Erotic Stories - The Connemara Club

Dublin, Thursday 7 January 1892 - The Funeral

The sleet was coating the ground in a soaking cold grey slush that mirrored the sullen grey of the sky. Marie stood silently as the last couple of scoundrels muttered some half-hearted attempts at consolation and shuffled of to find a pub; somewhere to drown whatever conscience remained. 

Marie looked down at the coffin in the grave and thought to herself "Well, Edward Patrick Fitzhume, you bastard, you've finally managed to destroy us both haven't you!" 

Twenty years old and newly widowed, the debts left by her drunkard husband would mean that the bailiffs would take the house within the week. The coffin was just another debt which she could not afford. Mr McElduff the funeral director had agreed, for a few pennies, to let the few who turned up to the funeral see a proper burial. Later he would take the coffin back, after the congregation had gone home, to leave Edward in a pauper's grave.

Three years ago it had seemed such an adventure to elope with this dashing young man with fine prospects. The 'last of the Fitzhumes' Edward had had a good inheritance which he had drunk and gambled away in less than two years. A further year of desperate schemes and drunken nights with his low-life companions had left them badly in debt. But Edward was the last of his line and her own family had disowned her for marrying the son of their protestant neighbours. Her brothers had vowed to kill them both if they ever set foot in Buncrana again. So now Marie found that she had no one to turn to for help and nothing to look forward to but the poorhouse. 

She was startled to realise that she had been standing bemoaning her misfortune for at least an hour for it was beginning to get dark. Even more of a surprise was that a tall well-dressed gentleman was standing sheltering under a nearby tree watching her intently. Her first reaction was to turn and hurry out of the cemetery, but she thought that this stranger must be there for a reason and he was too well dressed for a bailiff so she went over to him. 

"Sir, I don't think I know you. Are you an acquaintance of my husband?" 

He replied in the soft English accent of the middle classes "Mrs Fitzhume, first let me express my deepest sympathy with you in this saddest of times." 

"I represent a charitable society whose intention is to assist young men and women who have fallen on hard times back on to their feet. Here is my card. If you are interested please call to the address on it and I, or one of my colleagues, will explain further." And with that, he turned and walked away back into the gathering gloom of the evening. 

Marie watched him leave and then walked back to the house that would for another couple of days remain home. As she turned into Garfield Street she realised that with the funeral she hadn't eaten anything all day and there was little in the house to be eaten. She stopped at O'Donaghy's shop at the corner to get some bread and cheese. Tom O'Donaghy saw her come and shook his head sadly. 

"It's a real shame Marie, but Edward has left you with a big debt and no credit" 

Marie realised that she could be facing hunger even sooner than she had feared "Tom, we have been neighbours and good customers for two years isn't there something I can do around the shop to keep a line of credit open" 

O'Donaghy thought for a moment and then replied, "There may be something we can work out. Tell you what, come around here behind the counter and we will see what we can work out." 

Marie sighed with relief and walked around to see Tom O'Donaghy on the other side of the counter only to gasp as she saw him standing there, trousers pulled around is knees, and a stiffening erection in his hand. He leered back at her "Get your lips around this darlin' and we'll see about getting you a fresh line of credit". 

She turned and ran for home not daring to look back. By the time she got to the front door her eyes were so full of tears she could barely see to put the key in the lock. She wrenched the door open and stepping into the hall slammed it behind her. "That Bastard" she thought "Edward only just in his grave and him demanding sex in exchange for a handful of stale bread and some sour cheese". The problem was that as a penniless widow in Dublin, life was only going to get tougher. God she was hungry. She searched through the cupboards to find something edible without luck, just some stale bread and scrape of rancid butter that had her gagging after the first tentative bite. Marie took the bottle of gin that she knew Edward had hidden at the back of the larder and poured herself a stiff measure and then went to the bedroom. 

On top of the wardrobe she took down a hatbox and removed a small round iced cake; the top tier of the wedding cake that Edward had bought for them. It was meant to be eaten at the christening of their first child, but three years on, no children and now no husband it was the only food she had. 

Marie sat down on the stairs with a resigned sigh and sipped the gin as she ate the cake, tears glistening in her eyes. She felt she just had to get out of the house. She pulled on her coat and, sticking the bottle of gin into her handbag, she held on to the remaining chunk of the cake she walked out into the Dublin night. 

It had begun to snow and, with the temperature falling even further below freezing, the streets were rapidly becoming deserted. As she walked into the city centre she noticed that even the streetwalkers had deserted the streets. Eventually she found herself standing on a bridge over the River Liffey. Watching the water sweeping underneath inky black on this dark night, Marie hoisted herself on to the balustrade, sat down and took the gin from her bag and the remains of the cake from her coat pocket. 

She took a sip of gin and a bite of cake and then giggled, "Marie Antoinette was right after all, let them eat cake." It was all too much to cope with so why bother? After all, no one would miss her, apart from the creditors and they could go to hell in a handcart. But the river's inky surface looked cold and unforgiving. Perhaps if she watched it flow below her for a while it might not seem so bad. 

Marie realised with a start that she was not alone and that someone was standing behind her. Without daring to look around she asked, "Who is there?" 

A rough Dublin accent replied "It’s alright love. I am sure he's not worth it, but I'm damned if I am going in after you if you jump." 

Marie turned around to see a small woman in shabby clothes looking up at her. "Who are you?" she asked. 

