Under A Velvet Cloak (5 page)

Word did spread. “We have three waiting in line for you,” the madam informed her in the morning. “Don’t hurry; I will space them. I suspect you will not be with us long.”

Kerena knew that it was her youth and dawning beauty that constituted her appeal. But she intended to augment it with personality, and begin her search for news of travelers. She talked with her clients between bouts of sex, and they responded, flattered by her interest. She handled eight clients that day.

Muted jealousy of her early success showed in the other girls, but Molly fended them off. “They hate anyone new and young,” she confided. “Because you make them look old and the men notice.”

Obviously Molly knew exactly how it was, being the youngest and prettiest of the other girls. “But aren’t you jealous?” Kerena asked.

“No. I decided not to let them do to you what they did to me.”

Kerena resolved then to see that Molly never regretted befriending her.

The third day there were so many clients the madam had to turn some away if they couldn’t be diverted to other girls. Kerena’s share of the money was posted as an account from which she could draw when she chose. She could spend it on her day off. One of the benefits of a high class house was that it did not need to cheat its girls.

Jolie was halfway bemused. When Kerena had sex, so did she, for she had the girl’s awareness. This life really was as new to her as to the girl. But not actually a bad life, all things considered.

Kerena went out shopping with Molly when they had time, and the girl was as adept at showing her around the town as around the brothel. They had a fine time.

The procession of men was in one sense numbing, as there were too many to remember as individuals, even if they had had real names. But Kerena used the experience to practice her wiles. There were differences, and what subtly turned on one man had little effect on another. She made it a point to attune to each as an individual, the brief time she was with him, making each feel special. On occasion she wore a long-hair wig to change her aspect, looking like a different woman. She was mastering the nuances of appeal and seduction. Soon she was getting repeat business, as prior clients asked for her again.

Sometimes the liaisons verged into something approaching affection. One repeat client was late for their agreed appointment, but she delayed, knowing he would be there. “Thank you,” he said when he hurried in. “I would never want to miss my date with you. This damned incontinence held me up.”

She hadn’t known of that. She drew on her knowledge of folklore. “It is just a story, a superstation, but some believe there is a cure.”

“I believe in anything,” he said. “What is it?”

“Those who suffer from a weak bladder must stand astride at the head of an open grave, after the coffin is lowered but before the dirt is filled in. Then walk backwards to the foot of that grave, bestriding it. But I am not sure of the logic, unless it is that the malady is thus passed along to the dead person, who won’t notice.”

“I’ll try it,” he said eagerly. “Even if it doesn’t work, I’ll be thinking of you.”

“Don’t do that,” she cautioned him with mock seriousness. “You’ll get stiff and annoy the corpse.”

He laughed heartily. “How true!” Then he completed the act, in a good mood.

Thereafter she developed a reputation for clever advice and humor, and was more in demand than ever. It seemed the men really liked having some small relationship along with the sex.

“You’re really good,” Molly said. “You’re bringing extra business to the house. That means more for the rest of us, too.”

That explained the grudging acceptance by the other girls. They realized that they were better off with Kerena participating than they would be without her.

She made sure to invoke her non-baby spell each month. This had a convenient side effect: it suppressed her periods, so she was able to service men continuously. If the madam noticed, she did not object.

“I’m in a hurry, but I had to see you,” one client told her. “How fast can you
do
me?”

“Give me the lead and we’ll see.”

“Done.”

“Stand where you are.” She opened his shirt and his trousers without removing either. She embraced him, pressing her bare breasts against his chest as she kissed him. His member came erect, and she guided it in and closed her thighs below it. She squeezed internally, applying a technique Morely had taught her. He erupted. When he was spent, she dismounted, used her hand to milk his member of remaining fluid, wiped him off, and put his clothing back together. It had taken perhaps two minutes.

“You are amazing!” He departed, in good time for his business.

Even the madam was surprised. “He paid for an hour, and demanded no refund,” she said.

“I gave him what he asked for.”

