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Like Her Pa

Chapter 67

Eva felt awkward sitting there in the library, listening to Jonathan, Corene, and the fox talk about things she didn't understand and beasts she didn't know. She had to pee and she was starving. Corene seemed to notice Eva's discomfort and asked Jonathan if he shouldn't allow "the young lady" to be excused. But Jonathan was focused entirely on hearing news from their fox visitor. He waved off Corene's concerns impatiently and urged the fox to continue.

Eva sat on the end of the couch beside Jonathan, and when she spread her legs and scratched her armpit, Corene looked at her in shock and Jonathan glared until she had closed her legs. She had to keep reminding herself what a lady would and wouldn't do, and a lady wouldn't sit with her legs spread. . . . nor scratch herself in public.

Eva bit her lip, willing herself not to have an outburst. She didn't know how long she could stand listening to such a peculiar conversation, and she found it sort of baffling that Jonathan - one of the biggest fox-haters in Howlester - was sitting there having tea with one. But tea was brought by Brooke, the little golden maid with the long flowing mane who was nervous as a tick and barely met Eva's eye.

With her messy dark mane, filthy clothes, and worn boots, Eva knew she probably seemed as wild and dangerous as a fox to Brooke, and indeed, Brooke seemed very uncomfortable around Eva and very disapproving of the presence of the fox. The little golden maid set a tea tray down on the coffee table and proceeded to pour out tea, all the while glaring daggers at the calm little fox, who sat pleasantly ignoring her hatred with his paws folded in his lap.

"Do tell Uncle Charlie we have a guest, Brooke," Jonathan said, taking a cookie and dipping it idly in his tea. "And have a room made up for Motsumi immediately."

Brooke's mouth fell open, and it was clear she hadn't expected the fox visitor to be staying in a room, but she didn't protest. She poured a cup of tea for Eva and murmured, "Yes, milord," as she passed it to her.

Eva had never drank tea from such a fine cup before - Eva had never drank tea -- and when Brooke gave her the teacup on a little white saucer, she sat there as if she'd been handed a bit of calculus and told to solve it. She took an experimental sip. It tasted bitter and she pulled back on reflex, spilling tea all over her shirt.

"Oh my!" cried Corene.

"You have to add sugar, miss!" Brooke cried and took the cup from Eva.

Eva's ears flattened when she caught Jonathan's irritated eye. She dropped her gaze to her lap, thinking that supper was going to be a nightmare. Brooke handed her the teacup back with sugar in it, and when she looked in the little maid's eyes, she half-expected Brooke to be laughing at her. Brooke only seemed to pity Eva, a look of sympathy pushing through the twisted disgust of her mouth. Eva bit her lip and looked away, realizing for the first time that she probably smelled like sweat, leather, horses . . . and sex.

"My lady . . ." Brooke murmured to Eva. "Your grace . . ." she added to Corene, and with a reverent curtsy, she left the room.

Sitting there humbled and embarrassed, Eva decided to observe Corene, who was drinking her tea in the prissy manner of most ladies: with her pinky finger lifted and her lips pursed. Eva tried to copy Corene and felt foolish. She was half-inclined to just gulp the tea down and to hell with it.

Little cakes and cookies were on the tea tray, and intent on stuffing several in her face, Eva made a hungry snatch for the cookie plate, but Jonathan glared at her. She halted, flattened her ears apologetically, and after watching Corene daintily take one white cookie off the plate and nibble it, she followed suit. Jonathan's eyes approved, and he looked away. Eva sagged in bitter relief. Being a lady was too much fuss. She glanced miserably at Corene but felt immediately lighthearted when the marchioness smiled encouragingly at her.

"I can't believe she's gone forever," Jonathan said in a small, tired voice. He stared out the bay windows, and in the following silence, the clock ticked steadily. Eva thought the ticking clock only seemed to amplify the somber mood and she squirmed uncomfortably.

