Flirt in Training

By ABs and Toni

Embarrassed, and not very good on a horse, Melissa kept her head down most of the trip back to the Manor. The change in her was so drastic, however, that Patrise could not get his eyes off of her and nearly rode into a ditch! When that happened, and Brenda teased him for it (he was an excellent horseman), Mel realized why and suddenly felt much better about herself.

They managed to reach the Manor without anyone getting hurt, fortunately, and some of the other "tenants" met them in front, looking curiously and with undisguised admiration at the newcomer. DeBracy took the horses after introducing himself to her and leading them back to the stables, and that left Brenda and Mel facing some very handsome men indeed. Brenda told them to at least let the poor girl get inside before they started chatting, and as the two women walked into the building, the small group of men happily followed behind them.

Melissa was on cloud nine! First Maurice DeBracy took her horse and now she was surrounded by men who looked like her favorite actors! She didn't know the actor who had brought Brenda's love (and others) to life, but he certainly was *handsome*!

Brenda smiled to see that she was more happy than nervous about meeting the men she'd be living with, but she also knew she would have to have a talk with her about not plunging headlong into things, especially concerning them. Rayden had done a wonderful job of bringing out her inner beauty, and it was now up to the older woman to help her manage it, before she ended up brokenhearted. As the two women sat at the dining room table having something to eat, Brenda reminded her charges that they all had chores to do, of one type or another. They all looked disappointed, but slowly left, until finally the women were alone and could talk.

Melissa looked after them longingly. "Can't they stay? I want to speak to them! All of them! I want to . . ." She suddenly blushed, her thoughts clear on her young face.

Brenda knew exactly what she wanted to do, and smiled softly, "Melissa . . . you will get to speak to them all you want, because you, as well as they, will be living here. But you have to learn to . . . well, to pace yourself. Try not to let adoring looks and compliments turn your head to the point where you can no longer see what you're doing. What I'm trying to say is, despite the strength of the physical attraction you both may feel, it's not necessary to sleep with any of them before you are ready to. *You*, not them. You are the one who should decide where and when you become intimate, if you do, and not let them talk you into it before you do. Do you understand what I am saying?" She hoped the younger woman did; she'd never had to have this talk with her son.

"I guess," said Melissa with a pout. She had other ideas in her head - fantasies she'd never tell the older, motherly, woman.

Of course, the older woman had had fantasies of her own, as every woman did, but contained a smile as she said softly, "Good. Now let's go and settle you into your room, shall we?" And together, they cleared the dishes, then started up the large main staircase to the bedrooms. Brenda had known from the first time she saw the transformed young woman that she would be sleeping on the same floor as her own room was located.

On the way up, they passed the knight VIMs, who all seemed to be coming down the stairway at once. At first Melissa wanted to stop and talk with them, but remembering Patrise's reaction and Brenda's words, she just smiled and explained, "Brenda is showing me to my *bed*room." She stressed the first word and got the desired look from DeBracy, Boterel, Dudley and Patrise.

Brenda sighed, but let it pass. Soon, they were in Mel's room; it was spacious and airy, and had a wonderful view of the surrounding natural beauty. There was a large walk in closet in the room, and two good-sized dressers, along with a dressing table in one corner. The bed itself was queen sized, and looked very nice with the drapes descending from its canopy top drawn back and tied. The whole room looked as though female royalty was staying there, and Brenda asked, "What do you think? If there's something you'd like to change, that can easily be done." She waited for her reply.

Mel glanced around quickly, then said, "It's fine." Seeing then that Brenda was disappointed, she backpedaled, "No, really! It's lovely. I just spent so much time in my room back on earth - I'm hoping to get out a little more here."

Brenda's expression brightened a little, and she smiled, "Oh, I'm sure that will be no problem at all. There is so much to see and do in this place, and you can do it without fear of being attacked every moment. There are usually a lot of things going on with the other ladies, they're always having a gathering here or there, and there are some lovely shops in the marketplace in town. . . it goes without saying that a person could explore the countryside for miles on horseback or hiking without ever getting tired of it. Once you get settled in and start to know everyone, I'm sure you'll be kept more than busy enough."

Mel's eyes sparkled with mischief but she kept them averted. "I suppose I should learn how to ride, then?"

"Oh, you'll have to; it's practically a requirement here. Any of the knights can teach you, they are all wonderful riders, and even the 'civilians' have become expert. Our Master of the Horse is Lord Robert Dudley. . . he's a bit snobbish, but he's a good teacher. Maybe tomorrow we can set up an appointment with him for your first lesson." Brenda was already figuring out in her head what a good time would be to approach him about it.

"Why tomorrow?" asked Melissa eagerly.

"Well. . .because it'll be getting dark in a little while, and it's best to start these things in the morning, when everyone is fresh and you can see where you're going. Don't worry, Melissa; with your natural intelligence, I'm sure you'll be riding just as expertly as the men in no time at all, there's no reason to rush things. Now, if you'd like to rest a bit before dinner, that should be ready in about an hour or so."

Melissa said, "All right," but she could not rest and could not understand why Brenda wanted her to. She was eighteen, not eighty! But it did seem a good thing to have Brenda out of the way a bit, so she could do some snooping on her own.

Brenda looked pleased as she smiled, "Good! Then I will come to call you in an hour from now. See you then! Rest well." In a few minutes, the older woman had left, closing the door behind her. Melissa was now completely alone in her room. As soon as she was sure Brenda was out of the way, she slipped out of the room to check things out!