“Wonderfully,” Pansy said. She seemed a little confused and concerned that Muriel was asking her questions. “Shall we get you ready?”
“Of course,” Muriel said. She wanted to ask about last night, question her about the spanking and where they had gone so quickly. How had it ended? But she couldn’t figure out a way to bring up the subject, since it was something she was not supposed to see in the first place.
She dressed in silence, and when she was done, Pansy went to the dressing table and said, “How about this necklace to wear with your dress tonight?”
Dread filled her stomach as Muriel stared at the necklace. It was a simple gold chain with a pretty red stone hanging from it. She was about to say, “That’s not mine,” when she caught herself.
“Where is Ewan?” she asked.
“He was downstairs when I came up here,” Pansy said. Her concern had seemed to vanish and there was a lilt in her voice. “Do you want to wear the necklace now?”
“Yes,” Muriel said. She waited while Pansy fastened it around her neck. “I’m going downstairs now.” The minute she was in the hallway she took the necklace from her neck and put it in her pocket.
She leaned against the wall and put her hand to her chest. She didn’t want Pansy to see her this way. She was sure that Ewan had taken all the jewels from her room when he’d left last night. How did the necklace get into her room when she’d locked the door?
“You should have pushed something against the door,” she said.
“Pardon?” Pansy asked from behind her. “Are you all right, mademoiselle?”
“I thought we agreed on Muriel,” she said. “I’m fine, I’m just trying to wake up a little more before I go downstairs.”
“I see,” Pansy said, in a tone that said she thought Muriel had lost a few of her senses.
Muriel went downstairs and asked the first person she saw, who happened to be Patrick, if he had seen Ewan.
“In the garden,” Patrick said. He moved past her before she could say anything else.
After a little exploring she found the door and went outside. She’d been amazed by the flowers in front of the house when she’d arrived. Now she stood, her mouth open, and stared at the wonders before her. The flowers were in full bloom, and the smell was incredible. Paths went off in so many directions that Muriel wondered if a person would ever be able to explore them all.
Beautiful statues dotted the grounds. Muriel took a deep breath. She wanted to get lost in here forever and forget about the necklace that was weighing down her pocket.
Ewan wasn’t in plain sight, and she wasn’t sure where to look, what with the wandering paths taking off in all directions. She went down the stairs and stepped up next to a fountain.
“Ewan?” She looked around and called his name one more time.
“Here,” he said after a few long moments. He stepped out from a path to the right.
“What were you doing out there?” she asked.
“Walking,” he replied. He came up and stroked her arm, and then he kissed her, his touch gentle and sweet. For a moment, she forgot about necklaces and locked doors and people finding a way in despite the bolt.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Last night when I kissed you I got a much better response.”
She reached into her pocket and drew out the necklace. He stared at it, and she could see the confusion on his face.
“Is that yours, or did you forget to give me one last night?” he asked.
“No, and no,” she answered. “It was on my dressing table this morning when Pansy arrived to wake me.”
“Did you lock the door?” he asked.
“You know I did, you tried to open it once more after you left,” she said.
“Yes, after I left,” he said. “I should have stayed. I’ve been thinking about that issue you have.”
“Issue?” Muriel stared at him. “I found a necklace in my room, my locked room this morning. I think the issue we need to discuss is how someone got in there.”
“Simple, someone has a key,” he said. “I was thinking more about the issue of your virginity.”
“Don’t say it so loudly, and in such a public place,” she said.
“But it’s the gardens,” he said. “They are massive, and there are many different private spots where we can spread out a blanket and make love. It will catch the blood you shed, and it will be a wonderful memory for you.”
Blood. The word echoed in her mind. She hadn’t considered that, although she knew that breaking her hymen would mean she would shed blood.
“Can we think about the necklace and the fact it means someone was in my room last night… again!”
“Yes, well the only solution to that problem is that I will have to spend the night in there with you tonight.”
“You are incorrigible,” she said.
“You liked my presence last night, when I sent you soaring to the heavens,” he whispered. “Have you forgotten that incident?”
“Of course not,” she said.
“It is time for luncheon.” Muriel looked up to where Philip stood on the landing. He was not smiling.
“Good, because I’m very hungry,” Ewan said. He took her arm and started toward the door.
Muriel wanted to push away his touch, to tell him he shouldn’t make their dalliance so public, but something told her most of those attending already knew they were—they were what? She couldn’t think of a word to describe their relationship so she pushed the thought aside.
As they reached the stairs he kissed her cheek. “You go ahead, I have something I need to take care of out here.”
“What, are you digging up a place for new rose bushes?” she asked.
“Just go. I will be there shortly.”
Muriel watched as he walked back to the area where he’d come from. What was he doing out there? Had he truly been looking for a location to take her maidenhead? Or did he have another woman back there, one that he kissed and brought to orgasm and—she stopped before she completed the thought, but then it just flashed through her mind.
Maybe Pansy is back there and he is going to have sex with her, because she didn’t have the burden of a hymen.
