Basil

Basil
By: A.Shanty (randyshanty@yahoo.com)

Basil threw aside the Times and looked at his stockinged feet silhouetted against the roaring fire. Life is so tedious, he thought. What the hell! December upon us and nothing to do but the routine of running the place, the occasional jaunt into town (For what? He didn't know.), and the usual round of Christmas parties, theirs this weekend. Well, at least he had his shopping done! He felt like a stiff drink, but he knew his wife would frown on one so early in the day.

He looked across the room at her, so seemingly content with her knitting or crocheting, a smile on her face. Dear Lady Elizabeth. Was she really that happy? They lived such an ordinary life, nothing exciting ever happened. Why was she so happy?

He returned to examine his feet. They were warm for a change. In this dank old mansion, this was the only room where one could really relax at this time of year. The heavy curtains were drawn over the windows and doorways. It made for a cozy cocoon in an otherwise habitable but rather cold castle.

He wondered again why she stuck it out here. She had control of the purse as Daddy had provided the wherewithal to afford it. Yet she had never suggested they put more into the extravagant heat bill and make the place more hospitable, or that they just sell up and move somewhere more comfortable. He knew she loved the horses and the social life, but was it really worth the aggravation? The only other warm place in the house was bed! He admitted she was pretty good there, and often even eager after four years of marriage. Just the two of them rattling around in the place. No kids. A shame. Seemed such a waste somehow.

He got up and stretched his forty year old body.

She glanced up.

"How about a little something against the cold, my dear?"

She smiled. "Sounds right. A bit early but it is rather miserable out, is it not? Yes. A nice tot of sherry, if you please."

He crossed to the liquor cabinet and poured her a generous one, and himself a hefty scotch. "Cheers", he said as he handed it to her. "Lovely fire, what?"

"Yes dear."

He returned to the hearth and threw another log on. "Are we all ready for tomorrow night?" he asked.

"Think so. I checked with Cook and she says she has all in hand. Ronald has the wine looked after."

"Flowers?"

"Yes. They'll come just after lunch."

"Anything else?"

"I can't think so."

"Okay. Relax, my dear. It will come off just wonderfully."

He looked at her and as he was about to open his mouth she added, "Yes dear. On this occasion we'll crank up the boiler for the weekend. No use having any of our friends uncomfortable. You make sure Robert has all the fireplaces well provisioned, and more wood handy. He should light the fires about noon so that the place is really cozy by the time the first arrive." She smiled at his response and and went back to her handiwork.

They sipped in an agreeable silence. His mind drifted to Lady Ursula. How he was looking forward to her coming. What a lovely piece she was. How he'd like to have her in bed. He visualized her grinning face as he pounded her, her sparkling eyes, her legs wide in the air, her fingers laced behind her head, her happy groan, her lovely breasts bobbing to the rhythm of their intercourse. He felt the excitement.

When he'd finished his drink, he glanced at his watch, rose and said he was off for a little stroll around the garden before dinner. Lady Ursula came with him.

The weekend began well. All sixteen arrived in good time and in good spirits. Basil did the honours, opening with a brandy punch which everyone complemented. The hors d'oeuvres were there aplenty.

Basil watched Lady Ursula across the room. What a dish! They often flirted with each other at social events and he looked forward to sparring with her. Her dress flattered her figure without being too much. He wondered why she lingered over there away from him, without a drink. Teasing him perhaps. Eventually she made her way to him. "Hello, Love. How're you doing these days?"

"Oh. Just grand. You know. And you, my dear?"

"Actually managing well too. Dicky's been busy with the hounds. You are coming out to the hunt next week? I do hope so."

"Oh yes. Got the nag all curried and combed. He looks positively elegant. Ready for anything. Surely I can offer you some punch. It's got a kick to it." He grinned.

"Lovely."

As he lent over the tray he lowered his voice to say, "You look delightful this evening, Ursula. Just scrumptious. Love that frock."

"Thank you, my lord. I'll take that as a complement."

"You jolly well better. It was meant as one."

"A lady might blush."

"And so she should. You're easy to look at."

"Thank you, sir." She looked him straight in the eye and grinned. He felt the tingle in his scalp.

They were joined by another guest, then another, and after a moment Lady Ursula drifted off to visit with others. What a pretty wench, he thought. He continued to watch her, her very interesting body, while he continued to serve his guests the punch. Once she caught him at it and smiled.

He carved the huge joint with speed and skill. Robert and Cook passed and soon everyone was well into the meal. There were toasts to this and that so all were well into their cups. Robert continually circled the table with a bottle or two in hand. The wines were an excellent choice.

