by Clare Ashton
Pia’s breasts filled the shirt where a man’s broad chest had been, and her mother pinned back the folds of spare material to mould the shirt around her tummy. The trousers were a surprisingly good fit and, with some more judicious pinning, her mother tailored the jacket into a more feminine line. As an afterthought, her mother slicked back Pia’s hair with water and drew her towards the mirror.
Pia stared at her svelte image in the reflection. Her wet hair, tight around her head, enhanced her slim features. Pia’s eyes appeared more beautiful and defined. Her mother had tucked and curved the suit around her so that there was no doubt about the gender of the person inside.
Her mother drew her fingers to her mouth in prayer. ‘Oh mija.’
Pia blushed when she saw her mother’s tearful admiration. ‘Will it do mama?’
Her mother pulled her close and kissed her on the cheek. ‘I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman.’
Chapter 21.
‘Ed?’
Pia had been following a tall, elegant lady across the gravel to the entrance of Sir Charles’ house. The woman had swept-back grey hair and was dressed in a long flowing cloak: a striking appearance. When the woman twirled round, a version of Ed with contact lenses and a flourish of makeup stared at her.
‘Ed. You’re stunning.’ Pia beamed.
‘Well look at you shortarse,’ Ed replied. She gestured for Pia to twirl. ‘It’s not as if you’re ever hard on the eye, but you scrub up deliciously.’ She swirled Pia round and looked her up and down with more than a little admiration. ‘You know, if I were twenty years younger…’ She considered for a moment. ‘That’s bollocks, I would have you now if you weren’t so in love with that Cate woman.’
Pia laughed and offered an arm to the sophisticated lady who towered above her. ‘Shall we?’
‘We shall.’ Ed grinned.
The entrance hall sparkled with chandelier lights and chatter filled the air. People crossed to and fro with a ripple of a gown or cloak. The full, resonant sound of a live jazz band playing The Very Thought of You echoed through from the ballroom and Pia felt like she’d entered a different world. Someone squeezed their fingers around Pia’s arm and she spun round to see Lady Wynne.
‘Pia, you look dashing this evening.’ Lady Wynne smiled.
Whether it was because of the whiff of Champagne in the air or the feeling of confidence that her suit imbued, Pia kissed Lady Wynne on both cheeks.
‘Thank you for inviting me.’
‘It’s a pleasure. Cate has such a high regard for you and Ed. I’m overjoyed to see you both.’
‘Well I’m glad to hear it,’ Ed said with customary confidence and a wry smile.
‘Oh yes. She’s very fond of you and respects you too. Which is more than I can say for some of the numpties here. Some of the ones she knows through Rafe, I don’t know.’ She rolled her eyes.
Lady Wynne took Pia by one arm and Ed by the other. ‘Let me welcome you properly. Let’s get you a drink.’
They were met in the ballroom by waiters with Champagne. Lady Wynne handed them bubbling glasses and ushered them through to a quieter spot at the back of the ballroom. Pia glanced over the crowd, congregating in polite circles and sporadically breaking into loud guffaws.
Wynne placed her hand on Pia’s arm. ‘Cate will be down in a few moments. She’s just getting dressed. It’s been a stressful day for her, so I’m sure she’ll be eager to relax with you two.’
‘Wynne!’ The irate and deep voice of Sir Charles couldn’t avoid being heard. ‘Where’s Lady Wynne?’
‘Here dear.’ Wynne waved in the air with an irritated flourish.
Sir Charles’ large frame and ruddy face burst through the mass. ‘Ah Wynne. Where the hell is Cate? Intolerable to be late to your own party.’
‘Rubbish. She needn’t turn up at all. That’s her prerogative.’
Sir Charles made a noise not unlike a horse snorting. ‘Well. I’m not at all impressed with her today.’
‘Later my dear. Let’s all just try to behave with some decorum for the duration of the party.’
Sir Charles ruffled his shoulders and cleared his throat before Pia caught his attention. ‘Ah, Peter. Well, good to see you here at least.’
‘Peter?’ Ed said. ‘Who the hell’s Peter?’ Further inquiry was stifled by a gentle but firm elbow to Ed’s ribs from Lady Wynne.
‘Has Wynne got you drinking Champagne?’ Sir Charles looked appalled. ‘Let’s get you a real drink. You there,’ he bellowed towards a waiter. ‘Get a large Talisker for this man. Or are you more of a Speyside kind of chap?’
