Chapter Seven
Ethan slips his cell into the pocket of his white swim shorts then lodges a Motorola H9 wireless ear bud into his lobe, 'I do apologise Anastasia if interrupted, needs must', he informs.
'Sure, are you of the school eggplants should be salted', I ask pointing to them in the vegetable rack while eyeing Christian and Vi studiously setting the table. They're chatting, Vi seems relaxed, great, once Christian gets to know her he'll see for himself she's trustworthy…..whoa, my harpy faced subconscious is actually smiling in agreement.
'The aubergine salt brigade', he replies selecting a knife from the block, for a split second I think how funny it would be if he assumed a fencing stance and said En Garde, 'Head Chef shall we be daring add courgettes to Moussaka', he asks playfully, I laugh, gosh, this is a different Ethan to the one in Hillingham, maybe I should practice what I preach, get to know him, the harpy scowls, I can still keep my guard up.
'Never had zucchini in Moussaka before, why not, go ahead sous chef', I grin and rinse the peeled potatoes to rid excess starch.
'Rochester', I jolt slightly as tersely he answers an incoming call, the device in his lobe flashes blue.
While listening he deftly cuts two large eggplants into thin slices, moves onto a zucchini, 'Hodges the problem in the contract put forward is on page sixty nine, appendix one point five, too loose to their advantage. Enforce its tightening for mine thereafter upon your return from Salzburg peruse your employment contract for I am not in the habit of carrying deadwood, that will be all', so direct, stern, commanding, eerily impressive.
Cutting the potatoes into medium sized slices, 'I surmise you enjoy cooking Anastasia judging by your evident knife skill', a low hypnotic purr, guard in place prevents my inner goddess swooning at the sound. Casually I tell him of the times I cooked for Ray and a little about him.
'Ah your stepfather enjoys fly fishing, an excellent pursuit', he smiles.
'Do you, hunting also, what with Hillingham being an Estate', nosily I ask vividly visualizing the view from the set of ballroom doors.
'No, I never had the interest in either', a factual reply, 'if in the future your stepfather pays a visit while you and Christian are residing in Manor house he is welcome to Hillingham Hall, shoot and fish as much as he desires'.
Wow, very similar to what Mr Darcy said to Elizabeth's Uncle, 'thanks Ethan he'd love that', I smile, he nods and begins salting the sliced eggplants and zucchini.
'Vi said you fence, is that your only hobby', Julie Andrews is singing Getting to Know You in my head, even the tone deaf harpy is singing along.
An entertained quizzical grin parts his lips revealing perfect pearly whites, I manage to stop a blush and mentally kick my ass, jeez Ana...ok…..but I'd challenge any hot blooded woman not to react to his astounding physique and beauty, 'hobbies…ummmm', his eyes flicker with amusement, 'tennis and riding'.
Whoa, the way he said riding, 'Ana baby where are the napkins kept', Christian calls loudly, phew, his loving voice stopped a full on red faced blush.
Smiling at my fifty's bewildered expression, 'in the dining cabinet, second drawer down', I wink then gape open mouthed as cheekily he orders Vi to fetch them, she makes her way looks at me and grins, checks Christian's back is turned and sticks her tongue out at him, I burst into giggles.
'Ah yes, Lady Rochester does possess quite unladylike qualities', Ethan laughs, 'also possesses a wicked temper', he adds eyes gleaming, unnerved more by the gleam than the latter comment I swiftly move onto lightly oiling an oven proof dish with rosemary infused olive oil and secure my guard with fifty padlocks.
Placing on the designer dining table four of the sixteen beautiful pearl grey embroidered napkins, 'these are pretty', I blurb for something to say, we've exhausted the subject of weather. Conversation with Christian is like drawing blood from a turnip, down to the fact he just doesn't like and trust me.