Muriel stormed up the stairs, angry that he’d left her for whatever he was doing. Once inside she took her place at the table. This time she was sitting next to Thomas Bernard, who spoke very little English. She tried to converse with him in French, but the conversation stopped when he told her that her accent was so bad he couldn’t stand to listen to it anymore.
She prayed he was trying to buy the reliefs and she outbid him.
There were in the middle of the meal when Ewan appeared. He sat down next to Julia Petit and was soon engaged in conversation.
Muriel watched him as she ate. Her anger rose with every bite she took. He was up to something, she knew it. Maybe she should have talked to Philip about the jewelry. She wasn’t so sure she could trust Ewan. Of course, she wasn’t sure she could trust Philip, either. Or Pansy. She wondered if there was anyone in this house she could trust.
She tried to enjoy the meal, which was very good, but her mind wandered to the auction, and to the idea that she needed to figure out what was happening here.
She thought about the people around her, and how they were going to see the artifacts for the first time right after the meal was over. Well, the first time for most people. She would have to work on acting surprised since she’d viewed them last night. Of course, she’d only had the light of a candle to see them, which meant she hadn’t had a very good look.
When the meal was over, Patrick stood. “We’re all ready to see the artifacts.” His voice sounded angry, like he was tired of waiting. Muriel wondered if he was interested in the reliefs, or in some of the other artifacts she’d seen last night. She wished she’d taken a little more time to examine some of the other things.
“The room will be open in a few moments,” Philip said. As he talked, she couldn’t help but picture him
as she’d seen him last night, spanking Pansy with the wooden board. Somehow he seemed a little more dangerous to her than he had the yesterday when she’d arrived.
Muriel made a silent vow to stay on his good side. She was happy he didn’t know she’d broken the rules yesterday, especially since she’d been witness to something so personal as a spanking.
“Is there any way we could speed up the sale?” Patrick asked. “I would like to get back to Paris as soon as possible. I have things to take care of there.”
“No,” Philip said. “There is something coming in tomorrow, a surprise for the sale. Now, if you wish to put in a bid and leave, I can let you know if you were successful. But you would not be able to bid on the new items.”
“Items as in plural?” Ewan asked. “You made it sound as if it would be one thing the first time you spoke.”
“We’re not sure of the contents of the box,” Philip said. “But you will not be able to see it until tomorrow.”
“So you’re holding us hostage.” Patrick spat the words out. “I don’t appreciate being forced to stay.”
“You knew the rules when you arrived,” Philip said. “We are not changing things, for you, or for anyone else.”
Patrick mumbled under his breath and Muriel couldn’t quite make out the words. She lowered her head to hide her smile. Then she gasped when someone put his hand on her back and leaned into her.
Even without being able to see, with her gaze lowered, she knew it was Ewan.
“Don’t go straight to the reliefs,” he whispered in her ear. He kissed her cheek before he continued, “If you do, they’ll know we were in the room.”
She wanted to tell him he was wrong, but she knew he wasn’t. If she made a beeline to the reliefs, Philip would be suspicious, and she didn’t want that. The items she wanted were against the wall that contained the doorway. It would be best to look around, and then act like she’d suddenly “found them.”
“Very well,” she said. She turned her face up to him and he kissed her, his lips gentle.
“Looks like someone found more than artifacts at this gathering,” Della Bernard said with a giggle. “Such a fine specimen, too. I wish he would have worn his kilt today, though.”
Muriel blushed, as several of the guests joined in her laughter. She managed a smile, hoping it would discourage less talk about her dalliance with Ewan. As she started for the door she noticed that Philip was staring at her. The look on his face was not happy. When he caught her gaze he smiled, but the look didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Shall we,” he said. He ushered everyone into the hallway, and then he moved in front of them. Taking a key from his pocket he unlocked the door.
Today the room was brightly lit, and that was not the only difference Muriel saw. The kneelers that had been in here before were gone, and the empty table was now filled with figurines of couples in various sexual positions.
“How wonderful!” Della said in French. She rushed to the table and picked up a statue that showed a woman on all fours with a man behind her. The stone couple was hip to hip, so it was obvious they were having intercourse.
Della was speaking such rapid French that Muriel could hardly keep up. She caught words that indicated Della wanted to purchase the entire table’s worth of artifacts. Thomas seemed less enthused.
Simon and Julia were examining Egyptian items against the far wall, and Patrick and Patrice were walking around and not centering their attentions on any particular group.
Muriel decided to examine the wall where the reliefs were, despite Ewan’s warning. But as she turned, he stepped up next to her and put his hand on the small of her back. “Let’s look at the Egyptian items,” he said. “We’ll make the Petits think they have to bid against us.”
“That’s not being very gentlemanly,” she said.
“I told you last night, I’m not a gentleman,” he stated.
“Truer words were never spoken,” Muriel said. “But I don’t want to see the Egyptian items. I want to look at the statues on the table.”
She bypassed Della and picked up one toward the middle of the table. When she had it in her hand she realized what it was, and she blushed. A woman was on her back, seated on top of a man. His prick was in her, and her head was thrown back in obvious pleasure. A second man knelt next to them, his stone fingers playing at the top of her quim.
