Lisa could feel a gentle hand nudging her shoulder and the distant voice of Jenny, the maid, coming to her sleep-hazed mind and waking her to the morning chill of the late fall season.
"It's eight o'clock Lisa," she half-whispered, "and your aunt is already downstairs at breakfast. She says she wants to get an early start." The old woman paused and gave a loving look at the young girl now blinking awake, then sat down on the bed beside her, affectionately brushing the long strands of hair away from the girl's sleep-swollen eyes.
"Are you feelin' better, dear," she asked with a look of deep concern on her face.
Lisa nodded without speaking and patted the woman's work worn hands in acknowledgment. Old Jenny seemed like more a member of the family than a servant, she thought. She had helped to care for Lisa since early childhood, and now stood loyally by her in their mutual sorrow.
"I brought you up some fresh orange juice and poached eggs. Here, try some of this crisp toast," she offered, reaching to the tray on the nightstand and extending her hand to Lisa's lips. "I cut the crusts, just like I used to when you were a little girl."
"I can't eat now, Jenny. I'm not hungry – just some hot tea, please."
"I'll bring you up a mug of tea if you promise to try a bite of this food." The look of concern returned. "You haven't had a thing to eat since early yesterday, and you've lost all your color. I'm going downstairs and tell your aunt that you're too ill to travel," she said with determination.
"No, Jenny, don't." The last thing Lisa wanted was for Jenny and Thea to get into an argument. She knew her aunt had a quick temper and would probably fire the old woman on the spot, and if she did, there would be nothing that Lisa could do to stop her. "Look, Jenny… I really do want to get away from here for a while. In fact, the sooner, the better… I'll try the eggs out if you promise not to say anything to Thea." Lisa's eyes were now silently pleading with the old woman.
"Ok," she agreed reluctantly, "but try them out now before they get cold. I'll go get you some hot tea and run the bath water."
Lisa gave a sigh of relief as the door shut behind Jenny, and reluctantly picked up a piece of the crisp toast and dunked it in a yolk, absently watching the bright yellow fluid run down the ragged white sides of the egg and onto the china plate. I'll have to get out my heavy winter coat, she thought, looking out through the frost-covered bedroom window. From where she sat, she could see the branches of the old elm tree with its leaves fluttering nervously against the slate gray background of sky. Her eyes wandered to the shelf below the window that held old remembrances of her child hood years… an old rag doll, her first coin collection and the familiar red scrap book filled with mementos of her early school days.
She could remember vividly her last year in grammar school and her favorite teacher Mrs. Garner. At the end of that year, all the children in class had small autograph books which were passed around for everyone to sign as small remembrances of that year. Lisa could hardly wait to see what Mrs. Garner had written in hers. But when she read her inscription, she came close to tears. It was not what she had expected at all. "Learn to paddle your own canoe" were the few words that she wrote and as a twelve-year-old looking for approval Lisa had been bitterly disappointed. At that moment in her room, Lisa made a firm decision to heed her teacher's words and to face the responsibility of the moment, doing as her aunt wished. She did need a rest, she reasoned. She felt the raw nervous sensations building up again in her body and reached for the bottle of tranquilizers on the night stand labeled "Take one before breakfast and one before bedtime". The family doctor had issued her the pills along with a strong sedative after her outburst at the funeral. She made a mental note to take them along with her in case she had trouble sleeping. Perhaps Brookdale was the answer. She couldn't stay around the house now… at least not for a while… until some of the memories dimmed and she could see them in perspective again. And she wasn't prepared to face school yet, not even Mark.
Her nostalgia broke when she heard Jenny approaching the door, and she hurriedly gulped down the last traces of food remaining on the plate.
During the long ride to Brookdale, Thea seemed subdued and pensive, offering little in the way of conversation, except that the rest at Brookdale was what she needed until she felt strong enough to go back to school again. Lisa puzzled at the woman sitting across from her in the front seat as she spoke almost tonelessly in a detached manner. Thea was certainly subjected to sharp personality changes, she thought, from one of complete outward calm to a highly strong ball of nerves, ready to spring at anyone who confronted her wishes with resistance. She wondered how Thea could be so calm on the surface, after her experience with George Colby the night before. Lisa's face colored with a bright red blush of embarrassment at remembering what she had witnessed and turned her head back to the window.
