u/rachmwrites

“Urgh,” Alex groans as he opens the hotel room door and sees what’s inside. It’s exactly as you’d expect, but exactly what he didn’t want to see.

It was a bog-standard budget hotel room. Hard wearing carpet, off white walls and worst of all, a king size bed. The guy at reception had told us it was almost certainly set up as a double, not a twin room, but he couldn’t be sure.

“I’ll go see if they can change it for us.” He says resignedly, turning to leave.

“Don’t bother,” I say, stopping him, “I’m happy enough to share if you are. I just want to sleep.”

“If you’re sure,” he says trudging into the room, dumping his bag on the ground with a thud, “It’s probably too late anyway.”

He was right, it was nearly 1am, we were supposed to have been home, and in our own beds hours ago. We had spent the last four days at an academic conference. Professor Robinson had disappeared off home two days ago, leaving me and Alex to attend the amazingly dull seminars and ‘networking events’ in his stead. The perks of being our supervisor I suppose.

Our flight home was meant to be early evening and was already half an hour delayed when we got to the airport. By the time we had got through security, it was an hour and a half late and only got more and more delayed. Eventually, the airline evidently gave up on the charade and cancelled it entirely.

Fortunately for us two poor grad students, the airline got us seats on the next flight tomorrow afternoon and would provide us with a hotel room for the night. Unfortunately, because our tickets were on a single booking, they'd only pay for one room.

It was after midnight when we finally arrived at the hotel, and neither of us was really in much of a mood to argue with the receptionist when he told us they were fully booked. Besides, it wouldn't really have been worth it. I was exhausted, and knew I'd be asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I was sure Alex was just as tired as I was.

We both get changed and climb in to our own side of the bed. It's a bit weird seeing Alex in just his t shirt and boxer shorts, but I don't really pay much mind to it in the moment, but I have a feeling the image is going to be burnt into my mind. This wasn't the way I'd ever envisioned myself sharing a bed with Alex, but it didn't matter, I just want to sleep.

"Goodnight, Jess" Alex mutters, switching off the light and the room plunges into darkness.

"Night, Alex" I reply. I can already feel my eyes getting heavy, it's not long before I'm dead to the world.

My next thing I'm aware of is an unknown number of hours later, I'm barely conscious, it takes an inordinate amount of strength to open my eyes a crack. The room is dark, a slight glow is coming through the curtains, but it's obviously streetlights so still the middle of the night. My arms and legs feel almost impossibly heavy from the tiredness.

The weight of the duvet and the hand resting on my hip are comforting, I shuffle back a smidgen, enjoying the heat of the body pressed against my back. It's been a while since I've spooned with anyone, I hadn't realised how much I've missed it.

Letting my eyes fall closed, I feel sleep start to take me once again when a bolt of adrenaline shot though my body. In my half conscious stupor I'd completely forgotten who I was sharing the bed with.

My first instinct is to throw myself away from him, but I hesitate for an instant as Alex's hand moves. Sliding off my hip and coming to a rest on my stomach. His fingertips have slid ever so slightly under the hem of my top too, feeling hot where they're touching my bare skin.

My heart rate spikes, but I try and control my breathing, and try and think about it logically. I'm still on my side of the bed, so he must have come to me. This actually feels quite nice and Alex is quite attractive, even if I've never really looked at him in that way before. Plus, we're both single, so there's no problem there.

I decide to enjoy the situation I've found myself in. I can hear Alex's slow breathing and can feel his chest moving slightly against my back. I shuffle about slightly to get more comfortable and Alex's hand moves again, this time slipping further under my top, his full palm on my stomach now.

There’s not much more room for him to move it up until we’re in dangerous territory. Thinking about that a flush of heat surges out from my crotch and washes over my body, sending pins and needles tingling down my fingers. I need to move them.

I open and close my left hand a few times to try and get the feeling back into it, but the other I carefully move, carefully placing it on the fabric of my top, just over where Alex’s hand is.

‘It’s to stop him from moving it any further up’ some part of my mind adds unprompted. Another part recognises that thought for what it is. An excuse.

I close my hand around his a little, applying as little pressure as I can.

Just as I do that, Alex breathes in sharply and I feel the muscles in his arm tense.

I feel his body pull away from mine and he tries to pull his hand away but I grip just a little harder. He hesitates for an instant, I'm not gripping too hard that he won't be able to pull his arm free, but he must realise I'm awake as well.

"Oh my God, Jess" he whispers from behind me, "I'm so sorry."

He tries to pull the arm away again, but I squeeze my hand again, just a little tighter this time.

"Don't," I say, grogginess slurring the word, "stay, it's nice."

"Are you sure?" he asks, sounding somewhat more awake than me.

"Yeah"

"Uhh, Okay," he says, settling back in behind me, though definitely not as closely as before. I scooch back towards him and feel the warmth of his body press against mine again. I feel something pressing into my butt too. It takes me a moment in my half awake state to realise what it is.

It's his dick. My body's instant reaction is to dump a surge of adrenaline flushing through my bloodstream, culminating in a slight warmth in my crotch. I'm not in the most comfortable position either, I just need to adjust myself slightly, but stay motionless for the moment.

I wait for as long as I can before the urge to move gets too much and I have to shift my hips slightly, feeling Alex's bulge rub across my ass through the thin fabric sending another rush of warmth through my body.

A few seconds later, Alex moves. My heart jumps. That was definitely on purpose. I take a few breaths and push my hips back again. A few seconds later, his shifts about in turn, I resist the urge to move instantly, but don't wait too long.

This time Alex doesn't wait. He pushes his hips back against me much more forcefully than before. There's no doubt now.

This back and forth continues, each time the bulge in his underwear gets a little larger and a little firmer until he's grinding his now very obvious erection against me.

My heart is pounding now and I'm working hard to keep my breathing under control. Each movement of our hips had sent a wave of warmth rolling over my body. I can feel the his hot breath on the back of my neck, he's feeling it too.

Alex's hand is still resting on the bare skin of my stomach, he's not tried to move it since he woke up. My grip has loosened slightly so I gradually slide my hand down, grabbing his wrist and pulling his hand up to my chest while at the same time pushing my hips back into his as hard as I can.

As soon as he touches my breast he closes his hand around it squeezing it quite forcefully. I'm completely unable to stifle the gasp that results and in response Alex tightens his grip a little more.

The pressure inside my chest is now fighting against the pressure outside and it feels hard to breath without almost gasping. Every movement of Alex's hand on my breast sends a tendril of pleasure from my chest to my crotch.

Alex pulls his face close to me and kisses the exposed skin at the base of my neck, my skin tingles where his lips touch me. He slides his other arm under my neck and wraps it around me, completely embracing me.

His other hand slides down my body, at first I think he's heading for my crotch. I shift my legs a little in anticipation, but instead he grabs the hem of my pyjama top, lifting it up. I'm almost disappointed, until he grabs my other boob, squeezing it in turn.

I try to reach around behind myself to try and grab him. He's pressing himself against me too tightly, so I have to make do with groping at his ass, but it's an awkward position.

One of Alex's hands leaves my breast, tracing his way back down my stomach, stopping at my pyjama bottoms, one finger hooked just under the elasticated waistband, gently stroking the skin underneath.

"Can I?" He asks, millimetres from my ear, his voice sending a shiver through my body.

"Yes" I gasp out. My whole universe has collapsed down to this one bed, it's all I want right now.

His hand slides into my pyjama bottoms and into my underwear. I twist my hips slightly, opening my legs a little as I do so and his hand continues to slip downwards.

"Holy shit, you're soaked," he says as his fingers finally reach their destination.

"Yeah..." I say, before being cut off by the electric burst of pleasure as they gently caress my pussy.

Now we're in a slightly better position, I'm able to move my own hand to Alex's crotch in turn. My hand finds his dick through the fabric of his boxer shorts.

The same instant my hand starts to close around his bulge, his finger finds my clitoris. The gentle touch of his finger is like a bolt of lightning, every muscle in my body tightening. My hand grabs his dick quite forcefully and I feel him flinch a little.

"Sorryahh" I say, trying to apologise as his finger traces its way back across my clit and a wave of relaxation washes over me.

Alex doesn't say anything, just lets his finger reverse direction again, sending more ripples of pleasure through my body. I try to stroke my hand up his dick, but the tight material of his boxer shorts prevents me from getting a good grip on him.

I figure that he has his hand in my underwear, so probably won't mind mine in his, I slide my hand up and under his, wrapping my hand around him. His skin feels warm and firm. Mentally gauging his size. Definitely above average, but not massive. I start to think about what he'd feel like as I carefully move my hand up and then down his length.

I can feel Alex's finger movement stuttering as I stroke him. I know exactly how he feels, it's taking all my concentration not to dissolve into the pleasure, and I'm sure it's the same for him. But my hand's movement is quite restricted.

I pull my hand out of his boxers and start to push them down, but it's an awkward position. He gives a hand and pushes them down further and I feel him kick them off. Unfortunately, the hand he used to help me was the one that was in my underwear.

I feel his fingers at the waistline of my pyjamas again, I take the hint and push them down and wriggle out of them before wrapping my hand around his cock once more and his fingers slide between my legs once more.

There's only one way that I want this to end now. It takes a few deep breaths to get the words out. "Fuck me."

"Are you sure?" he asks, his fingers al but stop their movement.

Is he really questioning this now?! "Yes."

I shuffle over a little, away from the edge of the bed, Alex throws the duvet back and gets up on his knees. He swings a leg over, his knee sinking slightly into the mattress between my legs. I feel them move almost by themselves, my knees pull up and I open them for him. Even that simple action sends another wave of warmth over my body. My crotch is aching from the anticipation of what's to come.

My heart is beating so hard I'm convinced he can hear it, every pulse thumps in my ears. I've honestly never been this excited for sex in my life. I feel the heat of his body as he comes closer, then a slight pressure on my pussy. Some instinct makes me open my legs a little more, but there's no need.

Time seems to slow down and I start to become hyperaware of every sensation. The pressure on my builds and builds as Alex pushes his dick into me, then dissolves away as he slides into me.

I moan as I feel myself stretch slightly to accept him, I've given up trying to be quiet. It takes too much concentration and I want to savour every second of this. I push my hips towards his and feel him slide deeper inside.

Alex pulls back slightly, then pushes in again, going even deeper this time. He moves his hips slowly, each thrust slightly deeper until I can feel him all the way inside me.

Alex reaches down and pushes my top up again. His red hot palm groping my breast again, squeezing in time with his thrusts. Each one I try and anticipate with my own hip movements, eventually we fall into sync, Alex pushing himself into me as I push my hips into his.

Each thrust feels like bliss. He's the prefect size for me. Big enough that I can really feel him as he pushes into me, but not too big that it's sore.

He leans down, planting a kiss on my neck again as I wrap my arms around him. Our bodies are pressed together. I can feel the heat of his body, the muscles in his back tighten under my palms. I hear his heavy breathing and feel it on my neck.

It's at this point that I realise that I haven't actually kissed him yet. Twisting my head to the side I kiss blindly. First one landing on his cheek, the second on his nose, but the third one hits the mark. Our lips meet then an instant later our tongues meet, I lift a hand up to hold his head in place.

Our tongues roll over each other as Alex starts to pick up the pace. Every thrust sending a shockwave of ecstasy through my body. We're forced to break the kiss so we can actually breathe. I try to tell Alex how good this feels but all that comes out of my mouth is incomprehensible gasps and moans.

