Despite starting late, Helen ended her workday earlier than normal. She’d only get further behind if she did not take the time to sort through her confusion and decide her next actions. Whether she was comfortable with it or not, she was attracted to her stablemistress. And unless she misinterpreted the signs of interest, Regina felt a similar pull.
Helen knew herself. Some men and women treated sexual intimacy as scratching an itch, but she could not. She’d been in love with George before their relationship became physical. She had the utmost respect for Regina; the woman kept the stables running seamlessly and had never once asked for repairs or outside help or even a horse doctor. Helen had been impressed before she’d discovered how heavy the water buckets were. But while her emotions were already engaged, she didn’t know the stablemistress well, and the last thing she wanted was tension between her and a staff member when their dalliance ended.
Had Regina simply enjoyed touching a nude female form—in other words, her availability? After all, the stablemistress was younger and far more fit than she was.
Even if she held an allure for Regina, they worked together. The school had firm rules about more than friendship between managers and staff, and teachers and students—basically, any situation in which one had direct power over the other’s experience at the institution. She was a prime example of that decree, as she only reported to the board of overseers. She could not take advantage of her role. Helen recognized that she was the person in power. Regina would be loath to act on any interest with a superior.
On the other hand, she wondered when the stablemistress had last had sex. The concern that their attraction was opportunistic would not dissipate.
She shook her head to stop her thoughts from going around in circles.
When in doubt, communication was the key to understanding. She’d talk to Regina. She wanted to check whether they needed help from the village again the next day anyway.
She arrived at the stable in time to see a laugh light up Regina’s face, her generous lips pulling wide, her simple ponytail falling down her back as she tilted her head to a mare’s. She was always pretty but she was downright gorgeous when she laughed.
The stablemistress bent, folding in half with the shape of her rear outlined. Recalling the texture of smooth skin over firm muscles from the other night, Helen sucked in a breath.
Regina snapped up and around to stare at her.
“Good evening.” Helen stepped toward her with a smile. “Dare I hope these contortions mean you’re feeling better?”
The taller woman flushed and nodded. “How did you fare today, Mistress?”
Helen tsked. “’Tis Helen, remember? I was thankful I did not need to ride today, but I was able to move about well enough, particularly if I did not sit still too long.”
“I am glad.”
“Have you eaten?”
“No, but I aim to as soon as the bell sounds.”
“I’d like to talk with you, if I may. Privately. Would you be amenable to having a private meal in a meeting room?”
“Certainly. Let me freshen up and I can join you outside your office in a quarter hour?”
Helen wished Regina had agreed to go immediately, so she would not spend long minutes dithering with nerves. She hadn’t experienced these feelings since George had wooed her twenty-five years ago, and she hated that she felt like a silly eighteen-year-old. Apparently, coquetry never aged.
Twenty minutes later, she stood to greet Regina and gestured her to a seat across from Helen’s. The table was only slightly larger than Regina’s and was covered in a tablecloth with matching serviettes. The soup course had been served and their wineglasses filled, but Helen had placed the carafe on a cabinet against the wall. She wanted her wits about her for this conversation, as it required finesse.
“Mistr—Helen. I confess to some concern about this private meeting. Did I overstep this morning?”
Helen jerked in surprise and reached across to pat Regina’s hand, white-knuckled around her wine glass. “Oh goodness, no. I am so sorry, I did not mean to be cryptic.” She gulped. It was now or never. “I should like to become better acquainted.”
Regina looked skeptical.
“I understand your suspicion. We’ve worked together for three years. Why now?” At the other woman’s nod, she continued, “’Tis too easy, here in the main building, to focus on the classes and, of course, the recruiting of both teachers and students. Then there are the investors to report to and the sponsors to deal with. These past few days have given me much more appreciation for the work that needs to be done elsewhere as well.”
Regina’s expression smoothed out. She was willing to listen, even if she remained frozen in her seat.
Phew.
A kitchen staff member brought in baked herbed fish with root vegetables and removed their soup bowls.
After she’d left, Helen continued. “More than that, however, was the realization that we have much in common. I know I could benefit from your friendship if you’re willing.”
The stablemistress arched a dubious brow.
