Ian pushed his empty plate aside and picked up his glass of wine. He looked over the rim of the glass to the man seated across from him, staring into his empty glass. Edward looked like a man lost in the world, alone and sad. He couldn’t help but wonder what it had been that sent this man traveling the world.

“So, if your ancestor was chosen to be the ruler of your small island,” Ian began after clearing his throat. “That means you must be a Prince.”

“No,” Edward chuckled softly. “I’m actually the king. My parents were not blessed with other children, and my mother died early in life. My father loved her so much, he never remarried and died of a broken heart when I was young.”

“Who’s taking care of your island while you’re away?” Ian asked with a frown.

He knew of kings who had left on crusades, or left for war, but he had never known one who left to go look for sex.

“I have a daughter, Angelique - named after the hostage Black Jack rescued. She’s a very intelligent girl and can handle anything that comes her way.”

“Who’s there to help her when things get rough? Is she married? What about your wife?”

“No, she is not married, at least she wasn’t the last time I had contact from her. As for my wife…well, that’s another story in itself.” Edward paused as he poured another glass of wine. Apparently, he had more of a liking for the grapes than wheat. “I don’t worry about Westerly. It’s very self-sufficient, and our military is strong enough to defend her and my daughter.”

“Why did you leave?” Ian asked a few moments later as the waitress removed their plates and brought a new bottle of wine to sit in front of them. “What could possibly send a man away from his home, away from his child, just so he could try to find the best way to have sex?”

“It wasn’t to have sex. It was to learn about it. I suppose I have an adventure in my blood. My ancestor was a pirate after all.”

“There’s more than what you’re telling me,” Ian accused. “I can hear it in your words and see it on your face.”

“I beg your pardon, sir,” Edward added after a moment of reflection. “My past has little to do with what I am asking of you. Perhaps in time, if I get to know you that well, I might tell you the tragic story of my life. Until then, we’ll stick strictly to business.”

“I haven’t agreed to do this yet,” Ian said. “I don’t know if I’m willing to take the time to test out a theory, even if it is related to sex.”

“It will take time. Three hours at the least. But it will be beneficial for both of us.” Edward saw the expression on the pirate’s face and nearly choked on his laughter. “I know it sounds like a long time,” he continued. “But it will be worth it. I will not only pay you for your service, but you will have all the sex a man could ask for. A specialized form of sex.”

“I need time to think about this.”

“I understand you are leaving port in a few days,” Edward commented. “If you agree to help me, I will make all the preparations. When you’re ready, you will have the full attention of a woman who is obedient and ready to perform on your command.”

“Let me think about it,” Ian said as he stood up to leave. “What you’ve asked will take thought, and I don’t know if I’m up to the challenge, along with the time necessary for your studies.”

“I understand that,” Edward said. “Please, read this and it will explain a lot more than I ever could. It will detail the structure and guidelines that must be followed to complete this test. We can meet tomorrow and you can give me your choice at that time.”

“Agreed,” Ian said taking the book from the man’s grasp. “We’ll meet back here around the same time as today.”

“Splendid. Thank you so much for this.”

“Whoa, hold up there. I never agreed to do anything other than to read your book.”

“I couldn’t ask for more than that,” Edward said with a wide smile that seemed to light the space around his face.

Ian turned after shaking the man’s hand and walked swiftly out the bar door and down the street toward his ship. He couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed by all that he was told, and what the man expected him to do.

He stepped up the plank to the deck of the Iron-Fist and headed straight to his cabin. There was something disturbing about the idea of bedding a woman for the sake of research, even if it did appeal to him. There was a part of him that wanted to know more. He was curious about what controlled sex would be like, but at the same time, he was concerned about a man who walked away from his child as easily as Edward Abbott did.

In his book, the king of Westerly was far less disciplined in his own life, then what he expected of his women. What made him think he could train a woman to be obedient and submissive, when he spent twenty years traveling the world, in the name of sex?

The door to his cabin opened and Red stepped in, closing it behind him. He walked directly to the table and sat down, watching Ian fidget around with the water pitcher. He poured a small amount into the bowl then splashed his face and neck with the clear water, rinsing off the sweat of summer.

“We sold the schooner,” Red commented after clearing his throat.

“How much?” Ian asked without turning around.

