Chapter 21

Robert went to his room to undress and his priority was to take a bath and seek out something appropriate for dinner. Polly helped him to remove his corset and then focused on preparing his bath so it gave him chance to observe himself in the glass.

In such a short time he had found that the corset was comfortable and he could see the benefit as his waist seemed much trimmer and he saw more definition in his hips. He removed the upper layer of his undergarments to free his breasts and cupped them in his hands. They were almost the same size as Adele’s but them she wasn’t particularly large in that area like most women he’d met and certainly nowhere near the size of Polly and the sisters who he’d had tea with. Perhaps Polly could find something that showed a little more of his bust that might tease Adele and please his Aunt.

He used the screen in his bedroom to undress completely out of view of Polly incase she re-entered and stood fully naked. It was hard to see signs of Robert Deane from 2 years ago and since he arrived in London he was finding that living more as a woman seemed to be having an effect on him. He felt more vulnerable and his movements were less masculine. He sat on a stool and crossed his legs so there was no sign of any masculinity and there was a complete woman looking back at him. He thought how nice it would be to have his portrait painted sitting like this so he could look back with pride in later life. He vowed to take care of his diet to maintain his slim body as long as possible but he would take care not to allow himself to lok so old as Aunt Roberta later in life so he would seek advice if possible.

Polly’s head appeared around the screen that made him jump a little and he was glad he had his legs crossed. She passed him a robe to cover himself until he was able to lower himself into the bath and covered himself under the water with one of the soft flannels. Polly soaked his back and gently cleaned his breasts and under arm commenting on how soft his skin was. His nipples didn’t feel quite so sore today so perhaps the oils were having a good effect. Polly proceeded to untie his hair and let it hang loose over his shoulders. Then she poured water over it from a large jug and spent ten minutes or so washing it and rinsing it thoroughly. Robert didn’t want to leave the comfort of the bath but Polly had a few chores to do after she’d attended to him so she hurried him along.

She left him in peace for a few moments whilst he stepped out of the bath and covered himself with a large towel and then he sat in front of the fire she’d lit in his room to dry his hair whilst she brushed it through.

They chatted about the wardrobe of clothes at Roberts disposal and he asked if there was a dress available that might help him present a little of his breasts and tease Mr Arthur at the dinner table. Polly smiled in acknowledgement and disappeared to make a selection that gave Robert chance to put on the fresh undergarments she’d left on his bed. He felt safe again once covered but then was a little shocked to realise he’d been in full view through the window from the property behind them nd he was sure he’d seen movement in the bedroom window. That had been the second time he’d felt such intrusion from that house but luckily unless they had a ships spyglass they would not see much more than he could see. Even with a spyglass some breast at best. He would have to take more care and mention his concerns to Aunt Roberta.

Polly brought two options of dress from Aunt Roberta’s accumulated wardrobe. Robert marvelled at the volume and Polly mentioned that until a few years ago one of the businesses she’d established had been the import and export of fashion items and the distribution to larger cities in England that included Oxford, Cambridge, Stratford on Avon, York, Manchester and Bath all locations where Miss Roberta had spent time. There was no mention of Bristol but she wondered why she’d never visited her adoptive parents with Bath being so close to Bristol. Perhaps it was to do with William’s family who she’d explained were very prominent in the City. Robert had never heard of them but maybe Adele had.

Polly recommended the black dress that was decorated in the sleeves and had a matching silver shawl. It fitted perfectly thanks to an extra tug or too on the waist corset that had the effect of accentuating his breasts that were amazing and comparable to those that had been on display earlier that afternoon. Polly advised that Aunt Roberta had a good eye for fashion and had always insisted on keeping dresses that took her eye during her visits to fashion rooms. She still considered herself to be young and had to be ready to socialise but sometimes she told Polly she’d made a purchase for Elizabeth when she came home.

Robert felt a shiver down his spine but was gaining more intimate knowledge of his newly found grandmother who perhaps was not the semi senile lady he’d assumed her to be on arrival.

Robert sat brushing his hair whilst Polly laid out the dress on the bed and returned the other two options to the wardrobe from whence they came. It was in fact a bedroom that was set up like a milliner’s or small fashion house with each item covered to protect them from dust and damage. Robert aimed to make visit with Polly in the next few days to take a closer look.

