Chapter 20: Maturing—Liam

Awakening

Liam stretched, a little disoriented as to where he was. His arm, however, was stretched over Meredith’s sleeping form. Recollection of the night before sprang upon him. He had made love to Meredith Sauvage. There was no other word for it. The joining of their bodies had been merely the climax of the love they shared for each other. He stroked her bare shoulder and placed a kiss there.

“Are you up already, love? It can’t be more than six.”

“I’ll quietly slip away for my morning run. Meet me for breakfast at eight-thirty?” Liam could scarcely believe the beauty he was disturbing. She, on the other hand, turned to him and smiled. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. With their naked bodies pressed together in bed, it did not take long for the tender kiss to turn passionate. Liam abandoned all thought of getting out of bed and lost himself in the touch of her skin. Its silky softness mesmerized him and she petted him as much as he did her.

First one leg was draped over her thigh. Then the other leg was pulled between her thighs and Liam felt her delicate hand pulling him toward her heated center. He pushed up on his hands and looked into her eyes as he sank his length into her inner sanctum.

“Isn’t this better than a run?”

“So much better. Meri, I am still in awe that you would have me in this way. It is I who am your servant. Guide me, Love, and show me how to make you happy.” Liam began the dance of slipping in and out of her, guided by the pressure of her hand and heel. It was not long before they were both lost in the moment of climax and tears rolled from their eyes.

“You make me so happy, Liam. So very happy.”

Liam still ran three miles while Meredith fell back asleep, promising she would meet him for breakfast at nine o’clock. When he returned, he found the door between their studies closed from her side. He raised his hand to knock before remembering her instructions. The door would not be closed if she were available to be disturbed. He closed his side of the door and went to his shower. Erich had laid out day clothes for him and Liam pulled them on without even thinking of the service his valet had performed.

Promptly at nine o’clock, Liam left his study and met Meredith in the hall. He wanted to catch her in his arms and kiss her, but Lupe was right behind her. He caught himself and bowed slightly to her.

“Good morning, Mr. Liam.”

“And a good morning to you, Miss Meredith. Good morning, Lupe.”

“Good morning, Mr. Cyning. Excuse me. I must hurry to my work.”

“Of course.” As soon as Lupe was out of sight, Liam turned to Meredith and reached for her. She held up a hand to stop him. “Meredith?”

“This is where we must exercise our self-control, Liam. You are my employer and I am a servant. How would you treat a servant? Press yourself upon her?”

“Meredith, you know I would never do such a thing.”

“The familiarity we have recently enjoyed must not spill beyond those doors.”

“This will be difficult.”

“Imagine your wife is strolling with us, dear. You would not do anything to hurt or humiliate her, would you?”

“But when... ?”

“When we are alone. When you open your door and find mine also open. When we stroll together through the woods. Liam, I long for you as much as you do for me. This is our life. Together and apart. Now let us have breakfast.”

Liam collected himself and walked beside Meredith to the kitchen nook where he usually took his breakfast. Cook smiled at them and brought food. Liam sought for some subject they could talk about in public when so much about what they had done was fresh in his mind.

“I see Lupe was with you this morning. More invitations to go out?”

“Yes. Your grandmother called and asked me to send out one more. She spoke to Elizabeth Kendrick’s parents yesterday and they will be coming to town to inspect some properties this week. They’ve accepted the verbal invitation but it was important to get a written invitation out to them.”

“I hope you are not writing a contract yet. I’d like to meet the girl before I agree to marry her.”

“Liam, it’s not like that. No one is going to force you into a marriage. Least of all at this stage of your life. Mrs. Cyning estimates there will be a dozen royals at the university by next fall. She plans to greet each one here at Buxton House as is appropriate.”

“I’m not being peevish. I know my responsibility. It’s just that right now I can think of nothing but you.”

“We have been invited out this evening.”

“Really? When and where?”

“My father is still intent on serving you an excellent meal. He has asked that you join Mother at Rangers this evening so he can serve the family. He wanted to serve a meal at home, but with the holiday being what it is and taking next Saturday off to attend the party here, he couldn’t leave the restaurant to get on without him. Please say you will go.”

