The advert read:
Maid wanted. Normal household chores, including cooking. Must be able to work under pressure, to follow orders exactly and without question. To apply, phone Jake 444...
Well, I'd phoned, answered a few curt questions and was told to come to this address. I was standing, looking at the imposing entranceway now. Am I doing the right thing? I couldn't for the life of me believe I was really standing here. I shook my head to clear it. I needed the income. I had to get this job. Lifting my head, I walked resignedly forward and knocked on the door. Seconds later it opened.
I was ushered inside by a butler and guided to a room, lined floor to ceiling with books. It smelt pungently of leather and woodfire smoke. A red brick chimney dominated one end of the room. A writing desk stood alone at the opposite end. Several scattered comfortable-looking armchairs made it seem an inviting place to relax with a book.
The butler took my coat and umbrella. The latter had blown inside out at the first breeze, thereby rendering itself completely useless.
"The Master will be with you presently." He left me to wait alone. I sat in an armchair, relaxed right back and breathed deeply.
"Do you generally fall asleep while waiting to be interviewed for a job?" I jumped and my eyes flew open, an apology on my lips which I didn't get a chance to say.
"Stand up!" he barked angrily. I stood, completely taken aback at his tone and manner.
"Well, you're obedient so far, that's promising," he muttered. I was too shocked to say or do anything. I stood still, open mouthed and stared at him. His eyes wandered from my toes right up my body until they met my eyes. I don't think he liked what he read there. Judging by the look on his face I had the distinct impression he seemed to think I was lower than low. I lifted my chin a little and stared directly back. Was that a hint of a smile? It was gone before I could be sure.
Suddenly I felt deflated. Tired from the long walk to this house. Tired from looking after 2 kids and an out of work, depressed husband. Tired of being judged without chance. My shoulders slumped and my eyes fell to the rich red, carpeted floor.
He walked around me. Very slowly. Those damn eyes taking every mud splatter on my stockings, every crease on my skirt. I silently wished him to hell and back. I lifted my chin. "Sorry for wasting your time, but I've decided I don't want to apply for the job after all." Bet that wiped the smug look off his face. Pity he was standing behind me when I said it. I would have enjoyed seeing his expression.
The hairs on the back of my neck tingled as his warm breath lightly brushed across them. "You're not wasting my time, dear. Actually, I'm not working this afternoon."
Wishing to hell I was back outside getting soaked in the rain, I risked another angry retort and turned to face him. "OK," I said. "Shall we carry on with the interview? Do you have anything you'd like to ask me?" Uh oh... I could tell I shouldn't have turned around and spoken to him. He controlled the rising anger, took hold of my hand and led me out of the room.
"Where are we going?" I was running to keep up with his long, fast paces.
"We'll conduct this interview upstairs where we won't be interrupted." He walked quickly and decisively, dragging me behind him.
"I don't think I'd like to go upstairs with you, thanks all the same." I tried pulling my hand out of his, but as he was obviously stronger, my attempt was useless. There was no escape. He didn't speak again. We went up the stairs, down a long hallway with half a dozen doors leading off, and into a room at the end. He let go of my hand and I swung around angrily to face him. I was breathing heavily. His eyes dropped to my chest. I tried to cover myself by crossing my arms. "What do you mean by dragging me into this bedroom?" I was furious with him.
"I want to talk to you without being overheard by the servants." He had the audacity to grin in the face of my anger.
"Let me out of here!" I demanded, pushing my way past him to the door. I turned the handle but it wouldn't open. He'd locked it! Swinging back around, I discovered he'd sat himself down and made himself comfortable in the only armchair in the room. "What is it you want from me?" I asked. "Why have you locked us in here?" My chest was heaving as I angrily demanded answers from him.
"Sit down! Sit down and calm down."
Confused and scared I simply did as he said. I sat on the only other piece of furniture in the room, the edge of the bed. I waited for him to speak again. He sat there cross legged with his fingertips together and raised until they almost touched his bearded chin, and watched me. I resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't able to physically get out of the room. I couldn't fight him. So I waited.
