Lady Ann's Greatly Extended Holiday - Chapter Thirty Four free porn video

Chapter Thirty Four Servant & Lady 1 Ann had a delicious breakfast in the hotel dining room, sitting quietly thoughtful with Richard. "Ann dear, you seem of dour disposition today," he said. "Are you alright?" She smiled quickly and falsely. "I'm fine, thank you darling. Just considering what it will be like to be home. So much... has changed since I was there last." "Indeed it has my dear. You're soon to be married to the most eligible bachelor in England. Your life is about to be transformed in ways you can't possibly imagine." Ann gave something that was half way sigh and half smile. "You're more right than you know." Richard went back to his paper and Ann toyed with her food, not thinking anymore about what decision she would make; she'd done enough dwelling on that, sleepless in the night. Instead she tried to imagine what it would be like seeing... that dirty man again for the first time in almost a month. A smile played on her lips and then became broader. There had been such an extended rise toward their meeting again at last; it was hard to believe it was really going to happen. When the exchange had first occurred, she'd had an entirely different idea of what it would be like. Back then she had purely been doing this under the orders of the former Ann, hoping for some kind of reward of affection. Now, so much had changed, making her understand exactly how low in value any reward would have been. Instead, she had all the power. She was the refined lady; he a bootlicking servant. If she chose, she could keep this life forever and condemn him to that one. As a lower class working man, that urchin simply had no say in the matter. It was delightful to chew that power over in her mind, to relish the control she had over the feeble man's destiny. What would it be like to entirely relinquish that power? Some part of her tingled at the idea of that, the same somewhat erotic side that had existed in the original Lady Ann and drawn her to the swap in the first place - that made her push the change to the lower limits of her status and intelligence. Ann practically buzzed at the concept of surrendering all her beauty and wealth in return for nothing but poverty, filth and ignorance... and brawny masculine strength. She closed her eyes and shook her head. Was she really so rash and foolish as the original Ann that she would consider such a thing purely for the masochistic excitement? She looked at Richard's stern brow and concentrated gaze on his newspaper. No. She wasn't a foolish woman. She was strong and proud and refined; but she had her doubts. She had been desperate to be a man again - to have that strength, anonymity and sexual promiscuity. She sighed and covered it up to avoid Richard's querying glance by putting her cup to her lips. They would leave right after breakfast and catch the train the rest of the way. Then she'd see. When she saw Burt... When she saw him, she'd know what she was going to do. 2 Burt hurried down from the hayloft and round to the front of the building where Harry was tapping his foot, arms folded, a slight smirk on his face. "I'm sure you ain't been oversleeping again Burt," he said. "That's right, ain't it? You've been up for an hour working hard already." Burt froze, unsure how to respond. "Cus of course if you ad been sleepin then I'm sure you'd be more than happy to work on this evening until all the jobs are done." "Er, aye sir," replied Burt. "I'd never finish for the day without everythin bein done." "Good lad." Harry winked and Burt brightened. The old man was certainly showing a different side to him now that he was back and working hard. It made him feel great to be home. This was where he belonged, not in prison. He'd slept more deeply than ever the night before, tucked up on his pallet. He'd never felt so happy to be somewhere and had so much gratitude to his master, the Earl, for saving him from that terrible fate. "I'd've thought you'da been waiting at the gate for Lady Ann to arrive Burt," said Harry. Jeb stuck his head out the stable door and chuckled good-naturedly. "She's comin back this morning." Burt flushed from neck to crown. "Uh yes sir. I mean, no sir. " "I woulda thought you'd have got spruced up for the great lady. You look like you crawled through a hedge backwards then took a bath in pigswill." Harry and Jeb laughed out loud, this time not so good-naturedly. Burt turned a darker shade of pink. "Well I got me chores to do ain't I," he stammered. "Go on, gerout of ere," said Harry, still chuckling. "The pigs want feedin. And hurry up with that cause the Earl's brother and his family are arriving soon and there are things needing doing before