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Chapter 3 - First outing
When she awoke it was almost noon, her stomach protesting loudly for skipping dinner the day before and this morning's breakfast. She stretched and rose from the bed, going over to the wardrobe and looking through the day dresses. They couldn't compare to the wardrobe of a Vicomtess but Christine didn't mind. They were very pretty, even though they were a bit loose around her. She put on a pale blue dress trimmed with lace, the neckline a little more daring than she was used to as a Vicomtess. She waved it away; this was her new life and Anna Renaud dressed like this.
She went downstairs and found Elizabeth sitting in the dining room with her lunch. She looked up as Christine approached and patted the table in front of her. A lone untouched dish sat on the polished table and her mouth watered at the delicious aroma.
"I was wondering when you were going to show up." Beth grinned at her as Christine took a seat.
"I was really tired from all the traveling. Is this for me?" She pointed to the plate and Beth nodded with a smile.
"Dig in." Christine did so with a gusto and then curiously looked around.
"Where is everyone?"
"They already ate and went about their business."
"I have so many questions for you, I don't know where to start." She smiled shyly, breaking the silence between them.
"Then let me tell you the basics and we can go from there, okay?" Pleased with Christine's nod, Beth began to explain.
"As I told you yesterday, men come in and hire us as their companions for many various events. Usually those events are held in the evenings, but there are some events that are held in daylight, such as horse races. The gentlemen tell Amelia what event it is and she assigns one of us to the man, if he doesn't have any specific wishes. Most men don't, but some are very picky; they want tall and blond or short and raven haired with blue eyes." She sipped her water and quickly continued, shrugging.
"You don't have to be afraid of them, they are usually very polite, not to mention filthy rich, so you won't get just anybody off the street. I should also mention that they can make you their exclusive."
"Exclusive? What does that mean?"
"It means that they pay extra to make sure you won't get assigned to other men and only go with one gentleman whenever he wishes to. Being an exclusive is a dream job. It brings in more cash and it has its advantages." Beth's eyes glazed over and a dreamy smile stretched her lips. Christine raised her eyebrow and Beth chuckled. "I've been an exclusive for about four weeks now. Baron Andrew Marshall. I have more free time for myself and I even get gifts from him. I swear it's like a relationship. But don't go falling in love with anyone you are assigned to, it can get quite ugly."
"What am I supposed to do at the event?"
"He will usually tell you what he expects from you beforehand. That reminds me we need to polish up your English." Beth winked at her and Christine couldn't help but blush. Her thoughts however drifted to the one aspect she was dreading in this job.
"What about the..." Her blush deepened and Beth chuckled.
"The sex?" She waggled her eyebrows. "You need to loosen up, darling. You're like a blushing virgin." She paused and looked at Christine seriously. "You're not, are you?" Christine shook her head, her curls falling around her face from her loose braid.
"I...I was married." She said quietly and looked into her empty plate, seeing her husband lying on their bedroom floor in the back of her mind. She sighed heavily and forced the image away. "I'd rather not talk about it, Beth."
"Oh." Beth could tell this topic was better left alone. "I understand."
"Tell me about it, please."
"Well, if they want to hire us for the entire night, they need to tell Amelia beforehand and pay extra. We aren't forced to do anything we're not comfortable with, so you don't have to be afraid. If you don't want to do it, you won't have to." Christine nodded and let out a small sigh of relief. A small mischievous smile played on her lips as she regarded the older woman.
"Do you and Baron...?"
"Oh, yes!" Beth chuckled, a slight blush rising to her cheeks. "He's not the first I've done this with since Amelia took me in five years ago, but let me tell you that these men are very generous. Before this I've never known that I could experience such passion and pleasure." Her grin was wide and Christine turned a deep shade of scarlet, not used to such improper talks.
She would never admit it out loud but when Raoul had touched her, whether intimately or not, she had never felt the passion that her Angel invoked in her; the passion and deep soul bond she became aware of as they stood together on stage for Don Juan Triumphant.