Alex seems to catch the jist of it though, and slows ever so slightly but now uses every thrust to really push his hips into me and use all of his length. I feel him slip out of me as he pulls his hips back, then feel every muscle tense in his back as he stifles a grunt.

It's the sensation of the hot streaks landing on my stomach that tells me he's cum. I tighten my arms around his body and kiss him again, as he practically collapses off me.

We lie there panting for breath for what feels like hours, the tiredness not seeping back into my body. I finally muster up the energy to get out of bed and get cleaned up.

"You didn't have to pull out, you know." I tell him as I return to bed, snuggling up to him, our still hot skin touching once again.

"Sorry," he says, "You didn't say and it sort of snuck up on me."

"Well, you'll know for next time."

"Next time?" he asks, sounding confused.

"Wellll," I say, dragging out the word, "Our flight's not until two..." I leave the rest unsaid.

"Yeah... Oh!" he says, finally catching the implication.

“Urgh,” Alex groans as he opens the hotel room door and sees what’s inside. It’s exactly as you’d expect, but exactly what he didn’t want to see.

It was a bog-standard budget hotel room. Hard wearing carpet, off white walls and worst of all, a king size bed. The guy at reception had told us it was almost certainly set up as a double, not a twin room, but he couldn’t be sure.

“I’ll go see if they can change it for us.” He says resignedly, turning to leave.

“Don’t bother,” I say, stopping him, “I’m happy enough to share if you are. I just want to sleep.”

“If you’re sure,” he says trudging into the room, dumping his bag on the ground with a thud, “It’s probably too late anyway.”

He was right, it was nearly 1am, we were supposed to have been home, and in our own beds hours ago. We had spent the last four days at an academic conference. Professor Robinson had disappeared off home two days ago, leaving me and Alex to attend the amazingly dull seminars and ‘networking events’ in his stead. The perks of being our supervisor I suppose.

Our flight home was meant to be early evening and was already half an hour delayed when we got to the airport. By the time we had got through security, it was an hour and a half late and only got more and more delayed. Eventually, the airline evidently gave up on the charade and cancelled it entirely.

Fortunately for us two poor grad students, the airline got us seats on the next flight tomorrow afternoon and would provide us with a hotel room for the night. Unfortunately, because our tickets were on a single booking, they’d only pay for one room.

It was after midnight when we finally arrived at the hotel, and neither of us was really in much of a mood to argue with the receptionist when he told us they were fully booked. Besides, it wouldn’t really have been worth it. I was exhausted, and knew I’d be asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I was sure Alex was just as tired as I was.

We both get changed and climb in to our own side of the bed. It’s a bit weird seeing Alex in just his t shirt and boxer shorts, but I don’t really pay much mind to it in the moment, but I have a feeling the image is going to be burnt into my mind. This wasn’t the way I’d ever envisioned myself sharing a bed with Alex, but it didn’t matter, I just want to sleep.

“Goodnight, Jess” Alex mutters, switching off the light and the room plunges into darkness.

“Night, Alex” I reply. I can already feel my eyes getting heavy, it’s not long before I’m dead to the world.

My next thing I’m aware of is an unknown number of hours later, I’m barely conscious, it takes an inordinate amount of strength to open my eyes a crack. The room is dark, a slight glow is coming through the curtains, but it’s obviously streetlights so still the middle of the night. My arms and legs feel almost impossibly heavy from the tiredness.

The weight of the duvet and the hand resting on my hip are comforting, I shuffle back a smidgen, enjoying the heat of the body pressed against my back. It’s been a while since I’ve spooned with anyone, I hadn’t realised how much I’ve missed it.

Letting my eyes fall closed, I feel sleep start to take me once again when a bolt of adrenaline shot though my body. In my half conscious stupor I’d completely forgotten who I was sharing the bed with.

My first instinct is to throw myself away from him, but I hesitate for an instant as Alex’s hand moves. Sliding off my hip and coming to a rest on my stomach. His fingertips have slid ever so slightly under the hem of my top too, feeling hot where they’re touching my bare skin.

My heart rate spikes, but I try and control my breathing, and try and think about it logically. I’m still on my side of the bed, so he must have come to me. This actually feels quite nice and Alex is quite attractive, even if I’ve never really looked at him in that way before. Plus, we’re both single, so there’s no problem there.

I decide to enjoy the situation I’ve found myself in. I can hear Alex’s slow breathing and can feel his chest moving slightly against my back. I shuffle about slightly to get more comfortable and Alex’s hand moves again, this time slipping further under my top, his full palm on my stomach now.

There’s not much more room for him to move it up until we’re in dangerous territory. Thinking about that a flush of heat surges out from my crotch and washes over my body, sending pins and needles tingling down my fingers. I need to move them.

I open and close my left hand a few times to try and get the feeling back into it, but the other I carefully move, carefully placing it on the fabric of my top, just over where Alex’s hand is.

‘It’s to stop him from moving it any further up’ some part of my mind adds unprompted. Another part recognises that thought for what it is. An excuse.

I close my hand around his a little, applying as little pressure as I can.

Just as I do that, Alex breathes in sharply and I feel the muscles in his arm tense.

I feel his body pull away from mine and he tries to pull his hand away but I grip just a little harder. He hesitates for an instant, I’m not gripping too hard that he won’t be able to pull his arm free, but he must realise I’m awake as well.

“Oh my God, Jess” he whispers from behind me, “I’m so sorry.”

He tries to pull the arm away again, but I squeeze my hand again, just a little tighter this time.

“Don’t,” I say, grogginess slurring the word, “stay, it’s nice.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, sounding somewhat more awake than me.

“Yeah”

“Uhh, Okay,” he says, settling back in behind me, though definitely not as closely as before. I scooch back towards him and feel the warmth of his body press against mine again. I feel something pressing into my butt too. It takes me a moment in my half awake state to realise what it is.

It’s his dick. My body’s instant reaction is to dump a surge of adrenaline flushing through my bloodstream, culminating in a slight warmth in my crotch. I’m not in the most comfortable position either, I just need to adjust myself slightly, but stay motionless for the moment.

I wait for as long as I can before the urge to move gets too much and I have to shift my hips slightly, feeling Alex’s bulge rub across my ass through the thin fabric sending another rush of warmth through my body.

A few seconds later, Alex moves. My heart jumps. That was definitely on purpose. I take a few breaths and push my hips back again. A few seconds later, his shifts about in turn, I resist the urge to move instantly, but don’t wait too long.

This time Alex doesn’t wait. He pushes his hips back against me much more forcefully than before. There’s no doubt now.

This back and forth continues, each time the bulge in his underwear gets a little larger and a little firmer until he’s grinding his now very obvious erection against me.

My heart is pounding now and I’m working hard to keep my breathing under control. Each movement of our hips had sent a wave of warmth rolling over my body. I can feel the his hot breath on the back of my neck, he’s feeling it too.

Alex’s hand is still resting on the bare skin of my stomach, he’s not tried to move it since he woke up. My grip has loosened slightly so I gradually slide my hand down, grabbing his wrist and pulling his hand up to my chest while at the same time pushing my hips back into his as hard as I can.

As soon as he touches my breast he closes his hand around it squeezing it quite forcefully. I’m completely unable to stifle the gasp that results and in response Alex tightens his grip a little more.

The pressure inside my chest is now fighting against the pressure outside and it feels hard to breath without almost gasping. Every movement of Alex’s hand on my breast sends a tendril of pleasure from my chest to my crotch.

Alex pulls his face close to me and kisses the exposed skin at the base of my neck, my skin tingles where his lips touch me. He slides his other arm under my neck and wraps it around me, completely embracing me.

His other hand slides down my body, at first I think he’s heading for my crotch. I shift my legs a little in anticipation, but instead he grabs the hem of my pyjama top, lifting it up. I’m almost disappointed, until he grabs my other boob, squeezing it in turn.

I try to reach around behind myself to try and grab him. He’s pressing himself against me too tightly, so I have to make do with groping at his ass, but it’s an awkward position.

One of Alex’s hands leaves my breast, tracing his way back down my stomach, stopping at my pyjama bottoms, one finger hooked just under the elasticated waistband, gently stroking the skin underneath.

“Can I?” He asks, millimetres from my ear, his voice sending a shiver through my body.

“Yes” I gasp out. My whole universe has collapsed down to this one bed, it’s all I want right now.

His hand slides into my pyjama bottoms and into my underwear. I twist my hips slightly, opening my legs a little as I do so and his hand continues to slip downwards.

“Holy shit, you’re soaked,” he says as his fingers finally reach their destination.

“Yeah...” I say, before being cut off by the electric burst of pleasure as they gently caress my pussy.

Now we’re in a slightly better position, I’m able to move my own hand to Alex’s crotch in turn. My hand finds his dick through the fabric of his boxer shorts.

The same instant my hand starts to close around his bulge, his finger finds my clitoris. The gentle touch of his finger is like a bolt of lightning, every muscle in my body tightening. My hand grabs his dick quite forcefully and I feel him flinch a little.

“Sorryahh” I say, trying to apologise as his finger traces its way back across my clit and a wave of relaxation washes over me.

Alex doesn’t say anything, just lets his finger reverse direction again, sending more ripples of pleasure through my body. I try to stroke my hand up his dick, but the tight material of his boxer shorts prevents me from getting a good grip on him.

I figure that he has his hand in my underwear, so probably won’t mind mine in his, I slide my hand up and under his, wrapping my hand around him. His skin feels warm and firm. Mentally gauging his size. Definitely above average, but not massive. I start to think about what he’d feel like as I carefully move my hand up and then down his length.

I can feel Alex’s finger movement stuttering as I stroke him. I know exactly how he feels, it’s taking all my concentration not to dissolve into the pleasure, and I’m sure it’s the same for him. But my hand’s movement is quite restricted.

I pull my hand out of his boxers and start to push them down, but it’s an awkward position. He gives a hand and pushes them down further and I feel him kick them off. Unfortunately, the hand he used to help me was the one that was in my underwear.

I feel his fingers at the waistline of my pyjamas again, I take the hint and push them down and wriggle out of them before wrapping my hand around his cock once more and his fingers slide between my legs once more.

There’s only one way that I want this to end now. It takes a few deep breaths to get the words out. “Fuck me.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, his fingers al but stop their movement.

Is he really questioning this now?! “Yes.”

I shuffle over a little, away from the edge of the bed, Alex throws the duvet back and gets up on his knees. He swings a leg over, his knee sinking slightly into the mattress between my legs. I feel them move almost by themselves, my knees pull up and I open them for him. Even that simple action sends another wave of warmth over my body. My crotch is aching from the anticipation of what’s to come.

My heart is beating so hard I’m convinced he can hear it, every pulse thumps in my ears. I’ve honestly never been this excited for sex in my life. I feel the heat of his body as he comes closer, then a slight pressure on my pussy. Some instinct makes me open my legs a little more, but there’s no need.

Time seems to slow down and I start to become hyperaware of every sensation. The pressure on my builds and builds as Alex pushes his dick into me, then dissolves away as he slides into me.

I moan as I feel myself stretch slightly to accept him, I’ve given up trying to be quiet. It takes too much concentration and I want to savour every second of this. I push my hips towards his and feel him slide deeper inside.

Alex pulls back slightly, then pushes in again, going even deeper this time. He moves his hips slowly, each thrust slightly deeper until I can feel him all the way inside me.

Alex reaches down and pushes my top up again. His red hot palm groping my breast again, squeezing in time with his thrusts. Each one I try and anticipate with my own hip movements, eventually we fall into sync, Alex pushing himself into me as I push my hips into his.