"I'm Kitty" She replied, "Kitty Dornan, and you are?" 

"Marie...my name is Marie. It’s ok... I ....was just looking at the river I wasn't going to do anything stupid." 

Kitty looked back sceptically and said, "It's a cold night to be out and there won't be any more trade tonight, do you want to go for a cup of coffee?" 

Marie jumped back down onto the pavement and said "Coffee sounds wonderful" and then added "but I'm not a prostitute if that's what you think." 

Kitty shook her head "You may not be, but I am, and like I said it's too cold for trade. Come on" and with that she marched off to find somewhere warm. 

Marie followed and shortly they found themselves in a small coffee shop off Westmoreland Street. Between them they had enough pennies for some coffee and some scones which Marie, manners forgotten, wolfed down as Kitty looked on in amusement. 

"You haven't been eating well have you?" 

Feeling warm, well fed and slightly tipsy from the gin Marie proceeded to tell the whole tale from the first she set eyes on the handsome young man in Donegal to ending up sitting on a bridge in Dublin in the snow. 

Kitty who had been enthralled by the tale remarked, "Sure, that's a grand tale worthy of Dickens himself" and then grinned "and that dirty bastard of a shopkeeper" 

Marie shuddered "To have sex with a man you don't love, for food, well that's ...." 

"What I do" Kitty said bluntly "Give me a few minutes on my back or against a wall if it keeps food on the table and my two boys healthy. My man is in Kilmainham Gaol for punching a policeman and until he gets out what else is there." 

Marie nodded, embarrassed "I am sorry....he just made me feel cheap and well...dirty" 

"That's because it can, but not always. Dublin is a city of whores, some of them like me walk the streets, some of them are grand ladies in carriages and fine houses. Take that Lady 'la-di-dah' Olivia Craig; she's as much a whore as me only she shags the gentry so that makes her a society hostess. Its all a question of money, so long as men will pay and women need money some of us will get on our backs" and pulling off a glove to show Marie a gnarled, crippled hand she added "And although it has its risks, when factory work can do this to you I know I'm better off where I am." 

Marie blushed but understood. "I understand what you say. I don't know if I could do it but anything is better than starving." Then she remembered the man with the business card and pulled it out of her handbag. "At Edward's funeral a gentleman said that he represented a charity and gave me this card." Both women looked at the simple card on the front was embossed "The Connemara Club, Ormonde Quay, Dublin" and on the back was written in neat script "Please come on Friday between 9am and 1pm". 

Marie continued, "He said they were a charity who looked after men and women who had fallen on hard times". Kitty nodded and said "I think its some big fancy club on the riverside but very discrete - lots of toffs". 

The two women talked on until the coffee shop was closing and they were shown the door. As they left to go their separate ways, Marie suddenly threw her arms around Kitty and hugged her. Then, looking into her eyes, said, " Bless you and your boys! Whatever the future holds know that you have saved a life tonight because, whatever happens now, I am going to get out of this hole I am in." 

When she got home she was so exhausted that she collapsed on the bed still clothed and was asleep in seconds. 

Friday 8 January 1892 - The interview 

Marie woke early well before dawn and, setting a small fire in the hearth, was able to heat enough water to wash her hair and herself. Putting on the best clothes she had, she walked through the snow down to Ormonde Quay to find that it was only 8.30. She walked along the riverbank getting colder and more nervous as her mind still going over the previous day's events. 

At 9am sharp she walked up to the grand Georgian Building and rang the bell. A maid opened the door "Can I help you Miss?" 

Marie replied, "A gentleman handed me this card" and proffered the business card. The maid looked at the card, "Please follow me ma'am, Mr Morris will be along shortly." and with that she led Marie into the grand hall and into an opulently furnished office where she was asked to wait. 

After a couple of minutes, the gentleman whom she had met at the funeral walked into the room. "Mrs Fitzhume, My name is Gerald Morris. First of all, let me again express my condolences for your loss." 

"Thank you sir, although I am puzzled about this. I do not know you and I am sure that my husband never mentioned your name" Marie replied. 

Morris held his hand up and explained, "We are a wealthy club and we do endeavour to do good deeds. There are a number of funeral directors and doctors who cooperate with us and refer poor souls to us who are in need. Your Mr McElduff was good enough to warn me of your predicament." 

He continued, "I am sure you are wondering what we can do for you. The Connemara Club is the best, most exclusive, club in the Britain and Ireland and possibly in Europe. We boast extensive premises - which we must show you around- and the finest membership possible. Members can use the Club as somewhere to socialise and to do business during the day, in the evenings we host evenings of culture, fine food and other entertainments." 

"As a very wealthy club with a fine upstanding membership we believe that when a person of good intent falls on hard times we should intervene." With that he pulled a ten-pound note from his pocket and set it on the desk in front of Marie. "This is yours, no matter what you decide to do. So, if you want to leave, feel free. If you wish to stay we can offer you employment and a place to call home." 

Marie was almost in shock, ten pounds was not enough to pay off the creditors, but it would give her enough to get board and lodgings and go looking for work, but she was intrigued and wanted to find out more about this place. "What kind of employment do you offer sir, I can cook and clean and am not afraid of hard work." 

Mr Morris smiled "We can offer a number of positions all relatively well paid. We can always use cooks and maids." Then he paused and looked as if he was appraising her and added "However, we also have several better paid positions for women who.....how shall I put this.... specialise in entertaining our guests with intelligent conversation and with other talents." 

