Lady Ravenclaw stood beside a desk, a board in one hand and stylus in the other as she looked up and down the page checking over the inventory list. It was not your usual, conventional, shopping list. There was padding materials, cotton sheets, food, drinks, shackles... She paused to muse this over. She was unsure if they made them with padding already, but to be sure they could always make them up themselves, condoms, whips, crops, candles, acupuncture needles, scented oils. She nodded approvingly and handed the board to a young man in tight and fairly revealing clothing. She paused to look at him and he waited for her to dismiss him. She laid a slim white finger on his cheek and traced his jawline. A beautiful young man he was, blonde and blue eyed strong masculine features. Her hand was travelling further down his chest when three knocks thundered making the door quiver. With a sigh she flicked him away and he turned unaffected by her administrations.

With graceful twirl she turned to open the huge red door to admit the first customers of the day . The clock had just struck after noon and the lantern on the porch had been lit as a sign to others. They had flocked quickly and they set their first record of 10 customers in ten minutes. The man that stood outside puffing from the chill from the sea looked to be about forty and as was custom in this part of Albion, adorned in the usual pirate attire.

Lady Ravenclaw ushered him in and another young women came to take his coat. Lady Ravenclaw then lead him to the desk which had laid upon it a large ledger for records of customers and need be... tabs. She asked for his name, which he said was Fred Shanty.

"Alright Fred," she smiled seductively, "What would be your pleasure this fine after noon."

He shrugged and like most other customers did not have a clue what he wanted. He obviously had gold to spend by the looks of his money pouch hanging weightily from his belt.

"Well," she said in a guiding tone, "You may have any girl of you choosing or maybe even more than one girl. They can perform all sorts of services, which of course are extra but of no real great expense."

He looked a little doubtful. "One girl," he said in a deep gravelly voice honed rough by constant shouting and salty air, "Small, slim, blonde."

"A man who knows what he wants," she said in a low voice, and of few words she thought.

She reached over to the table and lifted a small sliver bell, which she rung twice. The soft silvery peals attracted five girls from various directions all eager to be of assistance. The sailors eyes grew wide as he looked them up and down their scantly clad bodies. He pointed at one with perky features, rosy cheeks and bouncy curls of sun spun golden hair. She smiled, battered her eye lashes and it looked like he would faint from bliss.

"Does she please you," Lady Ravenclaw growled in his ear and he nodded energetically, licking his lips in anticipation. She waved to the young blonde that trotted forward with a giggle. "Her name is Emily."

"Pleasure to be of assistance, sir," she said in gentle voice that held a seductive whisper. He quivered and let the young women lead him up a set of stairs to many rooms that were upstairs. Pleased, Lady Ravenclaw turned back to the ledger. She sat gracefully into the armchair to right something down.

Another knock upon the door made her look up. She indicated for the one of the girls to open it and a young man entered looking a little nervous. His eyes darted about the room much like a frightened deer who may bolt at any sign of danger. He was lead to the desk and he stared at her, mouth agape.

"And what may be your pleasure this afternoon, dear sir," she asked with raised eyebrows. He licked his lips unsure of how to answer. Lady Ravenclaw rose and approached him laying a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry none of us will bite," she said with a smile, "Unless you want us too of course." The girls giggled and he jumped slightly. "What is your name?"

He hesitated, but in a quavery voice said, "A- Albert... Je- jennings."

"Well Albert," the women said with an alluring pout and heavy lidded eyes, "What may be your pleasure?"

Again he seemed reluctant to speak looking at the young girls nervously. He leaned over to whisper in his ear, his breath hot on her skin.

"I don't want a w-women."

She breathed a silent 'Oh' and her eyes twinkled with amusement and curiosity.

"And what do you want, Albert," she breathed on to his ear making him quiver. He swallowed hard and grew hesitant again before whispering, "a … a young man."

He drew back and looked at her half frightened, but she smiled encouragingly. "Your wish is our command Albert."

She grasped the bell and rang it three times. His frightened expression turned to relief then curiosity. The dramatic change in emotions all but made her laugh. Through the curtains appeared three young men who looked to Lady Ravenclaw questioningly, but also eager. What Albert saw made him gasp and his face burned brighter than fire.

Lady Ravenclaw chuckled. "Take your pick and remember they will not do anything you don't want them to ok," she said in a reassuring voice. Albert stared and licked his lips. He could feel the stirrings of his unbidden passion deep in his loins. He had been ridiculed most of his life for his habits but here it was different. It was like a dream for him as he pointed at a handsome, dark haired male whose muscularly chest was exposed. To Albert's surprise the man grinned happily at being picked.

"His name is Lois," Lady Ravenclaw whispered in his ear and Albert could not help but return the grin.

"Thank you," he whispered and she chuckled.

"Thank me later and I promise he will grant your every desire."

Albert stared at the women as if she was mad but she grinned encouragingly. Like Emily had done earlier, Lois sauntered up to Albert and took him by the arm placing a hungry kiss on the mans cheek. "Pleasure to be of assistance Albert," Lois said in a husky voice and lead him up the stairs. All Albert could do was follow with mouth agape.