She thought about Mark and how much she missed him now and decided to write him a long letter as soon as she got settled at Brookdale. She did need a rest. Only this morning she had taken another tranquilizer to help her through this journey. Concentrating on the landscape passing the car window like a movie run in slow motion, Lisa drifted off into a light sleep.
A few hours later Thea broke the silence. "Lisa, we're almost there," she announced in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, shifting the car gear into second as they approached a large iron gateway that was the entrance to Brookdale. The gate was locked and on either side and an ivy-covered brick wall surrounded the premises for as far as the eye could see. By the side of the gate hung an old weather beaten "Keep Off" sign and beneath that was a call box that led to the main house where a control of some kind buzzed it open after Thea had gotten out of the car and spoken softly into the receiver.
Seconds later the gate swung slowly open, creaking on its rusty hinges. Thea returned and moved the car forward onto the premises of Brookdale Lodge. Still thinking of the "Keep Off" sign, Lisa suddenly felt like a trespasser, and for a brief foreboding moment, fought a strange impulse to run from the car and back out the gate, until she heard the responding snap of metal against metal as the gate closed by electronic control behind her.
The car slowly made its way around the graveled roadway, passing a grove of trees, then rounded the corner that curved into the circled driveway in front of the main house. Lisa looked up at the imposing edifice, giving an inward shudder that she hoped went unnoticed by her aunt. What an eerie place! It lay nestled in a grove of tall trees like an overbearing neglected antique. At one time, it must have been stately and stylish, but neglect now gave it the grimness of an old feudal castle. Lisa could see a huge clustered chimney jutting up the side of the house, casting weird shadows against the shingled exterior, and patches of mossy growth on the shaded spots in the crevices of the peaked roof. As they passed, she got a brief glimpse at the grove of trees behind that contained a group of small bungalows, surrounded by a growth of wild bushes and weeds that grew over three feet high. The frontal part of the old mansion was grotesquely decorated with curved lattices and small diamond-shaped windows. A beam of light flickered from the base of the building in the far corner, suggesting a small cellar window, and she wondered what shadowy and gloomy things could be in these rooms below the house.
The car stopped and Thea helped Lisa with her belongings up to the wooden arched doorway. It now opened with a huge sigh, and Dr. Quinn stepped forward to greet them.
"My welcome to Brookdale, Miss Carter," he grinned down at her through his small gray teeth, "we've been looking forward to your arrival."
Dr. Quinn had a distinctive look about him and he carried himself with an air of calm self-assurance. His features were as pointed and sharp as his precise diction of speech, and he might have been handsome if it were not for the long, slightly hooked nose that curved at an irregular angle down his face. His eyes had a frigid stare in them that penetrated her very being, seeming to unclothe her hidden thoughts. Even as he was smiling his greeting to her, the cold look never left his eyes. Again, Lisa had a strong urge to leave this place as quickly as possible, but she gathered her wits, and with the aid of the tranquilizer she had taken earlier, gave him a friendly greeting and began to make small talk with Nell who had offered to show Lisa to her room so she could freshen up before dinner.
As the older woman led her up the stairs to her room and told her some of the history behind the old home, Lisa began to relax again. She could tell that Nell took a liking to her instantly, in fact she seemed to be going out of her way to be friendly to her. She followed Lisa into the room and insisted on helping her unpack her clothes, complimenting her on her beautiful wardrobe. She was particularly impressed with Lisa's sets of matching underwear that her mother had given her on Christmas. Nell's hand fondled the silk and nylon undies lovingly as she carefully stacked them in the bureau drawer. Lisa made a mental note to buy her something frilly as a gift before she left Brookdale, poor woman, she had probably never known such luxury in her life.
Nell didn't have the kind of looks that would attract many men, Lisa thought, appraising her crude, almost masculine features. Although she was probably still in her thirties, she had a stale drab look about her, matronly and unfeminine. Her face was devoid of any trace of cosmetic, not even lipstick, and her eyebrows were thick and unruly, peaking out from the ruffled bangs of her short cropped hair. Her whole body was rounded, not fat or stout, but firm and muscular with her strong calves almost brushing against each other as she awkwardly made her way around the room. When she spoke, her voice was surprisingly deep and slightly hoarse.