He surveyed the gathering. All were obviously enjoying themselves. His wife at the other end of the table had the undivided attention on Lord Richard, or Dickie as he was nicknamed. Out of the corner of his eye, Basil watched Lady Ursula as she chatted with one of his neighbours. He was evidently smitten. She was halfway down the table. The candlelight suited her. Again, she caught him watching her again and smiled. It was his turn to blush.

After a delicious dessert of creme brule, the men excused themselves for brandy and cigars in the study, and the ladies had a few moments to powder their noses. At nine all were assembled for three rubbers of Bridge. As luck would have it, Richard and Ursula did not draw his table once that evening. A nightcap for a few of the stalwarts and people started to saunter off to bed.

He checked in the kitchen and joined Robert with a scotch. "Good start, ay, Sir."

"Right on!"

He lay in bed, cuddled up with his Elizabeth. "It went very well this evening, Basil. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I did."

"Yes. Good. I think so. Glad you did," but he couldn't stop Lady Ursula crossing his mind. He saw her as if in a film, on her hands and knees, her golden hair a halo about her head, Mouth and eyes wide open, her breasts swinging like pendulums as he drove onto her from behind. Now this was an adultery, was it not? Lying with one's wife, warm in each other's arms, and thinking of another woman. Not good. He really must get control of his head.

He reached around and gently squeezed Elizabeth's breast and kissed her behind the ear. She snuggled and rubbed her rump in his lap. "Oh, Basil," she laughed. "Not tonight of all nights! I'm positively done in."

Eventually he drifted off to a troubled sleep. Haunted.

Breakfast was the usual lazy affair, more a brunch. The sideboard was laden with fruit, croissant and buns, jams and jellies, sausages and bacon, hard boiled eggs as well as a selection of hot and cold cereals. All the fixings. He felt himself to be obligated to be there for the morning as host. The guests came and went, off to ride, or walk the grounds, play some indoor tennis or swim in the pool. He hoped it was all a worthwhile cause. It was surely costing a fortune.

Richard and Ursula arrived to an empty room. She was dressed in a lovely dress, almost a summer dress, that looked very becoming on her. They joined him when they'd helped themselves.

"Jolly good meal last night, Basil. I am impressed. What's on for this evening?" Richard tucked into his plateful of food.

"Don't honestly know," lied Basil. "It will be good, I assure you. Cook is a marvel."

"I'm sure you will do us proud"

"What do you plan to do this morning?"

"Not quite sure actually. Probably borrow one of your steeds and have a gallop over the moors. That okay by you?"

"Certainly."

"And you, Ursula? He glanced at her beside him. She smiled warmly back at him. He for his part returned it but felt some faint alarm bells going off.

"Not much, I suspect. Find a quiet corner and a good book. Perhaps a swim later in the day. Certainly a nap after that very full evening."

"If you want anything, please ask."

"Oh, I will. I promise. You are very generous."

"My library is at your disposal. What's your fancy?"

"Nothing serious. A little romance, perhaps."

Dickie had wolfed down his meal and now pushed back his chair. "Think I'll stroll down to the stables. Care to join me, darling?"

"Just a minute, dear. Two bits of fruit ad I'm done. There." She rose and thanked Basil. He watched her lovely ass as she followed her husband out. Yes. A very handsome woman. Lovely figure, from behind. Well, front too. No. No. Don't. But he couldn't stop thinking about her.

He found her alone in the library later in the day. She didn't hear him as he entered. She was up a ladder picking over some old works. He liked what he saw, her lovely legs, the broadening of her hips, the strong shoulders. Yes. A very handsome woman. She was leaning out farther than she should to reach a book and as she did, Basil was struck by the way the skirt of her cashmere dress seemed to hug to her body. He'd always thought she was a shapely woman, but he was awestruck.

As he entered, he must have made some noise for she turned and almost lost her balance. He rushed forward to prevent her fall and was able to steady her, his hand on each side of her thighs. They slid, taking the dress with them. He was sure, almost as soon as he touched her, that she had no undergarment on under the dress. He froze. The hem of the dress had risen and there, a few inches from his face was the back of a great deal of stocking-clad legs.

"You okay?" he croaked, letting the dress fall when she'd steadied herself.

"Oh yes, thanks. Very."

He stepped back as she descended and turned to him. There was something strangely liquid about her chest as she moved. Could she really be naked under that dress?

"You're sure?" he stammered. Naked?

"Yes. You?"

"I think I'm okay."

"Come on over by the fire and we'll have a little chat. Do you know Thackery?" She lead.