'A wedding present from my PA Andrea', he murmurs straightening the elegantly designed silverware then looks at me dead on, 'what do you think I'd do to a person who rudely sticks their tongue out at me', damn caught…how...his back was turned…..oh my reflection in the window wall.
'Wild guess, ball gag', jokingly I quip.
'No, too obvious, I'd bind their fingers and toes', a wry smirk.
'So how does Seattle function with the majority of the population in that state of binding', I giggle, begrudgingly he laughs, for Pete's sake Violet stop being such a bitch...he's your friend's husband and been through a lot in life, 'I'm sincerely sorry Christian, I didn't mean to be a smartarse. Any chance you and I could start over with a clean slate'.
Inclining his head, he studies my face, grey eyes piercing through mine, 'ok Violet, for Ana', fair enough can't ask for more than that.
'For Ana', I nod happily and smile, 'now what about the napkins, fancy shaping is beyond me, any ideas'.
He smiles, 'yep keep it simple', we laugh and lay one beside each of the four Versace La Mer Collection dinner plates.
'Job done, any idea what to do next Violet', he asks eyes zoning in on Ana, she's laughing waving a whisk like a conductor, Ethan's laughing his head off, brilliant…..we're all getting along, the remaining tangles of nerves within unfurl.
'Yeah, Ana's given me a great idea', I grin, he looks at me quizzically, 'entertain the troops, you play I'll warble'.
'I've got one better', he gestures to the piano, 'I'll teach you to play a piece, add to your repertoire of one. Do you read music or play by ear'?
'A little of reading mostly by ear', I answer.
Curbing giggles Ethan's eyeing us going to it grinning like the Cheshire cat. No wonder, anytime he tried to teach me we'd only last five minutes and end up either on top of the piano or the Music room's floor making music of a different kind.
'Live music while cooking', smiling broadly heart tugging happily seeing Christian making an effort with Vi, 'do you play Ethan', I ask out of interest.
'Regularly', he grins, salaciously?
Huffing indignantly whether or not, 'come now Anastasia do not be affronted, we are adults are we not'.
An overwhelming rush of anger explodes within, 'we are Ethan but you're in mine and Christian's home, no companions here submissive or otherwise', I growl, oh holy fuck…what have I done, it was fleeting but anger sparked in his eyes now they're deadly cold.
'I apologise for my perceived ungentlemanly remark, shall we continue', he gestures to the salted and weighted eggplant and zucchini slices draining their juice into a bowl, the pale greenish yellow color of the liquid matches my pallor, 'or perhaps I should commence the béchamel sauce Head Chef', he adds in a light tone.
'The sauce please', the words barely came out of my mouth.
In a fog I go to the fridge haphazardly gather ingredients to make a salad, walk to the far end of the breakfast bar and land them onto it.
Staring blindly at the piano, Christian's kind patient face and Vi's happy determined expression become clear, "I've broken your trust Vi", loudly I scream in my head over and over. Christian looks at me, smiles, beaming a forced one, Vi waves then giggles realizing she missed several notes by doing so.
'Concentrate', Christian's faux scolding makes me giggle more, 'in the middle of a performance in the Albert Hall you wouldn't wave at your fans'.
'I would', I laugh.
'I bet', he grins, 'arch your fingers more…..like this', with such a gentle touch his shapely fingers position mine, 'on the count of four', quietly he counts me in.
Christian would've made a great music teacher or any kind of teacher, mathematics, geography I muse fumbling along making a pig's ear of it, 'you're distracted Violet, concentrate', he whispers, I nod but continue to fumble.
'Stop', he says, I do, his hand goes between mine and demonstrates a simple Middle C scale, 'repeat that ten times without mistake, make one, do them over', weird…has he just lamped into a grey area…oh grey area, breaking into a fit of giggles.
'What Violet', a mock stern expression on his face, I try to keep mine straight, 'piano lessons, that's the way I was taught. Now do them, they're good for loosening fingers'.