they get ere." "Yes sir." Burt hurried off and got to work, starting to feel anxious. It was really happening. Today! She was really coming back! There were so many conflicting emotions in his mind; obviously fear of the humiliation he might feel being a servant in front of the woman he used to be, but also the delightful expectation of seeing that beautiful princess that he adored so much again. He was terrified of acting servile in front of her but also guiltily attracted to the dirty idea of that. The filthy part of his mind wanted nothing more than to be trapped in that bewildering humiliation. He wished he knew the precise moment of her arrival. He dearly wished that. He hated not knowing; wondering what act of labour he would be caught in. How would it feel to be sweeping the courtyard, or shovelling horse dung, or toting sacks of grain, and freeze to hear the rattle of the coach wheels; the clop of the horses? How would it feel to turn and see her for that first time? His head felt hot, a headache scratching at the crease in his forehead. A shudder ran through him from top to toe. He felt energised and tired at the same time; restless and jittery. But he had his jobs to get on with. Even with her ladyship coming back, that didn't give him leave to shirk his responsibilities. He'd given his word to the Earl. He just wished he knew what would happen when she arrived. Would she want to swap back immediately or did she plan to steal his former life? And if she did want to swap, what would he say to her? 3 Ann stepped off the train onto the platform in Griply, breathing in the Yorkshire air, faintly startled to realise that she was really here at last. Richard followed her out as Gladys fussed around with the baggage and they made their way through the people toward the exit, Ann's eyes scanning the faces all the while almost anxiously. At any time now she might see people she recognised, supporting characters as it were, from her former life as Burt. She had grown so used to being Lady Ann over the past four weeks but she was still afraid that might all dissolve were she to be faced with the likes of Jeb or Mavis. But she saw no one she recognised... yet. The coach was waiting outside. The coachman tipped his cap and hurried to open the side panel door. Richard helped Ann up the step and inside then climbed in after her while the servants dealt with the baggage. "You seem overly nervous Ann," he said, smiling crisply. "I suppose I am," she replied. "Well there isn't anything to worry over. I think you'll find things are exactly as you left them. Change isn't something that occurs at any pace in the countryside. Ann gave a brittle smile and then jerked slightly as the coach pulled off. They approached the green and the village hall. She watched for signs of movement as the Dog & Pony rolled past on the left. There was no sign of Mavis. It was profoundly odd to see the building for the first time since she'd been a man. The last time she'd seen it she'd been revelling inside with the other working men, a brutish, uncouth drunkard. She missed those days. Commoners walking the street stopped to watch the coach as it passed, nodding in deference to the returning aristocracy. Soon however, the houses of the village were left behind and the lane narrowed, bushes crowding in on both sides. Then the little bump came as they passed over the humpbacked bridge and the river below. Ann's nerves took another step up. Richard said little, only smiling mildly. Ann sat as composed as she could, hands settled in her lap, shoulders straight. She was playing out in her mind the approach to the hall, visualising the road ahead; the drive up to the front door. The coach slowed as it approached, making the turn carefully and on impulse, Ann stood at the window and called up. "Coachman! Pull in at the stables. I wish to disembark there." Richard was looking at her queerly when she sat back down. "Why ever would you want to do that?" "I..." Ann had no response but her mind caught something half reasonable. "I just can't wait to see my horse again. My parents can pass the time for five minutes." "Hmmm." Richard raised his eyebrow. "I suppose one day I may come to understand the workings of the female mind." The drive parted and the coach took the right channel, slowing as it came to the top of the rise and swept down in front of the stable. "We're here," whispered Ann breathlessly. "Good God, we're here." She leant forward to the window as the coach creaked to a stop in front of the stable doors, her eyes darting back and forward to catch sight of him. And then she saw him, through the open doorway in the gloom and her heart almost ceased pumping. Burt was forking up dirty straw from the floor