[For Dot] Valentine's Dea--Day

[st_illunsmeared]

Oh, this day!

Bathed, deshabille, Phryne flung herself down on the white leather couch in her room and resolved not to get up for anything.

Now that she had a bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket by her hand and a box of chocolate truffles, it was entirely plausible. After all, she had a stack of contemporary "classics" to keep her busy, and Phillip Roth would be more reliably entertaining than any young man. Or the mature one she'd put firmly to the back of her mind for the night.

She was so deeply imbedded in my consciousness that for the first year of school I seemed to have believed that each of my teachers was my mother in disguise...

Yes. Much more reliably entertained, Phryne thought, and sipped at her champagne while she read on.

Comments

[st_illunsmeared]

"In this instance, I am afraid I have to disagree. Song of Songs is the Kama Sutra of the Bible, if you read it properly," Phryne replied, mischief and amusement warm in her bright eyes. "The Bible condones sexual pleasure, darling. It's only the Church that makes you ashamed."

[st_oh_honestly]

Silently she agreed, somewhat in any event. But she didn't say that.

"It isn't shame, not really. When you're married..." Well then of course pleasure was a welcome addition to a marriage. "It's just different miss, before."

[st_illunsmeared]

Phryne's day had been long enough without a discussion with Dot on what she considered nothing but mean-spirited on the part of the Church. "I don't believe that, and I won't believe in a god who forgives murderers and prostitutes but won't allow the dearest soul I've ever known the pleasure of a man's embrace."

[st_oh_honestly]

Generally one had to ask for forgiveness and without a proper priest... Well.. But Dot didn't argue, instead she impulsively hugged Phryne.

"Thank you Miss. That means an awful lot to me. And I'm sure things with th Inspector will work out."

[st_illunsmeared]

Touched by the gesture, Phryne hugged Dot back and then kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Dot." Phryne's fears had less to do with Jack than herself, but that was not an issue she could discuss with Dot, no mattered how dear she was.

[st_oh_honestly]

Dot would claim that Phryne could talk to her about anything, but she also knew that she had a very specific lack of experience with... Well most things.

"Do you need anything before I go back to my room Miss?"

[st_illunsmeared]

"No. Thank you, Dot."

What Phryne needed was nothing Dot could provide, though, bless her, if Phryne asked for him, Dot would try. Of course, she wouldn't ask. If she wanted Jack, she would do them both the courtesy of calling him herself. Or she would go to him.

For now, she thought she would rather be alone to think and read. Tomorrow, tomorrow would be soon enough to talk to Jack.

[st_oh_honestly]

"Alright then, if you change your mind I'll be in my room." With the door locked in case she lost her senses again.

She got to her feet and smoothed down her apron.

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

[st_illunsmeared]

With a smile that didn't reach her eyes but a tone that was fond nevertheless, Phryne replied, "As long as there's no kissing involved, mm?"

Although she didn't say it, Dot surely knew to come back without hesitation if she had the slightest need.