He watched her body sidle across to the fire. Silently he groaned. "No. It was Elizabeth's father's library. I've not read a lot of it. Sort of kept busy around here." His brain was racing. Does she really have nothing on under that dress?

She plopped herself down in the big chair, tucking her legs under her and again he noticed how her breasts moved so freely. He felt his manhood respond. She looked up at him. He eased himself into the twin opposite and returned her smile. She was so very at ease. He wasn't.

"What have you been doing while all of us have been taking advantage of your hospitality?'

"Oh. You know. The host thing. On patrol to make sure it's going well." He was doing his best.

"And was it going well?"

"Yes."

"Where's Elizabeth?"

"Going over everything with Cook for this evening." She had glanced away and he took the opportunity to examine the line of her chest.

"That Dickie is still out on the moors for all I know. That must be a fine horse you've lent him. If he doesn't have to, he won't be back until he has to dress for dinner." She laughed. She let the statement hang.

He decided it was better to look at the fire.

"How many rooms in this place, Basil?"

"I'm not actually sure." He knew where this was heading and he couldn't stop it. "About fifty at last count. I counted the east wing once. Twelve bedrooms there. Of course we don't heat that part. I guess about fifty."

"I thought as much. Seems an awful waste. You should open a hotel!"

He stood. "I think I should be off on my rounds."

"Please. Not so soon. I'd like us to know each other better."

"Yes. I'm somewhat afraid of that."

"Afraid of me? You've flirted with me for quite a while now."

"Admitted. And loved it. But in public."

"So that time you sallied up beside me at the Forbes-French's party, put you hand around my waist, then slid it down to give my bum a feel, that was all just flirting?"

"Ursula!"

"Don't be offended. I wasn't. I didn't mind. Actually, I liked it."

She was looking at the fire. He stood, and looking down, he was dizzy with the thought of her lovely body. She had generous sized breasts. Where her nipples showing? Inwardly, he groaned.

"You don't really want to go to bed with me then."

"Err..."

"Well?"

"Ursula. Please."

"Well?"

He took his time to answer. "I have to admit I have thought about doing so to be honest. You're a gorgeous woman. Many a man does, I'll bet." He paused. "But no, I don't think I should."

"You'd like to but..."

Suddenly there was a squeak, not a scream but a woman's squeak. They froze. Then a woman's laugh in the next room. Basil and Ursula looked at each other, then rose and went to the doorway. Standing behind the relative darkness of the library, they saw Pamela Rodgers-Brown dressed in a frilly little dress on one side of the large table and Fredrick Hyde-White on the other. Both had their hands on the backs of opposite chairs, and in Fredrick's eyes they could see a lustful leer. "Just a little kiss, my dear."

"Ha! There'll be nothing little about a kiss, your rogue! If you get your hands on me, I'll be late for dinner."

I'd be too."

She laughed. "Wouldn't that be a scandal! And it's only two in the afternoon. What could you do?"

"I could spend a long time on you."

"On me? You naughty boy. The very thought!"

"I've thought about you a lot." He dodged quickly to the left and she darted away keeping as much of the table between them as possible. They heard him laugh, and then she too.

"Wait till I get my hands on you."

"Oh Freddie. I'm a married woman You really mustn't lay a hand on me." She laughed again.

"Be quiet, you silly wench! Someone will hear."

"I hope they do. It will save me from a fate worse than death!" Again she laughed, dodged and then she tripped and fell.

Was it on purpose? Did it matter. In an instant he was around the table and down on her.

"No. Freddie. Please. Oh Freddie." Silence. "You shouldn't. You really shouldn't. Not here!"

"Be quiet!"

There was silence again for a few moments. "Oh Freddie. You really, really shouldn't Oh! Freddie, I.... I'll... I'll scream."

"Shh..."

Another pause. Some heavy breathing. "Oh, Freddie! Be careful! Oh!" Silence again. "Oh my! Not here!"

Basil looked at Ursula's profile. Now he was sure he saw nipples. He touched her on the shoulder and whispered in her ear. "Excuse me." He tiptoed across the carpet to the other door and let himself quietly out into the hall.

He didn't know which way to turn. He felt lucky to have an excuse to leave the room, but what was going on in the other room was equally disturbing. It was all very sexually stimulating. He could attest to that. He found himself in a real fuddle. The kitchen. Surely there's some sanity there. There wasn't. It was empty. Delicious smells but no one. He guessed Cook was resting before the evening.

He found two couples in the pool. He couldn't help looking at the women in their bathing suits. Both were very shapely specimens but he wasn't sure whether any were married to any. The trouble with so many guests. There seemed to be a lot of touching and feeling as they played, splashing and dunking each other in the shallow end. He was pretty sure he was able to leave without being seen. More sex! Again, his mind switched back to Lady Ursula.

