Excerpt
Double Six
Brenda Murphy © 2019
All Rights Reserved
Chapter One
“Are you sure this is what we need?” Elaine lowered the hairbrush and shifted her gaze to Martha’s face, reflected in the dressing table mirror.
Martha quirked her mouth. “We’ve been over this. Just give her a chance. You can’t keep up with our client requests.”
Elaine tossed the brush on the top of the dressing table. “Because you and Lucia don’t help.” She swept her titian hair back and up into a high ponytail.
Martha handed her an elastic. “We’re not having this argument again. Lucia and I are finished with that side of the business. We can’t keep putting people off or they’ll find other houses to visit.
Elaine knotted a hunter-green ribbon in her hair. “Oh please. Like they could find anyone like me. Or what we offer here.” She shoved away from the vanity and turned to face her sister. “Fine. We’ll see how she handles herself. But the timing sucks.”
Martha placed her hands on her sister’s shoulders. “We had to work with the dates she gave us. Lucia thinks she’d be a good fit. We’ve had our trip planned for a long time. We trust you to make a good decision.
Alone. Again. “I’m not worried about making a wrong decision. Who’ll sub for her? Benita and Fallon are on holiday. No one else likes heavy pain play.”
Martha grinned wickedly at Elaine. “Maybe you could give it a go?”
Elaine rolled her eyes at her sister. “The switch gene is not in me. Go on, go on your holiday. I’ll figure it out.” Somehow. Damn, I miss Roxy.
Lucia and Myfanwy stood next to the car, their breath visible as they chatted in the frosty gray morning. Millie loaded the last of their luggage into the trunk and closed the lid gently. Martha placed her hand on Elaine’s forearm. “You have our itinerary. We can return if it’s an emergency”—she straightened to her full height and squared her shoulders—“but we are not to be disturbed unless it is.”
Elaine rolled her eyes at her sister. “Yes, sister dear, goddess forbid I interrupt your honeymoon. Like you haven’t already had one. I won’t bother you.” She let the devil show in her eyes. “I expect you’ll be tied up.”
Martha settled her fedora on her head. “I’m not going to waste my time replying to that, and please for the love of all that’s good, try to get along with Petra. We don’t have any other candidates.”
“So we should settle?” Elaine placed her hand on her hip.
“No one is saying settle. What I am saying is do not make a snap judgment. Or piss her off so much she leaves.”
Elaine shrugged. “If she can’t stand the heat…”
“Martha, we need to leave now.” Lucia spoke over Elaine, her voice a soft command. “I’m sure Elaine and Petra will sort things.”
“See, even your Miss agrees.” Elaine smirked at Martha.
Martha smiled at Elaine, not giving her the argument she craved. “Try it some time. You might find you like it.”
“Ha. A cold day in hell. Go now or you’ll miss the ferry.”
Martha gave Elaine a quick hard hug before she hurried down the steps to the car.
The limousine stopped squarely at the foot of the walk leading to Rowan House. Elaine stood on the steps, her hands planted on her hips, dressed in a form-fitting pair of tan riding pants, black riding boots, and her favorite thick blue sweater to greet the new arrival. No use getting dressed up. Don’t want to give her the wrong impression. A stiff wind blew across the porch. Elaine shivered and shoved her hands in her pockets to warm them. She winced when the thick raised scar on the back of her hand scraped on her pocket seam. Ridiculous time of year for an audition with half the staff on holiday. Catering to her dates. She should have been willing to take whatever dates we set.
Millie exited the car and opened the rear door. A pair of shapely legs covered in black hose, wearing burgundy Manolo pumps appeared. Elaine blinked. Good taste in shoes, that’s a plus. Must be doing well to afford those. Fantastic legs. The woman wearing the shoes emerged from the car and pulled her navy-blue wool coat tighter around her body. Her jet-black bob brushed the top of her shoulders and a large pair of sunglasses shielded her eyes. Millie offered her arm and the woman placed her black-gloved hand on her forearm and allowed Millie to escort her to the steps.
“Petra Grendahl, Elaine McLeod.” A mischievous grin settled over Millie’s face. Elaine stepped down off the porch, her gaze fixed on the new arrival’s face.
Petra removed her sunglasses. Her eyes were brown, so dark they appeared black. She met Elaine’s direct gaze with one of her own. A smattering of freckles was scattered across the bridge of her nose and wide cheekbones. Her elegant mouth pulled into an insolent smile. Fuck. I should’ve reviewed her application. Those eyes. Bewitching. Get it together. She’s here for an interview not for playtime. Pity that.
Petra tilted her head to the side and peeled her glove off slowly before she extended her hand.
Mesmerized by her deliberate motions, Elaine stared at her perfectly manicured hand with blood-red nails. Say something.
Elaine thrust her hand out and clasped Petra’s hand. “So pleased you’re here.”
“Really?” She lifted her chin in challenge and squeezed Elaine’s hand with a firm grip before releasing it.
Elaine’s face burned. “Yes.” Oh hell, does she think she’s going to be in charge? Hell no.
“You seem surprised. You were expecting someone taller maybe? Younger? Whiter?” Her tone was mocking.
Elaine pursed her lips. “No.”
Petra crossed her arms over her chest and rocked back on her heels. “If you make an offer, and we come to an agreement, would your clients be annoyed when I walk into their room instead of a white blonde-haired goddess?
Elaine frowned at her. “We’re not that kind of establishment. We do not tolerate racists and we would never allow our clients or staff to engage in such appalling behavior. Why would you expect we would?”
