"Turtle, what do you suggest we do to Kitty-Cat? There has to be something to tickle her taste buds. Her focus has to be on a new project one that will take up a lot of her time; plus give us everything we need to finally teach her a lesson." Buffy paced the room trying to think what would tempt her cousin the most.
"I know, have your Nana pull some strings to send a writer to Manchester. An expose on the type of students and the educations they receive, with Kathryn as the liaison," Blaine grinned.
"That is delish. Especially if the only time they can meet is, oh, say during riding class. We need the story to take several months to evolve at least until the first big break. That should give someone plenty of time. The best part is she will probably give them all the ammunition to hand herself. If not, the school has a nice piece; but if we get what we need, then it's bye-bye, Kitty-Cat."
"You are getting scary Buffy. You are right though she likes to talk about herself and she says more than she thinks. So how is Valmont doing? Towing the line?"
"He isn't that bad, sometimes he is even pretty decent," Buffy told him nonchalantly.
"Don't be fooled by him. Sebastian has played the game a long time."
"I'm not wet behind the ears, Turtle. I may have only slept with one guy; doesn't mean that is all the experience I have. I said he wasn't that bad; didn't say I was fooled by him. Please, Turtle, I know what Sebastian is; just sometimes I can see what he could be if he wanted to. It's such a waste. I mean, yeah, the last few years were hard but I still knew that my family loved me, each in their own way. Most of the kids I have met are decent, there are snobs but I've dealt with those before. There was a girl in Sunnydale whose ego could rival Kathryn's. Just, the kids who are over the top; their parents seem to be totally oblivious. These are not stupid people. Tiff is money hungry and a social climber; no one could ever accuse her of being stupid." She sighed not understanding how parents could just not care about their kids.
"Buffy they just don't care; they were expected to have children so they did. I mean look at my parent's, two people who should never pro-create, as a prime example. Thank goodness there is always an exception to the rule; otherwise, you would not have the wonderfulness that is me."
She laughed, "Why don't you move in here with us Turtle? There is plenty of room, we could have three families living here and not know it."
"I need my space, love. Some of my lovers are still not, shall we say, comfortable in open spaces," Blaine's expression said more than his words.
"In other words, you're their piece on the side while they still play at being straight. You deserve better than that, Turtle. They should be proud to be with you and if they aren't you don't need them. You do deserve to be loved, you know. When are you going to understand? You don't have to hide whom you love or want to be with. If your friends and family don't like, well I say fuck 'em," Buffy growled.
"Wow little momma, are we by chance talking from experience here?"
Buffy tried to think how she could explain everything that had happened to her without revealing that she was the Slayer. She decided to use the Sunnydale explanation for everything - gangs. "Angel, the one I slept with, everyone was against our being together. I loved him so much, but it got even worse after they found out we were lovers. Mom got in on the act; the whole thing was a real mess. Finally it just blew up in all our faces."
"What happened," Blaine asked. Something in her face told him she needed to talk.
"One of the teachers at our school was murdered; he was blamed. It wasn't his fault Turtle; he was innocent. One of my 'friends' made sure of that no one would know it though. There was a chance to prove his innocence but Xander lied; Angel died because of it. I left after that to come here to Nana and you."
"Wow, no wonder you're so different. What was your Mother thinking moving to such a tough town?" Blaine exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around Buffy.
"It looked like a sleepy little quiet town but it was really Hell. Mom was so far gone she didn't even notice. The whole town seems oblivious to what happens there. They don't know about all of the violence or they choose to ignore it. So yeah, I've changed. Hopefully I'm not hard just tougher, stronger. I can take care of myself after the last two years; this is a walk in the park."
"I guess I should worry more about Kathryn and Sebastian. Nah, they deserve what ever they get. Don't get me wrong, I love Sebastian, in a non-sexual way. But I have watched him play with people for years. A lot of them just blew it off but some were hurt; they aren't the same as they were before Sebastian. That's why I'm worried; I don't want you to change or be hurt. From what you told me, you have paid your dues; you don't need anymore of that shit."