A pale, red haired girl approached Lady Ravenclaw chewing a gloved finger nail in a yearning manner. "Such a shame," she murmured, "I could have had him."

Lady Ravenclaw could not help but chuckle. "We must adhere to the customers wishes Angie you know that."

Angie sighed and pouted. One of the other girls, tanned with brown locks approached with hands planted on her hips, grey eyes glittering.

"But then you would have any one wouldn't ya Angie."

Angie shrugged indifferently. "Women... men I like to give pleasure to all."

"And take it from either too," the other girl laughed and Angie flashed an angry glare.

Lady Ravenclaw held up a hand her face growing flinty. "Enough." Both girls quickly apologised and curtsied.

"Maria you should know better," she rebuked the brown haired girl who bowed her head shamefully.

"Sorry Mi'Lady."

Just then another knock on the door sounded and Lady Ravenclaw waved from one of them to open it. It opened to allow another customer. Sometime later a wide eyed and dazzled Albert stumbled down the stairs. Lady Ravenclaw looked to him and smiled as he approached. He drew himself up looking more confident than he had when he first entered, but then he also looked like he had the surprise of his life. His hair was tussled, cheeks flushed and his clothes looked as if a blind man with arthritis had put them on, but most of all was the air of contentment that surrounded him.

"I assume the experience was to your satisfaction?" she asked with the tilt of her head.

He smiled then giggled flushing a bit brighter. "It was excellent," he said in a small voice.

"I am glad to hear it," she flicked the page back one and her finger travelled down the it to where his name lay in curvy handwriting, "Well all together that would be 23 gold please."

Albert looked surprised and looked at her startled.

"Is that all?"

She nodded, "Yes sir it is. Usually any extras would cost extra but for the next two months any extras albeit massages, performances both public and private are free."

Albert absorbed this information with thoughtful eyes. He mulled something over in his mind then said, "And if I came back would I be able to …" He coughed lightly, "acquire Lois' services again."

She smiled and nodded. Relief was evident on the young mans face.

"If he is available it would our duty to adhere to your wishes."

Albert grinned as he handed over the gold and Lady Ravenclaw stowed it away in a deep draw in the desk.

"I will tell my friends of this place,"he said with a happy grin as he left through the door.

"We hope so," She replied with a laugh and closed the door behind him. She returned to her desk and scribbled something in it. Leaning back in the comfy armchair she smiled. This place had really taken off. She had certainly played her cards right by selecting this area for her new establishment. She did have a smaller house in Bowerstone but this place had proved to be more popular. She closed her eyes and her thoughts drew her into a waking stupor when an annoyed squeal made her head snap up sharply.

One of the other girls, Lorrie, was fighting her corset. With a sigh she got up and beckoned the pale blonde over. With a pout Lorrie walked up to her mistress letting the women look at her attire. Lady Ravenclaw tutted and shook her head.

"You have bent the wire you silly girl," she scolded softly with disapproving clucks of her tongue.

"Am sorry Mi'Lady but the last customer was a bit ..." the blonde giggled, "Enthusiastic."

Lady Ravenclaw chuckled but still shook her head. "You should be more careful."

"Yes Mi'Lady."

"Don't let the customer try to rip your clothes off it costs a lot to repair."

Lady Ravenclaw sighed and drew the girl towards the desk where she run the bell once. Angie trotted through casting her mistress a curious stare.

"Stay here incase a customer knocks."

"Yes Mi'Lady," Angie replied automatically standing nearby to look at what the situation was about. She giggled when she saw the bent wire of the corset. Lorrie gave her a reproachful pout and looked off in a huff.

"Um the ribbons ripped," she mentioned and Lady Ravenclaw looked up with a frown. She looked at the point of interest and sighed. Lorrie looked up apologetically.

"Oh Lorrie," her mistress sighed, "We're going to have to replace that too." She paused for a moment then shook her head in a defeated manner. "Take it off, might as well." As Lorrie did as she was told with Angie's help Lady Ravenclaw went over to a large chest. When she opened it, it revealed to be full of various pieces of clothing and from which she drew out two corsets one pink and black and the other pastel blue and red. She returned to find Lorrie half naked her plumb breasts exposed as if she had not a care in the world. The young blonde looked at the two corsets and pointed to the pink and black one. A knock on the door sounded and Lady Ravenclaw waved a hand for Angie to answer it. As she did that Lady Ravenclaw wrapped the blonde in the corset and began to tighten the cords and ribbons. The girl gasped and whined gently at the rough treatment.

Angie came back as her mistress who was half way finished. "Um Mi'lady I believe we have a special guest." Her face had become white with surprise and she seemed more nervous than usual.

Lady Ravenclaw looked up and as she spied the man she smiled. "Ah I wondered when word spread your way." She finished tightening the cords with a flourish then turned to man that stood by her desk. She smiled winsomely and clasped her hands together in a professional manner.

"What would be your pleasure this afternoon Sir?"