Chapter 1

A few lines printed under the photo of Devlin Manor in the book "Great Mansions of Australia" Devlin Manor Home to several generations of 4 families, said to be haunted by the ghost of Lord Rockley, his son and a young maid who had died tragically in a fire over a century ago.

Belle followed the circular driveway around to the large brown front door before slowing her 1979 Holden Gemini to a stop. For a long time she sat perfectly still, just looking out the window. Why had Aunt Mary left her this house? True they had been each others last living relative, but Mary had never had much time for her niece while she grew up, and they hadn't spoken nearly at all during the last few years.

The house was just as Belle remembered it from the brief stays she had been allowed on occasion when she'd begged and cried to her Aunt to let her come home. After her parents died, Mary, being Belle's only living relative had become her guardian. Belle had been sent to an expensive boarding school, which was really a highly paid orphanage for the children of parent's who couldn't be bothered to care for their dependants.

But what did all that matter now? Her aunt had passed on and was well out of reach of Belle's resentment, and Aunt Mary had left her this huge beautiful mansion and more money then she knew what to do with. Belle ran her fingers through her short black hair as she said a silent thank you to her Aunt and an apology for being such a spoilt brat.

Her Aunt's lawyer had told her that the House Keeper Libby and the Gardener Greg would be here to meet her, but she didn't see them anywhere. Using the key he had given her she let herself in the front door.

The foyer was just as she'd remembered it, polished black tiles covering the floor, spotless white walls and two black columns holding up the very high ceiling. As always she was unable to hold back the pleasured gasp, this house truly was beautiful.

Belle's stomach rumbled grumpily, it had been a long drive from Brisbane, five hours to be exact and she hadn't stopped for lunch. As she made her way to the kitchen she wondered if the housekeeper had thought to stock the fridge; she hoped so.

As she approached the swinging kitchen door she heard the distinct sound of voices, Must be Libby and Greg she thought smiling at the little picture she had in her minds eye of the two sitting at a table loaded with food waiting for her to join them. She had to laugh a little at that, she really was hungry.

But the closer she stepped to the door the less the sounds resembled friendly conversation. She could only hear the occasional muttered word but mainly the sounds were animalistic, grunts, moans... Her face suddenly turned a bright red as she realized what she was hearing.

Belle thought about turning around and leaving, maybe taking a trip to that little takeaway store she'd seen about half an hour back down the road, but the voyeuristic part of her mind had other ideas. Before she could stop herself she'd pushed open the door, just a crack and was peaking through. Her heart beat sped up and her mouth went dry as she watched the two in the kitchen.

The woman could only have been the house keeper Libby, as she was wearing a black work dress with what looked like a white apron. She was perched on the edge of the kitchen bench her dress pushed up around her hips and her long white legs bent on either side of the man's hips.

Belle was relatively sure that the man was the gardener Greg because of the dirty blue jeans and those dirt covered shoes. They had obviously just moved the parts of the clothes that were in the way before engaging in the erotic show, meaning that this had been a spare of the moment decision, possibly while they were waiting for her to arrive. She found that thought even more exciting.

She couldn't pull her eyes away as the tall muscular man took the housekeeper with long slow strokes drawing out all the pleasure he could from her panting purring body. It had been a long time since Belle had been involved in anything this erotic, and she felt her breath come faster and her lower muscles clench and react to every thrust of the man into the woman on the kitchen bench.

For a time her eyes were glued to Libby with her shoulder length curly blond hair and her fire engine red lips open wide to take in more breath. But before long they moved to Greg with his broad shoulders and back, hidden under that dirty green singlet, his large hands gripped Libby's hips, holding her in place for his long hard thrusts, and he was talking, whispering something into the woman's ear. Belle couldn't quiet hear the words, but she could imagine, an did.

Quietly Belle drew back and allowed the door to silently close biting her lip to hold back the giggle that seemed to be bubbling up. Well, she thought looks like they're morning my Aunt in the appropriate manner. Smiling all the way she made her way up the stairs to find her room.

She took her time, stopping occasionally to look at a deep landscape or an eye-catching portrait. One in particular caught her attention; it showed two tall dashing men. The older was also taller with shoulder length black hair, dark brown eyes, and a slightly angry expression on his ruggedly hansom face. The younger was what she could only describe as cute, her heart gave a skip as she gazed at his short blond curly hair and hansom almost beautiful face. He looked around her age as well. She sighed as she looked away and continued down the hall. Why can't I meet a cute guy like that? She thought as she opened the door to the bedroom.