Each thrust feels like bliss. He’s the prefect size for me. Big enough that I can really feel him as he pushes into me, but not too big that it’s sore.

He leans down, planting a kiss on my neck again as I wrap my arms around him. Our bodies are pressed together. I can feel the heat of his body, the muscles in his back tighten under my palms. I hear his heavy breathing and feel it on my neck.

It’s at this point that I realise that I haven’t actually kissed him yet. Twisting my head to the side I kiss blindly. First one landing on his cheek, the second on his nose, but the third one hits the mark. Our lips meet then an instant later our tongues meet, I lift a hand up to hold his head in place.

Our tongues roll over each other as Alex starts to pick up the pace. Every thrust sending a shockwave of ecstasy through my body. We’re forced to break the kiss so we can actually breathe. I try to tell Alex how good this feels but all that comes out of my mouth is incomprehensible gasps and moans.

Alex seems to catch the jist of it though, and slows ever so slightly but now uses every thrust to really push his hips into me and use all of his length. I feel him slip out of me as he pulls his hips back, then feel every muscle tense in his back as he stifles a grunt.

It’s the sensation of the hot streaks landing on my stomach that tells me he’s cum. I tighten my arms around his body and kiss him again, as he practically collapses off me.

We lie there panting for breath for what feels like hours, the tiredness not seeping back into my body. I finally muster up the energy to get out of bed and get cleaned up.

“You didn’t have to pull out, you know.” I tell him as I return to bed, snuggling up to him, our still hot skin touching once again.

“Sorry,” he says, “You didn’t say and it sort of snuck up on me.”

“Well, you’ll know for next time.”

“Next time?” he asks, sounding confused.

“Wellll,” I say, dragging out the word, “Our flight’s not until two...” I leave the rest unsaid.

“Yeah... Oh!” he says, finally catching the implication.

It was the knocking that woke Anna the next morning. It was not gentle either. Whoever it was had clearly been knocking for some time.  

“Anna!” came the voice from the other side of the door. It was muffled, but Anna instantly recognised it as Mrs Sutton, the house keeper, and she was not happy. “Open this door at once!” 

Anna jumped out of bed and fumbled at the door, opening it just as Mrs Sutton was raising her fist to pound on her door once more. 

“Do you know what time it is, Anna?” she began “You should be thankful that her Ladyship has slept in. You are a lady’s maid now, you can’t go sleeping in yourself. Now get yourself cleaned up and get downstairs.” 

With that, Mrs Sutton stomped off, leaving Anna standing there. Awake now, but with a tiredness lingering deep inside. She had fallen asleep almost as soon as she had arrived back to her room last night and was still wearing the uniform she had hastily thrown on. She tidied it up as best she could and set her hair in a way that made it look like she hadn’t just got out of bed. 

Ten minutes later, she was at her ladyship bed chamber door. She rubbed her hands at a crease in her dress that did nothing but waste a few precious seconds. Anna knew she would have to face Lady Catherine sooner or later and decided that sooner would be better than later, she reached out and gently knocked on the door.  

“Come in,” the reply was instant. 

Entering the room, Anna found Lady Catherine sitting in bed, with a small book in her hand. Looking much better rested than Anna herself, she thought.  

“Good morning, my Lady.” She said, politely as ever.  

“Good morning, Anna,” came the usual response, “did you sleep well?”  

Anna’s usual response would be something simple like “Yes, thank you my Lady.” Even if she had not slept a wink. But the atmosphere in the room felt different this morning. What had happened last night hung over like a cloud. A welcome and highly enjoyable cloud, but a cloud, nonetheless.  

“Not exactly, my Lady,” Anna replied, deciding that a little more truthfulness could not hurt. “I did not get to bed until quite late last night.” 

“Hmm, yes.” Lady Catherine said, “It was rather late, wasn’t it?” 

She closed her book and gently set it on the bedside table before pulling the covers and stepping out of bed. Her nightgown clinging to the curves of her form.  

It was a sight that Anna had seen every morning since she had accepted the offer to become the Countess’s lady’s maid, and she had always appreciated the sight but this time she let her eye longer for an instant longer. 

Then the realisation hit. Lady Catherine had been in her slip when Anna had left the previous night. She had completely neglected her duties.  

The Countess recognised the look on Anna’s face, coming closer she placed a hand on her shoulder. “Do not fret about last night, Anna,” she said giving a slight squeeze, “it was your first time, was it not? First times are often overwhelming.” 

Anna nodded, a trickle of relief tempering the fear of disappointing her mistress.  

The other woman smiled and released the gentle grip on Anna’s shoulder. “But” she continued, “I would very much like it if you were to return the favour to me this evening.” 

Anna felt her face blush. It was something she had fantasised about doing to the countess on more than one occasion, but now she was being asked to do it with the same nonchalance of being asked to mend a dress.  

“Yes, my Lady.” 

“Excellent,” Lady Catherine replies, turning around signalling to Anna to continue her duties. “I shall be dining with Lady Eleanor McHugh this evening, so I would suspect my return would be rather late.” 

Lady Catherine met Anna’s eye through the mirror,  

“I should suspect that it would be well past midnight before you would be disposed of your duties.” A small, knowing smile parted her lips, “I shall inform Mrs. Sutton not to begrudge you additional sleep. It would be no harm, I suspect I shall be late in rising tomorrow after all.” 

“Thank you, my Lady,” Anna replied, glad of the prospect of a real night’s sleep and feeling her stomach tighten at the unspoken implication. 

“Anna, what did I tell you last night?” The Countess asked. 

She had been told a lot of things the previous night, Anna suspected she knew what her mistress was asking about, but a servant’s instincts meant she did not wish to presume.  

“Catherine,” Lady Catherine said, “My name is Catherine. Please use it.” 

“Yes... Catherine,” It still felt strange, and Anna suspected it would never not feel strange to use her mistress’s first name. 

The rest of the day continued like any other, Anna tended to her other duties with her usual diligence. But she found that her mind would wander, invariably ending back at the previous night or what this night would bring. 

Anna found herself apprehensive at the thought. Not just because of the who she would be spending it with, but also the fact that had never done anything like that before with a woman before. Yes, she had experience touching herself, but that was her own body. Would it be the same for another woman? She told herself there was no use in worrying, but it did not do anything to stop the thoughts playing in her head. 

It was half past eleven o’clock when the carriage returned. Anna tended to the Countess as she came through the entrance hall and began up the stairs. 

“How was your evening, my Lady” Anna asked, conscious of the other servants possibly still in earshot. 

“Eleanor is far too fond of her husband.” She said as they entered the bed chamber, “If I had not been present, I would not have been surprised if they were to fuck on the dining room table.” 

Anna had been privy to come candourous thoughts Lady Catherine had expressed in her short time as her lady’s maid, but this was something else. 

Anna knelt and began to slip off her mistress’s shoes. 

“If there were a portraitist who specialised in the male member, I would not be surprised if Eleanor were to display that instead of his portrait.” 

Anna felt herself speak before she realised who she was speaking to and whom she was speaking about. “That would explain why she had been pregnant more than not since she was wed.” 

“Ha!” Lady Catherine exclaimed, standing and turning around to allow Anna to untie her corset. “I suppose that is the risk one takes spending so many nights in bed with a man.” 

Anna carefully unpicked the tightly knotted lace that held the garment in place. In doing so she found herself close enough that she could smell Lady Catherine’s perfume and see the curve of her neck as it gave way to her shoulder. Some primal instinct deep inside her urged Anna to lean in and kiss the bare skin.  

It was an urge Anna was well used to feeling, but had never acted upon, had never even thought to act upon. But with the events of the previous night occupying all of Anna’s conscious thought today, it was an urge that she felt almost safe in giving in to. 

Leaning forward, Anna felt the knot in her stomach tighten as her face drew closer to the back of Lady Catherine’s neck. She hesitated for an instant, considering what she was about to do. It felt wrong. Downright presumptuous, in fact. But Anna somewhere deep down, Anna knew it was the right thing to do.  

Anna’s lips touched the nape of her mistress’s neck and for an instant the knot in her stomach pulled taut. A heartbeat later, Lady Catherine let out a gentle sigh and tilted her head back towards Anna. 

That simple action told Anna everything she needed to know. The knot relaxed ever so slightly, a wave of warmth washed over Anna as she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. 

She kissed Lady Catherine’s neck again and again, each time slightly higher than the last. With one final kiss just beneath her ear, Catherine lifted her arm and reaching behind herself, placing it on the back on Anna’s head. Gently pulling the other woman ever so slightly forward while twisting her own head to the side, allowing their lips to meet.  

Their lips parted an instant later and Catherine turned her body to face Anna, her hand moving gently to the servant’s chin and urging her to look up. There was only a small height difference between the two women, but it was enough to be noticeable when they were this close together. 

Nothing was said as they looked into each other's eyes, but nothing needed be said. Anna could feel her mistress’s deep blue eyes fixed upon her. There was lust and desire in that gaze. It lasted only for a handful of seconds before Catherine closed the remaining distance and kissed Anna once more. 

Anna became lost in the warmth of the Countess’s lips upon her own. She did not know how long the kiss lasted. But when it ended, she realised she had barely noticed the familiar warmth had spread outwards from her belly.  

“This will be your first time touching another woman, will it not?” Catherine said, her voice soft and quiet. 

It was. Anna had told her as much the previous night. It was something she had often fantasised about, but now the opportunity to make her fantasies a reality was quite literally in front of her, she felt frozen to the spot. 

“Yes, m.. Catherine,” She replied, trying to will the trepidation out of her voice. 

It evidently did not work. 

“Do not worry, Anna,” Catherine said, “We all must have a first time.” 

Anna felt some relief at hearing that, but it did little to calm her nerves. 

“Shall I tell you what to do?” Catherine asked, pulling her head close so that their foreheads touched. 

 “Yes,” It was the only possible answer. 

“Good,” The Countess replied, pausing for an instant to kiss Anna, “Now, I should like you to undress.” 

It was a blunt command, though said with such softness that Anna could not help but obey, and she was soon in naught but her shift. Catherine once again came close, their lips meeting again. Anna felt her mistress’s hands on her back and buttocks, hot through the thin fabric. 

Her hands gripped the linen, Anna felt the cool air hit her hot skin as more and more was exposed as the shift was lifted. As her mistress’s hands began to reach further up her torso, Anna instinctively lifted her arms to ease the removal of the garment. 

Catherine was forced to pull back slightly to allow Anna’s head to slip out, “Take mine off now.” she said, barely above a whisper as she tossed the crumped underdress aside.  

Anna’s heart was beating like a drum now, every pulse she felt in her ears and fingers, she moved her hands to grasp Lady Catherine’s shift in turn but found them shaking. With a wilful force, she steadied them and removed the other woman’s shift in turn. 

Anna let her eyes fall across the other woman’s body as the material drew up, revealing what was beneath. 

The soft, pale skin of her legs and the patch of hair between them. Darker than on her head, Anna thought absently as her eyes drew ever upwards past Lady Catherine’s stomach and modest breasts before arriving at her face once again. 

She had seen her mistress naked on a number of occasions, though never like this, and never while she herself was similarly undressed. A fact she was suddenly very conscious of, a sudden urge to cover herself came over Anna.  

“You are beautiful, Anna,” Catherine said, breaking the silence that had fallen over the chamber.  

“Thank you, Catherine.” Anna replied, “as are you.” She added, only realising how awkward it sounded after the words had left her mouth.  