“Look around you,” Helen rushed on, determined to win her over. “Several of the instructors are married and live in the village. The ones who are single are generally younger. We are—ahem—more mature. We are both dedicated to our roles here and love the school. More than that, circumstances have given us an opportunity to get to know each other better.” She nearly swallowed her tongue on the word “better.” At least she hadn’t said “naked.”
This is scary. How do men—or women—do this?
She was only attempting it because she truly desired to become closer to Regina and explore options of friendship or, ideally, more. She said some of that wish out loud, finishing with, “I’d like to continue.”
“True,” Regina drew the word out, tilting her head. “What did you have in mind?”
Helen coughed and swept her hand around the room. “Supper, to start.”
Regina’s shoulders lowered the last inch, and she leaned back in her chair. “What would you like to know?”
Helen stuttered to a halt. She hadn’t gotten that far in her planning. Of course, she wished to learn if Regina was as interested in kissing her as Helen was in being kissed, but that wasn’t a starting point.
Regina was waiting for an answer.
“I am not sure where to begin,” she admitted. “I supposed I can’t ask you what you dislike most about your workplace, in case you expect me to fix it.” A nervous titter of laughter escaped, taking her by surprise.
Regina laughed, her eyes alight, charming Helen again as it had in the stable. Still grinning, she answered, “Actually, you can. There is nothing I dislike about my workplace aside from the weather, and that you cannot control.”
“I’ll ask again when we’ve had more time together. I wonder whether you’re simply being polite now.”
“Mistress—Helen—here is the first thing to know about me. I am terrible at observing the proprieties. You’ll get truth from me always. I’ll couch it as politely as possible, of course, but I do not hem and haw.”
“That is good to know, particularly as I am the same. ’Tis always a trial to deal with difficult sponsors and their unreasonable requests.”
“Better you than me.” Regina nodded.
A kitchen worker rolled a cart in with pudding and tea and cleared their dishes.
Helen poured them each a cup.
“Ta,” Regina thanked her. “You know, given your long hours at a desk and how sore you were from a few short rides—”
Helen gasped in mock outrage.
Regina snickered at her expression before continuing. “—perhaps on the nicer days we can ride together whilst we become better acquainted?”
“That sounds marvelous,” Helen said with a vigorous nod.
And perhaps I’ll earn another chance at your hands on me.
The next several days were rainy, and one of them Helen ended up working late, but she managed to invite Regina for a few private evening meals. Regina wandered around the stables talking to her babies in the afternoons between chores, in case the headmistress managed time to walk down and issue the invitation personally. Even when the offer came via a note carried by a student, it never failed to lift her spirits. She felt giddy. Her crush hovered so close to a real tryst she could taste it, yet she daren’t act on it.
During the first evening meal, both women peeled back another layer of themselves.
Helen had grown up only a short ride from the school grounds. When her sister Teresa had gone to London to work at a charity school, she’d visited and learned she was not suited for the rules and noise of city living. The open space of meadows and smell of the forests near her home were her preference. She returned home and married George, a man from the next village, joining him on his parents’ farm. They were happy for almost two decades before he died of infection from a plowing injury. As he had no siblings, he ensured that Helen inherited the land.
Regina shared her childhood in London as well as her past employment there, and agreed with Helen’s opinion of London. Her affection for horses meant she’d always prefer to live where they’d be more comfortable, in turn adding to her happiness.
The next supper brought a deeper layer of questions. “What do you miss most from your marriage?” Regina asked Helen. Never having more than a few stolen hours or nights with any one person made her curious.
“It depends on the day, to be honest. Occasionally there will be a jar I can’t open, or a repair needed. Mostly, I miss the companionship of sharing space with someone I love, who knows me inside and out, and whom I know equally well. There is nothing like that in the world.”
“I can’t imagine,” Regina’s wistfulness echoed in her voice.
Helen slid her a sly look. “Well, and sex.”
Regina choked, caught between laughter and surprise. “That, I can imagine. I’ve never had a real relationship, though. The need for secrecy in London and the challenge of finding like-minded women made it hard. Between my preferred profession and my overall lack of femininity, there wasn’t much opportunity.”
Helen smacked the table and gritted out, “I never want to hear you say something like that again. You’ve worked here for three years so you know better. First, everyone is beautiful. ’Tis the first tenet we teach here. Second, do not buy into society’s definition of femininity. Make your own, and live by it.”