Fresh air. That's what he needed. Out to the stables. There he found two of his friends sitting on a bale of hay, sharing a mickey of scotch. They had brushed down their mounts to his satisfaction. He joined them for a few moments and they gave him a few pulls at the liquor. He felt it settled him.

There were still two horses out. He noted that Dickie wasn't back yet. His mind spun to Ursula again. He saw her sitting in that chair in the fire light, the dress clinging even more so to her body. What a body! He groaned.

Back in the manor, he couldn't think where to go. Where was Elizabeth? Maybe a nap. He'd find her there.

As he climbed the staircase, he heard Ursula behind him. "You giving up, Basil?"

He turned. There she stood at the bottom looking up at him. All he could see was the lovely figure, in his mind the fabric had shrunk, her hips, her flat tummy, her breasts, and then her sparkling eyes. She looked excited.

"Thought I'd take a nap."

She didn't move. She knew she had his attention. "Sounds like a good idea."

He didn't move.

She laughed. "Those two stayed on the floor for a very long time. The sound effects were worth the price of admission." She laughed. "I think she enjoyed it. He certainly did."

He couldn't think of anything to say and turned.

"Wait a moment. I'm coming up too."

He stopped. Surely he'd find Elizabeth in their room.

They crossed the landing and went into the hall. She wasn't their bedroom and Ursula was standing right behind him.

"She said she was going off to the shoppes with Lady Margaret and Lady Jane for a last look at Christmas stuff." She went around him to look over the room. "Cozy." Again her back presented a vision, such a tail on the woman. How he wanted to have her.

They looked at each other.

"Now what?"

He looked down.

"You wanted to take a nap. I think that's a good idea too."

"Not here!"

Where then?"

He said nothing.

"My room. Okay. Come on!"

"Me?" Not me he said to himself.

"Yes. You."

"I.. I.... " I'm such a coward!

"Come on. I won't hurt you."

"But Dickie........" He felt his manhood was going to explode in his pants.

"The fool. He won't be back before six." She took his hand, pulled him around, out the door and down the hall to her room. Once in, she pealed down the bed and smiled. "Come on, Basil. At least take off that jacket. If you take it off, I'll take off my dress. You do want to see what I have to offer, don't you?"

He nodded but didn't move. Yes. I do. I do. He could feel his eyes bulging in his head.

"Am I going to have to do this for you?"

When he didn't move, she came around and pulled the jacket off his shoulders. "There now. Take your shoes off." Her voice assumed a commanding air.

He felt helpless to stop what he knew was happening. He sat and undid the laces and pushed off his shoes.

"Good lad. Up you get. Now your pants." When he stood and didn't move she fumbled with his belt, undid the top button and his zip. His erection was obvious. "Oh good. "

He couldn't move with the pants around his ankles. She dropped to her knees and pulled down his shorts. "Oh Basil. That's just my size."

She stood again, in doing so taking his scrotum in hand. "Lovely, Basil. Just lovely." She squeezed his balls and he staggered. She turned him and pushed him so that he fell onto the bed.

He got to his elbows and watched her strip off her dress. She had been naked under it! All she had on were her stockings and shoes.

She straddled him and brushed his trembling erect manhood with her golden thatch. Between her swinging breasts, he got a picture of the space between her spread stockinged legs and his pelvis, a sort of inverted W. She put herself right down onto his swollen member and gently rubbed herself on it. "Oh Basil. Oh dear-o-dear. Yes. Do watch" A bit more rubbing and he could see the oozing from himself. "Do lie down. Basil. Fondle my tits. I thought I'd have to take you something like this." He obeyed.

She ground down on him. "Oh, you lovely man!" She dropped a nipple into his mouth. "Chew gently, Basil Suck hard." It was like a nut, as hard as rock. "Yes! The other! God, that feels good!" She ground some more, then without further ado, she lifted herself off him, reach down, held him erect and sat on him. He slid into her warm sloppy cunt. "Yes!"

Well, you know what happened next. Suffice it to say, Basil had never been worked over, ridden so thoroughly in his life. Later he remembered worrying whether his poor tool would be ripped off at it's base. And all while almost fully clothed! It was the longest, shortest and roughest hour of his life. He loved it, and he hated it. He'd been abused.

Ursula woke him, still on his back, and got him across the hall without being seen. He stumbled into the shower. He was still there thirty minutes later when Elizabeth came in in her bath robe.

"How did it go?"

The mirror was all foggy so he couldn't see her face, and she didn't turn when she replied, "Oh fine."

