The Arrangement [Box Set] Page 6

  After dinner, Walter brought the car to the front of the house and they all climbed in.

  The drive to Greenwood Springs was beautiful. The fall trees were turning brown as they drove through the hills of Virginia and the girls were having fun in the back of the car. Walter put his hand on April’s lap and she was relaxed enough to let him leave it there. They spoke little on the drive and it was about an hour and a half till Walter left the road to go down the long driveway of the Greenwood Academy.

  The school grounds were beautifully manicured of course. By now, April expected no less. Everything the firm arranged was always of the highest standard. When they got out of the car they were greeted by a young woman in her twenties who said she was a liaison officer. She brought them to the school’s administrative building, a beautiful stone cottage next to the main building. April was pleased to see that the girls followed the woman obediently and didn’t make a scene. They seemed to be quite excited about their surroundings and pointed things out to each other as they followed the liaison officer.

  At the building they met Ms. Forrester, the headmistress of the school. She was about forty-five and very competent looking. She had on a black cotton dress that fit her perfectly and lace stockings and she had to be the most elegant school teacher April had ever seen. They all went into a small sitting room and sat. Someone served her and Walter tea and there was juice and cookies for the girls.

  Ms. Forrester addressed the girls first. She welcomed them to the Greenwood Academy and explained that this was going to be their home for the school term. The girls scarcely understood most of it, April was certain of that, but they were polite and went along with everything that was being told to them happily enough. Then two students, girls who were about eight years old, were shown into the room and Ms. Forrester introduced them to Lucy and Mary. She told April and Walter to say goodbye so that the girls could go off and be shown to their rooms.

  To April’s relief the girls actually seemed excited. She hugged and kissed them both and the only tears that were shed were her own. Then the girls all went off to the dormitory with the liaison officer and left her and Walter alone with Ms. Forrester.

  —Will they have trouble settling in? April said.

  —There will be some tears for the first few nights. There always are when they realize that they’re here for good. Most of them are expecting their parents to take them home at bedtime, they think it’s a game, and when they realize they have to sleep here they cry. But they settle in within a few days. It’s a very nice school, I assure you, and the children grow to love the place very quickly. We’re good to them here.

  —And what about visiting?

  —Well, visits are allowed on Sunday afternoons but we really do recommend you leave it two or three weeks before the first visit.

  —Why? April said. That sounded like an eternity to her.

  —It just allows them to get settled. They settle in more quickly if you leave them to it for a while.

  April looked at Walter. Walter ignored the look. He thanked Ms. Forrester and then brought April back out to the car. Before he’d even started the ignition she was in tears.

  —They’ll be fine, he assured her. We’ll come and visit them in a few weeks.

  April sensed the impatience in Walter’s voice but she just couldn’t stop crying. She let Walter hold her even though she blamed him for all this and on the drive home she spoke even less than she had on the way there.

  She thought about the amount of control she’d allowed Walter to gain over her life. He’d brought her to a new neighborhood, moved her into a house that belonged to the firm, taken away her car, put her under the supervision of servants and drivers, and then allowed his partners to have their way with her sexually. She could not have given up more control over her life than she already had. She was completely under the control of Walter and the other partners now and she was acutely aware of the fact. And as if that wasn’t all enough, now he’d taken away her two little babies so that she would be entirely alone.

  III

  ON TUESDAY, APRIL GOT A call from Midge Prentiss. April liked Midge and was glad to take the call. She’d been missing her two girls sorely and had spent all of Monday resisting the urge to call their school. No one at the school had called her and she figured they were probably just trying to get the girls settled. She knew Walter would be upset if she called them first. He’d see it as an interference and interpret it as her going against the wishes of the firm.

  As she took the receiver from the maid she decided to do her best to sound happy. She hadn’t seen Midge since the dinner party and was a little shy to talk to her now because of what had happened in Frank’s den. Surely Midge knew about it. All four husbands having their way with her on the billiard table, eating out her pussy like she was the dessert! Surely Midge knew all about it.

  —Midge, what a pleasant surprise.

  —April, you poor thing, you must be missing your babies terribly.

  April was surprised. She hadn’t expected any sympathy on that point although she couldn’t say why. She had supposed that since the firm had chosen the school and the other partners had all sent their children there, no one would want to hear anything negative about the experience from her. She almost burst into tears as she listened to Midge.

  —I remember when Frank made us put our kids in there. It was the hardest day of my life, April. I kid you not. I must have cried a week.

  —Oh, Midge. I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear you say that.

  —Oh, that’s not the half of it, April. We all understand what you’re going through. It’s not an easy decision to make but take comfort in the fact that none of us regret it a bit.

  —Are you sure?

  —A hundred percent. My kids are still in the senior school. I can vouch for the place personally. They’re as close to me as they could possibly be, we see them all the time. There’s vacations, birthdays, weekend visits. And the education they receive is top notch. It really is. They’re ready for anything. My oldest has already been accepted to Harvard after he graduates.