The fox sitting on the couch opposite smiled. He hadn't touched any of the tea or cookies. His paws were still resting calmly in his lap. "Robin is not gone forever," he said, smiling reassuringly at Jonathan and Corene. "She has melded her essence with Hildrith'el. . . She is Hildrith'el. Your child is now the First and the Last, the All Creator, the Beginning and the End --"

"Yes," said Jonathan wearily, "she's everything except our child."

Corene bit her lip and rubbed Jonathan's arm soothingly, even as sparkling tears trailed down her face. Eva thought Corene was breathtakingly beautiful, a real lady, with her fluffy white fur and pretty, innocent eyes. Eva might have been attracted to Corene if she wasn't so motherly and affectionate. She watched Corene and wondered if her own mother had been anything like her: so gentle and feminine, so soft-spoken and proper.

"No, you're wrong," Motsumi said gently. "Robin will always be your child. Those memories have not been lost to her."

Jonathan closed his paw over Corene's, and they smiled at each other. Eva wasn't sure - she hadn't been paying much attention -- but she thought the fox had brought them news about their daughter. It seemed Lady Robin was not coming home. Pity.

"And the weapons and all that bother?" Jonathan asked. "We don't have to worry about the Carringtons blowing up the world anymore?"

Motsumi nodded. "The weapons have been destroyed and the Second Sun no longer burns."

Everyone glanced out the window, and Eva could see that the big yellow sphere everyone called The Second Sun had indeed gone dark. The distant world was cold as the moon and gently glowing, swirling with beams of light that snaked around it in a spiral. The Second Sun had been that way for weeks now. Eva remembered the night the fire went out. She was bathing outside in the stream, and the Second Sun was reflected over her shoulder in the water. She saw its light extinguish like a candle flame, and she remembered slowly turning her head and peering up at the sky. She thought it looked like a great white pearl, so beautiful and mysterious, hovering there above her.

Corene shook her head, her eyes fixed on the distant world that hovered beyond the window, slowly turning. She touched an uncertain finger to her lip, and Jonathan rubbed her shoulder, his paw smoothing to the back of her long neck. "But . . . what does it mean, Motsumi? Why was it burning in the first place?" Corene asked.

"There was a great war," Motsumi said heavily. "Maret sought to take S'pru for herself. She sought to rule both worlds, this one and Azrian's."

"But Etienne's precious foxy stopped it all, right?" Jonathan said and took a lazy sip of tea.

Motsumi smiled. "No. Robin stopped the war. Robin quenched the fire. Robin . . . opened the way to S'pru. Anyone can go there now, dog or fox. Though . . ." Motsumi frowned. "I'm not certain who would want to go there. The Light tells me S'pru is now cold, dark, and covered in ice, that its inhabitants slumber, suspended in time."

Jonathan shrugged. "Couldn't Azrian just go there and fix everything?"

"She is no longer a supreme being, Jonathan," Motsumi explained calmly, and Eva thought his eyes were sad. "She can do nothing."

Jonathan and Corene exchanged disappointed looks, and Eva shifted in her seat, feeling very bored by it all. It seemed to her adults were always going on about wars and magic these days. At least no one ever talked about the weather anymore, though she looked out the window and thought it might rain.

"But . . . what will happen to the foxes there?" Corene wondered anxiously.

Motsumi smiled at Corene reassuringly. "I'm certain they will live forever in dreams, unless otherwise disturbed. Azrian and Etienne have a child," he added, and Eva noticed how Jonathan and Corene went still with surprise. "Their son could go to S'pru if he wanted, perhaps restore the world to its former glory. The power of Ti'uu slumbers within him. He need only harness its strength."

Jonathan shook his head and stared into his tea. "I'm starting to wonder just how many fuzzy brats Etienne's got waddling around," he said, sarcastically wiggling his fingers. "First Zeinara, now this other . . . how's Zeinara anyway? The paper said she'd returned."