of one of the stable stalls, his sleeves rolled up past his elbows. Ann stared at his rippling muscles; the careless attitude he had in his body language, entirely devoid of decorum. He obviously didn't care one whit about the way he carried himself or looked with his scruffy clothes and masculine posture. He was the exact opposite of her. She had felt sure that she would know what she wanted to do when she saw him but the three dimensional physicality of him knocked her entirely off- balance. The uncouth filth and constraints around him were instantly recognisable but so was the raw power and lower class freedom. She realised that she didn't know what she wanted at all. All she could do was let it play out and do what her instincts told her. 4 Burt heard the coach pull up outside the stable and for one long moment he went on working, unable to cease, scraping up the dirty straw. He knew all he had to do now was turn around but he couldn't do it. The moment had been anticipated too much, with equal parts delight and horror. The one person on earth who knew who he really was beneath this muscular fa?ade, who wouldn't judge him as Burt Harper, stable hand, doing exactly what was expected of him, but as Lady Ann Neville, reduced to manual labour, dirty clothes, a servant's position and a working class accent. She would see him and she would laugh, surely, at how pitifully low he had fallen, at his awkward muscular frame, his shorn hair and bushy moustache. And the acute expectation of turning and seeing those beautiful eyes, that perfect face... Burt literally couldn't move. But somehow he did anyway, setting his fork to lean against the wall. He straightened up, raised his chin, turned first at the neck and then at the waist and finally at the feet. And there she was: Lady Ann Neville, his beautiful mistress. He'd wondered if it would have been like looking into a mirror but it wasn't in the slightest. Despite his second contact with the pendant, his Burt memories remained by far the more prominent in his brain and they formed almost all associations now. That wasn't his body there in the open window of the coach; it was the body of his mistress, the stunning aristocratic woman who was here, finally, within his reach. His lips parted, mouth gaping vacantly in wonder as he stepped forward. From the coach window, Ann stared back at him. Neither one of them moved further. They couldn't. He took in her delicate features, the rouge of her lips, the shine of her silky hair, the glimmer of light on her cheek. For this drawn out moment they weren't fixed in their social roles. Perhaps they were only fellow adventurers on this most incredible journey together. They had seen and felt things that no one else on earth ever had, and the profundity of those experiences linked them tighter than any other bond. They'd travelled on a journey into the very heart of one another's lives - come to understand each other like no one else. In a real way they had merged, each one of them becoming an amalgamation of who they were and the other. They had become connected in body, mind and spirit. For this moment, Burt saw only a beautiful woman and Ann a strong and virile man, soul mates in a way they never had been before. Then old Harry turned the corner and saw what was going on. "Burt!" he yelled. "Get out ere ye great idiot! Er ladyship's arrived!" Burt jerked forward instinctively at the old man's orders, hurrying outside. Harry was approaching fast and he pointed at the coach. "Well open the door then you twit, her ladyship's waitin!" "Yes sir, sorry sir. Of course." He went to the door and took the handle in his fingers, looking up into the close face of Lady Ann. Again there was a frozen moment. They gazed into one another's eyes, close enough now to touch. Neither one of them spoke or moved, then once again, Harry shattered the instant. "Well open it then. And get that cap off! Show the proper respect for your betters." Burt snatched at his cap, flushing with embarrassment at behaving appallingly in front of one of the quality. He'd been taught better than that. It didn't matter what history they had, this was one of the gentry before him. He was a servant. He had to act appropriately and do his duty. "I'm sorry m'lady," he muttered, shoving his cap in his pocket and opening the door. "Let me 'elp you." Ann stood in the coach doorway and suddenly the differing roles were starkly drawn. She looked down at the slack-jawed idiot in front of her and saw nothing but a dirty commoner - a servant. He raised his hand and she took it, curling her nose slightly with distaste. She stepped from the carriage, very much the mistress being assisted by her servant. She took a moment to get her bearings