Chapter 2

I arrived after breakfast had started and helped myself to tea then to the sideboard for a chop and scrambled eggs. I made a point of being as casual as possible to protect the guilty; namely, Ann and me. It was absolutely silent. I looked around at the girls. The attention of the five girls was alternating between myself and Ann. Diane wasn't there, but then she normally didn't eat breakfast. Ann was red-faced and looked guilty of something. In hopes that she hadn't already confessed, I said,

"What have you done wrong, Ann? You look a little strange this morning."

"I had this horrible nightmare. I guess I cried out and woke everyone up. For some reason I feel my veracity is being questioned." Ann colored even more.

"Probably because you are known to be a terrific storyteller, Ann, and they can't believe any simple explanation. I've heard the rest of these girls cry out in the middle of the night. But I was too kind to mention it or ask them about it."

"Where were you last night, Donald?" Cathy asked.

I looked Cathy right in the eye and lied like a professional. "I needed to pick up a few things from my apartment and decided to spend the night there. Maybe I should have consulted with you first, Cathy."

"It was my Ni... , " Cathy dropped her head and looked at her plate.

"But you've changed the subject. We're speaking of Ann's dream. Where I slept has nothing to do with that subject, now does it?"

"Good. Now, I want to change the subject to something that is important while we're all together. Next month is Abby's coming-out party. You know what that's for, I'm sure your mother has spoken of it. I'll put it a little less delicately."

"The party is to introduce Abby to suitable young men of the proper class and age. Abby will be evaluating them to see if they would make a proper husband for her. Hopefully, there will be more than a few that are appropriate. Each of you others will have your chance when you are eighteen."

"The point I want to make is this. It is a party for Abby. You are privileged to attend. Your actions while you are there will not, and I repeat, will not detract from that. I expect all of you to act like proper young ladies."

"I will be there for only one reason, as a tutor not a suitor. You four, Beth, Cathy, Dawne and Ester are who I am going to be watching to see if I've been wasting my time and your father's money in teaching you anything. If you show your mother, father and Abby disrespect by your behavior then I will be shamed along with you."

I stood, excused myself, and left for classes. Once I was out the door, I took a deep breath.

"But, Diane, you should have seen them. Every one of them is in love with Donald. It is absolutely unhealthy," Ann said.

"Just to relieve your anxiety, Ann, I am well aware of how the girls feel about him. They have few male relatives anywhere near their ages. He is probably the best tutor possible for them at this time. They also know that they can't marry him, he's a commoner. But being in love, or puppy-love, really, is just normal for young girls. The experience of knowing a Donald will help them when picking a suitable life-long mate."

Oh, Ann, Diane thought, if you only knew what a valuable find Donald has turned out to be. And he truly loves me and every one of those girls. It would destroy the rest of the family if he married any one of us. But he's not nearly ready for marriage yet, thankfully. I believe he falls in love a little with each of the girls he initiates into the society. If he didn't, he couldn't make such incredible love to them or worship their bodies like he does.

There would be a woman in Donald's life someday who would know that everyday of her life she was loved. My brood and I have only had glimpses of it. When he was with each of us, we know that he loves each of us as no other. They were seeing the real Donald then as he would be when he finally selects a wife. But that was not yet.

Yes, all of the girls were in love with Donald. How could they not be. His tenderness, his caring, and yes, even his frequent taking of those society girls. They too knew that they had been loved, at least for one night in their lives. It was what made Donald special and different. Donald worshiped a woman's body with his lips, his fingers, and his body. Each new woman felt she had been wanted, desired, and appreciated. She could sparkle the rest of her life whenever she needed it by recalling the memories of her special night. She may just never find it like that again. But for most women that once would be beautifully seared into there memories.

Those few who had access to him repeatedly, like herself and her family were especially blessed. What would we do when he says his goodbyes, and then walks away to the next woman or his last woman.

Yes, they all loved him but at the same time knew the impermanence of it. It is all any of us can do not to try and demand all of his time.