Not a hope in hell holding in my laughter, 'oh very clever, scales for loosening fingers after binding'.
'God you're so annoying', he states and surprises me by playfully knuckling my forehead like Tristan does when I annoy and make him laugh.
'Right back at you Grey, I hope you know Beethoven's rolling in his grave', I retort, his held in laughter bursts.
'What was it called again Christian', I ask before hungrily shoving another forkful of the delicious Moussaka into my gob.
'Für Elise', he smiles topping up Ana's glass then Ethan's with Pinot Grigio, I declined the wine figuring even one sip would top up the alcohol levels still having a party in my system from this afternoon, 'with practice you'll have it perfect'.
'Yeah…Ethan...no clue why I didn't think of it before. I'm going to start piano lessons, Mrs Seymour in the village, she'd be brill', I announce and tickle his waist, odd, his stomach's rigid with tension, 'you ok', under my breath I mutter.
'Pondering your decision my love, indeed Mrs Seymour would be ideal', a clipped reply, what's up with him, probably business, he was none too happy with the last call, caused him to abandon sous chef duties and pace back and forth in front of the window wall, must have been bad he did more listening than barking instructions.
'Ana baby this dish is fantastic, kudos Ethan', Christian raises his glass, 'to friends', he toasts.
Clinking glasses, 'to friends', we chorus, warmly fondly I smile at Ana, a bare smile in return, ahh...she's tired...I'll make sure to clean up after dinner.
'When do you hope to move into your new home', I ask loading my plate with a portion of avocado, pancetta and pine nut salad.
'When Elliot pulls his finger out', Christian answers, his eye dart to Ana pushing a forkful of Moussaka around her plate, 'Ana eat baby', a soft but ordering tone, she does almost robotically.
'Have refurbishments concluded on Manor house', Ethan asks, sips his wine and continues eating in his usual elegant fashion, inwardly sighing, I could watch him eat all day long.
'They have, can't fault the construction company you recommended', Christian nods, Ethan smiles blandly.
'Oh Ana either last week or the week before when passing, I had a nose through the gates, it's beautiful. Mr Falkner popped into the Fox and Hound one night a month or so ago. Said he was plagued by a crow who wasn't taking no for an answer to vacate a chimney. Left with no choice he built an aviary for the feathered friend'.
'Did he say where he put the aviary', she asks in a dull tone.
'In the grove...or was it the east boundary trees, whichever I'm sure the squawker will be happy'.
'I'm sure it will', she mumbles dully.
'Rochester', jolting as Ethan answers an incoming call, 'hold', he orders, 'please forgive my rudeness at the table', we nod.
'Continue', he says to the person, listens, a massive eye roll of annoyance, 'Tyler is there a mass exodus from Sea-Tac grounding j one and two or simply incompetence'.
The answer not to his liking judging by his thunderous expression, 'I see, allowing only one out. Very well, since j three is currently grounded in RC Air have j two airborne as soon as maybe and sent directly to Edinburgh. Txt the time when j one can depart, that will be all'.
'Ethan couldn't we just go on j two and drive down to Hillingham or stay over in Aberdeely', I point out hoping that might help because his thunderous expression's not shifting.
Uh oh, coldness in his eyes, 'unfortunately no my love, once j two lands and Bellamy boards with that hideous Poynter, it and the painting are due in Geneva', a flash smirk, he's angry, a horrible sense of foreboding washes over me, 'Christian rather than impede further on yours and Anastasia's hospitality please inform of the nearest hotel for Violet, Cleary and I cannot depart until the morrow'.
'Ethan no imposition, you're more than welcome to stay', Christian's tone genuine hospitality, holey fuck, the blood's drained from Ana's face, shit…she's let something slip, appetite vanishes, I'm light headed, Ethan's going to mangle me...for fuck sake calm down Violet...breathe.
'How gracious thank you', he smiles again blandly.