 A smile spread across the Countess’s face, awkward phrasing or not. Taking Anna’s hand she lifted it to her face and tenderly kissed the back of it. 

“I liked it when you kissed my neck” Catherine said, turning just enough to expose the back of her neck to Anna. 

Anna obeyed. Brushing the hair out to the side with her free hand, then pressing her lips against Catherine’s neck, letting them linger for a moment. 

Catherine let out a long breath and the touch of Anna’s lips. Still holding Anna’s hand she gently pulled the other woman towards her while moving backwards herself. 

Anna felt the warmth of the Countess’s back against her chest as their bodies pressed together, she continued to kiss Catherine’s neck as she felt her hand being lifted and set upon Catherine’s bare breast. Opening her hand, she let their soft skin full her hand before gingerly tightening her grip.  

Even though the pressure on her chest was light, the moan that escaped Catherine’s lips showed it was evidently pleasurable. The pressed Anna’s hand into her chest slightly harder now. Who understood what her mistress meant and squeezed her breast harder.  

Another sharp exhalation told Anna that she was doing something right. Lifting her other hand she cupped Catherine’s other breast and squeezed them both at the same time, which resulted in an almost involuntary moan from Catherine.  

“My nipples,” Catherine panted.  

Anna was not fully sure what the other woman wished her to do with her nipples. With her only reference being how her own body reacted, she rearranged her hands so that Catherine’s nipple was between forefinger and thumb. Then, carefully almost pinched the nipple.  

The effect is almost immediate. A gasp, followed by a long, low moan. Anna feels Catherine’s knees nearly buckle, but she manages to keep herself standing. For now.  

Hearing the sounds of the pleasure her mistress was experiencing only heightened Anna’s arousal. The warmth between her legs now felt like a fire and her skin tingled from head to toe.

“Shall we move to the bed?” Anna asked, feeling brave enough to speak now.  

“Yes,” Catherine gasped, as Anna applied a little more pressure to her nipple. She was starting to enjoy how the Countess reacted to her touch.

The two woman disentangled themselves and Catherine perched on the edge of the bed. Feeling buoyed by how she had reacted to her touch, Anna placed a hand on Catherine’s shoulder, applying a gentle pressure and she lay back onto the bed.

Anna felt incredibly aware of what she was doing as she set her knee upon the edge of the bed then swung her other leg over the form of her mistress to straddle her. She felt her balk at the presumptuousness of the action, but seeing the naked body of Catherine looking up at her sent a wave of warm flushing over her body.

The two woman’s lips met once again. Anna felt Catherine’s tongue brush against her own and her hand sliding between her legs, gently caressing the soft skin of her inner thigh. Anna tried to do the same but found that the position she had put her mistress meant that she was only able to brush her fingertips over the short, soft hair, but not slip her hand between her legs.

Anna rolls to the side so that she is on the bed beside Lady Catherine, lips still pressed together and a hand still lightly resting on her crotch. She felt her legs move apart, but hesitated to move her hand downwards for an instant. The pounding of her heartbeat loud in her ears.

The Countess did not wait, she reached down and gently pushed Anna’s hand downwards.

Anna felt the warmth and slickness as soon as her fingertips slid between her mistress’s legs. Bending two fingers slightly, she felt the warmth grow as they slipped between Catherine’s lips. Anna continued to bent the fingers, keeping the pressure gentle. She was unsure if the Countess would like how she preferred to touch herself.

The shuddering moan that came from Catherine as Anna brushed her fingers over her nub put any such doubts to bed. She continued to carefully caress that most pleasurable area, pausing only to slide her fingers backwards to ensure that they remained slick enough.

Feeling and hearing Lady Catherine’s reactions only made the heat and wetness between her own legs grow more and more. It was a most pleasurable distraction, but a distraction nonetheless.

The distraction only grew worse as Catherine once again placed her own hand between Anna’s legs, her fingers seeking out the same intimate spot. The waves of pleasure starting to build with every movement of her mistress’s hand, soon threatening to overwhelm her.

Anna tried to focus on her own hand and Catherine, who was by now breathing heavily with occasional gasps and words of encouragement escaping her lips. But no matter how hard she tried to focus solely on the other woman, each movement of Catherine’s fingers across Anna’s most sensitive spot would shift her focus back to her own body for an instant.

Despite the great effort of will required as her own pleasure built, Anna continued to focus on her mistress. Though she only knew the experience of her own body, Anna could tell that Catherine was getting close. She was holding Anna tighter with her free hand and her breathing had become almost gasping. Her hips had begun to move against Anna’s hand and her own hand had slowed to a stop between Anna’s legs.

“Yes. Anna. Yes” Catherine whispered before finally falling over the edge into ecstasy.

A whimpering moan escaping her lips as she held Anna tighter than ever and every muscle contracted as each wave washed over her.

In the seconds before Catherine came back to earth, Anna admired the naked, sweat-slick form of her mistress in the candlelight. She was beautiful. Anna felt like could watch the movement of her chest for hours and never feel bored.

“Thank you, Anna.” Catherine said, barely above a whisper and still gasping for breath, “That felt exquisite.”

“Thank you, m… Catherine” Anna replied, catching herself before she said ‘My Lady’ once again.

Rolling back towards Anna, Catherine wrapped her arm around her once more.

“Shall I finish you off?” Catherine asked softly, pushing a lock of hair out of Anna’s face.

Anna’s first instinct was to say yes, but her servant’s instincts caused her to speak before she had even finished her thought. “No, thank you.”

“Nonsense, Anna,” Catherine replied, “Let me do this. You have earned it.”

Anna opened her mouth to argue, but quickly shut it again. Catherine’s hand was already stroking her thigh and Anna opened her legs once more. The Countess’s hand found the correct spot instantly, the shock of pleasure startled a gasp out of Anna. The other woman smiled at her reaction.

“Never fear to be forward with me, Anna,” She said, her face close to Anna’s, every movement of her hand sending ripples through Anna’s body as it pushed downwards. “You deserve it as much as I.”

“Now.” She continued, her hand now motionless in the wetness between Anna’s legs, “How does this feel?”

With that, Catherine pushed a finger into Anna’s womanhood. There was a little resistance, but the slick arousal meant that it slid inside easily.

Anna gasped, arching her back instinctively, which only served to push Catherine’s finger deeper inside her.

“Yes” Anna rasped.

Instead of simply withdrawing the finger and pushing it back in as Anna had suspected, Catherine curled her finger applying a pressure from inside that Anna had not felt before. Catherine then used her thumb to apply pressure from the outside as well.

Each sensation on its own would have been more than sufficient, Anna thought, but together they amplified one another. Every movement of Catherine’s hand increased the pressure Anna felt inside herself. Every breath was shuddering and her chest tightened.

She tried to tell Catherine how good it felt, but all that emerged from her mouth was a ragged moan. Catherine understood her. The smile on her face as she looked into Anna’s eyes was warm and genuine.

The pressure continued to build well past the point Anna expected it to, until it finally released.

Anna’s world dissolved in upon itself. Her vision descended into stars as the tension that had built up vanished. She was aware that she cried out in pleasure, but felt more like an observer than in her own body.

She felt herself sinking into the soft bedding as she came back to her senses, Catherine still embracing her. Sharing but a few words they remained like this for some time. Anna did not know how long they remained so, but she slowly became more and more aware of the coldness of the night air on her skin and the tiredness seeping into her body.

“I should go.” She said, disentangling herself from her mistress’s naked body and begun to get dressed.

Catherine sat up and looked up at the her, the tiredness even more evident in her eyes. “Yes, I am nearly asleep too.”

Lady Catherine pulled her nightgown on as Anna’s tired hands worked to dress herself. Thankfully she did not need to be presentable this late at night, merely covered.

Before she left, Catherine stopped her. “We shall have to find some means of keeping you here for the night in future,” she said, then leaning in and kissing her, “But until then, Good night, Anna.”

“Good night, Catherine”

It was the knocking that woke Anna the next morning. It was not gentle either. Whoever it was had clearly been knocking for some time.  

“Anna!” came the voice from the other side of the door. It was muffled, but Anna instantly recognised it as Mrs Sutton, the house keeper, and she was not happy. “Open this door at once!” 

Anna jumped out of bed and fumbled at the door, opening it just as Mrs Sutton was raising her fist to pound on her door once more. 

“Do you know what time it is, Anna?” she began “You should be thankful that her Ladyship has slept in. You are a lady’s maid now, you can’t go sleeping in yourself. Now get yourself cleaned up and get downstairs.” 

With that, Mrs Sutton stomped off, leaving Anna standing there. Awake now, but with a tiredness lingering deep inside. She had fallen asleep almost as soon as she had arrived back to her room last night and was still wearing the uniform she had hastily thrown on. She tidied it up as best she could and set her hair in a way that made it look like she hadn’t just got out of bed. 

Ten minutes later, she was at her ladyship bed chamber door. She rubbed her hands at a crease in her dress that did nothing but waste a few precious seconds. Anna knew she would have to face Lady Catherine sooner or later and decided that sooner would be better than later, she reached out and gently knocked on the door.  

“Come in,” the reply was instant. 

Entering the room, Anna found Lady Catherine sitting in bed, with a small book in her hand. Looking much better rested than Anna herself, she thought.  

“Good morning, my Lady.” She said, politely as ever.  

“Good morning, Anna,” came the usual response, “did you sleep well?”  

Anna’s usual response would be something simple like “Yes, thank you my Lady.” Even if she had not slept a wink. But the atmosphere in the room felt different this morning. What had happened last night hung over like a cloud. A welcome and highly enjoyable cloud, but a cloud, nonetheless.  

“Not exactly, my Lady,” Anna replied, deciding that a little more truthfulness could not hurt. “I did not get to bed until quite late last night.” 

“Hmm, yes.” Lady Catherine said, “It was rather late, wasn’t it?” 

She closed her book and gently set it on the bedside table before pulling the covers and stepping out of bed. Her nightgown clinging to the curves of her form.  

It was a sight that Anna had seen every morning since she had accepted the offer to become the Countess’s lady’s maid, and she had always appreciated the sight but this time she let her eye longer for an instant longer. 

Then the realisation hit. Lady Catherine had been in her slip when Anna had left the previous night. She had completely neglected her duties.  

The Countess recognised the look on Anna’s face, coming closer she placed a hand on her shoulder. “Do not fret about last night, Anna,” she said giving a slight squeeze, “it was your first time, was it not? First times are often overwhelming.” 

Anna nodded, a trickle of relief tempering the fear of disappointing her mistress.  

The other woman smiled and released the gentle grip on Anna’s shoulder. “But” she continued, “I would very much like it if you were to return the favour to me this evening.” 

Anna felt her face blush. It was something she had fantasised about doing to the countess on more than one occasion, but now she was being asked to do it with the same nonchalance of being asked to mend a dress.  

“Yes, my Lady.” 

“Excellent,” Lady Catherine replies, turning around signalling to Anna to continue her duties. “I shall be dining with Lady Eleanor McHugh this evening, so I would suspect my return would be rather late.” 

Lady Catherine met Anna’s eye through the mirror,  

“I should suspect that it would be well past midnight before you would be disposed of your duties.” A small, knowing smile parted her lips, “I shall inform Mrs. Sutton not to begrudge you additional sleep. It would be no harm, I suspect I shall be late in rising tomorrow after all.” 

“Thank you, my Lady,” Anna replied, glad of the prospect of a real night’s sleep and feeling her stomach tighten at the unspoken implication. 

“Anna, what did I tell you last night?” The Countess asked. 

