House of Intrigue

by Yvonne Strickland

The cane swished and cracked again and again, each stroke being followed by a howl of protest. The girl's buttocks began to glow pink with criss-cross weals and her cries became louder and longer. She began to struggle and twist her head from side to side with her mouth open and her eyes filling abundantly with tears. But her cries were not just cries of pain for she sobbed, 'Oh, oh, oh!' more in ecstasy than in agony, louder and longer as the cane swung remorselessly down. At length, she kicked out and her body shook repeatedly with a long, loud moan. The cane stopped and was laid aside. Pauline pulled her up to face the class. Her face was streaming with tears, her breath continued in short gasps and her eyes were shut tight. Pauline said nothing, but walked her over to the corner of the room, placing her, with arms still trussed up her back, face to the wall. Mike regarded her inflamed behind and could almost feel the burning on his own rear.

  The towel began to slide. He pushed back hard with his pelvis against the wooden cross but it was coming undone from the side. Pauline had moved away from the girl and was returning the few short steps to the desk when the towel dropped down completely. There was a short burst of applause from the eight seated females as his semi-erect organ was exposed to their grinning view.

  'Quiet, class!' commanded Pauline, looking him up and down with a suggestion of disapproval. 'Now, as you know, we have this wretch on loan for demonstration purposes ...' Jackie appeared to be having difficulty keeping a straight face. 'Does anyone care to tell me,' continued Pauline, 'what the next item in our lesson is?'

  Four hands went up at once, followed promptly by the rest. Pauline eyed them without expression.

  'Well, Claudia?'

  An olive skinned Latin-looking girl with crinkled black hair, wide sensuous mouth and sparkling dark eyes arose.

  '5/ signora - leccitazione ...'

  'No!' shouted Pauline, cutting her off in mid-sentence. 'So we all understand if you don't mind!'

  'Oh, oh ... scusi ... yes,' she stammered, 'it is for the excitement of the man.'

  'Stimulation!' countered Pauline.

  'Ah, yes, stim-oo-lation.'

  She picked up the cane and stepped over to the figure spread out helplessly on the cross. She looked at his penis, still maintaining its halfway house between rampant erection and flaccid indifference.

  'This,' she announced, placing the end of the cane under the irresolute organ and lifting it up slightly, 'is all we need presently concern ourselves about. The rest of him is not important!'

  He held his breath and closed his eyes, feeling the hard instrument pushing up under his most sensitive asset, trying not to think about what she might do with the cane. When he opened his eyes again it was to see eight amused faces. Amused, that is, in varying degrees. Some were merely grinning, while Jackie and Lorna appeared to be on the verge of convulsion.

  'Control yourselves!' shouted Pauline, rapping the cane sharply down upon the table directly in front of Jackie. The mirth at once subsided. 'Now, I want each of you to show us your own approach to doing what you do best. Who is going to be first?' Eight hands went up simultaneously. 'Such devotion to duty,' responded Pauline, pointing to the middle girl in the second row. 'You!'

  The girl stood up, tall and slim, her light brown hair swept back into a clasp at the side of her head and cascading over her right shoulder, almost down to her waist. Pauline moved aside as the girl stepped forward and halted in front of the helpless figure. She looked into his eyes, then lowered her head to his chest. Her tongue touched him lightly, making his body tingle as it played back and forth over his flesh, moving slowly downward. She put her hands on his waist and sank down on to her knees, her tongue darting about his navel, her teeth gently biting the soft flesh of his abdomen. His penis had quickly become erect and stood engorged and quivering against her neck. She brought her hands down across his stomach until her thumbs were pressed on either side at the base of the shaft. Her head moved down still further and she ran her tongue slowly, flicking from side to side, under the inflamed organ and up to the glistening head, one of her hands slipping down to caress underneath his testicles. He closed his eyes and tensed against the straps. The girl continued for some time, each pass of her tongue causing the object of her attentions to twitch visibly. Her actions were as much a torment as a stimulant, for what she was doing to him was at once too much and too little. He ached so much for relief that he began to wish she would stop. The pressure of the cane against her shoulder said that was enough.