"I quite agree, dear boy. You are ever ma petite's champion, oui," Anne walked into the room. "We will watch over our Lizbeth together, ma oui, partners in crime." She smiled at the young man.
"Madam, if you were younger or I was older, I think I would go straight to try and catch you." Blaine kissed her cheek.
"Dearest Blaine, if it were so I might even let you catch me."
"Nana! You naughty girl," Buffy laughed. "After dinner we have some scheduling to do. Mr. Douglas should be here soon."
"What do you want to do Lizbeth? Do you want to be a part of the team? We can always work around your schedule."
"I'm not sure. I love to ride but being on the team would eat up my time. Why don't we hear what he has to say, then I will decide."
After dinner Blaine and Buffy explained their proposal, Anne didn't say a word just looked out a window silently. Blaine looked at Buffy worried; she shook her head understanding that Nana was merely looking for any flaws.
"Very well, you were correct, Lizbeth, in having Sheba removed. I never thought Kathryn would abuse her. I taught you both to ride as little girls. There isn't even a crop at any of my stables. It breaks my heart to see what she has become. She was always spoilt even as a child but never cruel. I blame her mother and, oui, my own son. Francois spoiled her terribly; allowed her tantrum even laughed at them. He encouraged her temper and the bully in her; he said it mean she was tough, a true Mertuil" she shook her head "I could never make either of my sons understand what that truly meant. I'm sorry, chère, but your father is just as bad."
"I know Nana, when I was younger he was wonderful to me; loving, caring and taking me everywhere. It wasn't until I was older when they fighting that I understood he was using me. I'm sure he loves me in his own weird way but I can of without that kind of love thanks."
"Oui, Lizbeth, you do understand so much more than I did at your age. I'm only sorry ma amour you had to learn the lesson at all."
"Okay enough before we both start crying or start throwing things. What's the decree Nana? If yes, who are you going to get? If no, what do you suggest?"
Blaine just watched these two women complemented each other so well. They just knew what the other needed and when to give it. It was like watching a well-timedwalleyesomething.
"I agree chère, something has to be done and your plan is a good one. I know of someone who is perfect for this. You will remember Jeffery's daughter, Tonia."
Buffy nodded. Tonia was a shy, sweet blonde a little older than she was.
"Tonia works for Vanity Fair as a writer. She is very good; she has even won several prizes. Kathryn has never met her, of course, with Tonia being a servant's daughter. She would be perfect for this with her quiet ways; she seems to have a flair for making people comfortable. They seem to tell her everything, even things they shouldn't. Tonia has had some very important people tell her their darkest secrets."
"Nana, she is probably the nicest person that I have ever met. What I don't see is her using anything against people."
"You would be surprised, for such a shy person, Tonia is very much a believer in right and wrong. If a person tells her something she feels is no one's business, it is not published. People who thought they were above reproach have felt the sharp side of her words though. No, little Tonia will be perfect. Kathryn will spill her every sin and desire to her in no time. Then we will take that information and use it to stop her vicious cycle. I am only ashamed that I didn't do anything sooner."
"Nana, you love her; she is your granddaughter too. How many times have you tried to help? That is all that you could do, but now she is out of control. We will solve this together just like always."
"Do not worry over your Nana so, it will, how you say, all come out in the wash. I am tired so I will wish you both bon nuit."
"I'm going to be calling it a night too, Buffy. I'll see you tomorrow. Hopefully we will actually make it to the offices," Blaine kissed both women then left.
"You wanted to see me, sir; I was on my way to Equestrian class," Kathryn said to the Headmaster. I am up for another gallop, or two or three. Yes, I do so love the number three.