He was embarrassed when he stepped out of the shower, but she didn't look at him as she took his place.

He dressed carefully and slowly. Eventually, when she didn't appear from the bathroom, he went downstairs to make sure all was in place for the evening and to mingle. Ursula crossed his mind but he pushed her away.

The first person he saw was Freddie. He was at the drinks table, pouring himself a good one, and Basil joined him. A double scotch. Freddie was flushed and excited.

"How'd it go this afternoon, Freddie? Did you find enough to do?"

"Certainly did. Jolly good! Wonderful party! Lovely people. Wonderful weekend! Thanks so much for inviting me, I mean us."

"Where's your better half?"

"Oh, still primping. You know these gals."

Others arrived and then Pamela and her husband, Roddy. All appeared normal. Freddie asked if he could do the honours for them and Roddy assented. Basil observed Pamela watch the two men with a funny grin. She caught Basil watching her and smiled a slow smile.

Ursula and Dickie arrived. She was dressed far more formally this evening. He was his usual blustery self. "Thank you for a wonderful mount today, Basil. She was a dream." He grinned a mysterious grin.

She? Didn't he know he was on a gelding all day? For a man who supposedly knows horses......

He was lost in that thought when Elizabeth arrived in the room. She too was dressed rather formally but seem much more demure than usual. She moved about the room with her usual grace but there was something different about her. It wasn't a conscious effort, but he managed to avoid her until dinner was announced.

The meal was great, a huge rack of lamb with a vast array of vegetables. Everyone was impressed, but the atmosphere at the meal was subdued. Dickie was sitting by Elizabeth again but she was not as happy as the previous night. Pamela was giggling in an unusually funny way for no reason Basil could observe. Ursula watched her too, and cast an eye in his direction. She winked and grinned and nodded towards Pamela whenever she caught his eye One of the swimmers, a young woman sat at his side but it was very hard to get her to say much. When asked how she spent the day, she said nothing of swimming.

When the meal was done and after the men had their cigars and port, they all settled into three more rubbers of Bridge. Elizabeth and he were not communicating and lost badly. In the second rubber, Ursula and Dickie shared their table. It seemed to Basil that all of them were distracted for they played abysmally.

The night wore on. Finally after a few more nightcaps than was his habit, Basil found his wife in bed. She was well over on her side either asleep or pretending to be. It was as well. Did she know?

The morning came early for him. He couldn't sleep. He was racked with guilt. He stumbled out of bed, dressed and went downstairs. Cook was busy preparing the breakfast. He sat in the warmth at the kitchen table with a coffee but wasn't much company for her.

"Did Lady Elizabeth enjoy her ride yesterday? Wasn't it a lovely day? You did manage to choose the very best of weekends for your event."

"Yes. Yes." He left soon after. Elizabeth? Riding? What?

He prowled about until eight, then went to the dining room for breakfast. Some had begun and he joined them. They had to be away early, bags in the front hall.

Ursula arrived. She found him alone. She got her breakfast and joined him. "Hi."

"Hi."

"Felling okay."

"Honestly? No."

"Guilty?"

"Yes."

"You'll get over it."

"Not sure I will."

"Oh, come on, Basil. We could have lots of fun together."

"You mean you could."

"Sorry about yesterday. I was needy. I was very horny. Dickie's being difficult lately. Won't do what he's told." She put her hand on his.

"Hmmm..." He pulled it away as some others came in for breakfast.

All the guests were gone by noon and they did a bit of the tidy-up. Most would be done by the help the next day. Neither said much. Supper that evening was strained and the evening before the television was silent. Again, Basil found her in bed supposedly asleep.

Basil tried hard to make things better in the next few days. Elizabeth would not open to his efforts. It was Wednesday after supper when he simply took her in his arms and said, "I'm sorry. I love you."

She drew back and looked at him. For a long time she looked into his eyes, the suggestion of tears in hers. "I'm sorry too. And I love you."

"Something happened this weekend."

"Yes."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Okay. Whatever it is, I'm sure we both are. I am so sorry too so we're even."

She looked at him for a time. "You really are very special."

"I don't deserve a lot of thanks." He paused. "Then there's nothing more to say?"

"Yes, there is. I've been thinking. Let's give Dicky's party next weekend a miss. I'll be sick."

"Okay. You're sure?"

"And let's sell up and get a place that's away from here, smaller and more comfortable, warmer." She smiled. "We have the money. Let's get out of here."

"Wow! You're really sure. This has been your home since.. well, forever."

"Yes. And another thing. I'm going off the pill. Basil, take me to bed, please?"