She had been told a lot of things the previous night, Anna suspected she knew what her mistress was asking about, but a servant’s instincts meant she did not wish to presume.  

“Catherine,” Lady Catherine said, “My name is Catherine. Please use it.” 

“Yes... Catherine,” It still felt strange, and Anna suspected it would never not feel strange to use her mistress’s first name. 

The rest of the day continued like any other, Anna tended to her other duties with her usual diligence. But she found that her mind would wander, invariably ending back at the previous night or what this night would bring. 

Anna found herself apprehensive at the thought. Not just because of the who she would be spending it with, but also the fact that had never done anything like that before with a woman before. Yes, she had experience touching herself, but that was her own body. Would it be the same for another woman? She told herself there was no use in worrying, but it did not do anything to stop the thoughts playing in her head. 

It was half past eleven o’clock when the carriage returned. Anna tended to the Countess as she came through the entrance hall and began up the stairs. 

“How was your evening, my Lady” Anna asked, conscious of the other servants possibly still in earshot. 

“Eleanor is far too fond of her husband.” She said as they entered the bed chamber, “If I had not been present, I would not have been surprised if they were to fuck on the dining room table.” 

Anna had been privy to come candourous thoughts Lady Catherine had expressed in her short time as her lady’s maid, but this was something else. 

Anna knelt and began to slip off her mistress’s shoes. 

“If there were a portraitist who specialised in the male member, I would not be surprised if Eleanor were to display that instead of his portrait.” 

Anna felt herself speak before she realised who she was speaking to and whom she was speaking about. “That would explain why she had been pregnant more than not since she was wed.” 

“Ha!” Lady Catherine exclaimed, standing and turning around to allow Anna to untie her corset. “I suppose that is the risk one takes spending so many nights in bed with a man.” 

Anna carefully unpicked the tightly knotted lace that held the garment in place. In doing so she found herself close enough that she could smell Lady Catherine’s perfume and see the curve of her neck as it gave way to her shoulder. Some primal instinct deep inside her urged Anna to lean in and kiss the bare skin.  

It was an urge Anna was well used to feeling, but had never acted upon, had never even thought to act upon. But with the events of the previous night occupying all of Anna’s conscious thought today, it was an urge that she felt almost safe in giving in to. 

Leaning forward, Anna felt the knot in her stomach tighten as her face drew closer to the back of Lady Catherine’s neck. She hesitated for an instant, considering what she was about to do. It felt wrong. Downright presumptuous, in fact. But Anna somewhere deep down, Anna knew it was the right thing to do.  

Anna’s lips touched the nape of her mistress’s neck and for an instant the knot in her stomach pulled taut. A heartbeat later, Lady Catherine let out a gentle sigh and tilted her head back towards Anna. 

That simple action told Anna everything she needed to know. The knot relaxed ever so slightly, a wave of warmth washed over Anna as she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. 

She kissed Lady Catherine’s neck again and again, each time slightly higher than the last. With one final kiss just beneath her ear, Catherine lifted her arm and reaching behind herself, placing it on the back on Anna’s head. Gently pulling the other woman ever so slightly forward while twisting her own head to the side, allowing their lips to meet.  

Their lips parted an instant later and Catherine turned her body to face Anna, her hand moving gently to the servant’s chin and urging her to look up. There was only a small height difference between the two women, but it was enough to be noticeable when they were this close together. 

Nothing was said as they looked into each other's eyes, but nothing needed be said. Anna could feel her mistress’s deep blue eyes fixed upon her. There was lust and desire in that gaze. It lasted only for a handful of seconds before Catherine closed the remaining distance and kissed Anna once more. 

Anna became lost in the warmth of the Countess’s lips upon her own. She did not know how long the kiss lasted. But when it ended, she realised she had barely noticed the familiar warmth had spread outwards from her belly.  

“This will be your first time touching another woman, will it not?” Catherine said, her voice soft and quiet. 

It was. Anna had told her as much the previous night. It was something she had often fantasised about, but now the opportunity to make her fantasies a reality was quite literally in front of her, she felt frozen to the spot. 

“Yes, m.. Catherine,” She replied, trying to will the trepidation out of her voice. 

It evidently did not work. 

“Do not worry, Anna,” Catherine said, “We all must have a first time.” 

Anna felt some relief at hearing that, but it did little to calm her nerves. 

“Shall I tell you what to do?” Catherine asked, pulling her head close so that their foreheads touched. 

 “Yes,” It was the only possible answer. 

“Good,” The Countess replied, pausing for an instant to kiss Anna, “Now, I should like you to undress.” 

It was a blunt command, though said with such softness that Anna could not help but obey, and she was soon in naught but her shift. Catherine once again came close, their lips meeting again. Anna felt her mistress’s hands on her back and buttocks, hot through the thin fabric. 

Her hands gripped the linen, Anna felt the cool air hit her hot skin as more and more was exposed as the shift was lifted. As her mistress’s hands began to reach further up her torso, Anna instinctively lifted her arms to ease the removal of the garment. 

Catherine was forced to pull back slightly to allow Anna’s head to slip out, “Take mine off now.” she said, barely above a whisper as she tossed the crumped underdress aside.  

Anna’s heart was beating like a drum now, every pulse she felt in her ears and fingers, she moved her hands to grasp Lady Catherine’s shift in turn but found them shaking. With a wilful force, she steadied them and removed the other woman’s shift in turn. 

Anna let her eyes fall across the other woman’s body as the material drew up, revealing what was beneath. 

The soft, pale skin of her legs and the patch of hair between them. Darker than on her head, Anna thought absently as her eyes drew ever upwards past Lady Catherine’s stomach and modest breasts before arriving at her face once again. 

She had seen her mistress naked on a number of occasions, though never like this, and never while she herself was similarly undressed. A fact she was suddenly very conscious of, a sudden urge to cover herself came over Anna.  

“You are beautiful, Anna,” Catherine said, breaking the silence that had fallen over the chamber.  

“Thank you, Catherine.” Anna replied, “as are you.” She added, only realising how awkward it sounded after the words had left her mouth.  

 A smile spread across the Countess’s face, awkward phrasing or not. Taking Anna’s hand she lifted it to her face and tenderly kissed the back of it. 

“I liked it when you kissed my neck” Catherine said, turning just enough to expose the back of her neck to Anna. 

Anna obeyed. Brushing the hair out to the side with her free hand, then pressing her lips against Catherine’s neck, letting them linger for a moment. 

Catherine let out a long breath and the touch of Anna’s lips. Still holding Anna’s hand she gently pulled the other woman towards her while moving backwards herself. 

Anna felt the warmth of the Countess’s back against her chest as their bodies pressed together, she continued to kiss Catherine’s neck as she felt her hand being lifted and set upon Catherine’s bare breast. Opening her hand, she let their soft skin full her hand before gingerly tightening her grip.  

Even though the pressure on her chest was light, the moan that escaped Catherine’s lips showed it was evidently pleasurable. The pressed Anna’s hand into her chest slightly harder now. Who understood what her mistress meant and squeezed her breast harder.  

Another sharp exhalation told Anna that she was doing something right. Lifting her other hand she cupped Catherine’s other breast and squeezed them both at the same time, which resulted in an almost involuntary moan from Catherine.  

“My nipples,” Catherine panted.  

Anna was not fully sure what the other woman wished her to do with her nipples. With her only reference being how her own body reacted, she rearranged her hands so that Catherine’s nipple was between forefinger and thumb. Then, carefully almost pinched the nipple.  

The effect is almost immediate. A gasp, followed by a long, low moan. Anna feels Catherine’s knees nearly buckle, but she manages to keep herself standing. For now.  

Hearing the sounds of the pleasure her mistress was experiencing only heightened Anna’s arousal. The warmth between her legs now felt like a fire and her skin tingled from head to toe.

“Shall we move to the bed?” Anna asked, feeling brave enough to speak now.  

“Yes,” Catherine gasped, as Anna applied a little more pressure to her nipple. She was starting to enjoy how the Countess reacted to her touch.

The two woman disentangled themselves and Catherine perched on the edge of the bed. Feeling buoyed by how she had reacted to her touch, Anna placed a hand on Catherine’s shoulder, applying a gentle pressure and she lay back onto the bed.

Anna felt incredibly aware of what she was doing as she set her knee upon the edge of the bed then swung her other leg over the form of her mistress to straddle her. She felt her balk at the presumptuousness of the action, but seeing the naked body of Catherine looking up at her sent a wave of warm flushing over her body.

The two woman’s lips met once again. Anna felt Catherine’s tongue brush against her own and her hand sliding between her legs, gently caressing the soft skin of her inner thigh. Anna tried to do the same but found that the position she had put her mistress meant that she was only able to brush her fingertips over the short, soft hair, but not slip her hand between her legs.

Anna rolls to the side so that she is on the bed beside Lady Catherine, lips still pressed together and a hand still lightly resting on her crotch. She felt her legs move apart, but hesitated to move her hand downwards for an instant. The pounding of her heartbeat loud in her ears.

The Countess did not wait, she reached down and gently pushed Anna’s hand downwards.

Anna felt the warmth and slickness as soon as her fingertips slid between her mistress’s legs. Bending two fingers slightly, she felt the warmth grow as they slipped between Catherine’s lips. Anna continued to bent the fingers, keeping the pressure gentle. She was unsure if the Countess would like how she preferred to touch herself.

The shuddering moan that came from Catherine as Anna brushed her fingers over her nub put any such doubts to bed. She continued to carefully caress that most pleasurable area, pausing only to slide her fingers backwards to ensure that they remained slick enough.

Feeling and hearing Lady Catherine’s reactions only made the heat and wetness between her own legs grow more and more. It was a most pleasurable distraction, but a distraction nonetheless.

The distraction only grew worse as Catherine once again placed her own hand between Anna’s legs, her fingers seeking out the same intimate spot. The waves of pleasure starting to build with every movement of her mistress’s hand, soon threatening to overwhelm her.

Anna tried to focus on her own hand and Catherine, who was by now breathing heavily with occasional gasps and words of encouragement escaping her lips. But no matter how hard she tried to focus solely on the other woman, each movement of Catherine’s fingers across Anna’s most sensitive spot would shift her focus back to her own body for an instant.

Despite the great effort of will required as her own pleasure built, Anna continued to focus on her mistress. Though she only knew the experience of her own body, Anna could tell that Catherine was getting close. She was holding Anna tighter with her free hand and her breathing had become almost gasping. Her hips had begun to move against Anna’s hand and her own hand had slowed to a stop between Anna’s legs.

“Yes. Anna. Yes” Catherine whispered before finally falling over the edge into ecstasy.

A whimpering moan escaping her lips as she held Anna tighter than ever and every muscle contracted as each wave washed over her.

In the seconds before Catherine came back to earth, Anna admired the naked, sweat-slick form of her mistress in the candlelight. She was beautiful. Anna felt like could watch the movement of her chest for hours and never feel bored.

“Thank you, Anna.” Catherine said, barely above a whisper and still gasping for breath, “That felt exquisite.”

“Thank you, m… Catherine” Anna replied, catching herself before she said ‘My Lady’ once again.

Rolling back towards Anna, Catherine wrapped her arm around her once more.

“Shall I finish you off?” Catherine asked softly, pushing a lock of hair out of Anna’s face.

Anna’s first instinct was to say yes, but her servant’s instincts caused her to speak before she had even finished her thought. “No, thank you.”

“Nonsense, Anna,” Catherine replied, “Let me do this. You have earned it.”

