Diva in Disguise Chapter 17

At the sound of those taunting words, I spun around incautiously to find Karen grinning at me. I had forgotten the tendency of the skirts I was wearing to fly outwards and upwards at the slightest provocation, and her grin broadened into a leer as I strove to calm my frothy layers and restore what little modesty remained to me.

The tall girl was dressed for a party occasion, and to my mind she looked sensational. The high-low style of her close-fitting cocktail dress showed those endless legs to their best advantage. Trying not to stare at them, I drug my gaze northwards, a supreme effort seemingly. Before it reached her face its progress was arrested by the distracting sight of her boobs whose shapeliness was perfectly outlined under the flimsy material of her frock.

I could see she wore no bra as with a mischievous shimmy she pushed her chest forward to increase my confusion. When our eyes finally met, her knowing smirk showed how clearly she understood what was going through my brain, while I was all too aware of the effect she was having on my nether regions.

Karen critiqued me up and down in her turn. “You’re a sight to behold!” was her conclusion. I could have returned the compliment, but I was more concerned that my growing horniness stayed hidden, insufficiently restrained as it was in my scanty underwear.

My erstwhile heartthrob had taken the free hand that I had been using to restrain my wayward petticoats, the feather duster was in the other and I was terrified over what would be visible beneath my dress if it flipped revealingly.

Karen’s thoughts were fortunately engaged on the previous evening. “You were wearing even less the last time I saw you, stretched out on that bed and all. Remember?” The teasing girl gave me a sly glance.

I didn’t. I still had no recollection of what had or hadn’t happened between us the evening before, but my professed paramour disregarded my silence and moved closer. “That was some night, lover girl!”

I found myself wrapped in an embrace which seemed to go on for ever. When I extricated myself, Karen noticed my reluctance to participate. To conceal her discomfiture at this, she adopted a critical air.

“I see that you have neglected the advice I gave you about how to wear short skirts” she chided me. “If you had put on pantyhose this morning, the length of yours would be perfectly acceptable. It’s only a little shorter than mine, after all. However, I guess it may do. You’re only here as the help!”

Up until then, I thought that I had come to terms with my role as maid, so the slight upon my status shouldn’t have stung, but I have to admit that it did.

With a parting “When we’re together all the time I will be expecting all manner of improvements”, she turned on her heel and stalked off.

Nursing my bruised ego, I traipsed through to the kitchen to help Consuela set out the refreshments. As if to emphasise what had passed, my skirts flounced up and down like a ballerina’s tutu as I walked. Though both my hands were currently free to control them, I realised that when I was busy serving that would not be possible. When I reached my destination, my dismay was increased as the maid playfully flipped up my hem for the umpteenth time.

Aargh!

I had to do something and fast! I made the excuse that I needed the bathroom and fled, one hand pressed firmly between my legs, for security! I ran up to the first floor. The door which I knew to lead to Madeleine’s dressing room was standing ajar. Furtively I peeked inside and could see the room was unoccupied. With no time for hesitation, I crossed to the dresser and opening the top drawer found what I was looking for, an array of panties belonging to the older woman. They were neatly arranged so it took only a second to select a suitable pair. They were full-cut in style in a heavy satin material and adorned with delicate lace. They looked expensive. So much the better!

Without removing the skimpy item that I was already wearing, I stepped into the garment and pulled it up. With two pairs in place, I could be confident that my private area would now be able to stand up to scrutiny, so to speak! Though I felt a fleeting temptation to search the room to try and locate the incriminating photographs, I decided not to delay. The likelihood of my finding them was low whereas the consequences of my being discovered could be far-reaching. My raid on Madeleine’s lingerie collection had been safely completed so a swift exit was called for.

I listened a moment to make sure I was alone before stepping out of the room and was alarmed to hear an approaching footfall. I scanned the chamber in panic, looking for a hiding place... without success. As a last resort I positioned myself behind the open door, not daring to breathe. To prevent my flouncing skirt and petticoats being visible I wrapped them around me as closely as I could and made myself as small as possible.

The footsteps became louder and to my dismay, Madeleine herself entered. She paused a moment, not a yard from where I was concealed. My heart seemed to stop but fortune was on my side. Though my hiding place was totally inadequate, and discovery seemed inevitable, she swept onward without looking around and crossed into the bedchamber which lay beyond.

Doubtless she was intent on making some final adjustment to her toilette, but I didn’t wait to see what she might be up to. I stepped out of the room and removing my heels I ran lightly down the corridor. When I reached the staircase, I judged it safe to resume my footwear. Then I clattered merrily down the flight, giddy from a sense of relief and congratulating myself that what was below my skirts could now stand up to inspection.