Marie wasn't shocked, but she was torn with indecision, if she left now with the money, life would be uncertain but she would still be better off for coming here. A servant's post and a warm room would give her security which she hadn't had for years, but she couldn't help but remember Kitty's words from the previous night. Disowned by her family and newly widowed she had almost killed herself. She realised that she was feeling reckless from the sense of escaping death. 

Morris could see that Marie was interested at his circumspect offer, but unsure how to react so he added "If you like my dear I could ask one of our ladies to give you a tour" and pressed a bell on the wall behind. 

Marie looked at him "If I take one of these 'specialised positions' what is the pay and if I choose to leave I am free to go?" 

Morris was surprised to see Marie apparently make her mind up so quickly "The pay will be £15 per week, on top of that you will receive a clothing allowance and bed and board. If you choose to leave you will be free to go and will be given severance of three weeks wages." 

Marie was shocked at the money involved. What on earth would they expect of her? But in spite of this she took a deep breath and said "Then I accept." 

A well-dressed young woman walked into the room and said "Mr Morris you rang for me?" 

Morris smiled, "Rosie, Mrs Fitzhume here has agreed to take up a post." 

Then turning to Marie he said, "I am glad that you have accepted our offer of employment, My Dear. I think you have made a wise decision. However as in all jobs we must assess whether you have the capacity to do the work. Rosie here will take you and show you around and then there will be a small test." And with that he got up and left the room. 

Rosie, a dark haired young woman with deep brown eyes, smiled and stuck out a hand "My name is Rosie McCann, will you come this way please Mrs Fitzhume." 

Marie suddenly felt extremely nervous, the adrenaline that had taken her through the interview was quickly dissipating and she wondered what on earth was likely to be in 'a small test', but this small dark haired woman seemed friendly enough. She followed Rosie out into the hall and up a grand staircase. 

"Please Rosie, call me Marie. Have you worked here long?" 

"Two years, I was on my uppers after my husband's ship went down - God rest his soul - but the gentlemen have been very good to me. And the craic is great." 

After a couple of flights of stairs and twisting corridors Marie realised that she was already lost in this labyrinthine building. "This place seems huge." 

Rosie explained, "It is actually four buildings which form a square that have been knocked together. It allows members to come and go from different entrances. There are three main club rooms, two eating rooms forty member's rooms and twenty rooms available for overnight guests, fifty rooms for the staff...oh and a Turkish bath". 

Marie looked incredulous "What in heaven's name is a Turkish bath?" 

Rosie grinned, "You'll see. And it won't be too long before you wonder how you ever managed without one. Oh! Here's your room". 

With that she opened a door and ushered Marie into a small bedroom. It was simply furnished, but spotlessly clean, warm and comfortable. Marie sat on the bed and looked around to see that there was a dressing table, a wardrobe and a bookcase. Everything was of the best quality - no second hand rubbish from the pawnbrokers here. 

Rosie sat down beside her on the bed and said, "There are some things that you should know that Mr Morris would probably not mention. All of the gentlemen are bound by the rules of the Club. No member may use force or impose themselves in a way that would be unreasonable. The members police themselves and anyone of them who breaks the rules may as well leave the country for they will be ruined." 

"At the moment there are now twenty-one female staff including you, eight of whom are maids and there are two cooks. The eleven including the two of us, are female companions for the members. We assist them with those needs which all fine gentlemen require, good company, discrete conversation, the occasional cultural event such as poetry readings or music and of course giving them a good lay." 

Marie thought for a moment then asked "Can I ask, given that we sleep with these men what happens if I get pregnant?" 

"A fair question, Marie" Rosie replied, "There are two preferred options, they employ this Chinese doctor called Mr Lee who has this tea which seems to work. Only three girls who were been taking it got pregnant in the last two years. We got on to him because some of the members use him. Otherwise you do without, but unless you are very lucky you will most likely end up the duff within months, in which case the club will provide a pension the same as your salary for a year. Personally, I would opt for the good doctor's tea, although be warned that it only seems to work if you take it every day." 

She paused then added "If you want to risk it there a couple of local doctors who will get rid of unwanted pregnancies, but if you go down that route the gentlemen will not provide any assistance should things go wrong. Now any other questions?" 

Marie shook her head. 

"Now Marie, I have to take you down to the bath, the best advice I can give you is to just relax and enjoy yourself. No one is here to judge you, just to make sure that you can handle yourself." 

Then taking her by the arm she led Marie down the stairs and down to the basement of the building to the Turkish Bath. 

Friday 8 January 1892 - The Turkish Bath 

They came down the stairs to into a lavishly decorated dressing room with a large metal stove in the middle of the floor, that was keeping the temperature up at a level which was rather warmer than that to which Marie was accustomed. The floor was covered with richly patterned rugs and some of the panels were painted with images of couples making love, some in positions that Marie thought highly improbable. 

One in particular caught her attention. It portrayed a woman straddling a man while another pressed an erect penis against her from behind and a third held his manhood forward as she enveloped its crown with her lips. Realising that she was staring a little too obviously at the images she dropped her gaze. 

Looking for something, anything, to distract her for a moment her eyes fell on a small samovar which was next to the stove in the middle of the floor. Rosie gestured to it and asked "Would you like some Turkish tea? It's very good". 