in this place that she'd known so thoroughly as a man: the stable, the hayloft, old Harry's whiskery face, turned now in deference to her, his superior and employer. Burt gaped at her, unsure of himself then, not knowing what else to do or say, started gushing. "It's right good to ave ye back m'lady. It ain't been the same round ere without ye. Is there anything I can do for ye - anythin I can get ye?" He didn't know why he was saying these things - it was embarrassing to be doing so, but he was flustered and the tension was maddening. He didn't know how to address her, given their past connection and the only thing he could go on was instinct. It came naturally. She was undoubtedly his superior in every way from her bearing and poise to her immaculate clothing and styled hair. But this was the time. It was the moment all this waiting had led to. Her ladyship had returned and in minutes they could be secreted away in the holiday cottage preparing to trade places again. She started to smile and Burt brightened, full of hope, but the smile turned into a cruel sneer and then into a mocking grin. Ann couldn't believe how complete the transformation had been of the woman she had formerly been devoted to. The original Lady Ann had transformed beyond recognition. Ann had suspected before now that the new Burt's character and accent would have changed to reflect her new low birth but to actually witness it took her breath away. Burt was the very embodiment of servility. He was a dirty obsequious working class man with nary a sign of breeding. His voice was pure lowbrow Yorkshire and face to face at last, he couldn't help acting the servant. It was so ingrained in him - in his blood. If anything he seemed more servile than she had ever been. It was hilarious! Could she really consider swapping places with this craven dullard and becoming every bit the servant he was? Surely not. But that had been her resolve. She had been determined to become a man again and beggar the consequences. Should she...? Maybe she should just do it now before she had the time to think too deeply on it. She should retrieve the pendant and make the trade before she could doubt herself too much. Yes. That was what she had to do. "Burt," she said, finding it odd to say that name to another person. He looked at her hopefully, his eyes bright and eager. "Let's have a look at this horse then Ann," said Richard, climbing out of the coach after her. "I'm rather tired after the journey. I'm looking forward to settling down for a filling luncheon." Ann turned to look at him then back at Burt but the moment was lost. Burt hurriedly stepped back, entirely unaware of the chance he'd just missed, surprised to see this gentleman descend from the coach. He had the very vaguest Ann memory of knowing this fellow... as a suitor perhaps? But far clearer was the memory of Griply station when this man had forced him to sit in third class that first time on the way to York. The memory brought an instant dislike but his appearance here was confusing. Why would he possibly be arriving in the company of her ladyship? "Wait a minute," said Richard. "I know this man." "Who, Burt?" asked Ann. "I caught him trying to climb into a first class carriage on the railway train when I was up visiting your father last. The blackguard had ideas above his station... until he met the sole of my boot." He gave a sharp chuckle. Burt blushed and hung his head. "First class carriage?" asked Ann. "Well that would hardly be appropriate." She smiled to think of the former lady expecting to travel as she always had and finding instead the limits of her new station. She actually giggled, covering her lips with curled fingers. "Well get out of the way then, you simpering idiot," snapped Richard, pushing past Burt to the stable entrance. "Yes sir," said Burt, bobbing his head. "Sorry sir." Richard strode inside and Ann walked with him, unsure how she felt about this situation but seeing the humour in the former lady being treated like a servant after her own mistreatment. It certainly was a beautiful form of poetic justice. Burt stood back, equally unsure, but he knew his duty above all things and what was expected of him. He hurried inside after them. "Rosebud's just back ere m'lord," he said, hurrying to pull ahead and lead the way in the gloom. "Ere ye go look." He got to the filly's stall and opened the door, bowing slightly. "We've been takin right good care of her while you been away yer ladyship, groomin and excercisin er and I been cleaning out er stall and that." "Be quiet," snapped Richard. "If we want information we will solicit it." "Yes sir. Sorry sir. Of course." Burt bowed his head and Ann giggled again, marvelling that she used to be that