Newland turned away from May and walked to a painting. His crafty wife had forestalled any argument that he might have otherwise made. He studied the painting of a hunt scene and somehow felt as though he were the fox being pursued. May was the huntress.

“Come dear, I think all you are feeling is frustration,” May said. “Let me satisfy your needs. We shall make haste.”

“Not now, May. How can you think it appropriate? Your grandmother is—”

“It’s a time to live, Newland. What better way is there than to experience the sensuous pleasures of the flesh? It reminds us that we’re meant to embrace life and live it fully. Look.” She pulled a package from her dress pocket. “I was waiting until this evening to show you these treats.” She smiled as she opened the package. “They’re called sleeves.” She held one up.

His brows rose in astonishment.

“For your member,” she said.

“Honestly? I can’t imagine where you find these things.”

“Take your trousers off. I’ll put one on you.”

“I rather think not. This isn’t the reason we’ve taken our conversation to this room. I don’t appreciate your—”

She approached him and began unfastening his trousers. But Newland was in no mood for theatrical sex. And now he became even angrier with May for skirting the issue of Ellen. He grasped her hands to stop her.

“Release your hands,” she said, astonished, and then pulled away from him, walked to the door, and unlatched it. From there, she spoke to a housemaid who was passing down the hallway. “Would you please be so kind as to invite Eduard in for a word.” Then she turned back toward Newland, who stood firm.

“What is the meaning of this?” he said.

“You’ll see,” she said with a new and unfamiliar tone to her voice.

Presently, someone rapped on the door.

“Enter,” she said, calling out and remaining in place.

A dark, handsome young man dressed in the clothing of a servant entered and stood before May.

“Oh Eduard, I was just showing Newland these new sleeves that I found at the pharmacy.”

“May!” Newland said.

“If you would be a dear and remove your trousers,” she said to Eduard, her facial expression unyielding.

Eduard glanced helplessly at Newland, but said, “Yes, ma’am.”

“Certainly not, man,” Newland said. “I shall have you sacked!”

“You shall do no such thing,” May said. She walked to the handsome, young Eduard, unfastened his trousers, and began stroking his large member, which immediately rose to impressive proportions. She glanced defiantly at her husband.

“May, this is an outrage,” Newland shouted.

“Come now, Newland,” she said in a chiding tone. “You can’t honestly believe that I haven’t been having my fun. Not with you frolicking with the chambermaids. Not to mention slobbering over my cousin Ellen.”

“I’m speechless,” Newland said.

She gave Eduard a few more brisk strokes, bent over and kissed the crown of his staff, and resumed her stroking. She glanced over at Newland, who was standing stock-still. “Unfasten your trousers, Newland. I have plenty of these French sleeves. And they are varied, which makes them all the more fun. See here, the ripples are different on each one.”