"Yes, Kathryn come in, I've already notified Mr. Douglas that you won't be in class today," Thomas Hargrove answered. He was in his late fifties with sandy blonde hair going slightly bald on top. His eyes were gray and his face always wore a smile on. All the students, at Manchester, adored him. Dean Hargrove was the best headmaster they had ever had.
"Why? Is something wrong?" She wondered if Miss Perfect ratted her out after all.
"Oh, no dear, we just need you for a special project; if you agree of course. This is Tonia Stevens and she is a writer for Vanity Fair. The magazine wants to do an in-depth story on Manchester Academy. You know, what type of school it is, an example of the students, our success stories, that kind of thing. The Board of Directors decided you would be the perfect liaison. You would be featured heavily in the article as the Student Body President. If you agree, Kathryn, you would be doing Manchester a great service."
Kathryn smiled taking in the brunette who gave her a shy smile. This is going to be so easy. "Of course sir, I am always happy to do anything I can to help Manchester. I think of it as my second home." Her smile was bright as she aimed at her audience. Turning she held her hand out to Tonia. Tonia stood to shake Kathryn hand and she noticed the other woman was several inches taller than her with dark brown eyes. On closer look, Kathryn decided she was attractive with a nice figure. She wondered if she would get a chance to take it for a spin.
"It is very nice to meet you Miss Stevens, I am Kathryn Mertuil. When would you like to start and where would we meet?"
"We talked about that already. Dean Hargrove said it would be all right with him if you agreed," Tonia smiled hopefully.
"Agreed to what?"
"The only time I have is from twelve to two each day. I am working on several other assignments, so I have to juggle them all at the same time. I can eat lunch here with you and then meet the other students. We can arrange for individual interviews after I get a chance to see who would best fit where in the piece. I would of course be relying heavily on your knowledge of each of the students, as well as the academy itself."
"But what about my riding class?" What about my daily fuck to help me be able to stand being in this horrible place?
"You would, of course, be excused until Tonia completes the story, Kathryn. Dean Douglas has agreed to allow me to give you your grade for this semester."
"It is going to take that long to write?" Kathryn looked at Tonia closely. Mmm, maybe I will get a chance to try her out.
"Yes, to do this type of a story correctly there are hours of background and interviews needed. Vanity Fair plans to have it ready for the December issue. It will be on the newsstands by Thanksgiving. Now that I have seen how pretty you are, I may see if they will consider a cover shot with you," Tonia said as she watched the other girl's face completely change.
"Really how exciting, we had better start then. Let me show you the grounds so today won't be a loss."
"Thank you Dean Hargrove and thank the Board as well. I think this will be one of my most in-depth stories ever," Tonia shook his hand as she left with Kathryn.
"Oh, Dean Hargrove what about Sheba, my horse? I hate to think of the poor thing just sitting in a stall all this time."
"I will arrange with Mr. Douglas and have her sent back to your grandmother's in the Hamptons."
"That is brilliant sir, we are so lucky to have you here at Manchester making sure everything is done properly."
"Thank you Kathryn. I do what I can. Whatever, I think is best for Manchester and its students."
Kathryn looked back at him; there was an odd note in his voice. Smiling brightly, she shrugged it off as she led Tonia out of the office.
"Madam she agreed...Yes, Sheba was picked up yesterday...No Madam, it was my pleasure...Yes, Elizabeth is a very different person from Kathryn...No Madam, I have no problem separating the two in my mind...I understand that she has fooled many people...I always thought I was a better judge of character, though...Yes I will keep you abreast of the situation, Good day."
Thomas Hargrove hung up the phone thinking of the conversation he had with an upset teacher and later with one of the grooms. Thomas had known Scott since he was a boy. He helped the young man to get the job at Manchester so he could continue his pursuit of a riding career. Growing up in Kentucky, Scott had ridden his entire life.
After loading up Sheba, Scott caught Thomas about to leave for the evening. The older man could see how upset he was and took him for coffee. Scott told him everything that happened in the stables regarding Kathryn and her horse. He looked down in embarrassment when he stumbled over the part of being caught in the act, so to speak. Scott wasn't upset about Buffy catching them, though. It was Sheba or rather Kathryn's treatment of the gray mare.