Marie nodded "Yes, please." 

Sitting back sipping the sweet dark tea Marie looked back up at the painted panels then added "This room is very opulent, even if some of the paintings are more...frank, than I am used to" 

Rosie laughed saucily, "What a well brought up young lady you must have been! But I swear there's a bit of the devil in you. When I first saw this place, I swear, I blushed for a week. I had never seen the like, but I kept coming back for a wee sneaky peak. It is quite an education." Marie laughed. 

Rosie sensed that this apparently quiet girl was rather more open-minded than first impressions would suggest. She knew from talking to Mr Morris that Marie had had a rough time, and that even going as far as she had today had taken a lot of courage, so she decided to help her along. After all, if she was to be Marie's chaperone today she was determined to have fun. She turned to Marie and said "Just wait here a minute and be sure to enjoy the paintings" and with that she left the room. 

Marie was enjoying a close look at a picture of a woman and man in a position where the woman lying on her back had her ankles around the man's shoulders and his huge tumescent penis was buried half into her sex. She almost jumped as she realised that Rosie was back in the room and looking at the picture over her shoulder. 

Rosie was trying to keep a straight face and holding what appeared to be a vase with a tube or pipe half way up it. "She's a flexible one alright" she remarked, then added, "Have you ever tried a water-pipe, a hookah?". 

Marie replied "No but as this is a day of firsts, what do I do?" 

Rosie gestured for Marie sit down next to the Hookah. "Just suck on this and inhale. But take a little at a time or you might gag" 

Marie puffed on the pipe and was immediately realised that this was not just tobacco. She looked questioningly at Rosie. 

"Hashish, just take a little more it will give you a nice sense of being relaxed." 

After a few puffs on the pipe had Marie feeling very relaxed and even a little unsteady. Rosie who seemed to be taking much more of the hashish leaned back against her languidly. Both women felt completely relaxed and comfortable. 

Rosie asked, "Marie, when you made love with your husband what did you like?" 

Marie despite the hash, blushed, but answered "I don't know....Edward was gentle when we started and I used to love the feel of him on me and in me, but later after we were married he would roll on to me, buck away for a minute and then cum." 

Rosie nodded "Did you ever cum when he was in you like when you pleasure yourself on your own?" 

Marie shook her head. "No, sometimes I felt as if I was beginning to get there, but it never seemed to happen." 

"Did you ever take him in your mouth?" 

Again, Marie shook her head. 

"Or slide on top of him, like in those two pictures?" pointing at two of the panels. 

Marie hung her head "No, for Edward what he wanted and all he wanted was to climb on top and ride me." 

Rosie reached around her shoulders "Marie, it sounds like that man of yours was not up to much in bed. In fact he sounds just like my Peter. In this place you will find that there is room for women to enjoy sex and to relish the power of our bodies over men." 

"Take a look at those pictures. I know you were looking closely, who wouldn't? What you see are women and men in the most natural of acts. You've done it. I've done it. Without it none of us would be here. One of our Club's members is a fine fellow from Trinity College. He says to me 'Rosie, Always remember women are not just cows to stand there as some bull ruts away. We are above the animals. We are human and as such must all express ourselves man and women.'" Then she added with and arch look "He's a pretentious arse, but he's a great fuck." 

"Take a look at that picture over there, the one where she has three men at once. The one you were looking at earlier. Look at their faces and tell me what do you see?" 

Marie feeling more relaxed and a bit naughty took a long look at the picture that had so caught her attention earlier and replied " Well the fellow who is on his back looks a picture of contentment, the fellow who is in her mouth looks as if he is about to cum, his face is a picture a agony and ecstasy in an instant." She paused for a moment. 

Rosie looked intently into Marie's eyes "And what about the third man and more importantly what about her?" 

Marie looked hard at the picture and somewhere at the back of her mind realised that the answer was coming from her and not the picture "He is waiting to slide into her, but either must wait for the man beneath to come and withdraw...or.." 

Rosie looked expectantly "..or.." 

Marie closed her eyes "She is waiting for him to enter her". Then flushed and added "She wants him in her, in her ass". 

Rosie asked "Did your husband...did Edward ever try....?" 

Marie shook her head "I once stood listening to some women talking in the Temple Bar, they didn't know I could hear, but... while I was interested, even aroused by what they said, but Edward would hear none of it he swore it was 'An un-natural act' although he was unusually passionate afterwards." 

Rosie leaned back and carefully measuring her words said "There's many a woman in Dublin who would take a man in her ass as it is easier than getting pregnant. But also because done right it is extremely pleasurable, sometimes it feels too much, too intense, but if you are going to stay here you may as well get used to the idea. Our gentlemen members are men of taste and sometimes of what might be considered adventurous tastes." 

Rosie continued, "You see that picture that you were looking at with the lassie and the three fellas" Marie nodded "I wondered about that for months and eventually tried it" 

Marie's eyes widened at the thought of her cheery companion in such a wanton act, "What was it like?" 

Rosie closed her eyes for a moment as if bringing a treasured memory close to the surface "At first I was so nervous and awkward I nearly jumped up and left the room, but the feeling when I had two of them in me was incredible and the sense of being both used by three men and yet also being the complete object of their desire.... It was fabulous, I just came and came again." 

