Just then, Anne entered the room, delivering the towels for the morning ablutions.

Newland suddenly had an idea. It occurred to him that the Italians were masters of love. “I say, Anne, is that Italian cook still about?”

“Margarette? Yes, sir, I believe so.”

Margarette was a tall, thin woman of voluptuous proportions, with sultry eyes that could easily turn into a sexual leer. Her round bottom swayed invitingly when she walked. And if anyone understood the ways of man and woman, it was she.

Newland focused his attention on Anne. “Send the cook right up to see me before she leaves for the evening.”

“Newland, dear, are you hungry?” May asked.

“Not for food, my dear,” he said.

Anne left the room, and the Italian cook was soon in the Archer’s presence. She was dressed in scant attire as if ready to prowl.

“Hello, Margarette,” Newland said. “I understand that you are not married?” He raised one of his brows suggestively.

“Sì, signore,” the woman said, returning the smile, and then she glanced at May in her peignoir. What Newland was asking her was abundantly clear. “Newlyweds are so unaware of the ways of love,” she said.

“Yes, indeed. And I fear that Mrs. Archer has become somewhat bored with me,” he said in jest.

May hurried to his side, her eyes wide with surprise. “Newland, what are you suggesting?”

The cook said in her romantic accent, “It means that love will have no boundaries. We make love the three of us, yes?”

May hardly knew how to respond; however, the lust was apparent in her eyes. She was very close to her maid at home. “If this pleases you Newland, then by all means we should give it a try. After all, we are in Italy, the very cradle of love and sensuality.” She smiled flirtatiously. “When in Rome . . . but with three of us, I should hardly know what to do.” She reached over and took Newland’s arm.

“Leave it to me,” Margarette said. “I will show you everything you ever need to know.” She slipped her meager dress over her head and stood completely naked before the Archers, smiling wickedly, and then advanced on May. With a deft flip of the wrist, she slipped the strap of May’s nightgown off her shoulder and began kissing her neck. She glided her hands across the fabric of May’s gown and down to the edge of her nightgown and slowly began raising it.

Newland stood watching, taking in the marvelous sight, while feeling his manhood begin to harden.

“Newland?” May looked at him.

“Enjoy,” Margarette said to her. “We have all evening, yes?” She raised the nightgown over May’s head and tossed it aside.

“Do relax, dear,” Newland said. “I am quite certain you’ll enjoy this.” Then Newland removed his nightshirt, leaving him dressed only in his muslin pants.

Margarette began caressing May’s breasts. Fighting it at first, May finally surrendered to the other woman’s touch. Margarette leaned forward, lifted her hips to Newland and then lowered her mouth to one of May’s breasts and began circling one of the nipples with her tongue, while clasping the other with her fingers. May rested her hands on the woman’s shoulders, closed her eyes, and began to moan softly.