Immediately following the meal, Stephen led abby out of the dining room and into the library. There he bade her kneel on the floor in front of the huge leather arm chair. Stephen sat and examined her in the light of the fire that seemed always to be blazing in the huge hearth that dominated the room.

"You have been through a lot in the last few days. Some of what you have endured would have broken other women and left them nothing more than a shell. Yet, you continue to endure and, at times, even still emote a bit of modesty."

Eve appeared with a serving tray with brandy and two crystal glasses. She poured into each glass. She first offered one to Stephen, then, suprisingly, the other to you:

"Take it slut. Drink. That is over 100 years old and some of the finest liquor available. One thing about this house is that everything is the best. The food, the clothing, the liquor, the entertainment, the people. All are the very best I can acquire. That's what I said I acquire people. I don't hire them. I take them. The ones who suit my purposes and who demonstrate the kind of loyalty I demand, get to stay here and enjoy what I have to offer. The others? Well, lets just say that they help fund all of this."

He motioned around the room with the cigar, The brandy already was beginning to have its effect on you. Feeling a bit giddy, you speak a bit sarcastically.

"And just what use would Sir have for such a poor untrained slut as I?"

Stephen smiled.

"Careful slut. Don't let the alcohol and your mouth get you more than you bargained for. But to answer your question. I have had an opening in my staff. As you may have noticed, Lisa is not longer with us. Thus, I am in need of a secretary. I know that your education is excellent. You are intelligent. What I do not know is if you are to be trusted. In this position you will have access to some of my most personal data. You will be intimately involved with the running of this household and some of my business dealings. In addition, you will have other duties of a more personal nature for me. BUT, it requires absolute obedience and absolute loyalty on your part to me. In return you get what you see here. A lifestyle anyone would envy. Servants, access to the entire estate, travel, a salary that you would never be able to match elsewhere, and protection."

Sipping the brandy, he puffed on the cigar and through the haze of the smoke watched you carefully.

"Come slut. I know you have questions. Ask.