Chapter 1: Goodbye to England
Augustus kept waving as bit by bit the dock receded into the distance. His parents became tiny figures but still his mother kept waving as gradually the rest of the crowd dissipated. At last he turned from the ship's rail and made his way to the saloon. He ordered a large brandy from the steward and downed it quickly. He was alone at last on the high seas on his way to new adventures in India. He was aroused from his reverie by a melodious voice nearby.
"It is Mr Marchwood?" the voice enquired.
He turned to see an attractive middle aged woman standing beside him.
"Er... yes I am so sorry we haven't been introduced. May have the pleasure of knowing who you are madam?"
"Oh indeed, my name is Bell, Christine Bell," the lady replied." My husband is Colonel Bell of the 2
nd
Bombay Infantry. We are returning to India after a furlough in England."
"I am most pleased to make your acquaintance," responded Augustus who had been brought up to have beautiful manners by his mother. "But how did you know my name if I may enquire?"
"Oh I should have explained," Mrs Bell replied. "your mother and I are old acquaintances. We met on the dock as I was departing and she told be you were embarking to take up your commission in India. I suppose she did not have time to inform you of my presence on the ship but she asked me take good care of you."
"That is most welcome news for I do not know a soul on this ship and I shall be glad of a friendly face on the long voyage," Augustus replied.
Augustus settled into his cabin and for a moment felt very alone but then he remembered where he was heading. Since being a small boy he had been fascinated by the mysteries of India, especially when one his uncles presented him with a book of pictures of the country together with tales of maharajahs, tiger hunts and exotic temples. As the second son of Lord Marchwood he would not inherit his father's title and estate like his older brother Constantine. Traditionally younger sons of the aristocracy took up careers in the Church or the army. Augustus was no intellectual, unlike Constantine, but had excelled at sport, captaining the rugby team at Eton and becoming a fair batsman on the cricket team. His father was keen to arrange a commission for him in the British Army but Augustus insisted he wanted to join the Indian Army, even though among the aristocratic circles he moved in this was regarded as distinctly second class.
Some time later Augustus presented himself at the first class dining room. The head waiter took his name and led him towards a table and Augustus was pleasantly surprised to find himself seated together with Colonel and Mrs Bell.
"Pleased to meet you young fellow," the Colonel said, following introductions. "Mrs Bell was insistent that you should dine with us and a quiet word with the head waiter soon accomplished an exchange with another diner."
"I am most gratified for your thoughtfulness," Augustus replied.
The Colonel proved himself a rather shy and reticent man who seemed to have little to say on anything but military topics. However, he was happy to offer Augustus a glimpse of the life that awaited him as a young officer in the Indian army. Mrs Bell was considerably younger than her husband, Augustus guessed in her early forties and possessed of a degree of vivacity far in excess of her huband. She talked wittily about their recent trip to Scotland and the eccentricities of life as an Indian memsahib. Augustus was mesmerised not just by her gay conversation but also by the looks from her sparkling green eyes and the flashing smiles she gave him across the table.
They had finished eating and the Colonel was giving an interminable account of the parade his regiment had organised for him on the eve of his departure for England. Augustus was listening politely when he felt a hand stroke his own under the table. He barely concealed his surprise and pleasure, realising that it was the hand of Mrs Bell. He pretended to be giving his rapt attention to the Colonel as Mrs Bell gently stroked the back of his hand. Augustus was about to take her hand in his when he felt it drop into his lap. He could not believe it but her fingers were gently running up his thigh and then deliciously they roved across his lap. Augustus could not control himself, his young vigorous member jumped to attention in his trousers. He looked at Mrs Bell waiting to see some look of shock or pleasure cross her face but is was a mask wearing a faint smile, her eyes seemingly looking lovingly at her husband. Augustus suppressed a groan as the hand once more stroked across his groin and, yes, unmistakeably gripped his rampant shaft for a moment so that it throbbed even more uncontrollably.
Soon after Mrs Bell announced that they should be retiring but the Colonel insisted that Augustus should accompany him to the saloon for a cigar and a nightcap. Augustus was itching to return to his cabin and relieving the throbbing urges in his loins but had no option but to watch Mrs Bell disappear, bidding him goodnight and flashing her dazzling smile at him for the last time.
It seemed to take an age for them to finish their cigars but at last the Colonel took his leave and shaking hands he bade Augustus a hearty goodnight. Augustus made haste to his cabin. His heart leapt. He had been dreading the long voyage to India but now there was the prospect of some excitement with this dazzling married lady. He lay on his bunk for some time. He wanted to frig himself to relieve the dreadful wave of desire which had overtaken him. He was in love with this beautiful older woman but it seemed somehow impure to abuse himself while thinking of her and he could not bring himself to find relief in that manner.
Finally he rose from his bunk and climbed to the deck. It was a still cool night in the English Channel and the wind was blowing steadily from the South West. He decided to take a turn around the promenade deck to see if he could clear his head. He rounded the stern, from where he could see distant lights, whether of England or France he could not be sure. As he came up the port side he heard a voice coming from a dark recess.
"Up so late Mr Marchwood. Perhaps you are having difficulty sleeping?"
He immediately recognised the voice or Mrs Bell and peered into the darkness. He was just able to make out her figure reclining on a streamer chair and wrapped in blanket.
"Erm.. well yes... I just thought I would take a stroll to clear my head," Augustus replied hesitantly.
"Why don't you come and sit here beside me. It is a beautiful evening but cold, you can share my blanket," Mrs Bell said invitingly.
Augustus needed no second invitation and perched himself beside Mrs Bell on the chair. She lifted her blanket and threw it across his knees.
"There now, that is more comfortable, I thought you would never come," she said.
