Henry tentatively pushed the door open. ‘I’m sorry to disturb you. Were you busy?’
‘No, unfortunately. Can I help you?’
‘Lady Albermarle would like a quick chat, if that’s not too much of a problem.’ For such an innocuous request, the usually open man couldn’t look me in the eye.
‘She wants to see me
now
?’
Henry gave a nervous nod. ‘She’s aware that it is rather late, but she did say that it was important.’
‘But you’re not at liberty to say what?’
‘I’m afraid not.’
‘Well she’s going to have to take as she finds.’ I didn’t bother to put on my shoes. ‘So, where am I going?’
‘What?’ It was a simple question, but Henry responded as if I’d just stabbed him.
‘This vital meeting. Where is it?’
‘Um, if you just follow me, I’ll show you.’ Henry began to walk away.
I didn’t move. ‘What’s going on, Henry?’
‘What? Nothing -’
‘Crap. You’re shitting yourself every time I open my mouth, and as for Finn… Wait a minute, has this got anything to do with that ridiculous scene this afternoon?’
‘I’m sorry, what scene?’
‘It doesn’t matter. Let’s just say that I was forced to do some rapid re-evaluating.’
In truth, I was shaken by the anger that still lingered in me. I had done my best to ignore the whole appalling mess while I worked: I was not yet ready to deal with the shadows from Finn’s unwitting revelation.
‘I’m afraid I can’t give you any more information.’ Henry moved off, declaring the subject closed.
‘Can’t, or won’t?’ I
began to follow him.
*****
Instead of heading upstairs to
Blaine
’s private quarters Henry led me down a tight spiral staircase, and the damp flagstones under my feet made me regret my decision to remain barefoot.
‘We’re nearly there.’ If his words were meant to reassure, they failed.
I peered into the gloom of the subterranean corridor and shivered. ‘God, Henry, where are you taking me? The dungeon?’
Henry simply pushed open a huge oak door that creaked in finest horror movie fashion. In my head, a string ensemble played something menacing in a minor key.
‘Good evening, Lilith.’
Blaine
stepped out to meet me in the hallway. ‘Thank you so much for coming at such short notice.’ She wore the same elegant grey silk suit that she wore in the brochure, and looked as though she had just finished a busy day at the office.
I expected her to invite me in, but instead she gestured me into a small anteroom that had borrowed its furniture from a boutique hotel. A bottle of Cristal in an ice-bucket stood next to two crystal flutes: this didn’t look anything like the ‘quick chat’ promised by Henry. ‘Please, take a seat.’ She pointed me at a mahogany-brown leather sofa.
I sat, albeit reluctantly. ‘
Blaine
, I’m all too happy to agree to as many of your demands as I can, but I feel I earn the right to my own time. Believe it or not, I do try to unwind occasionally.’
Blaine
ignored my complaint. ‘I understand you had a somewhat challenging afternoon?’
‘In what way?’
‘In that you had an unwelcome visit from Finn.’
‘It was nothing. Crossed wires. I’m sure there was nothing to it.’ To my irritation I was blustering. I’d probably caught it off Henry.
‘Really? I’d heard that you were furious.’
‘I have a temper, and it’s not something I’m particularly proud of. I flared, and Finn probably received far more than he deserved.’
Blaine
nodded sympathetically. ‘That’s a remarkably generous response. However I don’t feel you’re always honest with yourself.’
This was turning out to be nothing like the conversation I had expected. ‘Look,
Blaine
, I don’t mean to be rude -’
‘You must be thinking I’ve gone mad -’
I didn’t disagree.
‘- I just feel that you should gain a deeper insight into the real philosophy of Albermarle.’
I felt the adrenaline begin to tighten the muscles across my chest: I should have guessed that anything that involved my father’s endorsement would possess some dark element.
‘I operate an exclusive club here on the island, Lilith – one that you’re fortunate to experience, and one that could bring you great benefit if you’ll allow yourself the freedom.’ The light in
Blaine
’s eyes was positively evangelical now and she leaned towards me, one hand resting on my knee to suggest sorority. ‘I think you’re about to find this extremely interesting.’
I placed my untouched champagne on the table. ‘
Blaine
, I’m tired, confused and more than a little irritated. As I think I made perfectly clear, I don’t consider myself to be a guest here. I’m a temporary employee, and perfectly happy to keep it that way.’ I went to stand. ‘And I
don’t
play games.’
‘Then perhaps you should start. You see? There’s that anger again. It never quite leaves you, does it? It just stays beneath the surface, driving you ever onward. Though with your past I’m hardly surprised. I’m sure I’d retain a certain fury with the world.’
‘This isn’t a conversation I’m prepared to have right now.’
‘Lilith darling, I’m on your side here. I think the way you’ve been treated is appalling, and you have every right to defend yourself.’ She gave a knowing smile. ‘We were very impressed by your handling of Johnny Buckle. In fact, that was what first attracted Finn to you.’
I inwardly flinched at his name. I had hoped that she had abandoned that particular subject.
‘For all that outward sophistication, he possesses such a naïve soul – I honestly believe he thought he stood a chance with you, and as beautiful as Finn is, I hardly think he’s in the same league as Gabriel James.’
‘Goodness, word travels fast.’
Blaine
took a leisurely sip of her champagne. ‘Well, if you will perform fellatio at thirty-eight thousand feet with the star of the moment, I think you’ll find that word will get out.’
I sighed.
Blaine
’s ban on technology didn’t extend to herself. Word of my latest encounter would no doubt have been on every gossip site on the internet before we had even touched down.
‘Anyway, I digress. What I want to say is that Albermarle can offer you a greater opportunity for release than most could ever dream. Why don’t you come with me? It’s far easier to experience than to explain.’