“Of course, dear Meredith. It is filling the hours between now and then that will be torture.”

“Let us get our books and meet in the library to study, then. We’ll be ignored there.”

Parental Approval

Even with holding hands while they read and stolen kisses when they were sure no one was about, the afternoon went by painfully slowly. They finally went to their rooms to dress for the evening. Liam checked the door between their rooms to see if it was open, but Meredith had kept it closed. He dressed in casual wool slacks, an open-collared shirt, and his Norfolk tweed. He looked at himself critically and tried to decide if it would have been better to ask Erich what to wear. But the valet had already volunteered to drive them to town instead of Meredith driving. That did have the advantage of the couple sitting together in the back. Liam thought Erich was a little cautious about having them go into town in the evening after what happened last week.

“Oh, lovely choice,” Meredith said when she emerged from her room. She wore a buttoned-bodice dress of Juilliard wool with a pleated skirt that fell just over her knees and a fedora-style hat with a broad ribbon around the crown. She looked quite fetching, though Liam was a bit disappointed at how ... buttoned up she seemed to be.

“Should I have worn a tie?”

“No. For tonight an open collar is perfect. I may have overdone mine a bit, but ... Do you have a hat?”

“Well, yes, of course. Do I need one?”

“It is getting chilly out. Why don’t you run in and get your brown fedora? A hunting cap would not be appropriate for a trip downtown.” Liam ran back into his room and looked on the shelf of hats trying to determine which box held his brown fedora. He finally started pulling boxes down and opening them. He was certain Erich could have simply gone to the shelf and pulled down the correct box without opening a dozen on the floor. Liam snatched the hat and rushed back to Meredith, waiting patiently in the hall. “Much better.” She placed her hand on his elbow and he escorted her to the car.

“I had to open nearly every hat box on my shelves. I have hats up there I am certain I have never worn.”

“Mmm. Perhaps if I find your door open one evening, I could inspect them to see what you have and which to recommend when. Schoolboys don’t often wear hats except their sports caps. But you are now a gentleman and a hat is an important accessory.” Meredith leaned against Liam. He was stuck back on the open door.

“Will I find your door open when we return tonight?”

“It is possible. How will you charm me over dinner to make me interested?”

“Oh, Meredith. How am I supposed to do that?”

“You will improvise. Liam, you will not find every woman you date predisposed to sleeping with you. You will need to court her as you have me.”

“I would rather come home to you.”

“I will not be available on any night you are out with another woman. That would be like substituting. It would not work. If you are aroused by a woman you are dating and she seems amenable, you will bring her home with you and enjoy the night. But she won’t suggest such a thing. You will need to court her over the course of your date and slowly convince her that she should join you in your condominium.”

“The condominium. It will be much different than being at Buxton House or in the school dormitory, won’t it? No adults around.”

“You are an adult now. There may be women who insist on being chaperoned, but that fashion is fast fading. I believe you will find even the royal women you meet have the confidence to be alone with a man and not fear him.”

“An adult. Something I longed for and now that I am here, I scarcely know what to do.” Erich pulled up in front of Rangers. They waited for him to open their door and then Liam gave his hand to Meredith as she emerged. She took his arm and they went into the restaurant.

“Meredith, how wonderful to have you and Mr. Cyning with us this evening. Your mother is already at your usual table. I’ve never seen your father so nervous. Here we are.” The hostess showed Liam and Meredith to the table where her mother stood at once.

“Please, Mrs. Sauvage, don’t stand for me. It is so nice to see you again.” He took Kendall’s offered hand and then held first her chair and then Meredith’s.

“You are very kind, Mr. Cyning.”

“Meredith and I are very close and I am sure we will see you frequently. Please call me Liam.”

“What a relief. Then you must refer to me as Kendall and Meredith’s father as Rainer. We had wanted to ask you to be our guest at home, but the holiday season has Rainer working at all hours. He has so many holiday special meals planned.” Meredith’s mother was charming and relaxed once they were seated. She had a quick smile and frequently reached over to touch her daughter’s hand or arm.

