Buying the Virgin

“Anyhow,” continues Haswell, “I think that a fitting conclusion to this is that we all get to know each other a little better. I would like to invite you to dinner at my home. I think it is about time that my fellow director met my wife, and I think, Charlotte, that you and Elizabeth would get along rather well.”

My Master looks stunned, but only briefly. Quickly he gathers himself. “Thank you, Richard, I’d like that.”

“And, when I say you….” continues Haswell, “I mean the three of you, since you appear to be a stable… unit… I think that, at least for the purposes of getting to know each other, you should all attend.”

As we leave, my Master mutters under his breath to me. “This should be interesting.”

*****

We pull up the long, curved drive of a small mansion.

“Wow!” I say. “What a gorgeous place.”

The tree-lined, gravelled carriageway, set in manicured lawns, leads to an elegant portico: tiled steps leading up to a door, stone lions to either side.

My Master, wearing his best suit, rings the doorbell. Michael, also ‘suited and booted’ holds my hand. Unsure what to wear, I have chosen the safe option, and am wearing a classic ‘little black dress’; demure but sexy.

The door is answered by a man I do not recognise. “James Alexanders….” says my Master, “…with my friends.”

“Good evening Mr Alexanders. Do come in. Mr and Mrs Haswell are expecting you.”

Inside, the house is elegant, warm and obviously old. A mix of architectures suggests that it has been built and worked on over several centuries, but the style is mainly Georgian, all plaster coving, chandeliers, and tall windows.

The man leads us into a drawing room where Haswell and a woman are waiting for us. He has an air of expectant waiting about him.

“Good evening James, Charlotte, and you must be Michael?” He reaches to shake hands. “And this is my wife, Elizabeth.”

She is tall, willowy, red-headed and pale skinned, a few years older than me I think, but otherwise, I could be looking into a mirror. We stare at each other.

Finally, she speaks. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Charlotte. Richard has told me a lot about you. He… didn’t exaggerate.”

my manners, I step forward to shake her

Beth. And, you

standing silently looking at us. Michael looks utterly mesmerised, my Master intrigued. Haswell

at last, Beth. Your husband talks about you all

her, then glancing back at

*****

is Haswell’s driver. Since in addition, he serves as butler for the meal, he seems unlikely to be out of

that you’re hoping to join us, as

course when I saw the plans for the new City Project. When I saw how all that old part of town was being replaced in that way, it just fired me up. I wanted to be part of it. I’m

not sit on ceremony, Charlotte. It’s Richard.” He looks intrigued. “It sounds as though you know that

up there,” I reply, immediately

thought your parents were on

Now, what do

not actually my parents. My

I concentrate on my food, conscious that

your parents.

Well, it’s out now….

to have me

suppressing a smile. “No…?

I went back to the City instead, trying to look up some of my old friends, but when I got

breaks in. “You look unsettled, Charlotte. I’m sorry. Did it upset you when you found your childhood

say, through a mouthful of food. “You

chair. Realising that I have just been unconscionably

sorry. Didn’t mean it to come out like that.

turning in his head. “No apology needed, Charlotte.” He speaks slowly, choosing each word. “You grew up in that area and went to foster

My throat tightens….

were in a children’s home then? Was it by any