Even when she had fulfilled her wife duties, Raoul had always been slow and gentle, trying not to hurt her, but never really caring much about her own pleasure, so he had often left her hanging on the edge as he had rolled over and went to sleep after he had finished. Hearing Beth talk about such things with a smile on her face made Christine resent Raoul a little, for he never ignited that passion in her. She wanted to feel that emotion, she wanted to succumb to those pleasures but she knew she wanted to experience it in the arms of only one man. The man responsible for awakening her sexual awareness two years ago.
"Anna?" Christine was brought out of her reverie by Beth calling her new name.
"Hmm?"
"Have you listened to a word I just said?"
"No, I'm sorry. I was miles away." She blushed, biting her lower lip. Elizabeth only chuckled knowingly and shook her head.
"I said that we could start on your English now for a few hours. I have an outing with Andrew tonight, so we will continue tomorrow morning, if that's alright with you."
"I'd like that." Christine smiled at Beth and followed her to her new own room.
The next morning
The front door of The Duchess creaked lightly and the bell at the front desk rang, alerting Amelia to a new visitor. She smiled and walked from her office to the front door, looking at the newcomer. He was dressed in dark grey suit, tall and imposing. He was looking around and Amelia saw his black hair, chiseled jaw and strong features. When he turned, she was a bit startled by the white mask he was wearing on the right side of his face, but didn't let it show. The uncovered side of his face was very handsome and his eyes were the most intense shade of celadon green with specks of blue she ever saw. This man oozed power and sensuality and he carried an aura of mystery around him.
"Good morning, sir. How are you today?" She smiled at him and received a small quirk of his lips in return.
"Good morning. I am well enough, thank you. I'd like one of your escorts for this evening. Edward McNeil sent me."
"Ah, dear sweet Edward." Amelia smiled, a bit stunned by the sound of the man's voice. Never has she heard a more perfect sound! "What kind of event are we talking about, sir?"
"A new art gallery is being opened tonight. My presence is needed as I'm the one who designed it."
"Oh, is it the beautiful building in Westminster? I love it! You designed it?"
"Indeed, Madam." He smiled slightly and it struck Amelia how handsome he truly was. "Erik Garnier." He bowed lightly.
"Amelia Durant." He kissed the back of her offered hand lightly and she fought the urge to blush, which was highly unusual reaction for her years. "Forgive me my impertinence, sir, but are you French?" She asked, hearing a very slight French accent in his voice.
"I am, Madam."
"If you don't have a particular girl in mind, may I suggest Anna? She is French and very beautiful. She came here just yesterday and I think this particular event would be a good way for her to begin."
"I shall follow your advice, Madam. It would be nice to speak with someone in my native tongue again. Have her prepared for seven o'clock, I will arrive for her in my carriage. I trust you can choose a proper dress for this occasion?"
"Yes, sir. It shall be done as you requested, Mr. Garnier."
"Thank you, Madam Durant. Good day to you." He bowed slightly and was out of the door at once.
"Good day indeed." Amelia murmured to herself and smiled. Somehow she had a feeling that Anna was perfect for this gentleman. Now she only had to let the girl know.
Following a sound of laughter into the library, upon entering she found Elizabeth and Anna sitting at the table.
"No, that's not how you pronounce it!" Beth giggled and Anna couldn't help but laugh with her. Amelia cleared her throat and both girls looked up. "Oh Amelia! I was just teaching Anna some English."
"That's good because you shall be using it soon, Anna." Christine raised her eyebrows, not knowing what she meant. "I had a visit from a gentleman today and I thought it would be good for you to begin with small events." Christine tensed a bit, not knowing if she was indeed ready to become an escort. "You don't have to worry, darling. He's French, so you won't have problems communicating with him."
"What event is this, Amelia?" Elizabeth asked curiously, pleased for Anna to have her first outing.
"An art gallery is opening tonight. He designed it."
"An architect?"