“I was surprised at the invitation but am more than happy to enjoy some more of his excellent cooking and your lighthearted company. Meredith, did you know you have something of the same sparkle in your eyes that your mother has?”

“Liam! I ... How kind of you to notice.”

“Even my heart jumped a beat with that. Meredith, you both must tell us about your new dwelling in town.”

Rainer came from the kitchen with a server, bringing them each a bowl of hot soup and a plate of bread.

“Good evening, Mr. Cyning...”

“Just Liam, sir. Please.”

“Wonderful. Liam, I have wanted to cook for you and my daughter in a family meal ever since she began working with you. On these chilly November nights, I believe every meal needs to start with a hot soup. I hope you will find this French onion soup to your liking. And don’t worry about your breath. The characteristic odor of the onions is muted by the broth and cheese.”

“Thank you, Rainer. This looks lovely.”

“I will join you for the entrée but must ask that you excuse me from the soup.” He nodded his head and ran back to the kitchen.

Meredith and Kendall waited for Liam to dip his spoon in the soup before they followed. Liam was used to following his grandmother’s lead and hadn’t thought about having to take the lead when he was with others. People would always wait for him to lead. He stifled a sigh and instead savored the soup.

“This is heavenly! Mmm. It warms one up, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. It is one of our favorite winter soups. Rainer was torn between this and the minestrone, but chose this because it is warming but not so heavy as the minestrone. I’m so glad you like it.”

“I do. Meredith, dear, what kind of cheese is this that your father uses? It seems so unusual.”

“The usual in this area is to melt Emmenthaler on the top. Father found an old recipe that used gruyere. They are both Swiss cheeses but the gruyere is a little softer and sweeter than the Emmenthaler.”

“It’s delicious. I wonder if I’ve ever had that on a cheese tray. I’d like to sample it sometime. Could you assist me in selecting cheeses for a tray some evening?”

“I’d be delighted.” Meredith smiled at him and Liam thought perhaps he was doing okay. It was one thing to charm a young woman he was alone with, but something entirely different when her mother was present.

“Kendall, I understand you are a pianist. What are some of your favorite pieces?” They laid their spoons next to the empty soup tureens.

“Oh, I’m not accomplished enough to suggest favorites. I just play for my own enjoyment. Usually, I play the basic classic sonatas. Chopin, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart. But I also like to play a little ragtime on occasion. However the mood happens to strike me.”

“I like classics as well but must admit I’m quite taken with all the range of jazz. What about you, Meredith?”

“Oh, I agree. There is a kind of joy that comes out of jazz that is different than what one finds in the classics. I daresay we haven’t seen the end of that evolution, either. Bands are constantly working on new sounds. Occasionally, one finds a sound that is truly a breakthrough.”

“Here we have the entrée. For our dining pleasure this evening I have chosen a lamb fricassee with avgolemono sauce. You will discover, however, that I have included greens in the sauce which lighten it and enhance the flavor of the lamb. Bon appétit!” The dishes were set in front of each as Rainer sat to join them. Liam leaned forward and inhaled just to savor the enticing aroma. He started the eating and moaned his pleasure.

“The avgolemono is exquisite! I’ve never had anything like it.”

“It’s why I serve this only with crusty bread. It is the best way to get every last sop of the sauce.” Rainer laughed and Liam found he could not help but join him. For all the formality of the family dinner, the conversation became light and there were many stories told—some quite embarrassing to Meredith.

“Meredith, I didn’t realize you had four older brothers. Did you have a difficult childhood?” Liam turned to take Meredith’s hand as they watched the servers clear the table for dessert.

“Oh, not so terrible. I learned a great deal from my brothers. Including, I’m told, a vicious right hook.” She looked at Liam and the two broke up laughing as the parents sighed in relief.

“We never quite forgave her for that. To think that she would bloody the nose of the host for the party she was invited to! I died of mortification.”

“Kendall, please forgive her as I have. I was being insufferable and deserved the punishment and embarrassment. I assure you, both Meredith and I have learned more civilized behavior since that day more than eight years ago. Now I treasure every second of my time with her.” Meredith squeezed his hand and desserts arrived.

