““`
“The art of seduction is gaining a woman’s affections, under the pretence of being deeply enamoured, when at the same time despising the woman for her vanity and weakness.”
~~~~~~Madame Gormosy
Posts Tagged ‘seduction’
From the lips of Madame Gormosy on seduction.
February 23, 2019“The Devil in Paris”, Chapter Three
January 27, 2016Continuing the short story….
Perhaps Mlle. Luciern…..
Perhaps John Garrett…..
Definitely Gormosy.
–
-thanks to http://www.itstheworks.co.uk
http://www.thepragmaticsostumers.wordpress.com
–
Chapter Three
A week later, John Garrett was shown into Madame’s apartment by an old servant. He glanced at the dark and wizened man and smelled brimstone. Madame was known to choose her servants carefully. Life could be a subterranean maze in Paris. He knew other demons in the city and all were not friendly devils.
“Ah, John! Bonjour!” Madame was drinking tea with a young woman, one Garrett did not recognize.
“You remember Mlle. Luciern? What changes we have wrought! Such an elegant young woman. What man in his right mind could resist her! Could you, John?”
Ah, thought Garrett. Madame is up to her old tricks. She insists in making me part of her plan for this young woman.
Madame’s eyes glittered as she turned to look at the young woman sitting across the tea table. Garrett bowed over the jewelled hand of Louise, and then stood back to look at Mlle. Luciern.
Madame had indeed worked her magic. Mlle. was coifed and gowned like a young, elegant Parisian matron. He admired her hair, piled high on her head, with many curls and loops and one long curled tendril, a thick sausage over her shoulder. At least Madame’s hairdresser had forgone the powder and her natural color was preserved. Mlle’s complexion was good but now she had some bloom in her cheeks. He knew this was all art, for Louise was an expert with faces and makeup. He saw Mlle. had only two black satin patches on her face, one near the left eye, and one near the mouth to draw attention to her painted lips. They did look alluring to him, like they were stung by an amorous bee.
Garrett cocked his head to the side and let his gaze travel down her figure. Her morning dress was of light blue silk. Ruffles framed her breast. Garrett let his eyes linger only a second, but Mlle. did present a lovely bosom to onlookers. He knew this was due to more of Madame’s magic – this time with pads in the corset. Round, delicate mounds above and the merest of rouged nipples appeared like little mouse noses peeking over the tops of the corset. Such was the fashion for seduction. He wondered how far Madame had corrupted her student.
“No, Madame Gormosy, no man could resist such a beautiful young woman.”
Garrett was surprised to see Margot blush so deeply. At least Madame’s instructions had not destroyed this vestige of virtue in the girl.
“Mlle. is an good student, John. She learns fast and takes an interest in her future. Her mother will be proud of her. We will get her matched up with the proper husband soon enough. But as I have told Mlle. Margot, there is plenty time for an engagement. Now is to be given to sharpening her feminine skills. That way she will attract the best prospect for her future happiness. Mais bon Dieu! She is still so young and innocent. We must hone her wit and deportment. Nothing like the polish upon an apple to attract the proper bites.”
Garrett stared at Madame Gormosy. He could easily see through her designs, but of course, the young woman was too naïve to understand what was happening right under her nose. She was a pretty morsel, and it was hard to take his eyes from parts of her. The swell of her breast, how gently it rose with an almost imperceptible movement. He could feast his eyes on that tender piece of flesh all morning. How much more alluring she would be if she were panting, he thought. A sly smile appeared on his face.
Ah, Madame Gormosy was full of devilry this morning, and it was infectious.
Louise Gormosy spoke with excitement. “Today we will work on the great science of “coquetry”. Non, M. Garrett, do not laugh, for women have their own science. Let the men work with fire and chemicals. We women have our own fire and it is called “La Passion”
Garrett winced and hoped Mlle. Margot would forgive the bad prose of her patroness. But Madame would press her case.
“Surely Mlle. Margot has higher aspirations than to be a housewife to her husband. It is a most contemptible and unfashionable position for any women of breeding, and has no social standing except for a parson’s wife or a lowly farmer’s. Ah Dieu! Mlle. is made by nature for much finer things!”
Garrett wondered if the word “God” did not burn the inside of Madame’s mouth, but since she was an old devil, he imagined she would have a mouth immune to heat. Still, he had heard this speech before, but he could not remember when. Perhaps it was another time in another century, while attending Madame under similar circumstances, that she had used these same words. They seemed familiar to him in any case. He heard her drone on.
