After Thea's incredible experience in the kitchen with Dominic, morning had run to midday, and midday to evening in a blur of leisure activity. Every staff member she'd met so far had been beautiful, vibrant, and uninhibited. It was almost more than the senses could bear, but she had adapted quite well.

And meeting the other guests at luncheon had only served to bolster Thea's confidence. Men and women, young and old, in every variation of color and size--some even from other countries--had come together in a large sitting room for a sumptuous buffet and pleasant conversation. The only thing they had in common was wealth. No one spoke specifically about what they had all paid dearly to experience at Ingram Hall, but an unspoken bond encouraged a casualness between the guests, a camaraderie of sorts.

After spending a stimulating afternoon playing whist with two young men, peers of the realm like herself, and a forward-thinking matron from London, a widow who believed in free love and equality among the sexes, Thea had plenty to contemplate when she returned to her room to dress for her first formal evening meal.

She had never considered herself a prude, adopting the attitude of following natural curiosity instead. But as Lucy helped her don a lovely gown of ivory lace and blush silk (sans corset and undergarments again), Thea realized she had been an innocent, even in her wildest dreams. Now the gate to the secrets of the flesh had been opened to her and she would never go back to her days of frustrated daydreaming about handsome stable hands. And she was only beginning her journey. Thea instinctively knew there was much more to experience before she returned to Jordan a changed woman.

Dinner at Ingram Hall followed all the rules and decorum of high society. Crystal and silver glimmered on the snowy tablecloth, catching the firelight from elegant candelabras gracing the long expanse of the dining table. Fulfilling her job as hostess to perfection, Miss Rose presided over the formal dinner, pairing guests with elegantly dressed employees at the entrance to the dining room with practiced ease.

Simon, Thea's escort, was a mature man she guessed to be in his forties. He was of medium build, with chestnut brown hair and merry hazel eyes. His skin was browned nicely and he smelled of sandalwood. Handsome and confident, he regaled her with a quick wit and easy charm, and soon Thea was thoroughly enjoying herself. Dinner was served in aromatic courses, each one tempting the taste buds and soothing the senses. Champagne flowed and light laughter mingled with stimulating conversation. Miss Rose had trained her staff well, Thea mused. Each guest was made to feel special and honored.

Finally, when Thea thought she couldn't eat another bite if her life depended on it, Miss Rose stood at her place at the head of the table and tapped a tiny silver spoon on her crystal goblet. The dainty chiming brought everyone to attention.

"My friends," she began, "I hope this feast has whet your appetites for the entertainment to follow. Some of you will be adjourning to the ballroom for dancing, and others will proceed to more private enjoyments." The beautiful mistress of Ingram Hall paused to grace her guests with a seductive smile. "Please allow your dinner companions to escort you."

Thea's heart rate quickened and she took a deep breath. Her excitement grew as Simon stood and pulled back her chair. "Shall we?" he asked pleasantly, offering his arm.

"Yes, Simon," she responded. Thea noticed half the guests exited the dining room to the left, and the other half, she and Simon included, exited to the right. "Do you enjoy dancing?" she asked her escort.

"Very much, Miss Blanchard, but you and I must postpone our dance for another evening."

Thea didn't have time to be disappointed by the fact she would not be propelled gaily across the ballroom floor this evening. Simon led her down a thickly carpeted corridor she hadn't yet seen. Gilded mirrors lined the hall and the sweet scent of heavy perfume wafted through the air. She started to question her companion about the cloying fragrance, but he suddenly stopped at a darkly paneled door and opened it for her.

"This way, Thea," Simon said, motioning for her to proceed him. His voice had dropped to a deep whisper and his use of her first name alerted Thea that something between them had shifted, changed to a more personal level. Her stomach fluttered and she entered the room, followed by Simon.

Her first thought as she looked around the dimly lit room was: where is the floor? Pillows of every shape and color covered the floor completely. In the middle of the room a pretty blond woman sat cross-legged on a russet-colored upholstered chaise. Next to her, on a richly carved teak table, incense burned sending a thin stream of fragrant smoke curling into the air. The woman's body was draped in layers of gauzy fabric without shape or form, and she immediately welcomed Thea with a warm smile.

Simon put his hands on Thea's shoulders and spoke into her ear, "This is Monique. She is to be your next teacher."

"Hello . . . Monique," Thea murmured, still transfixed by the sight of the unconventional room and it's unconventionally dressed centerpiece. Despite the mild season, two fires were lit at either end of the room making it warmer than what she'd been used to at the Hall.

