Hat Trick

by Morris Fenris

  “Things are finally beginning to look up, Elisa. I am so excited about the couture show. I am sure it will be one of the events of the town this year. This can really propel you into the fashion business, Adel” Elisabeth said as she looked up at her. She was lying beside her with her head resting on top of Elisabeth’s bosoms and her arm wrapped around her waist.

  “Adel, I will always be grateful to you for what you have done for me. By giving me the chance to work with you and draping you with some of my really absurd ideas was a real learning curve. But the couture event is definitely a notch higher from the usual. And I insist that we deal with it professionally by being business partners instead of just friends. Although I am pretty sure we will never be “just friends”.” Elisabeth said with a giggle.

  “No, we will definitely never be “just friends”. These last few weeks have been one of the best of my life. And I must offer my thanks to you for it as well. I really needed you in my life. But only because you are insisting I agree to be equal business partners with you on this event and I am happy to make some money for myself as well. And believe me, we will make quite some money. I have no reason to doubt that. And the fact that you will be working at your shop also means that I will no longer be a distraction for you.” Adelaide said with a mischievous smile.

  “Being intimate with you has definitely enabled me to explore my sexual side. A side I never thought I had. And you were never a distraction, Adel. Thomas, on the other hand, well, he could be.” said Elisabeth looking at the ceiling.

  “Did you get a chance to speak to him? Did you explain the situation between us?” Adelaide asked Elisabeth as she got up to a seated position.

  “I tried, Adel. But he just won’t listen to me. Seeing us so intimate with each other really disturbed him.” Elisabeth sounded frustrated.

  “That is just nonsense. I’ll ask Robert to speak to him. Thomas will never find a woman like you. And just think of it. Imagine all the fun we will have for the rest of our lives if we are together? It will be wonderful! Right?” Asked Adelaide with that familiar twinkle in her eye.

  “It would Adel. It really would. But I implore you to keep this between us now. It is already very complicated and I do not want you to get involved and complicate matters further. For now though before the show I need a place to move into. Suffice it to say that your announcement will bring a lot of prying eyes to the shop and I do not want to keep all my work there, especially the ones which I plan on using at the show. I need a place to rest myself and keep my work safe.” Elisabeth explained in detail.

  Elisabeth herself was on the edge. Not only was she always haunted by Thomas’s face and voice, she also needed to find a place to stay. She was happy that the matter between herself and Adelaide was over with. They both knew there was no future in whatever it is that they were doing. It was merely a way of exploring each other and getting know one another better. She just could not shake the feelings that she had for Thomas now. Thomas excited her in ways even Adelaide did not. When he touches her she feel like electricity was running through her veins and that her heart might just explode any second. The taste of his lips made her insides dissolve into warm mush. She never wanted him to stop when he groped her behind or squeeze her bosoms. The mere thought of it made the hair on her arm stand up. She never thought she would feel that way for a man ever.

  Elisabeth was still looking for answers when she thought about Thomas. Was she really ready to be wife? She wanted to speak to Thomas about it. But the way things ended when they last spoke, Thomas certainly did not seem like someone who wanted to speak about it.

  Adelaide wanted to help her dearest friend. She hated to see Elisabeth like this – broken from the inside. She was sure she could convince Robert to speak to Thomas and arrange for Elisabeth to stay at Thomas’s old carriage house which has now been converted into a guest house but remains unused because Thomas being a bachelor rarely had any guests coming over. She was sure that this was the best way forward as being close to one another they can give their relationship another chance.

  “Don’t you worry, dear Elisa. All will be well. Lissa has prepared some lovely cupcakes for evening tea. I am sure those will help you relive your mood.” Adelaide said trying to sound excited. There was only one thing that Adelaide was worried about. It had already been a fair few days since Elisabeth left the chateau and had that conversation with Thomas, so, if he hadn’t already spoken to her, the chances of Robert being able to convince him otherwise were bleak.

  * * *

  Chapter 26

  Thomas was pacing in front of The House of Camille and if it was not a busy street, his pale face would have stood out in the bright London morning. His fingers were pressed on his lips as he went up the street and then back down again around Elisabeth’s shop. He couldn’t believe that Robert had talked him into this. Thomas felt that Elisabeth needed help, of course, but to suggest that they stay in the same estate was a little far-fetched.

  Thomas was consumed with thoughts of Elisabeth’s since they last spoke. She was all he could think about. The sweet fragrance of her skin warmed up his loins. The more he tried to suppress his thoughts of her, the most they came to him. That vision of Adelaide and Elisabeth, naked, in the sewing room was etched in his memory. He was confused about the nature of the relationship that he would have with her. Would she be a mistress who would only satisfy his carnal desires? Should he just treat this is as an affair? He had only started all this as a way of getting her away from Adelaide. But what he did account for was, how she would be something he desperately needed now.

  Thomas wasn’t even sure if she was someone who he would marry. There was the obvious gap in societal status that was to be considered. She was just an ordinary seamstress. He did not believe in the class system himself but he did have a certain image that he wanted to maintain. He wondered how people would see them when they attended balls together. Would they talk behind his back in hushed voices? He shrugged his shoulders as if to physically make the thought go away.