“Now, Mlle. Margot, advice today is seen as ridiculous to be given, and even more ridiculous to be taken, but your dear maman would want you to listen to me very closely. Alors! She has given you into my hands for more than to fluff your beautiful hair and plump your fine bosom. It is her choicest desire to prepare you for entrance into the best of society and this is the path to catch the eyes of a husband. Have you read Madame d’Effine’s letters? Non? Pity. But I can supply you a copy of her book. Or better yet, I can give you the benefit of my long experience.”
Garrett could not stop a smile creeping across his face. Mlle Margot would have no idea just how long that experience really was. Yes, Mlle Luciern, it goes back a long way. Whether Madame could read his mind, which was standard fare amongst devils, or she caught a glimpse of his sly smile, she turned around suddenly and gave Garrett a vicious look. His face went neutral and he closed his eyes in compliance. He would not interrupt her behavior. Besides, it was entertainment for a morning’s visit.
“Now, Mlle. Margot. Virtue is all very fine and good, but to get a husband, or any admirer, a woman must use what attributes she has and develop more. A fine voice, the ability to cut to the heart of a man’s desire just with the cast of your eyes, the flutter of your fan, ah! There is so much to learn, but we will persist. Now, M.Garrett, please attend to Mlle. and lead her around the room, s’il vous plait.
Garrett stood and offered his arm to Mlle. Margot. They walked around the large salon, Mlle Margot only as high as his chest. He was a tall and well- built man, with broad shoulders, and Mlle. petite next to him. He observed her blush as she placed her hand on his and looked up into his face.
Entertaining as Madame was, he was beginning to have his doubts about her plans. He believed this young woman to be innocent. He rarely, now that he thought of it, came across a woman so – uncorrupted, and certainly not in Paris. The thought crossed his mind: Quelle dommage, as Madame liked to say. Perhaps he would have his own plan for Mlle. Luciern. What was a little competition between devils? They had shared tender morsels before in their long history.
“Eh bien! Attendez–moi! John, give me the advantage of your eyes. Tell me what you think are the best points of Mlle.’s figure. Does that style of dress, the color suit her the best, mon ami? Speak out loud what her beau would say, and let us see how Mlle. reacts to such praise!”
Ah, it was clear what Madame’s plan was now! Madame was a terrible devil this morning, and she would have her fun at the expense of the painful blushes of Mlle. He decided to turn the game to his own advantage, and perhaps spare Mlle some pain.
At that very moment, the old devil servant of Madame Gormosy slipped into the room and approaching quickly, whispered into the ear of his mistress. Madame cocked her head towards his mouth, and though she did not take her eyes from John Garrett and Mlle. Luciern, Garrett saw they grew dark with concern. Muttering some curses low under her breath, she rose and went with her servant from the room, forgetting her two guests.
Garrett took the time of Madame’s absence to lead Mlle. Luciern to a chair and to sit down across from her. He observed Mlle. sink gratefully into her seat, and with a motion beneath her skirts, kick off one shoe.
“Ah, Mlle, does your foot hurt?”
“M.Garrett, I can not get used to these narrow shoes Madame makes me wear. I am not used to this fashion. And if you would know further, I am not used to these headaches. They are from my hair pulled from my head and pinned so tightly. And I can breathe only a little. Madame demands my corset be laced tight.” Mlle. blushed, but Garrett could hear the distress in her voice.
“Ah! I sympathize. Perhaps you think what Madame does here is far off the mark?”
“I don’t understand what you mean, Monsieur.” Another sharp kick under her skirts and off came the other shoe.
“Mlle Luciern. Forgive my blunt words, but Madame is an “old fogey” as we say in England. She means well, but she is generations behind in her thinking.”
How many generations Mlle could never guess.
Tears formed in Mlle. Luciern’s eyes, and she shook her head. Garrett could only sympathize.
“Here, Mlle. Let me do something for your comfort. I will take all the blame, but tant pis! I am an old friend of Madame’s and used to her ways.”
He stood and moved behind Mlle’s chair. With practiced movements, he removed the pins from her hair and spread them from their high peaks and down her back. With gentle hands he massaged her temples and she groaned in relief.
“Ah! Bon Dieu, Monsieur. That feels so good. My poor head was about to explode. Madame means well, but she does not seem to suffer pain like the rest of us. I saw her put on a hat the other day and plunge a long pin into her head. Mon Dieu! She said she did not hit her skin but her hair, but to me, ah goodness! To my eyes, it seemed to go through her head!”
