Sapphic Secrets Read online

  Lillianne’s mind flashed back to the din at Draper Mill. The dusty mill girls, the rows and rows of machines. Her thoughts of Ewan, even then. Her sex pulsed.

  ‘Celeste, please, I –’

  ‘I had a friend at home. A very close friend. Yvonne,’ Celeste said, staring ahead now. ‘She and I would play a game together as girls. A game of daring. I would put a hand on a part of her body and would move it closer and closer to a more private part, until either she cried stop or I lost my nerve. Of course, we both wanted it to go on and on. But it took us months of playing before either of us would allow it. I remember the first time she let me lay my hand on her breast …’

  Lilly felt her pulse quicken as she imagined her friend engaged in a game of such sweet exploration. Celeste’s pupils were dilated and her look showed she was a million miles away. Or at least as far as rural Quebec.

  ‘Even times after we allowed our hands to stray to those special spots we always began our game of daring from the outside extremities of our bodies and worked our way in. The anticipation was delicious.’ She shuddered visibly, and Lilly felt the heat from her story working through her as well. ‘Yvonne’s warm hand moving up my leg. Closer and closer. And me, wondering if she would stop. Wondering if I would stop her.’ Celeste’s breathing was shallow now, her lips parted. ‘That’s what those vibrations of the machine would make me think of.’

  Celeste got up, moving to sit on Dr Samms’ wheeled seat. The one he placed between the narrow wheeled tables Lilly’s legs were strapped to. ‘Perhaps we could play our own game of daring,’ she said. She placed her hand on Lilly’s ankle and stroked it lovingly. Lilly felt the sensations of the light caress throughout her whole body. ‘Would you stop me, Lillianne?’ She moved her hands up Lilly’s shin, stroking her thigh.

  Lilly’s breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t push words past her lips.

  ‘You know, after a while,’ Celeste whispered, ‘we began to play our game with our mouths.’ She bent down and kissed the inside of Lilly’s thigh, slow, sweet kisses, her tongue laving the soft skin there. ‘After spending a long, long time kissing these spots here, soon I would smell the sweet fragrance of her arousal.’ Celeste inhaled deeply. ‘Just as I can smell yours now.’

  ‘Celeste …’ Lilly whispered, cringing hard in shame. ‘Please.’

  ‘Are you asking me to stop, madame?

  ‘Oh, I really,’ Lilly managed, gasping. ‘I really – think you – probably should.’

  ‘Of course, madame,’ Celeste said, lifting her head from Lilly’s thigh but remaining seated there between her legs. ‘But since I shared with you,’ she began, smoothing Lilly’s skirts down between her legs. ‘Perhaps you might share with me your thoughts.’ She placed her palm over the apex of where she’d been stroking the fabric of her mistress’s skirts, pushed firm pressure with the heel of her hand down on the mound there. ‘The thoughts you had while you pressed the vibrations through this part of you.’

  Lilly moaned from the sweet pressure. She thought of those vibrations that would pulse through her as she worked her machine at the mill and her hips involuntarily bucked into Celeste’s hand.

  ‘Even though things are so lovely here at Draper Estate, I’m sure part of you misses that certain part of your job, non?’ Celeste whispered. She began to vibrate her hand in tiny, side to side motions against the swelling flesh beneath Lilly’s skirts. ‘You know, madame, I could make you feel that way again.’

  ‘Oh, Celeste. No. Please…’

  ‘I could make you feel so many things,’ Celeste said breathily, ignoring Lilly’s protests.

  As she continued to shake her hand on Lilly’s mound in tight, quivering motions that mimicked the sewing machine, Lilly thought back to that morning, the one that seemed so long ago now, when she was still Lillianne Saunders working at the Draper Mill. When Weiler, the mill foreman, had spied her actions and taken her into the backroom. Her life was for ever altered that day. If Weiler hadn’t taken her into his office she wouldn’t have met Ewan the way she did. And perhaps she wouldn’t be married to him now.

  Little did she know Dr Phillip Samms was at the mill, discussing that same day at that very same moment.

  Chapter Three

  ‘Samms, what the hell are you doing?’ Ewan yelled over the din of the mill.

  He stood over his friend, who was bent down beneath one of his unused machines.

  ‘I’m just examining the workings of one of your machines here,’ Phillip yelled back. He rose and, dusting himself off, turned to face his associate. ‘Interesting. I’ve never really paid attention to the mechanics.’

