CHAPTER 67: DAVID AND THE NAKED MAJA
Sunday, May 29
Room 3
The Grantham Arms
Minnie looked at her wristlet and checked the time. She knew that Thomas would arrive on the dot and made the wait more bearable by pulling the curtains open and closed, open and closed, trying to decide which made the drab room cheerier.
At exactly 11:00, Minnie heard a soft knock and felt her stomach flutter. She opened the door, and there stood Thomas holding a parcel. He stepped inside quickly, closed the door behind him, and let out his breath. "Hullo, Missus."
"Hullo, Thomas. What's in the package?"
"It's empty. If anyone saw me knocking, I was going to say that I was delivering a package." Thomas set down the parcel and walked about the small room examining what little there was of this and that. "I'm sorry we couldn't go somewhere more romantic. We'll make up for it on our honeymoon."
"That's right."
Thomas turned to Minnie and smiled. "You're especially pretty tonight, Missus. I like your dress."
Minnie was wearing her favourite dress, sleeveless with a dreamy print of roses on a pale blue background, and she was pleased that Thomas liked it too. "Why don't you take off your coat and stay awhile," she joked. She stood awkwardly and waited while Thomas removed his coat and draped it over the only chair in the room. He paused a moment and decided to remove his waistcoat and tie as well.
Thomas turned and stretched out his arms. "Here I am," he proclaimed playfully. For one brief moment, Minnie considered running out the door. Thomas dropped his arms. "Are you nervous, Missus?" Minnie nodded. "That's all right. I am too."
"Are you?"
"Certainly. Shall I put on my waistcoat and tie?"
Minnie laughed. "No, I think I can survive the sight of you in your shirtsleeves."
Thomas sat on the bed. "Come, sit by me." Minnie sat next to Thomas, and he squeezed her hand. "Let's take off our shoes. That's not too daring." Minnie laughed, and they both removed their shoes. Thomas wrapped his arm around Minnie's waist. "Missus ...?"
"Yes?"
"Do you know what to expect tonight?"
If any other man had asked her that, Minnie would have felt patronized. But she didn't see arrogance in Thomas' eyes; she saw only concern. She tried to reassure him ... and herself. "My married sisters are terrible wags and try to make me believe all sorts of things, except Sophie. She's the eldest and always tells me the truth. It's not because she's sympathetic. It's because she's a know-all."
"Are you certain you want to do this? It's all right if you've changed your mind. I mean, I'd be disappointed, but I would never ... try to ..."
"I know, Thomas. I'm certain."
"Have you ever seen a naked man?"
"Yes ... well ... I've seen statues and paintings. Michelangelo's David." Thomas laughed. "What's so funny?" Minnie demanded defensively.
Thomas brought his nose to Minnie's. "Because that's the only way I've seen a naked woman. Goya's Naked Maja." Minnie giggled, and Thomas pulled her closer. "I hope you won't be disappointed. I'm afraid I don't look anything like Michelangelo's David."
"Then we should forget the whole thing!" teased Minnie and stood.
"Come here, you." Thomas pulled Minnie onto his lap. "I'd let you go, but I can't resist your dimples."
"Thomas ...?"
"Yes?"
"I do know what's supposed to happen, but I don't know what I'm supposed to do."
"You?" Thomas seemed puzzled. "You're not supposed to do anything." He kissed Minnie tenderly on the lips.
"No?"
"No." Thomas kissed Minnie again, a bit more forcefully, and she was surprised that this time his mouth was open. His lips moved across her cheek and down her neck, leaving a trail of exquisite sensations.
Oh, we must be starting! As Thomas nuzzled her neck, Minnie felt a tingle spread through her extremities. He brought his mouth to her ear and told her how much he loved her untamed curls. His warm breath melted any lingering uncertainty she may have had. He lifted his head as if to ask, Do you like this? She slipped her fingers into his thick hair and drew him back to her. He smiled and kissed her again, gently pulling her lower lip into his mouth. What sort of kissing is this? she wondered.
Thomas trailed his lips down Minnie's neck, dropped her straps on one side, and kissed her shoulder. He ran his fingers across her back and dropped the straps on the other side. Immediately her dress and slip fell to her waist revealing her bandeau. Thomas' head shot up in surprise. "Oh! I didn't realize ..."
