Yes. And now an intimate inspection

Christine had no skills to work her way out of trouble. Her heart felt heavy, her mind weak. She had no one other than Erik, and his future depended on her. "As long as you promise to support Erik."

"We will treat him as family, as we will you. As long as you take your role seriously. We will all be winners if you do your part."

"Once you pay your debt, you will be free to go. Unless you want to work her until Erik has earned his right to be a knight."

"I will pray with all my heart that I won't need to. But I will work to pay my debt."

Scarlett looked pleased with herself. "Good. Alice will get you fresh clothes and the means to bathe you. You will rest tonight. Tomorrow I will find your first customer." She grinned. "I think I know a man who likes them young, innocent… and pretty. And he certainly has the money to pay for it."

~

Christine was led upstairs by Alice. She had left Erik behind who seemed happy enough with the warm affection shown to him by the other women and even some of the guests.

As they reached the first floor, Christine observed that it was dimly lit and split in sections by wooden privacy dividers. It was here that Christine got her first real hint at her future. The high-pitched moans and groans coming from behind the screens were as sinful and whorish as the heavy grunts and the slapping of flesh on flesh.

Being a whore was worse than being on the street. Dangerous for the soul. But breaking the promise to her father to look after Erik felt the bigger sin. Fulfilling this promise through such hardship would surely cleanse her of the sin involved.

The second floor was separated into proper rooms and much quieter. Alice explained that this where the richer guests are entertained in complete privacy. Outside each door was a sand timer bolted to each wall, and two or three of them had sand slowly passing through the glass.

Yet they continued up the stairs to the third and final floor. Scarlett lived on this floor, as well as Avi who was a rich Jew and Scarlett's business partner.

Christine was billeted in the next room. She didn't know it yet, but she was going to be Scarlett's personal project.

Alice was the last girl to be treated this way by Scarlett. However, Alice wasn't jealous, she knew Christine was going to suffer terribly at times, Alice just wanted to help Christine survive the first few months. Should she do that, Alice had no doubt Christine would be a success. Her beauty and innocent nature will ensure that men would love her and pay to do this. Once she became accustomed to her role, she could then enjoy the trappings and the benefits of being a mistress to the rich and powerful.

Alice opened the heavy oak door carved with a panel of nymphs and satyrs cavorting in a woodland glade. The room was dark until Alice lit the candles from a splint which revealed a small room dominated by a luxurious four-poster bed. At the foot of the bed was a tin bathtub almost big enough for two people to share. Christine felt the night was becoming more and more surreal.

A few moments later two maids had filled the bathtub with lukewarm water scented with rose petals. Alice told Christine to undress. "We're going to get you cleaned up and smelling like a rose garden. Lady Scarlett has big plans for you."

Christine stood by the tub. She lingered there for a minute waiting for Alice to step out of the room. "I need some privacy."

"Scarlett has asked me to help you wash." Alice informed her firmly, but not unkindly. "And that's exactly what I'm going to do. Now, best you get those muddy clothes off. See it as an inspection."

"But?"

"Come on. Not many people can enjoy a warm bath. Enjoy it."

Christine had left her cloak downstairs so unfastened her tunic one button at a time. She then pulled it down over each arm. She then sighed as she took off her soft leather and velvet shoes, she was going to have to get used to not being the boss

Alice stepped up behind Christine and could tell she was shivering with fear. She gently loosened the lace tie that kept Christine's dress tight to her neck, and softly asked, "Evelyn, can you put your arms in the air?"

Crouching down Alice bunched up Christne's dress around her waist and pulled it up over Christine's soft milky skin.

Standing there in only her light chemise Christine looked like lost pup. Alice grinned devilishly. "And the chemise too."

Christine groaned. "I can't believe this."

"Now, now. No need to be like that."

Christine slowly pulled the white laced chemise over her head then covered her naked breasts with her hands. Deeply embarrassed she stepped into the tub then reluctantly sat down.

Alice nodded in approval. Christine's body was unmarked, with unblemished cream-colored skin that showed almost no wear from the sun. She was young and healthy with fulsome breasts that were firm. She had full bum cheeks and a slight curve under her belly, further signs of a comfortable upbringing only afforded to the wealthy. But Alice then chuckled. "You are really beautiful. However, we need to take you to the gardener."

"Excuse me?"

"Your front garden is most unruly." Slowly Christine realized that this pretty blonde was talking about her pubic hair.

Christine covered the dark curls that sat upon her pubic mound. "I have no one special to trim it for."

Alice knelt down beside the tin bath and handed Christine a bar of soap. "Use this. It's called soap."

"I know what it is, thank you." Christine then began to gingerly lather the soap along her arms and chest.

"Sorry. I almost forgot you're a noble." After watching with interest Alice then asked, "Don't forget to clean your womanhood. Only dirty minds go down well in the Scarlet Rose." Christine let out a worried groan. Alice smiled, "Try not to worry. The job will make you, unless you let it break you"

"I'm not that type of girl." Christine tried again to make her case. "I'm a virgin. I've only kissed two men, and one of them is my bloody father."

"You will learn quickly." Alice soaped her hands them affectionately washed Christine's neck. "Most of the men are kind. Of course, some aren't. But most are. You will, unfortunately, get the odd bad man too. But the same one is never allowed back if he hurts a girl beyond reason."

"I suppose that's good."

"Every girl has her favorites too. Men who will fall in love with you and treat you even better than a wife."

"Can't they marry us?"

"It happens." Alice looked wistful for a moment as if she was remembering an old flame." But most often they're already married… or not able." She continued to soap Christine's long legs. "It's best just to take their gifts and money. You'll learn to play on their love and guilt for all it's worth."

"Hmm. You almost make it sound like a good job."

"It is. Unless you do something badly wrong. Like thieving or disrespecting a guest. You'll end up in the dungeon and all kinds of horrible things are done to you down there."

"Have you been in there?"

A sudden sadness washed over Alice as she recalled a dark chapter. She dropped the soap into the water. "Yes." She then fished out the soap before continuing to explain, "Luckily, I only served one night in the dungeon."

"Why was you there?"

"I had refused to be sodomized, even though I had agreed to before we got started. Never again. I couldn't poo properly for almost a month."

"I won't ask why."

Alice ordered, "Don't. Just stay out of the dungeon. It's a bad, bad place. It's dark and damp with all kinds of cruel contraptions. When a girl comes out, they're never the same."

"Gosh."

Alice pushed Christine forward then with a jug filled with water began to soak Christine's hair. "But the dungeon is necessary to keep order and the girls honest. There's a lot of money under this roof … and secrets ... with that comes a lot of trust as well as expectations."

"OK. I'll be sure not to end up there."

"Good."

Alice glanced at Christine's unruly black bush between her legs, then grinned. "Now. Let's do some gardening."

Alice lathered a load of soap on her hand. She then reached out to clean Christine's pubic hair.

Christine flinched. But Alice whispered. "It's okay for people to touch, we're all friends here. Close your eyes and enjoy."

Trying to relax Christine measured her breaths and closed her eyes as Alice gently massaged her tight folds. Her soft touch and the warm soapy water felt good on her nether lips. It was the same rush of excitement she had experienced while riding the horse.

A sense of guilt then washed over her.

But Chrstine was then brought back from the clouds when Alice began to trim her pubic hair with scissors. Alice noticed the frustration on her face. "I like to tease."