  —That’s great, Midge. I’m just so worried about sending them away at this age. They’re still so young. I’m afraid they’ll grow distant and forget all about me.

  —Don’t be silly, April. It doesn’t work that way. They’ll be your darlings forever and you’ll be delighted with the education they pick up out there at Greenwood.

  —I’m glad to hear you say so.

  —Well I do say so. But on to sillier things. The girls and I are going shopping today and we want you to join us.

  —Oh, thank you, but I’m not sure I’m up to it today, Midge.

  —Nonsense. It’ll take your mind off it. We’ll pick you up in an hour.

  Midge hung up. April sighed. She looked at her watch. It was nine-thirty. She ran upstairs and had a shower, put on clean clothes and was just finishing with her hair and makeup when the maid came in to tell her the car was at the door.

  —Thank you, Carla, she said as she rushed past her.

  Outside, a black limo was waiting. Midge was already inside with Charmaine Wellington.

  —We always pick up Kit last, Midge said.

  —Of course, April said.

  —It’s a seniority thing.

  —I didn’t know we went in for that, April said.

  —Oh, you’ll learn, Charmaine said.

  They drove down to the road and then up the Kingsley’s private driveway. If April had been impressed by the houses she’d seen so far, her jaw literally dropped when she saw the Kingsley’s house. It was nothing like her own, or the Prentiss’s, which she’d seen on the night of the dinner party. The only way to describe the Kingsley’s house was to say it was a castle. It literally was. April was reminded of the grand houses she’d seen in England with Walter on their honeymoon. This house was every bit as grand and opulent as those houses were. There was a formal garden in front of the house with fountains and rows of neat
ly trimmed hedges leading the eye to the main entrance. From the air it would have looked like a runway directing planes to the front door. At night it would all be lit up like a fair. It was spectacular.

  —Wow, she said.

  —I know, Charmaine said.

  —Is your house like this? she said to Charmaine.

  —Not quite.

  —She’s being modest, Midge said. Her house is pretty close.

  Kit came down the steps and a man in uniform hurried behind her, carrying her bag. He opened the limo door for her.

  —Ready, girls? Kit said as she got in. She seemed excited to be going on an outing.

  April was impressed by how youthful and radiant she was. She hoped she would look that beautiful when she was in her sixties. She looked around at the three other women and appreciated how elegant they were. This lifestyle would certainly do a lot to promote and prolong her youth, she could see that much. The women would not have looked out of place in a fancy nightclub in New York. They really were stunning. She was sitting next to Midge. The two older women were sitting on the seat facing them with their backs to the driver.

  There was no doubt they were a good group of women to go shopping with. They all seemed to have impeccable taste, dressed as they were for a day on the town. Kit told the driver they were going to Georgetown and then she leaned back and pushed a button on the console in front of her. A small door with a black leather finish opened and April was thrilled to see that inside was an ice bucket and a bottle of champaign.

  —Allow me, she said and took the bottle from the ice. She struggled a little with the cork but managed to open it with a pop. Midge handed her glasses to fill.

  She filled four glasses and then leaned back in her seat and sipped the champaign.

  —I could get used to this, she said.

  Charmaine laughed.

  April looked up at her.

  —April, Kit said. It sure is nice to have you in the family. You’re very welcome.

  The girls all held up their glasses and they clinked them together.

  —Thank you, was all April could manage.

  Kit continued. —I know it takes a little getting used to. It’s certainly not the most conventional arrangement in the world but we find that it works. You’ll be settled soon enough. I promise, within a few days you’ll wonder how you ever survived before you came to us.

  April looked at her. She wondered how all this had come to be. How was it that these three women were here with her, and all of their husbands had tasted her at the dinner party? How could anyone get away with such an arrangement? It must have been the husbands who’d set it up. There was no doubting that, but even still, it all seemed so strange. She’d heard of rich men sleeping with other women, that was the commonest thing in the world, but she’d never heard of an arrangement quite like this.

  —You must be full of questions, Midge said.

  April didn’t know what to say. She was too embarrassed to broach the subject directly.

  —Don’t be shy, child, Kit said. I’m sure you want to know what you’ve gotten yourself into, and if my experience tells me anything it’s that Walter probably hasn’t explained a thing to you.

  —He hasn’t, April said.

  Midge laughed.

  —Just typical, Kit said. Did you even know what to expect at the dinner party?

  —I hadn’t a notion, April said, and despite herself and the strangeness of the whole conversation, she laughed too.

  —Tell us what happened, Midge said.

  —Midge! Charmaine said in a classic scolding voice.

  —Rule number one, Kit said to April, you don’t have to tell us anything you don’t want to. Whatever happens between you and the men is entirely your business. I don’t know what they tell each other, I don’t care to know, but I only share what I’m comfortable sharing. Do you understand?