‘Talisker’s fine,’ Pia replied in her deepest voice.
Ed had crossed her arms and was querying her with an eyebrow. The whisky was prompt and Pia began to glug it out of terror.
‘I’m trying to find Cate’s friend Toby,’ Sir Charles continued. ‘Do you know the fellow?’
‘Me?’ Pia said a couple of octaves too high. She dropped her chin onto her chest and growled. ‘No. Sorry. I don’t.’
‘Oh.’ Sir Charles peered around. ‘Stupid fellow has just bought a two-hundred acre estate and he hasn’t got the first idea about countryside management. I promised to show him his way round a shotgun. The sissy’s never fired one in his life.’
‘Perhaps another time might be more appropriate.’ Lady Wynne held his arm. ‘This is Cate’s party. I much prefer to spend birthdays without the sound of accidental gunshot.’
‘Well. If the girl ever shows up…’ Sir Charles turned back and for the first time he seemed to notice all three of them. ‘Well, Peter, are you going to introduce me to your lady friend?’
It took a moment or two for Pia to register who he meant. She spluttered her apology and gestured towards her companion.
‘Sir Charles, this is my boss, Ed.’
‘Ed?’ Sir Charles snapped. ‘What the hell kind of name is that for a woman?’
‘A better one than Peter,’ Ed replied, and she matched Sir Charles’ firm handshake.
Pia stared at Ed with alarm and tilted her whisky glass to her lips with a nervous twitch.
‘That’s the spirit my boy.’ Sir Charles slapped her between the shoulder blades so that the air spat out of her lungs. ‘Let’s get you another.’ And he swung round to find a waiter.
‘Thanks,’ Pia wheezed.
‘Take it easy shortarse,’ Ed said behind her hand. ‘I’ve seen you on half a bottle of pop and it wasn’t pretty.’
Sir Charles turned back, disgust wrinkling his features. ‘Being bossed around by a woman, Peter? Good god man. Show her what you’re made of.’
Ed smiled. ‘I’ve seen what Peter’s made of, and it’s not quite what you think.’
Between the downed whisky and Ed’s remark, Pia’s heart went into palpitations. ‘Another drink would be good,’ she said, her deep voice breaking a little.
‘Good. Good.’ Sir Charles passed her the glass that had been delivered in haste by a nervous waiter. ‘Drink up. You don’t want to be a pussy.’
‘No,’ Ed said. ‘I wouldn’t want you to be a pussy. Just a part of you.’
‘Jesus Ed,’ Pia whispered.
Lady Wynne coughed and took Sir Charles’ arm. ‘Come on dear. Let’s allow these two to enjoy the party. I’m sure Peter is man enough to find drinks on his own.’
‘What?’ Sir Charles barked. ‘Yes of course, of course.’ They faced the crowd into which Sir Charles bellowed, ‘Ah, Toby! There you are. I must take you to the gun room.’ And they disappeared into the throng.
Pia gasped out and almost flopped to the floor with the release of tension.
‘Now shortarse.’ Ed held her hands on her hips. ‘How the bloody hell did you get into that mess?’
‘It’s a long story.’ Pia wiped her brow. ‘But please play along. He’s a terrible bigot and I’d rather he thought I was a bloke than a lesbian.’
‘Oh man up, Peter.’ Ed snorted. ‘He can’t be that bad. You need to grow a pair sometim
es. Quite literally if you’re going to pull that off.’
Pia implored her. ‘He’s a very unpleasant man, and one that owns a bloody shotgun. In fact several by the sound of it.’
Ed laughed and patted her arm. ‘Keep your boxers on shortarse.’ And Ed took a swig of her Champagne. When the glass reached full tilt she stopped as if she’d spotted something startling. She lowered it slowly as her mouth dropped in unison.
‘What?’ Pia asked. She stretched up on tip-toes to see what had caught Ed’s eye.
‘Oh dear,’ Ed whispered.
‘What?’
Ed gulped and turned to look at Pia, a serious expression on her face. ‘If I were you, I would avoid Cate this evening.’
‘Why? What’s happened?’
Ed didn’t have a chance to reply. Pia followed the line of Ed’s gaze, trying to peer over the heads of the crowd. And then the bodies parted and Pia had clear sight of Cate gliding towards them.
