And Those Who Trespass Against Us (6 page)

At seventeen, Catriona baulked at the idea of another shrivelled up governess, employed to force her away from her love of working outside. She was pleasantly surprised. Adele was not much older than her, and they quickly became comrades in arms. Adele taught Catriona the finer graces of music, poetry, and art. While Catriona hesitated at the first two, in art she exhibited a natural affinity. Her mother was relieved she'd finally discovered a liking for something socially acceptable for a woman. Catriona and Adele spent hours in the countryside, painting it from all perspectives. Over the following months, her skill with watercolours became more developed, and she created paintings from strength within.

Yet overnight and without warning, she again grew sullen and distant to everyone and, in particular, Adele. Her mother, concerned by her mood, confronted Catriona. In awkward sentences, Catriona explained she was afraid she liked her new governess too much. Her mother assured her such feelings were natural for girls to have. It was no more than a stage all girls went through, and one which they quickly grew out of when they married. Her mother went so far as to tell her she'd in fact had a crush on her governess when she was fifteen. This quietly confused Catriona, given her own age was now closer to eighteen than fifteen. Rather than try to speak further with her mother about her feelings, which even at the best of times was a difficult task, she let the topic rest. Satisfied that what she was experiencing wasn't out of the ordinary, she returned to her art classes with Adele.

The weeks passed and Catriona grew closer to Adele who acted like she was, at times, at odds with how to deal with the situation. Adele became more circumspect about the time and contact she shared with Catriona.

Sensing Adele was more content spending time with Alexander, Catriona hit upon a plan to draw her back into her own circle. She'd often told Adele of a spot, about half a day's ride away, which presented a wonderful opportunity for painting. After repeated assurances to her mother that the place was still on the property and both women could cope with staying out overnight, they set off one morning for the spot Catriona had often spoken about.

The wagon was packed as if they were going for a year, not a couple of days. The sun was past mid-way when they eventually came in sight of a familiar group of trees. The surroundings were just as Catriona remembered. The trees shielded from the casual observer the natural treasure within, and served to create a hideaway from the outside world, a fact Catriona most enjoyed. When life and problems on the property were too much to bear, she'd often escape to this place. Now she was sharing it with Adele.

Searching along the outside of the trees, she eventually found the break that led them to the inside of the grove and the waterhole. The overgrown track was hard for the wagon and team, for the trees had long since encroached on the path. The unyielding progress of leaf and vine made the place so dear for Catriona. It didn't matter what she tried to do to tame the waterhole and its surroundings, nature always came back to reclaim its own.

Catriona heard Adele catch her breath. The waterhole, fed by a bubbling spring at one end, took up most of the enclosure. The surrounding trees were full-grown and healthy from the abundant water supply. To the left of the wagon was a clearing, not much bigger than the wagon. She brought the horses to a halt next to the clearing.

No longer encumbered by the noise of the constant movement of the wagon, the sound of the native birds could be heard echoing through the trees.

Adele scanned her surroundings. "It's beautiful and so private. How does it manage to survive in such a sparse country? It's amazing."

"I'm not quite sure, but father believes this spot here, and water bores in the local area, are fed by artesian water." Catriona alighted from the wagon with one of the many blankets her mother had packed. "We'll have to set up a shelter for the night, but first things first. I'll spread this so we can have some lunch. After all, it's been a long ride."

"Let me help you." Adele got off the wagon and grabbed the picnic basket, bringing it to where Catriona spread the blanket. Adele looked toward the spring occupying the greater part of their hideaway. "I know you must be hungry but our long ride has left me quite hot. The water looks far too inviting. Before we eat, would you like to go for a swim?"

Catriona faltered. She loved the water but she'd never learnt how to swim. She had little problem with wading her feet in the creek near home, but she was unsure how deep this waterhole was. Fearing she would be less in Adele' eyes she said the first thing which came into her mind, "I can't. I haven't brought anything to swim in."

"Neither have I," Adele replied. "Are you expecting anyone out here?"

"N-no."

"In that case I'm going to bathe in my chemise."