Marie shook her head in wonder "I don't now if I could ever do such a thing" 

Rosie looked at her knowingly "I think that there are fires of desire burning deep in you my dear, that would surprise yourself. Now I think its time we went and tried out this bath I promised you." 

Rosie took Marie through a door to a cloak room and said "Take your clothes off and hang them on those hooks" As Marie undressed she did the same and then led her into a small tiled chamber where there was a large basin of warm water and some sponges and a bar of soap. 

In a firm voice Rosie said "In this house you may have to get used acting in roles that are unfamiliar, but many provide unexpected pleasures. Before we go into the hot room we should wash. Now I am going to wash you and I would like you to do you do the same for me." 

Marie was rather surprised at the sudden change in tone but she was also intrigued so she replied "Of course" then added "Do you ever do this for the members?" 

"Yes" Rosie replied "some of the gentlemen and a good few of the ladies enjoy being taken through the baths especially to be washed and massaged." 

Marie not for the first time today was a little taken aback "Does the Club have female members? What do they join for?" 

Rosie looked thoughtful for a moment "Women, as you of all people should know, can have needs that husbands or lovers do not always provide. There are some men on the staff who are very skilled and can satisfy most carnal needs, but sometimes what is wanted is a gentle touch, a considerate caress or just some relaxed female company beyond the restrictive reserved life that most of them have to live." 

Marie stood watching a little nervously as Rosie dipped a sponge into the water and after rubbing it on the soap moved behind her. She felt herself tense involuntarily at Rosie's first touch, before relaxing as Rosie began to gently work the soapy sponge against her skin. 

Starting across the back of Marie's shoulders, Rosie slowly worked her way down towards the curve of the spine at the small of her back. Marie sighed as she found that the warm soapy water ran down between her buttocks and inner thighs tingling as it did so. 

As she washed the soapy water across her new colleague Rosie looked over her body. Morris would want an assessment of Marie's potential, and so far the news was very good. Auburn curls and a milk white body, Marie looked delicate and shy, but the way that she was reacting to having another woman wash her suggested a sensuality that would be perfect for the job. 

Marie became aware that Rosie's gentle touch and the warm water flowing down her back and legs was both having an effect that was both deeply relaxing and also very erotic. Rosie worked her way down to her ankles and feet, on which she lavished careful attention, before washing the front of Marie's legs and thighs. Marie closed her eyes as Rosie brought the sponge across the tops of her thighs and brushed against her pubic hair before making more lazy circles across her stomach. 

She lifted her arms as Rosie ran the warm water down along her ribs and then gently washed round and below her breasts before again using the sponge to make circular movements that started under each breast going around in decreasing circles until brushing across the nipple. Rosie cupped a breast in her free hand and admiring the soft white skin and pale pink nipples. She gently slipped her thumb across the edge of the nipple, watching as it darkened and stiffened at the merest touch. 

Marie closed her eyes with pleasure and had to concentrate to stop her knees buckling. After the time she had had in the past week this experience seemed completely unreal, but incredibly pleasurable and as her nipples hardened in response to the Rosie's touch, a feeling of warmth and fullness started to build in her groin. 

Rosie stopped running the sponge over Marie's quivering body and, smiling a little to herself, she filled a large stoneware jug with more warm water and proceeded to pour a steady stream over Marie, washing away all of the soap suds. The she stepped back "My turn, I think" she said cheekily. 

Marie smiled back, slightly embarrassed, but also feeling completely relaxed and more than a little aroused. She picked up the sponge and soap and attempted to replicate the same gentle pressure and sureness of touch which she had just experienced. Marie admired the smooth curves of Rosie's back as she washed downwards. It was the first time that she had seen a woman or girl since as a young girl she and her friends and slipped away from her conservative family to swim naked in the warm salty waters of Lough Swilly. She did not desire Rosie, at least not as a lover, but she did find that the idea of them washing each other deeply sensual. 

When Marie dropped down to her knees to wash Rosie's shins and then her thighs she found that her eye level was the same as Rosie's sex and she was struck by the fact that Rosie’s sex was completely shaved. She ran her hand across the bare pubis and quietly asked, "What does it feel like?" 

Rosie, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the experience of being washed, replied "It felt strange at first. I tried it at first because some of the girls said it was easier to stay clean and fresh, but also it does make me feel very sexy and the members do find it most interesting." 

Marie dragged her attention away from the bare lips of Rosie's sex and began to bring the sponge upwards, washing across the soft curves of Rosie's belly and against her breasts. As she washed the soft skin along the top of Rosie's cleavage and throat, Marie was transfixed by the contrast of Rosie's large dark nipples against her sallow skin and, in a moment of daring, she bent her head and slowly kissed a drop of water from one of Rosie's nipples. 

As Rosie arched her back and softly moaned in pleasure, Marie felt that this was going rather too quickly in a direction that she wasn't quite prepared for. She turned away and lifting the jug began to pour rivulets of warm water across Rosie's shoulders and breasts. Rosie stood stock-still and relaxed as the enjoyed the sensation of the water flowing across her skin and, when Marie finished, they gathered up two fine linen towels and began to dry themselves. Neither woman said a word, both were too busy wondering where this mutual attraction could have led or might yet lead. 