  “I should just go in. All this thinking is only making me nervous.” Thomas told himself as he pushed open the entry door.

  The bell on the entry door jingled as Thomas pushed it to let himself him. He looked around the shop and found two girls working. He could not see Elisabeth anywhere.

  “Might I help you with something sir?” asked Leona.

  “I am here to speak with Elisabeth. My name is Thomas. Is she here?” asked Thomas with a confused look on his face.

  “Please give me a moment. I shall fetch her for you.” Leona said as she excused herself.

  Leona came back soon after and told Thomas to wait and she would be with him shortly. Leona came back to her table and winked at Sally who was looking at her expectedly. They realized this was the man that was cause of Elisabeth’s foul mood in the recent weeks.

  Elisabeth came out of the small passage towards the end of the shop and turned to find Thomas standing, his fingers still pursed to his lips. He brought them down as soon as he saw her stepping into the room. The sight of her felt like a gush of wind across his face. It was as if he was woken up from sleep. Her face seemed to radiate as the sun bounced off the sewing equipment and splashed across her face. Thomas found it hard to come to terms with these feelings that she felt for her, as he had never felt like this for any other women that he had ever had in her life before her.

  “Hello Elisabeth! It’s good to see you!” Thomas mustered the courage to get it out of his mouth.

  “Hello. Thomas. What brings you here?” Elisabeth said as she he looked at Thomas. She was working inside the shop for such a long time that her eyes needed to adjust to the bright light from outside.

  “Robert told me that you are looking for a place to stay. So… I had an old carriage house which has been remodeled into a guest house and it remains unused all the time. You can use that space to stay as well keep your collection safe. Martha is my house maid and she will help you with anyth
ing else that you might require.” Thomas felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders as he said that.

  Elisabeth was quite shocked to hear that. “Was that suggestion made to you by Robert or was it Adelaide?” she asked Thomas.

  “It was Robert. But how does that matter?” Thomas sounded confused.

  “Because I told Adelaide that I did not want anybody’s help with this. I am more than capable of taking care of myself.” Elisabeth said sternly.

  “No it was not Adelaide. She told me nothing. She might have mentioned it to Robert as he is her husband and it is common for married people for share everything. Robert…. I really want to help you out and if it please you, you can pay rent for staying there as well.” Thomas sounded sincere as he tried to calm Elisabeth down.

  Elisabeth needed help. That much was certain. She knew that she won’t find a place like Thomas’s estate on rent. Moving to Thomas’s house would also mean that she could finally get over her relationship with Adelaide. It would give her a chance to get to know Thomas better. He did sound sincere when he made the proposal. He had certainly thought it through before he made that proposal. The thought of being so close to Thomas did seem very exciting to her.

  But what made her want to react in affirmative to Thomas’s proposal was that even though Robert being so thoughtful of her made her feel really good, she knew that the last thing that she wanted was to come between Adelaide and Robert again. That alone for her was reason enough to move to Thomas’s estate. She knew that it will give Robert and Adelaide the space that they so deserve.

  “Elisa, listen, you do not have to make up your mind right now. I understand that it might have come as a shock for you. I did not mean to do that.” Thomas said apologetically.

  “Would you excuse me for a moment please?” asked Elisabeth.

  “Of course. Certainly Elisa. I’ll wait for you right here.” Thomas said as he sat himself down in the plush chair.

  “Leona, Sally, come with me to the back please.” Elisabeth motioned towards the girls as she turned around and made her way back inside towards the back of the shop.

  Thomas was relieved that he had let out everything that he wished to tell her. And he was wondering how it would feel living together. He could not forget how sweet her skin tasted and how the skin just near her cleavage turn red as he kissed it harder. His mind went back to the evening before the ball that they all attended together. When Robert and Adelaide were in the other room, Thomas was kissing Elisabeth and touching her in places that made her squirm in delight. He remembered the rush that he felt as that sweet smell filled up his head and made him feel warm on the inside. He loved how her face expressed the waves of ecstasy she felt as he touched her skin. He loved how she smiled mischievously when she wanted to egg him on further, as he moved his hands below her dress and felt her thighs. Thomas never felt so engulfed with someone and crave her to this extent, as he craved for Elisabeth.

  But he could not let his lust overcome him. He had made up his mind when Robert was asking him to make this proposal itself that he would keep his distance from her. He would not stop anything from happening but he would not make any advances himself. Thomas was also certain that as time passed, their relationship would mature and she might even be convinced to be her mistress. And if all goes well, maybe they could share a future together as well.

  Towards the back of the shop it was Elisabeth’s turn to do the pacing. She paced up and down the room as both Sally and Leona looked on seated on chairs on either side of a small table that edged out of the walls. Seeing Elisabeth go from one end of the room to the other made their head go round.

  “I think moving in with Mr. Thomas would be good for you.” Sally said as she wished she could just shrivel up into a ball and disappear before she sees the look on Elisabeth’s face.

