West of France, 13th century...
Martine wanted the usual morning ritual of lectures, dance practice, and boring lessons to start, but she knew it was not to happen today. Today was when she was to be informed of her duty. For many months she had gone through the same routine with about a dozen other girls. She looked around the ornately decorated room at the twittering young women and to a one they were lovely to look at and each possessed a body that any woman would be envious for, yet they were not all equal. Only Martine had been told she was being prepared for something special, a most honorable task.
Martine still remembered the day not so long ago when an old woman arrived in her quiet village on the Loire. She had brought a retinue of servants and went from house to house in search of something in particular. When the woman arrived at Martine's house, the crone spotted her and went directly to her parents. She tried to eavesdrop on the conversation the woman was having with them, but she couldn't hear what they were saying. They kept glancing in her direction. The crone passed a pouch to Martine's Father and he said she was leaving for a better life.
A day later the crone returned and she was told to get ready, but not to pack anything. She said her tearful goodbyes and the crone escorted the girl outside where she was whisked away and taken to a huge castle of Chinon miles away. She was quickly escorted through the bailey and on to the kitchens where she was scrubbed with pumice and hot water until she was pink. Her clothes were burned and she as provided all new ones. Up into the cloistered regions of the castle she went, never to venture outside unescorted. In fact she was guarded day and night and if any man got within feet of her he was sent away by the old crone.
Her days consisted of learning courtly graces, dining etiquette, the court language of the upper classes, reading and writing lessons, and music. All horribly dull, but there were also gossiping with the girls, wonderful nourishing food, beautiful clothing to wear, body massages, long baths in perfumed oils and facial scrubs infused with herbs. She was instructed in the delicacies of lovemaking and techniques of giving pleasure to women, but never allowed to touch another person, only seeing female pictures in a book. As the months passed Martine grew into a stunning young woman of eighteen years, the roughness of the village girl completely gone now. The beauty treatments made her unblemished skin glow and her figure filled out into that of a shapely goddess. Everyone took notice of the comely young woman and most believed that Martine was by far the most beautiful of the maidens in the castle... and certainly fit for a royal companion.
One day the old crone made her strip and watched with glee as the servants slipped a royal blue gown over Martine's head. The young woman's breasts were full and at the peak of ripeness. Her tummy was trim and flat while her hips flared slightly in sensual curves. The blue dress complimented her deep blue eyes while her blond hair fell around her oval face and lovely neck. A gold belt was wrapped around her waist and flowers were inserted into her hair. On each of her fingers was placed a gold ring; each held a different precious stone.
The crone smiled in admiration, "It's time Martine. Come!"
"Where am I going?" Martine asked.
She led Martine down the great hall followed by a host of servant girls. It took many minutes to cross to the other side of the castle where they ascended a stone, curving stairway to a set of heavy, wooden double doors. It opened into a luxurious chamber with a huge four-poster bed sat in the middle of the room. Opposite from the bed was a huge fireplace. Large windows were curved into the stone and the French countryside was visible below.
"Now Martine," the crone said, "In a moment your new life will begin! You are to be the exclusive lover and companion to the Queen!"
Martine's mouth fell open and she groaned to herself in disappointment. The only thing worse than having to pleasure some old man would be to sleep with an ugly, wrinkled old woman.
"Surely you don't mean that?" Martine questioned.
The crone explained, "The Queen's husband is away on the Crusade. The Queen rules in his stead and has needs that an absent husband cannot fulfill. She sleeps with her husband, but truly has only desires for women and only young and unspoiled women. She has chosen you especially Martine and you must please her every whim."
Martine sighed and wondered why her life had dealt her such a blow...
The double doors opened and everyone in the room came to a hush and waited expectantly for someone to enter the chamber. A servant girl walked in first and then for the second time Martine's mouth dropped open for into the room walked the most beautiful woman that Martine ever beheld. She was not old, but only in her thirties and had exotic features and silky dark hair. This woman was no hag! She was at the peak of her womanhood, majestic and passionate. Her linen draped around her body in such a way as to accent her curves and she carried herself regally. It was most obvious that the beautiful woman was the Queen and all present dipped low in a deep curtsy. She approached Martine and looked her up and down. She walked around the younger woman to get a full view of her new companion. "You have done well Antoinette." The Queen spoke in a sultry, mature voice.
"Thank you my lady," the woman Martine knew as the crone replied. The Queen continued, "She is delightful and I am sure she can please me in every way. Now leave me."
"Come! Come!" Antoinette gestured for the servants to leave. Martine was left alone in the chamber with the Queen. She remained still and silent, unsure of what to do.
The Queen took the hand of her new young companion and led her through a narrow doorway discreetly hidden in the wall of her large chamber. In the small, but cozy room the Queen looked at her new companion.
"This is your room Martine...but I expect you in my bed most nights...if not every night."