"Dinner's at seven. You've just enough time to take a nap and relax for a bit, but first I'll fix a bath for you, it's right over here." She paused and opened the door at the side of her bed, "See, you'll have your own private bathroom while you're at Brookdale, and you can consider me your private nurse. I'm here to see that you're as comfortable as possible." Nell paused and gave the girl a tender look, then disappeared into the bathroom and started running the water.
"That's all right Nell, I'm fine really," Lisa protested. She wanted the woman to leave so she could be alone with her thoughts for a while.
"Nonsense, Lisa. Now get undressed and get into the tub before the water gets cold. I'm the nurse and I know what's best for you. You've been through a trying ordeal," she continued, setting out the soap and towels, "and a good soak will calm your nerves."
Lisa obediently removed all her clothes, hoping to get rid of her overly-helpful ward, and walked into the bathroom just as Nell was turning off the water in the almost over brimming tub.
"That's a girl," Nell said approvingly. "Now, be careful or you'll slip, here let me help you."
Before she could protest, Nell had firmly clasped her hands under her armpits and was gently easing her body into the tepid water.
"Lean forward, and I'll loosen the muscles at the base of your neck," she said, reaching under the long golden tresses of the young girl's neck and beginning a film rhythmic massage on her taunt nerve-tensed muscles.
Lisa arched back against the rotating pressure, the cords in her strained neck standing out, as the squeezing behind her began to release all the tensions that had built up inside her.
"Oooooh, that feels so goood, so gooood," she half moaned, thoroughly enjoying the probing fingers that were expertly relaxing her tightly-strung muscles.
"Your muscles are too tight and balled up, my dear," Nell replied as she secretly surveyed the white youthful hack that curved delicately down to the surface of the water. "We must take care of that."
Lisa relaxed her shoulders against the pressure and let her full ripe breasts skim the surface of the water. The billowing steam pulled and penetrated at her pores, expanding them, while the heat consumed her body until she felt limp and water logged.
"Step out now," Nell commanded gently, "and I'll give you a quick rub down." She reached over and grabbed two hand towels, wrapping them into terry cloth mitts as Lisa staggered out of the bath, almost overcome by the heat. As she stood there, Nell worked expertly over her naked body, slapping and massaging, until her skin felt tingly and alive again.
In the steam filled room Lisa could not see the lust filled eyes of the older woman as she worked slavishly over her beautiful firm body, lewdly taking in each crevice and peak, almost working herself into a sexual frenzy. Nell controlled herself for the time being as her mind raced over a scheme to enjoy this lush body at a more opportune moment. Right now she had gone as far as she dared, besides Dr. Quinn would be wondering about now what was taking her so long, the sadistic bastard.
"That's a girl," Nell said handing Lisa the blue fleece robe from her suitcase. "Put this on and you won't catch cold. I'll come back and wake you in time to get dressed for dinner." She scurried out of the room and was gone before Lisa had a chance to thank her for her kind attention.
At seven o'clock they were all clustered around the huge oak dining table, waiting for dinner to be served. Candles graced the floral center piece under the linen table cloth and the table was set with a beautiful antique crested silver service. Although the chair at the head of the table was cushioned with red velvet, the rest were straight and stiff. Dr. Quinn sat there now with an almost kingly nature and quietly passed the food around the table. Nell rushed in and out from the kitchen, first bringing in a steaming cauldron of onion broth. The hearty aroma wafted over to Lisa's nostrils arousing her hunger sensations. The rest of the meal was equally plain but substantial, roast beef with vegetables. When Nell brought in the po tau creme chocolat for desert, Dr. Quinn raised his eyebrows in mild surprise.
"You've outdone yourself, tonight, Nell," he remarked dryly as he sampled the dash. "This is what I call truly inspired cookery."
After coffee, Dr. Quinn hurriedly excused himself and stepped into the kitchen where Nell was washing the dishes.
"Come to my office as soon as you're through here, I have something I want you to do for me."
Back at the table, Thea, who had said little during the meal pushed back her chair, and dabbed nervously at the corners of her mouth with the top of her napkin.