'Can I interest you in a game of billiards after dinner', Christian asks in friendly but also competitive tone, brilliant...once they're occupied I can ask Ana if she said anything…..all's well.
'Christian not fair depriving Vi and I of yours and Ethan's company', she pipes up, no…Ana...no.
'Ana nothing stopping you and Violet playing', he grins, 'Ethan what do you say, make it interesting, couple against couple', oh for fuck sake.
'I don't know how to play…..best you guys go it alone...Ana and I have loads to do...the kitchen's a mess', I blurt before Ethan drew breath, come on Ana back me up…..bloody hell, she can't look me straight in the eye.
'Violet we'll wait until you're both ready', Christian's expression bemused.
'Indeed', Ethan grins at me, fuck, knowingly, 'Christian, Violet and I shall endeavour to rise to the challenge'.
Not caring if Vi lets the stacked Versace plates she's carrying precariously to the kitchen fall, once she's nears I bridge the gap, 'Vi', I whip them from her shaking hands, 'I'm sorry, I made a comment, companion's Submissive or otherwise to Ethan, playing the piano, I asked', oh God make sense Ana.
'What', her expression confused, my mouth flaps.
'Sshhhh', she puts her finger to her lips guides me to the sink.
Once there we turn our backs on the dining table where Christian and Ethan are chatting leisurely, 'Ana that made no sense', she whispers frantically, taking a deep breath accurately I repeat what was said.
'I don't understand, Ethan said regularly meaning the piano, why did you think he meant anything else', her expression remains confused.
'He grinned in a way that wasn't about playing a piano, I got mad Vi, it was an innuendo', lowly I hiss in exasperation.
She sighs deeply closes her eyes, 'he tested you Ana...but you wouldn't have fallen for it and got mad unless', her eyes open and search mine, 'you're attracted to him', so quietly she states no jealously, hatred or rancour in her voice.
'No...yes…no…..no…I love Christian', I sob, she takes the plates from my hands, puts them on the drainer'.
'Course you love Christian', she smiles sympathetically, I wipe away streaming tears, 'Ana hold it together…look…..we're only human at the end of the day. Illogical to think at some point in our lives we wouldn't find another person attractive'.
'Vi you've got to understand. I'm not attracted to Ethan in a conventional way…..it's more…abstract…..as if a character from the books I love came to life in modern times', I grasp her hand, 'please understand…..I love Christian...he's my reality, my love, my one and only love'.
Extracting her hand from mine methodically she scrapes the leftovers from the plates into the sink and switches on the waste disposal unit.
'I understand', she murmurs over the noise discreetly glances towards the dining table, I do, they're engrossed in conversation, 'Ana I trust you and know Christian is the love of your life. We'd be very stupid to let a none-issue come between us'.
'Thank you Vi...thank you…it won't come between us…but what are you going to do, Ethan must know we've talked', I stammer with that reality hitting me like a wrecking ball from nowhere, she sighs deeply again, switches off the unit, inclines her head in thought then turns on the faucet full blast creating more noise.
'Confirm we have', she cleans the sink vigorously with hot running water, 'refuse to tell him Christian's story. All it means is a level playing field, we'll be definitely in the same boat Ana, seems fair doesn't it', a shoulder shrug and humourlessl grin she gives.
Yes…sharing one heavy oar…..but how will Ethan react, turning off the faucet, the unasked question is answered by uncertainty in her eyes, oh God...the position I've put her in, 'it's ok Ana, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it', she whispers.
All too soon we have the dishwasher loaded, the kitchen and dining room table spotless, 'nature calls', Vi informs and swiftly heads for the stairs, my stomach lurches seeing Ethan politely excuse himself from Christian's company and at a slow, casual pace makes his way.
Hastily I go to the table take a substantial sip of wine to steady my nerves, Christian smiles, 'Ana ease up, billiards baby I want my partner on her A game'.