She wore a dress that covered enough for modesty but teased at Pia’s imagination relentlessly. With every step, the diaphanous fabric of her silver dress flowed around her legs. A slit revealed naked skin almost to her hip. It winked for a moment before the glimpse was cruelly taken away. The neckline plunged to her waist, the beginning of the tantalising curve of her breasts visible. With Pia’s fervent imagination, she may as well have been naked.
Cate smiled as she waved to a group of people. She mouthed an excuse to another. Then her eyes met Pia’s.
She stopped in the middle of the room. The light in her eyes, a vestige from her polite smiles for her guests, turned dark. Pia had never witnessed such an intense look of longing as she saw in Cate. She couldn’t move.
Cate approached, never removing her gaze from Pia. They drew together irresistibly and stood close, not uttering a word. Pia glowed with desire. She could feel her skin respond with arousal and craving. Her heart beat slow and strong and her chest rose with deep hot breaths. She could see Cate’s breasts rise and fall with the same passionate force.
Pia’s mouth fell open. Her fingers released her glass without thought, and it fell into the hands of Ed who slipped away from the entranced pair.
The lights were dimmed and the room filled with more bodies. The gentle sway of the slow jazz mesmerised and sedated the crowd. People flowed around them and still Pia could not take her eyes from Cate. As people streamed around the room, those who wanted to dance, those who wanted to watch and those who wanted to drink, Cate and Pia remained unmoved in the middle of the eddies of dancing couples.
Cate raised her hand and, no longer aware of their surroundings, Pia gently met it with her yearning fingers. The touch was thrilling. Pins and needles of pleasure danced through her arm and filled her body with arousal. She slipped her hand around Cate’s back and the sensation of bare soft skin made her gasp.
‘I can’t.’ Pia’s voice was strangled. She pulled away, but Cate held her firm. ‘I can’t trust myself,’ Pia said in desperation.
‘You don’t need to.’ Cate’s words were as good as a gentle caress down Pia’s breasts and between her legs.
Pia quivered with both arousal and distress. ‘Where’s Rafe?’
‘He’s not coming.’ Cate’s eyes didn’t waver for a second.
She rested her hand on Pia’s shoulder and slowly swayed her hips to the music. Pia could feel her body undulate beneath her hand. Slow and seductive, Cate closed the gap. The lightest touch between them made Pia tremble with shocks of excitement. Breasts against breasts, nipples teasing nipples, legs sliding between legs.
Pia’s breath was short, just an inch away from Cate’s ear. ‘You can’t do this to me.’
Cate’s lips stroked her cheek and she whispered, ‘I’ve been wanting nothing else.’
Her breasts rose and fell, passionately caressing Pia’s with every deep inhalation so that waves of tingling pleasure pulsed through Pia’s body.
‘Please,’ Pia begged. ‘You’ve no idea what you’re doing to me.’
Cate didn’t breathe a word. She reached behind her back and slipped Pia’s hand over her hips.
Pia’s fingers inflamed as they stroked over Cate’s curves. The silky material slid over Cate’s body with no resistance and Pia realised that Cate was completely naked beneath her dress. The thought of being able to slip her finger around the slit of the dress, around her thigh and into her warm hair made her groan.
‘Seriously.’ Pia gulped. ‘If you kissed me….’
Cate stopped, her eyes wide and intense. Her hand slid from Pia’s shoulder and she turned away. For a moment Pia thought she might be abandoning her, and then she felt Cate’s urgent fingers pull her through the crowd.
Chapter 22.
‘No-one will find us here,’ Cate said.
She pulled Pia into the half-light of the mediaeval bedroom. The door slammed and fans of swords rattled on the wooden panelling. They stood for a moment, dark eyes staring, expectant lips parted, chests heaving with passion.
Cate swept forward. Her lips were hot and keen over Pia’s mouth. Cate’s hands were eager, seeking Pia’s breasts as she swept her backwards, crashing into the wall. Cate devoured her. She kissed across Pia’s lips, cheeks, down her neck, all the time squeezing her breasts in rhythm.
‘Harder,’ Pia breathed.
Cate stroked her breasts into her palms and, with a knowing deftness, her fingers and thumbs pinched her nipples. Thrilling spasms of excitement charged through Pia’s breasts again and again as Cate pinched and teased her. Pia stared at her, overwhelmed by a piquant mix of fear and arousal as Cate pinched her harder than she ever dared desire.