Motsumi inclined his head. "Yes, she did. All of us went our separate ways soon after Robin's ascension. Azrian went with Ettoras to Wychowl. Nkwe left with Pili for the far south --"

Jonathan snorted. "You mean Underdog. Why the bloody hell would she trot off with Nkwe of all creatures?"

"I believe they were in love," Motsumi answered and smiled. "Everyone should be on their paths and very content now. Even the gods are still."

"And you came here," Corene said, sounding very pleased, "to see us and tell us the news! That was so _dear_of you! Old friend . . ." She reached as if she wanted to touch Motsumi. "You must stay until the baby's born. You simply must." She rubbed a small paw over her protruding belly, and smiling to himself, Jonathan reached over and rubbed it with her.

"We could use your . . ." Jonathan trailed off and frowned at Motsumi as he struggled in embarrassment for the right words.

Corene smiled fondly at her husband and looked again at Motsumi. "We could both use a friend right now. What with R-Robin . . ." Her lashes fluttered out tears.

"Robin wanted you to be happy," Motsumi said gently. "She didn't just destroy the weapons for the world but also for you, so that you could live in a world that was safe." His eyes trailed to the window and he said somberly, "It was not something the original Hildrith'el would have done. The original goddess wanted to preserve her daughter for all time, locked within those weapons. Robin did what had to be done for everyone. You should be very proud."

"I am," Jonathan said. "I just wish I could tell her."

"Do not underestimate the power of prayer," Motsumi returned. "She is our goddess now, remember?"

Jonathan shook his head. "My daughter is up there somewhere . . . out of my reach." He laughed softly. "And listening to my prayers."

Corene frowned. "Motsumi . . ." she said carefully, ". . . where is Palesa?"

"And Wilmer," Jonathan added, frowning as well. "Don't tell me they went to Wychowl too. Do they even know Etienne? Bother Etienne! We're their friends --"

"Jonathan!" Corene hissed to silence her husband. Her eyes were fixed on Motsumi.

Motsumi's face had become somber, and Eva knew a happy answer was not forthcoming. Jonathan and Corene looked as if they wished they hadn't asked. Jonathan swore under his breath, and Corene dabbed her eyes with her kerchief.

"Don't get it on your dress, darling," Jonathan chided and dabbed Corene's eyes for her.

Corene looked at Motsumi steadily, her large green eyes blinking out tears like a child. "How? H-How did it happen?"

"We made many precious sacrifices to send the weapons back," Motsumi answered heavily. "That is all you need to know, daughter." He looked at Jonathan. "I suppose it would please you to know Mogethis was one of those sacrifices." His voice was slightly scolding, and Eva got the feeling Jonathan shouldn't have been happy about the death of this Mogethis.

Jonathan looked at Motsumi sheepishly. "If I ever understood_why_ Mogethis took Robin, I wouldn't have spread those stories about her. I wouldn't have . . ." He suddenly scowled. "How did I know what the bloody hell was going on? She just took Robin without a word!"

"As if Mogethis would have just told you!" Corene cried reproachfully. "Wasn't she your prisoner, who you tormented and abused? Weren't you set on killing her once?"

"Yes," Jonathan admitted without hesitating. "She was leading a rabble of foxes to kill us all!" he added when Motsumi looked at him sternly. "When she took Robin, I thought she was getting back at me. You lot keeping forgetting she was the enemy." He sat back, looking breathless and irritable.

"There was no reason to _torment_her when she was your captive," Corene insisted.

"Except for information that could save lives," Jonathan muttered bitterly. He folded his arms.

Corene looked at Motsumi and frowned. "And you say Mogethis is dead?" She shook her head slowly and sadly. "I was hoping she would . . . I don't know. Perhaps find peace. Etienne told me she and her brother had such a difficult life. Plagued ceaselessly by Yfel's will . . ." She touched a sad paw to her breasts and her eyes lowered. "I know how that feels."