  “I know that. But what does that show about me?” Elisabeth was herself surprised that she reacted to the question so calmly.

  More confident now, Sally said “If you pay rent, it just shows that you are tenant. There is no harm in being a tenant. And we overheard you speaking to Ms. Adelaide the other day in the shop. This might also give you an opportunity to pursue Thomas romantically.” She was looking down by the time she finished.

  “You girls should learn to mind your manners more often. But I guess your argument does make sense. And the next time I find either of you eavesdropping on conversations, I will have you removed from this job.” Elisabeth said in the most severe voice that she could muster.

  In her head, she was already planning how she would go about moving her stuff. But she had to speak to Thomas and let him know of her decision. She rushed towards the front of the shop to let him know that she was willing to take a chance and move into his old carriage house.

  Thomas’s train of thoughts were interrupted as Elisabeth walked into the room. She looked calm enough and Thomas hoped her reply was in the affirmative. Thomas had made up his mind that if she did not agree to come live at his estate, he would stop pursuing her forever. He was not Robert who would wail in his loneliness and drown himself in alcohol over the actions of a woman. But he really hope she agreed.

  “I am ready to move in as a tenant, but only as a tenant. I insist on paying rent when I am there and I am not willing to debate on this.” Elisabeth said as she suppressed a smile.

  Thomas felt his mood change suddenly as he heard what Elisabeth said. The color came back to his face and he looked flush with happiness. The thought of staying so close to Elisabeth also brought across a slight blush on his cheeks.

  “You cannot imagine how good hearing that makes me feel. Please know that I will not let anything make you uncomfortable. You will have separate keys to the entrance door and for the house and will be free to use it at your own discretion.” Thomas wanted to make sure that he laid out everything on the table before she moved in.

  “That would be really helpful Thomas. I do not have a lot of things to move either and if you could please let me use your carriage for shifting my stuff, I would be grateful.” Elisabeth found it hard to speak to him after the way he had walked away, the last time she tried to speak to him. She cursed herself that night for being so insecure. She had never relied on anyone to make it this far in business and she definitely did not need to have any man by her side.

  “That will not be a problem Elisa. I will have my coachman come over here and you can confirm when you need him then.” Thomas said.

  “Alright then. See you soon!” Elisabeth said as Thomas got up to leave.

  “See you!” Thomas said as he slipped out through the door ensuring that he made as little sound as possible from the jingling of the bells.

  * * *

  Chapter 27

  Adelaide came bright and early that morning. She had stopped by a few days ago to enquire when Elisabeth had decided to shift and accordingly she would come down nice and early to help her pack and move into Thomas’s estate. She also told Elisabeth that she would also get Lissa along to help with shifting her things around and with Leona and Sally already available, they would be enough to help her shift without any problems. Adelaide was folding some of the last of Elisabeth’s clothes from her drawers and putting them into the open trunk in front of her.

  “So Ms. Elisabeth, how does it feel to move into the house of your lover?” She said as she giggled heartily.

  “Oh stop it, Adel! You know that is not why I am moving in with him. And moreover, we will be living separately. I am only moving into his estate.” Elisabeth said as she tried to explain herself.

  “I know that.” Adelaide said as she shook her head stifling a laugh.

  “Do you remember this dress Adel? It looked so great on you that night.” Elisabeth said as she lifted a dress up to her shoulders. It was made of green colored chiffon and it had trimmings all along the dress. It added more weight to the already gorgeous dress and make it look more grand. Elisabeth had worn this dress one night to a ball and she made all the heads in the r
oom turn as soon as she made an entrance.

  “I remember it very well Elisa. I know each and every dress that you have ever made for me. But how did it end up with you?” asked Adelaide with a confused look on her face.

  “You had split the seams when you were trying to take it out, remember? I had it picked up from Lissa the next day without telling you and tried to fix it to surprise you.” Elisabeth explained.

  “I love these things about you Elisa. You always manage to surprise me. You know what Robert did the other day?” asked Adelaide.

  Without waiting to hear back from Elisabeth, Adelaide said “He made breakfast for the two of us. He managed to whisk up some scrambled eggs which tasted horribly underdone, one pancake which I am sure was cooked by Lissa and orange juice. Can you imagine Robert going into the Kitchen to make breakfast? We had the most awesome session of lovemaking thereafter. I think we have come a long way in this relationship.”

  “He even made arrangement for a candle-lit dinner between me and him all alone in the middle of the lawn outside the house. We had wine, drank some champagne and had a great time. This was the first time in years that I felt that I had let myself go completely in his presence. It felt like we had our connection back and this was not triggered by any kind of a physical act. It felt really good from the inside. He has also become very caring although I admit he was always a doting husband. Each day we learn that we now know one unique thing about the other person. He also listens to what I like and dislike. Do you know he makes it a point that someone always had daffodils delivered to my room every morning? I am having the best days of my life, Elisa. I never thought I would say this, but I am glad that he found out that we were in a relationship. I think he tried harder because of that. Do you want to know something else?” asked Adelaide enticingly.

  “Of course! I am dying to know already!” exclaimed Elisabeth.