This story takes Debbie abroad into excitingly scandalous adventures as she becomes the concubine of a Royal Prince.
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Debbie was in love.
She was in that exquisitely entrancing state where nothing else seemed to matter - wonderfully happy -- smitten -- hot -- fascinated -- one track -- obsessed -- living for those togetherness moments and empty when apart.
It was deliciously intense and, having cut loose from the old certainties of family and career, she had cast herself adrift in the boiling waters of heat and infatuation.
Meeting Rashi had coincided with major events.
The children had flown the nest to study overseas and, with David permanently returning to the Norfolk set, she was free at last. Debbie and David had regretfully acknowledged that the marriage was "over" - but there would be no divorce - family would always come first and keeping up appearances with friends and wider family was still important. Secretly she had indulged in several short-term relationships while the children were living at home but she liked excitement and variety and could not settle on any one man or woman for long.
The legal practice in London had been sold and there was enough money from the transaction to pay off the mortgage, cover the university fees and generally enjoy the good life. Work was no longer a necessity and having earned an international reputation as a commercial lawyer she could afford to take some time out. Her original intention was to travel, but falling in love with Rashi had changed everything.
She met him through her debonair Uncle Duncan, a bachelor who, after years of travel had fetched up in a Sultanate in the Far East to serve the Royal House in some obscure security capacity. He had always been the black sheep of her father's family and she remembered at her 21st birthday party being a little appalled but also just a little tempted when he made a pass at her in the Orangery of her grandfather's house.
Duncan was visiting London with Prince Rashid -- Rashi to his western friends - to help organise finance for a new venture in the Sultanate. He was the eldest son of the Sultan and first in-line to the succession. By coincidence Rashi had met Debbie when they were both up at Oxford and there was a brief dalliance after a May Ball before Rashi returned home. Discovering this connection, Rashi asked that Duncan arrange lunch with Debbie to catch up. They all met at the Wolseley in Piccadilly.
Rashi was devastatingly good looking in middle age -- literally tall, dark, handsome and charming - and the mutual attraction was self-evident. He and Debbie began to date -- dinners out at the Dorchester or the Connaught -- West End theatre or the opera at Covent Garden -- Rashi would always take a box. Embarrassingly expensive presents began to come Debbie's way -- diamond necklaces and silver bracelets from Bentley and Skinner -- luxury handbags from Dior or Chanel.
Within weeks they were making love and Debbie agreed to move into the Sultanate's London house in Belgravia which Rashi had taken over for the duration of his visit. This was a luxury new to Debbie and she was transported into the world of the super-rich. It was intoxicating.
For Debbie the sex was tender and lovely -- Rashi was very considerate -- but it rapidly became, for her, a little bland and less than satisfactory. Even with David she had pushed the boundaries for greater excitement but Rashi tended to shut down any attempt by Debbie to move on from vanilla. If she began to perform fellatio, he would gently lift her up and begin to fuck. If she tried a cow-girl he would roll her over to missionary. It was all very old fashioned -- she always imagined her Mother and Father being exactly like this -- and it began to worry her.
Rashi's return to the Sultanate was drawing ever closer and Debbie needed to understand where the relationship was going. She diplomatically expressed her concerns to Uncle Duncan who promised to talk to Rashi.
Rashi knew it was time and, cracking open a bottle of chilled Pol Roger, her favourite, he sat Debbie down one evening in the house in Belgravia. The resulting discussion would present Debbie with a dilemma -- there would be difficult choices ahead.
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After a first toast "to love" Rashi began:
"My dear Deborah I love you more than I have ever loved any woman in my life -- no really -- I do -- please do not doubt what I say."
He was truly sincere and Debbie, feeling exactly the same about Rashi, reciprocated:
"Honey, I love you too very, very much... I just need to understand my situation. If you wish to end it, I would be heartbroken but I would accept your decision. I can't imagine being without you but I can't see a way forward once you go home??"
He came to her and kissed her lips and sat beside her taking both her hands in his:
"Deborah to help you I wish to tell you about my life and the culture of my house and family. Some of this will be distasteful I know but it is our way and you must be told."
Debbie let him talk:
"My Father, the Sultan, and my Mother are very traditional in their beliefs -- the palace operates in the old ways and we all must conform -- there is no choice. I have my own household which is separate from my Fathers but I live in my culture and there would be no escape for me or you if you were to come into my home.
First, as you know, I have wives who are chosen for me from the elite of the Royal House, I cannot marry a foreigner and certainly not a western woman. Our own women are chaste before marriage and the bedroom is intended for procreation only -- that is our way. I believe Mr Duncan told you that I have many children?"
Debbie nodded and looked down into the sparkling glass and the small bubbles fizzing and vanishing. Duncan had warned her of this situation but it still disturbed her hearing it direct from Rashi.
"We are allowed what in English you would call a concubine. This relationship is very different and with these women the bedroom is for entertainment and recreation. Concubines are kept in the household and are generally favoured by one man but, in our culture, a man's brother can "borrow" the concubine for sexual purposes. This is generally limited to a single night but if all three parties are in agreement the arrangement can continue.
Royal concubines must go dressed or undressed in ways prescribed by tradition and are required to accompany their Prince at private functions as necessary. It is expected by Royal Protocol and all visitors are made aware of this and know what to expect.
I must say I have no concubine at present but I have indulged in the past and I want you to know this."
Again, Debbie was not surprised.
"I have loved you here in London as I would a wife but you cannot be a wife in the Sultanate."
Debbie listened intently and her mind was beginning to run. She interrupted Rashi:
"Then for us to be together in the Sultanate I must become your concubine?"
The Prince confirmed:
"Regrettably Deborah that is the only way."
Debbie looked for options:
"... but can I live outside the palace and you visit me?"
The Prince shook his head:
"No Deborah -- that would be impossible. My father's secret police watch me at all times and I am not allowed to leave the palace without a bodyguard."
Debbie needed more information:
"How many brothers have you?"
"Six my love."
"Are they all grown men?"
"Yes -- aged between 22 and 40."
Debbie swallowed and Rashi topped up her glass with champagne:
"... and the public duties of a concubine?"
Rashi knew this would be difficult:
"The concubine must accompany the Prince at what we call "Presentations" where in a private manner we entertain our guests. The concubine is -- how can I say -- displayed to the attendees and is required to make conversation and disport herself."
"Disport??"
"Yes, it is best to assume that the Concubine could be asked to attend ... disrobed!"
"You mean -- naked!!"
"Yes, my love ... naked or nearly so."
Debbie was shocked -- and there was more!
"I must finally tell you about the induction or, as we call it, the Ceremony of Obeisance to the Sultan and Sultana -- my Father and Mother - which takes place when the concubine is first introduced into the Palace.
Before a concubine is admitted to the Royal House, she pays obeisance to the Sultan and his family. She is costumed appropriately and following obeisance the concubine is inducted by her sponsor -- myself in your case."
Debbie was speechless.
"Yes, Deborah, I would be required to induct you by making love to you in front of selected members of my family -- it is our way of ensuring that the concubine will be satisfactory and is not being coerced by the sponsor. You see it is obligatory in our culture that the concubine must be willing and able to take pleasure from her situation. If the concubine feels that she is being exploited and is unhappy then it does not work and she is best released.
A concubine needs to be a certain kind of woman -- daring, exploratory, experienced in matters sexual, intelligent, brave, empathetic, the list continues -- I am sure you can now understand."