“I am going to give you to our most important client. He has special tastes, but if you can accommodate him, you will not regret it.”

“I can accommodate him.”

“We shall see.”

“You’re getting Lord H!” Molly said. “He can make your fortune, but he’s a challenge.”

“How so?”

“He’s fine for the first fuck. It’s the second one that freaks the girls out. It’s always different, but weird. He’s never taken the same girl twice, and they don’t mind.”

They talked, and Kerena began to get a glimmer of the problem, though Molly herself did not quite fathom it. She prepared herself emotionally.

The man turned out to be portly, of middle age, and quite well dressed. The moment she approached him, Kerena’s Seeing flashed. This was a significant contact.

He took her in the normal fashion, almost causing her to wonder why the madam had cautioned her. But Molly’s discussion kept her alert. They talked, remaining naked, and he was well read and intelligent, with opinions on many subjects. Kerena did not try to conceal her fascination.

“You seem smart,” he remarked. “Are you literate?”

“Oh, I wish I could read!” she exclaimed. “I know there is so much to learn from books.”

“Perhaps it will come to pass.” He glanced at her with a certain hesitation. “There is an aspect of me that some women have difficulty adjusting to.”

“You have aroused my curiosity.” Whatever it was, she would accommodate it, because she needed to be with him. Jolie agreed; the tracks remained aligned.

“I like reversals.”

“My apology, Lord X. I don’t think I understand.” But she was closer to understanding than she let on.

“Call me Hirsh. I need no personal anonymity, as I do not work for the king.”

“Thank you for giving me your name, Hirsh. I am Rena.”

“I wish to exchange roles, for a time.”

She acted perplexed. “Please explain this further.”

“I would like to put on your clothing, and vice versa.”

She was careful not to smile. “I think the fit would not be perfect.”

“True. It is a temporary expedient.”

“Then let’s do it.” She was curious where this would lead; Molly’s information had not gone beyond this point. Merely exchanging clothing should not freak out experienced whores.

Hirsh donned her dress, which fit better than might have been expected, and she put on his fine clothing. When she set his hat on her head, he asked her to tuck her hair out of sight under it, to make her look more masculine. She obliged, then risked an initiative: “If I may, Hirsh.” She took the wig and put it carefully on his head, then held up the polished metal mirror for him to see his reflection.

“Perfect!” he exclaimed. He lay on the bed. “Take me.”

Role reversal: now she understood. The girls were schooled to be the objects of men’s passions, not to take the initiative. But Kerena could play this game. “Woman, you are mine,” she said as gruffly as she could manage. “Spread your legs.”

He spread his legs, feigning reluctance. She was reminded of her games with Morely, as she pretended pain on penetration.

She got down on hands and knees, straddling him. “Let me see your stuff, you bad girl.” She drew up the skirt to show his reviving member. “Just as I thought: you haven’t been fucked enough. I’m going to plumb you to the core, wench.”

“I beg you, master, no,” he whimpered, his member stiffening.

She opened her trousers, then threaded the needle, as it were, making the awkward connection. She jammed down on him, bouncing. It could not be entirely comfortable for him, but it was as close as she could come to emulating the masculine brutality. Then she brought her body down, putting her weight on him, and forced a hard kiss. “Put out, girl!”

He did. She felt his reaction as she pushed against him, still kissing his mouth bruisingly. His passion was greater this time than it had been in the normal mode.

He lay unmoving for a while after it was done. When she judged it time, she disengaged, got off him, and removed his clothing. She was uncertain whether she had pleased him or pushed it too far; it was a new experience and she was not attuned. But her Seeing suggested that it was good.

Jolie agreed. She had not before reversed roles either, but it seemed harmless.

Finally he stirred. “I like sex twice a day, the second time as a variant. Would you like to come home with me? I will provide a stipend.”

Home duty, instead of servicing ten or more men a day. “What would be my duties?”

“This, in several forms. No household drudgery; I have servants. They are circumspect.”

She appreciated how that would be important. “Would I be free to go about, when not with you?”