“Ten thousand, just as you insisted. You were right about weeding out the riff-raff. Once the serious bidders could speak, the sale went off without a hitch.”

“Good. That’s one thing out of the way. What about the crew?”

“From what Salty told me, they fought all the way to the auction block, but with a little persuasion from the guards, they finally settled down and were sold based on their strength. We made a good haul on the lot.”

“Split it between the men,” Ian said, and then turned with a heavy sigh.

He reached for the bottle of whiskey on the sideboard and sat down in his usual chair, pouring two glasses of the dark liquid.

“How was your trip to town?” Red asked with a slight frown. Ian snorted and pushed the book Edward asked him to read forward.

“I have been offered an unusual request by the king of Westerly.”

“Isn’t that an island?”

“Yes,” Ian answered drinking the entire glass of whiskey in one single swallow. “He has a plan of creating some kind of a sex creature out of women through strong discipline.”

“That would be interesting to see. What does he want you to do?”

“Let him watch while I fuck a whore,” Ian answered as he poured another glass of liquor.

“You’re putting me on?” Red asked as he opened the book.

The man knew how to read, but not very well. It was necessary for his former line of work, but the handwriting of the king was so bad, he could barely make out a word or two. Frustrated, he closed the book and slid it back across the table.

“The man is completely serious about this,” Ian continued, running a large hand through his long hair. “He has even ordered his country to build a bordello to practice this technique of his.”

“Is it something you think might work?”

“I don’t know. He gave me this book and asked me to review his instructions. I think the man is insane, but the idea of controlling a woman through sex…well, it’s an intoxicating idea.”

“You’ll have to let me know how it goes,” Red answered with a smile as he stood up. “I am going to take my turn with the wenches before all the good ones are used up.”

“You do that,” Ian replied as he opened the book. “The old man has my curiosity spiked and I want to see what he has in mind.”

“Never understood you, Ian,” Red told him as he tucked his shirt into his pants and smoothed his hair down in the reflection of the mirror hanging on the wall. “When most boys were out causing havoc, you had your nose stuck in a book.”

“It’s an old habit, and a hard one to break.”

“Well, enjoy my old friend. I’ll stop by when I get back and see if you are going to be a willing body to this fiasco.”

“Have fun,” was all Ian said as he tipped back on the chair’s legs before kicking his large feet on top of the table.

Red chuckled as he left the room. He was always amazed at how the Duke’s son managed to make his way into the pirate, keeping him level headed and sane.

Angelique stood in front of the large four-story house looking up to the double entry doors. The house was massive, white, and empty, but it seemed to be a foreboding warning to the future. She couldn’t believe her father had spent the past twenty years away from Westerly, visiting only three times in all that time, all for the sake of research. The only word he had sent to her over the past two years was to instruct her to have this bordello built for when he returned.

She couldn’t - wouldn’t - believe that her own father intended to start a home for prostitutes on this peaceful little island. It was outrageous to contemplate that the ruler of Westerly had asked to have a whorehouse built in the very location they planned to use for the new hospital.

With a deep breath to steady her nerves, Angelique began to climb the seven steps to the front door. Her father insisted that there were enough steps to represent each day of the week. Apparently, he was planning to have this place open for business around the clock, even on the Sabbath. The thought didn’t sit well with Angelique who prided herself of being a God-fearing Christian. She had no idea what Father Angelo would say once he learned why this home was built, and for whom.

Angelique reached for the ornate handles her father had sent from France and allowed the cool metal to press against her warm hands before she turned them and pushed the doors open. The smell of fresh-cut wood and paint filtered through the air that greeted her. The front foyer was large, with twelve candle sconces lining the walls. The morning sun bounced off the crystals dangling from the chandelier and made small rainbows across the empty walls. The floors were laid out in rich Italian marble sent from Italy by her father.

Sitting against the back wall next to a winding staircase, was a counter of highly varnished wood from the coconut trees that grew freely around the island. She could only assume this was where people would check-in before…she couldn’t even think about what would happen in this place once it opened for business.

There was a closed door to the right and an open entry into a sitting parlor to the left. A large fireplace of river rock was the only contrast to the empty room and its varnished wooden floors. The house echoed from the sounds of the birds outside and she wondered if the sounds of nature would even be appreciated when this place was in use.