Garrett smiled from behind Mlle’s chair. In fact, he had seen Madame do this before and other such things and had warned her if observed her game would be over. Madame had laughed, she had been doing such tricks for centuries. Besides, the winds of Paris were strong and her hat would blow off if she didn’t get a good layer of skin beneath her hat pin.
“Madame has a thick skull, Mlle. Luciern”, Garrett said drolly. “She is used to all sorts of torture for fashion.”
Garrett looked down Mlle. Luciern’s bosom and watch the gentle curves rise and fall with her breathing. Too bad his plans for Mlle. did not include a seduction. He would like to savor those two young mounds in his mouth. But it would be a passing fancy and his plans for Mlle. Luciern’s future did not include this fleeting pleasure. He had a more lasting pleasure to savor.
And his good friend Louis would be the poorer for it.
Jane Kohut- Bartels
Copyrighted, 2008-2016
“Devil’s Revenge”, Chapter 24
February 15, 2015 
“La! You have not remembered a thing!”
Madame Gormosy passed into the room and gave a deep curtsey to Garrett, who was just leaving.
“Good Morning to you, ‘Madame’ Gormosy.” He obviously knew Madame by another title. His address and bow to her was rather mocking.
Madame Gormosy did not take up his challenge. She was oblivious to all except what was before her. And I unluckily, was standing in her line of vision.
What is it with devils?
“Your lady, M. Garrett, dresses again dishabille. How am I to transform her if she denies my commands? She would scare away her cicisbeo with such a face! Ah! Surely some powder and a bit of rouge before breakfast! Quell dommage!”
I caught Garrett staring at me over Madame’s head. His face is unreadable, but there was a bit of a warning in his eyes. Ah! This Demon feels his own challenge! And from what appears to be a woman in petticoats! What a delicious bit of play!
He left, a grimace on his face, and I gave Madame my prettiest curtsey.
“Well, at least you do that well enough. Now, back into that corset, ma chérie. Hold on to the bedpost.”
Madame grabbed up the corset I begged the Demon to loosen last night. I could not breathe! After relaxing the laces, it was easy to slip down over my hips. The Chinese bound foot has nothing over a full corset of the 18th century. Madame this time did not use her magic to undress me, but undressed me in the usual way. That is to say, she pulled the sash of my gown, and without ceremony, dropped it to the floor. Again, I stood naked before her. (I must remember the gender of ‘Madame’ here.) If I forgot, a glance into her eyes reminded me Madame took some pleasure. And since she is such an obliging tutor, I could not deny her. Her eyes took in the fullness of my bosom and without any shame on her part, lingered upon my body. It was like being caressed with the eyes of a lover. She glanced up into mine, and for one short second, in a flash, I knew: I was opposite a man. No woman could ever look at a woman’s body in such a way.
She whirled me around, and with surprising strength, pulled the lacing tight. I was more prepared this time, and remembered to fill my lungs with air. She saw me do this and pushed a knee in my back, making me exhale sharply. My horse used to do this when I pulled the cinch on the saddle, and it seemed to me a well-placed trick. Once again the petticoats and stockings. This time she procured a dress from the wardrobe. It was a heavy blue brocade, plain of decoration, fitting tightly across the bodice. The skirt was full from the hips to floor. Surely Madame clothed me in the fashion of her times.
She looked me over and decided a lace cap would do well. My hair disappeared under the ruffle, and at least she didn’t spend her time pulling it out of my head. Madame may look like a woman, but had the strength of a man.
“Let’s work on your ornamental talents today. Ah! A woman should grace the arm of her husband in public, and her lovers in private. Let us walk through the house and see what we can find to entertain ourselves.”
Madame and I walked through the downstairs hall, each fluttering a fan. She used hers as punctuation to her charming voice and very prettily she was able to use it. A flutter here, a graceful extension of the fan sideways, a coy smile hidden by the uplifting to her face, all these motions were a language. A fascinating and intriguing language foreign to me. I was reminded of the usage of zils, the small finger cymbals of Turkish and Egyptian dancers used in such expressive, emphatic ways. This, the language of the fan, was as seductive and intriguing as anything.
