Before long, Melanie was out of her bath, through the secret passage in the kitchen to her bedroom, and dressed in clothes suitable for lunch. She was pleased to have a chance to sit still and contemplate something as simple as food, for the day was surely turning out to be a strange one.
At lunch, she noticed she drew little attention. Her tutor greeted her normally, asking if she felt up to the afternoons lessons. The maid didn't give her the same looks she'd given her in the morning, though she did give her a speedy, friendly wink as she poured her coffee. Mr. Anderson barely looked at her, and her father said she seemed more settled and that the ride must have done her the world of good. Melanie was grateful for these small mercies and put it down to her bath and the fact that she felt less self conscious - now that she had done many things in such a short space of time.
And she did feel that a lot had happened to her in the space of a few short hours and that indeed, she had grown into a woman. Melanie, having known no better, and having witnessed the maid and Mr. Anderson, assumed this was the normal state of things for all adults and that through their own maturity they had been able to keep all of this from her when she was a child.
And yet, dear reader, the day was not over yet, and there were more occurrences to come.
In the afternoon, Melanie sat with her tutor and they worked on her literature knowledge. Melanie was bored with the Greek myths, but loved the tight, high ass of her tutor, so she listened to all that he said with a faint smile on her face. She concentrated better than she had in the morning, for she no longer felt that she would be denied if she wanted to drink from his body later in the evening. Scarcity transformed itself into abundance, and although this had no affect on her rampant desire, it did make a difference to her ability to see the value of right time and right place.
The afternoon lessons were always short, and unlike the morning, Melanie really did want to go for a horse ride in the afternoon. Not for the need to flush agitation from her system, but for fresh air, exercise and the joy of giving her horse a strong and powerful run, the thrill of working with the great animal as she sat on its back, something she derived great pleasure from.
It was after this ride, that she was rubbing her horse down, that she was visited by none other than Mr Anderson.
Alone in the stable with the man who had ass-fucked her only a few hours before, Melanie smiled and flushed. She felt strangely shy, but timidly nodded at him when he approached her. Anderson seemed to take it all in his stride. He looked neither uncomfortable nor self-conscious.
"Melanie. My dear. How are you feeling?"
Melanie smiled. "I'm well Sir. All the better for having had a strong ride."
Mr. Anderson smiled as if he shared a private joke with Melanie and she should know what it is. Melanie smiled back, but turned to rub her horse down. Mr Anderson continued.
"Melanie. Your father has sent me to inform you that he has been called away for the afternoon and then for the evening, and he has asked that my colleagues and I keep you entertained this afternoon. For some reason he is a little nervous about you spending time alone with your tutor tonight. Would you do us the honors of dressing for dinner and then meeting us in the games room for a few hours? We were thinking we might offer you a small drink to celebrate your coming of age."
This sounded lovely to Melanie, and overcame the initial sinking of her heart at the news that her father had been called away.
The rest of the afternoon was a blur. Melanie took her to room again and this time the upstairs maid prepared a bath for her (that Melanie took alone) and then helped dress her (clothes on not off) so that she was a fine beauty for dinner. As she walked down the stairs, she noticed the tutor was there, staring at her, his hand out to escort her to the dinner table. He looked handsome in his finery also, a neat dark tie at his throat setting off his black unruly hair, his dark eyes sparkling in the evening lights. Melanie's heart raced.
"I'll meet you in your chambers tonight madam." He whispered as she came close to take his hand. "I know you are invited to a private function this evening. But I assure you, I will end this day with you."
Melanie smiled at him. How she wished she could skip the dull old visit with the business men and spend time with him alone. The young tutor continued.
"And may I say, Madam. You look ravishing tonight."
Melanie flashed him her warmest smile.
Dinner was an uneventful affair. The three business men sat at the top of the table surrounded by papers and calculating machines and lower butlers running to and fro. Melanie sat with the tutor, and they laughed and giggled, a few times with the maid as she came back and forth with food and empty plates. The atmosphere was always easy when her father was out, and even though Melanie loved her father dearly and preferred him to be there, like all teenage children, it was rather thrilling when he wasn't present.
Before she knew it, the meal was over, the three men had retired to the games room, and Melanie was polishing off a fine espresso. The tutor bade her farewell, promising to visit her later and Melanie was alone at the table.
She was just contemplating whether she should go directly to the games room, when the maid appeared at her side.
"Ma'm. I'm to take you to the gentlemen now, for the evenings activities."
Melanie smiled up at her. "Ok. Thank you Veronica. That will be excellent."
She stood, and followed the maid through the entry hall, to the larger of the two sitting rooms off to the side of the main hall. When she entered the games room, the three gentlemen were standing around the billiards table, each holding long straight cue's. They stood tall and performed slight bows when Melanie entered. Then Mr Lay and Mr Skilling turned back to their game, while Mr Anderson found Melanie a chair.
"You look lovely tonight Miss Melanie." Said Anderson. "The men and I were speaking earlier of how well you have blossomed into a woman. You are very beautiful and will prove a fine asset to your fathers fortune."
"Yes indeed!" Said Mr Lay. He was a moon faced man, older, with graying hair. His physique was round without being fat. "I think you will fetch a fine husband Miss Melanie and bring with that marriage a grand addition to your father's estate."
Mr. Skilling turned and smiled at her. "We're counting on you Miss, to double your father's already substantial estate. A good marriage could bring your Father up to the second wealthiest man in the country."
Melanie laughed. "That sounds a little like you gentleman may have a future husband planned for me."
Anderson smiled. "Unfortunately, you will find out that it is very much like that. You are your father's only heir and therefore bound to inherit one of the largest estates in the country. If you marry well - which is your major asset, you will be able to single-handed do what all the successful business working in the country take decades to do. You will be able to increase your father's estate significantly. Your marriage is a little like your most successful business decision."
