Read Sarah's Playmates for Free Online

water. “This is marvelous. Hurry up and get
in.”
    “You first.”
    “No, my dear. You’re the lady of the house.
I’ll wait my turn.”
    I’d have to bathe quickly. I didn’t want her
to sit in cold water. “Fine.” I hurried to remove my underthings,
tossing them over the chair. A fire blazed not more than four feet
away, warming the room. I got in and grabbed the soap, washing
myself vigorously.
    “You needn’t rush.”
    I dunked under, my golden hair floating in
the water. I used a chamomile and glycerin concoction, scrubbing my
scalp aggressively. Millie rinsed the lengthy tresses, pouring
water from a jug. I wrung the strands out, throwing them over a
shoulder. “I’m done.”
    “You’ve not even relaxed.”
    “It doesn’t matter. Get in. I’ll sit by the
fire and get the tangles out.”
    “You don’t have to be so nice to me.”
    “Pish!” I dried off, feeling wondrously
clean. “Let me know when you want me to rinse your hair.”
    She settled in the water. “Ooohh, this is
wonderful.”
    “It is. Isn’t it?” There was a knock on the
door. “Yes?”
    “Do you need more towels?” asked a female
voice. It was Isabelle.
    “We do.”
    “Might I come in?”
    “Of course.” Millie worked herself with the
soap, unfazed by the interruption.
    “Here are a few more.” She placed them on a
chair. “Isn’t indoor plumbing a miracle of modern invention?”
    “It is,” I agreed. There was something
entirely likeable about my future sister-in-law.
    “I’ll comb your hair, if you want.” She wore
a light blue dressing gown. “Edmund’s gone to his club. It’s only
the girls in the house.”
    I was slightly disappointed that I had not
been able to spend more time with my fiancé, but we would be on the
train tomorrow, and the trip would afford us days together. “That
would be nice, Isabelle.” I sat before the fire.
    She dragged a chair over and sat behind me.
“It’s like a private ladies only party.”
    “In the bathroom,” quipped Millie.
    “Should I get your hair?” I asked.
    “Yes, please.”
    “I’ll be back.” Obtaining water from the
sink, I poured it over Millie, rinsing the shampoo out. Then I sat
by the fire, while Isabelle untangled my tresses.
    “We should have a party,” said Isabelle.
    “We’re not dressed, and my hair’s wet.”
    “Edmund bought me a music box for Christmas.
Let’s listen to it.”
    “I love music boxes,” said Millie.
    “It’s settled then. I’ll go get it. I’ll meet
you in your room.”
    After she left, I glanced at Millie. “She’s
fun.”
    “I do approve of that one.”
    “I know you don’t care for Edmund. I’m glad
you like his sister.”
    “He’s overbearing.”
    “Millie! You shouldn’t be speaking so ill of
my husband to be.”
    “I’m honest, Sarah. I won’t lie to you.”
    “But you think all men are overbearing.”
    “Indeed.”
    I sighed. “So it doesn’t matter who I marry.
The choices are bad and not so bad. I’ve settled for not so
bad.”
    “You’re a darling,” she laughed. “You a silly
girl.”
    I pointed a finger at her. “You’re a seducer
and a corrupter.”
    She gasped, “Sarah!”
    “I speak the truth too. The things we’ve done
together have changed me. I think about it all the time.”
    A peculiar light shone in her eye. “Think
about what?”
    “You know. The intimacies we’ve shared. The
things we’ve done. I know how nice those things are. I really like
our secret lessons.”
    “We must keep that quiet. You mustn’t tell
your husband. He wouldn’t understand.”
    “It’s our secret.”
    “Good.”
    “Ladies!” called Isabelle. “The party is
ready.”
    I glanced at Millie. “When are you getting
out of the tub?”
    “Now.”
    “Good. I want to hear the music box.”
    “Go on. I’ll be there in a moment.”
    I tossed the nightgown over my head. “Don’t
loiter or you’ll miss all the fun.”
    In the bedroom, Isabelle handed me a
champagne glass, which