"Pleased to meet you, Thea. Allow Simon to make you more comfortable." The woman's voice had a slight French accent that lent a sensual quality to her words.

Thea turned to her escort. "Comfortable?" she asked.

"Yes, Thea. You are overdressed for your lesson."

As it was, she was completely naked under the elegant dinner gown except for stockings and shoes. But who was she to question their definition of overdressed?

"Please sit," he said.

Thea glanced down at a padded stool beside the door. Simon smiled his encouragement and she took her seat.

"First, I shall make myself more comfortable," he said.

Simon removed his dinner jacket and cravat and began unbuttoning his crisp, white shirt. Thea watched the dark shadow of hair on Simon's well-muscled chest appear before her eyes. He still retained his youthful strength and stature, apparent by the sinewy muscles that rippled when he divested himself completely of the shirt.

Standing naked from the waist up, her escort made a very striking picture. "Is that more comfortable, Simon?" Thea asked, somewhat surprised by her boldness, her ability to tease at a time like this.

"Yes it is, but I think I could become just a bit more comfortable," he teased back.

His hands moved to the waistband of his trousers and with nimble fingers he undid the row of buttons and pushed his pants low on his hips, revealing his very erect penis and darker colored testicles. He was standing very close, and his proud display of manhood stood at attention directly in front of her face.

Thea stared at Simon's well-proportioned penis, jutting straight up from a thatch of crisp brown pubic hair. The unexpected again, but had she really thought he'd wear undergarments if she did not?

Without thinking, she reached her hand to touch him, but before she made contact with his thick pulsing shaft, she remembered herself and jerked her hand back.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she stammered. "I don't know what came over me."

Simon laughed, not unkindly. "You may touch whatever you like, Thea. We are here to teach and guide you. Your wish is our command. I would be very happy to have you touch me."

Thea felt the heat rise in her cheeks and was grateful for the darkness of the room. But she still wanted to touch him. Gently, she ran her fingers along his rigid length. His cock was very warm and silky smooth. She cupped her palm around his sac and felt the weight of it and the springy texture of his pubic hair. His male scent mingled with sandalwood cologne and the incense in the room.

Thea's breath caught in her throat when the now-familiar aching started between her legs. "You feel very good," she whispered, happy to be able to voice her thoughts so openly and honestly.

"Thank you," he said. "Your lesson tonight is about that most tactile of sensations, skin against skin, and new ways to be stimulated by touch."

Thea looked from Simon to Monique. Would they both touch her? Would they touch each other? Every possibility seemed appealing.

"Now it's your turn," Simon said. "We will start with your shoes."

He discarded his trousers and knelt before her. Taking her left foot in his hands, he slowly unlaced the silk ribbons and eased Thea's shoe off her foot. With a gentle touch, Simon began rubbing the sole of her foot with his thumbs, kneading and smoothing just the right pressure points.

"Mmmm . . ." Thea slumped a bit on the stool and closed her eyes. He was working magic with his hands and making her restless for more.

He removed the other shoe, then slipped his fingers up her leg until he reached the band of her stockings. With slow, deliberate movements, Simon slid the silky fabric down over Thea's knee and farther until he held her naked foot in his hands. For the briefest moment, he pressed his warm lips on the top of her foot and the sensation sent shivers of anticipation running through her.

When Thea had been divested of both stockings, Simon stood. "Now your beautiful dress," he whispered.

He held out his hand and Thea did need his assistance to stand. Her entire body felt languid and quivery.

Silent in her approach, Monique appeared at Thea's side. "Do you notice our similarity?" Monique asked as she began undoing the buttons down Thea's back.

Thea wasn't sure what the young woman was talking about. When she hesitated, Simon said, "You and Monique are both of the same age, with fair complexion and hair."

Now that they mentioned it, Thea realized she and Monique could have been sisters. But what was the significance in that?

"I have been chosen to teach your lesson tonight because it can ease your inhibitions about your own body and the physical body of others if you learn to touch intimately that which seems familiar to you," Monique said.

"It can be intimidating to try new things when everything about the situation seems vastly different from what you are used to," Simon added. "So much here at Ingram Hall is new and uncertain for you that our mistress goes out of her way to ensure the highest level of trust between guests and teachers. Remember, you need only say so and we will stop at any time."

"Thank you, but I have no wish to stop anything. I am most eager to learn about . . . touching," Thea said.

Monique's hands had stilled while Simon talked, but now she resumed her task of removing Thea's gown. Her hands were warm and gentle as she slid the heavy gown down Thea's body, and Thea shivered in her nakedness despite the warm haze in the room.

