Frances was very much pleased, and she kissed me. Then she observed: “Well anyhow, she has got a bigger bottom than I have. I really do admire it; and I should often like to birch it, as I did just now.”
“I daresay you would,” I said, laughingly. “But I am very sure you will never be able to get her to let you birch her again. You flogged her right well, and she must be rather sore at this moment.”
“I did lay on smartly,” said Frances smiling, “and I am afraid I shall never again have the pleasure of touching her big bottom with the rod. But now you had better go away. I don’t want her to find out that you have been in the house at all. Come back at seven o’clock and dine with us; but be careful not to drop a hint about what you have seen.”
I accepted the invitation to dinner; then I gave Frances a kiss, and slipped quietly out of the house, while Miss Martin was still in her room-putting vaseline on her bottom-I suppose. It was then four o’clock, so I took a stroll in Regent-street, and “drew” the Burlington Arcade. Then I went to my chambers and dressed for dinner, and at seven o’clock, I was again in Frances’ drawing-room, waiting for the ladies to make their appearance. In about five minutes they came into the room with their arms round each other’s waists; both were prettily dressed, Frances looking handsome, and Miss Martin looking quite pretty. She shook hands with me in her cordial way; her face showed no trace of disturbance, her eyes were bright, and her manner was as calm and composed, as if nothing out of the common had occurred during the afternoon. The birching had not affected her spirits; though no doubt her bottom was still tender.
We had a very nice dinner, and when it was over we spent a pleasant evening in the drawing-room, conversing on the various topics of the day. Miss Martin talked well, and sensibly, and, as I chatted with her, I often caught Frances glancing at me with such a humorous twinkle in her eyes that I had some difficulty in keeping my countenance. How horrified the demure-looking lady would have been, had she known that I had seen her, stark naked, being birched a few hours previously! I did not get back to my chamber till midnight. I stayed in town for three weeks after that little event, then, as the shooting season had commenced, I went down to Oakhurst, where I remained until the end of the year.
XIX
At the beginning of January I returned to London and took up my abode at my chambers, I had not seen Frances for some time; so the day after my arrival in town, I started off co pay her a visit, hoping to spend a couple of hours with her, and have a nice, quiet poke, but I was disappointed. It happened to be Frances’ “afternoon”- which I had forgotten-and when the maid ushered me into the drawing-room, I found it full of visitors of both sexes. Mrs. Markham shook hands with me in the usual conventional manner, saying a few commonplace words of welcome, and then I had to take my seat among the chattering throng, just as an ordinary visitor. I swore inwardly, for I wanted a poke badly, and Frances was looking most “fetching” at that moment, both in face and figure. She had entirely given up wearing mourning, and she was dressed in a handsome, richly-laced tea-gown, and she was by far the prettiest woman in the room.
Among the men present, there was one who appeared to pay more attention to the charming hostess, than did any of the other male visitors. He hovered about her constantly, sometimes bending down to whisper to her in a confidential way; and she was very gracious in her manner towards him.
I did not know him to speak to; but I knew that his name was Gilbert. He was a tail, good-looking man, about thirty-five years of age, with dark hair, and a long, drooping moustache-I had got light hair, and I did not wear a moustache.
I drank a cup of tea, and chatted with some people whom I knew; then, seeing that there was no chance that afternoon, of getting a quiet talk with Frances, I bade her good bye, and left her, for the first time, without as much as a kiss.
I called again next day, but she was out; however, I had an interview with Miss Martin, and while chatting with her, I made a few inquiries about Gilbert.
The governess, thinking I was merely asking for information in my capacity as Frances’ “old guardian,” told me without hesitation that they had made Mr. Gilbert’s acquaintance when at Eastbourne during the summer. She added, laughing: “I think he is in love with Mrs. Markham; he is constantly calling at the house, and he often sends her presents of flowers, and box tickets for theatres.”
“Do you think she is in love with him?” I inquired.
“I don’t know whether she is actually in love with him, or not; but she seems to be fond of his company. He is a very nice gentlemanly fellow, and he is very well-off. Mrs. Markham might do worse than marry him.”
Having got all the information I wanted out of Miss Martin; I bade her good bye, and went home to think over what I had heard.
I was not jealous; or even surprised at the news, as I had always felt certain that Frances would marry again; but I determined, at the first opportunity, to ask her to tell me exactly the state of her feelings towards Gilbert.
I did not get a chance of speaking to her on the subject for some days; as she was either out when I called, or else there were visitors in the room. However, one afternoon I managed to catch her alone, and I questioned her about Gilbert,
She seemed to be a little confused; but she told me that ever since she had been introduced to him at Eastbourne, he had paid court to her, and that latterly his attentions had become very marked.
“Do you love him? Don’t be afraid of telling me,” I said, kissing her. “I am your ‘old guardian,’ you know; and only wish for your happiness.”
“Well, Charley, I must confess that I am fond of Mr. Gilbert; and I think he wishes to marry me. If he proposes to me; I will accept him.”
Then she added: “I suppose yon are very much surprised?”
“No, I am not. I know that the man admires you, and he will probably soon ask you to be his wife. If you are sure you will be happy with him, I shall be quite satisfied co let you go.”
“But perhaps he never will ask me to marry him.”
“Then some one else will be sure to do so. A young, handsome, rich widow like you, will not be long without another offer,” I said, taking her on my knees, and putting my hands up her petticoats.
She made no objection, verbal or otherwise, so, with great delight, I laid her on the sofa, took down her dainty silk drawers, and gave her a poke. And she seemed to enjoy it thoroughly, judging by the way she bucked up and wriggled her bottom.
Time passed. I did not see much of Frances; but I often saw Miss Martin, and from her I learnt that Mrs. Markham was being ardently courted by Mr. Gilbert; so I daily expected to hear that she was engaged.
Another week went by, and then one morning, I received a note from her asking me to call at three o’clock. I went to the house at the appointed time, and found her looking rather flushed and excited, but very lovely. I thought that she had something important to tell me; and so she had, but at first she only talked about the most trivial things, and she looked so “fetching,” that I sac down beside her on the sofa and proceeded to feel her hidden charms. I squeezed her bottom, stroked her thighs, and played with the silky hair of the “spot”; then, as she only smiled, I attempted to place her in position for a poke. But she would not allow me to lay her on her back; she began to struggle, saying: “Don’t, Charley! Please don’t do that Let me go; I have something to tell you.”
I at once released her; then she sat up on the sofa and arranged her disordered petticoats, with a curious little smile on her face.
“Well, what have you got to tell me?” I asked, though I well knew what I should hear.
“Mi. Gilbert has asked me to marry him, and I have consented. I have grown to love him, and therefore I do not think I ought to let you embrace me any more. You know I have always been a faithful woman, both as a sweetheart, and as a wife. No man has ever touched me but you, and my late husband. And now I intend to be faithful to my future husband. You are not angry with me, I hope?”
