“This could be interesting,” he muttered.
A footman stopped in front of them, and in his hands, he held a tray of cigars.When Freddie gave the tray a second look it was clear they were not the usual kind of cigars his father purchased from the merchant in London.Tobacco and hashish mixed together gave a long-burning and heady experience.
He took one of the cigars and waited for the footman to light it for him.Sitting back on the couch, he drew on the cigar and inhaled deeply.His brain immediately felt a spark from the hashish.He had smoked enough of the drug at university to know that this cigar was finely made.
Beside him on the couch, Godwin and the young lady were getting well acquainted.When she opened the placket of Godwin’s trousers, and went down before him on her knees, Freddie decided three was a crowd.He rose from the couch and made a solo circuit of the room.
Apart from himself and Lord Godwin, there were few other young male guests.The members of the Bachelor Board all appeared to be much older men.Men who were being serviced in various ways by both women and men.
He wasn’t naïve enough to think sex involved just women and men in a biblical sense.University had shown him things that had opened his eyes.Several of his friends were known to frequent special clubs in the city of Oxford.
“Bored?”said Osmont’s nephew.
“No, just watching.If I find something that takes my fancy I shall partake in it,” he replied.
Osmont’s nephew sidled up to Freddie and stood close.His breath was warm on the back of Freddie’s neck.Any closer and his lips would be on Freddie’s skin.
“If you don’t see what you like, there are rooms upstairs where you can find some other more intimate gatherings.The more you indulge, the more points you can score.You wouldn’t want Lord Godwin to get ahead of you, would you?”he purred.
Freddie was a simple man when it came to sex, but he was determined to beat Godwin in succeeding to the Bachelor Board.Extra points could make all the difference.
He chanced a look toward the couch where Godwin was lying back, his eyes closed, while the young woman ministered to him with her mouth.It was time to venture a little farther afield.
“Lead on,” he said.
Upstairs was a series of rooms, all with their doors left wide open.As he walked the length of the upper floor, he caught glimpses of the activities going on in each room.
From the first room came the loud crack of a whip and the thwack of it landing on flesh.A loud groan quickly followed.Craning his head around the door, Freddie saw a woman dressed in a leather corset standing over a portly naked man who was tied to the edge of the bed.From the bright red marks crisscrossing the gentleman’s back, it was obvious they had been at the whipping session for some time.
In the corner of the room sat a group of well-dressed gentlemen, sipping drinks and watching the proceedings.
“Lily has a long wait list if you wish to be thrashed by her tonight.”
Freddie shook his head.He had no desire to have the skin on his back flayed.It was odd that some men developed a taste for what every ill-behaved child dreaded.Sexual punishment was not to his liking.
The second and third rooms had various orgies taking place on large beds.Men and women were tangled together.The air was rank with the smell of sex and the sound of whimpers and groans.
When he turned and started to head back toward the staircase, Osmont’s nephew seized Freddie by the arm.
“You didn’t try the last room,” he said.
Freddie fixed him with a glare.Osmont’s nephew released his grip.
“I take it that is the room where a gentleman can be serviced by a young man.If it is, I am not particularly interested,” replied Freddie.
“I was going to offer you my services.You could ride me hard, like you did your horse the other night.I promise I can take every inch.Or if your tastes run more to observing, there is a foreign diplomat in there, teaching a young man about international relations.You are most welcome to watch.”
The chuckle which escaped Osmont’s nephew’s lips made Freddie’s stomach churn.He had no ambition to be involved in any of the nocturnal activities taking place.Even the extra points on offer could not entice him.He would chance his luck with future challenges to regain the lead from Godwin after tonight.
“Actually, I am feeling a tad unwell.I gave the wine and brandy a good nudge at luncheon today, so I might call it a night.I hope your uncle won’t take offence.Tell him I shall attend more of the parties, and next time I won’t stand on the side of the dance floor and watch.”
Freddie handed a nearby footman his glass and turned toward the stairs.
Osmont’s nephew put a hand on Freddie’s shoulder.“Are you sure I cannot tempt you with something, or someone?”
“Not tonight,” replied Freddie.
Godwin was heading upstairs with his female hostess when Freddie stopped to inform him he was leaving the party.