'A game at the ready', I force a smile, my subconscious is no longer harpy faced, a scornful expression replaced it and she's giving me the sternest warning of my life, do not make matters worse by telling Christian Ethan almost certainly knows Vi and I have confided.
Hurry up, I urge my bladder, typically one of longest pee's of my life but I'm confident I'll make it back to the living room before Ethan cops I'm gone. He's engrossed listening to Christian yacking about a Charlie Tango, whatever that is, Christian's voice wafted towards the kitchen only intermediately as Ana and I cleaned up.
Finally finished, I wipe, flush, pull up my panties, button up my jeans and I'm at the sink washing and drying my hands in two seconds flat.
Belting from the bathroom into the bedroom I trip and land on my knees in shock, Ethan's sitting at the very edge of the bed like a stone stature.
Eyes black as coal stare at me, 'stay as you are', he murmurs coldly, I do, the bridge I'll have to cross stretches out before me.
'Am I to presume your sweet rampant little mouth divulged my past and present history to Anastasia', his tone glacial, I nod knowing verbally responding would aggravate him further.
'I see', his eyes narrow angrily, 'I must therefore presume her rampant mouth divulged all to Christian', shaking my head indicating no, 'really', tone sarcastic, 'how incredibly naïve you are Violet. Allow me to paint a scenario, Anastasia gushed declaring her trustworthiness, undying loyalty to you. But alas once your back was turned foolishly sporting an easy mind she with verve divulged all to Christian', I shake my head again.
'As well for you now to respond', he orders in a tone so chillingly devoid of emotion it cuts painfully through my heart.
'I'm sorry Ethan I know you feel betrayed but'.
'Betrayed', he interrupts fiercely, stands, walks over and towers over me, casting my eyes down I stare at his beautiful feet, 'betrayed, putting it rather mildly', he adds in a snarl.
Tears stream down my cheeks, I see them clearly landing and splashing on his toes, 'please understand Ethan', I croak, 'Ana is to me what Ari was to you. A confidant and friend, she hasn't and won't ever tell Christian what I told her', he's got to know, 'because she told me their story, Christian's past and present history and I won't ever tell you'.
A deadly silence goes on and on, time blurs, tears continue to fall relentlessly, my knees on the hardwood floor are now aching, his feet are drenched, still the silence goes on, 'please can I get up', I bleat.
No reply, looking up, rapidly I look down at his feet, no…..no...no, an expression of implacable coldness marred his stunning face, oh no…..God no…please no, he's building up fast the barriers I helped bring down, I just know it.
Heart hammering frantically I wrap my arms around his thighs and bury my face against his taut stomach, 'Ethan…please…..don't do what you're doing', my agonising cry of despair sounds fearful in my ears.
Holding him tighter pouring into him every ounce of love I have, 'I love you Ethan…stay with me…don't shut down and shut me out'.
Silence, I only hear and feel him breathing very slowly and deeply, in sobs my body sags and slides down his legs, my right cheek lands on his left wet foot, the deafening silence continues as does my hammering heart.
'Until further notice', suddenly he speaks, in hope I press my lips against his instep, 'you shall conduct yourself in the manner required, unhand me', I do with relief surging through me, he's not shutting down…he's not shutting me out, covertly I watch him walk into the bathroom and close the door.
Easing back on my calves locking my wrists behind my back I breathe four long lung expanding breaths then lower my head.
Within one minute gladly and acceptingly I prepared my mind for the immediate transition into a complete Sub/Dom partnership knowing in my heart he needs this to overcome what he perceives was my total betrayal and disloyalty.
A frisson of nervous tension grips as Vi and Ethan re-join Christian and I in the great room, it dissipates, Vi's smiling, not a single trace of worry, nerves or tension, if they talked they worked it out…..phew…a relief.
'I apologise for the delay', Ethan's smile and tone relaxed.
'No delay', Christian grins, gets up from the table, grasps my hand.
