Chapter Eight
Samantha resolves, then and there, that when she returns to Bellchester the first thing she will do is tell Peter Thornbry "thank you" a thousand times.
Peter's cottage rests between two reasonable and unassuming hills out in the countryside, the sort where a mild-mannered woods tucks in between the curved slopes. Weaving between the rolling green mounds is a small creek, wide in places and narrow in others, which releases a soothing gurgle as the water cascades along rocks a little further down. It stands in its own place, far enough away from its neighbors that it feels private and secluded, yet close enough that it does not feel like wilderness. It was delightfully rural.
The poet apparently liked his quiet and comely home, decorating the wood thatched roof with a crown of branches tied together along the rim and a row of rose thickets along the front walkway, where the dirt turns back into cobblestone just before the door. The oak walls are smooth and well-treated, and from the outside it seems that it could be the home of some retired prince, dedicated to living a folksy life apart from the pomp and circumstance of nobility.
The walk requires some effort and only a little past half a day, though Samantha delights in the sweet pleasure it is to be alongside Esther for the duration. Once they'd departed far enough off of the main road, the Sister even felt brave enough to remove her head covering and to timidly lower her hand into Samantha's, squeezing it whenever Samantha said something which made her laugh, which was delightfully often.
Esther regales her of the orphanage's horrid past week, as Sisters and children fell sick in waves, the healthy taking care of the ailing and then swapping as illness struck them as well. Sister Levy seems to have made it through relatively unscathed, apart from the haunting sounds of Sister Mabel coughing the whole night through the prior few evenings. The Mother Superior was more than happy to grant Esther a trip away from the convent to spend time in the countryside in prayer, at least in part so that it was less crowded in the now recovering building.
Samantha twists Peter's key through the lock and allows the door to swing open, stepping aside and enjoying the cool still air of a home that has been left alone for a few weeks. She sets her two bags down, rolling her shoulders and removing her shoes as her body seems grateful to give up the journey and succumb to rest. Though Esther has other plans, and as soon as she's closed the door behind the two of them Samantha feels the Sister throw herself into her arms and kiss her.
Samantha allows her the pleasure, embracing Esther while sighing contentedly. She pulls her mouth away enough to speak and remarks, "Eager you are, my dear."
"Shut up and kiss me."
Feeling a bit teasing, Samantha dodges Esther's next effort and steps further into the home, taking in the rustic and homely feel about it. "Before a tour of our lovely abode?"
The cabin was small, yet comfortable in all ways it needed to be. A long rug stretches across the floor, adding a splash of red to accent the dark walls. A furnace with a small kitchen is tucked away in the nearest corner, while a wide couch rests against the back wall. Heavy curtains sit over the windows, yet once Samantha opens them she is delighted by how the light rakes across the room and brightens it all. Peter has exquisite taste, and a small library and set of reading chairs dominates the final corner of the room. Down the hallway to the right appears to be a quaint bathroom and comfortable bedroom.
"Mistress," Esther insists, stepping into the center of the room. "I need you."
"Patience, my dear-,"
"I waited," she croaks, and Samantha turns to see Esther kneeling on the floor behind her. There's an adorable blush across her cheeks, one which seems nearly permanent when in Samantha's presence these days. "I obviously thought about you constantly," Esther continues, almost breathless, eyes affixed to the ground before her. "But... I've not... I've not touched myself since we last spoke."
"Truly?" Samantha's voice feels very nearly giddy.
"Truly."
She rises and squats before the kneeling Sister, placing a sympathetic pout upon her lips while her eyes light up. "Poor thing, you must be in such pain."
"Which is why I need you."
"Oh, pretty girl, I'm sure you do," she purrs. "Please stand."
Samantha gently lifts Esther's arms to encourage her up. She allows the Sister to watch her eyes mischievously cross over her form, then raises a hand to the collar of her habit. Carefully and slowly, Samantha slips her fingers underneath the fabric to grab at its edges, adjusting it so that the robes could simply slide off of Esther without any difficulty. They tumble down to the ground, landing onto the floor in a bundle at her feet, leaving Esther in nothing but her undergarments.
She glides her palms down Esther's arms, putting a little pressure into the gesture as though to communicate for her to stay motionless. "Now, remain there," Samantha directs, savoring the supplicating look in Esther's eyes. "I shall return in a moment."
Samantha retrieves her bag and brings it into the bedroom, where a wide mattress with a heavy blue duvet awaits her. She opens the bag and places its contents in a neat, orderly pattern on the blanket, smiling excitedly as she considers each item in her palm before placing it. Just before the final item, she retrieves the small note which simply reads, Pick One. She clicks her heels together and strolls back out to Esther.