“Of course. Anything you wish.”

“I have an interest. I am trying to discover where my former lover went- he was abducted-by tracking traveling.”

“I will help you track. I have resources.”

“Then yes, I would like to go home with you.”

He smiled as he removed her dress. “Very good. I will notify my wife.”

Kerena froze. “Your wife!” It had not occurred to her that he could be married, though she could have divined it by Seeing. She had been careless in that respect.

“Do not be alarmed. She understands. She merely does not care to accommodate my tastes.”

Maybe that made sense. “I will not want to stay, if she objects.”

“She won’t. Inform the madam; I will send a cart for you this afternoon.”

“He’s taking you home!” Molly exclaimed. “Congratulations.”

“I will visit you when I can,” Kerena promised. She liked Molly, and did not want to lose her friendship.

Thus it was arranged. Kerena explained to the madam, who took it in stride. “He is a man we want very much to please. He provides goods we can’t get elsewhere. If he tires of you, you will be welcome to return here. You have been excellent for business. Here is your gold.” She presented a bag.

Kerena could tell by its size and heft that everything was there: her half share of all the payments for her liaisons. Morely had taught her to weigh copper, silver, and gold by hand. Only gold weighed this much in such small size. She had half expected to be cheated despite assurances, but did not care to say so. “Thank you.”

The cart arrived, drawn by a single horse guided by a horseman. Kerena got on, and rode through the streets of the city in bumpy style.

Hirsh’s house was at the edge of the city, with a yard filled with attractive trees. A woman came out to meet her. “I am Ona. You will have a chamber adjacent to Hirsh’s room, so as to be readily available at night. His needs can be erratic.”

So she gathered. “I will accommodate.”

“You will need a better wardrobe. Come with me.”

“First, I really ought to meet his wife. I am concerned lest she not approve.”

The woman smiled. “I am his wife.”

Kerena smiled ruefully, blushing. “I took you for a servant.” Again, she should have Seen. This remarkable shift of situation was making her unpardonably thoughtless.

“You are charming. This way.”

Kerena went with Ona to the kitchen, evidently the center of household activity. “This is Rena, who will be with Hirsh,” Ona said to the fat cook. “She is not a servant.”

The cook nodded.

Ona took her to a room with many hanging dresses. “Some of these should fit you. Try them on. The seamstress will make adjustments.”

Kerena was increasingly nervous. “Please, I think I don’t understand. Why are you helping me?”

“My husband is a good man and an excellent provider, and we love each other in our fashion. But sex is uncomfortable for me. I tried to ameliorate it with balms, but they are not sufficient. Hirsh has the desire twice or thrice a day. It is entirely beyond me. I told him to get it elsewhere until we could find one to accommodate him here. Other girls have not been able to keep the pace. He believes you can. I hope that is the case.”

“And what is to be the relationship between the two of us?” Kerena asked. “Should I try to stay out of your sight?”

“By no means. You will do what I would do for my husband, were I able. We will introduce you to outsiders as a young relative temporarily in our care. The rest is no one else’s business.”

“But do you resent the-the need? I do not wish to be the source of dissension.”

The woman smiled. “This, too, becomes you. I shall be glad to have the company. Hirsh says you are a bright girl in search of a lost lover.”

“Yes.

Hirsh appeared. “Go with him now,” Ona said, with no sign of rancor.

Kerena went with him. “Can your wife really not resent me?”

“She dreads my need. As long as you abate that, she will be your friend.”

“This is not a thing I am well equipped to understand.” Yet her Seeing suggested it was so.

“It is an unusual situation.”

They entered his room. It was richly appointed, with an enormous plush bed.

No need to confuse the purpose. “How do you want me?”

“As you are, this time.”

They stripped and lay on the bed. To her surprise, Hirsh was not in a hurry. He kissed her, stroked her breasts, squeezed her bottom, and talked. “I have collected recent reports on groups and people that travel. Is there any particular area you wish to verify?”

“You have me naked, and you wish to talk of travel?” she asked, bemused.