“How colorful, Papa!”

“It’s a parfait with layers of fruit and frozen cream.”

“This is ice cream? It’s so rich!” Liam scooped past the creamy layer into the fresh berries beneath.

“Not ice cream, precisely. It is frozen cream. I have a very good relationship with a local dairyman. He skims the top of the cream for me. It is so thick a spoon will stand up in it without whipping it or freezing. When frozen, it retains a pliability that is softer than the typical ice cream. I did not even sweeten it.” Rainer dipped into his own parfait and savored it. Liam was fascinated.

“It is a wonderful capstone for a delightful meal, Rainer. I can scarcely thank you enough for this invitation.”

“Liam, we hope you will not be a stranger to us here. As Meredith knows, I have this table ready for her or for you at any time. Please join us often.”

“Thank you for your generosity, Rainer.” Liam savored the coffee clearing the last of the cream from his palate. Rainer rose and excused himself to check on the kitchen and encouraged them to take their time over coffee. The chitchat was amiable. Meredith and Liam finally rose to depart.

“I’ll go into the kitchen now. Sometimes there are little tasks Rainer has left for me so I can feel useful. You two go have fun.”

“Thank you, Mama. I’m going to run in and give Papa a kiss before we go. I’ll be right back, Liam.”

“Liam, you will be kind to my daughter, won’t you?” Kendall had scarcely waited until Meredith was out of earshot before she whispered to Liam.

“Kind? Kendall, Meredith is the most important person in the world to me. I chafe against the class restrictions that will keep us from marrying. One way or another I hope to have her next to me for the rest of my life. I give you my word, kindness is the least of the honor I will give your daughter.”

A Lesson

“Don’t bother changing your clothes. Just come immediately to the door.” Meredith gave Liam a light kiss and disappeared into her room. Liam rushed to his own room, dropped his hat among the open boxes and opened the door between the studies. Meredith was waiting for him and they fell together in a passionate kiss. “You were so good with my parents. And your little flirtations at the table were just right. I want you, Liam. Will you have me?”

“I have wanted you since the moment I got out of bed this morning. Should we change to nightwear?”

“Liam, in the course of your dating, you will seldom find a woman who comes to you conveniently arrayed in easily accessible sleepwear. You will, instead, find yourself unexpectedly in her abode—or she in yours—having just returned from a pleasant evening and still fully dressed. You must learn how to slowly undress her while she undresses you.” As she spoke, Meredith slowly unbuttoned the five buttons on Liam’s jacket and released its belt. The article was off his shoulders and at his elbows before he realized fully what was happening. He let it slide to his hands and laid it on Meredith’s desk. Then he reached for her buttons. She pushed his hands away.

“Perhaps you would help with my hat and then find a comfortable place where we can make out. You cannot simply go straight to undressing a woman.”

“Please guide me in these steps, my love.” He found and pulled the pin from Meredith’s hat, thankful that he did not need to worry about such things when he wore a hat. Then he lifted it from her head and kissed her nose. She smiled at him and he placed her hat on his jacket. He lowered his lips to hers and they kissed. As the kiss became more passionate, he scooped her up in his arms and sat in her reading chair.

“Oh! Why, Mr. Liam, you surprised me!”

“I’ve no appointment to keep me from your lips, so thought perhaps we should become more comfortable.” They returned to kissing and began some light petting. They had progressed like this before and it was a far more natural thing to move to Meredith’s buttons in this position than standing in front of her. Soon, the top of her dress was open and he punctuated his act with kisses down her throat and onto her chest.

Liam’s shirt by this time, was also unbuttoned, but he ran into an obstacle. In his previous encounters, Meredith’s blouse was separate from her skirt or slacks. This, however, was a dress and the bodice was attached to the skirt. It also had long sleeves and he discovered they, too, needed to be unbuttoned.