"To the bedroom with you," she commands. "I shall be here when you return."
Esther nods and departs to the bedroom. Samantha opens her second bag and acquires the other objects of her grand plan; a meager tin of petroleum jelly, and a usefully shaped glass instrument, small enough to fit in the palm of her hand, with a flared base to ensure its functionality. She sets both onto the counter and begins pulling out ingredients for dinner.
At the sound of Esther's approaching feet, Samantha turns, briefly abandoning composure for the sake of her excitement. Esther has retired her plain, cotton undergarments, and now sports a navy blue laced corset, accompanied by a matching garter and stocking set. Her face is bright pink, and even from a few steps away Samantha is convinced she can see the girl's heart beating against her chest.
"Oh, my dear," she sighs, her eyes scouring over Esther's soft skin, "I can hardly bear how beautiful you are. What did you choose?"
"Thank you, Mistress," she squeaks, then reveals the item she was holding behind her back. "Riding crop," she says quietly, setting it onto the counter next to the tin and plug. "What's this?"
Samantha leans a hip onto the counter and takes the glass plug in her hands, wrapping her fingers around it in such a way that Esther would not wish to look at anything else. "I should like you on your best behavior. This," she holds it forth, "is to ensure you won't be."
"It rather seems you are setting me up for failure."
"I'm sure you'll hate the punishment," she chirps, stepping behind Esther and placing a string of kisses along the back of her neck. "Bend over, chest down on the counter, knees together." She gives Esther a moment to comply, then sets her palm on the square of her back and pushes it down with a stern force. She pushes her hips forward, circling them against Esther's bottom in a way that causes the Sister's breath to catch in her throat.
"I'm sure you have also been dreaming of what this time between us will be like," Samantha tells her. "So have I." She pushes forward a little more, enjoying the corresponding exhale it causes. "I'll not let the suspense consume you. I am going to tease you, constant and relentless, until you are groveling on the floor crying out for me."
"I... I already do that, Mistress," Esther hums.
Samantha leans forth to let her voice tickle in Esther's ear. "Not like this." She consummates it with a soft press of her lips just behind the lobe. "And once I am satisfied that you are desperate enough, then I shall do what I want with you. Now, say thank you."
"Thank you, Mistress."
She picks up the tin of jelly and lathers a healthy amount onto the plug, running the pads of her fingers teasingly over Esther's hole. She giggles roguishly, then places the tip of the toy where her fingers just were, enjoying how Esther's hips tense from the cold and from the anticipation. "Deep breath in," she coaches, and once Esther's chest rises, Samantha slides the toy into her.
Esther whimpers, a soft noise escaping her as the plug rests onto its flared base and hugs onto her, remaining fixed in place. Samantha steps forward into her once more, adjusting so that her own clit rests against the base of the toy. She hums as she pushes into her, savoring the warm feeling.
"Now... let's see if our pretty girl enjoyed that," Samantha purrs, leaning forward to slip her hand down the front of Esther's abdomen and allowing her fingers to gently wrap around her struggling erection. The Sister squirms at the touch, her exhales escaping her with an increased desperation, and Samantha slowly strokes her, circling the pad of her index finger along the tip of the soft organ. "Already wet and straining..."
Esther's hands grip the side of the counter as she tries to keep herself steady, and Samantha allows her a few blissful moments to savor the feeling. "As for your selection," she continues, picking up the riding crop and placing it parallel to Esther's spine, "do you want to know what this is for"
"Yes, Mistress," Esther gasps.
Samantha teases the flexible leather tip along the skin of Esther's back, letting it trace her muscles. "This is for correction and motivation," she explains, bending the tip against her so she can get a feel for its weight. "Every time you beg me to fuck you before I decide you are ready, you'll receive five spanks with this crop. Understood?"
"Yes, Mistress."
"It will stack cumulatively with each offense. You've already begged me twice, which has earned you fifteen strokes." Samantha softly taps the crop against her a few times. "Would you like those now, Sister Levy, or would you like them all at once later?"
Esther takes a deep breath, her voice a little shaky from Samantha's touch. "Now, please, Mistress."
Samantha nods, then feels a little foolish realizing Esther can't see her. She steps back and taps the crop on the inside of Esther's thigh. "Widen your stance, hands together on your back." Esther complies, her cheek pressing down into the hardwood of the counter. "I would like you to count them aloud. We'll start easy."
