It seemed like hours had already passed, but Gabrielle knew it hadn't yet been five minutes. Then without warning came a sound from behind her "Mmmmmmmmm." Gabrielle's hair on the back of her neck stood up. She could feel the goose bumps on her skin multiplying. She slowly turned her head in response but the room had very little lighting and it was hard to focus. She couldn't see anyone. Perhaps she was mistaken. Maybe it had been a noise from the other side of the door. She turned back to the door, lightly pressing her ear against it. The silence on the other side urged her forward. Just as she reached to open it and peek into the hallway, she was once again startled by a strange sound coming from behind her. "Mmmmmmmmmm." Suddenly she couldn't seem to move or breath. Her heart was racing and she began to shake with fear so she silently stood there trying to calm down. After what again seemed like ages, she turned and tried to look about the room. Her eyes had adjusted to the lack of light so she inched slowly forward. The sound of trickling water accompanied by a slight echo confirmed her location to be a bathing chamber. She didn't remember exactly which one. Walking deeper into the room she exercised great caution. The sconce on the far wall across the room was burning, emitting only a small circle of dim light. Still she didn't see anyone about so reaching the first alcove, she peeked within. A small candle burned on the table in the corner, providing a soft glow yet the room remained shadowed. A faint movement caught her eyes. There was someone lying on the massage table! There she stood paralyzed with fright and wondering what to do, when he moaned again. "Mmmmmmm."

She realized with relief, it appeared the customer was fast asleep. She turned to leave, when the candle flickered brightly for a moment, causing her to notice his face. It was the handsome man she had seen earlier, while sneaking up to the viewing chamber. What was he doing here? Why was he alone? As she gazed at him, she instinctively moved closer. Passing through the sheer gauze curtain she inched forward. He was more than handsome he was perfect. She stepped even closer. Standing next to the massage table, looking at him laying there in all his naked glory she simply starred. His dark hair fell loosely, curling slightly at the base of his neck. His shoulders were firm and wide, his muscles rippled down his torso. His bum was firm, yet paler than the rest of him. His legs were thick and long, but paler than his upper body. His back and arms were golden, his hair black and wet.

She couldn't have stopped herself if she had tried and without warning her hands began to touch him. Careful not to wake him, at first her hands felt as she felt; shy. Then as he continued to sleep, she felt a bit safer. It was as though her hands expressed her feelings becoming bolder, more curious. She touched, stroked and massaged. His skin was not soft like her own, but firm and muscular. He had little hairs on his legs and bum. She was simply mesmerized by the shape and contour of his body. She couldn't seem to get enough of just touching him. Silently his body seemed to dare her to recklessness. She ran her hands along the contours of every inch of him, trembling from the temptation. After trying to drag herself away from him for the second time, she finally stopped and turned to leave. As she turned, the man's hand grabbed her arm. "Don't leave without a kiss," his husky voice muttered. Gabrielle concluded, he must think she was the same girl who had massaged him earlier. Still no matter what he thought, she was not experienced enough to know what to do. She was still standing there trying to decide, when he yanked her forward. Pulling her closer and turning his body sideways at the same time, their lips met. At first it was a simple touching of their lips, then the tip of his tongue ran along her bottom lip. Suddenly he pushed his tongue inside her mouth and reached around her shoulder with his other arm. She froze at first and was not quite certain of what to do. Yet as his tongue probed and his lips crushed hers, she simply leaned in and melted against his hard chest. Later, all coherent thought was gone, as her tongue spared with his and demanded as much from him as he demanded from her. Several moments later he slowed down and began to nibble her lips. Then with a tender kiss on the lips, he simply turned back over and apparently went back to sleep. Gabrielle stood there in shock; convinced her inexperience had caused him to turn away. Then embarrassment set in. As she stood trying to get her emotions under control, shame turned to excitement. She didn't understand her own churning feelings, she didn't even know if she had kissed him correctly. But this man had touched her as no other and she didn't even know his name. Anger mixed with her emotions before she knew what was happening. Was she upset that he kissed her or that he stopped? Her feelings were all a jumble as she backed out of the room. Finally pulling herself together she made her way towards the door. If she didn't know who he was, then he didn't know who she was. Maybe that was for the better. Her heart was racing, her lips were tingling and her mind was confused. She was a mess and she still had to get back safely. She wasn't even sure she could think, let alone maneuver her way back. Yet she didn't have a choice, so after making sure the hallway was clear, she quietly escaped.

