  'Yes ... I phoned a few times, except when I was out in the wilds. Then when I rang to say I was coming back, she was away in Amsterdam, closer to London than she was to here.'

  'And you left the message with Kim.'

  'Yes, she was in my old office, helping out, but Sonia rang me back the day after and said she'd help arrange everything. I was so glad, Val, I really was, but I want you to promise something.'

  'Go on, deary.'

  'Well, I-I don't know the best way to put this, but I'd rather you didn't say anything to anybody about Richard. It's important.'

  Valerie looked into her eyes with mild concern.

  'Look love, I'll not say anything, you know you can rely on that, but if you talk in front of Jackie, or even Lorna, everyone will find out. There's nothing you say or do that will go beyond the older girls. Discretion is part of our work and that goes for Kim as well.'

  'Oh yes, I know,' said Karen. 'It's just a bit awkward for me, I mean ... well, I don't want -'

  'You don't want Sonia to know,' cut in Valerie.

  Karen looked up at her and opened her mouth to speak but no words came. Then she looked down at her hands, resting on the table, and said quietly. 'Has it been that obvious?'

  Valerie continued to watch her for a few moments.

  'You are wearing her locket, lovey. No one else ever has.'

  'Of course,' said Karen, looking up once more. 'A bit stupid of me, isn't it?'

  'No, not to me it isn't. I wouldn't let Pauline see it though.'

  'No, I'm going to give it back to Sonia as soon as we return.'

  'You can't. She won't be there until tomorrow afternoon - she's at Strasbourg organising a few girls and other things for the next EC conference. It was rather sudden but very important. She'll probably tell you something about it when you see her. Kim probably knows a bit about it too. She was originally going to collect you from the airport.'

  'Oh, what happened?' asked Karen. 'Is she all right?'

  'I suppose she is, but Pauline's got hold of her.'

  'Pauline? Why?'

  'Well,' continued Valerie, 'when Kim took your message she mentioned it to me in the bar. When Sonia got back, she told Kim to keep it as a surprise so, of course, we said nothing else. Trouble was that Jackie was serving at the bar that day and overheard Kim. Kim didn't realise until it was too late but told Jackie not to say anything to anyone else. I think Sonia wanted it to be a nice surprise for everyone, you know. She wasn't annoyed with Kim, or anything like that; the secrecy bit was no big deal! But you know what Jackie's like - she had to open her mouth at the wrong time, didn't she? She made some remark to me in the restaurant about you this lunchtime, and there's bloody Pauline sitting almost next to her. You should have seen her face! The next thing I know, Kim's been called up to her office. Then later on, along she comes and asks me to pick you up. I didn't realise fully what was going on, otherwise I would have whisked her off out of harm's way. I only found out just before I left the house that Pauline had her.'

  The old cow!' exclaimed Karen. 'What's she up to?'

  'She's probably miffed because she wasn't told about you and thinks everyone else was. I daresay we'll find out in due course.'

  'Oh Val, I'm causing damned problems before I even set foot in the place.'

  Valerie reached out and held her hand. 'Now look, you're not causing anything. Sonia wants you back; we all want you back. You're one of the family - it's her that's the odd one out! Don't you forget it, OK?'

  'I'll try not to, but I can't understand,' said Karen. 'Why does Sonia keep her?'

  'Oh, there are good reasons. The day-to-day running of the house definitely needs someone in charge of it. You know some of the girls have domestic work to do as part of their role in the scheme of things. Someone has to say who does what, and when, and to organise some of the private events. You know what I mean. And there's security. Can you imagine Jackie if she thought she could get a bloke into the place at night? Someone has to keep an eye on all that, and I have to admit Pauline does it very well. It's just that she uses her position to take it out on the more susceptible ones.'

  'She wouldn't dare try it on you or Annette, surely.'

  'Maybe not like that,' replied Valerie, 'but she could still make life awkward for us if we weren't careful. Annette sails a bit close to the wind sometimes but she's too important for Sonia's business operations for anything much to happen there.'

  'But Kim, she doesn't strike me as being very submissive. She works with you in the beauty parlour and ... and -'

  'Yes, I know,' cut in Valerie. 'She's a very adaptable person in her own quiet way and more independent than most people think. But, as you say, she's not submissive like Jackie and one or two of the others - though even they use it to their own ends when it suits them.'

  'And Mike?' asked Karen. 'Is he still odd-jobbing?'

  'Yes, well,' said Valerie wryly, 'something must have been going on between him and Annette, even when you were there. She persuaded Sonia to let him star in one of her little productions with Cheryl. The one person who didn't realise what was going on was Mike. Annette got him into, let's say, a very graphic situation before he twigged. By that time it was too late. Since then, I don't think he's spoken to her. If she's in the bar, he'll eat in the conservatory and vice versa. Pauline takes the piss out of him too. Sh
e doesn't say much, just smiles at him knowing-

  iy.'

  'Yes, I remember. Her smile was usually bad news for somebody.'

  'Well,' continued Valerie, 'she's got poor Mike well under her thumb now. She's had him in two or three more little theatrical escapades since you left, all of them designed to humiliate. We all know he's not a born submissive but he enjoys his fantasies like most men, and now he can live out a few of them the way Sonia's customers do, but without it costing him a cent. He's got used to it being out in the open, I think, but the constant reminders and manipulation by Pauline don't please him too much at all, especially when she throws in remarks about Scotland Yard or the Inland Revenue. If she got struck by lightning he'd probably throw a party and I bet we'd all go to it, except maybe Jackie.'

  'And Sonia,' added Karen.

  'Yes, you could be right. I don't think Sonia knows about some of her little schemes and I doubt if she would have dared to take Kim away from meeting you today if Sonia had been around.'

  'I'm going to have a fag,' said Karen, reaching into her shoulder bag. 'I don't suppose you .. ?'

  'I will as we're outdoors,' said Valerie. 'I used to smoke a lot until I came to work at the house.'

  Karen lit the cigarettes and said, 'Does Angie know I'm coming back?'

  'No, I'm certain she doesn't,' replied Valerie. 'She'll be over the moon when you show up. She was quite upset when you left and I know she hoped you would come back. She always said so.'

  Karen could see Angela in her mind's eye. Angela, with her blue-grey eyes, silver-blonde hair and understanding smile, had been the first person to befriend Karen when she began work at the house; the first person to show her sympathy and share her confidence when she felt so aside from everyone else because of her position, and when she first realised she was being drawn into a relationship with Sonia.