  ‘This is a quick turn away from the medical field,’ Ewan remarked, leading his colleague out of the work room where they could talk without yelling.

  ‘On the contrary, my friend,’ Phillip said. ‘This is all in the process of my studies.’

  Ewan frowned but said nothing.

  ‘How is your lovely wife this morning?’ Phillip asked with exaggerated pleasantry.

  ‘Fine,’ Ewan mumbled, turning to address some paperwork that Bob Brighton was handing him.

  ‘Well, that’s good to hear.’ He paused a moment, looking towards the work room. ‘Your man Brighton here mentioned Lilly had some trouble with Weiler when they were both still in your employ here at the mill.’

  Ewan frowned and glanced at Brighton who quickly turned and dashed back to the office.

  ‘Weiler was a shifty little –’ Ewan began, but then stopped. ‘He was unnecessarily harsh with our girls. I caught him being abusive to Lillianne. Naturally, I didn’t want such a character working at Draper Mill.

  ‘I see,’ Phillip said. ‘It’s just that Brighton mentioned there is occasional trouble with the, uh, misuse of the machines. Said that Weiler saw Lilly –’

  ‘I told you about Weiler,’ Ewan snapped. ‘He was abusive and I fired him.’

  ‘Ewan, I ask out of concern. The more we understand about what can cause an attack of Lilly’s illness the more we can help her. Now, I’m glad to hear she’s well today …’

  ‘She’s not.’ Ewan sighed, head bowed.

  Phillip said nothing, just waited for Ewan to continue.

  ‘There was another incident this morning,’ Ewan said finally, rubbing his forehead, then his chin.

  ‘Ah,’ Phillip said.

  ‘I’ve promised her a bit more time to see if we can’t work it out on our own, Phillip.’ Ewan looked at his friend. ‘But we may need you back.’

  ‘Well, obviously I think the situation requires constant monitoring, Ewan. As I’ve told you, left alone and she could be thrown into a pattern of constant masturbation. It could lead to the asylum, Ewan. I have been plain with you on that fact.’

  ‘Yes, I am aware of that,’ Ewan replied through gritted teeth, looking around them. ‘And I would appreciate you keeping your voice down when discussing these private matters.’ Philllip cleared his throat but said nothing. ‘Anyway, for the time being, I have Celeste staying with her.’

  Phillip nodded gravely, with only the slightest hint of a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

  ‘That frigid wench will certainly ensure she is secure,’ Ewan spat.

  * * *

  Celeste tightened the bonds firmly at Lilly’s wrists.

  ‘I’m so glad you are here to play my games with me now I no longer have Yvonne, madame,’ Celeste said.

  ‘My dear friend, no. I didn’t say that,’ Lilly said. Her housemaid had succeeded in slowly peeling off all of Lilly’s clothing while only undoing one bond at a time to get the garments completely off while still ensuring Lilly could not get free. Now Lilly lay totally naked, more helpless than ever.

  Celeste gazed down at her. ‘You look so beautiful,’ she said, as she circled Lilly’s body, trailing her fingertips all over her, making Lilly shiver. ‘I know you will enjoy them too, nos jeux, our games.’ She ran her fingers up Lilly’s arm to her breast before slowly circling the pucker of her nipple. �
�See? Look how your nipples stiffen for me.’ As she spoke, she tweaked each one. Currents of sensation ran straight down to Lilly’s sex as she gasped.

  ‘Celeste, no. Please. We can’t do this.’ But Lilly’s protests sounded weak, especially as Celeste continued to pluck at her sensitive peaks and her body was bathed in arousal. Celeste bent her head down and began to tongue the little puckered bit of flesh closest to her as she rolled the other between forefinger and thumb.

  ‘No, Celeste! No!’ Lilly panted, all while her hips bucked up.

  Celeste looked up then. Suddenly, the faraway look in her eyes was gone and the darker shadows were back.

  ‘You want me to stop, madame?’ She went and stood in the V made by the narrow tables Lilly’s legs were strapped to. ‘If I part your nether lips,’ she whispered, ‘will I find the seed the doctor speaks of?’

  ‘Please, Celeste,’ Lilly breathed. ‘Don’t.’

  Celeste sat down on the chair and, with fingers on each of her outer lips, she eased Lilly apart and peered between her legs. ‘You are very wet, madame,’ she said.