She walked through the back hall to a smaller room lined with floor to ceiling cupboards. She followed the hall around to a kitchen, or what would be a kitchen once the stove was in place and the well had been dug for the pump. Like everywhere else in the building she had seen so far, the walls were bare of paintings, the floors bare wood.

The hallway continued around to several smaller rooms, all empty, some with a small window looking out onto the world, others with nothing more than four walls and a door. It was her assumption that these rooms would be used for storage, though she wasn’t certain what her father had in mind for them.

She returned to the foyer and walked to the closed door just right of the entrance. Inside, was what she assumed to be the office of whoever would be running this place. It was layered with built-in shelves and cupboards, and a large oak desk in the center of the room - also sent from her father’s many travels around the world. The wall behind the desk held a series of six large windows. Near the back of the room was a second fireplace, also of river rock, like its companion in the sitting room.

Taking the staircase to the second floor, Angelique slowly made her way around the half-moon shaped steps, allowing her fingers to run along the polished banister. There were eight rooms, each number in turn and each identical to the next. She stepped into the first room and looked out the closed window. The sights were spectacular as the rooms looked out onto the ocean. At the very least, the one thing she could say about this place was that it was beautiful. If it wasn’t for the type of home it was meant to be, it would have made a lovely family home.

Angelique stepped back out of the last room and walked up the steps to the third level. This one was much like the one below, only the rooms were larger and there were only six in all. She was amazed to find that every room held a small porcelain tub, with a built-in bench where a chamber pot would sit, and a stand to hold a water pitcher and bowl. Each room had a small fireplace beside the window, some covered with river rock, others with clay bricks.

She couldn’t help but frown as she stepped off the steps and onto the fourth floor. With all these fireplaces, one might think they lived in Norway or Greenland instead of on a tropical island. There were three rooms on the uppermost level, each similar in design as those on the third, but much larger.

Going back downstairs, Angelique found the head contractor inspecting the handiwork of his men. He smiled up at her and bowed slightly when she took the last step to the main floor.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon, Highness,” the man said, running his large dark hand across his round chubby face.

“I wanted to see what the place looked like finished, Mr. Taylor,” she answered. “It is quite beautiful, but I’m curious as to why there are so many fireplaces. We’re on a tropical island. It’s not likely to snow anytime soon.”

“It was your father’s orders,” Taylor said with a deep chuckle.

“And the basins? Were those also part of his orders?”

“Yes ma’am. He insisted that each room have access to its own bathing suite, with each floor becoming more elaborate than the last. It has something to do with his research, but he didn’t go into detail on the reason. Since he wanted each level to have a specific number of rooms, I had no choice but to put the suite in the bedrooms. The place would be twice as large as what he had asked for if I followed his orders to the letter.”

“Well, it’s certainly unique. I’ll give the place that.”

Angelique walked behind the counter and inspected the many drawers and shelves hidden behind the highly-polished exterior.

“You did a great job with the construction. My father mentioned he wanted this finished when he returned in a few months. Besides the furnishings, I would say it’s ready.”

“We still have a few minor details to finish, mainly cosmetics, and the garden needs to be planted, but it will be ready when the king returns.”

“Then I’ll take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of my father.”

“Did your father mention what he was planning on putting in this building? It looks like a grand hotel, but we never get that many visitors to Westerly to support such a place.”

“He mentioned it was part of his research,” Angelique answered hoping her voice sounded nonchalant. “I suppose he’ll announce it when he returns.”

“I’ll be eager to hear his explanation.”

Angelique smiled as she walked with Taylor to the front door and onto the porch.

“Well, Your Highness,” Taylor began as he pulled the doors shut behind them. “I have more work to do. Unless you need something from me…”

“No, of course not, and thank you again for all your hard work, I know my father will be pleased.”

“Yes ma’am.” Taylor bowed slightly and stepped down the seven steps to his waiting horse.

Angelique watched as he saddled his horse and rode out of sight around the large coconut trees and disappeared. She stepped down the stairs and turned around once more, looking up at the windows that glistened in the morning sun.

It was an impressive building, that much was true, but it seemed a pity it had been built for the sole purpose of sex. She knew she shouldn’t have lied to Mr. Taylor, but she didn’t want him to know that his hard work and labor was wasted on an extravagant idea of her father’s. She wasn’t even certain if he was sane or had lost his mind completely over the years of traveling. Either way, she would learn soon enough. He was coming home in a few weeks and would be held responsible for his actions.