Anna opened her mouth to argue, but quickly shut it again. Catherine’s hand was already stroking her thigh and Anna opened her legs once more. The Countess’s hand found the correct spot instantly, the shock of pleasure startled a gasp out of Anna. The other woman smiled at her reaction.

“Never fear to be forward with me, Anna,” She said, her face close to Anna’s, every movement of her hand sending ripples through Anna’s body as it pushed downwards. “You deserve it as much as I.”

“Now.” She continued, her hand now motionless in the wetness between Anna’s legs, “How does this feel?”

With that, Catherine pushed a finger into Anna’s womanhood. There was a little resistance, but the slick arousal meant that it slid inside easily.

Anna gasped, arching her back instinctively, which only served to push Catherine’s finger deeper inside her.

“Yes” Anna rasped.

Instead of simply withdrawing the finger and pushing it back in as Anna had suspected, Catherine curled her finger applying a pressure from inside that Anna had not felt before. Catherine then used her thumb to apply pressure from the outside as well.

Each sensation on its own would have been more than sufficient, Anna thought, but together they amplified one another. Every movement of Catherine’s hand increased the pressure Anna felt inside herself. Every breath was shuddering and her chest tightened.

She tried to tell Catherine how good it felt, but all that emerged from her mouth was a ragged moan. Catherine understood her. The smile on her face as she looked into Anna’s eyes was warm and genuine.

The pressure continued to build well past the point Anna expected it to, until it finally released.

Anna’s world dissolved in upon itself. Her vision descended into stars as the tension that had built up vanished. She was aware that she cried out in pleasure, but felt more like an observer than in her own body.

She felt herself sinking into the soft bedding as she came back to her senses, Catherine still embracing her. Sharing but a few words they remained like this for some time. Anna did not know how long they remained so, but she slowly became more and more aware of the coldness of the night air on her skin and the tiredness seeping into her body.

“I should go.” She said, disentangling herself from her mistress’s naked body and begun to get dressed.

Catherine sat up and looked up at the her, the tiredness even more evident in her eyes. “Yes, I am nearly asleep too.”

Lady Catherine pulled her nightgown on as Anna’s tired hands worked to dress herself. Thankfully she did not need to be presentable this late at night, merely covered.

Before she left, Catherine stopped her. “We shall have to find some means of keeping you here for the night in future,” she said, then leaning in and kissing her, “But until then, Good night, Anna.”

“Good night, Catherine”

The Countess was in a foul mood. The word among the staff was that her lady's maid had disappeared. Anna had heard a rumour that she’d gone off with a stable boy. She did not believe the rumours. Whenever someone left there was always talk. They never simply left, they’d run off with someone or other, they’d joined the navy or something even more ridiculous. 

Anna was busy cleaning the fireplace in the sitting room. Thought she had only been in the family’s employ for a few months, she was already well acquainted with Lady Catherine’s moods and had, fortunately, avoided becoming the target of her anger so far. 

A sharp click and the creak of the door signalled someone was entering the room. Anna looked up and saw the Countess walk in. Anna instantly came to her feet and bowed her head, hoping that her Ladyship would not pay her any attention.  

The other woman strode across the room towards a table strewn with papers. For an instant, Anna felt relief that she had gone unnoticed. But that instant was over quickly. Lady Catherine looked up from the page she was holding and directly at her. 

She quickly averted her gaze, but it was too late. She could hear the footsteps coming closer and closer.  

“Anna, isn’t it?” the Countess asked. 

“Ye... Yes, my Lady,” Anna replied, mildly surprised that she knew her name. 

“Look at me Anna.” 

Anna swallowed and forced herself to look up, racking her mind to figure out what she could possibly have done wrong.  

Lady Catherine was looking directly at her; Anna’s stomach began tying itself in knots. 

“Your hair.” the Countess said, “Did you do it yourself?” 

That was not what Anna had been expecting to be asked. “Yes, my Lady.” 

“I like it.  Will you do mine in such a way?” 

It took Anna a few moments to comprehend what she had just been asked, but there was only one possible answer, if she wanted to keep her job, that was. 

“Yes, my Lady.” 

“Good,” her Ladyship said, then looked down at Anna’s soot-stained hands. “I think it would be best if you washed your hands first. I shall be in my room.” 

With that, she turned for the door, leaving Anna standing there, unsure what to do, despite just being told exactly that. 

Lady Catherine turned back just as she reached the door, seeing the still motionless servant. 

“Leave the fire, Anna. Someone else can tend to it.” she said with the faintest twitch at the corner of her mouth. 

As soon as the door had closed behind her, Anna quickly tidied up the fireplace, leaving the bucket on the hearth before hurrying downstairs. She scrubbed her hands with the harsh soap and cold water in the basin and changed out of her dirty apron, before making her way to her Ladyship’s bedroom. 

Anna paused just outside the bedchamber door, her hand hovering uncertainly over the polished wood. It felt like she was intruding, that she should return to the sitting room and finish the fire, but she had been asked to come here. The Countess would be expecting her. Taking a deep breath, the rapped on the door. 

“Come in.” 

She gently opened the door. Lady Catherine was standing by the window, she turned as Anna silently closed the door behind herself, with a genuine smile upon her face. The other woman moved to sit down at the dressing table, and Anna silently began her task. The room remained almost silent apart from the occasional instruction from Lady Catherine.  

Anna found herself relaxing as the familiar work distracted her. This was also the first real opportunity that she had to really look at her employer. The Countess’s hair was a few shades darker than Anna’s own, but softer than she had expected, falling gently into place with little fuss.  

It was her face that caught her attention most of all, it was rare to see her Ladyship smiling, and even rarer for it to seem so natural. It made her face, light up, she thought. Only a few years older than Anna’s twenty, her skin was smooth and blemish free. It was not so pale as many upper-class women preferred but had a little colour. She was beautiful, but Anna had not realised such in the months she had been here. 

She slid the last clip into place, then checked it one last time in the mirror. “There, my Lady.” 

Lady Catherine regarded herself in the mirror, turning her head first one way, then the other. 

“I like it.”  

Relief washed over Anna, “Thank you, my Lady.” 

The Countess turned on the stool to face her. “Would you care to become my new lady’s maid?” 

Anna blinked. At most she had expected another request in future, certainly not this. 

“My Lady?” 

“I have found myself wanting for one. You seem dependable, have a steady hand and good taste.” The other woman said with a slight smile, “Unless you are planning on running off with a stable boy.” 

Anna couldn’t help but smile at the slight joke, and she knew there was only one appropriate answer. 

“I would be honoured. my Lady.” 

The following weeks passed quicker than Anna had expected. Her routine changed to match Lady Catherine’s, and she began to learn her mistress’s moods and preferences. The Countess’s mood too seemed to change as well. Though she remained as stern as ever with the rest of the staff, she became noticeably less severe and even somewhat amicable with Anna. The work was more demanding, but more satisfying at the same time. 

She settled into her new role, and it slowly began to become mundane, until one night almost a month later. 

It was a stormy night; the Earl had departed for London on business a number of days prior, leaving only Lady Catherine at home. That night, not long after dinner, she announced that she was tired and wished to retire early.  

Her ladyship sat at the dressing table as Anna began the routine that had already become second nature. She unclasped the delicate gold necklace, removing it before placing it in the jewellery box. 

“A word of advice, Anna.” The Countess began, her voice a little softer than usual. Anna suspected it was the wine from dinner “Never marry. Men bring nothing but trouble.” 

While Anna did not have much interest in men, it was hardly something that the countess would have picked up upon. 

“And wifely duties.” she continued, meeting Anna’s eyes through the mirror, “They are not quite as enjoyable as some other women would have you believe.”  

Anna wasn’t sure what to say to that but knew she couldn’t stay silent. “My Lady?” She hadn’t meant to make it a question, but the inadvertent rising tone had done so anyway. 

“Edward is kind and considerate in ways that I know other husbands are not.” she continued, standing, “but he is, alas, a man.” 

Anna now began to understand what the other woman was saying. She understood what ‘wifely duties’ entailed, and understood that many girls found them enjoyable, even desirable, but she was not one of them. She had not taken the Countess to be of a similar mind to her.  

The Countess walked over to the bedside table, where an empty glass stood. She picked it up and returned to the dressing table, filling it first, then her own glass with the dark red wine from the carafe. 

“Have a drink, Anna.” She said kindly, handing the full glass to the girl. 

Anna did as she was told. The wine was rich and flavourful, far better than any she had tasted before. “Thank you, my Lady.” 

“Am I to understand that you are of the same opinion as myself.” Lady Catherine continued, “that men, despite their natural necessity, are somewhat superfluous to life?” 

Anna’s throat was suddenly dry. How did she know? Anna had never told a soul and had joined in with numerous bawdy conversations with the other serving girls, even if she did not believe a single word of what she said. She instinctively took another sip of wine before replying, but it felt like vinegar going down.  

Before she could answer, the other woman continued. “I have seen the way you look at me, Anna. How your eye lingers.” 

This was it, she thought. This was how she lost her job. She would be tossed out in the rain like the scraps from dinner. 

As the blood drained from Anna’s face, she felt something on her arm. It was Lady Catherine’s hand, resting gently on her forearm. 

“Have you ever been with a woman before?” she said softly, in a tone that Anna had never heard from her mistress before. “In that way?” 

Anna shook her head, “N... No, my Lady.” She said, through a bone-dry throat. 

“But you would like to?” 

“Yes, my Lady.” Anna could feel her legs beginning to weaken. This job was all she had. Without it she would probably end up in the workhouse. 

“With me?” the Countess asked, her voice barely above a whisper. 

The final question. Anna thought she might lie but knew it would do no good. If she was to lose her job, she would at least tell the truth. 

“Yes, my Lady.” She said, closing her eyes, waiting for the inevitable. 

“Good.” 

That was not the reaction her mind had been expecting. After a handful of agonising seconds, she risked opening her eyes. Lady Catherine was there, but her face was soft and smiling, not stern and scowling. 

“Anna, take a seat.” She said, gesturing to the chaise to Anna’s right. 

Anna moved to do as she was told, but it felt like walking through honey. When she finally sat upon the soft upholstery, the Countess settled beside her, resting her hand, once again on Anna’s arm. 

“I am sorry for scaring you, Anna,” she began, “I suspected, but I was not sure that you felt the same way.” 

The same way? Anna thought. “The same w...”, she was cut off mid-sentence by her mistress leaning in and kissing her on the lips. 

She now understood exactly what the other woman had meant. The knot in Anna’s stomach dissolved into butterflies, the sensations were remarkably similar, she realised. 

“But why me?” she asked, still not truly believing what had just happened. 

“Because you are beautiful.” Lady Catherine replied, tightening her grip on Anna’s arm perceptibly. “And you would enjoy it, in ways that other girls would not. I enjoy giving pleasure almost as much as I enjoy receiving it.” 

“Thank you, my Lady, I...” 

The Countess cut her off before she could continue, “Catherine, Catherine. When we are like this, you must call me Catherine.” 

“Yes, m... Catherine.” Anna replied, correcting herself and managing to let the smallest hint of a smile show on her face. 

“Thank you,” Catherine said, “now, Anna, will you please kiss me?” 

Anna slowly leaned in towards Catherine as Catherine did the same, and their lips met once again. Anna felt the other woman’s lips flutter across hers as the blood returned to her face in waves of warmth, filling her cheeks and making her ears burn.  

Lady Catherine pulled back slightly, only enough to break the kiss so Anna could feel her hot breath on her face. Every inhalation was strained against the tightness within Anna’s chest, from both her clothing and the pounding of her heart. 