snivelling bootlicker. Had she really been that mealy-mouthed? And had she really had such a dreadful provincial accent? The man before her was nothing but a cowering sycophant, practically prostrating himself in his eagerness to please. He stole glances from one to the other of them but otherwise lowered his head submissively. It was absolutely hysterical! Richard stepped out of the way and Ann got a good look at Rosebud. She had never seen the horse with these womanly eyes but she had a plethora of memories and the associations from them brought a tear to her eye to see the beauty. "Oh Richard," she said. "Darling. Isn't she handsome?" She touched the horse's nose and stroked her neck. "Oh she really is glorious. I had forgotten." "Hmm. Yes I suppose she is," replied Richard. Burt looked on proudly, enjoying the fact that her ladyship was pleased with the work he'd done. He wished he was still the groom but he'd kept the horse nice for most of the time the lady was away and still did all the cleaning. He'd worked extra hard in the stall that morning to ready it for her ladyship and it almost smelled of roses it was so spick and span. It felt odd to be standing near her as a servant, especially when they had been meant to swap right back, but it also felt entirely normal. He felt far more normal in the role of a servant that he would have if expected to talk on equal terms to one of them. He wanted to offer to saddle up the horse for her ladyship but he was afraid to open his mouth for fear of Lord Hurley. After the events of the last few days he was absolutely determined to toe the line and never speak or act out of place. He wondered what Lady Ann's intentions were in terms of swapping back with him but he daren't ask directly, especially with the gentleman present. And it wasn't right for the likes of him to press her on the matter anyway. As a lady it was her right to decide if and when the trade should happen. He had no business in trying to take control. He wasn't quality and as an intelligent and cultured woman, she knew better anyhow. If she decided to remain in that body then it was only right that he respect her decision. It wasn't his place to second-guess the gentry. And there was the subject of his oath to the Earl to consider. "Shall we go and make ourselves known at the hall?" said Richard. Ann looked at Burt. The servant lowered his head, avoiding her glance. She wondered if she should make some excuse and break off - slip somewhere private to effect the change with him - but there was no hurry, surely. This filthy lackey showed no signs of requesting the trade. Was it possible that he had changed so much that he had actually forgotten his original identity? Certainly he had transformed so completely that whether he had forgotten or not was redundant. He was an ingratiating servant now from shorn head to grubby boots. "Yes," she replied. "I'm looking forward to seeing my family." Richard led the way out and Ann reflected on why she'd said that exactly. It had come out naturally but she wondered if, subconsciously, she had been staking a claim. Burt followed them out, clutching his cap now. Ann ignored him, leaving him floundering and confused. "Is there anything we can do for you m'lord; m'lady," said Harry when they exited. "No. Thank you," replied Ann. She looked back and met eyes with Burt. "For the moment." A little smile curled her lips then she and Lord Hurley made their way up toward the house; somewhere Burt couldn't follow. 5 As soon as she was away from the stable building Ann felt her tension fall away. After such anticipation she'd found being close to... that man unpleasant; uncomfortable. There were too many different emotions pulling at her and too great a pressure to make a decision that would hurl her into only one of two entirely different worlds. Approaching Griply Hall she felt more and more comfortable, in an environment she could identify with. Being around the lower orders had felt wrong. This was more like where she belonged. The coachman and Gladys had gone ahead with the baggage and when she and Richard reached the front of the house the servants were arrayed in a crescent and the family was on the front steps: her father and mother, Hattie and also her father's brother's family: Uncle Patrick and Aunt Geraldine with their young children, Reggie and Felicity. The Countess stepped forward and descended the steps. "Ann dear; it's so wonderful to see you." She smiled broadly and they embraced and then the two of them were surrounded by jovial figures and they were drawn inside. The servants were obsequious, falling over themselves to provide any assistance they could, and the family chattered on about how wonderful it was that Ann