Jonathan frowned and touched the back of his fingers to Corene's cheek. Eva thought he might kiss her, but the fox spoke again.

Motsumi looked at Corene fondly. "And you never believed Mogethis would harm Robin?"

"No," Corene said at once and lifted her brows, as if the very idea were unthinkable. "Mogethis loved Zeinara, and Zeinara loved Robin. Those two girls were like sisters for years. Mogethis would never do anything if it would hurt Zeinara."

"You needn't worry for Mogethis," Motsumi said with a sort of serene look that was baffling to Eva. "Or Palesa and Wilmer, for that matter --"

"Because they're dead and at peace in Heaven and all that rot, etcetera," muttered Jonathan and waved a derisive paw.

Motsumi's smiled slightly, as if he was enjoying some private joke. "Something like that," the fox said. "Robin took them with her to Heaven. She granted them immortality --"

Corene gasped.

" - meaning their souls will not pass into the Cycle," Motsumi continued, happy tears filling his eyes. "They will live forever in Skkye."

Jonathan took a sip of tea and stared despondently into the cup, as beside him, Corene sobbed with happy tears. "Well," Jonathan said after a while and set his teacup on the table, "I think I need to lie down."

Motsumi laughed softly.

Eva couldn't believe it. "You can't believe this rubbish!" she blurted. Jonathan glared at her, and Corene looked at her in surprise, but she went on, "There is no HeHeHfeklflsfkdlHeaven!" She waved a disgusted paw at Motsumi. "He's ah sham! I seen it ah thousand times! Foxes like him come here fillin' your head with lies, tryin' ta rub every coin outta ya, spinnin' ya tales 'bout spirits an' death. He'll tell ya whatever ya wanna hear 'bout Miss Robin, who's probably dead in ah ditch somewhere --"

"That's enough!" Jonathan burst, the growl in his voice so deep that Eva bit her lip and was silent.

Corene looked at Motsumi, her tears now tears of sorrow. "Motsumi . . . you wouldn't lie just to comfort us, would you? Tell me Robin is really alive!" Corene's slender fingers twisted her kerchief almost desperately and she wailed, "Tell me! Tell me the truth!"

Jonathan wearily pushed a paw back through his mane and glared sideways at Eva. "Now she's hysterical, are you happy?" he muttered under his breath.

Motsumi frowned sadly and opened his mouth to respond, but Eva took a breath and tried again, "Masta Jonathan - milord - he's a sham, I'm tellin' ya --!"

"That's it!" Jonathan shouted over Eva. He snapped to his feet, and with menacing eyes, he grabbed Eva by the arm and snatched her up from the couch. Eva staggered as Jonathan dragged her from the room with her mane and breasts bouncing. She could hear Corene sobbing wretchedly and the comforting murmurs of the fox as he tried to sooth her. As Jonathan was dragging her out the door, she glanced back, and she saw the fox kneeling beside Corene's couch, his paw rubbing her back as she wept desperately into his shoulder. Then Jonathan slammed the library doors, and they were in the hall. He didn't pause for a moment but continued dragging Eva along.

"M-Masta Jonathan," Eva wheedled. His fingers were so tight on her arm, they hurt. She tried not to cry, and when she muttered his name again, he ignored her, dragging her down the hall and up the stairs with her mane and tail streaming back.

"Hadly should have made up your chambers by now," Jonathan muttered angrily. "If not, I'll throw you in the dungeon and be done with it!"

Eva's heart skipped a beat: he really seemed to mean it.

They came to a pair of elaborate double doors, and Jonathan viciously kicked them apart. Then he swung Eva around by the arm and practically threw her inside. Her dark mane cascaded in her face, and blinded, she tripped back and sat hard on the edge of the bed. Her big breasts bounced heavily, and she resisted the urge to cup them to make the jiggling stop. When she looked up, Jonathan was standing in the doorway, adjusting his cravat and smoothing his mane. She thought he looked a bit ashamed of himself. That he had a temper was now more than abundantly clear.

