A couple of hours later, after a nice relaxing bath administered by the lovely delicate hands of both Lucy and Susan, Helena sat in her drawing room awaiting the arrival of Lily Carlton. During the bath she and Lucy had explained the alternative arrangements in the house to Susan and sworn her to secrecy. She had also been invited to join in with the activities if she was interested.
"If I don't have to do anything with the men I would love to!" she giggled, "men just don't do anything for me, quite the opposite in fact."
Helena grinned, "believe me there are enough ladies who would love to enjoy you, that the men will be no problem!" she advised, "leave the men to the likes of myself, Lucy and Molly!"
Jones was out in the stable yard with Harrison, harnessing up the Mountfort carriage and team for Lily to view his craftsmanship. James stuck his head out of the door into the courtyard.
"Are you gentlemen ready? Our guest of honour is on her way up the drive." he inquired.
"All set here Mr James, Sir. If this little lot don't catch her eye, I'll become a priest!"
James laughed, "Just remember, best behaviour till her Ladyship gives you the nod! "
Both men put their hands to their foreheads as if tugging their forelock and grinned.
"Cheeky bastards!" James said to himself with a wry smile.
He made his way through to the main drawing room where Lady Helena was waiting.
"Lady Faversham's carriage is coming up the drive Ma'am. Shall I tell cook to prepare the luncheon in here?"
Helena smiled a slightly manic smile, "I think so, we will have some privacy here. Please see we are not disturbed. Lucy will be escorting Lady Carlton up when she arrives for tea. Susan can assist in here till then."
James looked at his mistress and raised an eyebrow quizzically, "Are you sure about having Susan around this afternoon?".
Helena laughed before replying to James, "don't worry Lucy has explained everything to me. We have brought her into the circle." She winked at James as she replied, "Now lets go greet my guest!"
They made their way to the main doors to the house, Helena waiting at the top of the grand steps, along with several of the staff. James made his way down the steps as the carriage pulled up. Even from a distance Helena can see the harnesses are worn and weathered.
"Perhaps Billy is being a bit of a skinflint here?" she thought to herself. Lily Faversham stepped from the carriage in a stunning new dress with a very daring low décolletage and a split in the skirt that exposed her legs as she walked up the steps with James.
"Darling, thank you so much for inviting me," Lily announced, "I so hope you can help me with Billy."
Helena took her hand, "come on let's go and have a look at Jones' handywork first. "
Helena led her through the house and out into the courtyard of the stable block.
As they stood in the doorway, Lily stopped and put her hand to her mouth.
"My God they are magnificent!" she gasped.
Helena smiled inwardly as responded, "thank you they are my favourite stallions they have such great stamina for the long rides."
Helena had to smile as both Jones and Harrison were both wearing breeches that were almost skin-tight, their white shirts undone to the waist.
"I wasn't talking about your horses you silly woman!" gasped Lily quietly.
Continuing her double entendre phrasing Helena looked across, "let's go take a look at the product, shall we?" she said steering a breathless Lily into the courtyard.
She led Lily up to the horses, "I'll let jones demonstrate his handywork," she said.
"He can demonstrate on me anytime!" gasped Lily once more. Jones stepped forward and took Lily's tiny gloved hand in his huge hand.
"This way Lady Faversham," he said taking over from Helena.
With great restraint and the utmost deference, he explained the harnesses and his technique to Lady Faversham. Helena watched from a distance as the woman positively swooned at his side.
"Are you ok Lady Faversham," inquired Jones, "you look a little flushed."
She took his arm, "it's just a little warm is all, this dress is a little heavy for outdoors."
Jones put his arm around her waist and helped her back towards the house.
"I think we should discuss your needs in the cool of Lady Mountfort drawing room." As he stepped past Helena he smiled wickedly at her.
Susan greeted them in the drawing room. "I took the liberty of preparing some iced fruit punch and chilled fruit ma'am," she announced, "however luncheon is ready if you would rather eat first?"
Helena replied, "why thank you Susan most thoughtful of you. Lily why don't you give Jones the designs you had made up, he can review them downstairs whilst we cool down a little with a drink. We can then catch up on all the London gossip over luncheon. Jones perhaps you could return with your thoughts in an hour or so."
Lily handed over the drawings and the two ladies sat down whilst Susan served them drinks.
"My I needed that," giggled lily, as she finished her glass, "I was quite overheating down there."
Helena smiled, "they have the same effect on me!" She looked across to Susan, "that will be all for now, I will ring if we need anything."
"I trust her implicitly," said Helena, "but some conversations simply shouldn't be overheard by anyone."
Lily laughed, "you are so right my dear, now how have you kept those two stallions hidden from me all this time?"
Helena looked back quizzically, "you've seen them pull my carriage on many occasions?"
Lily laughed again, "the two-legged ones, not the four-legged ones, silly girl!"
Now Helena laughed, "Oh you mean Jones and Harrison?" she responded, "I suppose they are quite striking men in their own way for staff."
Lily gasped, "Striking? They are positive brutes, I wish some of my staff looked like that, be tempted to take advantage of them!"
Helena looked at Lily with a raised eyebrow, "You would fuck your staff?" she asked.
Lily giggled, "Oh I have been tempted my dear believe me," she breathed, "but I couldn't risk my marriage to Billy, I have no money of my own you see. Billy recruits all the men on the staff. They are either spies for him, or bat for the other side if you know what I mean."