Adele began to undress and Catriona turned away. She felt backed into a corner. To delay the embarrassment at her own inadequacy, she slowly peeled off her outer garments.

Try as she might she couldn't help her eyes from wandering in Adele's direction. She looked so different when she wasn't wrapped up in lace and crinoline. Stealing a look toward Adele's chest, Catriona caught her breath. She felt ashamed when she thought of her own breasts, for they had only begun to fill out, yet still they didn't show much promise. They would never be like Adele's. Hers were beautiful.

"Are you coming in?" Adele called over her shoulder as she walked toward the bank. Without waiting for an answer, she waded in until all that Catriona could see were her shoulders. She paused, as if taking her bearings, then dived headlong into the water.

Catriona rushed toward the waters' edge. Adele was nowhere to be seen. Frantic, she waded into the water in search of her. What if she was struggling, caught in the reeds off the bank? She wouldn't be able to help. She couldn't swim. "Adele where are you? Are you all right?"

Like a bolt out of the blue, Adele surfaced directly in front of Catriona, her hair clinging tightly to her shoulders. However this wasn't the only thing clinging to her body. The plain cotton chemise which had been opaque only moments before was now translucent. The lower part of Adele's body was concealed by the water, but her upper half was quite exposed. The damp cloth now outlined Adele's breasts, her brown nipples visible, pressing against the cotton material.

Catriona blushed. She slowly broke her gaze, moving it up Adele's body and bringing her eyes to rest on the enigmatic expression masking Adele's face. She was smiling, yet at the same time was trying hard not to.

"I said are you going to stand in the water all day or are you going to come in for a swim? The water is lovely and cool, just what you need."

Catriona lowered her eyes. Being caught didn't embarrass her, and neither did the feeling created in her body as a result of her staring. What mortified her was her own inadequacy. "I can't swim."

Adele folded her arms across her chest. "I see. That's not a problem. The water we're standing in is only waist deep. Let me teach you."

Catriona bit her lip.

"What's the matter?" Adele gently asked. "Don't you trust me? I won't hurt you, I promise."

Catriona avoided Adele's stare. "It's not that. You don't want to have to fuss over me. It'll spoil your afternoon."

"You're wrong, Catriona, it doesn't bother me to fuss over you. And besides, my afternoon would certainly be spoiled if I had to think of you sitting on the bank."

Catriona was heartened by Adele's words and couldn't help but think no one ever worried over her. As a girl she was left very much to her own devices. Adele was right. The water was refreshingly cool. Head bowed, she nodded.

"That's better. I promise I won't let you drown. Now the way I'll teach you is I'll support you in the water by placing my arms under your waist. I then want you to concentrate on two things. First I want you to stroke the water like this." Adele showed her the move. "Then I want you to kick at the water with your legs like so." She demonstrated yet again. Adele looked deeply into Catriona's eyes. "You must trust me, I won't let you drown."

At that moment Catriona felt she could trust Adele with her life. In the beginning the lesson went well. She felt Adele's strong arms supporting her in the water. The stroking with her arms was progressing and her efforts, coupled with Adele's reassuring words, made her confidence grow. When Catriona decided to incorporate the kicking part of the lesson, things rapidly spiraled out of control. Her body rocked from side to side, yet if she could only kick harder maybe this would stop.

Catriona kicked so violently she rolled away from Adele's arms. Sensing she was sinking, she panicked and wildly thrashed about. Adele's other arm encircled her waist in a vice-like grip and pulled her upright. Leaning into Adele's shoulder Catriona began to cry.

Despite her tears, Catriona felt secure in Adele's arms. Although she clung to her, for fear of falling back into the water, what was more compelling was she couldn't think of anywhere else she'd rather be. Calming down, she felt emotions surging through her she'd never felt before. Tingling sensations coursed through her body.

Catriona felt soft kisses being placed on the top of her head, and she broke the embrace and looked into Adele's eyes.

Adele reached up and wiped the moisture from Catriona's tear-stained face. "I should have never made you come into the water. You should have stayed on the bank where it was safe."