"I . . . don't believe this was to be your chamber," Jonathan said breathlessly. He awkwardly cleared his throat. "But it will do for now. Take your clothes off."

Eva stared at him, her face twisted in astonishment and anger. "Why!"

Jonathan's lip twitched, threatening to curl with irritation. "Why can't you just do as I say and not question every bloody thing? Take your clothes off so I can rape you!" he cried sarcastically.

Eva's heart skipped an angry beat. Why should she blindly trust and obey? He was a stranger. For all she knew, he really was going to rape her! "I don't know you from squirrel shite, milord," Eva said, glaring at Jonathan through tendrils of dark hair. "Why should I just mindlessly strip me clothes off?"

Jonathan blinked guiltily, and she knew he was silently scolding himself for his impatience. Eva found it difficult to believe he'd ever had a daughter. There was no way Lady Robin had blindly obeyed her father. Or perhaps she had, and Jonathan was throwing tantrums because he was used to blind obedience.

"Strip my clothes off," Jonathan corrected. He took a breath - obviously trying to calm himself - and with paws behind his back, he strolled into the room. Eva watched him wander to the vanity that stood against the wall, and he sadly touched a small toy unicorn there. "This was Robin's room when she was a girl," he said, almost as if to himself. He laughed softly and shook his head. "I . . . didn't even realize."

Eva watched him sympathetically: he missed his daughter. "I could go to another room, milord," she said good-naturedly, her voice soft and assuring.

Jonathan shook his and cleared his throat. He set the toy unicorn down and turned away from it. "No. It's . . . just a room. You'll stay here until supper." He went to the door. "I need you to take your clothing off," he said, his back to her, "because the doctor is coming to have a look at you. And also, Hadly and your new personal maid should be along to bathe and dress you for supper. After supper, you will make your apologies to Lady Corene."

Eva's breasts heaved. "Why in hell should I apologize for speakin' the truth? I was tryin' to save you lot wastin' yer coin on fake bone readers --"

"There is nothing _fake_about Motsumi," Jonathan said over her, and his nostrils flared. "And I would thank you to keep your mouth shut about things you do not understand."

Eva's breasts heaved again and she glared at her knees. There was a long pause, and she realized Jonathan was waiting for her obedient response. Her body tightened and it took every fiber in her being, but she said through her fangs, "Yes, milord."

"Good," said Jonathan. "Now get undressed. The doctor will be along for your examination shortly." He was about to leave when Eva sheepishly called to him. He halted again, his back to her, waiting patiently.

Eva rubbed her arm. "I . . . I dun wanna be left alone with some creepy old feller. S-Stay here with me, milord . . . please." Her eyes dropped to the floor. She didn't know why, but she wanted Jonathan there. She trusted him to protect her. Perhaps she just missed her father.

With his paw on the door handle, Jonathan looked at Eva over his shoulder, and she didn't understand why he was smiling. "Dr. Hamilton is not some creepy old fellow. Dr. Hamilton is a bitch." His smile widened slightly to see the surprise on Eva's face, then he went out, closing the doors quietly behind him.

With Jonathan gone, Eva obediently undressed and sat huddled on the bed, waiting nervously for the doctor to come. The fact that the doctor was a female and not a male had her more nervous than ever. When before she was afraid of being molested by some elderly lecher, now she was afraid of becoming aroused during the examination. She hugged her knees and rocked back and forth, staring at the clock. It was half past six and nearly time for supper. It suddenly occurred to her that she'd only had one cookie to eat the entire day.

"Is the lady ready?" called a voice and the doors began to open.

Eva scrambled up from the bed and stood awkwardly, her heart beating hard in her chest. She didn't know how she should stand and wished she didn't have to be completely naked for a standard examination. All of it sounded fishy to her. She folded her arms to cover her breasts, then felt silly and unfolded them. When the doors opened to reveal the doctor, she forgot her fidgeting and fell still. Her ears pricked forward and her eyes widened, staring like one smitten.