Then they did something so surprising that Thea was completely taken off guard. Together, Simon and Monique encircled her with their arms, wrapping her in a warm embrace--skin against skin, skin against silk, heat against heat. The three of them stood together for a moment until Thea relaxed between them and began her own exploration of her captors.

Monique was behind her and Simon in front. Thea could feel the woman's firm breasts pressing into her back and her pubic bone pushing into her bottom. Monique moved ever-so-gently in a rhythmic motion, pressing herself against Thea and the friction of the gauzy fabric between them felt wonderful.

Thea wrapped her arms around Simon's broad back and let the heat from his body melt away any traces of her modesty. The hair on his chest tickled the rise of her breasts and his persistent arousal pressed firmly into her belly. He too rocked gently against her and Thea felt the throb of building climax in her swollen cleft.

"Are you at ease now, my sweet?" Simon asked.

"Yes," Thea whispered, adrift on a sea of reckless sensations.

"Let us guide you," Monique said, pulling away from their heated cocoon and leading Thea by the hand to the comfortable chaise. "First we will prepare our bodies."

Simon helped Thea lie back on the chaise and moved her legs so they dangled over either side. This position opened Thea's thighs and exposed her aching, wet pussy. She was beginning to delight in the feeling of being totally nude and vulnerable.

Monique knelt down on the pillows and produced a gleaming enameled box from beneath the chaise. She lifted the lid and selected an amber-colored bottle with a stoppered lid from its contents. "Simon," she prompted.

He knelt beside her and held out his hand. Monique poured a generous amount of fragrant oil into his palm and set the bottle aside. Simon proceeded to apply the shimmering oil to Monique's hands, caressing and working the oil into her lovely tapered fingers and delicate wrists. Monique closed her eyes and sighed contentedly. Thea watched, mesmerized. Simon treated the simple act of touching Monique's hands as if he were worshipping a goddess. Each finger, every tendon and bone, was rubbed gently but thoroughly.

Monique gave the same treatment to Simon in turn, working the oil into his strong, masculine hands. Then they shifted their attention to Thea. "May we massage the oil into your skin, Thea?" Monique asked.

Thea did not have to verbalize her response. Her body spoke for her as she squirmed impatiently on the padded chaise, her woman's juices flowing freely between her legs. Simon's gaze flickered to her slippery cleft and his eyes mirrored her own building passion.

He stared with her feet.

Thea closed her eyes and let herself feel, truly feel the sensation of two pairs of hands on her body. Simon worked up her calves to her inner thighs, while Monique started with her hands and arms, then worked on Thea's shoulders.

"You are very beautiful, Thea," Simon said. "It is a pleasure to caress you."

"The friction of our hands combined with the lubricating oil will ready your body for new experiences, Thea. I hope you will trust us enough to try something new," Monique said.

"Yes . . . yes, I do," Thea managed to say before their hands worked in unison to fondle her tingling breasts and aching cleft. Monique knelt behind Thea's head, encircling Thea's full breasts, kneading the oil into her tender flesh and hard nipples.

Thea could feel Simon's palms pressed against the apex of her parted thighs while his thumbs manipulated the swollen lips of her pussy. Gliding his thumbs over her folds and around her sensitive clit, he worked her own slippery juices and the oil together until Thea convulsed into a writhing climax, tightening her legs and crying out her release in utter abandon. When the climax ebbed, Monique pinched and rolled Thea's nipples between her fingers and Simon slid two fingers deep inside her contracting tunnel. The waves of another climax rocked her body.

"You are wonderful, my sweet," Simon said in a husky whisper. "Are you ready to let us teach you a new way to enjoy your body's pleasure?"

"Please, Simon," Thea said, barely able to catch her breath. "I want more." She opened her eyes and waited for her teachers' next lesson.

"Look at these, Thea, and tell us what you think," Monique said, producing a velvet pouch from the lacquered box. The French woman pulled a long, rigid object from the bag and Thea immediately recognized its intent. Made from the smoothest leather, the object was the exact size and shape of a beautifully aroused penis. Next, Monique produced three steel balls the size of small marbles, and then, lastly, what looked to be a short string of pearls.

"Do you know what these are for?" Monique asked.

"I have never seen anything like them before," Thea said, reaching out to grasp the leather cock in her hand. It felt good--smooth, hard, and heavy. "I do know what this is meant to look like, but the other things . . . I'm not sure."