Minnie was amused by Thomas' bewilderment. She didn't know whether he was surprised by her garments falling down or by the bandeau underneath. "What did you think was holding them up? Good intentions?" she joshed lightly. Thomas looked from the bandeau to Minnie's face and smiled sheepishly. Minnie stood, and her dress and slip fell to the floor. She stepped out of them and hung them on a hook. She turned back to Thomas wearing only her matching pink bandeau and tap shorts. Her heart was pounding. She had never been this exposed in front of a man. Even her swimming costume was more modest than this.
Thomas stood and pulled Minnie into his arms. "You're shivering. Are you cold?"
"A little."
"I'll take care of that." Thomas grinned and whisked Minnie off her feet. She tossed back her head and laughed. She could see that he was determined to enjoy this night in the guise of a cinematic hero. She had to admit that she was impressed with his strength. She wasn't as light as the more petite women at the Abbey. He threw back the covers and placed her gently on the sheets.
Thomas quickly removed his shirt and vest. Minnie pulled up the covers and tried to remain calm. He removed his trousers and folded them carefully before draping them over the seat of the chair. Please don't let him remove his drawers, she prayed, not yet, and her prayer was answered.
Thomas slipped under the covers and cozied up to Minnie. "Warmer?"
Thomas' heat enveloped Minnie deliciously. "Mmmm," she answered.
Thomas' fingers traced Minnie's breast over her bandeau, and the sensation made her gasp. He glanced up, then smiled and rested his head between her breasts. His fingers fumbled for the bandeau's fastening. After a few moments, he lifted his head. "I can't figure out this thing."
"This one fastens on the side." Minnie tried to be graceful as she unfastened it.
Thomas slowly pulled away the bandeau revealing Minnie's pale breasts. He gazed at them a few moments and touched them gingerly. Then he sighed and sat up. "Missus?"
Minnie gazed at Thomas, whose hair had fallen over his forehead in the most beguiling way. "Mmmm?"
"Would you mind if I turned off the lamps?"
"Oh!" He must think I'm hideous.
Thomas wasn't smiling now. "You want me to be honest, don't you?"
Not really, Minnie thought to herself. "Yes," she answered.
"I may not look like Michelangelo's David, but you look exactly like Goya's Maja. You're as lovely as any painting I've seen, Missus, but let's face it. I'm used to David."
Thomas had been so attentive that Minnie had all but forgotten why they were there. It didn't matter how attractive he found her. He could never yearn for her the way she was yearning for him. "Go ahead, sweetheart. Turn them off."
Thomas quickly jumped out of the bed, turned off the lamps, and returned to Minnie. "It's getting chilly! Warm me up, Missus!" Minnie laughed and pulled him close. "You're so warm!" he exclaimed.
They lay together in the dark for several moments before Thomas moved. He pressed himself against her so that she was half-covered by him. "I'm not too heavy for you, am I?" he asked.
A small, "No," was all that escaped Minnie's lips. She was filled with a paralyzing combination of excitement and fear. Thomas brought his hand up to her cheek and lightly drew it down her neck, between her breasts, to her navel, and across her tap pants. She was aroused exactly as Sophie had said, If it was done right. Minnie felt Thomas' cheek with its hint of whisker against her as he cupped and kissed her breast. Her breath caught when she felt his tongue. His tongue? I suppose that's how it's done, then.
Minnie wondered if Thomas would remove her tap pants next. She felt ready. Instead, he did nothing for a few moments and then seemed to start again from the beginning. He pressed himself against her more firmly. He paused and then began a third time. "Missus, would you ...? Do you think you could ...?"
"What, Thomas? What should I be doing?"
"Nothing." Thomas rolled away from Minnie and lay motionless.
"Please, Thomas. Tell me."
Thomas was silent.
"Thomas?"
Thomas rolled back to Minnie's embrace and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry, Minnie. I thought it would be ... I never would have agreed to this if I hadn't been certain I could ... I'm sorry, Minnie."
Thomas pulled himself away from Minnie's arms, and she could hear him fumbling for his clothes and dressing. "Thomas, what did I do wrong?"
"Minnie, I'm going to turn on the lamp. Please cover yourself."
So it was Minnie now, not Missus. Minnie sat up and pulled the covers over herself.
Thomas turned on the lamp but kept his back to her. "Are you covered?"
"Yes."
Thomas sat on the edge of the bed and took Minnie's hand. "You didn't do a thing wrong, Minnie. You mustn't think that. I was certain I could make love to a woman if I was as fond of her as I am of you. I was wrong." He kissed her hand and silently finished dressing.
"We'll try again, Thomas. You can't smash all our dreams after one try!" insisted Minnie.
Thomas shook his head and opened the door. "Please don't hate me, Minnie."