After the door closed, James looked up. He still couldn't believe the same beautiful woman he had seen earlier, running through the corridors, had simply appeared in his bath. When the two girls had first come in and huddled near the door, he realized they were hiding from someone. He had been in the process of putting on his robe and going back to his room, when they had barged in. He had simply tossed his robe aside and lay back down on the table to watch the events unfold. After the first woman left, he couldn't help but to have a little fun with the second. It wasn't until she had come into the candlelight that he had recognized her. When that had happened he wanted her to come closer, lest he loose her in this large castle. So he made a few more noises and it drew her attention all right. Who knew she would so skillfully maneuver his desires. Who could have figured she would play his body like a violin. When she had been finished massaging him, he just couldn't bare to have her walk out on him without kissing her. As she had begun to move away he had grabbed her and demanded a kiss. Again, who could have ever imagined the shear perfection of that kiss? Though she had acted timid at first, she progressed quickly enough. Then those hesitant kisses had turned demanding. He knew he had to have her! James had thought to coerce her, but he suddenly remembered that was her job. So he pretended to fall asleep to irk her into outrageous behavior. Instead she had used the opportunity to flee. She was a delight and as he licked his lips he could still taste her. Slipping on his robe and walking down the hallway to his room, his mind was churning. Damn! He had forgotten to get her name. Oh, well it would add mystery to the adventure. After all he was well trained at ferreting out information, how hard would it be to find her?

Running all the way, Gabrielle's breath sounded ragged. Her heart was pounding so loud she thought everyone could hear. Up and down all those steps, through all those hallways. Her bare feet slapping against the stone and marble floors as she ran. She was exhausted, lasting only on sheer will power. Almost there, she had made it on instinct alone because she was no longer capable of rational thought. Finally she reached her floor, found her door and slipped inside. Kathleen was pacing within. "I was just about to come find you!" whispered Kathleen, running to her and hugging her fiercely. She stood back a moment and looked at Gabrielle. "Something's wrong, what happened?"

"No nothing is wrong, I'm fine." Trying to slow her heavy breathing she muttered, "I ran most of the way, I'm just out of breath."

"You're lying, it's not just the running. I can tell your upset"

"I do need to talk to you about something, but I need to sleep first. Trust me when I tell you nothing is wrong. We can talk in the morning." Needing to keep her thoughts to herself a little longer, she moved over to the bed and turned down the covers.

"All right, sleep first, then we talk. Your sure your fine?" Kathleen asked as she hopped into bed.

Gabrielle smiled, "I have never been better, now move over." They both drifted off to sleep.

Unfortunately the next morning they did not get to have their talk, because they overslept. They were running down the hall and trying to get to the kitchens before they had to go their separate ways for the day. When Polly spotted them she demanded that Kathleen stay with her and Gabrielle continue on her way. So having little choice Gabrielle continued on. Polly asked "Where were you last night Kathleen?"

"I went to Gabrielle's room last night for a chat and ended up falling asleep there. Why, did you need me for something? I was off duty on the chart wasn't I?" Kathleen asked in false alarm.

"Yes, you were marked off duty. However something came up and I was looking for you and couldn't find you. I thought perhaps you had gone somewhere and not written it down. Anyway a customer came in last night and requested you. As we couldn't find you, we had to come up with an alternative. Make sure you stay close at hand today Helena may need you. I forgot to look, where will you be today?"

"I am working on the first floor today, in the sailor's fantasy. It's my turn to be the mermaid. If you need me, I should be done by dinner. Who was the customer that was looking for me?"

"Can't say as I know him, some gent named Armstrong."

"I'm not sure I recognize the name, maybe I'll recognize the body. I'm open tonight if he needs me."

Polly said, "I'll make sure Helena knows. I'm glad you weren't getting in trouble last night. Nothing I like less than hearing you scream about slops buckets!" then she turned and walked left the room, her laughter following behind.

Kathleen hurried on to the kitchens. She found Gabrielle at a table and hurried to fill a plate and join her. "Well, our plan worked!"

"What do you mean?" asked Gabrielle

"Our plan to say I fell asleep in your room. I've been interrogated and she accepted my answers. Now on to you, what happened last night?"

Gabrielle took a moment then rushed headlong into her story. "I was waiting for ten minutes to be up, when I heard a strange noise coming from inside the room I was in. I couldn't leave quite yet and was afraid if I didn't check it out, I'd get caught. So I carefully walked about the room.did you know we were in one of the baths?"