"Will you let us show you how to use these devices to bring yourself and others to climax?" Simon asked. His own penis was as rigid and ready and the device in her hand. Thea didn't know which she wanted most, but her aching slit was dripping, begging for more attention. She nodded.

"Good. Now you must relax and trust us. To enjoy the full pleasures of sex, the partners must be willing and open to new things, but trust is the key. Do you trust we will not hurt you or do anything you do not desire?"

"I trust you, Simon." Then Thea looked at the pretty, gentle woman at her side and smiled. "Yes, I trust you both," she whispered.

Without another word, Monique and Simon positioned themselves on either side of Thea, both kneeling on the pillowed floor. Thea felt like a sacrifice on an altar, but to a pagan god of lust not fear.

They each took hold of Thea's legs and raised them, bending her knees back until her legs pressed against her stomach. She was spread and completely open, much as Dominic had done to her in the kitchen. Thea knew her woman's cleft was swollen and creamy--knew they could see every private detail of her body. But instead of feeling modest, she wanted to stretch farther, open wider and invite them in.

"Close your eyes and feel, Thea," Simon commanded gently.

Thea closed her eyes and immediately felt Simon's hands caressing her bottom and inner thighs, coating her skin with more oil. Then he worked oil into her pubic thatch, running his fingers through her curls and pressing his palm on her mound to ease her aching tension.

"We know you have been savored and aroused by the tongue, penetrated by the power of a man's lustful thrust, and caressed by gentle hands," Monique said, massaging Thea's breasts again. "You understand pleasure can be obtained by tending to all your delectable charms, front and back. But did you know that by adding certain devices, you can heighten your pleasure to new levels?"

Thea was so lost in her mounting pleasure that she could only moan and squirm beneath their hands. To heighten what she was feeling would be an insatiable, throbbing death.

"The steel balls are an ancient stimulator, a method originated in the Orient. One or more placed inside your vagina will enhance your climax." As Monique uttered the fantastic words, she slid the hard spheres up inside Thea's tight vagina with her finger. The cold steel warmed quickly encased in Thea's burning flesh. The sensation was odd but pleasing as well.

"Your other opening," Simon said, running an oiled finger around the rim of Thea's anus, "is tighter and less flexible. Inserting a string of beads inside this sensitive passage will ensure a climax you will not soon forget." Simon gently eased his finger into her puckered opening and slowly pushed deeper until Thea clenched involuntarily around him and felt the sensation of being filled. "Now feel the beads as they slide in inch by inch." Thea could feel Simon's finger ease out of her, and then return, pushing the small beads along, deeper into her opening until the entire length of his finger was deep within her, the friction of the beads rubbing along one side.

"Oh--oh. It feels so good. So good . . ." Thea could barely comprehend what was happening to her, but she felt to wonderful to care.

"Now, straighten your legs," Monique instructed. "Keep them spread, but tighten your muscles."

Thea did as she was told and Simon withdrew his finger, leaving the string of pearls inside her. She could feel the steel balls and the pearls with ease now, the tightening of her muscles only amplifying the sensations.

"And now for the woman's playmate," Monique said seductively, "commonly referred to as a dildo." Thea opened her eyes and watched Monique pick up the leather dildo and press its bulbous tip against her throbbing clit. "We will rub and tease your pleasure nub with our erect friend and find out if you are ready for ecstasy."

Thea looked down the length of her body and watched the massive tip of the leather cock prod and push into her wet pussy. Monique expertly manipulated it between Thea's slippery folds and rubbed her protruding clitoris. She practically jolted off the chaise with the force of her climax coming fast and hard.

As the spasms wracked her body, the walls of her vagina clenched around the steel balls and the slight pressure of the pearls grazed the inside of her other hole with delicious sensations. Another nudge of the leather cock and Thea's screams of release echoed around the warm, pillowed room. The smell of her juices and body heat mingled with the aromatic incense. Thea felt dizzy with need and on the verge of delirium.

"Spread, my lovely," Simon said, pressing her legs apart and inserting his fingers deep inside her vagina to remove the steel spheres. "Now, one more time for us. You are very adept at loveplay, Thea. Monique and I are enjoying this very much."

Monique rubbed her with the dildo again, but this time when she started to climax, Monique parted Thea's swollen cleft with her fingers and inserted the massive leather cock into Thea's dripping pussy, sliding it deep inside. Thea lifted her hips to accept the stiff rod, and her body clenched around the thrusting length of it in lustful abandon.

"It feels so good, oh, feels so good," she repeated incoherently, tossing her head from side to side and arching her hips off the cushion beneath her.

