She was petite, had a cute face with high cheekbones, framed by shoulder length black hair that gleamed in the sunlight, and a natural brown complexion. She wore an understated grey dress, possibly a little shorter than it needed to be, a white lace edged pinafore, and flat soled black shoes. Her legs were slender and shapely, propelling her gracefully across and out of the room.

Although undeniably stunning, technically much more so than Carla, Maria did not stir his soul as Carla did; that unsettled him.

Striding off in just his underpants Max headed for the Gymnasium. He fancied a workout, a bit of the good life at someone else’s expense. Sod the rich bitch; he would take all she had to give. He had worked bloody hard all his life, and although reasonably well off and secure, he was not in this league. It is not fair, he thought, I bet she does not appreciate it like I would.

The gymnasium was well up to expectations, fitted out with electronically controlled machines to exercise every muscle. Type in key parameters and a few strength tests and it worked out an exercise routine for you. It even had a martial arts robot opponent that you could attack by kicking or punching. It stood its ground and defended itself by blocking and countering. Max had a go at it, and was thoroughly trounced. The blows he received were soft, causing no pain or injury, but expertly placed.

The pool was small, but a strong current from a water jet enabled him to swim as hard as he liked towards it, indefinitely.

The strenuous exercise worked off his anger, but he could not get Carla out of his mind. Would noon never come?

At 11.58am, Carla crossed the garden to the house entrance. Max almost ran to greet her, but then caught himself. He did not want to get emotionally involved with a young girl; there would be no future in it, he told himself, just a lot of heartache.

Her grin faded as she looked at his face, he did not smile and looked extremely edgy.

She thought to herself. “I like him, and I am sure he likes me, what is wrong?”

Forcing a smile, she said, “I hope you enjoyed yourself while I was out, would you like to go to lunch now?”

“Yes, very much,” Max replied, “But what is this about buying clothes?”

“Ah! My little treat, ” she replied. “I would love you to come out with me this evening. I want you to meet the Duke so evening dress will be required. Would you like that?”

“Yes of course,” said Max, his voice trailing off slightly, as doubt crept into his mind.

Chapter - Max meets the Duke.

At 7.00pm, the Duke’s Silver Shadow arrived at the service entrance of Carla’s hideaway. It drove in as the gate opened and on through the opening roller shutter door.

Max was pacing nervously in the garden when Carla came out and announced, “Time to go!”

He heard her approach, but did not turn to face her until she spoke. Never having been to high society do’s he felt totally out of his depth.

Although the black tuxedo fitted perfectly and he looked good in it, he felt embarrassed. The Rolex she bought for him epitomized the absurd class divide he had to face. Nice as it was, €10.00 was more than enough for a damn watch, €3600.00 was obscene!

He felt like a bought man. Why she insisted on buying it for him was beyond him, but she seemed so happy when he chose it that he could not hurt her feelings, by refusing to accept it.

As he turned to her, the idea of being paraded in front of her Glitterati friends, like an overdressed country bumpkin, and letting her down, was too much. He had to refuse to go!

Then he saw her! His mouth was already open to protest at going, it stayed open until he could utter. “My God, you’re truly stunning.”

Her long, straight blond hair was re-styled in loose curls that framed her perfectly balanced features. The slightly pert nose, cheeks that tended to dimple and mischievously sensual mouth, with small, evenly spaced, flawless white teeth. Her natural, sun kissed, fair skin glowed healthily, giving it a strength, many blonds lack.

The blue of her eyes was emphasized by subtle blue mascara, and complimented with gold jewellery, mounted with sapphires.

The low cut, slightly short, simple black dress had been tailored just for her. The thin fabric covered her firm, slim body like a second skin and offered no hiding place for normal bra and panties, yet through skilful dressmaking, skimmed over areas best left to a man’s imagination. Classy, not tarty, less was more.

His eyes moved down from her face to her breasts, they were sufficient, full and firm, pale blemish free skin, cradled by the contrasting black fabric.

A small tattoo on her left shoulder, hinted at a less respectable past, although in the scheme of things, this imperfection re-classed her from Barbie Doll to Living perfection.

Lithe and feminine, proclaimed her slender waist, beautifully rounded hips and flat stomach. Her ass was damn cute too! Although athletic, her long slender legs were not overly curvy or muscular; they stirred a lustful desire in him to explore them as his gaze drifted lower.

The dainty pair of black, thin-strapped sandals with high heels clasped her small feet.