and Richard were engaged and how happy they were that they had chosen to visit. "If I may say so my dear, you look radiant," said Uncle Patrick. "Being engaged is certainly doing something for your health." He was grossly obese and rather piggish in his opulent and overdressed clothes and mutton chop moustache but he was harmless enough. Not having the same title as his older brother made him overcompensate but running Blacklake pit had made him every bit as wealthy. "Why thank you," replied Ann. "And might I say it is quite a pleasure to see you and your family again." She had never met him before, obviously, but she had more than enough Ann memories to enable her to interact with them without difficulty. "Oh do come along Reggie," said the Countess. "You're holding everyone else up. The chubby little six-year-old hurried in after them, guided by his mother and they went through to the drawing room while the servants scurried off to fetch refreshments. "I'm glad you're here Richard," said the Earl. "I'm hoping to pick your brains on some upcoming investments." "Of course," replied Lord Hurley. "It will be my pleasure to provide assistance." "Can I interest you in a cigar?" The Earl reached for his box on the mantelpiece. Ann chatted amiably with her aunt and uncle about the wedding plans, noticing that Hattie hung outside the circle of festivities looking petulant. There was clearly some undercurrent as both their mother and father were keeping their distance from her. Ann wondered why. "Of course things are almost impossible at the moment," said the Countess. "Especially with guests. There simply aren't enough staff here at present. Why, I had to wait so long yesterday for a cup of tea it almost crossed my mind to fetch my own." "Well that simply wouldn't do," said Aunt Geraldine and everyone laughed. "I've already requested that the housekeeper make enquiries about hiring more," said the Countess. "I only hope that it happens quickly. I find it most tiresome having to wait." "Well count yourself lucky that your children are old enough to look after themselves," replied Aunt Geraldine. "Reggie and Felicity are simply too much sometimes. I'm already wishing that we brought their nanny along with us, even for this short visit." Ann smiled, enjoying the atmosphere of welcome and celebration. It was so nice to be home, where so many of her new memories told her she belonged. She had had some reservations about spending time with her aunt and uncle but they were clearly haughty and peremptory - her kind of people. She thought briefly of Burt out in the stables and then turned her attention back to the festivities around her. She didn't want to waste her time thinking about gutter trash when she had her family around her. 6 Once he had finished cleaning up the stalls and feeding the animals, Burt slipped up the drive toward the hall in the hopes of catching Lady Ann. He still felt very confused by what had happened when she returned and didn't know where he stood with the lady. He'd had the feeling that things might have gone differently if it hadn't been for the interference of Lord Hurley, and was hoping that if he saw her ladyship alone she might be more amenable. He walked to the front of the house and peered into the lower windows as best he could but there was no one visible. He ducked when Lottie, the maid, appeared in one of the doorways. He felt guilty that he was shirking his duties and knew he shouldn't be hanging around dirtying up the place - he'd been told that enough times, but he was desperate to see her. He gazed up at her bedroom window, watching out for some sign, but there was no movement there either. There was little actual thought in this imperative to see her. The motivation was equal parts related to their potential exchange and just a blanket desire to look on her beautiful face. He wondered if she would want to swap back with him but then he wondered too if he didn't swap back; if he gave her his old life without complaint; that she would be so grateful to him she'd finally show her affection in the clearest way possible. "You!" Burt looked up. The front door was open and Lord Hurley was descending the steps looking angry. "What the devil do you think you're doing loitering around out here? Don't you have work to do?" "I'm sorry sir," said Burt, backing up, embarrassed. "I was just--" "I don't care what you were doing. Move along!" "Yes sir." Burt started to turn. "You clearly think you have nothing to do. Perhaps I'll speak to the Earl and let him know exactly how slapdash your work is. I'd wager he will have something to say about that." "No sir, please don't do that," said Burt. "Are you talking back to me man?" "No. Sorry." Burt removed his cap and stared down at the floor dourly. "Get out of here and get back to work," snapped Lord Hurley. "Now!" Burt hurried off down the path, wishing he'd just kept his head down and went on working. It was awful to think that this nasty man had once sought his hand in marriage. Now instead, he treated Burt like he was inhuman. It was so humiliating. 