When they had both dried off most of the water Rosie said "Come with me. I think we should go to the hot room" and led her through two sets of double doors into a large marble clad room with a waist-high circular platform that took up the middle of the room. Rosie set her towel aside, climbed on to the platform and lay down 

To Marie the temperature in the room seemed stifling at first, but after a moment or two, while it still seemed very warm, it was not so hot as to be unbearable. Aware that she was still a little light-headed from the hashish and the tension of both being washed by and washing Rosie, Marie lay back on the marble and looked up at the tiled ceiling. "This place is wonderful," She observed. 

Rosie, grinned, "There's more to come yet my chum, I think that you could do with a massage, it would get help you relax. Are you game?" 

Marie shrugged "I've never had one, but it sounds good" 

Rosie got up and came over to Marie with a small bottle "Almond Oil" she explained. Then pouring a little on her hands, she began to massage first Marie's toes and then the soles of her feet. Marie lay back and closed her eyes as Rosie gentle fingers manipulated her feet, pressing thumbs on to nerve points and driving much of the tension from her body. As Rosie worked down Marie's legs it became clear to her that Marie was increasingly languid and even becoming more aroused. Her nipples had hardened and, between her legs, her lips were glistening with moisture. 

Rosie told Marie to roll over and began to work on her fingers and fists on to Marie's shoulders and back. Marie looked at her through eyes half closed in pleasure and said, "This is heaven, I must have died last night" 

As Rosie's hands worked down Marie's back she saw that Marie had opened her legs a little and was subconsciously moving her hips in pleasure. "Have you a little itch that needs scratched Marie?" she asked and slid finger down on to Marie's sex. She was soaking. 

Rosie bent over to Marie and whispered in her ear "Do you want something to fill that need?" Marie nodded, no longer tense or remotely concerned she just felt totally languid. 

Rosie left the room for a minute, and while she was gone Marie slipped a hand under herself and began to pleasure herself, gasping at the ripples of pleasure shooting from her sex through her body. She barely heard the door close and assumed that it was just Rosie back. Then two hands began to massage her back again and she groaned with pleasure. She was somehow aware that they hands seem bigger and rougher than Rosie's, but she continued to lie there eyes closed and her finger playing across her sex. 

Then something much bigger than a finger pressed against the swollen lips of her vagina and she realised that she had been lying under a man as he massaged her back and she pleasured herself. She stopped for a moment, she knew that she should have felt humiliated, embarrassed and run from this place, but his hands felt so good and God she needed a man! 

Rosie lay down in front of her and smiled "I brought a few friends back to meet you. The handsome lad who is giving you such an excellent massage is Stephen, and these two lads" Marie looked up to see two fine tall men both moustachioed and sporting large erections "are Patrick and Michael. They are some of the male staff who have come down to give us a hand" 

Stephen bent down to look at Marie and said "Hello Marie, This is a fine day isn't it. Is there anything I can do for you?" 

Marie was so aroused she just nodded and said "Please, I want you in me. Now" 

Stephen moved back and placed his cock against her lips and slid in to the hilt in one slow steady movement. Marie gasped and bucked back against him as he began to thrust steadily into her. 

"God, Woman that's a fine pussy you have." Stephen exclaimed, "It feels like it hasn't had a good fucking in a long time though" 

Marie was struggling to keep any kind of rhythm going. She felt like she was going to explode as sensations shot from her vagina through her body. Edward had never taken her from behind and, as nerves which had never been touched before came to life, she came in a shuddering orgasm. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before. 

Stephen grinned, this indeed was a woman with potential, he looked up to see that Rosie was having fun. Michael was down between her legs and she was licking the top of Patrick cock as if it were her favourite ice cream. He kissed Marie's shoulders and said, "I see that Rosie isn't getting bored." 

Marie raised her head to look and stared in astonishment as she watched Patrick's shaft disappear down Rosie's throat; surely she must choke. The thought of the shopkeeper came back unbidden but this looked different, Rosie was visibly and audibly having a fine time and no one in this room was under duress. 

Stephen began to quicken his pace and thrusts, becoming deeper and more frantic as he began to the feel the beginnings of orgasm. Marie began to tell him how he felt inside her. Edward had hated to her to make any noise, but today she felt she could do or say whatever she wanted, use gutter words even. "That's right.....just like that.....fuck me......go on just there" 

Stephen found the thought of this well brought young woman telling him to fuck her enormously sexy. In his deep Cork accent he replied "You like that do you? Yeah I'm sure that my cock is just what your cunt needs." He felt the pressure in his groin as his balls tightened and as the muscles in his thighs tensed. "Do you want me to come in you?" 

Marie shouted in reply "God! Yes! Now!" and as he flooded her with his semen she came again even more violently than before. 

They lay there for a moment gasping. As Stephen slid off her Marie looked at him and said "Thank you I had no idea it could be like this." Then smiled cheekily "Have I passed?" 

Stephen still getting his breath back replied, "You've done well, flying colours so far, but you aren't done yet." He produced a flask of water and they both gulped some back and then Stephen looked over to where Rosie was keeping the other two men busy. "Poor Michael has been licking out Rosie for the last ten minutes and no one has been looking after him. Do you want to have a go?" 

Marie looked at the threesome intently. This was obviously a challenge. "OK" she replied. She moved over and slipped a hand around Michael's cock "Hello Michael, would you like me to help you get a little relief?" 

Michael looked up, his moustache was no longer as impressive as it had been when he come into the room. It was now plastered down, soaking from Rosie's juices. 

Rosie took Patrick's cock from her mouth and said archly "Michael has been a very good boy Marie. I think he needs a good sucking". 

