A/N: Chemise (a type of woman's undergarment/sleepwear; looks to be light and loose dress. Classically worn next to the skin to protect the clothing from sweat and body oils.)
Home Is Where The Girl Is
Chapter 4 – The Countryside
After waking up before dawn and traveling nearly all day, the women finally reached their final destination. Upon a large grassy knoll sat a larger than most cottage. It was humble in size compared to the house on Paternoster Row but would be more than acquit for the pair during their stay. What truly enticed the pair were the amenities the piece of property provided.
For starters, there was not another living sole for miles. No nosy or annoying neighbors to worry about. There was a tall line of brushes and shrubs that surrounded a quarter of the lot. It provided the ideal privacy desperately desired by the duo. This impenetrable barrier would allow Madame Vastra to sunbath anytime she wanted without incident. A brief stroll from the back of the house was a trail of overhanging oak trees that led to a small lake. It was included with the property and even had its own little pier. The cottage was surrounded by acres of open fields filed with tall grass that was often caressed by a warm and gentle breeze.
After their baggage had been brought inside, the caretaker was starring oddly at the veiled woman who was wearing a long beautiful grey dress with matching accents. By now Jenny had become accustomed to being over looked any time Madame Vastra was around.
Countering the unwanted attention, the wealthy and sophisticated woman had given the rehearsed alibi as to why two unaccompanied women needed such a grand piece of land, and why it was absolutely vital that they be undisturbed. The woman who often disliked mammals, recalled the keeper's mind beginning to spin wildly when the veiled woman addressed all his concerns with a simple eloquent statement.
"You see my dear man I have come to the country because I am a writer on the verge of a best seller. It is imperative I am not disturbed for any reason. All I require is one simple servant for my needs." She nodded towards Flint's direction, who in turned curtsied.
"For such a large farm" the woman continued, slowly and matriarchal moved about the room, "I have a rare skin disease that does not allow me to show my true skin in public." The fearless investigator made an abrupt about face turning towards the tattered man, "It can be quite striking for those…" She paused pretending as if she was really going to remove her opaque shroud from her face. The prestige Victorian then sharply dropped her hands adding, "Well no worries, it is not contagious." She pointed at her dark haired servant. "She looks normal yes?"
The pair giggled at how quickly the older gentleman went for the door yelling, "You know where to find me if you need me!"
Under her breath Vastra annoyingly muttered, "Monkey". But as Vastra peered out of the window, waiting for the caretaker to be gone from site, her hands rose to lace mask again. However this time, not only did she lift it, she removed it from her crown and tossed it to the side like rubbish. With a few more fluid movements, off came her silk gloves, scarf and bonnet. By the time Jenny turned away from the window, her mistress already had half her dress undone and was in the process of carelessly shimmering out of it.
Once it hit the ground, a quick swift kick sent the fine gray dress against the closest wall. Standing in only her pale yellow chemise, that clashed magnificently with her green skin, the curvaceous reptilian placed her hands on her hips as to soak in the small victory.
Lifting a single digit in the air, as if she had missed something, the eloquent woman revealed, "I almost forgot!" Rustling to the nearest chair, the deadly hunter sat down and busily removed her fine leather boots and stockings; not at all concerned with the maiden standing gapingly at the woman's skin who she had never seen so bare.
After all it was not the color of Madame Vastra's skin that made the former match girl weak at the knees or heart pound. It was that she had never seen a woman as unclothed as Vastra was now. Surely she had been with girls before, but always in the dark or in the shadows of the night. To the young woman who had been disowned by her own family for her life choices, it wounded her that she had never been able to wake with someone in her arms. Because it was forbidden, her former partners never stayed to see the morning light on their lover's face. It was a fate she thought she would have to endure until her death.
Nervously massaging her temple trying not to stare, Jenny helplessly watched as Vastra stood and wiggled her toes on the bare wooden floor. Feeling flush with delight, she panicked that the reptilian warrior would realize the impure thoughts racing about in her mind. The last thing she wanted to do was offend the deadly hunter. From the corner of her eye she watched the titillating gown twirl.
Beneath the Silurian's feet, the boards felt warm after basting in the afternoon sun. "FREE AT LAST!" Vastra boasted. Spinning around like a school girl in a new dress, the affluent lizard was beaming from ear to ear. "Isn't this wonderful my dear?" Finally stopping to catch her breath, the typically reserved woman cheered, "Is this not rejuvenating?"
The star struck maid did not know what that word meant, but based on how her mistress was behaving, she had a pretty good idea what she was implying. However before the young servant had the chance to look away from the low cut, near see through gown that showed too much green skin, lady Vastra grabbed Jenny by the hand, nearly sweeping her off her feet. "Let's go check out the pool."