What would it feel like, Muriel wondered, to have two men at one time? Surely it would be something sinful that she should not even think about. She looked around the table. Most of the statues featured three, or more people. She was about to reach for another, one of the larger ones, that showed a woman sandwiched between two men while another knelt in front of her.
“She has all three of her openings filled,” Ewan whispered in her ear. “Her quim, her ass, and her mouth. What do you think of that? Even if you do not participate in something so deliciously wonderful it would be fun to fantasize about it. While your fingers are on your quim, and I’m in you, you can think about this, and come even harder than you did last night when I played with you.”
Muriel shivered, partly from his words, but also because he was right. The statue in front of her produced highly erotic thoughts that were making the juices flow between her legs.
She was imaging being part of this configuration when a hand grasped her wrist and squeezed.
“That is mine,” Della said. “Put it down.”
“Not yet it’s not,” Muriel said. “The sale has not even started.”
“I am buying it,” Della said. She tightened her grip and Muriel gasped in pain.
“Unhand her,” Ewan said.
Della continued to stare at Muriel. “Not until she tells me she’s not going to bid on these pieces.”
“I’ll do no such thing,” Muriel said. “Try your coercion somewhere else.”
Della frowned, and Muriel knew the Frenchwoman did not understand the word.
“It’s means you’re trying to intimidate another buyer, and I won’t allow that,” Ewan said. “Unhand her.”
“Or what?” Della asked. “You’ll strike a woman? Besides, you have no say in this matter. Go away.”
“No, I won’t strike you, but I will make it a very unpleasant time for you,” Ewan said.
“Her knight in shining armor,” Della said in her heavily accented English. “How very quaint. Why don’t you two go off in a corner and play with each other while we adults tend to the more important things in life.”
“Della, I must insist that you unhand Muriel,” Philip said. “Ewan took the words out of my mouth. I will not allow you intimidate another buyer.”
Muriel did not know when he’d joined them, but the look on his face was sterner than she’d seen just moments ago in the dining hall. “You will keep your hands to yourself, Della, or I will be forced to evict you from the showing.”
Della dropped Muriel’s hand and she moved away without apologizing, or acknowledging Philip.
“She’s a charmer,” Ewan said. “I hope she doesn’t win these items. I think it would be a horrible injustice.”
Philip moved away. Muriel giggled, and then she lifted up on her toes and kissed Ewan.
“You are a cad,” she said.
“I believe you’ve uttered those words before.” He kissed her again, and the room seemed to melt away. She knew she was supposed to be looking at the reliefs, but all she could see was Ewan, her knight in shining armor.
She was wishing he would kiss her again, and then lead her to the reliefs when Patrick’s voice broke the spell.
“Where are the Fortuna reliefs?” he asked, his voice sharp. “That is one of the things I want to purchase, and they are not in this room. Where are they?”
Muriel stared up at Ewan in shock, and then she turned to the place where the reliefs had been last night when she’d snuck into the room.
They wall was empty.
Muriel’s stomach twisted into a knot.
“Where are they?
” Patrick all but screamed.
“Do not let your temper over take the viewing,” Philip said. “I am sure they are here somewhere.” He went into a hallway and called the names Gabriel and Nolen. When the two men, whom Muriel had never seen before, entered the room, Philip started speaking to them in rapid French. They both said, “Oui,” right before they left.
“Everyone will congregate in the dining hall, please,” Philip said.
“What are those men doing?” Patrick asked.
“In the dining hall, please,” Philip said.
“I want an answer,” Patrick said.
“And I want order,” Philip said. “The items in this room are rare and expensive, and while I try to find out what has happened with the Fortuna reliefs, I won’t allow you to stay in here with them. Please, all of you go, or I will cancel the auction all together.”
There were mumblings and grumblings from the others as they filed out of the room and went back into the dining hall. Philip closed the door behind them, and when they were alone, Ewan took her hand and led her to a corner. He kissed her and she resisted the urge to push him away and scream at him.
“Speak against my lips so that others think we are kissing,” he said. Her lips quivered as he spoke against them.
“Did you take them?” she asked.
“Why would I do that?” he responded.
“Isn’t that what you were doing in the garden this morning?”
“Stealing the reliefs?” he asked. “They weren’t there, they were in the auction room.”
She tried to move away, but he held her close.
“Were you hiding them?” she asked. “Should I be checking under your fingernails for dirt? Of course, the question is how would you get them back out after things are done? Would you have to sneak back in here and dig them up?”
“No!” This time her whole face quivered. The anger on his face was deep, but she watched as he calmed down, his scowl disappeared and he said, “I was hiding the jewels.”
“What?”
“The ones found in your room.” he said, looking down at her. “The jewels are part of some sort of plan. I don’t know what yet, but if someone reports them missing, and they are found in your room, it’s not a far leap for someone to think you are a thief and took the reliefs as well.”
Muriel’s Adventures Page 5