Madame decided to walk into the front sitting room, a room I avoided since Obadiah’s rape. There must have been some sort of energy still present for I saw Madame’s dress rise at her groin. I would guess this was some sort of spirit challenge, for the sexual energy of what happened in that room had not completely dissipated. Though the room only gave me uneasiness, for Madame the invisible sensation was much stronger. ‘She’ looked at me sharply, as if to assess its effect, and I saw her eyes turn cruel. She was, after all, a devil. What right did I have to expect compassion from her?
“La! There is a harpsichord in the corner. Let’s see what accomplishments you have musically.”
Madame moved gracefully to the instrument and opened the keyboard. She motioned me to sit, and I did, as gracefully as I could manage in my skirts. I had played, badly, on a piano at home, but a harpsichord! My fingers were stiff and I could only think of one piece to play, and haltingly I did so. It was “The Prince of Denmark’s March.”
Madame had little patience with my playing. “Enough. Let us see if you have anything of a voice.”
Ah! Here perhaps I would not disappoint her. I could sing, and in fact, had years of vocal training. I could sing German lieder and some 18th century Italian art songs. The art songs perhaps she would tolerate. The German she would not. Of course, I was singing from memory, and Madame did not have the music in front of her. It was a bit of a challenge for both of us.
“Well, that went badly, n’est ce pas? Let us see how you do with the dance. M. Garrett informs me that you do dance?”
Madame moved to the little settee and plied her fan.
Ah! Madame, you will be disappointed, I fear. The dancing she had in mind and the dancing I did, were divided by cultures.
“I do dance, Madame, but it is something that is not familiar to your elegant French culture. Are you acquainted with ‘harem’ dancing?” Madame’s face fell in shock.
“Mon Dieu!” she said with a gasp. “Mahomet’s harem” Her eyes stared a hole into my face.
“Wherever did M. Garrett find you?” She looked as if I had crawled out of a crater.
“Well, actually, I found him. I..I was writing a book. He was just a character in it.” I grinned. “ He is a product of a fertile imagination.”
Madame Gormosy looked at me curiously, her head tilted. She looked like an inquisitive owl. “How well do you know M. Garrett?”
How I should answer this question? “Not very well, but in some parts, intimately.” I smiled coyly.
Madame Gormosy reached out and rapped my hand sharply with her fan.
“Stupid girl! I am not asking what he does under your petticoats, I am asking if you have any idea who diddles you?”
I sucked on my fingers as I looked at her in surprise.
“Do I know he is a Devil?” I said around my fingers in my mouth. “Well, I would suppose so.”
“Ah, my poor, stupid girl. He is hardly a Devil. His status is much more exalted.” She appeared agitated and fanned herself with vigor.
“M. Abigor would not notice if he was just a common devil. No, not at all.” Madame sat back on the sofa and continued to fan herself.
“M. Garrett descends from a royal bloodline. A very royal bloodline.
“You are talking then about the Nephilim, no?”
Madame Gormosy looked surprised. “And how would you know about that?”
“Ah Madame!” I threw back a sting of my own. “Women of my generation research and know languages. We read about science and some of us actually read more languages than a smattering of Latin and French.” There.
I would continue, though I saw the gathering thunder in Madame’s face. “And some of us have far more extensive skills than dancing or embroidery. Or pouring tea.”
“And some of us do not write ourselves into such a fine mess.”
She had me there. I nodded my head in acquiescence. She had won this round.
Lowering her voice, she stared straight into my eyes.
“I would be cautious, my dear lady, what interests and education you parade before demons. You might find yourself obligated to one or the other.”
I sat down beside her, thinking of Abigor and my upcoming meeting. I would try to appease her.
“Madame. Please guide me in the proper decorum with M. Abigor. I have never had tea with an Arch Duke of Hell. I do not want to aggravate M. Garrett’s condition by blunders of my own.”
Madame Gormosy sat back and sighed.
“Sensible woman. Good. You appeal to what I can do for you. Bien. You should know M. Abigor is of the old school of Hell. He has been around since the earliest of days and is a bit jaded. That is why, I believe, his current interest in you.”
“I would think that M. Abigor has had his interests filled again and again. Nothing new under the sun?”
“Hah! Everything is new, in the eyes of someone you have not met before. M. Abigor is known for his gallant behavior, especially to mortal women. You know he has had many mortal wives?”
And just how did that work? Were they revived bits of charcoal in Hell?
“Don’t let your wit run away with you, ma chérie.”
(Sigh. Again with the mind-reading.)