Dr. Hamilton had come dressed in a white coat, under which was a long gray, formfitting skirt and a gray sweater. She was a lovely bitch with a full figure and twinkling hazel eyes behind a pair of narrow spectacles. Eva wasn't good at naming breeds, but if she had to guess, Dr. Hamilton was a poodle. She was fluffy and glossy, her fur was silky black, and her face long and narrow and pleasant. Everything about her was tidy and precise, even her mane, which was smoothed back in a shiny black bun. Her eyes were slanted and her lashes long, and they blinked slowly at Eva as she closed the doors behind her.

Dr. Hamilton hadn't come alone. With her was a small brown female, a spaniel with a fluffy mane that expanded loose in a cloud around her erect ears. The spaniel was dressed like a nurse, in a white uniform and little white hat. She was so buxom, Eva had to look at her twice to ascertain that what she was seeing was real. Big high breasts and a jutting backside, a tiny waist and big doe eyes. Eva's mouth almost fell open. The female seemed very young for a nurse and appraised Eva with an open lust that startled her. She was carrying the doctor's satchel for her, and at a gesture from the doctor, she set the satchel on a table. She never took her smiling eyes off Eva. It made Eva self-conscious.

"Well now," said Dr. Hamilton, sliding her paws in her coat pockets as she approached Eva. "What do we have here?" She slid her spectacles down her nose and peered at Eva over them. Eva stood very still, staring back at the doctor with the large, infatuated eyes of a child. Dr. Hamilton was so pretty. It suddenly occurred to Eva that the doctor was much older than she appeared: she had lines of age around her mouth and eyes.

"I-I'm Eva, milady," Eva stammered.

The doctor smiled. "Hello, Eva. I know who you are. You needn't call me your lady. Dr. Hamilton will do," she said, casually squeezing Eva's high tit. She squeezed the other, frowned, then squeezed again. Her paw smoothed down Eva's waist and over her narrow hip, sending a shiver through her. "You've never had pups."

"No, m--no, Dr. Hamilton," Eva muttered and squeezed her pussy shut against the sudden wetness.

"And you've already begun to bleed, of course."

Eva bit her lip. "Y-Yes, Dr. Hamilton."

"Hmm." Dr. Hamilton's eyes lingered on Eva's breasts, as if she were staring at specimen in a jar. She grabbed them both and squeezed a last time, until the nipples were jutting in her fists. Eva's cheeks brightened. What was the point filling her up!

"Well, your breasts aren't sore," Dr. Hamilton said, speaking to Eva's obvious bafflement and embarrassment. "That's usually a sign of pregnancy."

Eva was shivering all over. The doctor was touching her, examining her coldly and indifferently, but her nipples were getting very hard and her pussy getting wet, and she wanted to die. What was worse, the nurse had taken a seat and was watching it all intently.

"Lie down on the bed there and spread your legs," said the doctor and rolled up her sleeves.

Eva gulped and did as she was told, clutching her breasts and staring at the ceiling. She could hear the doctor and the nurse moving through the room and wondered what they were doing. Were they preparing instruments? Was she going to get an injection?

"Young Master Jonathan wanted me to see if you were with pup," the doctor explained. "So I will be looking between your legs to see if you are a virgin."

Eva heard the snap of gloves and her heart skipped a miserable beat.

"The procedure will be painless," said the doctor soothingly. "And relatively quick."

"Masta Jonathan coulda just a-asked me," Eva said nervously and the doctor laughed.

"He thought it would be easier this way," the doctor answered wearily, as if she actually disapproved. "Not easier for you, obviously. Easier for him to make certain you have never been touched. You are so very young - do you even know what your hymen is?" She didn't wait for an answer. "As I understand it, you were accosted by foxes in the forest. We must make certain they left you . . . in tact. Now lie still, dear. It won't hurt, I promise."