He explained about Sebastian pointing out the deep slash marks on the horse's withers. Scott didn't understand why she did it, since Kathryn only rode for the first part of class. She had circled the field twice after causing Buffy's horse to run-away. She was inside the stables and they were inside her, within twenty minutes of class starting. He thought Kathryn was beautiful, fun and sexy until her cousin showed up. After class, Jim told Scott a few home truths about Kathryn Mertuil. Scott couldn't understand anyone who had so much being so cruel and spiteful.
Thomas drove Scott home and reassured him, he would look into the situation. He knew about the horse from John Donaldson but not the rest of the sordid details. That night after dinner, he received a phone call from Madam Mertuil. Thomas had talked to her at several Board functions and one or two charity events. He found her charming and talking to her was always interesting. Madam always asked about his family remembering small details of previous conversations.
She explained the situation and what role Tonia would play. Thomas found himself relieved not to have to handle the matter himself. Any other student, he would not even hesitate to do whatever he thought best but a Mertuil. Well, let's just say he would like to retire with a nice pension.
He was glad his own daughter, Annette, was grown and he no longer had to worry about her. She would graduate from Stanford this year and engaged to a wonderful young man.
Days flew by for Buffy between school, riding and Mertuil Industries. She was still pretending to be a couple with Sebastian. They had fallen into an easy pattern. Other than kissing and some mild petting, he had been a perfect gentleman.
He didn't fool Buffy though; he was either sleeping with someone else or trying to break through her defenses. She wondered if he worked this hard on all of his campaigns. If so, she could see why he was so successful. They had gone to the Halloween Dance at school in Egyptian costumes and caused a riot. Sebastian even put on the jealous boyfriend routine. He was actually very good at it. The petting started that night. Buffy knew he was going to start the hard press soon.
She just hadn't made up her mind how far she was willing to or wanted to go. She was a healthy seventeen-year-old girl. Buffy thought over her past relationships. Tyler her boyfriend at Hemery was a good teacher. Buffy did some exploring with him. She wasn't dumb enough to go too far though. Tyler was too much of a player. She had been right. It turned out he had been sleeping with her best friend, Shellie. Then there had been Pike, what a talented mouth. Buffy smiled remembering her make out session with the laid-back teen.
Then she had moved to Sunnydale - Angel. Buffy thought of her lost love with a sad smile. They may have been together only once. That didn't mean they had never been intimate before the night of her seventeenth birthday. She and Angel spent a lot of time alone together. The times he crawled in her window, their night on patrol and of course his apartment. Angel taught her all the places on their bodies that gave pleasure. All the different ways to gain pleasure by touch or taste. The only step they hadn't taken was the final ultimate act of their love.
Angel wanted her to be sure, before he took her maidenhead as he called it. He was so old fashioned sometimes. Their night together still made Buffy tingle at the memories. That was why it was so hard for her to kill him. Angel had been her lover for over a year, not just one time, one night. They spent almost every night together loving each other. Buffy shook her head as if to make the thoughts disappear.
"No go away or no stay?" Sebastian asked from the door.
She looked up to see Sebastian smiling at her. "Do you ever knock or make noise to let people know you are there?"
"Now where is the fun in that?" He walked over and pulled her into his arms. Sebastian looked into her beautiful face. Damn it what is it about her? I mean she is beautiful but there are many beautiful women. It's not the Kathryn thing anymore. I only had to spend a day knowing Buffy, to stop thinking of the two of them as interchangeable. Maybe it is the chase, yeah it has to be. The more she resists the more I want her. She will come to my bed.
"Hello Sebastian. Seems like I'm not the only one with little voices in their head. What are yours saying?"