When Pia groaned with exquisite gratification, Cate’s pupils flooded her eyes. The look on her face was predacious. She tugged at Pia’s jacket and tore at her shirt. When Cate’s fingers stroked inside the waistband of Pia’s trousers, excitement sparked between her legs and she tensed and pulsed inside.
Pia floundered, left incapable from arousal. Cate pulled her around and walked her back towards the four-poster bed, all the while thrusting and rubbing between her legs. Pia panted enraptured. Her trousers and boxers relented to Cate’s insistent tearing and her abundant warm moisture slipped over her legs as Cate stripped them down.
Clumsy and disoriented from pure burning lust, Pia stumbled back. She reached out and her fingers found the thick woven curtains that hung round the bed. Cate savaged her with kisses. She nibbled and licked her neck, devoured her chest. She took Pia’s nipple between her teeth and tongue and sucked her hard so that Pia almost blacked out from the arousal that pulsed deep inside every single part of her body.
She writhed in ecstasy, pulling at the curtains, which snapped one ring at a time with every convulsion of pleasure. Cate pushed her onto the bed and gorged herself on Pia’s naked body, kissing her as she slipped down to her knees. As Pia relinquished any vestige of control, she felt Cate’s soft fingers stroke either side of her clitoris. They slipped in her moisture and parted her short hair in readiness.
Cate’s tantalising tongue lapped at the bottom of her lips. She dipped deep inside and Pia groaned. Her tongue ran agonisingly slowly around the top of her lips, and then Pia, insensible with anticipation, felt her clitoris being sucked between Cate’s lips.
‘Oh fuck,’ Pia cried. She thrust herself into Cate’s mouth. ‘Fuck.’
Cate buried her face into her and Pia grasped her hair.
‘Fuck!’ Pia screamed.
She pulled Cate’s head harder between her legs. Her body curled taut in ecstasy and she groaned a single loud note of insane pleasure.
‘Oh my fucking god,’ Pia gasped.
She fell back onto the bed exhausted. Her body hummed with satisfied delight from her core all the way to the tips of her fingers. Cate kissed her with the gentlest strokes of her lips, easing her down.
The door crashed open. The weapons on the panelling reverberated around the room and Pia’s eyes shot open.
‘What the blazes is going
on in here?’ shouted the unmistakeable voice of Sir Charles.
Pia’s belly froze and panic constricted her heart. She couldn’t see Sir Charles, but his shadow was cast by the corridor light onto the curtains at the end of the bed. His intimidating frame loomed large with a long erection. Pia recognised that long thin shape. It was Sir Charles’ shotgun and he wouldn’t be pleased to see her.
‘Sir Charles!’ Cate jumped to her feet and smoothed down her dress.
‘Who devil’s in there with you?’ Sir Charles shouted. ‘It better be Rafe.’
Pia’s heart cantered in her chest and threatened to burst out of her ribs. Her skin burned with embarrassment and terror and she crouched on the bed ready to flee. If she’d been calm and collected she would have jumped off the bed with precision and sprinted for the door. But this was as far removed from collected as Pia had been in her life.
Like a terrified animal she leapt through the curtain. Her frantic form shrouded in the curtain flew through the air into the bulk of Sir Charles. Though slight in comparison, Pia’s small body sprang with such velocity that the old knight was sent sprawling to the floor. As Pia landed on the irate gentlemen a deafening shot exploded over her head.
She heard Cate shout. ‘Jesus Christ, that thing’s loaded.’
Pia leapt to her feet and ran for the door. She sped down the corridor where she knew there were no loos and leapt onto the attic staircase. She spun, wide-eyed with panic, and watched the corridor. No-one yet followed and she crouched in the dark stairwell, her chest heaving.
‘What the hell is going on?’ Lady Wynne appeared at the top of the main stairs, her face red with indignation.
Sir Charles strode into view and bellowed ‘There’s a naked man loose in the house. A naked man with enormous breasts.’
Before a stunned Wynne could intervene, Sir Charles pounded down the corridor towards Pia, the shotgun still grasped in his hand.
‘The coward ran this way,’ he roared.
Pia’s breath screamed through her teeth as she stared at the approaching knight.