It was shortly after ten o’clock when Red returned to the ship. He had found the comfort of four women that night, combined with the three bottles of whiskey, he was ready for a long night’s sleep.

Seeing the light in the captain’s window, he knew Ian was still awake. He was curious about what he thought of the journal the king asked him to read. Softly, he knocked on the door and pushed it open. He found Ian in the same chair as when he left six hours ago. Red chuckled under his breath as he pushed the door further open and stepped into the room.

“Have you been sitting here all night?” Red asked, knowing the answer before Ian uttered it.

“I’ve just been reading this book,” he answered absently. “What time is it?”

“It’s after ten. I can’t believe you’ve been reading for six hours.”

“This book is fascinating. I think the man might have something here,” Ian answered enthusiastically as he sat the book on the table in front of him. “If Edward’s theories are correct - and he states that he has practiced what he’s researched - this could revolutionize the way people have sex.”

“How so?” Red asked, sitting down and reaching for the nearly empty bottle of whiskey before pouring a glass for himself and refilling his friend’s.

“Were you aware that women have the ability to experience the same, volcanic orgasm, as he calls it, as a man does?”

“No, they don’t,” Red argued in a skeptic tone. “If they have that ability, then why don’t they do it?”

“I’ve had a lot of women of all kinds, even young maidens in England, and even though they have all enjoyed sex, I’ve never given a woman a ferocious frenzy the way Edward suggests. I don’t even know if they are aware that they can have an orgasm. According to his research, Edward claims a woman needs patience and extra stimulation to reach that level. I’ll admit I enjoy playing with women. I love making a woman moan and with the right one, I enjoy going down on them, but even as much time as I’ve spent in bed with them, I never knew half of what he suggests in this book. He lists multiple areas on a woman’s body that stimulate her into a quicker response. He suggests that a man needs to take his time and explore her. I’ve spent hours in the arms of women and I can tell you, some of these places he describes are true. I’ve had women go crazy when I’ve played with them. I honestly think he has something here and I’m eager to know more.”

“I can’t remember the last time I went down on a woman,” Red admitted absently. “I don’t like the stale taste of another man’s cum on her.”

“Screwing them is one thing but getting serious after they’ve been bedded by half a dozen men is disgusting. Edward has developed an entire program of foreplay and intercourse, to stimulate and excite both the man and the woman, beginning with bathing.”

“He expects you to bathe before you get laid? That’s nonsense.”

“The way he describes it, even taking a bath is erotic.”

“Besides the bathing, what else does he suggest?” Red asked knowing Ian’s argument on this subject.

They had discussed his need for frequent bathing, more than once over the past five years, and he always ended up surrendering to the younger man in frustration.

“He says that over ninety percent of the women he’s spoken with don’t even know their own bodies. He recommends that a woman should be encouraged to explore herself, either alone or with a man’s help. He even has drawings of what a woman’s body looks like.”

Ian turned to the page he had been speaking of, toward Red, and watched the curious expression on his face as he examined the picture.

“That’s disgusting,” Red complained with a frown as he looked at the crude drawing in the book. “I could have gone the rest of my life without knowing a woman has a cervix.”

“I’ve spent a great deal of my life feeling a woman’s pussy, but I had no idea what I was touching. According to Edward’s research, that one spot that seems to drive a woman crazy is called a clitoris. He even has drawings of a variety of sexual positions he learned in the orient. You’d have to be a bloody contortionist to get into some of these positions.”

Ian flipped through the pages of drawings with interest as he imagined what it would be like to make love as Edward described in the pages of his book.

“This is all too much to take in at once,” Red said with a shake of his head, pushing his empty glass aside and standing up. “If you aren’t going to need me for anything else, I’m going to bed.”

“That’s quite alright. I’m going to go to sleep as well. I’m eager to meet with Edward tomorrow, and see what he has in mind for the next step of his research.”

“You’re not actually going to go along with this man’s crazy notions, are you?” Red asked, pausing by the door.

“I want to discuss it with him. I have a lot of questions that need to be answered before I agree to anything.”

“Well, I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, Ian,” Red said with another shake of his head. “I don’t want to see you wasting twenty years of your life trying to sort this all out as he has.”