“Remember, you should never make it obvious that you are undressing your date. Even though she has consented, she doesn’t want the embarrassment of being disrobed unless it is sensual. Most evening wear will not be so well armored as this one. Kiss me while you release the buttons at my wrist.” This was definitely complicated but strangely exciting as well. Liam returned to kissing and when he moved from one sleeve to the other, he took a detour to lightly caress her breasts. He found by this time his own shirt sleeves had been unbuttoned and the shirt pushed off his shoulders. He decided that might be a good place to start as well and while caressing her, he helped her arms free of their sleeves. He paused long enough to fully remove his shirt and drop it on the floor beside the chair.

“I don’t know what to do from here.”

“This is the tricky part and you will soon discover if you are making love or simply petting very heavily. Begin at my knees and work your way slowly under my dress.” The thought of what he was doing was almost too much for Liam. He did as he had been instructed and began stroking Meredith’s legs getting ever higher and closer to her treasured center. As he moved his hand, her skirt rode ever higher, revealing her stocking-covered legs as he progressed. Ultimately, he found that soft spot beneath her panties he had learned so much about the night before. Meredith moaned and let her legs part slightly for his convenience. “Once you have touched here without objection, it is time to fully remove the dress.”

“How?” Liam felt his belt pulled through the loops and dropped on his shirt.

“You must lift it over my head. You’ll find me cooperative.” It was awkward and involved pulling the skirt all the way to her waist as he watched her being revealed. Then she lifted her arms and he found it rather easy to lift the dress off her. She took it from him and laid it on the table next to her chair. “You never know how delicate or fragile a woman’s clothing is so do not simply drop it on the floor with your own. She may need to wear it in the morning to go home and would not want it wrinkled.”

The next step seemed to come naturally to Liam. He kissed across her shoulders and bosom as he released the catch on her brassiere. He had become rather good at that in his previous lessons. And he knew enough to raise his own arms as Meredith removed his undershirt. With their bare skin pressed together, Liam lost touch with the lesson and was totally captivated by Meredith’s body. He found he had free access to her and pushed his hand down beneath the waist of her panties. He was rewarded with a moan and the expected moistness that made touching her clitoris so sensual. Meredith, it seemed, lost a bit of control as well. She writhed on his finger and lifted her breast to his lips.

“Liam. Liam. We can’t make love in the chair.”

“What should I do?”

“Carry me to bed.” Liam stood with her in his arms and made his way to the bed in which he had so recently given Meredith his virginity. But as he laid her down, he was struck by the fact that they both had many articles of clothing on yet. Meredith wore a garter belt, panties, stockings, and still had her shoes on. Liam realized that he, too, still had shoes, socks, underwear and trousers on. Unwrapping a girl was exciting, but it was a never-ending project. “Shoes first. Mine and then yours.” Liam was quick to follow her whispered instructions. But when he removed her shoes, he was captivated by the shape of her foot and the texture of the silk stockings. He paused to massage her feet and place a light kiss on her toes. “Oh, Liam, that is wonderful. When you remove your shoes, take your socks off as well. Nothing kills a mood so fast as seeing a man in his boxers or less and a pair of socks.”

Liam took another detour, before removing his shoes and socks. He placed a kiss on her mound and then proceeded up her belly to kiss her breasts again. While he removed his shoes and socks, he felt Meredith’s arms around him unfastening his trousers and pulling at the zipper. Her hand found its way inside and Liam caught his breath as she stroked him softly.

“Meredith, please.”

“As you turn back toward me, let your trousers fall to the floor and step out of them. Then slip up on the bed and remove my panties.”

“What about your garter and stockings?”

“That’s optional. If you can do as good a job of removing them as you did with my shoes, please do. Sometimes, you might prefer to leave them on as I push your boxers down. At that time, though, I won’t want to delay any further.” She removed his boxers and he let them fall to the floor before crawling onto the bed next to her. “Now you need this.” She held a foil wrapped condom up to him. “If either you or the woman are not ready for impregnation, you must always wear a condom. No exceptions.”

“But I did not wear one last night. Meredith, are you saying we might have a baby?”