“M. Abigor is able to visit his women as easily as the fog in the morning, and with more lasting results. M. Abigor has had his own harem on earth.”
Anticipating my thoughts, Madame continued. “And yes, my girl. If he took it into his head, he would put horns on M. Garrett’s head. You must proceed very cautiously with M. Abigor. I have known him to do much worse to a marriage.”
That was reassuring! “So, Madame, what do you suggest I do with M. Abigor? I certainly do not want to bring the wrath of M. Garrett down on my head. Nor do I want to stumble with M. Abigor. Any suggestions?”
“Ah! Try to divine his mood that day, and humor him. All men, or Devils, will respond to the flattering attentions of an attractive woman. I would talk philosophy, but do not try to top his knowledge here. Be ornamental to the tea table. Be submissive, and play the great art of seduction.”
I was getting confused. “Tell me, Madame. What is your definition of this word ‘seduction’?
“Ah! The art of seduction is gaining a woman’s affections, under the pretence of being deeply enamoured, when at the same time despising the woman for her vanity and weakness.” That was it in a nutshell.
Comment cynique! Of course. What could I expect from a devil!
Jane Kohut-Bartels
Copyrighted, 2015
“The Devil In Paris”, Chapter Four
May 9, 2012
This is the last chapter of this short story. The other three chapters are posted within the last two weeks on this blog if anyone wants to read the story in total. It will be published this summer, in a slightly longer (and perhaps more erotic version) in a book of my short stories. I haven’t made up my mind how many, but my editor and good friend, Bill Penrose, is so gracious to advise me on these issues.
I am hoping to be gone from this blog a little while while I delve into more research and the finishing up of “Tin Hinan”.
Thank you to all the readers of this story and the blog. It is one of my favorite stories.
Lady Nyo
CHAPTER FOUR
John Garrett was standing behind Mlle. kneading her temples when Madame Gormosy entered the room.
“Ah!– Oh no! What have you done to Mlle’s hair, John? All the work and effort of my hairdresser! Ah well, it can’t be helped now.”
Then, with a further appraising glance: “ Would you like me to leave?”
Madame’s voice cut into the silence and Mlle. Luciern jumped from her chair. She had almost fallen asleep, Garrett’s hands soothing her nerves. But she was young and obeyed orders, her face showing her distress.
“Oh Madame! Forgive me! My head was pounding and I thought I would be sick with the headache. Monsieur Garrett has saved me from my pain. Please, I beg you, I am very sorry about the hair. ”
Madame cocked her head at Garrett and raised her eyebrows. He just smiled and closed his eyes like an owl. He did this many times with Madame. It was his way of signaling he would not answer her questions. He could be as stubborn as Madame was persistent.
“Well, Mlle.,” she said with a sniff, “if you are recovered, perhaps we can salvage this morning with a lesson.” She would put aside her annoyance and continued with Mlle’s instruction, but gave Garrett a withering glance first.
“Perhaps we can start with “The Art of Seduction”. Do not laugh M. Garrett! Do not dare laugh. These are important lessons I impart to Mlle. Her future happiness rests upon honing what she has been given naturally. We must polish the apple some more until she can attract the fruitful nibbles. ”
Garrett almost groaned aloud. Louise was stuck in this apple cart
Madame sat down across from Mlle. who had hurriedly twisted her hair into a chignon.
“Attendez-moi! Seduction by a man is his act of attaining the affections of a woman, of becoming deeply enamored, and applauding her for her generosity and attention.”
Garrett moved to the window where he could look out at the street below and listen to Madame. When he heard her definition of seduction, he almost guffawed. Ah, Madame, he thought. You meant to say that the great art of seduction is that of gaining a woman’s affections under pretense of being enamored, when you really despise the woman for her vanity and weakness in playing your game. But of course, your pigeon will know no better.
Again, whether there was an unseen current between thoughts, or Garrett actually did laugh at Madame’s words, she whipped her head around to look at him, her mouth tight against her teeth.
“Ah, Mlle.”, Madame continued. “Seduction is a little game between a man and a woman which leads to great results. Do not be discouraged by what the moralists think or say. Seduction is the engine that drives amours. Amour leads to marriage and then to happiness in the future.”
Mlle. Luciern nodded her head, seeming to attend carefully to what Madame was saying. She appeared to be a diligent student.
“Now, consider the fan. A woman can make a great conversation of love with just the flick of a fan. Regardez–moi.