“Will you help me out of this dress?” Catherine asked, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Anna tried to reply but the words did not come. Instead, she simply nodded her head. That was enough for the other woman, who shifted her position so that she faced away from Anna who slowly began to unbutton the dress. Her hands were shaking, and it took a force of will to steady them enough to unfasten the small buttons.  

Catherine stood when she judged that the dress was loose enough. The fine cloth slipped down her figure. 

“Stand up.” she said as she stepped out of the crumpled fabric on the floor, turning back to Anna. The fine silk of her slip clinging more tightly to the gentle curves of her body. 

Anna did as she was told but couldn’t help but stare at her mistress’s form, the heat in her face began to spread. First to her chest, then stomach then finally settling between her legs. 

Catherine placed her hands on her hips then slowly lifted them, running her fingertips up Anna’s body, stopping to unbutton her dress in turn. This did not take long. Lady Catherine’s sleek slender hands soon found every button and clasp with ease.  

Gently parting the cheap, rough fabric, she guided the maid’s uniform off Anna’s shoulders and downwards. Anna wore no slip, the silk underdress meant to smooth the lines of the undergarments. Instead, all that covered her now was a short, slightly sweat-stained shift. The air in the room was cool, and against her now exposed hot skin, felt downright cold. 

Catherine placed her left arm around Anna’s waist, resting the hand on the small of her back and pulled them both together, now standing the height difference was more apparent, the other woman was perhaps three inches taller than Anna’s five foot two inches. 

A kiss landed on Anna’s lips, then cheek, then a series of kisses on her neck as Catherine kissed her way down to her neckline then slowly back up once again. Anna tried to place her hands around Catherine’s body in return but found she did not know where to place them, one hand bound itself resting on her buttock the other was practically holding onto her shoulder from behind. 

Catherine’s kisses had now reached Anna’s cheeks once again. Each one causing the fire within her body to grow more and more. Anna had felt similar before, but never as strongly. When she had lain in bed thinking thoughts about other women that she dared not admit to. Now it was happening, and the sensation made her feel like she was about to burst. 

 Then, close enough that Anna could feel every breath from every word, Catherine whispered in her ear, “Tonight is for you, Anna. Go. Lie down on the bed.”  

She was suddenly aware of the coolness of the air on her bare skin as she moved towards Lady Catherine’s bed.  Lying down as she had been told; she found it exquisitely comfortable. Catherine climbed on beside her, laying down close to her, propping herself up with one arm while leaving the other free to gently push a lock of hair off Anna’s face. 

Her fingers remained gently pressed against Anna’s skin as the other woman slowly and gently dragged them downwards. First across her bare skin, then over the rough fabric of her shift. Downwards. Stopping first at her chest, tracing a gentle circle around the outline in the cloth. Then closer in. Anna felt the gentle pressure on the soft flesh of her breast. Catherine’s fingers still tracing circles, but each one smaller and smaller until at last, her finger was brushing against the imprint of Anna’s stiff nipple poking through the fabric. 

Even though the touch was gentle, it was more than enough to send tendrils of lightning through Anna’s body. The gasp that escaped her lips was entirely involuntary, and the smile it elicited from Catherine made Anna shiver. And not from the cold. It was an expression that Anna had never seen on the Countess’s face before, in fact she had never seen it on anyone’s face. The closest she could describe it was a deep hunger, like someone starving being shown a feast, as she moved her face downwards for another kiss. 

Catherine’s hand stopped its circular motion and continued its migration downwards, though not before one last brush against Anna’s nipple. It moved across her stomach, then to her thigh and downwards until it once again it touched bare skin on her leg then began to make its way back up again. This time sliding under the fabric of Anna’s shift.  

The gentle pressure on Anna’s skin is almost unbearable now. She wants to move. To relieve the pressure, but the only possible motion she can muster is to move the leg slightly to the side. The simple act of moving her legs apart feels comforting. It was instinctual, but she knows exactly why it feels good, why she wants it. Part of her begins to wonder if she should really be doing this, but Anna quickly shuts that thought out. If this is wrong, then why does it feel so right? 

Lady Catherine’s hand has now moved to the soft, supple skin that Anna has just exposed on the inside of her thigh and continuing upwards. Reflexively Anna spreads her legs even more at the gentle, electric touch. 

Another gasp escaped Anna’s mouth when Catherine’s finger brushed the soft hair between her legs, this one almost shuddering in its intensity. Her fingers brushed the hair again, then moved down. Towards the warmth and wetness between Anna’s legs. This time the gasp was more a moan. 

“How often do you touch yourself like this?” Catherine asked, spreading her fingers, and with it opening the petals of Anna’s flower. 

Forming coherent words was a monumental effort for Anna, but she was finally able to pant out, “Most...Days...m... Catherine.” remembering only at the last moment to use the Countess’s first name.  

“Good,” came the reply as Catherine slid her fingers back together, feeling the petals close back over them, the pressure now on the most sensitive area of all. She did not, as Anna had thought, try to push a finger inside, instead she focused her attention on the area just in front. Gently pulling her fingers back then sliding them forward again. Back. And forward. With each motion, the gentle touch stoked the fire inside Anna. The pressure built. 

Anna knew the sensation, but it had never been even half as intense as this. Each movement increased it. Each movement made her gasp for air. Each movement made her clench her hand, which had somehow ended up in Catherine’s free hand.  

Every time she clenched her hand, Catherine would clench her’s back, then drag her fingertips back once more. The pressure kept building and building with no sign of the release Anna desperately needed. 

Then the dam burst. The pressure in Anna’s body released in an instant. It felt like an explosion within her own body. Every muscle tensed, her senses collapsed inwards. For a brief instant all Anna could feel, all she cared about, was what was between her legs. Everything else was secondary. Her vision was replaced with shimmering stars. She was vaguely aware that she was moaning as the air was pushed from her lungs. 

She did not know how long she remained in a daze for, but when she finally returned to her senses, she found herself bone tired, but Lady Catherine was still there, arm across her midriff in a gentle embrace, a warm smile on her face. 

“Did you enjoy that, Anna?” She asked voice soft and gentle. 

“Yes, Catherine.” 

“Good.” Lady Catherine said, “You would have me do the same again? You would do such to me?” 

“Yes,” Anna replied, feeling the tiredness, quietly questioning if she would even remain awake much longer, let alone take any more excitement. 

“Not tonight, Anna.” Catherine said, “You are exhausted and it is late. There will be many more opportunities in future.”  

They shared one last kiss, then Anna pulled her weary body up, getting dressed as swiftly as her tired arms would allow, before saying goodnight and making her way to her own bed in the servant’s quarters. Her bed was nowhere near as comfortable as Lady Catherine’s, but she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep as soon as her head touched the pillow, her last thought was wondering what tomorrow might bring. 

Hi everyone, this is my first story that I've felt proud enough of to post, so comments, criticism and suggestions are all appreciated. I had a lot of fun writing this and it is quite long, but I've got lots of ideas about where I could take the characters in future so there will almost certainly be a part 2, and probably more still.

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The Countess was in a foul mood. The word among the staff was that her lady's maid had disappeared. Anna had heard a rumour that she’d gone off with a stable boy. She did not believe the rumours. Whenever someone left there was always talk. They never simply left, they’d run off with someone or other, they’d joined the navy or something even more ridiculous. 

Anna was busy cleaning the fireplace in the sitting room. Thought she had only been in the family’s employ for a few months, she was already well acquainted with Lady Catherine’s moods and had, fortunately, avoided becoming the target of her anger so far. 

A sharp click and the creak of the door signalled someone was entering the room. Anna looked up and saw the Countess walk in. Anna instantly came to her feet and bowed her head, hoping that her Ladyship would not pay her any attention.  

The other woman strode across the room towards a table strewn with papers. For an instant, Anna felt relief that she had gone unnoticed. But that instant was over quickly. Lady Catherine looked up from the page she was holding and directly at her. 

She quickly averted her gaze, but it was too late. She could hear the footsteps coming closer and closer.  

“Anna, isn’t it?” the Countess asked. 

“Ye... Yes, my Lady,” Anna replied, mildly surprised that she knew her name. 

“Look at me Anna.” 

Anna swallowed and forced herself to look up, racking her mind to figure out what she could possibly have done wrong.  

Lady Catherine was looking directly at her; Anna’s stomach began tying itself in knots. 

“Your hair.” the Countess said, “Did you do it yourself?” 

That was not what Anna had been expecting to be asked. “Yes, my Lady.” 

“I like it.  Will you do mine in such a way?” 

It took Anna a few moments to comprehend what she had just been asked, but there was only one possible answer, if she wanted to keep her job, that was. 

“Yes, my Lady.” 

“Good,” her Ladyship said, then looked down at Anna’s soot-stained hands. “I think it would be best if you washed your hands first. I shall be in my room.” 

With that, she turned for the door, leaving Anna standing there, unsure what to do, despite just being told exactly that. 

Lady Catherine turned back just as she reached the door, seeing the still motionless servant. 

“Leave the fire, Anna. Someone else can tend to it.” she said with the faintest twitch at the corner of her mouth. 

As soon as the door had closed behind her, Anna quickly tidied up the fireplace, leaving the bucket on the hearth before hurrying downstairs. She scrubbed her hands with the harsh soap and cold water in the basin and changed out of her dirty apron, before making her way to her Ladyship’s bedroom. 

Anna paused just outside the bedchamber door, her hand hovering uncertainly over the polished wood. It felt like she was intruding, that she should return to the sitting room and finish the fire, but she had been asked to come here. The Countess would be expecting her. Taking a deep breath, the rapped on the door. 

“Come in.” 

She gently opened the door. Lady Catherine was standing by the window, she turned as Anna silently closed the door behind herself, with a genuine smile upon her face. The other woman moved to sit down at the dressing table, and Anna silently began her task. The room remained almost silent apart from the occasional instruction from Lady Catherine.  

Anna found herself relaxing as the familiar work distracted her. This was also the first real opportunity that she had to really look at her employer. The Countess’s hair was a few shades darker than Anna’s own, but softer than she had expected, falling gently into place with little fuss.  

It was her face that caught her attention most of all, it was rare to see her Ladyship smiling, and even rarer for it to seem so natural. It made her face, light up, she thought. Only a few years older than Anna’s twenty, her skin was smooth and blemish free. It was not so pale as many upper-class women preferred but had a little colour. She was beautiful, but Anna had not realised such in the months she had been here. 

She slid the last clip into place, then checked it one last time in the mirror. “There, my Lady.” 

Lady Catherine regarded herself in the mirror, turning her head first one way, then the other. 

“I like it.”  

Relief washed over Anna, “Thank you, my Lady.” 

The Countess turned on the stool to face her. “Would you care to become my new lady’s maid?” 

Anna blinked. At most she had expected another request in future, certainly not this. 

“My Lady?” 

“I have found myself wanting for one. You seem dependable, have a steady hand and good taste.” The other woman said with a slight smile, “Unless you are planning on running off with a stable boy.” 

Anna couldn’t help but smile at the slight joke, and she knew there was only one appropriate answer. 

“I would be honoured. my Lady.” 

The following weeks passed quicker than Anna had expected. Her routine changed to match Lady Catherine’s, and she began to learn her mistress’s moods and preferences. The Countess’s mood too seemed to change as well. Though she remained as stern as ever with the rest of the staff, she became noticeably less severe and even somewhat amicable with Anna. The work was more demanding, but more satisfying at the same time. 

