A chat with Alice

All her life, Christine was used to the day starting with the rising of the sun. Even if she and her ladies-in-waiting stayed sequestered in the privacy of her chambers, from the courtyard below the sounds of castle life made it clear that others were busy at work. In the brothel, where the 'work' went on until the small hours of the morning, nothing much happened until the sun was already well above the horizon.

There wasn't much Christine could do about it either, because the door to her small room was locked tight when she tried it. In truth, Christine wasn't even surprised to find she was a prisoner in Lady Scarlet's establishment; after hearing what the Madam had planned for her, she expected nothing less. It would never do to have her slip away or even wander into the hands of a horny customer who would take her prize without even paying for the privilege.

Christine's cheeks flushed as she remembered what her fate will likely be if she stayed under the protection of the formidable Lady Scarlet. That train of thought led her quickly to the way she had touched herself last night, and she suddenly became aware of the earthy scent of sex that filled the small dormer. With a flurry of action, she opened the shutters of the small window and used the thin blanket to fan the worst of the incriminating musk. Only after about ten minutes was Christine finally content with her efforts and she returned the blanket to the small bed tucking the corners in neatly until it looked as tidy as possible.

The plain earthenware pitcher on the nightstand was almost full of cool clear water, and there was a small cotton rag resting on the chipped rim of the matching bowl. As she washed her private bits, Christine realized that every room in this establishment probably was equipped with this convenience. After all, the girls who worked her would be even dirty than her after spending time with their clients.

With her room and body cleaned, Christine turned her attention to her soul. The bare floor felt rough on her knees, but the discomfort added to her penitence so even though she could have used the lumpy pillow as a kneeler, she gritted her teeth and began to recite the rosary from memory. She missed the familiarity of the ivory beads clicking softly in her hand as she prayed, but there was comfort in the repetition of the Ave Maria and slowly her mind was able to clear. She prayed for her parents, for the people of her father's barony, she prayed for Erik that he might grow to be the man her father hoped and for the soul of Godfrey.

She even prayed for Master Merthin, and the outlaws in the woods that they may find peace and for Lady Scarlet that she could turn away from her life of sin. However, when she tried to pray for Prince Henry and Bishop Anthryl it was too much. Maybe later when she was more at peace, she'd be able to find compassion for those evil men, but not today.

A knock at the door interrupted her second round of prayers, and honestly, she was grateful for an excuse to rise from her throbbing knees. The door opened and Alice stepped through with a tray of food and a cheerful smile on her face when she saw her rising from her knees.

"I see you tidied up and have said your prayers. Lady Scarlet will like that." If Christine hadn't overheard the conversation between Scarlet and her protégé, she could easily have accepted that statement at face value but forewarned is forearmed and she knew not to be taken in by the pretty blonde's easy manners.

"There wasn't much else to do, locked away in this tiny cell."

"Relax, Evelyn. You're not locked in here because you're something special. All the rooms on the fourth-floor latch automatically when the doors close." When she sees the skeptical look on Christine's face, Alice leads her out into the hallway and shows her that all the doors did indeed lock when closed. "This building used to be a convent," Alice explains, "from what I hear, the girls on this floor were 1st year novices, I guess they weren't all thrilled to be here."

"So, I can leave?" Christine asked a little incredulously.

"I guess, but why would you want to?" Alice seemed genuinely confused, "this is where the Verderer brought you." She licked her lips and grinned at Christine boldly, "Lord knows I'd want to be where that man could find me if he came looking. Trust me Honey, there's no better place in all of Oldchester."

"But you have to sleep with men - for money." Christine blurted out before she could stop herself. "Isn't it awful?"

"It's not bad," Alice laughs easily and then asks, "haven't you ever let a man spread your legs?"

"No! Of course not!" When she saw the smile cross Alice's pretty face, Christine remembered the conversation between Lady Skarlet and her protégé. Her vehement claim of chastity must be exactly what they wanted to hear. All the same, she didn't want them to think she was a woman of loose morality. Alice however,

"You should at least see what it's like before you reject what I do."

"I'm not doing that!" Christine decided that she may as well make her position clear. "The only man I can give myself to is my husband ... on our wedding night."

"No, you goose!" Alice laughed easily, "I didn't mean you should fuck a John; I meant see, just like I said." The pretty blonde took Christine's hand in hers and gave it a little squeeze, 'Would you like to watch me tonight? We have rooms set up just for that, I could ask Lady Scarlett?"