“Don’t worry,” Ian laughed, closing the book, and pushing it aside before he took up his glass in his hands. “I am not about to get wrapped up in all of this. I am interested to know if the thing can really be accomplished, though. Just imagine what kind of a lover you can create out of a woman if you can produce the same orgasm in her as we have. It’s very surreal.”

“I suppose, but I still don’t see it as a real possibility.”

Red walked out the door leaving his friend alone to sort out his own feelings. Ian had a point, he thought as he headed down the stairs to the crew’s quarters. If Edward was right about all of this, it could revolutionize the way women made love. Hell, it might even make being onshore for an extended amount of time, a lot more fun.

While the sons are being taught in Westerly’s bordello, the fathers will need a place to explore their own ability of control. The art of lovemaking outside of the bordello will be for the benefit of the woman. Inside will be for the man’s satisfaction. A specific set of rules will be placed upon the guests of the house so that the domination of the woman will be for the man’s desire. Deviation from these rules will not be permitted, though the exploration of new and wondrous skills is encouraged.

A book has been created with explicit instructions that will be set upon the bordello tutors, as well as their guests. The many styles of lovemaking and foreplay have been outlined for the instruction of the young men, as are those requirements of the women and their guests. Modification of these set rules will not be allowed. Any woman who breaks these rules will be punished in the form of whipping. For those who repeatedly disobey, the punishment will be banishment, not only from the bordello but from the Island of Westerly. This includes the male guests of the bordello.

Ian pulled his pants up across his long, muscular legs and laced them around the erection he had endured since reading Edward’s book the night before. He wanted to know more, but he refused to lose himself in all of this. Yes, it was true that Edward’s ideas were stimulating and intriguing, but he had no idea how the man planned to put his theories into practical use.

Once he had finished breakfast, Ian gathered Edward’s book and the list of questions he’d made after his long night of page flipping, then left the ship. He walked down the narrow streets to the tavern, where he had arranged to meet with Edward.

The place was practically empty with only a few patrons remaining from the long hours of night. There was an older man behind the bar wiping down the stained counter, while two young girls - one a very lovely brunette, the other a slightly younger red-head - sat at a table near the back of the room. They looked up and smiled as Ian sat down and ordered two cups of coffee.

Ian chose to ignore the women as he set the book on the table and waited for Edward to arrive, even though their staring was slightly unnerving. Given any other circumstance and any other day, he would have taken them upstairs and made good use of the early morning hours. This, however, was not an ordinary day. He had a list of questions to ask the king about his theory, and he wanted to know if the things he wrote about were even possible.

Edward stepped through the swinging doors and glanced around the room, looking relieved when he saw Ian. He was clean-shaven and wore a dark blue suit with a crisp white shirt. He glanced toward the young women before smiling to Ian who was sipping the coffee the bartender had sat in front of him.

“I’m happy to see you, Son,” Edward said, sitting down across from the man. “The fact that you are here shows your interest in what I’ve said.”

“I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t curious,” Ian told him, passing the second cup to Edward. “I do have some questions though.”

“Of course. I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”

“You wrote about the control issue you believe a man has over a woman,” Ian began addressing the notes he had made. “What you describe sounds like slavery, and I’m not a supporter of slave trading, even though I’ve been forced to participate in it from time to time.”

“It’s nothing of the sort,” Edward said with wide eyes. “Once the event is over, the women are free to go about their own lives. It’s while they are in your company that they must obey your demands.”

“What about this spanking issue?” Ian asked with a frown. “I have never struck a woman before, even in anger, and I’m not eager to do so now. I cannot believe that such a thing would be necessary for sexual pleasure.”

“The spanking is not as rough as one might think,” Edward answered with a smile. “There is physical abuse, and then there is pleasurable abuse. The spanking that will be conducted during a session will be for discipline, but also for the stimulation of the woman’s desire. Once I began researching this form of foreplay, I realized that a little pain added to the woman’s climax.”

“That is something you’ll have to prove to me,” Ian commented with a skeptical tone in his voice. “What about this whipping? I noticed a lot of your foreplay is based on physical discomfort to the lady. For the sake of repeating myself, I will not hit a woman.”