  Pauline turned to the other girls but before she had change to speak, Jackie's hand was raised high.

  'All right,' said Pauline, 'but just be careful!'

  Jackie smiled into his eyes mischievously as she stood up. He watched her move slowly closer, undoing her blouse button by button. When she stood before him, the blouse was pulled wide open and her breasts exposed. Still smiling, she ran her fingers over the rubber ball planted firmly in his mouth.

  'I think I prefer you like this,' she whispered into his ear.

  Her breasts were soft and warm against him as she ran her fingers up and down his waist and thighs. She also knelt before him and he watched her through half-closed eyes, taut with expectancy, his organ of lust aching for attention regardless of how many faces were turned on him. He did not have long to wait for she placed her hands on either side of her breasts and squeezed the shaft between them, keeping the swollen head visible between her cleavage, perceiving how it already glistened wet with expectation and feeling the pulse of his body concentrated in this one place.

  At a gesture from Pauline, the remaining seven girls left their seats and gathered around in order to obtain a better view. Jackie held him firmly, running her tongue around the head of his penis and moving her breasts up and down against the shaft. He made no sound and gave no indication as to the state of his excitement as she quickened the pace of her movements. Nor did she hear the voice ordering her to stop, but continued with increased vigour.

  As the cane rapped her shoulder, she felt his penis quiver and his body lurched hard against the straps.

  'Stop that now!' came the order from above her, but it was too late. He groaned out loudly and, his loins shaking uncontrollably, spurted his passion repeatedly over her neck and breasts. There were cries of 'Oooh!' followed by a short burst of applause from the small group of onlookers. Pauline affected a watery smile.

  'What did I tell you?' she said through gritted teeth, close to Jackie's face.

  'I ... I'm sorry ...'

  'It wasn't her fault,' cut in Lorna. 'It happened too quickly.'

  'Very well,' said Pauline, looking hard at Jackie, 'but we still have more to do. We'll break off for an hour then come back and continue as planned.' She turned to the figure standing obediently in the corner of the room, her hands still fastened up behind her shoulders. 'You can come and sit down here until we get back!' She smiled at Mike as the others, except for Jackie, left the room and said, 'I'm sure you'll both behave yourselves while I'm gone!'

  Once through the main doors and in the ante room, Pauline gripped Jackie by the arm and pulled her around to face the inevitable wrath.

  'You silly little bitch!' she rasped. 'You've delayed the whole thing unnecessarily! Go and get yourself cleaned up and be back here on time with the others. I'll talk to you later!'

  'Later' proved to be at 7.30 in the evening, for after the events upstairs, Pauline had sat in discussion with Sonia and Cheryl in the main office for almost two hours. Pauline had summoned her up to her own rooms on the first floor and Jackie had entered in trembling anticipation, expecting the worst. She emerged unscathed, however, some ten minutes later and proceeded down to the ground floor. She entered the bar and waved cheekily at Angela, who was serving there for the evening, then continued on into the conservatory where she joined Lorna and Rachel at a table close to the french windows.

  'God!' said Lorna, with no little surprise, i didn't expect to see you back so soon. Has she let you off?'

  'Not exactly,' answered Ja
ckie. 'She couldn't have a go

  at me tonight though because she's got letters to write and >

  'Letters?' cut in Rachel. 'Who to?'

  'She has a friend in the Gestapo!' answered Lorna, with a look of grave conviction.

  'Who needs the bloody Gestapo!' countered Rachel.

  'Anyhow, she's busy tomorrow as well,' continued Jackie, 'so I've to stay in my room all day, including meal times.'

  'Oh, the miserable old cow!' said Lorna.

  it could have been a lot worse,' added Rachel.

  'Well, I happen to know they have visitors until five o'clock,' said Jackie, 'so she isn't going to be around to see what I do. I'll hang about until mid-morning in case she checks up on me then I'll be down at the pool with you lot, OK?'

  it's you that's taking the chance,' replied Lorna. 'By the way, what happened to Mike? I haven't seen him down here.'

  'I saw him at the pool an hour ago,' answered Rachel.

  'So she hasn't still got him in her clutches up there?' asked Lorna.