  Lilly moaned as Celeste pressed two fingers inside her and, with a scooping C motion along the inner walls of her clenching hole, pulled out an abundance of clear, gooey wetness.

  Lilly had never seen the evidence of her wanting like this, never had it studied, sampled, and presented to her in this manner, and she squirmed in embarrassment as Celeste held her sticky fingers up. Celeste, however, was unabashed as she stared in her mistress’s eyes and hungrily licked Lilly’s arousal off her fingers. ‘Madame,’ she whispered silkily. ‘It is necessary for you to be bound here with me all day, non? Perhaps we can find a way to make it a little more pleasant.’ She stood and stripped off her own clothing. ‘Then maybe I could clear away the evidence of your seed each day before Monsieur Draper gets home.’ Totally naked now, she came close to Lilly’s bound frame and leant down so that her mouth was by Lilly’s ear. ‘With my tongue.’

  Oh God. Her tongue. Lilly shivered to her core at the memory of what Celeste’s tongue could do. She knew she should stop her, tell her no, but her sex pulsed hungrily in desperation for that slithery tongue.

  ‘Right now, for example, I am thinking of something,’ the maid said as she ran her hands over her own body and pinched her nipples into peaks. She startled Lilly by climbing up onto the table where her torso was strapped down. As she placed a knee on either side of Lilly’s head, her voice became low and husky. ‘It is a game Yvonne named. It’s called Kitty with a Bowl of Cream.’

  And, holding her labia open above Lilly’s head, Celeste bid Lilly to stick out her tongue.

  * * *

  Once Bob Brighton explained to Phillip where he could find Dick Weiler it didn’t take him long.

  The Boston pub wasn’t busy at that time of day. Phillip bought Weiler a pint of lager and explained who and what he wanted to talk about. The surly little man was only too eager to oblige.

  ‘I saw it often enough,’ Weiler said. ‘Draper’s little harlot was hardly the first.’ He took a swig of his drink and went on. ‘It’s mostly the young ones, though not always.’ He grinned. ‘I’ve dealt with some needy little spinsters too. Often the homely ones are the most neglected, the ones most wanting a seeing-to, ya know.’ He raised an eyebrow at Phillip. ‘I imagine a fancy doctor like yourself has all kinds of airs, but not me. I don’t mind the plain ones. I’m not staring at the mantel while I’m poking the fire, ya know.’ This set Weiler off into a horrendous, wheezy cackle. Phillip, a distasteful sneer set across his face, waited a moment and then got Weiler back to talking about what he’d seen of the machines.

  ‘It’s partly working the treadles, ya know, that does it. They’re constantly flexing and relaxing their legs as they work the machine along. Plus there’s a hum from the machines that goes up through the seats.’ Phillip furiously scribbled down notes as Weiler continued. ‘You can tell a wench that’s doing it because she’ll sit up close to the edge of her seat. Trying to get the pressure on her tight little cunt, ya know.’ Weiler’s eyes went glassy as he stared off. ‘Draper’s hussy was a fine one. I watched her. Those tits heaving. Tight little body grinding. She was primed. Like a bitch in heat. And I was just about to give it to her. Before his majesty came in and ruined all the fun.’ He snarled and coughed. ‘I don’t mind him wanting a piece of the action. I certainly could have shared. But he came in there so high and mighty. And then threw me out! All because of that little bitch.’ He let out a sneering guffaw. ‘Now you’re here. So what is it? Turn out he can’t handle her after all?’

  Phillip didn’t answer. Weiler shook his head and took another swig of his ale. ‘You say you’re some kinda doctor, do ya? Only one thing I know that cures what ails a wench like that.’ He drained the dregs of his drink and unceremoniously wiped his whiskered face with his sleeve. ‘An’ if Draper needs help with that you be sure to come find me again, ya know.’ Grabbing his crotch, he let out another wheezing, lecherous cackle.

  Celeste ran a damp cloth over her mistress’s face and down her neck as Lilly lay whimpering and moving, only slightly now, on the padded tables.

  ‘I will get us something to drink, madame,’ Celeste said, sultry and smiling.

  ‘Oh Celeste, don’t leave me like this,’ Lilly murmured. But Celeste continued smiling.

  ‘I will be right back, ma chère.’ Quickly, she donned her outer dress only, and slipped out of the converted bedroom.