I stand and we lead the way to the library which houses the billiard table, vividly my mind flashes images of that Perspex ruler.
Christian opens the door, we enter, I breathe in the comforting smell of books, another scent wafts, recognizing it, Clé de Peau soap, Vi raved about the brand so much I bought their whole skin care range.
Glancing, Ethan's running his hand through saturated raven black hair, the scent's emanating from him, obviously he took a quick shower but with no luggage he's wearing what he arrived in, should I offer jeans and tee-shirt of Christian's...no…way to awkward.
'Ethan your preference, English or carom billiards', Christian asks striding to the cupboard beneath the extensive bookshelves. Vi's staring at the billiard table, Ethan shrugs his shoulders, 'I am at ease with either', he replies insouciantly.
'Any of them like pool', Vi murmurs.
Ethan grasps her wrist not her hand, brings it to his mouth and kisses the underside, 'not to dissimilar', in a soft tone but dull tone he informs and oddly didn't refer to her as his love.
'Why don't we play pool', I blurt, 'easier to follow, what do you think Vi'.
She smiles, 'yeah ok'.
'Pool it is, best out of three', Christian extracts the leather case from the cupboard and in no time with efficient precision racks the balls.
Christian's very pleased we won the first game, goes to the drinks cabinet and pours four glasses of Remy Martin Black Pearl Louis XIII cognac. Ethan's blowing excess chalk from the tip of his cue expression unreadable.
I stroll over to Vi, she's rolling the white ball on the baize from on hand to the other lost in a world of her own, 'you ok', I whisper.
She stops the ball abruptly, 'yeah…..who knew it'd be so hard to get a stripy ball down a pocket', she replies with no eye contact.
'Vi you know what I mean', I murmur, under her lashes she glances at Ethan, back now turned studying the bookshelf containing the first edition set of Tess of the D'Urbervilles books, my graduation present from Christian.
'Everything's grand', a low dull reply, why do I get the feeling she doesn't want me to talk to her.
Christian sidles up, 'here baby', smiles hands me one antique lead crystal brandy glass, 'Violet', offers her the other.
Ethan materializes by her side, 'Christian Violet's tastes do not extend to brandy', instantly she nods in agreement seamlessly her outstretched hand that was about to accept the glass reaches for and takes her cue lying on the baize. Holy fuck, I get it, although in company and discreet Ethan's in Dominant mode Vi's in Submissive.
Gauging Christian's expression, impassive, impossible to tell if he sees it but with his experience I sense he can, he offers the glass to Ethan, it's taken, 'can I get you something else Violet', he asks.
Holey moley, it happened in a flash, Vi's eyes darted up to Ethan, he blinked once.
'Water please Christian', she murmurs.
'Ok, water', he sees it, as he past to go back to the drinks cabinet he smiled at me knowingly, niggling questions erupt in my mind, is this the way Vi and Ethan are working through the issue of Vi and me confiding, is this how they usually resolve their issues, if so does it work for them, gosh…I hope so.
'You play pool well Anastasia', Ethan in no way disguises a perceptive knowing smile then sips his brandy, Vi's eyes are fixedly staring down at either her feet or the handle end of the cue, strange, her expression's ethereal, calm, peaceful.
Admittedly I'm fascinated witnessing the subtle Sub/Dom dynamics between them, 'thanks my friend José taught me', I reply, Christian comes back and weirdly places the glass of iced Perrier on the edge of the billiard table rather than hand it to Vi, why?.
'Thanks Christian', she murmurs, makes no move to take it, Ethan does, hands it to her.
'You're welcome Violet', Christian replies in tone I can't differentiate, my subconscious is hysterically holding up a giant placard saying, "yearning", oh God has this reignited Christian's craving for my servitude.
'Game two, shall we commence', Ethan announces in a flippant tone.
'You bet Ethan, rack the balls', Christian announces as flippantly, in confusion the blood drains from my face.