“If you will give me a chance to prove what I’m telling you, you’ll see there’s no real agony involved in any of this,” Edward said forcefully. “All I ask is that you give me three hours of your time. I will prove to you just how exciting this form of sexual contact is. Once you’ve tried sex the way I have directed, you will never want to make love the old way again.”

“It has never taken me three hours to make love to a woman. Who is the woman you want to use for this demonstration anyway? Is she willing, and does she know what you have planned for her?”

“Yes, in fact, she does,” Edward smiled as he motioned for the two young women to join them and stood with a smile as Ian rose from his chair when they approached. “I have decided to advance to ménage à trois. May I introduce Teresa,” he said standing and laying a gentle hand on the small of the dark-haired girl’s back, then turned to the redhead, “and this is Tracy. I have asked them to participate in our experiment and they have agreed. They know what I have planned - to a point - and they are willing to be trained.”

“Trained?” Ian asked suspiciously as he greeted the women.

“Absolutely,” Edward nodded. “I have spent some time with these lovely ladies, but not much. I wanted you to be the one to train them, specifically to my design and instructions.”

“You do realize what’s involved here?” Ian asked the two women when they sat down at the table.

“We know that there’s a lot of physical contact and perhaps a little pain, but it’s nothing we haven’t endured before,” Teresa answered, watching Ian sit in the chair next to her.

“You’ve been abused before? In the name of sex?” Ian asked with a frown.

“Not exactly,” Tracy answered. “Being hit by men who have had too much to drink, or when they have to pay for our services, is a common risk in our line of business.”

“That’s barbaric,” Ian grumbled.

“My form of discipline is different, and not for the sake of pain,” Edward clarified again. “And I can guarantee, these young ladies will be paid handsomely for their time and service, not to mention if this goes well, I will be taking them back to Westerly with me. We will need skilled women to help run the bordello.”

“You’ll be taking them with you?”

“Absolutely, but they must be trained first, so they know how to train others. That’s where you’re needed.”

“You plan on having women train women?”

“It’s not the first time we’ve been associated with activities that involve women,” Teresa said with a sideways grin.

“Well, then shall we get down to the details,” Edward began excitedly. “I have leased a house nearby, which will be used for this particular experiment. I will arrange everything, and we can begin as soon as this afternoon.”

“Hold on,” Ian said holding up his hand to stop Edward from continuing with his ranting. “I never actually agreed to any of this.”

“King Edward is going to find a man willing to participate in this experiment,” Teresa said softly. “Personally speaking, we’d like our partner to be a gentleman.”

“All the ladies talk about how caring and gentle you are,” Tracy added with a smile that would melt an iceberg. “Why else do you think there are so many women here when your ship arrives in port? There isn’t a woman around who doesn’t hope to be in the arms of Captain Bloody John.”

“I’m flattered,” Ian answered with a soft smile.

He drew a deep breath as he considered the man’s offer, looking from one woman to the next. He could imagine them naked and exposed to his touch. The thought alone was enough to warm his doubt and make his breeches a bit tighter.

“Alright,” he answered a few moments later. “I’ll agree to this, but there will have to be some changes to your instructions. I will not hit a woman.”

“Please, sir,” Edward began as he handed a second journal to Ian. “Review the instructions and the itinerary, and we’ll discuss any alterations to the routine when we meet again. Let’s say…”

Edward pulled a golden chain with an elaborately decorated watch on the end out of his vest pocket and reviewed the hour. It was now a quarter after ten, which would leave enough time to do some shopping and to arrange the household staff, so they could be alone.

“Why don’t we meet again at three o’clock,” he continued. “I’ll send a cab for you.”

“Very well,” Ian answered looking at the women who smiled brightly up at him while he stood from his seat. “I’ll be ready, but I’m warning you, there will be no physical abuse…for pleasure or pain.”

“Just review the instructions please, and we’ll see you at three.”

Ian shook the man’s hand and left the tavern, walking back down the narrow streets toward his ship. Agreeing to do this crazy act was one thing - which caused his curiosity to peak - but to explain to Red that he was going to train two women to have sex, was a feat worthy of remembering.

Angelique sat at the piano playing the keys with the patience and tenderness of a skilled professional. She couldn’t seem to get the images of that home out of her mind, ever since she left it the day before. There were a lot of rumors racing around about what the house was for, and why the king would be so adamant about the details. She knew eventually she would have to start answering questions, but for now, she would feign ignorance.