Marie's confidence faltered slightly as her bravado masked a concern about what she was to do now. Rosie reading the situation said cheekily "Right Michael, stand up next to Patrick so that Marie work her magic" and turning to Marie she said "Just relax and follow my lead, its easy" 

Marie knelt at Michael's feet and, watching Rosie, took his penis in one hand and slipped the other down to cup his balls. She had never examined a man so closely before. Her fingers teased the folds of skin at the base of his shaft and when she ran the backs of her nails across his balls his hips bucked very slightly. Marie grinned to herself. This could be fun. She followed Rosie's lead and began to alternatively lick and gently suck at the shaft then played her tongue around the base of the crown and was again rewarded with a gasp and another little spasm of pleasure from Michael. 

She licked around the crown some more and then took him in her mouth and began to slide him in and out of her mouth, while sliding her hand up and down his shaft. Michael began to rock his hips to her movements. 

Out of the corner of her eye Marie could see that Rosie had increased her pace and that Patrick was stiffening and was not far from coming. "This isn't a race she told herself, but it might be fun to see how quickly I can make this man come." 

Marie began a steady rhythm sucking on Michael's cock, while keeping firm but gentle pressure on his shaft. With her free hand she began to explore further back reaching beyond his scrotum until her fingers began to tease his perineum. Michael's breathing was becoming shallower and he was beginning to buck more into her mouth. Marie wondered to herself and then tentatively ran the pad of a finger across the bud of his anus. Immediately Michael shuddered and came. Marie found her mouth filled with semen, sweeter than she had thought it would taste. Unsure what to do she pulled back from him swallowed it down. Michael had come so powerfully that as his hips spasmed again more cum shot from his freed cock landing across her breasts. 

Marie felt totally wanton and triumphant and wiping the semen across her breasts she thought to herself "Good God man there was more of that than I thought possible. I'll need another bath after this". She heard another man sigh in pleasure and looked over to see that Patrick had been watching her and had come just after Michael. 

Rosie sat back and remarked "Jesus that's fun, but it's sore on the knees and does make the jaw ache." 

Applause rang out across the marble room and both women looked around to see Gerald Morris standing clapping them, dressed in a bathrobe that was hanging open around an impressive erection. "Bravo!" He exclaimed "Bravo! As fine an opening performance as we have seen in many a long year" He looked to Rosie "Well my dear Rosie what do you think of our new member of staff?" 

Rosie wiped her face and commented "Well it helps if a girl enjoys her work doesn't it Marie?" 

Morris laughed "I think that this calls for a celebration" and lifted two bottles of champagne from where they had been down at his feet. Stephen came back into the room with six glasses and shortly the six of them were perched on the edge of the platform sipping champagne. Marie thought the champagne the finest thing she had ever tasted and wondered to herself if even in Paris this would be seen be decadent. 

She turned to Morris and said sternly "Mr Morris I believe that this is a very wicked place and I think that I might enjoy working here if you will have me." 

Morris shook his head "You are priceless, my dear, but please call me Gerald, and if you are offering I think I may well have you in a little while" 

Rosie had been looking at the bubbles in her glass intently for a couple of minutes when she putting on a very false posh accent said "Gerald, I am led to believe that if a lady goes down on a gentleman while keeping a little ‘champers’ in her mouth the effect is quite pleasant." 

Gerald raised an eyebrow and in a blasé way replied, "If that is so my Dear we must try it" and with that he lay back on the platform and opened his gown, his cock immediately springing to attention. 

Rosie took a sip of champagne and slipped her lips over the crown of his cock while trying hard not to spill any and then played her tongue around the sensitive head as bubbles fizzed and burst inside her mouth. 

Gerald gasped at the sudden cold and the sensations "Dear Lord, I wish I had discovered this before". Rosie swallowed the champagne and looked over to Marie "Want to try?" 

"Oh yes" Marie laughed and before long they were taking turns to sip champagne and play with Gerald's increasingly engorged manhood. Marie looked at Rosie and remarked, "It seems such a shame to waste such a fine cock, I can think of somewhere it would fit very snugly". 

Rosie gestured as if to say "After You" and Marie straddled Gerald's waist while Rosie held his shaft and helped Marie to position herself on to the top of his shaft. Then slowly she let herself slip down on to his length. 

She then found that she was unsure what way to move and looked to Rosie who grinned and said "Would you like a little guiding to get you started Marie" Marie nodded and Rosie straddled Gerald's thighs and leant forward so that she was pressed against Marie's back and then placing her hands at the sides of Marie's stomach she began to move and Marie found that she was also finding an easy rhythm and that for the second time today a different position of love making was sending new pleasures through her body. 

Soon Marie was rocking and sliding up and down Gerald's shaft oblivious to the fact that Rosie was no longer guiding her but had begun to play her hands over her body. Rosie was feeling very mischievous and rather wanton. She slid her hands under Marie's breasts and began to tease the nipples. 

Marie became more flustered and as her nipples came so erect as to become almost painful she once again felt that feeling of tension and heat in deep in her core. Gerald was also beginning to grind upwards so that he was rubbing the base of his shaft hard against her and sending deep pulses of delight from her clitoris into the base of her spine. 