"I couldn't think of a more secure place than being here with you. The fault was mine. I shouldn't have been so eager to learn."

For a moment the surroundings faded into the background, and all that mattered was Adele. She brought her face down and ever so slightly brushed Catriona's lips with her own, igniting a fire inside of Catriona.

The feelings coursing through her body were unlike anything she'd ever experienced. Wrapping her arms tightly around Adele, she moulded her own body into Adele's. The sensation of Adele's hand playing up and down her spine created another delightful shock through Catriona's body. Unsure of what she should do, Catriona stroked Adele in the same way.

Adele let out a deep moan and Catriona quickly drew out of the embrace.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know I was hurting you." Catriona's words tumbled from her mouth, and she shyly lifted her eyes to Adele's, smiling face.

"You didn't hurt me. On the contrary, your touch pleased me." Adele's face sobered, replaced by a seriousness Catriona seldom saw. "I know this is new to you, but you must realise I'd never do anything to hurt you." Adele paused, as if searching for words, while not breaking her eyes from Catriona's. "That's why I must ask you something. You must know by now how I feel for you. But do you want this? Think carefully Catriona. What we've done so far is regarded by many as unspeakable, and would cause great pain to both your family and to us if we were found out. Do you understand what I'm asking you?"

"I don't understand. I've never kissed anyone like I've just kissed you and it felt wonderful. What's so unspeakable about what I feel for you?"

"It's wrong in the eyes of society. The way I feel for you, Catriona, is the way a man does about a woman. Love of the same sex is an abomination in the eyes of the church and society. I want to share my love with you, but not unless you want the same. The decision is yours."

Catriona stood at a gateway in her life. To step through would mean a different path. Adele was right. What they had done wasn't socially acceptable, but neither was Catriona with her tomboy ways. It may be wrong, but she'd never felt at such peace with herself and this was something she liked. She took Adele's hand. "I want you to love me, and I want you to teach me how to love you in return."

Adele's face lit up. She took Catriona's hand and placed a kiss in her palm. She guided her out of the water to where the blanket had earlier been spread and sat, pulling Catriona down beside her. She leant over and loosened the ties on Catriona's chemise.

With tentative hands, Catriona followed Adele's lead.

Adele slid her hands under Catriona's chemise. Her hands cupped Catriona's breasts. "Your skin is so soft," she whispered. Petite and firm, her breasts responded well to Adele's touch. Adele peeled the wet chemise from Catriona's shoulders.

Catriona felt Adele's eyes on her. Suddenly afraid, she panicked and fumbled with Adele's chemise.

Adele gently halted Catriona's hand. "Let me love you first." Leaning over, she placed a tender kiss on Catriona's mouth. She lowered Catriona to the blanket, softly leaving a trail of kisses from Catriona's eyes to her throat.

Catriona had never experienced such sensations. Her breathing was ragged, and she heard the staccato beat of her heart. Yet soon all she could concentrate on were the light kisses Adele tenderly applied to her body.

With Adele's hands cupping her breasts, Catriona feared her heart would burst. Adele's thumbs lightly traced Catriona's nipple as her kisses followed a path down Catriona's throat and across her shoulder. She gasped when Adele lowered her teasing lips to where her hand had been only moments ago. No longer able to contain herself, she grasped the thick tresses of Adele's hair. Adele's tongue played with Catriona's nipple until it blossomed in her mouth.

Adele broke her connection and placed her cheek against Catriona's other breast. "You don't know how long I've waited for this to happen. I've watched you for so long, my love, fearful of what might occur, if you ever discovered my feelings for you."

Catriona stroked Adele's hair. "I never knew, although you made me feel so strange sometimes, when you looked at me like you did. But this, between us now--I can't believe anything which feels so right could be judged so wrong."

"It isn't, if there's love involved."

Adele's tongue flicked Catriona's nipple and Catriona arched against Adele. "Oh Adele," she whispered.

Adele kissed the hollow between Catriona's breasts, unhurriedly moving down till she reached the top of Catriona's bloomers. She slowly peeled the bloomers down and kissed the crown of dark hair.