Sadie perches gracefully at her dressing table, the rich mahogany gleaming beneath the soft glow of candlelight as she meticulously runs her brush through the lustrous waves of her chestnut curls.
With each subtle creak of the old mansion, her heart leaps in anticipation, yearning for the sound of Elise's gentle knock upon her chamber door.
At long last, a timid tap echoes through the hushed expanse of Sadie's bedroom, announcing Elise's arrival. With a flutter of anticipation, Sadie's gaze meets Elise's reflection in the mirror, her pulse quickening at the sight of Elise's delicate figure framed by flickering shadows.
Wisps of dark hair escape the confines of Elise's bonnet, dancing playfully around her face. Her brown eyes, framed by thick lashes, hold a depth of emotion that stirs Sadie's heart.
"Mr. Sinclair mentioned you required my assistance in preparing for bed," Elise ventures, her voice soft and tentative as she approaches Sadie's side.
"Yes," Sadie replies, her voice a breathless whisper, her heart pounding with excitement and trepidation. I... I need help with the buttons," she confesses, her cheeks flushing as she meets Elise's gaze in the mirror. The intensity of their connection sparks a flame of longing within her soul.
Elise nods, her fingers knowingly working to unloop the polished brass buttons that trace a path from Sadie's shoulders to the snug confines of her corset. Sadie watches their reflection in the mirror, her breath catching in her throat as Elise's hands move with practiced precision, never once meeting her gaze.
"This dress is simply exquisite, Miss Sinclair," Elise remarks, expressing genuine admiration. A shy smile tugs at Elise's lips as their eyes finally meet in the mirror. "Sadie., I mean."
"It belonged to my mother," Sadie confides, her voice laced with a hint of nostalgia. "Charles Worth designed it especially for her. He created many of her gowns. She always said he alone knew how to fit her figure."
With the last button undone, the magnificent lace and chiffon garment cascades gracefully to the floor, revealing Sadie's thin contours. Behind her, Elise delicately removes the intricate emerald and pearl hair accessory that complements the necklace adorning Sadie's slender neck.
"He seems to have a knack for fitting you as well," Elise murmurs, her breath warm against Sadie's skin.
Sadie's voice cuts through the hush as Elise's fingers hover near the elegant necklace. "Leave it," she insists, her eyes locking with Elise's in the mirror's reflection.
"Should I continue," Elise asks, her hands perched softly on Sadie's shoulders.
"Yes," Sadie whispers, sounding like a plea. Her body yearns to feel Elise's touch.
Elise traces the back line of Sadie's corset as she moves to the small bustle. Her fingers quickly unbind the ribbons, and she expertly moves the bustle down Sadie's body.
Sadie looks at herself in the mirror, her body pulsating and exposed. Elise gently pushes Sadie back into her plush high-back seat and sits on the floor in front of her.
Sadie begins to speak but feels Elise's hands move up her stockings to her garters. Her breath catches in her throat as she feels Elise linger on the garters a few moments longer than needed.
Elise gently unbuckles the stockings from Sadie's garters and rolls them down her slender legs. As she removes the stockings, Sadie can feel the heat from Elise's hands and body.
Taking Sadie by the hands, Elise stands and turns Sadie to face the mirror. Elise unlaces the whalebone corset and watches it sink to the floor.
Now, her sheer chemise was the only barrier between her skin and Elise's. Sadie whirls around.
Before Elise can respond, Sadie's lips are on hers. At first, Elise's body is rigid and tense, but she quickly responds, allowing Sadie's tongue to playfully dance with hers.
A quiet moan escapes Sadie, and her hands move from the gentle curve of Elise's long neck to the front of her body. Sadie slowly traces the stiff collar of Elise's gown, allowing her fingers to explore the fabric and move down her high neckline.
As Sadie's fingers continue to move down Elise's chest, she can feel the corset underneath the thin fabric of her dress.
Elise takes a step back, both women breathless. "I do not think this is right," Elise says, leaving her hands in Sadie's.
Sadie gazes sincerely into Elise's eyes, searching for the precise words to describe her feelings. In her mind, Sadie knows they should not continue, but her heart and body are screaming for more.
"Why do you think this is not right," Sadie questions, closing the small space between their bodies. Sadie's hand caresses Elise's jawline, causing Elise to pant anxiously.
Between soft moans, Elise answers, "I know you are meant to marry Mr. Harrington."
Sadie's fingers move from Elise's jawline to her neck. Running her nimble finger up and down, Elise's gently curved neckline sends jolts of electricity through Sadie's body. She has never felt this way with anyone before in her life.
"That is what my father wishes," Sadie whispers in Elise's ear. "It is not necessarily what I want."
"What do you want, Miss Sinclair," Elise purrs.
Sadie does not answer. Instead, her tongue begins to trace the outline of Elise's ear. Her mouth moves across Elise's jawline and meets her open, waiting lips.
The allure between the two women explodes as Elise pushes Sadie back into her chair. Her hands, quick but tender, remove the chemise from Sadie's perfectly curved body, uncovering Sadie's flawless breasts.
Elise's mouth quickly moves to Sadie's breast, her tongue tracing circles all the way.
Sadie tilts in her chair, arching her back and pushing her body as close to Elise's as possible.
Pricks of excitement jump from each nerve in her body as Elise's tongue searches and finds her nipple.
"Oh, yes," Sadie murmurs, permitting her body to completely succumb to Elise's tongue.
"Are you sure, Sadie," Elise seductively questions as her hand starts to trace a path from Sadie's erect nipple to her stomach and then to her petticoat?
Sadie manages to whisper only "Please" before Elise's hand slips beneath the petticoat and touches her skin.
Both women begin to moan and pant, their bodies reacting to every touch, every breath.
A sudden knock at the door halts the adventure. "Sadie," her father calls from the other side of the door. "Can I have a moment, please?"
Before Sadie realizes what is happening, Elise's hands and tongue are removed from Sadie's body. She quickly hands Sadie her dressing gown and moves to the door to allow Mr. Sinclair to enter.
As the door opens, Elise greets Edwin and shifts to Sadie, who is still dazed and disoriented. "I shall see you tomorrow morning, Ma'am."
Elise shuts the door as she exits, leaving Sadie feeling unfulfilled but desperate for more.