Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction, and as such, any similarities to real people, places or events are strictly coincidental. This work contains graphic depictions of a sexual nature between consenting adults. The story also refers to aspects of sexuality that may be offensive to certain people, such as BDSM and lesbian themes. If these topics offend you, then stop reading now, moving on to stories that you might better enjoy.
Kissing Cousins
is a multi-part work of fiction. Taking place in the late nineteenth century, it contains references to period customs and mannerisms and is written in a style closely resembling the age.
Enjoy!
Saphhia
*****
Chapter One: Leaving London
Quite simply, it was time to get away from the life that I once found so enticing. My failing marriage, my prying relations and my disturbing acceptance of mediocrity had come to end. As the carriage trundled down the old London road, I was still in awe of my decision. I was leaving, and with no notice or instruction. Smiling inwardly, I gazed out the window as the lush Berkshire countryside slipped by. It was finally over.
My cousin, knowing of my desire for change, had graciously offered to take me in, should I ever muster the courage to leave. She was of the mind that I should have ended my marriage years before. It never being a simple thing for a lady to leave her husband, there were certain logistic hurdles than needed to be breeched beforehand. Much to my husband's chagrin, mine was the money in the house, having brought with me a sizable fortune.
Unlike my cousin, my inheritance was not entailed away. Her parents had passed recently, of natural causes, and her younger brother had inherited. Preferring London over the country, he granted her leave to stay in their family home. I was an only child and with no living relatives, the estate fell upon me when my parents were tragically killed.
Having not taken a husband as yet, the money was held in a trust until such time that I did. The solicitors had the wits to keep the money under my control, rather than place the entire sum into the marriage, as was the custom. As such, he lived in precarious doubt, never really having control of that which he desired more than me.
Now that I had left, he was going to find life rather a challenge. I felt no remorse for his poor fortune, as he was an abusive man who had threatened me on more than a few occasions, even with physical violence should I not acquiesce to his demands. Although he had no idea where I had gone, it would not take him long to figure it out. For this reason, and this reason alone, I left him with a single and unwavering proposition:
Husband,
Know that I have left you, once and for all. My tolerance for your behavior having come to an end, there was little else left for me to do. I am leaving you with the sum of fifty thousand pounds, which my solicitors will deliver to you in a few days time.
There is a condition attached to this generous offer, and I strongly suggest you accept the terms. You will agree to never pursue me in any manner, even so much as a letter. Should you violate this agreement, then all monies granted within this decree shall be forfeit. I am allowing you to move forward with your life, and giving you the means by which to do it. Please, allow me the same.
Elizabeth
I considered it a generous offer, considering the hell he had put me through. Granted, it was a fraction... a small fraction of my worth, but his was not to question my good nature. My relationship with Sarah was different from the start. Both having been raised in Devon, she and I were often thrown together as children. With her family hailing from Exeter and mine from Plymouth, there was a fair length of road between our estates. It was therefore not uncommon for one or the other to spend extended periods of time. We became quite close, for cousins.
When my parents were killed, I was just eighteen, and too young to be left alone in the great house on Dartmoor. Instead, after the funeral, I was transported to my cousin's estate. Sarah was a full year older than I, and had been out for some time. She had been courted by several eligible men, but she had yet to tip her hat. For me, this was a strange world. I had only just come out, and had yet to be approached in spite of my parent's fortune. It was not that I was unattractive, for I had been told that my countenance was quite pleasing. I thought that perhaps the isolation of our estate, had more to do with it than anything else.
Sarah had insisted on me staying with her. She had a small suite of rooms and one of them would most certainly do for me. As I settled into my bedroom, I was too upset to notice how poorly appointed it was. In comparison to my own rooms in Plymouth, it was tiny, and Sarah's quite eclipsed it as well. As I had stated, I barely noticed. I settled in over the next few days, and began to come out of my depression over the loss of my parents. Spending most of my time with Sarah in her rooms, I simply took my living arrangements as a temporary inconvenience. It was after a month or so, that I noticed a distinct change in the way Sarah would address me. Her condescending attitude seemed to grate on my good nature.
"Elizabeth? Do you ever wonder why your room is so very much smaller than my own?" Not wanting to seem ungrateful, I declined to answer. "Since your parent's fortune is locked away from you, it has fallen upon our good charity to take you in." Her comment seemed a bit out of line, even for her.
"But I am not without a fortune, Sarah." I complained. "It is merely set aside until I have secured a husband." She chuckled.
"And how is it that you mean to find a husband with no way to exhibit yourself?" I had no answer for her, and she made me question the arrangements made by the solicitors.
"I do not know." Meekly, I cowed to her aggressive stance.
"Well, Elizabeth, I am in need a maidservant. I think you'll do nicely." I was shocked by her assertion that I should become her indentured servant. "Mind you, that this will be our little secret. My parents have forbidden me from having a maid, as I so abused the last one." I wanted to run away from her, to find my way back to Plymouth. I knew that this was an impossible quest. I was completely under her control and there was nothing I could do about it. My house had been locked up and there was no one there. The moor was a lonely place even with the company of others.
The situation grew from uncomfortable to intolerable very quickly. During the day, we would be the two adoring cousins, best friends and companions. At night, I was put through my paces as her maid. She would have me clean her rooms, reset her gowns, brush her hair and other tasks too numerous to mention. Not only this, but I was forced to dress as a maid as well. She had secured a livery from the lockers below stairs, and insisted I wear it. It was a very plain black frock, and she seemed to revel in watching me toil for her.
One day, as I was scrubbing her bath, she came to me with a very odd demand. I was very nearly finished with the floors, the marble being spotless. "You will remove your livery, Elizabeth." I wasn't certain I had heard her correctly, so I continued to clean. "Take off your clothing!" Her voice raised, she startled me. Standing, I hesitated in my compliance. Suddenly, she lurched forward and tore the front of my frock down to my waist. Unrestrained, my bosom came tumbling out and I desperately sought to cover myself. Piece by piece she tore away at me, until nothing was left but the boots on my feet. I was so shocked that near the end I offered no resistance. So, at the end of it I stood with my hands at my side, naked before her. "The boots."
Having sufficiently broken me, I bent to remove them in haste. The marble felt strangely cold against my bare feet, but this was not the only sensation I was having. For reasons unknown, I found myself strangely excited. The same excitement I would feel when confronted with an attractive young gentleman. I could not account for it, as this had been the most shattering experience of my life.
"Gather the scraps and follow me." She gestured towards her boudoir. I felt ridiculous standing before her naked, holding the clothing that she had literally ripped from my body. "You can put them in there." She pointed towards the hearth where a well stoked fire burned, and I questioned her with my eyes. "Do it, now!" She pushed. Without a seconds delay, I tossed the spoiled livery into the flames and watched as it was engulfed. "You see, Elizabeth, by not obeying me, you have forced me to destroy your livery. Now you will have to perform your chores as you are." Surely, she didn't mean to see me naked each evening, and toiling in such a manner? Again, a twinge of delight from between my thighs. What was this? She must have known I was reaching my limit, for soon afterwards she excused me to bed.