"Lisa, I have to go into town tonight and attend to some important business," she announced apologetically, "just make yourself at home. There are plenty of books in the library if you wish to read." She walked over and lightly brushed her lips against the girl's forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast," she said and disappeared up the stairs to her room.
Nell completed her chores in the kitchen and made her way to the doctor's study. What does that weasel want now, she thought, tapping lightly on the door, from the sarcastic remark he made at the dinner table, she half suspected that he knew about her plans for Lisa.
"Come in Nell." He was sitting at his desk studying his lab book, and didn't look up as she entered the room.
"Yes sir?"
He glanced up at her impatiently as if she had broken his train of thought, then reached in a drawer and handed her a small paper envelope.
"This is a strong sedative. I want you to give it to the girl before she goes to bed. I don't want her wandering around here when I'm working on my experiments. In the meantime, I want you to keep a constant eye on her… but try to be subtle Nell. There's no need to alarm her, if possible. That way both of our jobs will be easy. The powder is tasteless, but very powerful. It should knock her out until morning, at which time I will expect you to continue your vigilance. Did you save some food for Garth?"
"Yes sir, I took it to his room while the rest were eating. He's very restless, sir. I don't like to be around him alone when he's been locked up for so long."
"Don't worry about Garth. Despite his appearance, he's nothing but an overgrown child and the very reason why you have trouble controlling him is because he senses that you're afraid of him," he said impatiently then looked back down at his notebook, dismissing her without a word.
Nell almost laughed with joy as she made her way back to the kitchen. The kind doctor had solved her problem with the sedative. Now she could have Lisa's unprotesting body completely under her power. Her body ached with burning desire as lewd thoughts of Lisa's softly curved white flesh surrendering to her touch filled her thoughts.
"Now we shall see, my love," she muttered under her breath as she hurried to finish her chores in the kitchen. She shuddered in anticipation of the love play she would enjoy with the beautiful unconscious girl tonight. She could still picture the rising pointed breasts, pulsating in the steamed room, and marveled now at the control she maintained while rubbing the soft yielding flesh in her hands. The sexual stimulation surging through her body then, was almost more than she could stand. But tonight she would be rewarded for her patience, she thought, as she obscenely pictured the various positions she would have the helpless girl in while she expressed her love.
After dinner, Thea quickly made her way back to her room before the others could see what pain she was in. She had waited too long to contact Erik, and now she was completely out of supplies. Thank God, she had stashed away some methadone hydrochloride in a safe hiding place for an emergency such as this. She frantically dug beneath the garments in the bottom drawer of her dresser and pulled out a small plastic bottle, shaking it empty of its contents. Only ten milligrams left, she thought desperately, as she swallowed the strong narcotic in one guick gulp. This will only last me an hour or two at the most… I must get ahold of Erik, she thought frantically, as she picked up the phone on her nightstand and nervously dialed the number.
"Yes?"
"Erik… this is Thea… I must see you tonight… Right now."
"Oh yes, Thea my darling," his thick voice drooled over the phone with a casual air of indifference. "I've missed you my pet. You haven't been by to see me for so long."
"Cut the shit," she whispered hoarsely. "You know what I want."
"Yes, my dear, I do know what you want… but, I'm afraid my stock is very low right now. I would suggest that you call me next week."
"Next week," she echoed, panic mounting in her voice. "I can't see you next week. I must see you tonight."
"Very well, my dear. Come to my gallery and ring the bell. I'll be upstairs in my room," he responded teasingly, "We can discuss your purchase there."
Thea slammed the phone down and grabbed a coat from the closet. That dirty refugee bastard was thoroughly enjoying the power he held over her now. She wondered what sly ideas were in his vile filthy mind, but she didn't care, all she wanted right now was a fix.
For the first time in almost a week, Lisa felt completely relaxed and comfortable. She stretched her long legs luxuriously beneath the sheets and nestled down deeper under the covers. A few moments ago, Nell had come to her room when she was reading, bringing her a large glass of warm milk. It was just what she needed to down the tranquilizer. Now she could be assured a good night's rest. Just before the deep slumber penetrated her body, she was vaguely conscious of footsteps approaching her door, softly but with determination. She thought she could hear a soft murmur, a shadow of human utterance, then deep, deep sleep blackened her dreamy thoughts.