As Justin sat squirming on his low stool, Lady Agatha and Lady Penelope continued their conversation.
"Oh, Agatha, did I tell you about Lord Fenton?"
"No darling, you didn't mention anything when we spoke on the telephone last month," replied Lady Smyth.
"Ah, it must have slipped my mind. He's dead."
"How simply awful for you Penny. It must have been terribly inconvenient."
"Well, it did rather upset our plans for Cowes week, but he'd had a good innings!"
"Yes, let me see. He must have been 68 when you married; I remember, it was on your thirty second birthday. An excellent match. Was Sophie upset?"
"Of course, Sophie was rather put out at having to miss the sailing at Cowes, but there were no tears. Your calculation was correct. Freddy was 88 when he passed."
As the two women chatted, Justin's attention began to focus on Lady Fenton's perfectly shapely calves, delicate ankles and tiny, high arched feet, shod in a most provocative pair of high heeled emerald satin court shoes, which matched her dress perfectly. He was entranced as she crossed and re-crossed her sheer flesh-coloured nyloned legs, making that subtle swishing noise that had come to torment him in his adolescence.
Little did he suspect that she and his stepmother had together, plotted his future so minutely and ruthlessly. From girlhood, they had cultivated a close and intimate relationship, with shared social and financial ambitions.
Suddenly, he was jolted from his reverie, as Lady Fenton turned suddenly towards him with a smirk.
"Do you like my shoes, Justin?"
The unfortunate young man was caught out yet again, in his lecherous behaviour and could only mutter a feeble response whilst blushing deeply.
"You must excuse him, Penny. Much as I have tried, I'm afraid that he seems unable to control his depraved urges. It seems that he can't be in the presence of a female without succumbing to this kind of ogling. Why, I can't even lift my skirt to adjust my stockings and suspenders, without his prying eyes being drawn to my legs.....the legs of his own stepmother! Look at him, even now, in his shame, he can't look away from your stilettos!"
"Well Agatha, I think you might be a little harsh on the boy. Whilst I do agree that such obsessive behavior is unacceptable, especially in company, I cannot deny, that for myself, I do find it rather flattering that such a nice looking, sensitive young man is drawn to gaze at my legs. If you will indulge me, my dear, I believe we may be able to help him."
Ringing her hand-bell again, she called Tompkins and instructed him to fetch Gwen, the senior housemaid.
"You see Agatha, as a woman of principle, as you know, I believe in promoting a healthy attitude towards sexual matters. Please excuse my frankness, in front of your step-son, my dear, but I can tell you that I have always insisted upon chastity among all male members of my household."
"But, surely.....Lord Fenton......" exclaimed Lady Agatha.