Eleanor smiled shyly, "It was my father's, of course. I had to refurbish it when it was passed to me. I made some changes in the garden, added some different flowers." When Hannah raised her eyebrows, Eleanor continued, "It's a two story Regency style house, with five bedrooms. There's an indoor pool, and an acre in the back."
Don and Colby exchanged glances. It was a huge place for just one person.
They pulled up to the front door, and a middle-aged gentleman stepped out.
Hannah clutched Eleanor's arm, "Not... a butler!"
"I'm afraid so. I can't manage this place by myself. There's a butler, and a cook. They don't live in though. And I use a cleaning service and a garden care service." She smiled at the look on Hannah's face. "Daddy did very well as a venture capitalist."
"And you're continuing in the family business, aren't you?" Hannah asked curiously.
Eleanor nodded, "Leave your things. Alfred will get them. I'll show you around."
"Alfred?" Colby had to struggle not to laugh.
"Yes, sir?"
"Ah, nothing, sorry."
Eleanor laughed, but said nothing.
Hannah gasped as she walked in the front door, the foyer had a vaulted ceiling, and a curved staircase wound around each side of the foyer to the upper floor, joining together in the center as a railed gallery. The floor was a beautiful Italian marble.
Each room on the lower floor was large and spacious. The kitchen boasted a huge central island, and the drawing room featured a fireplace and glazed double doors that led to the gardens at the back of the house. The doors in the breakfast area in the kitchen led to the indoor pool.
"I have an office back that way, it overlooks the front gardens," Eleanor explained. "Come on, I'll show you the bedrooms and you can decide which bedroom you want."
Colby slipped an arm around Hannah as they started up the stairs.
She smiled up at him. "I'm fine for now," she murmured. "Oh! This one!" She exclaimed, when she saw the lovely wrought iron bedstead.
Eleanor laughed, "Well, that didn't take long."
As they went through the last bedroom, Hannah said quietly, "It must have been difficult for you when we used to camp out at Kayla's, all four of us bundled into her tiny bedroom."
"Those were some of the happiest days of my life, Hannah," Eleanor turned to look Hannah in the eye. "I can't tell you what it means to me to have friends like the three of you. People who didn't care who my father was or how much money he had." She hugged Hannah fiercely. "And it's really good to have you here."
As they headed back down, Hannah asked, "Will you show me a little of the garden? It's so beautiful, with all those flowers!"
"Of course! I had these done in the style of the cottage garden. Essentially, a profusion of flowers where ever space permits. There are also lots of climbing roses on trellises and even some of the walls. Lots of pink asters, lavendar, scarlet and blue pimpernel, candytufts, cornflowers, daisies, forget-me-nots, foxgloves, larkspurs, sweet william, oh goodness, just a little of everything. And the red poppies, of course."
"Why, of course?" Don finally spoke up.
"It's a symbol of respect for the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom, justice and peace. Dating back to World War I, at Flanders Field. I guess it's largely based on the poem by John McCrae in 1915. It goes like this:
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below
'We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.'
'Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.' "
There was silence for a minute.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dampen your spirits," Eleanor began to apologize.
"Oh, no, I think it's wonderful," Don said gently.
"Nevertheless, we should probably go in."
Don held out his arm to her, and after a second's hesitation, Eleanor took it. Cradling her hand in the crook of his arm, he escorted her in.
Colby's lips twitched in amusement as he watched them leave then turned to Hannah with a sweeping bow, "Milady, after you."
Hannah burst into laughter, "You need a lot more practice, Idaho." Then she shrieked as he hoisted her on his shoulder and carried her in.
-----
They spent a pleasant evening just talking and laughing. Eleanor and Hannah reminisced about the year that Eleanor had spent in the US. They joked and laughed with Colby about Kayla and Willow whom he'd also met. Don relaxed and simply listened, enjoying the sound of their laughter.
Dinner was a casual affair because Eleanor wanted them to feel at home. Hannah thought the roast beef and yorkshire pudding was fabulous, although Colby thought privately that he did a better job with the yorkshire pudding. Dessert was a delicious English treacle tart, which none of them had ever had.
When the conversation turned into girl talk, Don excused himself and went to bed. Colby wandered around the rooms while the girls continued to chat, and ended up browsing a bookcase. He grinned when he got to a couple of books.
"Hey, Eleanor, I'm going to take these books upstairs with me, if that's alright," Colby raised his voice so she could hear him. He heard something that he passed for assent, and went on upstairs. He knew it wouldn't be much longer before Hannah followed.
-----
"Look what I found in the bookcase," Colby grinned when Hannah finally came upstairs. "The Man's Gourmet Sex Book, and the Woman's Gourmet Sex Book. 365 Sensual Experiences. Each."
Hannah choked on the sip of water she was taking, then burst into giggles, "No way! In Eleanor's bookcase?"
"I don't know if they're hers, but yeah, I found them downstairs." His eyes gleamed, "Want to find out what sensual experience is in store for us today?"
"Does it involve silk scarves or handcuffs? The wrought iron bedstead would be perfect for either of those."
Colby threw back his head in laughter, "That's why you wanted this bedroom!"
Hannah grinned, "Why'd you think?"
"I didn't know. So, you ready for your July 12 sensual experience?"
"Well, let me read it, Colby." Hannah snagged the book and began to read, "'Here is a way to vary the side-by-side, partners-facing position for intercourse that will enable you to drive the full length of your penis in and out of her vagina far more easily, thus greatly increasing the pleasure for both of you.' "
Hannah moaned as Colby began to nibble on her ear lobe. He reached around her and cupped her breasts, squeezing them gently. His fingers caressed her breasts through her shirt and bra. He slid his fingers to her nipples with began to squeeze them gently. He unbuttoned her blouse and scooped her breasts out of her bra, but left the bra on. He unzipped her pants, and slid her panties off her, grinning at how hot and wet she already was. He slid back up along her body. "What else does it say?" he murmured in her ear, his breath feathering erotically down her neck.
"Um. 'It is best to begin with you lying on your back while she lies above you and places her legs outside your own as she settles down onto your penis. Wait until the two of you are locked together in the rhythms of sex, and then, with your arms tight around her, roll to one side.' Oh God! Colby!" Hannah dropped the book with a moan, as he settled her over his crotch. He rubbed his jean-clad crotch against her naked one as he raked his teeth over her aroused nipples.
"I need... " Hannah's soft whimper of frustration was muffled as he pulled her down for a kiss. His tongue slid in and twirled with hers. He continued the friction of his crotch on hers, and he felt her reach her climax. He wrapped his arms around her and turned her onto her back. His mouth still on hers, still kissing and licking her lips and tongue, he stripped his jeans and boxer briefs off. As she came down a little from her climax, he began to place a trail of kisses down her neck.
"Now, lets try this book again," he murmured as he lay down next her on his back. He rolled her on top of him.
She took over and straddled him, lowering herself on him, moaning as she pushed down so he filled her deeply as possible. She began to ride down, and he thrust up as she did so. As they continued their rhythm, she leaned down, pressing her breasts against his chest. Her mouth covered his in another kiss.
He reached an arm down and hooked it under her leg, pulling her leg up until it rested in the crook of his arm. His thrusts went deeper inside her as he thrust harder and faster.
She was writhing with the pleasure and her moans grew more guttural, as once again she approached orgasm. She muffled her scream against his shoulder as she climaxed again. This time, he climaxed with her.
The room was quiet except for the sound of their breathing. Then Hannah gasped in laughter when Colby said, "I could get used to this book."