  'Poor Mike!' laughed Jackie. 'The things he has to do!'

  'Has to do?' questioned Rachel, with an expression of surprise. 'There must be millions of men who'd change places with him tomorrow. I know a couple of politicians who

  'Well, maybe,' interrupted Lorna, 'but she goes out of her way to humiliate him, the same way she does with us.'

  'So how did it end up today?' asked Rachel.

  Jackie and Lorna looked at each other and laughed. Jackie pushed back her hair before speaking.

  'Well, Francesca got in on the act and -'

  'She can be quite outrageous!' cut in Rachel.

  'Yes,' continued Jackie, 'and she was! I won't go into details but let's just say there was a bit of a misfire and he,

  er, it ended up all over the floor. Pauline locked away his clothes before she undid him and refused to let him have them until he got the soap and water and cleaned the carpet!'

  'Well, someone had to,' said Rachel.

  'Yes,' agreed Lorna, 'but she went out of her way to embarrass and belittle him in front of us - that's not fair, he's not that sort of person.'

  'What can he do?' asked Rachel.

  'I don't know,' answered Lorna, 'but I wouldn't be surprised if she was found floating face down in the pool one morning.'

  Jackie said nothing, but turned her eyes away from them both. Her own needs, her own urges, were fulfilled by those very impositions which others might find so himiliating and the instrument of her perverse gratification was Pauline. As much as she might be swept by trepidation at the very sight of those cold blue eyes, the breeze which rippled the waters at the surface also churned the deeper currents of lust hidden beneath. She could forgive Pauline anything as long as there was something which needed ►to be forgiven.

  Birthday Gifts

  In the phantom world of half-consciousness, of neither light nor dark, there was a sound. Karen opened her eyes. It was daylight and the morning sun spilled insistently through little gaps and chinks in the bedroom blind. The light was both friend and foe. It announced the promise of a bright new day but dissolved the drifting half-world of the subconscious. But for her it was a special day and because it was special, she already felt lonely. Perhaps she would confide in Angela. Somebody should share it with her, it was only right.

  There was a sound; she had not imagined it. Something rustling outside in the corridor. The clock radio said almost 7.40. It wasn't going to switch on for another five minutes and although today was Friday, a working day, she had already returned to the more casual routine of the house.

  She sat naked before the mirror, running a comb slowly through her hair. The right-hand drawer of the vanity unit was part open and the white box could be seen. No one had alluded to it; no one had dropped the slightest hint. She had passed Pauline a number of times over the days since her return and there had been no sly remark, no knowing look. The instrument of carnal gratification which lay within the box had served her desires again the previous night.

  From the selection of clothes provided for her, Karen chose a thin, sleeveless, saffron yellow cotton top, white flared mini-skirt and white sandals. Like the others, she usually only wore stockings in the evening. She pulled open the door, thinking vaguely of the day ahead, then stopped. Resting against the door frame was a large bouquet of pink and white roses, wrapped in cellophane and tied with a red satin ribbon. Around the bouquet were spread a number of envelopes, each bearing her name in a different hand. They knew.

  She collected the cards and the flowers and turned back into her room, taking them through into the small bedroom and spreading them upon the multi-coloured bedspread. There were cards from almost everyone, including Cheryl, who she hardly knew at all, and, of course, Mike. The one exception came as no surprise. The flowers were from Sonia, the accompanying card bearing, in careful blue script, the words, 'Happy Birthday, XXX-S.'

  Sonia must have told them. The gesture meant more to Karen than even Sonia might imagine.

  She entered the main office at nine o'clock. Despite the easy-going lifestyle at the house, she had from the beginning remained punctual, and having returned, did not intend to let the habit lapse.

  Sonia, wearing a biker jacket, black satin tights and ankle boots, was leaving her desk and walking towards the door almost before Karen was inside the room.

  'Karen, my dear,' she said, smiling broadly, 'many happy returns!'

  Sonia put her arms around her and kissed her on her lips. Karen returned her embrace with warmth. The kiss was a long kiss, even though they were visible through the windows from the corridor outside.