  Since the very first time Lillianne came to Draper Estate and Celeste’s eyes fell on her new mistress with her olive skin, flowing chocolate sheaves of hair, and deep chestnut eyes, that voluptuous frame with the tiny waist that made the maid ache with desire, she’d imagined having her in a myriad of ways. A stolen moment in the scullery, hushed and hurried in the broom closet or even, in her wildest, best fantasies, sprawled in the master’s bed. When Dr Samms had moved in and explained the mistress’s condition it only spurred her fantasies further. She could not help but eavesdrop on the therapy sessions. She’d hover outside the door of the lab while the doctor worked with Lilly, part of her aching with sympathy for how her mistress seemed to suffer. But she could not help her body from aching with need as she listened to Lilly’s impassioned cries. Now, to be in the doctor’s place, in the lab with Madame Draper all tied up and at the mercy of whatever fancy struck her, Celeste had to admit it was more powerful than all of her fantasies combined.

  In all the time that madame had been at the mansion she’d seemed oblivious to Celeste’s desires. She only had eyes for monsieur. Damn Draper and his wandering hands, his attitude that his money and place in Boston society meant he owned everything and everyone in his house and could avail himself whenever he liked. The first time he’d tried anything with Celeste she’d stomped as hard on his foot as she could muster. The look of rage in Ewan Draper’s eyes at that moment made Celeste sure she would receive a backhand for her efforts. And she might very well have if it weren’t for the fact that James stepped in to diffuse the situation. As usual, wherever Monsieur Draper was, James was not far behind.

  Celeste had been in that house long enough to know her master well, even the intimate details of his private conduct with a myriad of Boston women. In her experience, most men were ignorant brutes, but Monsieur Draper had to be one of the worst. In bed he treated women like they were little more than holes for his cock to fill. And to think of him being so proud of his sexual exploits! Celeste thought of her mistress all trussed up, her body liquid and heaving and wanting beneath her bonds.

  Ewan Draper didn’t deserve her.

  Look how he treated her! He had no idea what a gift a woman like Lillianne was. How the depths of her passion made her an exquisitely exciting playmate. Lilly herself did not know. Did not want to know. Did not think she wanted Celeste that way. Until now.

  Filling a pitcher with water in the kitchen and placing it on a tray with two glasses, Celeste shivered excitedly as she remembered her mistress’s tentative to
ngue between her legs. ‘Nice kitty, lick the creamy little hole,’ she’d coaxed as Lilly’s tongue fluttered softly at her entrance. ‘Now be a good kitty and lick the little bead there.’ There was a sharp spark of arousal as she felt Lilly lap that sensitive spot for the first time. But then she could tell something overtook her. It seemed Lilly could sense the intensity of Celeste’s arousal, recognised in it her own frustrated state and, almost as if in sympathy, pushed her head up between Celeste’s thighs and lapped at that bud with all the delicious pressure and rhythm she was desperate for herself. Celeste came hard then. Biting back her cries lest James hear and come running, she writhed and convulsed as she rode the rhythm of Lilly’s tongue into bliss. Her desire was not quenched until she’d made her captive mistress perform this service twice more. And then she’d left Lilly there, in her thwarted desire, to fetch the water.

  Returning now, she placed the tray on the table beside where Lilly lay. Putting her hand behind Lilly’s head, she raised the glass of cool water to her.

  ‘Now, madame,’ Celeste said, as Lilly took a drink. ‘Monsieur Draper will be home in a short while.’ Lilly said nothing, just took a breath and drank some more. ‘Do you want me to do as I suggested?’ Celeste put the drained glass aside and patted her mistress’s face with the damp cloth once more.

  ‘Thank you, Celeste,’ Lilly murmured, her eyes cast down. ‘Thank you for helping me.’

  ‘Of course, madame,’ Celeste said, sitting back. ‘I am always at your service.’ She was quiet a moment. ‘But first, if you please, please ask me.’

  Lily stared back, confused. ‘If you want something from me,’ Celeste went on with tenacity, ‘please tell me what you want.’

  Something deep inside Celeste burned with desire at seeing Lilly’s pained predicament written all over her face. She could tell by how her mistress’s body writhed almost constantly that her loins were aflame with lust. But to admit what she needed, to have to ask for what she considered so shameful out loud, was almost too much. So, with a tenacity born of the injustice she felt against whom and what she was, Celeste steeled herself and said, ‘Ask.’