It was just as well that it was so for it was soon to be put to the test. As I descended, the air under my skirts lifted them around my waist, immodestly revealing my unmentionables, but that didn’t faze me too much even though guests had started to arrive. No-one could cavil at the quality of my impromptu display! I took a deep breath, fixed a smile upon my face and threw myself into my allotted role.

The evening was an experience best forgotten, however. I had known many of the company in my former life here, but I was now treated with disdain by almost all, where formerly I had been lionized as Madeleine’s fiancé. I would have preferred to retreat into obscurity in the background, but my all too revealing costume effectively prevented that. All I was conscious of was hostile stares wherever I looked.

One exception was the man Roddy, who naturally enough was among those invited, as was his partner, Tam. I was holding a tray of welcoming drinks when he approached me directly, and his greeting was as warm as anyone could wish. “I do believe it’s little Jennifer” he boomed. “It must be more than two years. So nice to see you again after all this time.”

I would have preferred my name not to be broadcast to all within earshot, but I was uncritical of any kind of friendship just then. Remembering my recent encounter with him at the studio, it was reassuring that so far he hadn’t connected me with my professional persona, Mistie, but then, he probably wasn’t devoting much attention to my face.

“What can I get you?” I smiled, putting on my bravest smile.

“That’s a difficult one” he chortled, eyeing me up and down. “If I’m honest, I fancy everything that’s on display. I’ll have a handful or even two. Put that tray down, sweetheart, and I’ll show you what I mean!”

Treating the innuendo as a harmless joke came naturally enough to me. This wasn’t the first time in recent days that I’d been hit on, nor would it be the last. Smiling archly, I handed him a cocktail. “You’re easily satisfied!”

He caught the double entendre and gave a loud guffaw. “Not yet, but I certainly could be!”

While I wouldn’t usually have given Roddy the least encouragement, an exchange of badinage with him felt much more pleasant than the supercilious stares I had to endure from the rest of the company.

As the night progressed I found it harder to overlook the tarty costume I was arrayed in. Attempting to busy myself with my duties proved only a partial remedy. Later, on my way to the kitchen, I stepped into the library to see whether any empty glasses needed to be retrieved. The room was deserted so I paused for a moment to draw breath. It was a relief to be alone for a space. Then to my consternation I was grabbed from behind, a large hand was placed across my chest, and another gripped my thigh. I gasped as it slid upward under my skirt and anchored me against my unknown assailant. I was relieved to feel a beard tickle my bare shoulder. It could only be one person.

“Roddy! I might have known it would be you.”

“I never disappoint, do I?”

“No, you certainly don’t” I scolded.

Just then I became aware that the lady of the house had entered the room. That evening she was dressed in something long, dark and clinging. Her gown was low-cut and split to the thigh, but though it revealed almost as much bare flesh as did my uniform it achieved a look of effortless elegance. The contrast was not lost upon me and served to make me feel cheaper than ever.

“Having trouble?” Madeleine murmured disapprovingly. She had been apparently watching the encounter from the doorway. “I hope you are looking after my guests, Jennifer. I expect you to take care of all their needs.”

“Oh, I am!” I exclaimed. “Mr Nelson is certainly getting satisfaction!”

“Indeed? I expected no better” the woman sneered. She turned on her heel and was gone, allowing Roddy to take the opportunity to renew his attentions.

“Let go of me… or…”

“Now what will you do, precious? Can you deny that I’ve been getting a come-on all evening? Don’t disappoint me now.”

The man started to gyrate his hips, grinding himself rhythmically against me. There was something hard pressed between my butt cheeks. I didn’t like to imagine what. Worryingly, I found the sensation not altogether unpleasant, which made it difficult for me to focus.

“… I’ll scream.”

“And what will that achieve? I know what you want.”

Ignoring a brief temptation to let whatever happened just happen, with an effort I pulled myself together. One of my arms was trapped beneath one of his, but I had free use of the other. I lifted that one and jerked it backwards as hard as I could. My elbow dug in under his ribs and with a sound like a tyre deflating the lustful man exhaled completely. His body went limp and I was able to wriggle free.

“You should be ashamed of yourself” I berated him angrily, although I felt more annoyance with myself than with Roddy. It suited me to make him the target of my ire just then. “You ought to know better. Don’t you dare come near me again!”

With no attempt to brazen the matter out, the big guy backed down. He held his hands up wordlessly in token of surrender.

