Chapter 2

At Carlton Manor Iris and I were reclining in sun chairs, secluded by shrubs and flowers. The azure blue sky was traced with high stratus and the scent of Jasmine was in the air. Here within the grounds of Carlton Manor life felt far from the madness of the everyday world.

Earlier, all my apprehension over meeting Guy after he’d raped me, had evaporated; when upon our reunion in the garden, he’d appeared with his pal Ralph; such an attractive youth with fairish long hair, the bluest eyes and an easy grin.

Guy and I had hugged and mumbled our apologies; and then shortly, the lads had jaunted off together! It made me smile with relief at how short our trauma had lasted!

Now I could relax and chat about Guy’s prospects of working through the summer here at the manor.

I found Iris an attractive woman with fair bubbly hair and hazel eyes that sparkled while she spoke. Her voice had unmistakable breeding and the polo jumper she wore failed to conceal her fine shapely figure. This was a woman I felt I could admire.

“There’s plenty for Guy to take on here Margot.” Iris was saying, “The lure of Australia took the last of our workers away some while ago.”

As I listened, I felt naturally at ease with her and found her enthusiasm in the face of austerity infectious as she spoke on, “Oh Margot, There’s so much I want to show you here. It’s an ideal place for our lads to share together this summer. I’m sure you’ll feel the same in a day or so and I have a lovely little room ready for you”

Iris would have to be in her mid-thirties like myself yet had that confidence of a woman in control. She was wearing jodhpurs and as we came up to the stable yard it occurred to me she rode horses.

“Do you ride much Iris?” I asked peering into the stable. “Only a hack round the lanes when the weather’s OK; how about yourself?”

“Well, I sometimes get my bike out on a fine day.” I quipped, “How many horses are there?” I inquired.

Iris laughed, “Only my thoroughbred now, he’s grazing in the meadow: several were stabled here before the war but with the price of hay in the winter...”

“Is your husband busy here on the estate Iris?” I asked cautiously.

There was an uncomfortable silence before Iris Carlton-Hawes answered with a freshly spun story; since she had never been married.

“Ronald was lost in an expedition over six months ago Margot.” She replied evenly.

“I’m so sorry.” I mumbled awkwardly, my blunder causing me to blush.

Iris slid her hand through my arm. It’s OK Margot ... really, she said simply, “Come on! Lets show you the kitchen garden.”

Later, in the cool of the library we relaxed into deep cushioned armchairs and with each of us holding a generous glass of brandy Iris took a deep sigh and began quietly recounting her life at the Manor to me.

“Ronald and I took over the Manor when we married. It was a bit run down. But we got things going; and Ralph was born.” Iris sighed at fond memories. “The place became busy with people working and we were happy with how things were shaping up. Then came Ronald’s Whitehall assignment with MI5.”

Iris paused to sip her brandy and I remained silent; knowing she had more to say. “They recalled Simon and before long I hardly saw him. Oh, the occasional flurry of leave; then returned to being a Whitehouse Widow. I missed Ronald on his assignments; but I was also lonely and fed up to be honest.”

She paused with a look of wry bitterness.

“Or to speak quite plainly Margot. I became sex-starved!”

Iris looks at me boldly,” Tell me Margot, has this life deprived you of sex?”

I put down my glass; surprised at her candour. Yet suddenly I felt activated.

“Why dam it Iris, Yes It has!” I declared wryly, “ I’ve been badly starved of sex! Why I even get envious if I see dogs at it in the street! “ I said unflinchingly.”

Iris laughed mirthlessly, “Like a bitch on heat Margot?” And placing a hand on my thigh she added,

“Margot, I will not even tell you some of the evil thoughts I’ve had when alone with my horse in the stable! Have you ever seen a horse with a hard-on? It’s a real turn on. But what’s a girl to do with her pent-up urges?”

“Oh! Iris!” I laughed. Grinning mischievously together her hand went over mine and our eyes met with a special trust.

Iris now said softly, “Then to complicate matters we get the needs of a growing boy ... don’t we Margot?”

I held my breath as she paused to sip her brandy before saying kindly, “It’s OK Margot, I do know how boys can get out of hand at home ... Guy’s got himself into a passion over you; hasn’t he Margot.”

Suddenly I knew it was confession time for me, as my heart thumped, yet as I spoke, I felt a surge of relief wash aside my shame.

“It wasn’t Guy’s fault really Iris. I was half naked when I accidentally disturbed Guy in my bedroom; he was ... masturbating. It rather stunned me a little; seeing his muscular body that way.”

“You mean the size of his cock, don’t you Margot.”

“Well ... yes. I never thought...” Iris gave me an encouraging little smile with a nod to continue:

“Well; we cuddled and then kissed and I ... I helped him finish.”

“Did you use your mouth or your hand Margot?”

“Oh! ... my hand ... That was all at the time; I left him to cool off.”

I looked at her and she simply smiled encouragingly, so I continued,

“The trouble was the following day. Guy caught me off guard in my robe and became amorous again.”

Iris touched my hand in a gesture of support,

“But now he was saying he wanted me as a lover; rather than a mother!... “I told him that was wrong Iris.” I let out a tiny sob, “Guy got overexcited; I tried to stop him but then, I had to give in Iris.”

Her comforting hand came to my shoulder and she said the unexpected,