The Gardener of Aria Manor by A. L. Duncan

Author:A. L. Duncan [Duncan, A. L.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance, Lesbian, Historical
ISBN: 9781619291584
Publisher: Yellow Rose by RCE
Published: 2014-03-27T23:00:00+00:00

THE ORIENT EXPRESS was scheduled to sit in the station for several hours, which gave the crew time for minor service and the passengers a chance to visit Budapest. The Budapest Art Museum was hosting an exhibit on Roman and Greek pottery and sculpture from their cultural peaks, and Janie and Ilene had plenty of time to stroll through the rooms and view the many wonders of the ancient world.

Several women were whispering amongst themselves about the blatant male attributes of the Poseidon and Zeus nudes. Overhearing, Janie couldn’t help but comment to Ilene, “Poor devil has no more between his legs than I have in a middle finger.”

Blushing, Ilene grabbed Janie’s arm as they laughed and walked on, oblivious to the women gawking.

In another gallery, they studied Winged Victory and the Venus de Milo, admiring the line and shape of each form, now and again glancing appraisingly at one another. In front of a more modern piece of sculpture, Janie noted Ilene’s apparent awe at the artistry of the entwined figures.

“Remind you of someone?” Janie asked. “You have that look in your eye.”

Ilene quickly shook her head.

“I think you have thought of a white lie to confess to me,” Janie said in a whisper as she brushed past her. “I’m not the first woman you’ve kissed, am I?”

“Lower your voice,” Ilene murmured. “Must we discuss this now?”

“We’re alone.” Janie’s gesture encompassed the empty room. “Just you, me, and Venus. And don’t mind Venus. She’s heard this sort of talk before, you know, on an occasion or two.”

Maintaining her composer, Ilene drifted over to a piece of sculpture entitled The Rape of Andromeda. “How did you know?”

“You didn’t shy away last night. You came to me, fully aware of your intentions. You didn’t even ask how to please me.”

Ilene avoided Janie’s eyes. “I’ve had fantasies...”

“Fantasies always have an element of truth to them.” They moved to the next gallery. “Does your father know?”

“Absolutely not!” Before Janie could question further, Ilene added, “But that was a very long time ago. I was curiously fearless then.”

“I’m intrigued. Who was it?”

Ilene’s reply was barely audible. “A cousin.” When Janie gasped, Ilene hastily added,

“Third cousin, once removed.”

“Was she pretty?”

“Beautiful. I wanted to be like her. I wanted to do the things she had done and see all the places she had seen. We spent many Christmases and summer months together at her parents’ cottage in Somersby. It was a time when my father was often away in Africa.”

“And?”

“And,” Ilene giggled, “one Christmas we ran up to her room together and she kissed me. She said she had wanted to do that for some time. We shared her bed, as we always had, but that night we cuddled in each other’s arms.” She sighed. “I hadn’t thought of her for all these years. Certainly not before last night.”

Janie smiled warmly at Ilene’s sudden blush. “What are you thinking now?”

“How being with you ignites my desire. You’re a torch I can’t extinguish, nor do I wish to.

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