7 Lady Ann Neville stood in the window of her bedroom watching the exchange between Richard and Burt outside, hanging far enough back that she wouldn't be spotted easily if one of them looked up. It was a most perplexing feeling watching the interaction between the lord and servant made up of so many different facets: amusement at the former tyrannical lady getting her poetic comeuppance; pride in the power and strength of her fianc?; pity for the poor man who, she knew, only had simple desires and thoughts and didn't truly deserve such hostility; slight distaste of viewing the almost vindictive attack of Richard's; the tremulous desire to be wrapped back in that servant's flesh; fear of the same; self-questioning and doubt. Truly, Ann wavered in a breeze atop a razor-edged decision. Every hour that went by threw fresh reasons at her to push her down on either side of that choice but still she very much remained undecided. Burt shambled away as Richard turned to come back inside and she watched the servant withdraw, head hung low. As Burt before her, Ann found it hard now to really believe the reverse transformation was even possible. She was so used to being a lady and so tightly wound up in her Ann memories, it was difficult to conceive of being magically changed into that man out there, becoming him in every way. She knew it was true but could hardly imagine what it would be like to lose all decorum and breeding; to speak again with such a thick Yorkshire accent. She turned away from the window and walked across to her dresser, sliding open the top drawer. She could see the damage done by Burt in his attempt to take the pendant back and she mused on what might have come to pass if he'd got to keep it - if he'd managed to slip out of the house undetected. He might have ambushed her with it, forcing the decision and the change, or he could have swapped with a third party and either stayed like that or come at her from an entirely unexpected direction, trapping her in the body of someone completely new. What would that have been like? She got a faint shiver of delight to imagine it, despite herself. The pendant was wrapped in the same cloth as Burt and Powell had left it in. She hadn't seen it since the day of the exchange and she was curious. She flipped back the corners of the cloth covering and saw it there, the grey stone ever-so-slightly mystical-looking. The black sigil grooves on its surface glistened darkly, catching the light as she moved. She reached to touch it but wavered before doing so, afraid to. She was well aware of how little she understood it. For all she knew it had more power than she'd witnessed. She didn't think it worked unless two people shared contact but perhaps a second touch would cancel the magic. She hesitated a little longer then shook her head, cross at herself, and took it in her hand. Then as it had already done to Burt, the potency of the pendant ripped out, clawing round her brain and robbing her of all sensation. Ann staggered, losing all sense of balance, falling on the bed, and writhed as Burt had, the mystical vigour shuffling through the matter in her mind, reordering and sorting, setting in stone the changes that had been wrought already. Ann rolled onto the floor, completely unaware, and then slammed over onto her chest. She let out a long low moan then suddenly jerked up onto her hands, gaping in surprise and wonder. As with Burt, she knew exactly what had happened, understood the effect of locking her transformation now as it was so that she wouldn't continue to change further. She wouldn't reach the point where she was an exact duplicate of the original Ann, memories and all. She twisted onto her posterior, rubbing her head and looking down at the little bauble in her open palm, astounded by the effect it had had on her, stripping her of her destiny and leaving her with someone else's. She got slowly to her feet, some of the aches from her abduction still playing tricks with her balance. She glared at the pendant, almost horrified by it, then rooted through the other drawers of the dresser until she found what her Ann memories told her would be there. In the bottom drawer was a box as big as the palm of her hand with a tiny lock. She opened it, removed the jewellery secreted inside and put the pendant in instead. She locked it and attached the tiny key to a chain, then she hung the key about her neck and hid the box back in the bottom drawer. She didn't want anyone else to find it or take it. She wanted to keep her options open. To just imagine the havoc that would occur if the pendant started getting passed around willy-nilly! Ann shuddered to imagine the chaos that would ensue. 