She glanced up when a middle-aged, tall thin man in a white and black uniform stepped into the room, placing a silver tray with a tea set on the small round table beside the sofa. Angelique knew Rupert was a stickler for schedules and he would never permit her solemn mood to interfere with tea time.

Routines were the least of her worries, as she finished the final chord of the song she had been playing and looked up at the islander who waited patiently for her to sit in her usual seat. He was a very formal man with long gray hair pulled behind his ears and tied with a black silk ribbon. His face was cleanly shaven, and his eyes were a deep dark brown. Across his forearm was a white linen napkin and his hands were hidden beneath crisp clean white gloves. Angelique knew there was no skirting around the man’s daily schedules as she stood and walked to the chair.

She sat quietly on the soft floral embroidered cushion that was slightly worn with age and use. Crossing her ankles with the elegance her years of training had taught her, she waited patiently for Rupert to serve her. He snapped the napkin open with a sharp popping sound, then placed it across Angelique’s lap. He poured the hot tea from the silver pot into a delicate gold-rimmed, white china cup. He tipped the tiny silver spoon of sugar into her cup twice, then stirred it briefly. Rupert removed the spoon and tapped it gently on the edge of the cup, then lifted it by the saucer and handed it to the princess who took it politely from his gloved hand.

The darkly tanned man took the small silver dome lid off a china plate hiding beneath. He lifted the plate toward Angelique, offering her one of the coconut cookies it held. With a soft thank you, she took a single cookie and set it on the saucer’s rim before she lifted her cup and began sipping the hot minty liquid. Rupert stepped out of the room, allowing Angelique some time alone to enjoy her afternoon reprieve, without the interruption of the household staff watching her.

With a heavy sigh, she set the teacup and saucer on the side table next to her elbow and fell against the embroidered cushion that decorated the chair’s back. For the first time in her life, Angelique wished she had a best friend whom she could speak with about her father and his crazy ideas. She felt like her world was slowly spinning out of control, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Her father was acting like a little boy planning his own birthday party. He didn’t care about the cost of the details, or whether it was possible to carry them out, he just wanted everything to go his own way.

She retrieved the list of supplies Edward requested to be available upon his arrival and looked at the overall cost again. More than fifteen hundred pounds for handwoven towels and rags, thick dark drapery, soft kneeling mats, hairbrushes, and combs, dressing gowns, and rugs. Combined with the serving and cooking utensils, the plates and cups, the supply of five different wines from the properties around Westerly, the shelves of the bordello was going to be stocked to the brim.

Flour, sugar, spices, and assorted baking products of all kinds were listed, as were a variety of juices, fruits, and locally grown vegetables. A large supply of lemon juice was ordered to be processed and stored for fermenting, along with dried and ground Kava-Kava root, kelp, and many small sea sponges that could be cut into different sizes.

Edward instructed her to be prepared for the arrival of furniture that was to be immediately placed in the home and set up for use as soon as he arrived on the island. He told her he would be bringing staff back with him for the bordello, which meant he was planning to bring whores to Westerly.

Angelique set the paper aside and drew a deep breath. She couldn’t help but wonder if there had ever been a single person on this island - not to mention this planet - who had put so much effort into planning a sexual encounter. She had no idea why anyone would place so much importance on finding the perfect way of seduction. In truth, she barely even knew her father. He left shortly after her mother died nearly twenty years ago and had returned to Westerly only three times over all those years. If it wasn’t for the painting of him in the entryway, she wouldn’t even know what he looked like.

With the help of the Elders her father had assigned to watch over the island, Angelique had run this country to the best of her ability. She was barely fourteen when the Elders made her the active head of Westerly. Since that time, she had taken responsibility for the safety and welfare of the people who needed her leadership, as well as the economy. Now, her father was insisting that she learn to run and manage this bordello of his - the first of many he planned to introduce to Westerly.

Angelique stood from her seat and paced her way to the window that looked out over the ocean. She had spent so many days sitting in that very window seat watching, waiting for her father’s return, only to be disappointed, time and time again. She couldn’t help but wonder how the island was going to accept their king’s return when, and if, he ever came back. He had been gone for so long, she wondered if anyone would listen to his orders, especially once they learn of his ideas for the new home he had built.

