Better smoothe her ruffled feathers

"That's not what this is about," Lucas hastened to say. "Well, not exactly, anyway."

"Be exact, then."

"I'll say it as plainly as I can. There's more to being a woman than putting on a dress and makeup. He needs someone to teach him. That's what I want to hire you for. This... arrangement isn't about me fucking you every night. That said, sex is a part of what I want him to learn."

She made a thoughtful noise, keeping her gaze fixed on Lucas. "How much?"

"Five pieces of silver a night."

She pursed her lip in thought and frowned, shaking her head minutely from side to side. "Make it eight and you've got yourself a deal."

Lucas knew he had her hooked, now. He shook his head. "Just about the first word he said to you was 'miss'. And you liked being in charge like that. The offer is five a night."

She snorted. "Cheap bastard. Fine. Five it is. You'll have to work around my schedule at the bar, though."

"That's fine. Come and meet your new charge, then."

They made their way back to Eldwyn, who'd changed into her red dress.

"Audrey, meet Eldwyn. Eldwyn, Audrey."

Audrey smiled sweetly. "Eldwyn? That's a pretty name for a pretty girl."

"Oh, um... thank you," Eldwyn blushed, obviously flattered.

"It seems that I'm going to be a teacher of sorts for you, Eldwyn. Your new mentor, so to speak. I'm going to teach you a thing or two about how to act like a woman. We should schedule some time to meet, but I can start right away. Is that all right with both of you?"

"I hadn't gotten around to making plans for tonight yet, so that sounds good to me," Lucas said. "Let's meet up at my place, it's not far from here.

Eldwyn nodded eagerly, her long blonde hair waving gently.

"Great. I'll swing by my place and pick up some things."

He gave Audrey the address and with a nod she set off, leaving the two of them alone once more.

Eldwyn turned to Lucas with an eager look on her face.

"Excited?" He asked.

She embraced him tightly with a happy sigh.

"Thank you," she mumbled into his shoulder. "I could've never done this on my own."

Lucas held her close, enjoying the feeling of her slender body against his. "Don't worry about it. I'm enjoying this almost as much as you are."

"I can tell," She giggled, rubbing herself slightly against Lucas' growing erection.

"Naughty girl," he laughed and offered his arm. "Can I escort the lady to my home?"

She accepted his arm with a smile and the two of them strolled the short distance from the alley to Lucas' home.

Once there, Lucas gently untangled himself from Eldwyn and preceded her inside. He sat himself down in the easy chair in his reading room. "Why don't you make us some tea?" He said.

He had phrased it as a question, but they both knew what it was: an order. Now that they were in his home again, Eldwyn effortlessly slipped back into her role as his maid. She nodded earnestly. "Yes, sir."

She padded off to the kitchen. Lucas listened to the kettle being filled and the quiet tinkle of two teacups being taken down from their cabinet. She soon returned with a dark wooden tray, two matching cups, and a steaming teapot, which she placed on the end table next to him.

He poured the tea and gestured for her to sit down in the other chair. However, before they even had the chance to take a cautious sip, there was a knock on the door.

"That's probably your new teacher," Lucas guessed. "Let her in, will you?"

Eldwyn nodded and headed towards the door. When she returned, she had Audrey in tow, a leather bag slung over her shoulder.

She glanced around his library. "I'm surprised, Lucas. I didn't think you'd be so bookish."

"What did you expect? Training grounds and a punching bag? No thanks, I've had enough physical training to last me a lifetime." Lucas laughed. "Please, sit. Can I offer you some tea?"

"Thank you."

"Eldwyn?" Lucas hinted.

"Yes, sir, I'll get another cup."

When Eldwyn had left the room. Audrey spoke up. "So what are we doing today?"

"I'll leave that up to you, you're the teacher. Take it slow, though, I don't want to scare her off."

"I don't think you have much to worry about there," she replied, shooting him an unreadable look.

Lucas was about to ask what she meant, but Eldwyn chose that moment to return with a teacup for Audrey. Instead, he poured the tea.

"Is there any place where Eldwyn and me can talk privately for a little?" Audrey asked, after she'd taken her first sip.

"Sure, my bedroom is right through there," he said, gesturing down the hall.

"Good, good. Shall we get started right away, Eldwyn?"

She nodded. "All right."

Lucas raised an eyebrow, but Audrey beat him to it.

"'All right'? If I'm to be your teacher, I expect to be treated with respect, girl." She snapped.

"I'm sorry, miss."

"That's better." She said, getting to her feet. "Take my bag, I'll bring the tea."

She gave Lucas a wink. "We'll be a little while, I think. A bell, maybe. Don't peek!"

Eldwyn looked a little worried, but after an encouraging nod from Lucas, she followed Audrey into his bedroom, closing the door behind her.