Chapter 2: The Invitation

Initially I'd shut myself in my room with the hours passing timorously.

When I did emerge to face up to Guy, I found just his note.

It told me he had flown off to his pal Ralph at the Manor: to think things through. The message relaxed me. It showed Guy felt shaky too.

Oddly, the following day I felt that somehow Guy's actions had ended a long period of emotional isolation for me. Suddenly I felt more alive; at the centre of something. I needed to see Guy: to start afresh together. Without him I was simply alone.

Then out of the blue an unexpected letter arrived. It was from Iris Carlton- Hawes of Carlton Manor. Its content was exciting yet it raised ambiguous questions for me also.

6^th April

I regard Guy as a wonderful chap and so enjoy his company here at Carlton Manor. In fact Guy has asked me if he could work here at the manor?

At Carlton Manor

Iris and I were reclining in sun chairs, secluded by shrubs and flowers.

Here within the grounds of Carlton Manor life felt far from the madness of war.

After my reunion with Guy earlier, the lads had both jaunted off to join a cricket match down in the village.

Now we could chat about Guy's expectations of working 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 woollen jumper she wore also failed to conceal her fine shapely figure. " There's plenty for Guy to take on here Margot." Iris was saying, "The war-effort 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.

"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 gelding 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 in the war Iris?" I asked cautiously.

There was an uncomfortable silence before she answered.

"Ronald was lost at sea 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 the war came."

Iris paused to sip her brandy and I remained silent; knowing she had more to say.

"The Royal Navy recalled Simon and before long I hardly saw him. Oh, the occasional flurry of leave; then a return to the prudence widowhood.

I missed Ronald; but I was lonely and fed up to be honest."

She paused with a look of wry bitterness.

"Or to speak plainly Margot. I became sex-starved."

Iris looks at me boldly," Tell me Margot, has the war deprived you of sex?"

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

"Why damit Iris, Yes It has!" I declared wryly, " I've been staved 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 added, "Margot, I will not even tell you some of the evil thoughts I've had when alone with horses! But what's a girl to do with her pent up urges?"

Grinning mischievously together my hand went over hers and our eyes met with a special trust.

Iris said softly, "Then to complicate matters we get the needs of a growing boy."

I held my breath as she paused to sip her brandy before saying kindly,

"It's alright Margot, I do know how boys 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 I spoke I felt a surge of relief wash aside my shame.

"It wasn't Guy's fault really. I was half naked when I accidentally disturbed Guy in my bedroom; he was ... masturbating. It stunned me a little; seeing his muscular body that way." I looked up to Iris for her reaction. She simply gave me an encouraging little smile with a nod to continue:

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

That was all at the time; I left him to cool off."

"The trouble was the following day."

"Guy caught me off guard in my robe and became amorous again."

" But now he said he wanted me as a lover not a mother!"

"I told him that was wrong Iris."

" Guy got overexcited; I tried to stop him but then, I had to give in."

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

"Don't worry Margot, Ralph flustered me in a similar way to start with."

"Ralph too!" I gasped. "But how did you deal with it Iris?"

Iris said softly, " By giving Ralph just enough rope Margot."

"You mean, when he became amorous towards you?" I asked.

"If I was to be his mistress then I would call the tune. Iris said thoughtfully taking another sip of brandy before continuing.