"Mr. Garnier. A very handsome architect at that." Amelia winked at blushing Anna, deciding to leave out the mask. She figured he was probably hiding some deformity or war injury and she knew better than to mention it to him. Hopefully Anna will too see beyond the gentleman's mask and enjoy the evening.
"Oh, we need to get you ready, then!" Elizabeth laughed and pulled her from the chair, dragging her upstairs.
It was almost evening when both women decided what Christine should wear for her first escort. In between laughter and odd English lessons, they decided upon an off-shoulder emerald silk gown, simple, yet beyond anything Christine has ever seen.
"I remember my first escort." Beth smiled dreamily at Christine as she adjusted her dress. "He was tall, dark hair, brown eyes and charming smile. We attended a ball and I felt like a princess all night." She rose from her position on the floor and looked at Christine from head to toe. "But you, you look like a princess!" She laughed and Christine waved her away.
"I do not. It's not even a ball." She skimmed her hand down her bodice and then her full skirt, admiring the way the green silk changed colours as lights fell upon the soft material.
"Nevertheless, you look amazing. If his jaw doesn't hit the floor, then he must be a mandrake." Christine blushed as she sat at her vanity, still not really accustomed to taking compliments, mainly because she didn't think of herself as extraordinarily beautiful. She didn't believe anyone when they called her beautiful. Elizabeth stepped behind her and eyed her wild curls with a scowl. Christine laughed, she knew her hair was very difficult on the best of days and completely unmanageable on the worst. "Now we shall tame this wild beast." She announced and put her hands to work. Half an hour later, Christine couldn't recognize herself. Her hair was left down and cascaded over her back, a few loose strands framing her face were pulled to the back of her head and pinned with a sparkling flowery pin.
"You look wonderful, darling." Christine turned and saw Amelia standing in the doorway with a smile. "Now, have these." She handed Christine a flat velvet box. Carefully, she lifted the lid and gasped at the diamond necklace with little emeralds and two small matching earrings. She was used to jewellery set with hundreds of diamonds and precious stones that felt very heavy around her throat and she disliked most of them. She had never said a word to Raoul about his extravagant gifts, for she didn't want to hurt his feelings. But looking at this delicate necklace, she knew that she'd pick this one herself; it was exactly her taste.
"Where do you get this?" She asked Amelia as Elizabeth helped her with the necklace.
"Some jewellery and dresses are gifts from the gentlemen, some are what I had purchased from their money for my girls. I only want the best for you." She gave both women a motherly look, something that reminded her of Madame Giry. "I shall be waiting for you downstairs." She winked and disappeared down the hall. It wasn't long before Amelia called from downstairs.
"Anna, the carriage is here!" Christine pulled on her long white gloves and fastened her cloak around her, letting out a shaky breath.
"Nervous?" Beth asked with a grin and Christine looked again into the mirror.
"Yes."
"You will do fine, darling. You look gorgeous and he is very lucky to have you on his arm tonight. Have fun tonight." She gave Christine a wink as they descended down the stairs. She found the downstairs lobby empty and turned to Amelia, bewildered.
"Is he not here?"
"Waiting in the carriage." Amelia saw her nervousness and ran her hand along Christine's arm in a comforting gesture. "You go on. I have a feeling you two will get on splendidly." With that she opened the front door for her and Christine stared into the night and at the carriage standing nearby. Hesitantly, she walked outside but soon her footsteps gained confidence and she raised her chin lightly, smiling softly.
The driver climbed down from his seat and held the carriage door open for her, holding out his hand to support her as she climbed into the dark carriage. The door shut behind her at once and she busied with arranging her skirts and cloak around her, feeling her heart pounding loudly in her chest as she felt the man's presence in the enclosed space.
"I apologize for my tardiness, Monsieur. My name is Anna and I will be your escort tonight." She tried to look for him but her eyes haven't adjusted in the dark yet. When he didn't reply, she tried again, hesitantly. "Monsieur? Sir?"
"You are the last person I expected to enter my carriage, Vicomtesse."