8 Feeling rather cowed by his run-in with Lord Hurley, Burt spent the rest of the day working hard, basically slipping into the easy path his "upbringing" had drummed into him. He was made to carry more produce into the village but relished the chance to get away. He found it stressful feeling at any moment that he might run into Lady Ann. He really didn't know where he stood or what to expect. Avoiding the situation entirely was better. While in the village he got some odd looks, probably because of his public flogging and trial but otherwise life was normal. On the way back out of the village he spied Mrs Landon, the vicar's wife, walking along on the other side of the lane. When she saw him she flushed a bright red and avoided eye contact. Burt watched her walking by, smiling to himself then gave her a wink when she glanced shyly up at him. She gave a little giggle and tossed her hair then hurried on, trying to look demure. When Burt got back to the hall, Harry had him restacking the contents of one of the barns. It was filthy and gruelling labour but simple enough and that was what he liked. He hated being given complex series of instructions that he inevitably forgot. He came out of the barn feeling a little weary and stopped dead when he saw two figures walking away from the hall: Lady Ann and Lord Hurley. He stepped back into the doorway, peeping round the frame so that he could spy on their movement. Lord Hurley's arm was crooked and Lady Ann rested her hand through the loop he made as they walked, chatted and laughed. They passed from his view and Burt slipped out of the barn and followed after, keeping them just in sight. They looked like a couple deeply in love and realising that made Burt shudder with bewilderment and jealousy. Part of him resented his poverty and this woman who had stolen his wealth and the rich suitor who pursued her, but the greater part wanted to simply be that suitor. He wished he could take Lady Ann's arm and guide her down the path. He wished he could hold her in his embrace and kiss her. But he couldn't. It was clear that she cared for Lord Hurley now. What chance could he have against that competition? And further, it seemed she was in no hurry to change back with him. Surely if she were she could have sought him out by now. Or was she merely trapped in the social round? Perhaps she truly couldn't get away. Feeling guilty, Burt wandered back to the stable. Jeb told him that Harry had already gone home to check on his wife and let him off for the evening. "Thank you sir," said Burt, bobbing his head then feeling wretched again that Jeb used to be his friend and equal. He walked round to the stairs up to his hay loft. He had to seek out Lady Ann as soon as he could and give her the opportunity to swap back. That was all there was to it. But when he entered the hay loft he found Mavis already ensconced, waiting for him, naked. "Eh up lad," she said, smirking lasciviously, lying back on his pallet, her legs spread, all her feminine assets on display. "I thought you'd never get ere." Burt looked from her face to her tits to her exposed minge and the thick rod in his trousers swelled painfully quickly. "Chuffin eck Mavis," he said. Suddenly all thought of magical transformations vanished from his mind and even thoughts of Lady Ann. The sensations of pleasure spread outward in a widening circle from his crotch. "Get over ere and gimme a sight o that cock o yours," said Mavis playfully. "I been thinkin about getting it in me all day. I was afraid to come and see ye after the Earl took you away from the village but I'm so happy you didn't have to go away." Burt grinned, guilty he hadn't sought Mavis out last night in his weariness - that he'd been obsessing over his own affairs all day long instead of putting his mind to what really mattered - pleasuring his lass. He hurriedly got out of his clothes and eagerly climbed on top of her on the pallet, his naked form pressing up against hers as he wrapped her in his arms and they put their lips together. It felt so good to do it and there was suddenly no space left in his mind to consider giving any of this up. Read the extra extended version of Lady Ann's Holiday available on Amazon For more of my stories, check out: http://transformation- stories.blogspot.co.uk/ For updates on releases, follow me on Twitter @emmafinnuk And read my transformation novels on Amazon or Kobo by searching for Emma Finn