Garrett watched Madame pick up a white silk fan from a little table by her chair and open it, holding it just beneath her eyes. Isolated by the fan’s whiteness, her eyes glittered like diamonds. Mlle. Luciern’s own eyes widened at the effect.
“When you put the fan’s handle to your lips, you are saying “Kiss me.” When you twirl the fan in the left hand, you signal: “We are being watched.” Fan held over the left ear means: “I wish to get rid of you. Allez!” Fanning yourself slowly, ever so slowly means, “I am married.” Fanning quickly, “I am engaged.” Hiding the eyes behind a fully opened fan, like so, means “I love you.” Now, Mlle., you show me what you have learned from my efforts.”
Mlle. Luciern took the fan from Madame’s hand and did as she was told. She hesitated on a number of turns, but Garrett thought that was to be expected.
“Eh bien! Now, we will extend the lesson. With the flick of the fan like so—“ Madame started another lesson of the fan, when she noticed large tears collecting in the eyes of Mlle. Luciern. Suddenly Mlle. burst out crying and threw herself dramatically onto the floor, clutching the skirts of Madame Gormosy.
“What in Hell’s name—“. Madame forgot her manners and looked with surprise at the young woman now sobbing into the fabric of Madame’s dress.
“Oh, Madame , I can no longer deceive you! I am already engaged, though my maman does not know of this. She suspects something but she would die a thousand deaths if she knew all!”
Madame Gormosy stood up suddenly and moved from the clutches of the young woman as she would at a grabbing beggar. She looked down, a cold sneer on her face.
“Ah. So, my time and efforts are to be wasted on you? Well, who is he, this great beau of yours? Is he a groom? Your maman’s steward? Who, girl, out with it. Do not defy me!”
Mlle. Luciern stayed on her knees, face streaming with tears, hands clasped in supplication before her.
“Madame, my maman did not deceive you. It was I who deceived you. My dear maman thought it was over for I steeled my heart and hid my emotions behind my books. I was determined to give him up, my Etain, but it is too late. I am expecting a child!”
Madame’s breath sounded like a rasp in her throat, Her face appeared blackened with rage.
“You little devil! You little whore! You come here, instill yourself into my tender affections and deceive me? Where is your honor? Where is your breeding? You are no better than a gutterslut! You mother will know what you are, why am I wasting words upon you? Out of my house, you whore, you little—“
Madame raised her hand and was about to descend with it across the face of the stricken, pale Mlle. Luciern, but Garrett crossed the room at the first words of Madame. He had seen her temper first hand and knew her for what she was. He grabbed Madame’s hand and held it firmly so she could not strike the young woman on the floor before her. Madame whirled around, her face distorted with her anger and she hissed like a snake. At that very moment, she did appear like a viper, with her cold, glittery eyes, and suddenly her tongue snaked out of her mouth, a forked tongue like a snake! He had seen many tricks of Madame before, but this was a new one. Later, when he had time to reflect, he realized that it was not a trick, but very much a part of the nature of Madame. After all, he thought, the serpent figured in the story of Lust, and Madame Gormosy was, after all, the Demon of Lust.
Whether it was because of her passion or because of her tight corset, Mlle. Luciern’s eyes rolled back into her head and she fainted away. It was a mercy for then Mlle. would not witness what happened next.
John Garrett kept a hard grip upon Madame’s arm, raised up in the air, and Madame continued to hiss at him. He knew devils could use greater or lesser magic against each other, and what next to do Garrett was not clear. But he knew enough to put distance between them, and dropping her arm, stepped fast behind a sofa.
“You have lost, Louise, she is of no benefit to you now. Let the girl go with your blessing. Play the generous Madame and let her return to her mother and her fate.”
“You!” Madame’s voice came back to her. She no longer hissed like a snake. But Garrett observed there was no cessation in her rage.
“You would stay my arm? You, who is not even a proper Devil? The Archduke Abigor only knows what you are, yet you would counter my behavior to this little slut? Do you know what I can do to you? I could turn you to cinders right now along with your little friend here.”
“But you won’t dare, Louise, because of what Abigor will do to you. Do you want to try his humor? Do you want to find out what Abigor will do to you and all you know? Is this little woman before you, now senseless, worth the risk that you take? And, knowing Abigor’s affection for me, you know what fate you will have. There will be no fire in Hell hot enough to punish you. Abigor will cook up his own punishment. Don’t chance it, Louise. Think about your beloved camel.”
