Do I have to decide?

"You have served pleasure in Woman's most intimate temple as a handmaiden," Lady Violet Crandall said. "Now that the power of choice is yours, would you join our Sapphic sisterhood as your own free womanhood bids?" she asked Lucy.

Lucy looked over at the older woman. She took a deep breath. "D-do I have to choose? One or the other, I mean? Lady Catherine knew her husband as long as, as long as he could rise for her, I mean into his last days even. When I would pleasure Lady Catherine, sometimes she spoke freely about how she had loved to receive Lord Jeremy's prick. Beg your pardon, erm, Violet."

Violet tilted her head. "Kitty knew not to speak much of that to me, but then I never liked Jeremy. Too much the lord, all full of himself. But speak for yourself, Lucy. Do you find pleasure in men's company? In flattering their vanities, of serving their lusts?"

Lucy coloured. "I mean, most times I haven't had the choice really. Edmund, well, he just takes me. But even then it's not bad. Physically it, it feels good to be taken by him. I mean I know I'm lucky he's not cruel. And the time or two I got to choose a man for myself, that was very good." She smiled. "But no one I've wanted for good, I mean what could they give me, especially since I had Annie. What I needed was with the Netherwoods. I loved taking care of Lady Catherine's needs, to see her pleasure satisfied, but really it wasn't my place to think of, to want anything more. And you and Lady Catherine were very kind to me when you were together, together Sapphically, to give me pleasure. It was very exciting to be with you, and, and I think about it a lot."

"Lucy, the sisterhood of which I speak has few like Lady Catherine, une vraie ambisexuelle. Men are conniving, controlling and full of complications. It's only that her marriage was so well settled that let Lady Catherine be so free. In your position, you will be hard put to thrive flying both flags, as it were. Most of our sisterhood would be **** to aid you. Not many would have a sympathetic understanding." Violet looked up and to the side, and gave a short little laugh.

"Violet?" Lucy asked.

Lady Violet smiled. "Unless perhaps we marry you off to an agreeable gentleman who can satisfy your, ahem, traditional inclinations and who is also 'un ambi'. He would be obliged to give you licence in order to indulge himself. If the knowledge that your husband also has sexual congress with men does not repel you, it could be a neat solution."

Lucy laughed. "I wonder if it's more common than people think," she said. "Edmund generally prefers his wife Clarissa, but mornings he'd use his valet to relieve his prick."

"Hera defend us," Lady Violet said. "Other than Kitty, I can't make out why you love them so much. At all, that is to say."

Violet and Lucy drank tea and chatted about inconsequential things, Lady Violet occasionally supplying a more "ladylike" or appropriate phrasing. But eventually the conversation came back around to Lucy's request.

"As to what you ask, I am willing and able to advise and guide you as best I can. I shall ask little enough," Lady Violet said.

"What would you ask?" Lucy said,

Lady Violet smiled. "That before you leave today, I may become reacquainted with your exquisite female member, Lucy. I recall it with great fondness. And that every day I work with you, I shall see it again."

Lucy laughed and blushed.

"If you wish, I can arrange an introduction to those of my sisterhood who might have sympathy for you," Lady Violet said. "Or we could pursue getting you a man of the proper convenience, as I suggested. Or we could simply get to work, you and I." Lady Violet laughed. "Perhaps you would wish to have a demonstration of the story and history of Lady Catherine's pleasure toys."

"Where would you like to begin?" Lady Violet asked.