"Yes, it does feel good. We are so glad you like it," Monique said. "You are so alluring, mon cher, I would like you to pleasure me in the same manner if you are willing."

Thea let out a breathy sigh and collapsed onto the chaise like a mass of jelly. Slowly she opened her eyes and took in her surroundings once again. Monique, flushed and beautiful, waited by her side. Simon, fully aroused, a sheen of perspiration on his finely chiseled body, stood at her feet and awaited her answer.

"I would like to try to give you pleasure. I want to learn how to use these devices," Thea answered, more than happy to bring Monique the release she had just so thoroughly enjoyed.

"Will you undress me and oil my skin?" Monique asked.

Thea nodded and stood. Monique stood up as well. Silently, without instruction, Thea began removing the layers of filmy silk gauze from Monique's body. As the pieces of fabric fell away, Monique's flawless skin and figure were revealed. Thea drew in a breath when Monique was finally naked. The other woman's heavy breasts were well formed and firm. Her nipples were deep pink and puckered hard. Monique's downy nest of curls glistened between her legs, her arousal evident.

Thea wondered if her own nakedness truly evoked this kind of response in others. She hoped so. At least she hoped Jordan saw her with lover's eyes and became aroused by the sight of her. Oh, if only Jordan would walk through the door right now and she could lavish her attention on him. Her woman's core throbbed at the idea, at the picture of the man she loved in her mind.

But Monique and Simon were kind, gentle lovers, giving of themselves and she would not neglect them. "You are very beautiful, too, Monique," she said. "Please lay down and let me make you feel good."

Monique smiled and did as Thea requested, positioning herself much as Thea had. Simon appeared with a new velvet bag. Inside were the same types of devices of slightly different sizes and shapes. The steel spheres were more egg-shaped and the dildo was made of sleek mahogany instead of leather, and slightly thicker at its base.

"There are many variations of these pleasure toys, Thea. One must learn what one prefers," Simon said, holding the wooden cock out for her to take.

Thea took hold of the dildo and measured the feel of it in her hands. Heavier and harder than the leather version, but smooth as butter and rounded for pleasure at the tip. Monique began squirming at the sight of Thea fondling the wooden lance, so Thea reached for the steel eggs and took a deep breath.

"I will help you this first time, Thea. Don't be nervous," Simon said.

He sat across the chaise from her. They looked at each other and Simon smiled. Monique's lovely pale legs and glistening cunt shimmered in the candlelight between them. Tentatively, Thea parted Monique's swollen dark folds and realized it was the first time she had ever touched another woman there. Monique's cleft was hot and slippery. Thea would have never guessed how good it would feel to touch a woman, how natural.

Carefully, Thea inserted the first steel egg inside Monique's tight channel. Monique moaned and opened her legs wider. After the fourth egg, Simon stopped her. Now Thea had touched the smooth wet heat of another woman's love channel. She liked it. Monique's creamy essence clung to her fingers and the smell of her arousal hung in the air. Thea's pussy throbbed in response.

Simon handed Thea the oil to ready Monique for the string of beads. Careful of Monique's responses, Simon used his finger to guide Thea's into Monique's puckered opening. Together they inserted the pearls and Monique seemed to relish the addition of two fingers instead of one.

"Mon, Dieu!" Monique cried on the verge of release.

Simon was breathing heavier now and began stroking his erection. "Monique, use me this time," he said huskily.

"Oui, yes, my sweet," she gasped.

Before Thea knew what they were about, Simon mounted the woman on the chaise and used the tip of his pulsing cock to tease Monique's sensitive clit. Monique stretched her legs straight in response and screamed out her orgasm.

"Quickly," she cried.

Simon stopped long enough to remove the steel eggs from his lover's primed vagina, then he fell onto her, thrusting his rigid cock into her willing body.

Thea sat back in awe, transfixed at the sight of the two sweating, rutting bodies on the chaise. It was primal, animal, and she could not take her eyes off them. Then she remembered the unused dildo in her hand and without a moment's hesitation, fell back onto the pillows and began rubbing her aching clit with the rod's smooth tip until she found her release. The sounds of Monique and Simon's climax ringing in the air around her brought Thea back to the moment.

"Oh, Thea, my sweet. You have taken to our lessons like a fish to water," Monique said, laughing gaily when she spotted Thea sprawled on the pillows.

"Please keep it for yourself," Simon said, nodding to the wooden toy in her hand. "You've earned it."

Thea laughed with them. She couldn't remember the last time she had received such a lovely gift.