At his leisure he took in my scrunched up skirt, my old worn, but clean blouse. My hair was a complete mess. I'd had to hold the wretched umbrella and my hair had been whipped about in the near gale force winds. I felt myself beginning to blush under his scrutiny. Looking down I could see how messy I'd become. I was shocked at how wet my blouse was. And I blushed as I realised he could probably see right through it. Not a good look for a job interview, I wryly acknowledged.
"I apologise for the way I look. My umbrella blew inside out and I couldn't fix it."
"If I give you this job, you wont be needing an umbrella. What qualifications do you have for being a maid?" he asked.
Damn, what a question to start with. "None, apart from being a mother and wife," I answered. Little did he know I was basically a slave to my own family. Seeing to every one of their wants and needs. A maid? At least a maid gets paid for her work. The only income I got to see was whatever my husband had left after gambling. Generally only enough to buy food.
"Why do you want this job?" He was into question mode now.
"I need the money." My chin went up again. I figured if I answered him honestly, I could at least keep a little of my dignity.
"I need someone who will obey me to the letter. No questions asked. Can you do that?"
I thought about that one carefully before I answered. Considering I was sitting in a bedroom on the end of a bed, it was a fairly hefty question to have to answer. But the money was a greater need than the kind of job he'd want me to do. "Yes, I can do that," I answered quietly.
"Lie back on the bed."
My eyes flew wide at that one. "Are you serious?" I didn't think I'd heard him right.
"You're questioning me already?" He glared at me. He wasn't joking.
"Nno." God, now I was stammering. I slipped off my muddy shoes and did as he asked.
"I don't want to hear a word out of you. You will do exactly as I say. How well you listen and obey depends on whether I pay you for today only, or if I hire you full time. Do you understand me? You may nod if you do."
Was I nuts? Lying on my back, my eyes looking only at the scalloped edging around the light fitting, I nodded.
"Good girl. Now listen very carefully. You will remain lying down and remove each piece of clothing as and when I tell you."
That had me gulping for air and blushing hotly. He expected me to undress in front of him! No one except my husband had seen me naked. No one except my husband had the right to see me that way. I couldn't do it. I didn't need money that badly. I'd get by some other way. I raised myself up and went to get off the bed.
"Oh now that's a pity. I was almost ready to believe that I'd be able to employ you and give you that income you so obviously need." His sarcasm bit through harshly.
My brain was telling me to run as fast as I could out of there... Looking down, I discovered my body was telling me something else entirely. My nipples were hard and clearly showing through my soaked blouse. There was a deep slow throbbing beginning low inside me. I lay back on the bed and took a moment to think. If I only stayed for this afternoon I'd have almost enough money to pay the rent for last week. What could possibly happen to me that would be worse than losing our house?
Resolutely I nodded, hoping he would see and understand my suppliance. It seems he did.
"You may take off your blouse."
My hands moved to my top button and I did as he said. One at a time, the buttons were shakily undone. Sitting a little, I slid the wet blouse right off my shoulders and dropped it over the side of the bed where it landed in a pile on the floor. I lay back waiting.
"Your skirt."
Hating myself, I did as he said. I reached across my body, undid the button and slid down the zip. Lifting my hips slightly off the bed, I wiggled my arse a little as I slid the skirt down from my waist. I eased the red material over my hips, down my thighs, knees, ankles and finally kicked it off the end of the bed. Blushing with embarrassment at only being in my bra, panties and stockings, I waited.
"The bra."
Oh God, was this never going to end? I sat up and reached behind me. I made sure I looked anywhere except at him. Damn, I'd forgotten it wasn't a back opening bra. I moved one hand to the front centre of the bra. Pushed against the clasp. As the bra undid, I distinctly heard a sharp intake of air from the end of the room. I looked up at him but he showed no signs of being alive, little own having taken a deep breath. I hid my surprise by quickly looking down. I held both sides of the bra and gently pulled them away from my body. My breasts bounced freely and I slipped the bra off my shoulders quickly and threw it to the floor. I lay back waiting.
He kept silent.
I've offended him! He knew I heard his breathing! That was it, no job. I lay very still and waited. Heat blanketed me. I needed desperately to jiggle, or get up, or something... Anything except laying down in silence. I squirmed.
"Open your legs."