“With my name”—Petra uncrossed her arms—“I like to get it out of the way. Saves time.” Her expression remained guarded.
Where has she worked that her race has been an issue? Elaine studied Petra’s face. Beneath the carefully applied makeup and hard expression she noticed her soul-deep weariness and simmering anger. Saves time. Not the first time she’s had this conversation. There’s more there. Later. After she’s rested. “Millie will place your bags in your suite. Would you like tea? Or coffee? Something to eat?”
“Coffee.” A gust of wind blew the hem of Petra’s coat open and she shivered.
“Forgive me for keeping you in the cold. It’s warmer inside.” Elaine held Petra’s gaze, unable to look away from her dark eyes. She took a step back and opened the door. She held it open and stepped to the side to allow Petra to enter the house. Her pumps clicked loudly on the hardwood floor as she strode into the hallway. She removed her other glove and handed the pair to Elaine. After she shrugged out of her coat she tossed it toward Elaine. What the hell? I’m not her sub. She caught the coat in spite of herself.
Elaine straightened her shoulders and dropped the gloves and the coat on the sideboard. “Millie will show you to your room. I’ll send someone to attend you.”
Petra tilted her head to the side and fixed her gaze on Elaine. “Not you?”
Oh hell no. Time to let her know who is in charge. Elaine stepped closer to Petra, pressing her height advantage. Even in four-inch heels Petra was a head shorter than her, and Elaine used every inch of her six-two frame to make her point. “Perhaps it was unclear from our introduction but I am one of the Mistresses of this house.”
Petra’s lips pulled into a taunting smile. “Not unclear at all.”
A hint of gardenia perfume rose from Petra. The challenge in her eyes stoked Elaine’s interest and made her mouth water. Elaine stepped closer and drew in a breath, indulging her need to assert her power. “Whatever decision you have arrived at concerning me, I will not tolerate disrespect.”
“Understood.” Petra held her ground, their bodies a breath apart, her dark gaze locked onto Elaine’s face. “Just know it goes both ways.”
Her mouth. Goddess I want to kiss that smirk off her face. Maybe flog it off. Maybe flog then kiss. Trouble. She is so much trouble. Get it together. Interview. She’s here for an interview. Don’t screw this up. Elaine stepped back. “Wait here. I’ll send someone to attend you.” She turned her back on Petra and the raging fire of want burning low in her belly.
Aj (verified owner) –
I freely admit to being a total nerd and part of the appeal of the Rowan House series has been the combination of mathematical concepts with soul searching and searing hot sex. While the double six of the title nominally refers to starting off a game of dominoes, as ever with Brenda Murphy and Rowan House there are layers of meaning.
Elaine McLeod, co-owner of Rowan House has softened a touch since she was the ‘cook’ Bridget feared (and worshiped) in the backstory of “Both Ends of the Whip”. Her on/off liaison with her replacement in the kitchen, Robin sees her being on the receiving end of genuine affection as well as devotion and subservience. Elaine is still very much the Mistress of the house and sees clients regularly (fulfilling a key role in the business as well as allowing her to dominate a variety of women without any need for commitment.) Despite this, she misses the departed Roxy and might be prepared to admit that Martha’s partnered bliss with Lucia and Myfanwy has made her think that she might just be missing out on something. Adding to poor Elaine’s emotional trauma, Martha’s off on her honeymoon leaving Elaine in charge of the house and with the added responsibility of interviewing an applicant for the post of an additional mistress in the house.
Petra Grendhal, causes a stir upon her arrival for her interview. She and Elaine clash from the off, in terms of their personalities and the fact that Robin is clearly attracted to them both. Elaine has never been prepared to commit to Robin being her ‘one and only’ but is she willing to give her up? At the same time Elaine is shocked by how attracted she is to Petra, despite the fact that she is another mistress and a domme.
I’ve loved all the Rowan House books and this is no exception. Unearthing greater depths of characters who’ve had smaller roles in other novels is really satisfying. As always the characters are incredibly well drawn and the sex scenes are spectacular. Like all of Brenda Murphy’s books I’d highly recommend this!
Ameliah Faith –
Elaine’s Story
The most stern and strict Mistress at Rowan House, Elaine, is at a loss. There is just too much to do especially since Martha and Lucia have stopped seeing clients. They of course have gone on vacation with their sub leaving Elaine to audition a potential new Mistress, Petra, by herself. As if that’s not enough, she’s still smarting from the loss of Roxy and as much as she adores (or is it more?) Robin, she’s not convinced the girl will stay with her if given the chance to leave…. Can things get more complicated? Of course they can! Elaine is drawn to the lovely Petra as well. When Petra disappears, the duo set off to bring her home and things turn deadly as the past comes back with a vengeance.
WOW and Oh MY! I do so ADORE Ms Murphy!!! She totally gives the best achy, needy, and desperate desires…Her sexy, amazing words will leave you breathless and so heart poundingly aroused you won’t be able to see properly! Every time I read a new book in this series I swear it’s the best and each time I’m right but I think this book really is. It’s a constant tease and turn on from the first page until about half way through when she will give you a slight break before ramping the heat back up. All the sexiness aside, this story is fantastic!! I LOVE how human Elaine turns out to be. She’s really rather insecure and unsure in spite of her Mistressey self. It’s wonderful! Robin and Petra are precious as well. The trio made my heart beat with so much emotion. This book has an element of danger, its got darkness and dastardly deeds, it’s edgier and more badass than the other books in this series but it truly fits because Elaine is too. I cannot recommend this book highly enough and really, really encourage you to read them all!