I've fallen in love with Sabrina!

Lucy held Annie close. "Now what is it dear, why are you here?" The scent of Sabrina's cunt on Annie's face tickled Lucy's nose, drawing down Lucy's own moisture.

"Oh Mum," Annie said. "I've fallen in love with Sabrina!" she said, sniffling. She clutched her own hands round Lucy's body, holding on tight.

"Why are you unhappy, Annie?" Lucy said.

"I don't think she loves me back."

Lucy rocked her daughter gently. "There, there," she said. "In this world you can't count on anyone loving you back. You have to be strong for yourself and know you're a good person. When you know that in your heart, you are free to choose and accept the love you find. But first you must be good to yourself. Always."

"Oh Mum," Annie said.

"Remember you and Sabrina will be far from home in the midst of rich girls. Full of themselves, or unhappily far from home. Some of them will be cruel to the new girls from England. You and Sabrina can help each other as you make your way in this little world. But remember, it is a very little world, this school, and you are a lady now with a home of your own, and one day you shall be mistress. Mistress Annie."

Annie breathed in very deeply. "Mistress Annie," she said. Her grip loosened and her shoulders slackened. She smiled. "Mum, that's Top Rhodes!"

"Wherever did you learn that?" Lucy asked.

"Sabrina says it," Annie said.

"And that," Lucy said, "is why the two of you are going to finishing school."

"I'm still worried about Sabrina," Annie said. "I mean, I'm really mad for her."

Lucy's nostrils twitched, scenting that very madness on Annie's face.

"You and Sabrina read a great deal of romance. What do they say about first loves?"

"Oh, that they're deep and tragic, and there's doom and separation," Annie said.

"Well, then, maybe it's a good thing if Sabrina isn't mad for you back," Lucy said.

"Oh Mum!" Annie protested. "But it hurts if she doesn't love me back."

"Maybe a lot from you and a little from her isn't a bad thing at all," Lucy said. "Oh Annie, I was worried you were falling in love with Sabrina. It can leave your heart open to so much pain, to be in love. So if she doesn't love you back, you must love yourself all the more, and know that I love you always."

"Oh Mum."

"Tend your heart, Annie," Lucy said. "It must last long and carry much."

"Mum, are you crying?" Annie asked.

Lucy sniffled. "What could make you think such a thing?"

"There are tears on your cheeks Mum!" Annie insisted.

"Love Sabrina as you will," Lucy said. "Know that it is first love, and may wound you deep. Guard your heart. You are a woman now, Annie."

"But what should I do if she doesn't love me back?" Annie said.

"Carry your love in your heart." Lucy took a deep breath. "Dream of her. Think of her when..." Lucy swallowed.

"When?" Annie said.

"Think of Sabrina when you touch yourself in bed," Lucy said. "Build. Spend. Then let your heartache go. Let it go."

Annie fixed her gaze on Lucy's, her eyes wide and round.

"It is a terrible gift to have a heart that loves," Lucy said. "Keep yours as safe as you can."

"Oh Mum," Annie said, her tears starting again. "Oh Mum. But if I touch myself, if I do that tonight, Sabrina will hear me and know."

"Here, then, tonight. Make yourself spend to settle yourself. At school if your voice should rise, put something in your mouth, a pillow or pocket-handkerchief." Lucy swallowed, recalling tonight's encounter, Edmund fucking her cunt with a thumb in her bumhole, her mouth stuffed with a handkerchief, stifling her moans of joy. "Let me give you some time. Then we'll get you back to your cabin." Lucy rose, her feet chilled by the cold deck of the airship storeroom.

"Don't leave, Mum," Annie pleaded. "Your room is ever so cold and I don't want to be alone."

"Oh, Annie, Annie dear," Lucy said. "Very well. Let's have you settle yourself and then we'll get you back to bed."