Stephanie's Castle by Susanna Hughes

but
quietly.
    'It is a very
delicate matter.'
    'I can be
discreet.'
    'You may be
shocked.'
    She smiled
broadly. 'I thought I'd convinced you last night that I am not
easily shocked.'
    'Well, you'd
better see it all for yourself then. If that's what you want.'
    'It's what I
want,' she said emphatically.
    'As soon as
we've finished breakfast, then,' Devlin conceded. There was no
arguing with the determination in Stephanie's voice.
    Stephanie
drank her coffee slowly. She was in no hurry. She had won her
point. Devlin looked distinctly uneasy about revealing whatever
secret the castle held but she knew he was committed now and would
not go back on his word. The sun was getting hotter and it felt
strong on her face. She pulled off the robe and let the sun dry her
swimming costume as she saw Devlin's eyes moving over her body, no
doubt remembering the glories of last night.
     
    She chose a
thin white suspender belt, matching bra and lacy French knickers
with sheer white stockings. Over this she wore a silk dress in
creamy white that buttoned down the front, and white shoes with
heels not quite as high as those she had worn last night. She
brushed out her long black hair and then pinned it up rather
severely. As she had a long neck and good, firm chin, the absence
of hair falling to her shoulders always somehow made her look
taller and more in control.
    She joined
Devlin in the sitting room where, in one corner, he had a large
desk and shelves and cabinets of papers and books.
    'Ready,' she
said smiling.
    'I've never
seen you with your hair up,' he commented.
    'Well?'
    'I like
it.'
    'A lot?'
    'Yes.'
    He got up from
the desk and led her by the arm out into the marble lobby. Beside
the main staircase Devlin pulled aside the corner of a large modern
tapestry, draped over much of the wall, to reveal a small thick
wooden door which he unlocked with a key from his key-chain. Behind
the door Stephanie felt a rush of cool air and saw a flight of
steep winding stone steps leading down into the cellars of the
castle. She shivered slightly.
    'Be careful,'
Devlin warned.
    He indicated a
thick rope looped to the wall along the length of the stairs before
leading the way down. She grasped the rope and started down after
him, wishing she'd worn the flatter heels. The steps were narrow,
the stone worn away by centuries of use. They led to a broad,
vaulted brick chamber lined on all sides with racks of wine. Devlin
made no comment. Stephanie knew little about wine except that this
amount must represent a considerable investment in financial
terms.
    Devlin was
standing at the far end of the long chamber now, in front of
another strong-looking wooden door set into the stone wall.
    'Are you sure
you want to know?' he asked, though he knew what her answer would
be.
    'Yes,' she
said immediately. 'Don't look so worried. I'm a big girl.' She
patted him gently on the cheek.
    Devlin rapped
twice on the door. After a moment Stephanie heard a lock turn and
the door swung open. A man stood in the doorway dressed for all the
world like a medieval executioner: black tights, black tunic, black
boots. All that was missing was a black hood. He was a big man with
the physique of an all-in wrestler.
    'This is
Bruno. He's a mute, so I'm afraid he can't say hello.'
    'He's clearly
not a fashion victim.'
    'Oh, I dress
him like that for my amusement. Just a little joke.'
    Bruno stood
aside and Stephanie followed Devlin through the door.
    'Bruno's
father used to work here in the castle before I acquired it. And
his father before that. Actually I don't think Bruno has ever been
to the mainland.'
    Again they
were in a brick-vaulted chamber but this one had been divided into
a long corridor with small cells running down both sides. All the
cell doors were the same size, all contained circular peepholes
that could be opened and closed and all were numbered. These may
have been the castle's original dungeons but they had been
renovated and remodelled in modern times.
    Devlin