Eva stared at the ceiling and took a breath, trying to control her shaking. The nurse was sitting on the bed beside her and was touching her shoulder to comfort her, but she felt more embarrassed than comforted. She gasped at the sudden cold intrusion of the doctor's gloved fingers. The doctor slipped her fingers in deeply, pushing them through Eva's heat and moisture. Eva's body tensed at once and her sex clenched to shut the fingers out. But the doctor curled her fingers and caressed a spot that felt so good, she melted into the bed sheets. Then the doctor carefully spread her fingers, and Eva felt her sex resist again, straining to keep those fingers together. The doctor slid her fingers deeper still, and when Eva's sex continued to resist, her fingers carefully withdrew.

"Hmm," said the doctor and straightened up. "It seems you are a virgin after all. Master Jonathan will be pleased. Sit up, dear. The examination is over."

Eva wasn't sure she wanted to sit up. She'd gotten wet from the doctor's fingering and was ashamed. Covering her breasts with one arm, she sat up on her elbow and was glad to see the doctor had gone. But the nurse had not. She had lingered at the door, and when her slanted eyes connected with Eva's, she smiled.

"I'm Lila, by the way," the nurse said, twirling a bit of hair around her finger. She winked at Eva, and with jutting breasts and swaying tail, she switched from the room.

Ashamed of her own lust, Eva wanted to was herself at the basin on the dresser, but Hadly entered before she could and started filling the bath for her. A young maid had come with Hadly, who Hadly introduced as Jenny Bottom. Jenny was a small, meek, and shy Anatolian shepherd dog, with large gray eyes, a black muzzle, and a slender, narrow body covered in golden fur. Her mane was a long, straight, lanky curtain of black hair, and she was so shy, she often hid behind it. According to Hadly, her father worked in the manor guard, and while she was only fifteen, she had been working in the kitchens of Howlester Manor since her mother died two years before. Hadly went on to announce that Jonathan had ordered a personal handmaiden for Eva, and Hadly had picked Jenny for Eva, believing the two girls would get along because their ages were so close. With all that being said, Hadly poked Jenny in the back and laughed, "Go on, girl! Meet your mistress!"

Jenny Bottom staggered forward, then dropped her head and curtsied to Eva, who was sitting up on the bed naked. Poor Jenny was mortified by Eva's nudity and blushed the color of an apple as she stammered, "A p-pleasure to m-meet you, m-milady."

Hadly nodded in approval. She looked impatiently at Eva. "Well? Accept her greeting, girl!"

Eva's fangs clicked irritably. She had the feeling that because she was now a lady of the house, she could have told Hadly to shut up - or perhaps leave the room altogether and never come back. But she also knew that was a bad idea, as she had to depend on Hadly for everything, and she didn't feel like engaging in any power plays at the moment: she was hungry and tired and thoroughly embarrassed by the day's events. She just wanted to take her bath in peace.

"Well met, Miss Jenny," Eva said politely to Jenny and inclined her head. She didn't understand why Jenny straightened up again and blushed even harder.

"Good," said Hadly and nodded in approval. She glanced at Jenny with a little smile, clearly amused by her bright red embarrassment. "I'm off to fetch Lady Vandort's gown for the evening. When I get back, I expect she'll be bathed and waiting."

"Y-Yes, ma'am," Jenny muttered to the floor.

Hadly then left the room, and Eva knew she'd only left them alone in order to give them a chance to bond.

When Hadly had gone, Jenny helped Eva step into the bath, and Eva could tell she was trying her hardest not to look at her body.

Eva sank in the warm water until it was up to her chin, and she smiled in surprise and delight. She'd never had a bath before. Growing up out in the country, she'd always washed from a pail by the stream, often while her father stood near with a shotgun. Only lords and ladies had baths. Eva smiled as she realized she could now have all the bathes she wanted, maybe with rose petals and sweet smelling soaps. She looked out the window at the rising moon and still couldn't believe all of it was happening to her. She'd never have to be hungry again.