“Do you feel that sense of panic? You do not want to feel that again. It is unlikely that I conceived last night and it was important to me that you know—and that I know—what making love is truly meant to be. While I don’t think I conceived, I knew that if I did, I would love the child as I love you and that you would take care of me. But it is foolish to tempt fate.”

Liam had flagged slightly but a few ministrations of Meredith’s hand had him ready for the sheath. They laughed as they figured out the right side to place on and Meredith helped roll the condom into place.

“I am ready for you, Love. Come to me.”

As Liam moved between her legs, she opened herself fully to him and he sank into her pleasure.

Preparing

“I don’t know what I am supposed to do at this party. Or even why we are having it. Grandmother dictated it. You have sent invitations and made plans. What am I supposed to do?”

Enough time had passed and enough lovemaking over the weekend that by Tuesday the two could sit comfortably in the library and talk without needing to rush to bed. He sat next to her as she went over cook’s proposed menu for the buffet and the various seating groupings that would be available for people. They would not try to seat fifty people at the dining table but the lounge, when opened to the ballroom, was large enough for several round tables at which eight or ten could comfortably sit.

“Well, you are officially the host. You have been seated at your grandmother’s table often enough that you should know the duties and responsibilities of the host.”

“I should welcome each guest, see that they are introduced and refreshed, be genial, and welcome them to the table. Should I propose a toast?”

“No. In this instance it will be more appropriate to turn to your grandmother and let her also welcome the guests. She will propose the toast to you.” Meredith scratched one of the items from the menu and suggested an alternative.

“To me? I am the host!”

“You are also the guest of honor. Let your grandmother dote on you a bit. Now, there will be some guests you will not know. Most notably, the Winzars and the Kendricks. There will be spouses and dates that you don’t know either. I will be positioned just behind your right shoulder to indicate who each guest is as he or she comes through the door. You will greet them by name and welcome them to your home. Unless there is a line pressing to get in, it would be nice to say something personal to each one. Once you have appropriately greeted each guest, Erich will conduct them to the lounge and make sure they are provided with drinks as people gather.”

“What about spouses and dates? You can’t know each of them, can you?”

“No. I will let you know by simply saying ‘guest.’ You will then ask the one known for an introduction to his or her guest. There are several ways you can do this.” Meredith stood and role-played several different introductions with Liam. They practiced until they felt he had it right.

“This will be an exhausting evening.”

“No doubt. But think of the reward you will have at the end of the evening when you find my door open. Of course, you will not open your door if you have seduced another guest to your bed.”

“To my bed? I scarcely know any of them!”

“Yet, you have had some intimate contact with three young women who will attend. And there is a single royal who will be seated near you.”

“We certainly ... We can’t be expected to ... It wouldn’t be reasonable...”

“I’m teasing, my love. With a party this large it would be in exceedingly poor taste for you to seduce a young woman to your bed. Even if one should throw herself at you during the party. Do not fret. Now, about shaking hands with the guests. Gentlemen always offer their right hand and you should take it in a firm but non-threatening grip. If one is boorish enough to attempt to impress his superiority by squeezing rather too hard, ignore it. Do not enter into a contest. Women are a different matter. Few women grip in a handshake like a man. She will offer her hand, you will take it lightly, and bow slightly over it. Do not succumb to the temptation of kissing her fingers. Not unless you plan to bed her.”

They practiced the different handshakes and at last, Liam dipped his head enough to kiss Meredith’s fingers. Both looked around to ensure they were alone in the library and came together for a genuine kiss. Meredith broke it off and pushed him away just as the door opened and Erich entered.

“You have been working very hard. I’ve brought hot tea and cookies for you. You should take a break now and then, you know.”

“Thank you, Erich. I don’t know what I’ll do without you when I move to the condominium.” Liam and Meredith each took a cup from the tray and sipped at the refreshing brew.

“Independence, sir. You will learn independence. Look at this as the first, and perhaps only, time no one will be minutely examining your life to see that you do everything correctly. No one will make up your bed each day or lay out your clothes. No one will wash your dishes or cook your meals. Will you rise to the occasion or will you awake one morning to find you live in a pigsty? This is the price of independence.”