  'Thank you for the roses, they're lovely,' whispered Karen.

  'I'm very glad you liked them,' replied Sonia. 'You must share a bottle of champagne with me later, unless of course you had other plans.'

  'Oh no, I didn't have anything planned. I didn't expect that...'

  The dark eyes looked into hers. She felt a familiar stirring in her belly and loins. Sonia seemed to know her feelings and kissed her once more, this time only lightly.

  'You're not going to work on your birthday. I'll sort everything out.'

  'No, really, I don't mind, Sonia. Anyway, there are all the receipts to be -'

  'I insist,' cut in Sonia. 'All that can wait until next week. You go and relax by the pool, but promise me you'll be in the bar by one o'clock, OK? I think the girls have something for you.'

  'Yes, of course I will.'

  'I can't be there myself, mind you - we have a couple of visitors - but most of the others will, I'm sure.'

  Karen did not change but collected a book from her room, intending to sit by the poolside and read. When she arrived, two heads of long black hair bobbed up and down and glistened in the water, the sunlight catching their limbs as they circled about, oblivious to the world beyond.

  'Hi, you two!' Karen called, pulling a chair out from beneath a sunshade.

  Valerie and Lorna turned around, then stood up in the shimmering water.

  'Happy birthday!' they both grinned.

  'Coming in for a dip?' called Valerie.

  'Not this morning.'

  'OK, we'll come out!'

  They climbed dripping from the water, their slim forms naked except for their minimal swim slips. Both were perfectly suited to the role of poolside glamour models and the scene lacked only a host of ogling photographers.

  'You make me feel out of place and overdressed,' laughed Karen as they joined her at the table.

  'You are,' said Lorna. 'You look like you're off to work.'

  'I was, but Sonia gave me the day off.'

  'I should think so too, on your birthday!' said Valerie.

  'Oh yes - thanks for your cards. It was a lovely surprise. I didn't think anyone knew.'

  'She told us all days ago,' said Lorna, grinning, 'but I bet you didn't get a card from Pauline, did you?' 'No, I didn't. I would have fallen over in amazement if I had!'

  'Miserable old cow
,' muttered Valerie.

  'She's not old though, is she?' asked Karen. 'I was told she's around thirty. She doesn't look any more than that.'

  'No,' replied Valerie, 'she just behaves like an old ... hey! Look who's here!'

  They all turned their eyes towards the house. A figure approached them, her abundant auburn hair falling about her shoulders, the short, white cotton longsleeved dress fitting her slim body like a glove and her legs poised on white, high-heel sandals. In her hand she held a small gold and navy-blue paper bag.

  'Hello, you lot!' she shouted, regarding them with green feline eyes.

  'Annette,' said Karen, rising up from the chair and kissing her cheeks. Annette thrust the small bag into her hands and kissed her in turn.

  it's a little pressie for you from Paris, dear. It's lovely to see you back.'

  it's great to be back and I'm so glad to see you,' said Karen warmly. 'When did you get in? Have you seen Sonia?'

  'Only about quarter of an hour ago. The taxi dropped me off at the gate. Sonia's in a meeting with Cheryl and Pauline, and a couple of rich-looking blokes. One of them's not bad looking either!'

  'D'you know who they are?' asked Valerie, turning to Karen.

  'No, not exactly. I think they're from Munich.'

  'I feel overexposed with you two here,' said Valerie, looking down at her naked breasts. 'I'm going back into the water until you admit defeat and get changed.'

  'Oh, look!' exclaimed Lorna. 'We've got reinforcements!'

  Jackie approached, her light brown hair done up in a pony-tail, her body enveloped in a bathrobe.

  'Hi everyone!' she said brightly, squeezing Annette's arm.

  'Saw you walking along the path so I thought I'd make the break. I got out the back way. You-know-who is in the main office.'

  'She's been a naughty girl again, haven't you?' said Valerie. 'She's not supposed to be out of doors.'

  'Oh dear!' said Annette. 'Breaking the dragon lady's laws again?'

  'I'm not sitting in my room all day if I don't have to. She can get stuffed!'

  'I wonder if she ever does?' said Annette, grinning.