Eva's stomach growled loudly, and Jenny giggled as she took up a sponge and rubbed soap against it. "We best hurry before milady wastes away of starvation. I'll need you to sit up, milady. So's I can bathe you."

Eva hesitated and bashfully sat up straight in the bath. Foamy water dripped off her perky breasts and sharp nipples, plastering her dark fur to the shape of her. She saw Jenny gulp, then the young maid sat on a stool behind her and gently started washing her neck and back.

"Your p-pretty, Miss," Jenny whispered in awe. "So v-very pretty." She laughed softly. "You've got to stop calling Masta Jonathan by titles. You're a lady. He's your equal, not the bloody king."

Eva blinked. "Then whadda I call 'im?"

"That depends," Jenny answered. "What is he to you? He calls Masta Charles his uncle, though they ain't even related from what I hear down in kitchen. I think it's sweet. You'll like Masta Charles. A right teddy bear, he is. With a voice like honey and gentle eyes."

Eva laughed. "A gentle lord? This I gotta see."

"Aye. But beware Masta Richard, eh?" went on Jenny, quietly and confidentially, whispering as if she feared someone might hear. "Masta Richard's where Masta Jonathan got his foul temper. They's both a pair of right prats. Might mistake 'em for princes if I didn't know any better."

Eva laughed. "I'm sure."

"But Masta Richard is kind in his way too," Jenny said, fondness in her voice. "He just tries to hide it . . . thinks he'll look weak. You could call the old dukes anything you like, as they loved your father. They worried for you plenty enough long before you was here. I'm sure Masta Charles would let you call him Charlie, for all he cares. And you could call Masta Richard anything, just don't call him Dick. Use to be his nickname and now he hates hearing it. 'specially when his own son started teasing him with it."

"Dick," chortled Eva. "Well, if he's as pissy as ya say, it suits him. Mayhaps I'll call 'im Dick."

"What will you call Masta Jonathan, milady?" Jenny whispered, pushing her gentle fingers through Eva's dark mass of hair.

Eva tilted her head to the side as water cascaded down her long neck. God, Jenny's fingers felt good."Well . . . I guess Jonathan is like me pa." She smiled sadly. "Pa was always tryin' ta control me. Had a bit of a temper too. But only because he thought he knew what was best for me."

"Most parents are like that," Jenny agreed and rolled her eyes.

"But I always thought I knew better," Eva added with a sad laugh.

Jenny smiled. "Most teenagers are like that. So . . . you're gonna call him pa?"

Eva could tell Jenny wanted to wash her breasts next, but she was afraid to. With a little smile, Eva took Jenny's paws and guided them into cupping her breasts. Jenny breathed sharply in Eva's ear and she went very still, but only for a moment. Her cheeks colored up, but her fascinated eyes were fixed on Eva's full breasts, so soft and wet in her fingers. She closed her fingers in a gentle massage, rolling Eva's softness in her paws. Eva saw her own dark nipples lengthen and harden. Suddenly breathless with arousal, she turned her head and looked up at Jenny. Jenny licked her lips, and with glazed eyes, she smoothed her paw down Eva's belly and touched her under the water.

"Oh, J-Jenny . . ." Eva whispered. She touched Jenny's face, and as Jenny gently groped and fingered her, they kissed.

"Ahem," said a voice.

Jenny scrambled back, and Eva splashed as she nearly slipped under the water. She grabbed the sides of the basin to catch herself and felt her cheeks get hot to see Hadly and Brooke standing in the doorway, both carrying a magnificent maroon colored gown. Behind them stood Marvene, whose golden face was bright as a penny.

Brooke and Marvene were uncomfortable and mortified, but Hadly only seemed amused. The older maid gave a slight curtsy and smiled as she said, "Your dress . . . . my lady."