The Duke's Kamasutra

Bridgewater House

I am sitting in the grand parlor of Bridgewater House and admire the exotic artwork. The walls are covered in exquisite Chinese silk tapestries and the traditional ink paintings take my breath away. The artist must be one of the finest in his field, I never encountered such a quality. The finest Chinese porcelain covers every available surface in this room. I can't restrain myself and take a porcelain figurine of Budda into my hands. I saw similar artwork during our residence in Beijing in the palace of a princess.

I wonder why a British nobleman purchases Asian artwork. This must have cost a fortune although his collection is not fashionable at the moment. My fingerprints show on the glossy surface of the figurine and I take my handkerchief to polish it to its former splendor.

„I hope our housemaids didn't forget to clean the knickknack".

I nearly let the figurine fall but catch it with a applaudable reflex. I look startled at the stern older man I didn't notice during my musing. Quickly I settle the figurine back and rise from the settee.

„I am terribly sorry, sir. I never wanted to presume anybody's incompetence. I smudged the figurine during my own admiration and wanted to undo my fault."

The man bows briefly and introduces himself. „I am Blyton, the house steward. And you are Miss Bentley I assume?"

I curtsy and answer „I am pleased to make your acquaintance".

He nods and motions me to follow him. „The duke of Bridgewater is unavailable at the moment and instructed me to verify your credentials." He leads me to a small office in the servant quarters, signs me to sit onto a chair opposite his writing desk and turns the pages of my recommendations and reports from my tutors. Blyton raises one eyebrow „You have highly unusual skills ... not only do you have the skills of a gentlewoman but you seem to know Hindi and Mandarin as well, besides Latin and Greek, you even are proficient in Sanskrit. I see why you caught his Grace's attention. And your references are impeccable as I see... The wages are one pound a week, accommodation is provided in the servants quarters."

He frowns at me and continues „But it is highly unusual for a woman to take up a secretary position in a bachelors houshold. Are you willing to become the center of probably evil gossip of the ton? It can damadge your reputation severlely."

I straiten my spine and roll my shoulders back but hold my temper under control. „I am very well aware of my position, sir. I would like to take this position anyway as I am a worthy translator, female or not."

Blyton observes me over his spectacles with a shrewd expression. "Very well then, Miss Bentley. I will let your chamber be prepared for next week in the female servant quarters under the roof. You will start your position on monday, please be here at ten o'clock sharp. Kepler, our butler, will show you a tour of Bridgewater House.

Thank you very much for reading!

If you liked this chapter, please vote for it or leave a comment! I am happy with any recognition but would be thrilled if you would leave me clues to what you liked the most.

Any new read spurs me to continue this exciting search for sensuality.

Lavinia Perla