Blaine
stood and reached out her hand to lead me back through the doorway.
No amount of honeyed words could have prepared me for what I saw. My earlier comment about dungeons was no longer funny, because that was exactly what Blaine Albermarle had constructed in the cellars of her warped fairytale home, complete with bare stone walls, a rack holding a selection of whips and implements I didn’t want to take a guess at, and a colossal bed that dominated the far end of the chamber.
A massive black wooden Saint Andrew’s cross was bolted to the opposite wall and from its beautifully polished leather cuffs, forehead pressed to harsh stone and entirely naked, hung Finn.
Before I could run
Blaine
stepped between me and the door. In her hand she held a heavy, hand-stitched crop. ‘Imagine, Lilith. Imagine what it’s like to live out any fantasy you’ve ever had without fear of censure or discovery. He can be whoever you want him to be, and you can do whatever you like to him.’
I could say nothing at all, and
Blaine
took this as permission to continue. ‘Try it.’ She pressed the crop into my hand. ‘You’ve been a very bad boy, haven’t you, Finn? I’m sure Lilith is capable of teaching you an important lesson.’
He slowly turned to face me so his head was forced to one side against the smooth wood. The huge eyes that had sparked with a life beyond this place were dull and dilated.
‘I’m sorry, I really can’t do this,’ I managed to whisper.
Blaine
eased the whip from my clenched fingers. ‘First time nerves. Don’t worry, you’ll soon get the technique with those talented hands of yours. Let me show you.’ She raised the crop and brought it down with all her strength across Finn’s exposed shoulders and I knew that this was no consensual role-play. He gave a soft, muffled
uh
in response and pushed his forehead against the wood. His eyes closed and I was glad.
‘See? The trick is not to be too gentle. If you hold back, you foul the blow. Just one clean movement.’
Too slow, I realised
Blaine
was still teaching me. Once again the heavily stitched crop fell across Finn, lower this time so that a welt rose across his buttocks
. Livid flesh turned to scarlet
as I watched.
‘No. Just... no.’ I turned and ran from the room.
I didn’t relish the idea of a court case, but by seven the next morning I had a half-decent campaign plan in mind. There had to be some lawyer somewhere willing to take on the fight with my father and challenge the bastard in the way I should have done from the start, and then I could try to forget that these past three days had ever happened and I could get my life back.
It was hard to believe that only days ago this approach had seemed so impossible – that I would choose even an hour in this lunatic asylum over the insignificant hassle of legal proceedings.
I was so confident that my cases were already packed by the time I stormed upstairs for a meeting with
Blaine
, and the nearer I got to her room, the more bullish I felt. After all, aside from the latest clash with my father, I had not lost a fight in fifteen years.
She was already at her desk, fully made-up and wearing a delicate pink silk dressing gown, when I walked into her room unannounced. I was annoyed with myself for being surprised when I saw the three telephones and computer that took up most of the green-leathered surface, when I now knew that Albermarle Hall - ‘
The romance of candlelight and open fires
’ - was nothing more than a cheap, cynical construct. She glanced up from the screen. ‘Good morning Lilith. I was expecting you. Would you like Henry to bring you tea?’
‘No, thank you. I’ve just come inform you that I’m leaving, and to settle my father’s debt.’
‘What, all twenty seven pounds?’
‘Oh, you have
got
to be fucking kidding me.’ I rested my hands against the desk. ‘The bastard. The cheap, stupid bastard. All of this for what, the price of a round?’
‘Three double brandies at the restaurant in the village, actually. But sometimes it’s not about the money, it’s about the principle.’
I looked into the face of the woman who had recently given me my first lesson in advanced sadism and detected no irony whatsoever. ‘Fine. Do you need cash, or will a cheque do you?’
‘I think we need to have a little talk before you do anything too hasty. Will you give me the chance to explain a few things about last night?’
‘There is absolutely nothing about last night that I want to talk about.’
‘Perhaps not, but you do need to listen.’ She came out from behind her desk and walked with me to the window. Together we looked out across the lake to where holidaymakers in smart wooden cabins would just be waking up to another day of bracing Northumbrian air and wholesome living. ‘My parallel world. It runs, ignorant and content, alongside a business that survives on complete discretion. If my mainland guests had any idea about some of the more specialist services I provide, both at Albermarle and in
London
… Well, I’m sure you’re more than aware of the damage caused by tabloid intrusion.’
For the first time in my life I found myself wishing for a full-scale invasion of paparazzi, crawling all over the island and illuminating every dark corner with the glare of flash-bulbs.
‘I pride myself upon my ability to judge my guests’ most intimate tastes – I must admit, you’re the first failure I’ve had. You really are quite a challenge, aren’t you, Lilith?’ She looked at me in amusement. ‘It surprises me that you didn’t accept Finn’s initial offer. I’m sure you’d have enjoyed the experience.’
‘I might have. He wouldn’t.’
‘Lilith, you’re one of the most attractive guests we’ve had at the Hall. I’m sure Finn would have taken great delight in making love to you without the need for half a bottle of Viagra and a very active imagination.’
‘He doesn’t want to be here,
Blaine
. I could see that the moment I met him. And as for last night…’
‘Ah, that.’ Said like it was some kind of social event that had gone a little awry. ‘If it’s any consolation, Finn gave his full consent to be here, and I have the contract to prove it. He may not enjoy everything that’s asked of him, but that’s the major draw. My clients are those who’ve grown tired of actors who merely posture their discomfort; I can offer them someone to play with who genuinely doesn’t want to play along. Once you’ve had this experience, there’s no go
ing back to ‘let’s pretend.’’