That was the probably the most shaming part of the evening I had to endure, and there was a reward for enduring the humiliation that had been meted out to me in the shape of the second of those apparently incriminating photographs. Madeleine was evidently keeping to her part of the bargain. I speedily converted it to ashes like the first. The question that remained was… how many more of the wretched things were there? When I asked her, the tormenting woman wouldn’t give me an answer. I had no idea how long this punishment was likely to continue.

By the time all the guests had gone it was long after midnight. Consuela and I finished clearing up and made our way upstairs for bed in the small hours. There would be an early start for us on the morrow and we were both tired out. I entered the sombre room where I’d spent the previous night and the maid followed me in. She gave my petticoats a last desultory flick.

“Don’t be mean, Consuela” I grumbled. “I’m all in.”

“Sorry” she exclaimed and looked as though she might have meant it. She started to help me get out of my humiliating costume, for which I was grateful, reflecting that she had seen me undressed before. I gathered by her next remark that she was pleased with me.

“Thanks for today. You worked really hard. I might have been wrong about you. I’m sorry I was mean” she repeated.

I tried not to look my surprise. Perhaps I might make an ally of her after all.

“I’ve been intending to tell you. Earlier, I overheard mistress talking to that Karen girl about what they’d been planning. I’d like you to know that if I’d known beforehand, I wouldn’t have had any part in it. Even if jilting madame wasn’t very nice of you, I don’t see that you deserved this.”

I gazed at the maid, wide-eyed. Her admission was quite something.

Shyly she ventured “You know, I had the biggest ever crush on you at school.” Blushing deeply, she continued, “I knew all about your story, of course; the boy who dressed as a girl. I thought it so brave for you to do what you did.”

She considered some more. “You don’t have to sleep in here, you know. This room isn’t intended for guests. Mistress has other uses for it.” Consuela’s air had become mysterious.

“You mean these?” Making a wild guess, I pointed to the silken ties which adorned each of the four bedposts.

“Yes, she like to use those. They’re for one of the games she likes to play. I can show you, if you like. It’s fun!”

No way! Did she really think I wanted to play that kind of game, at this time of night? “Er… interesting. Thanks, but… I’m exhausted tonight.”

Consuela didn’t seem at all put out by my refusal. “No problem. But anyway, it’s much more comfortable in my room and my bed is wide enough for two…” after a pause she added slyly “but not too wide…”

I was down to just my panties at this point, and it took a moment to realise that my companion’s attention appeared to be fixed upon my uncovered chest. The implications of her words took a while to register to my dulled senses. When they sank in my response was to clamber onto the bed and pull the quilt over me. “You’re so kind, Consuela, but I’ll be okay in here, I guess. I’m so tired I could sleep on a rope. Could you turn off the light as you leave, please? Good night.”

The maid flicked the switch and darkness engulfed the room. I didn’t see Consuela’s face as she left. I hoped that my rejection of her offer wouldn’t alienate her. It was vital to me that we were still on the same side, but I was too tired to worry. I slept like the proverbial log.

The following morning, I was woken by the maid, shaking my shoulder. It was very early.

“Come on sleepy head” she laughed. “We have a lot to do before breakfast.”

The girll's relenting mood had apparently survived the night. I found that encouraging and more importantly, there might be a prospect of food. I’d consumed little enough the previous day. On that score I was soon to be disappointed, however. Several of the guests had stayed over and the maid and I were required to serve a cooked breakfast before there was any hope of being fed ourselves.

As before I found working alongside Consuela was okay, even if she was still obsessed with impishly flipping up my skirts whenever she passed them. After a couple of times, I attempted to return the favour, but her dress wasn’t in the same bouffant style. The best I could achieve was to slide the hem of her skirt up her thigh. The action became unintentionally sensual and provoked an unexpected response.

Next moment I found myself grabbed and being heartily kissed by the girl who seemed to have misinterpreted my kittenish behaviour as amorous. Consuella was surprisingly strong, and I found myself helpless to resist her.

When she broke away she laughed self-consciously. “There! I’ve always wanted to do that, ever since high school.”

“No problem.” I was more than a little bemused.

“Don’t get me wrong, but I thought it would be different somehow, kissing a boy who was also a girl. Don’t be offended, but it wasn’t what I hoped. I’m guess I’m probably more into real men.”

“No problem” I repeated. It really wasn’t. I mean I didn’t mind at all that my manhood evidently didn’t pass muster with her. I couldn’t expect it to in all honesty. Could I?

After all the food was laid out on the table another task awaited me. Breakfast was to be served to one of the guests in their room and it fell to me to take it. As I carried my laden tray up the stairs, I speculated on who the favoured person might be. There was enough food for two. I knocked on the bedroom door and was answered by a familiar voice.

“You may enter.”