  —I think so, April said.

  —Rule number two, Kit said, is that you don’t tell Walter, or any of the men for that matter, anything that goes on between us.

  —We mean it, Midge said. Whatever happens between us girls stays between us. You can be absolutely honest with us and you don’t have to worry about it getting back to the men.

  —Ok, April said.

  —So, any questions? Charmaine said.

  April could tell that Charmaine was the serious member of the group. She would be the one that would keep them on task if they all got too distracted. Kit was the grand dame for want of a better description. And Midge was the baby, or at least she had been until April came along.

  —Well, April said. I guess I’m wondering, so you all knew what was going to happen to me at the dinner party?

  They all laughed.

  —Of course we did, Charmaine said. Although I can see how it might have been something of a surprise to you.

  —And you didn’t mind?

  —There’s no point minding, Kit said. There’s nothing to mind. This is how it is now. We’re family. The eight of us. The four men, and the four of us, whatever happens between us, all of it, belongs to all of us.

  April nodded.

  —So tell us, Midge said. How was it?

  —Midge! Charmaine said again but April interjected.

  —No, it’s fine. I want to share.

  Kit and Charmaine nodded approvingly. Midge clasped her hands together. She was dying to hear about April’s experience.

  —Well, April began, to be honest, I was a little scared at first. I didn’t know where they were taking me, I didn’t know what was going on. I was in that skimpy dress and I felt exposed and vulnerable.

  —Yes? Midge said encouragingly.

  —But then, after it started, I found it thrilling. The men were all so kind and courteous to me. They made me feel safe and I found it to be absolutely the most erotic, sensual, exciting experience of my life if I’m telling the complete truth.

  Midge hugged her. —I knew you’d fit in, she said.

  —Absolutely fabulous, darling, Kit said.

  Charmaine was smiling and nodding.

  —Thank you all for being so nice to me.

  —Oh, you sweet thing, Kit said.

  —We have to be, Midge said. If we weren’t, this would be a very lonely lifestyle to lead.

  April nodded. —I can’t imagine how it would be.

  —Quite right, Kit said.

  —I have another question then, April said. She was looking at Kit.

  —Go ahead.

  —Have you all been with Walter?

  Kit gave a knowing nod of the head. —Well I can only speak for myself child. But the answer is yes.

  —When was that?

  —The first time was about two months ago when they first began talking of making him partner.

  —The first time?

  —There have been a few times since, though never alone.

  —What do you mean?

  —As a group, a family I guess I should say, I’ve been with him a few other times.

  —Oh April, Midge said. We’ve all been with Walter. Once they decided he was going to be a partner he got to try us all out, so to speak. She giggled and the other women joined her.

  —Oh, April said.

  —Are you shocked?

  —I suppose so. The truth was her head was spinning, although that might have been as much from the champaign as it was from the news she was getting.

  —Are you upset? Midge said.

  April was quiet for a moment. Then she said, —No.

  —Not even a little?

  April looked her in the eye. —Not at all, actually.

  —Are you sure?

  —I’m sure, she said.

  And she was sure. She didn’t have the slightest feeling of jealousy at all. It was as if this was the most ordinary arrangement in the world. She realized that as long as she was safe and secure, she didn’t really mind what Walter did with these women, especially since they were being so nice to her and treating her like a s
ister.

  —Want to know what we thought of him? Midge said.

  —There you go again, always stirring up mischief, Charmaine said.

  April nodded.

  —He’s great. He gave me the biggest orgasm I’ve had in years, Midge said.

  —Oh, you’re being generous.

  —You sound surprised, Charmaine said.

  —Well, I never thought of Walter as much of a lover.

  —Oh, you’ll probably find that things will change quite a lot now, Kit said. When Herb and I first started this thing over twenty years ago he became so much more assertive and aggressive in the bedroom. I loved it. Not only did I have Frank to play with but Herb became like a completely new lover too.

  —So you’ve been doing this for twenty years?

  —Charmaine and I have, Kit said. Midge was the baby, that is until you came along. She and Frank joined the family about five years ago.

  —Oh. And are you glad that I’ve come along?

  —Of course we are, child, Kit said. There’s nothing like a fresh young couple to reinvigorate the entire arrangement. We’ve all been enjoying your husband for the past couple of months and we’re excited about how things are going to develop now that you’ve been brought into things.

  April looked at them all individually, and then said, —I’m excited too. I never thought I’d say this, but I find it thrilling. I never felt so desirable and sexual in my life as I did the other night when they had me up on the billiard table and each of them tasted me.

  —I hope they remembered their manners and made you come, Midge said.

  —They did, April said.

  —Who specifically?

  —Specifically what?

  —Made you come?

  —Remember, you only have to share what you’re comfortable with, Charmaine said.

  Midge sighed. —Oh, she already knows that. Just let her speak.