Music room

I had laid out some sheets of parchment with musical notes on them. I was trying to decide what to teach first, the piano or the lute. I then heard footsteps behind me, I turned around and saw a young girl curtsying before me.

"Yes, I am he." I said and gave her a warm smile. "I'm the new music teacher here at Lambeth. What's your name my lady?" She was very poised and quite beautiful, she couldn't have been more than fifteen years of age.

"It's nice to meet you Ms. Catherine" I said and watched her look at my music. I smiled, "Yes this is music, although since this is your first lesson we will start with something less intimidating." I said and picked up the lute. "Would you like to learn how to play this instrument?" I asked as I looked at her.

I smiled back at him. "It's a pleasure to meet you sir." I had not been allowed such close proximity with a man before, but I liked Henry Manox instantly. I was so glad to hear I would not have to learn the difficult music just yet. I smiled as he showed me the lute, and I reached out to pluck one of the strings. A lovely sound came from it, rising in the air and resonating within the room. I laughed. "Yes, I would love to learn to play this! And you will teach me?" I gazed up at him, feeling just a little shy.

Her smile was beautiful, one of the amazing traits that I thought was most endearing about this young girl.
I smiled and walked behind her with the lute in my hand. I placed my arms over her and strummed the lute. "You see what i'm doing? Can you mimic what i'm doing?" I asked as I let her hold the instrument.
My attraction was instant to her, I knew it was wrong, however that's what intrigued me more.

As Henry stood behind me and placed his arms upon mine I felt my heart speed up its rhythm. Maintaining self control I concentrated on what he was doing, and when I plucked the strings it echoed the exact same chord he'd played. As the note died out I remained still. He was very close to me, probably closer than he should have been, but there was something exciting about it.

"I think I will do quite well," I whispered, "with your training."

I smiled as she was retracting my hands. "Yes, your a natural. I believe you'll be a fine musician."I said and looked at her. The silence in the air made me desire this young girl. However, I knew of the rules that the duchess strictly gave me. I quickly got up and hoped she didn't see my attraction to her. "Well what else what you like to give a try?" I asked as I walked over and shuffled through some papers.

As he walked away from me I had to stop myself from following him. I'd felt something between us but wasn't sure what. However, I wanted to know more. "I want to try this," I said as I stood by the piano. I ran my fingers across the tops of the smooth white keys without pressing down. I looked up at him. "Teach me what you know," I said in a breathy voice as I sat on the bench and made room for him to sit next to me.

The piano was one of my favorite instruments, I was pleased she chose it. I sat next to her on the bench. "Good choice my lady. The piano is a very precious instrument, it should be treated much like one's heart, mainly because those who play it, play with all of their heart." I said and smiled at her as I placed my hands on the white keys.

I smiled at his words, they were like poetry. "I should very much like to hear what your heart has to say," I replied with a small smile. "I have no doubts you pour your heart into your music." I gazed up at him, it was exciting to be very close to him, touching but not quite.

I looked at her, astonished by her words. I had never met a student, much less a young woman with such a keen sense of learning. "It would be my pleasure!" I said as started to play a song my grandfather had taught me as a boy. The song was high in range then ended in a soft lingering tone. As I finished playing I took a breath and looked at her. "This song is not yet finished, when it was written, the composer, my grandfather, past away and gave me the song to finish." I looked down and found myself yet again lusting at this pure innocent girl.

As he played my eyes watched his fingers deftly tapping the keys, bringing about a sweet and strong melody that proved his skill and love of music. I saw in his eyes how at certain points it was as though in a reversal the music was creating Henry himself. The last note subsided and I smiled when he told me it was his grandfather's composition. "You should finish it then. Add to it from your own imagination and experiences." I placed my hand on his knee.

I caught the look in his eyes as he looked at me, and I felt a shiver of anticipation.

As I finished the song, I felt consumed by the music. "Well the thing is, it's not that simple to just finish a song. It takes lots of energy and thought, and lately I haven't had a muse or experience to finish the song." I said. I then felt her hand upon my leg, I looked at her and brushed away some hair away from her face and placed my hand on her's.

I smiled as he brushed my hair from my face. A chill of excitement ran through me, and reverberated throughout my body as his hand touched mine."Well.." I cleared my throat a little, trying to sound modest. "Perhaps I could be your muse. While I have never played an instrument, I know all the dances by heart, and even create my own. I think if you were to see me dance, it might inspire you to finish the piece." I looked hopefully into his eyes. "I would like to be part of your song, Mr. Manox.." I whispered.

There was something about this young girl that attracted me to her. I smiled at her suggestion and took the lute in my hand. "That's a brilliant idea miss Catherine." I said intrigued by her insinuation of her dancing for me. "Will you dance for me?" I started playing and became almost aroused by her lightness of foot.

Instantly I was on my feet and moved to an open space in the room. I reached my slender arms to the air, bringing them down again as I brushed the sides of my body. I smoothed the skirt of my gown and lifted the hem ever so slightly off the ground. I began to dance, smoothly gliding across the floor, twirling as my skirts billowed out and my golden hair flew about my face. I reached out as though to touch an invisible lover then brought my hands to caress my neck as I closed my eyes, imagining another's touch. I let Henry's playing guide me to new places, in one minute I felt a restless longing and in the next my passion was sated. Simply put, I was lost in the music until I could no longer tell the real world from my own imaginary one.

At last I ended in slow, graceful yet seductive movements. Smiling, feeling the heat from my exertions, I danced over to Henry and very gracefully curtsied, glancing up at him as I did so.

As I played a tune, I watched her carefully as she moved her arms so gallantly above her head then down below her waist. She spinned around like top, her golden tresses flew about in the air. I thoughts of seducing her. She was so pure it gave me a throbbing feeling between my legs. As she curtsied before me, I stared into her eyes. "Bravo! my lady. You certainly do know how to dance. Perhaps we should put our two talents together and..." I couldn't finish my sentence I was too captured by her.

Our eyes met as I curtsied, and I felt as if the room was spinning. I slowly caught my breath and stood again. I dared not look away and I felt myself more drawn to him than ever. "Well, Mr. Manox? Did I inspire you?" I whispered.

I stood up and without taking my gaze off her, I took her hands in mine. "Well I think I may need some more intrigue." I stood closer to her and wrapped my hand around her tiny waist, and looked down at her luscious lips. I in twined my hand with her other hand and gently dipped her.
Silence filled the air as I brought her up, and looked deeply into her eyes, leaned in and kissed her softly.

His hand around my waist was the first of our touches that would be dangerous territory, but I felt it was all I wanted was for him to touch me. As we dipped I gave a soft, low sigh. And when he kissed me in that silence between us, I felt as though a thousand flickering lights lit up inside me. His lips were soft and warm against mine, and a pressing longing for more swept over me and made me dizzy.

At once I realized what I had done and at the same time I wanted to do it again. I pulled away from her ashamed of myself. I lowered my head, "Forgive my lady Catherine, I...I was not thinking clearly" I said and did not look back up for I knew I wouldn't be able to hold back.

I froze as he stepped away from me, and I felt confused. "Do you not like me, Mr. Manox? I rather thought you did.." I whispered. "There is nothing to forgive. I liked being held in your arms, and being kissed by you." In fact I had never felt more of a woman than when he looked at me. "I feel like you see something in me that others don't, I feel.. special." My face was red with blushing from admitting this, but I wanted more than anything for him not to be upset or ashamed of me.