I wondered what this story could possibly have to do with the Tea Room, until she continued. 'Aameenah was already instilled in the Sultan's harem in 1153 when Eleanor of Aquitane followed her husband Phillip, King of France, on his crusade to the Holy Land. Eleanor was a rare woman. She had money, titles and land of her own. She was bright, strong willed and even by today's standards, Eleanor would be considered a forward thinker. She detested Phillip. He was a religious fanatic, weak and spineless.
Their entourage stopped east of Constantinople at the palace of the Sultan before they made their way on to Acre. It was there that Eleanor met my ancestor and they formed a life-long friendship. As I said before, none of the women in the Sultan's harem were slaves. They were free to go as they pleased. So, when Aameenah fell in love with one of Eleanor's French knights she approached the Sultan to beg his leave. He was saddened but gave her permission. She ventured forth with Eleanor telling her story after story of the lives in the harem. Eleanor became fascinated and the seed of an idea had sprouted but it would take years before she could bring it to fruition.
Many years later Eleanor divorced Phillip and married Henry Plantagenent, King of England. Theirs was a stormy marriage but Eleanor bore him seven children ... Richard the Lion Hearted was Henry's first legitimate son and heir to the throne. Eleanor eventually set up the "Court of Love" in Aquataine which was a scandalous endeavor!
They taught not the erotics of love, but the esthetics ... teaching young men how to properly treat and respect their ladies as well as encouraging young ladies to be mindful and ever wary of a young man's intentions.
Aameenah bore a daughter by Eleanor's French knight and passed on her training to her daughter and so it has been for over 800 years. My aunt passed on the secrets to me.
Now Mr. Emerly, we will get down to the reason I have taken you under my wing. My business endeavors only begin with the Tea Room, it gives me access to wealthy matrons, their gossip and their complaints. You see, the second plateau of my business is more educational. If I hear one of the ladies in the Tea Room complain of a dull sex life, a hesitant or an inattentive husband, I venture to remedy that situation for her. I approach their husbands, quite innocently at first I assure you, until I am certain they would be willing to benefit from my services.'
I bolted up not believing my ears and crossed quickly to her desk. I leaned on the desk and drew closer to her so that she could hear what I had to say. "Do you mean that under all these prim and proper trappings you're just a whore! Just a common whore! I can't believe I was duped into playing your pimp or bodyguard or whatever it is you have in mind!"
As I spun to leave the room, she stopped me by saying, 'Mr. Emerly, a whore entertains a man for a little while, I have loyal clients with whom I develop long term alliances.'
I slowed and turned to look at her, then she continued, 'Some of the alliances lead to information on land speculation, stock market strategy and other wise investments. I assure you, no common whore could live this well, much less provide you with the quality of things you own today.'
I ran my hand through my hair and tried to clear my head. It wasn't just the shock ... that was bad enough ... it was also the sting still in my cheek. I had wanted her, lusted for her, from virtually the first moment I saw her. Rose was something special ... she had some special quality that I couldn't quite put my finger on ... and she increasingly filled my thoughts. She was a whore! A whore who had turned me down, insulted me, and yet sold herself willingly.
Rose sat and watched, almost as if she could see the flashes going through my mind. I paced for a minute or two and realized I had no where to go ... no prospects of any kind of a future ... and suddenly, what she offered me intrigued me.
I sat to face her, "Please go on."
'The gentlemen from whom I accept commissions are unknowingly screened very carefully. I first must make sure they truly love their wives. I have no interest in breaking up a marriage. Then, of course, they must be discreet, not only for their own sakes but mine as well. My commissions last from a few weeks to a few months, usually depending on their learning capacity. At the end of our intimate relationship we retain a friendship. Often a referral comes from a previous client who approaches me with a commission to educate a son or perhaps a favorite nephew.'
'A few years ago, very rarely at first, then becoming more common among my more liberal patrons, they have returned requesting that some sort of an educational process be obtained for their wives. Subtly, perhaps even a seduction, so that the wife is not aware of being schooled in the more erotic graces. Until I met you I had not been able to find an suitable apprentice. I think that perhaps you have the character and ability to fill this void.'
I had been screwing around since the summer I turned 16, but never in my wildest fantasies could I have ever imagined a proposition such as the one now set before me. Once again Rose stared into my eyes as if to see my thoughts. I wasn't aware that my jaw had dropped until she flitted slender fingers at me and jovially said, 'Well, shut my mouth! That's probably the summation of your thoughts, isn't it, Mr. Emerly?'
I couldn't help but smile, "Yes, I guess it was. This is almost too much, and I must admit not a profession I ever thought I would one day consider myself in. I'm not sure I want to be in this profession. Yet, there is a part of me that is curious, intrigued and even a little flattered. Can I think about it for a while?"
As she stood from behind the desk, she totally disabled me with a brilliant smile, "Of course Mr. Emerly, you may give me your decision tomorrow morning before we leave for the Tea Room. Good night, sir. I hope you rest well." With that, she slipped quickly out of the room and before I knew it had disappeared, probably into her bedroom.
The damned thing about it, I had no idea where her bedroom was. I couldn't help but chuckle, rub my cheek smiling this time, and stroll down the hall toward my room to face a nocturnal dilemma. I somehow knew this would be a decision that would affect the rest of my life.
After tossing and turning until the wee hours of the morning, I agreed to join Rose and submitted myself to her tutelage. My lessons weren't long in arriving.
Am I boring you, Dana?" he chuckled.
I was pulled back from '1001 Arabian Nights' to the veranda. I couldn't speak, my eyes were as round as my mouth. I couldn't believe what I had just heard, "Mr. Em ... Jackson, did I hear you right? Did you just tell me that you were a gigolo?"