Robert’s hair was long enough to be spread across his shoulders until it was completely dry and then Polly arranged it neatly and tied it with a black ribbon. He was once again lost in a trance gazing at the image in the glass as Polly helped him to slip on a pair of soft silk shoes with a small heel. He twirled around to see the full effect and Polly clapped her hands to let him know he was ready for dinner. He hoped that Adele wouldn’t think less of him for selecting a more feminine style for the evening with a glimpse of his blossoming soft breasts on display. It seemed an age since he’d first wooed her rather than the reverse.

He decided to go downstairs to the reception room to await Adele rather than make an entrance afterwards and he settled on the window seat to look out into the Square watching people taking early evening strolls. He could see the entrance to the churchyard where his young mother had been laid to rest who was no older than him when she died. He wished he’d known her or even heard stories of her and he searched the room looking for any evidence of her existence. Sadly there was none.

Then he saw Adeles cab pull up at the curb side and Adele jumped down and turned to give instructions to the cabman. She strode confidently to the front door to knock and suddenly two men appeared from nowhere and confronted her. Robert let out a cry and rushed to the front door to help calling for Polly as he ran as quickly as he could in the skirts.

Pollys husband was first to respond as he was close at hand in the dining room. He opened the front door to see Adele using her cane to protect herself. The two men immediately withdrew and ran off across the Square. Adele was in need of a glass of brandy that was quickly served by Polly as Robert clung to Adeles arm. They sat together on the sofa and Adele tried to make light of the confrontation.

In her opinion the two men were chancers looking to pick her pocket with one distracting her whilst the other did the deed. In truth she believed they had followed the cab and their purpose had been to threaten her ion behalf of those trying to force her to sell her shareholding in the Club. She said nothing of this to Robert and tried to change the subject by admiring his outfit with a clear indication that she admired his mounds.

Aunt Roberta appeared and had been told of the incident by Polly so she immediately expressed her concern and insisted Adele take another small brandy whilst they discussed what had happened. In truth Robert had more to offer about the incident than Adele who saw nothing. He explained they had appeared from behind the cab but he saw no sign of them trying to steal Adeles wallet. Aunt Roberta agreed with Adeles private thoughts that these men were hired scoundrels paid to scare Mr Arthur into submission.

After a short while they moved through to dinner that started with a short blessing by Aunt Roberta followed by a small welcome toast to her long lost granddaughter.

The conversation ebbed and flowed through dinner with Aunt Roberta in thoughtful mood.

As they took a glass of port at the end of the meal Aunt Roberta decided that she would like to make a proposition to the two of them.

She didn’t expect an immediate answer but she asked them both to consider it carefully and discuss it together in their own time. They both agreed to respect her wishes.

Robert asked for the proposition to be declared.

‘Arthur it is clear that you need some financial help to rid yourself of these scoundrels pursuing money and trying to force you into ruin. I’ve lived with threats and persecution for 50 years and have lost a good man and a daughter and I don’t intend to lose a granddaughter. I am wealthy and I may yet have a few years to live so I want to try to enjoy them. ‘

‘So what is your solution?’

‘I want to ensure that in 3 months from now time Roberta inherits what is hers and finds happiness that both her mother and I had taken from us.’

‘But how?’

‘I suggest that in the morrow you two take a trip to a jewellers with whom I have traded who will measure Roberta for an engagement ring. The name of the Company is Taylor & Whittaker and they will provide a first class service.’

‘ But Aunt Roberta I don’t wish to become engaged since I have no proposal from anyone and I have no desire to enter a marriage of convenience.’

‘My proposal is simple. You will be in London for 3 months and I will insist that Arthur visits you regularly and offers his hand in marriage when the ring is ready. On that basis I will settle with the banks who hold loan notes against Arthurs family business.’

‘And what then?’

‘When you marry each other this will be your dowry that is presented to Arthur who will be able to focus on recovering debts without pressures from banks.’

‘ But Aunt Roberta I can’t since I don’t even know if I can live like this, nor I expect can Arthur. We are just friends.’

‘Really then you had better focus on your relationship for a while and let me know if my judgement is right or not. I made a big mistake once in my life but I won’t let that happen to my granddaughter.’