Rosie, meantime was wondering just where all of this was going she desperately wanted a man inside her and moved off Gerald beckoning for Michael to come and give her some relief. Michael reached over and kissed her and conspiratorially whispered "Just watch this I think I know just what will send this auburn angel over the top." And with that he poured a little almond oil on to his middle finger and ran it down the crack of Marie's buttocks. She immediately quickened her pace and leant forward giving Michael and Rosie and clear view of her sex as it enveloped and then released Gerald's shaft. 

Michael slid his finger down so that it rested against her anus, again Marie quickened becoming increasingly frantic and panting as she got even more aroused. Slowly Michael inserted the finger up to the second knuckle. 

Marie felt the finger slide into her and then a flash of pleasure and release. She gasped as spasms wracked her body and came so hard she bounced right off Gerald's cock. 

Rosie grabbed Michael and pushing him on to his back climbed on to him and mounted him in one movement. Within seconds she was beginning to get a comfortable rhythm going, but then she looked over and saucily called to Patrick "Want to join us?" 

Marie gingerly remounted Gerald who had taken the whole thing very nonchalantly and was soon thrusting up to meet her soaking pussy. She looked over at Rosie who was riding Michael intently as if almost in a trance-like state and then saw Patrick close in behind Rosie while rubbing his cock with some of the almond oil. Rosie stopped for a moment and Patrick pressed the head of his cock against Rosie's ass and then it slipped in. 

Rosie threw her head back and groaned as if in pain and then began to move slowly between the two men. Gradually all three began to move in unison Rosie sliding forward and then back on to the two cocks as the men thrust forward. 

Gerald looked up at Marie to see an expression somewhere between wonder and horror. "Its ok, My Dear, look at her face she is in paroxysms of pleasure". 

Marie looked down at him while still keeping moving on him "Is that part of the test?" 

Gerald shook his head "You have long since passed the test My Dear. We can stop now if you wish". 

Marie thought for a moment and then looked at Gerald intently "If this is to be my work, and God knows I have never enjoyed a morning more, then I should experience what I need to know." 

Gerald nodded and said "I am impressed Marie, but I think one step at a time is enough. If you are willing then kneel down and I will be gentle." 

Marie climbed off Gerald and knelt beside him. She looked over to see that Stephen had joined the other three and that he was now standing in front of Rosie as she sucked on his cock while Michael and Patrick continued to thrust deep into her. Her breathing had got very ragged her face was flushed and she looked as if she had come several times already. 

Gerald bent Marie over and said "I will be very gentle my dear, there may be a little pain but relax and you will find the feelings exquisite." With that he placed the head of his penis against her ass and slowly slipped in. 

Marie gasped feeling slightly ill at ease but also excited. As Gerald began to ease in she felt some discomfort but more his entry was sending almost more sensations through her than she could stand. In particular she was surprised to be having so much pleasure emanating from her sex. As he began to thrust in she began to feel the heat of another orgasm building and was soon driving back onto his shaft as he leant forward. 

She felt her self begin to tense and thought that she would come but instead the tension continued to tighten every muscle every sinew. Gerald looked over to see Rosie shudder as first Michael and then Patrick came deep inside her. Then Stephen grunted and fountained into her mouth. 

Gerald could see that Marie was lost in ecstasy and her thrusts back on to him where increasing ragged. He quickened his pace and holding on to her hips began to thrust into the hilt and withdrawing his glistening cock almost to the tip before plunging in again. Then he gasped as he felt as if his entire being had burst forth from the tip of his penis and he came deep within her bowels. 

Marie, feeling him come cried, out sharply and came violently as every inch of her body tensed momentarily and then released pure pleasure. She lay there for a moment almost like a rag doll wrapped in Gerald's arms her body overwhelmed by the sensations and feelings that had been stirred that morning. 

Gerald ran a hand down her cheek and said gently "Thank you Marie, that was superb. I think that maybe we should leave you and Rosie to finish your bath and then she can take you out for the afternoon." 

Later after Rosie and Marie had washed and dressed, Marie asked Rosie what Gerald had meant about going out for the afternoon. Putting on her favourite posh accent she replied, "We ladies must maintain a certain style. The Club has accounts in several of the better ladies shops and will pay for your clothes while you stay with us." 

Marie stopped and looked at her new friend for a moment and then burst out laughing until the tears flowed. Rosie found herself laughing along and then finally composed herself enough to ask "What's so funny?" 

Marie's eyes were glistening but with a broad smile on her face she answered "Last night I was broke, lonely and suicidal, now less than a day later here I am, with a new friend, well fed with a employer who not only pays handsomely and pays for my clothes, but pays me to have better sex than I ever could have imagined." 

Rosie hugged her and cheerily said, "Welcome to the Connemara Club, my dear. Now shall we go spend their money on some nice new boots and a new wardrobe for you?" and with that the two women headed out onto the crisp snow of the Dublin streets. 

Epilogue 

Kitty Dornan heard the front door close and shouted out of the kitchen "Paddy where have you been?" Her youngest son looked at his mother and said, "A nice lady was talking to me and she gave me this to give to you" in his grubby seven year old hand he held an envelope. 

Kitty opened the letter and read 

3 February 1892 Dear Kitty 

I hope you are well, I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am to you for saving my life and for a sympathetic ear and sound advice when it was most needed. 

Please take this small gift as a token of my thanks and know that if you ever need a friend you can find me at the Connemara Club. 

Yours sincerely 

Marie Antoinette Fitzhume 

Pinned to the bottom of the letter was a ten-pound note.