"To do this." He captured her lips pressing her mouth open. His tongue swept in to tease and suck on hers. Buffy's arms went around his neck as she returned his kiss. Sebastian's hand went up to cup a full breast. Then he started to unbutton her shirt but Buffy stopped him.
"No, Bastian anyone could walk in. I told you before, not out in the open. No matter how well you kiss."
"So, if we were somewhere private? Then what?" he asked frustrated.
"You asking because you are horny, or want to be with me?"
"Both, I don't know anymore. You are driving me crazy Buffy. You kiss me like no innocent virgin then you back away. Why? Haven't I proved myself to you, yet?"
"How many virgins have you known Bastian? Never mind. Figure out your own feelings before you start questioning mine. I'm not some conquest for you to jot down in your journal. Oh, by the surprise on your face you thought that was your tasty little secret. I said this to Blaine. Where do you live Bastian? Think about it. Do you think anything happens at on the Mertuil Townhouse that my grandmother doesn't know about? And by that reasoning that, I don't? From home movies, journals, to masseuse, all of it, anything under that roof. You better than anyone should know, the walls have ears."
"You mean our house is bugged." His face had a look of shock that anyone could play his game even better than he could.
"No, you made the same mistake other people do. You ignore what's right in front of your face because you consider it unimportant or beneath you. Did you ever wonder how long the staff worked for Tiff? Where they came from? Who hired them in the first place? They are people, Bastian, with eyes and ears. Believe me; nothing happens in this house without Jean-Pierre knowing about it. If he knows, then Nana knows not because he fears her but because he cares and respects her. Do you even know who takes care of your, any of their names?" Buffy looked at him in exasperation. He was such a spoiled little rich boy never looking outside his rose-colored world.
"Mai-Li, she's the housekeeper, that's the only one I know," he answered, in a quiet voice.
"How long have you lived their, Bastian? They work for you, they are not slaves. There isn't one single person who works directly for Nana here or at MI, she doesn't know. She knows their names, their families all of it. That's how she knows Bastian. Mai-Li is Chow-Li's oldest daughter. He is the head gardener for the mansion. Are you following me here? Come on your not just a pretty face are you?"
"All the servants in our house report to your grandmother what we do? That isn't right Buffy. She's spying on us," his voice rose with outrage.
"Nope, you still don't understand. They love her and try to protect her. If something is bothering them, they tell her. They don't log and report every word. Just the big things, like yours and Kathryn's catfights. You shouldn't talk so much in the halls, Bastian. As far as Kathryn goes, they clean her room. You can imagine what they've run across in there. They are a society to themselves. There aren't any secrets with them."
"You mean, all the servants know everybody's business and tell it to the other servants?" Sebastian slumped into his chair. He thought of the things that had taken place at home and felt nauseous.
"Ding, Ding, Ding, give that boy a prize. They are people. Bastian, so many of you treat them like part of the furniture," Buffy's voice held a hard note of censure.
"Have they read my journal? I don't remember leaving it anywhere, other than on the bed when I'm in the shower." He was afraid to hear the answer.
"No one has read it cover to cover. You left it open on one or two occasions. It was enough for them to know what it is. They think it is bad form of you, Bastian." Buffy grinned watching his face go white.
"I think I'm getting a headache. Is there any wine?" Sebastian rubbed his temples. He wanted to be happily ignorant of the facts he had just learned.
"On the sidebar, I'll take a glass since your pouring." Buffy sat on couch watching him. "So Bastian, when you figure it all out. Let me know, what it is you want. I don't mind the kissing and light petting. But, that's as far as it goes if I'm just another page for your journal. I deserve better than that and won't settle for anything less. If you are just horny, go find you someone willing. I don't mind, it just won't be me. I'm sure you're a wonderful lover. I just expect more than mechanics. Bastian, I'm not asking you to fall down on your knees spouting undying love or some other crap. Just honest true feelings, until I see that, this is all you get." Buffy looked him in the eye so he could see meant what she said.