Shocked, Regina watched her carefully.
“It seems like you have done that for the most part,” Helen continued in a softer tone. “You manage a physically and mentally demanding post better than anyone I could imagine. And—” she gulped, “—I find you lovely.”
Ignoring the happy thump in her chest, Regina didn’t know how to take Helen’s words. Finally, she curled up one side of her mouth and said, “Yes, well, that is only half the equation.”
“Perhaps not. The school teaches all of us to be open-minded.” Helen’s return smile flickered with uncertainty.
Regina was speechless, unsure how to respond, and the talk turned to their tasks for the next day.
The following night, Regina asked Helen how she continued work after dark, and the headmistress showed Regina her office. Oil lamps surrounded a small, cleared space on her desk. The remainder of the desk and a sideboard were covered in heaps of paper.
“Helen, this is a fire hazard,” she’d exclaimed, shocked and a little frightened.
“Nonsense. I am careful. I do not leave the room with even so much as a candle lit. I am trying to hire another assistant, but that requires trips to London to interview, which puts me further behind and…” She shrugged.
“My word. I have no idea how you keep things straight.”
“There is a method to my madness, I promise, and Grace helps. I am glad the days are getting longer, so I can more easily take daylight hours to ride with you. If ’tis clear, I hope to come in the morning once breakfast is over and classes are in session if the offer still stands?”
“Gladly.”
“Right, then. I shall see you after breakfast.”
* * * *
Regina had two of the feistier horses ready the next morning. Refusing to admit she hoped Helen would be sore again, she took her on a particularly long path around the grounds. Kicking her mount into a canter, she glanced over her shoulder.
The headmistress gamely followed and came up alongside Regina as she slowed to a trot. She admired Helen’s form as her thighs gripped the horse and her bosom bounced despite tightly laced stays. The smile on Helen’s lips lit up her face and took off the years of worry and work. Regina’s own sensitive flesh swelled against the impact of the saddle as she posted. Suddenly aware of her own breasts bouncing, she sucked in a breath, tightening her grip on the reins while being careful not to tug on them.
Helen beamed that smile at her, happily oblivious to Regina’s desire to strip her naked and caress every inch of her right there on the bridle path.
The rest of the day was a blur, Regina performing her duties by rote, until a student came with a note from the headmistress inviting her to a private meal again.
Surprised Helen could afford the time given their morning ride, she nonetheless washed and changed to a clean gown and strode the path to the meeting room they used for their meals.
Helen was already seated and did not rise to meet her as she had in the past.
Hmm. She recalled the challenging path she’d chosen. A devilish hope lit a spark within her.
“I was starving after all the exercise today, so supper is already on its way,” Helen said while pouring wine in their glasses.
Regina assessed her movements for stiffness from the ride but saw none. Finally deciding she was overthinking it, and the headmistress was no longer standing on formalities at this point in their friendship, she relaxed to enjoy the meal.
As they dined on lamb roast and the first spring vegetables from the school’s greenhouse, Helen regaled her with stories of the craziest requests from sponsors. No names were mentioned and Regina could only guess at some of the students involved, but the stories were entertaining nonetheless. The one she found most perplexing was not even the most outrageous. A husband asked if he could bring two friends to “practice” with his wife during the usual visit toward the end of each program. Of course, this was allowed but only with a school monitor and an open door. The gentlemen and lady did not care. Regina still shook her head at that one, never having been with one man, much less three at once.
After supper, Helen usually walked with Regina as far as the staff quarters in the main building, which was on the way to the side door leading toward the stables.
Regina took her time at the end of the meal before rising. She lay her serviette by her plate with deliberation and raised her glass to her lips to search out every last drop of wine, watching Helen from the corner of her eye.
Helen’s actions were slow, also. Unlike her normal graceful exit, she placed both hands on the table and pushed herself up, biting her lip as she did.
Regina rose and faced the older woman. “You overdid it. You are sore again.”
Helen nodded and bit her lower lip.
Regina’s blood surged at the sight.
“Perhaps—” Helen gulped “—if you have time…”
Helen’s eyes all but begged for Regina’s touch. If only ’twas the touch Regina had in mind. “I would be happy to help you again. Would you like my arm?” She proffered a bent elbow as a man might, so Helen could lean on her a bit for the walk to her apartment. Regina’s heart raced.
