THE PLUNGE
by Neil Burns
NOTE: My own little contribution to Eliza's HELM/MARTA vignettes. Beta'd by Ms. Eliza herself.
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Thank God this bloody day is almost over. Doctor Robert Helm had spent an exhausting day binding soldiers either hurt from Montoya's sadistic military drills or run-ins with the Queen of Swords, gossiping from Santa Helena's aristocratic ladies and Dona Vera Hidalgo's shameless flirting. In fact, Helm was examining her while she tried everything to attract his interest. How Don Hidalgo puts up with this is beyond me. It's a miracle there haven't been any duels over her yet. As soon, as Helm gently sent the Dona on her way, he hung a sign on the door-CERRADO-and closed it. Unbeknownst to him, two pairs of eyes watched him.
"Poor Dr. Helm." Marta smiled. "He looks exhausted."
"He does," Tessa Alvarado replied. "Come let us get groceries. Colonel Montoya will be coming over at 7:30."
Tessa and her duena/sister figure Marta had come into town to pick up groceries for a dinner party she was having for Colonel Luis Montoya. She was also aware of Marta's trips to Dr. Helm's office, supposedly for "medical reasons". The first two she accepted, but when it came to the fourth or so, Tessa was getting the impression the Marta/Helm sessions had nothing to do with medicinal herbs. And from the mischievous smile on the older woman's face, Marta was planning another "visit".
"You run along, Tessita." Marta cooed huskily. "I need to talk to Dr. Helm about a salve with hemlock and bay leafs. Be only a minute."
Before Tessa could do anything, Marta was gliding to Helm's office. Oh Marta! You are asking for trouble! Marta was older than Tessa by almost a good dozen years and was a perceptive, wise woman. Yet, when it came to the Ingles, she almost seemed to be a giddy child. Sighing, she went to collect the groceries and, afterward, to hopefully stop Marta before things became very ugly.
Meanwhile, Helm was filling up a large tub in the living quarters section of his office/lodgings with hot water. Thank God I caught Montoya in a good mood when I requested this. He then disrobed and got in, the warm water immediately soothing his muscles. He then lit up a cigar, courtesy of Montoya's cousin Alfredo who ran a tobacco plantation in Cuba, and leaned back with a beatific smile on his face. Suddenly, he heard the bell in the outer office ring indicating someone had entered.
Bloody Hell! Can't I even have even five minutes peace and quiet?!
"We're closed." Helm called out. "So bugger off!"
The door to the apartment opened and Tessa Alvarado's duena Marta entered, a wicked smile playing on her sharp-featured face. Her eyes glittered with bad intentions as she studied the handsome figure resting in the water.
"Good day, Marta," Helm greeted politely.
"Good afternoon, doctor." Marta's low voice seemed huskier. "What an odd expression."
"What? 'Bugger off'? It means 'don't bother me'."
"I see." Marta walked over to the tub and took Helm's cigar from his mouth. She took a few gentle puffs before reinserting it in his lips.
"I'm closed so I can't help you."
"Oh, yes you can."
To his surprise, Marta began to strip off her clothing while giggling like a schoolgirl. Before Helm could say or do anything, Marta was in the tub with him. Removing the cigar, her lips locked passionately onto his as her fingers began gliding up and down his body.
"Marta!" Helm finally disengaged himself. "What the hell are you doing?!"
"Come, Robert. We both want the same thing. No more games."
Meanwhile, Tessa was standing outside Helm's office tapping her foot impatiently. I need to see the doctor about a salve. Be only a minute. Tessa recalled Marta's words. That was fifteen minutes ago! What was she doing in there with Dr. Helm? Tessa then recalled Marta's other visits and realized that "misadventure" was afoot. She even had to come as the Queen of Swords after she and Marta argued to stop a possible scandal. That woman is a cat in heat! She gets into trouble and it will be bad for me as well. Sighing and hoping nobody else would come by, Tessa entered the outer office. The room was empty, but there were voices and a woman's giggling from the doctor's apartment. Marta was in there. Shaking her head, she silently opened the door and her mouth dropped at the sight greeting her: Marta and Dr. Helm were in Helm's tub in the throes of rapture. The Gypsy's hand was caressing the doctor's body as her lips kissed every inch of his face.
"What about your mistress, Marta?" Helm queried, though he didn't sound particularly concerned.
"Robert." Marta planted another long wet kiss on his lips. "I love Tessita like my own daughter, but she does not control my life."
Tessa was a bit taken aback at that statement. Whatever made her think I control her life?
"If I wish to entertain a gentleman, I will and to hell with social propriety. And to hell with that little spoiled brat."
Helm was a little surprised at this rather flippant attitude given the fact that the two women were inseparable. He felt himself stiffening as Marta continued to caress him gently-especially in the nether region, seeming to purr in contentment. Tessa herself was stung by her friend's words. A spoiled brat? I have always treated her and others with decency. She is asking for trouble if this continues. Tessa loudly cleared her throat. No response.
"Am I interrupting anything?" she queried gently.
Helm's head shot in her direction, his expression one of absolute shock as Marta shrieked angrily as her face locked onto her charge's, eyes narrowed into icy slits. A pitying, bemused smile graced Tessa's face.
"Good afternoon," Helm greeted, finally able to somewhat regain his dignity while Marta glared at Tessa wishing she had a knife in her had at that moment.
"Good afternoon, Dr. Helm. I suppose this is standard procedure for all your patients."
She is actually cute when she attempts sarcasm.
"Well, I just wanted a quiet bath to relax, but Fate seemed to have other ideas."
"Marta," Tessa purred as she went to sit on the side of the tub and held Marta to her, her fingers caressing the older woman's hair. "I do not control your life, that is true."
A consoling hand rubbed the Gypsy's bare back.
"And, personally, I do not care with whom you are intimate with. But people talk and this might get very ugly very quickly."
"Tessita," Marta replied, removing Tessa's hand and holding it. "I do not give a DAMN about social etiquette. You said if I wanted Robert, I could have him. Well, I want him and I am having him."
Tessa turned to Helm for some support, but he merely shrugged and puffed on his cigar, "Of course," he interjected dryly. "God forbid a lowly Gypsy would want happiness."
"Dr. Helm. I am trying to protect my friend. Spanish society is very rigid and there are rules of conduct."
"Perhaps Marta doesn't need your protection. She is a grown woman capable of making her own decisions."
"I know. But some things are not hers to decide."
"Like who to love?" Marta laughed harshly. "I see. You want the doctor to yourself after all."
Helm was suddenly feeling rather uncomfortable. On the one hand, here were two beautiful women arguing over him. On the other hand, if someone-say Montoya-were to suddenly walk in, it would be difficult to explain.
"Marta." Tessa sighed. "I told you, I am not interested in the doctor. I am interested in your well being."
"And I told you that I don't care about your social propriety." Marta's voice rang with steely defiance."
Tessa stood regarding them for a moment. I am trying to do the right thing and avoid a scandal. Yet, strangely, they do make an adorable couple.
"I know you do not," Tessa began rubbing Marta's back again. "but others do. Montoya might have you arrested for trying to seduce the doctor or some asinine charge. However, if you wish to continue this at the hacienda-very discreetly-then I suppose I have no objection."
Marta beamed widely as her charge got up to leave. She stopped at the door and turned around.
"Who knows?" Tessa continued. "I may even join you two." A wicked wink then the younger Alvarado left.
Helm tried to decipher that particular statement as Marta resumed her attack on him. It was indeed quite a "relaxing" afternoon for both doctor and Gypsy.
THE END