She settled into her new role, and it slowly began to become mundane, until one night almost a month later. 

It was a stormy night; the Earl had departed for London on business a number of days prior, leaving only Lady Catherine at home. That night, not long after dinner, she announced that she was tired and wished to retire early.  

Her ladyship sat at the dressing table as Anna began the routine that had already become second nature. She unclasped the delicate gold necklace, removing it before placing it in the jewellery box. 

“A word of advice, Anna.” The Countess began, her voice a little softer than usual. Anna suspected it was the wine from dinner “Never marry. Men bring nothing but trouble.” 

While Anna did not have much interest in men, it was hardly something that the countess would have picked up upon. 

“And wifely duties.” she continued, meeting Anna’s eyes through the mirror, “They are not quite as enjoyable as some other women would have you believe.”  

Anna wasn’t sure what to say to that but knew she couldn’t stay silent. “My Lady?” She hadn’t meant to make it a question, but the inadvertent rising tone had done so anyway. 

“Edward is kind and considerate in ways that I know other husbands are not.” she continued, standing, “but he is, alas, a man.” 

Anna now began to understand what the other woman was saying. She understood what ‘wifely duties’ entailed, and understood that many girls found them enjoyable, even desirable, but she was not one of them. She had not taken the Countess to be of a similar mind to her.  

The Countess walked over to the bedside table, where an empty glass stood. She picked it up and returned to the dressing table, filling it first, then her own glass with the dark red wine from the carafe. 

“Have a drink, Anna.” She said kindly, handing the full glass to the girl. 

Anna did as she was told. The wine was rich and flavourful, far better than any she had tasted before. “Thank you, my Lady.” 

“Am I to understand that you are of the same opinion as myself.” Lady Catherine continued, “that men, despite their natural necessity, are somewhat superfluous to life?” 

Anna’s throat was suddenly dry. How did she know? Anna had never told a soul and had joined in with numerous bawdy conversations with the other serving girls, even if she did not believe a single word of what she said. She instinctively took another sip of wine before replying, but it felt like vinegar going down.  

Before she could answer, the other woman continued. “I have seen the way you look at me, Anna. How your eye lingers.” 

This was it, she thought. This was how she lost her job. She would be tossed out in the rain like the scraps from dinner. 

As the blood drained from Anna’s face, she felt something on her arm. It was Lady Catherine’s hand, resting gently on her forearm. 

“Have you ever been with a woman before?” she said softly, in a tone that Anna had never heard from her mistress before. “In that way?” 

Anna shook her head, “N... No, my Lady.” She said, through a bone-dry throat. 

“But you would like to?” 

“Yes, my Lady.” Anna could feel her legs beginning to weaken. This job was all she had. Without it she would probably end up in the workhouse. 

“With me?” the Countess asked, her voice barely above a whisper. 

The final question. Anna thought she might lie but knew it would do no good. If she was to lose her job, she would at least tell the truth. 

“Yes, my Lady.” She said, closing her eyes, waiting for the inevitable. 

“Good.” 

That was not the reaction her mind had been expecting. After a handful of agonising seconds, she risked opening her eyes. Lady Catherine was there, but her face was soft and smiling, not stern and scowling. 

“Anna, take a seat.” She said, gesturing to the chaise to Anna’s right. 

Anna moved to do as she was told, but it felt like walking through honey. When she finally sat upon the soft upholstery, the Countess settled beside her, resting her hand, once again on Anna’s arm. 

“I am sorry for scaring you, Anna,” she began, “I suspected, but I was not sure that you felt the same way.” 

The same way? Anna thought. “The same w...”, she was cut off mid-sentence by her mistress leaning in and kissing her on the lips. 

She now understood exactly what the other woman had meant. The knot in Anna’s stomach dissolved into butterflies, the sensations were remarkably similar, she realised. 

“But why me?” she asked, still not truly believing what had just happened. 

“Because you are beautiful.” Lady Catherine replied, tightening her grip on Anna’s arm perceptibly. “And you would enjoy it, in ways that other girls would not. I enjoy giving pleasure almost as much as I enjoy receiving it.” 

“Thank you, my Lady, I...” 

The Countess cut her off before she could continue, “Catherine, Catherine. When we are like this, you must call me Catherine.” 

“Yes, m... Catherine.” Anna replied, correcting herself and managing to let the smallest hint of a smile show on her face. 

“Thank you,” Catherine said, “now, Anna, will you please kiss me?” 

Anna slowly leaned in towards Catherine as Catherine did the same, and their lips met once again. Anna felt the other woman’s lips flutter across hers as the blood returned to her face in waves of warmth, filling her cheeks and making her ears burn.  

Lady Catherine pulled back slightly, only enough to break the kiss so Anna could feel her hot breath on her face. Every inhalation was strained against the tightness within Anna’s chest, from both her clothing and the pounding of her heart. 

“Will you help me out of this dress?” Catherine asked, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Anna tried to reply but the words did not come. Instead, she simply nodded her head. That was enough for the other woman, who shifted her position so that she faced away from Anna who slowly began to unbutton the dress. Her hands were shaking, and it took a force of will to steady them enough to unfasten the small buttons.  

Catherine stood when she judged that the dress was loose enough. The fine cloth slipped down her figure. 

“Stand up.” she said as she stepped out of the crumpled fabric on the floor, turning back to Anna. The fine silk of her slip clinging more tightly to the gentle curves of her body. 

Anna did as she was told but couldn’t help but stare at her mistress’s form, the heat in her face began to spread. First to her chest, then stomach then finally settling between her legs. 

Catherine placed her hands on her hips then slowly lifted them, running her fingertips up Anna’s body, stopping to unbutton her dress in turn. This did not take long. Lady Catherine’s sleek slender hands soon found every button and clasp with ease.  

Gently parting the cheap, rough fabric, she guided the maid’s uniform off Anna’s shoulders and downwards. Anna wore no slip, the silk underdress meant to smooth the lines of the undergarments. Instead, all that covered her now was a short, slightly sweat-stained shift. The air in the room was cool, and against her now exposed hot skin, felt downright cold. 

Catherine placed her left arm around Anna’s waist, resting the hand on the small of her back and pulled them both together, now standing the height difference was more apparent, the other woman was perhaps three inches taller than Anna’s five foot two inches. 

A kiss landed on Anna’s lips, then cheek, then a series of kisses on her neck as Catherine kissed her way down to her neckline then slowly back up once again. Anna tried to place her hands around Catherine’s body in return but found she did not know where to place them, one hand bound itself resting on her buttock the other was practically holding onto her shoulder from behind. 

Catherine’s kisses had now reached Anna’s cheeks once again. Each one causing the fire within her body to grow more and more. Anna had felt similar before, but never as strongly. When she had lain in bed thinking thoughts about other women that she dared not admit to. Now it was happening, and the sensation made her feel like she was about to burst. 

 Then, close enough that Anna could feel every breath from every word, Catherine whispered in her ear, “Tonight is for you, Anna. Go. Lie down on the bed.”  

She was suddenly aware of the coolness of the air on her bare skin as she moved towards Lady Catherine’s bed.  Lying down as she had been told; she found it exquisitely comfortable. Catherine climbed on beside her, laying down close to her, propping herself up with one arm while leaving the other free to gently push a lock of hair off Anna’s face. 

Her fingers remained gently pressed against Anna’s skin as the other woman slowly and gently dragged them downwards. First across her bare skin, then over the rough fabric of her shift. Downwards. Stopping first at her chest, tracing a gentle circle around the outline in the cloth. Then closer in. Anna felt the gentle pressure on the soft flesh of her breast. Catherine’s fingers still tracing circles, but each one smaller and smaller until at last, her finger was brushing against the imprint of Anna’s stiff nipple poking through the fabric. 

Even though the touch was gentle, it was more than enough to send tendrils of lightning through Anna’s body. The gasp that escaped her lips was entirely involuntary, and the smile it elicited from Catherine made Anna shiver. And not from the cold. It was an expression that Anna had never seen on the Countess’s face before, in fact she had never seen it on anyone’s face. The closest she could describe it was a deep hunger, like someone starving being shown a feast, as she moved her face downwards for another kiss. 

Catherine’s hand stopped its circular motion and continued its migration downwards, though not before one last brush against Anna’s nipple. It moved across her stomach, then to her thigh and downwards until it once again it touched bare skin on her leg then began to make its way back up again. This time sliding under the fabric of Anna’s shift.  

The gentle pressure on Anna’s skin is almost unbearable now. She wants to move. To relieve the pressure, but the only possible motion she can muster is to move the leg slightly to the side. The simple act of moving her legs apart feels comforting. It was instinctual, but she knows exactly why it feels good, why she wants it. Part of her begins to wonder if she should really be doing this, but Anna quickly shuts that thought out. If this is wrong, then why does it feel so right? 

Lady Catherine’s hand has now moved to the soft, supple skin that Anna has just exposed on the inside of her thigh and continuing upwards. Reflexively Anna spreads her legs even more at the gentle, electric touch. 

Another gasp escaped Anna’s mouth when Catherine’s finger brushed the soft hair between her legs, this one almost shuddering in its intensity. Her fingers brushed the hair again, then moved down. Towards the warmth and wetness between Anna’s legs. This time the gasp was more a moan. 

“How often do you touch yourself like this?” Catherine asked, spreading her fingers, and with it opening the petals of Anna’s flower. 

Forming coherent words was a monumental effort for Anna, but she was finally able to pant out, “Most...Days...m... Catherine.” remembering only at the last moment to use the Countess’s first name.  

“Good,” came the reply as Catherine slid her fingers back together, feeling the petals close back over them, the pressure now on the most sensitive area of all. She did not, as Anna had thought, try to push a finger inside, instead she focused her attention on the area just in front. Gently pulling her fingers back then sliding them forward again. Back. And forward. With each motion, the gentle touch stoked the fire inside Anna. The pressure built. 

Anna knew the sensation, but it had never been even half as intense as this. Each movement increased it. Each movement made her gasp for air. Each movement made her clench her hand, which had somehow ended up in Catherine’s free hand.  

Every time she clenched her hand, Catherine would clench her’s back, then drag her fingertips back once more. The pressure kept building and building with no sign of the release Anna desperately needed. 

Then the dam burst. The pressure in Anna’s body released in an instant. It felt like an explosion within her own body. Every muscle tensed, her senses collapsed inwards. For a brief instant all Anna could feel, all she cared about, was what was between her legs. Everything else was secondary. Her vision was replaced with shimmering stars. She was vaguely aware that she was moaning as the air was pushed from her lungs. 

She did not know how long she remained in a daze for, but when she finally returned to her senses, she found herself bone tired, but Lady Catherine was still there, arm across her midriff in a gentle embrace, a warm smile on her face. 

“Did you enjoy that, Anna?” She asked voice soft and gentle. 

“Yes, Catherine.” 

“Good.” Lady Catherine said, “You would have me do the same again? You would do such to me?” 

“Yes,” Anna replied, feeling the tiredness, quietly questioning if she would even remain awake much longer, let alone take any more excitement. 

“Not tonight, Anna.” Catherine said, “You are exhausted and it is late. There will be many more opportunities in future.”  

They shared one last kiss, then Anna pulled her weary body up, getting dressed as swiftly as her tired arms would allow, before saying goodnight and making her way to her own bed in the servant’s quarters. Her bed was nowhere near as comfortable as Lady Catherine’s, but she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep as soon as her head touched the pillow, her last thought was wondering what tomorrow might bring.