Perhaps one day she would understand why he felt so compelled to spend his life away from her, away from his duty to his people. He had a great deal of time to answer for, and she doubted she would ever think of him as her father. To her, he was nothing more than a name, or a picture in the entry. He was nothing more to her than a stranger.

“Your Highness,” Rupert said opening the door to the warm, quiet room. “Another message has arrived from king Edward.”

Angelique turned to see a young man about eight years old, standing sheepishly behind the tall servant, and nodded her head. Rupert stepped aside and allowed the boy to enter, which he did, hesitantly. He bowed at the waist before taking a few steps further into the room, his hand extended to her with a white envelope in his trembling fingers.

“Thank you,” she said politely, a warm smile caressing her full lips as she took the envelope and glanced back to Rupert. “My man will see that you get something to eat and will pay you for your efforts.”

The boy looked suddenly excited and bowed again, thanking her in a hushed whisper.

Angelique watched Rupert close the door behind the boy, returning the room, and her, to silence. She stared blankly at the envelope with her name on it, sealed with the king’s wax marker. She had a horrible feeling this had something to do with that place he built, and she wasn’t eager to learn the details of his next orders.

Walking to the window bench, she sat down, kicked off her slippers, and pulled her feet up under her skirts. Leaning back against the stack of pillows, she looked out onto the ocean. Several smaller vessels dotted the horizon as they sat at the pier. Some were merchant, others frigates, but nothing that looked impressive enough to contain her father’s flag. She could only assume it was one of them that had brought his letter to her, perhaps even the furnishings he had instructed she place in the home.

Turning back to the letter in her hand, she slipped her fingernail beneath the seal and broke it open. She pulled out the first page of his letter and began reading his scrawled handwriting.

25 February 1669

My Darling Angelique,

I know these last few years have been difficult for you without me, but that will all change shortly. You may not understand the importance of the home I have ordered you to build, but it will be the saving factor of Westerly. That home will make us a strong nation and one that will be prosperous for generations to come.

I have prepared a statement I wish for you to distribute among our people. It will explain the home and the importance of it. I do not want you to take the repercussions of whatever grief may arise from the islanders, while they are trying to adjust to the knowledge of what I am doing. For that reason, I will take full ramifications from the Elders, as well as the citizens of Westerly.

You must understand, my darling daughter, how much I love you, and how much I want only the best for our country and your future. Please be patient for a few more weeks. This will soon be over, and I will be home. It is time for you to enjoy being a young woman of leisure instead of a stand-in ruler, perhaps even a young bride.

I love you,

Your father.

Angelique wiped the tear from her cheek and set the page aside and began reading the second page. She had no idea what the people’s reactions would be, once they heard about all of this, but she had a feeling that once the island learned of her father’s plans, life was going to be interesting.

25 February 1669

My loyal Islanders,

I know by now you have all heard of the home I had built on Westerly, and I am certain rumors are running rampant with explanations as to what it could be for. I would like to set those rumors to rest with a few explanations.

Over the past two centuries, Westerly has been plagued with a great deal of crime against our women. Pirates, sailors, ships of all sorts have come to our island and taken advantage of what they want without regard to our own morals and traditions. Security has been difficult, though strong through the years, but all of that is going to change for the better.

The home I have had built is a very special, very organized, and controlled, bordello. I know the word and term are frightening for some of you, but soon it will become a way of life. I will supply this home with trained and experienced women who will be responsible for restoring sanity to our shores. They will act as our line of defense, and the barrier in which our daughters and sisters will be protected. Peace will reign on our sands because of these women.

Allow me to say this in explanation as to my absence. Over the past twenty years, I have traveled and learned and developed a specific style of relationship that will develop our island into a peaceful civilization. I will be returning to Westerly in a few weeks, and I will explain everything in detail at that time. Until then, I ask that you have patience and understanding of the plans I have set in place.

You are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Your loyal servant,

King Edward I.”

Angelique stood and walked to the silk rope in the corner of the room and pulled it, calling for Rupert. She would have her father’s letter posted immediately and prepare for the onslaught of confusion.

Well, she thought with a strange twisting of her stomach. At least I won’t have to deal with all of this for much longer. In a few weeks, Father will face the ramifications of his lifelong decisions and endure the wrath of bringing whores home.