Helen accepted. Her smooth palm, so unlike Regina’s own calloused ones, warmed Regina’s forearm through the fabric of her dress. Her pulse thrummed in her veins, her breasts and nether lips swelling with desire.
In Helen’s bedroom, she helped the headmistress unlace her gown and stays, her fingers fumbling from nerves. Her chest heaved as she gulped breaths. Every muscle strained to take a half-step forward to bring her flush against Helen’s back, to smell her hair, to reach around and cup her breasts. With a last inhale, she forced herself to take a step back, pivoting toward the door.
“I’ll fetch the camphor oil, shall I?”
“Er, I took the liberty of stocking some here in case I should need it.” Helen gestured to her dresser as she moved about the room lighting tapers.
Could Helen have been planning this since the last time? Regina daren’t hope. She was no doubt reading too much into things again. What if she wasn’t, though? Someone had to be brave.
She glanced up from the crucible as Helen’s chemise floated to the floor in her side vision. Sucking in a silent breath, she swallowed at the sight of the rounded arse and thighs offered as Helen bent to fold the bed linens back. Salivating at the quick profile glimpse of heavy breasts as the headmistress climbed onto the bed, Regina stepped forward.
This woman, this leader of women, had been teasing her with her brain and body for a sennight, and Regina was already wet. She needed only the smallest of signs to act on her arousal. A look like the week before would be more than enough.
No. Your income and home rely on Helen’s good graces. Be careful.
But she was done being careful. She sat in a small chair in the corner and unlaced her boots. Feeling Helen’s gaze on her legs, she did not allow herself to look up in case her hopes had gotten the best of her.
She stood, stepped to the bed and raised her skirts.
Helen’s gasp confirmed that this connection wasn’t only in Regina’s imagination.
Putting one knee near Helen’s hip, Regina threw her other leg over to straddle Helen’s thighs again, just below her delicious arse.
Helen had not bothered with the sheet this time, another excellent sign.
Regina held her skirts high enough to avoid kneeling on them, and now fluffed them back to pool around her as she lowered herself, so they would not catch under her bottom. Thus her bare nether parts hovered between Helen’s thighs.
She hoped her arousal wouldn’t spill onto Helen’s leg. That would be nigh impossible to explain—or return to simple friendship after.
Candlelight flickered over Helen’s alabaster shoulders, and Regina’s silhouette cast a diagonal shadow over her bottom and lower back.
Smooth skin over softness was Regina’s weakness. She wanted to wilt with longing over Helen’s prone form.
Helen moaned.
With a small shift, Regina moved her shoulder out of the path of one of the tapers. Honey glistened on Helen’s pouty swollen folds between her legs.
Regina shuddered, afraid to let her hope free. Her previous thought was wrong. A simple look was not enough to risk her future. She needed a clear declaration of interest.
Helen had levered up on her elbows and twisted around to look at her.
“Regina.” Her voice was lower, with gravel in it.
“Helen. What do you want?”
“I want…” Helen took a deep breath. “I want you.”
Regina’s core flooded at the words, but she had to be sure. This school taught an enlightened approach to intimacy, but as far as she knew, Helen had only ever been interested in men.
“Do you mean a massage?”
“If that is what you are comfortable with. I am interested in more caresses than a massage involves, but only if it suits you.” Helen was blushing but held her gaze.
“What about”—her hand flipped over and back again on Helen’s arse—“your husband?”
“He’s dead these past few years, dear.” Helen grinned at her.
“You know what I mean.”
“I think you mean, am I going to close my eyes and pretend you’re hairier and sport a cock? Or that I’m doing this because I am lonely and wanting a tup and you’re convenient?” Helen pushed against Regina and rolled over to face her. Her full, bountiful breasts mounded on her ribcage. “No. I want you. My new friend, who has impressed me with her caring nature, her humorous conversations with her charges, her strength, and her beauty. My eyes shall stay open the whole time. Just because I have not tried this before does not mean I don’t want to. I simply may need a bit of guidance.”
Regina nearly swooned for the first time in her life. Her hands hovered, wanting to weigh those gorgeous breasts in her palms while simultaneously wishing to dive between those glinting folds. Licking her lips, she asked, “Can I make you feel good? Can I…touch you?”