Garrett knew Louise Gormosy on a better day might have thought of her camel, but today she was in an inconsolable rage. She couldn’t stand that Fate had frustrated all her fun.
It just wasn’t fair.
But Madame Gormosy could not contain her anger, for it was consuming her before Garrett’s eyes. Her face began to darken, and she began to stamp her foot on the floor. Within seconds she was jumping up and down, and suddenly she was on fire! Before Garrett could move, she was nothing more than a cinder herself, and black ash floated down to the floor, to collect in a puddle of soot.
Tant pis, thought Garrett. She will be back. She always came back.
A fortnight later…..
Garrett heard gossip Mlle. Luciern was sent home to her mother with a considerable fortune. He heard from an impeccable source (another devil) this was to appease the mother but also to allow Mlle and her beloved to start life together.
The money went a long way to sooth Madame Luciern’s passions over the impending bastard, but what could she do? Etain d’Aubringe did not have a fortune, but he did have an old name, and with the money given by Madame Gormosy, Madame Luciern had her satisfaction. Her daughter was married, supplied with a fortune and Madame had the prospects of a grandson, even if born on the wrong side of the quilt.
*************************
That spring, a strange sight was seen in the fashionable boulevards of Paris. A woman, heavily veiled, with a golden girdle surrounding her waist and a crescent moon headdress, was seen leaving Paris on a large , snow-white camel. Behind her walked her household, a collection of dark-skinned little men and women, who left sooty footsteps behind them on the cobblestones. Paris had never seen such a parade, and this one passed in utter silence.
Except for the camel. She complained loudly with groans and spat upon all she could reach. But those who saw her– the camel, not the veiled rider– would long remember the intelligence that gleamed from those eyes.
The End.
Jane Kohut-Bartels
Copyrighted, 2012
“The Devil in Paris”, Chapter 1
April 22, 2012
This is an early short story. There are four chapters. It is still one of my favorites, and went through revisions as most of our writing should. It first appeared, in an altered version, in “A Seasoning of Lust”, published by Lulu, 2009. I’ve cleaned it up for the blog. After all, the presence of devils was startling enough without other too-explicit issues.
PS: I got an email from a very good writer in Australia, who took offense that I would be questioned ‘why’ I did whatever to this story. His advice was this: “Because you are the author and you can do anything you damn well please with your work.”
He’s right, and I jump too fast to ‘explain’ the why to people who probably won’t read, or continue to read this story. Tant pis! as Madame Gormosy would say. It is not for everyone, and I have already had complaints about the title, people writing that they wouldn’t read it because of the word ‘devil’. Probably from Baptists and Methodists or some form of fundamentalist religion. Or perhaps they don’t like the French?
LOL!
Lady Nyo
(Madame Gormosy is a Devil. She can change her sex at will, from Louise Gormosy to Louis Gormosy. John Garret is also a Devil, (half human, though) and not so powerful. They have known each other for centuries as devils generally do. The scene is Paris, in the 1770’s. )
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THE DEVIL IN PARIS
CHAPTER ONE
Madame Louise Gormosy stood by the tall window, looking down at the rain-slicked street. Paris was cold and dreary this spring. Wood had gone up in price,. A timely delivery was a matter of bribes. That should be the concern of her steward, but he had disappeared. Already her servants were breaking up small cabinets and chairs to burn in the main salon and kitchen. She could hear the smashing of wood somewhere in the large house.
Madame shivered for the room was chilly.
Ah, if ever I see him again, I will make him pay with his life for my discomfort. I will tear his stomach open with my nails and cook his liver.
She had a visitor, a sullen-looking Englishman, now with his large frame stretched across her sofa. John Garrett had been a friend for many years. He was an easy-going devil and good company when in proper temper. She cast her eyes towards him, a smile forming on her painted lips. Patting her high-dressed hair and smoothing the gray satin front of her gown, she wondered what had put him in such a mood. She remembered he was quite a wit when not bothered with serious thought. She hoped he would reform his manners, for she wanted nothing to spoil the afternoon. The rain could not be helped.
“John Garrett!” Madame’s natural voice was low pitched but now showed her exasperation with a rise in key. “Are you going to continue your gloom and sour my day?”
Garrett, his eyes drawn slowly from the low burning flame, looked up at her. He stared for a long minute, a sneer forming on his handsome face.
“We are alone. I know you better as Louis. Why behave this way amongst friends? “
Madame did not answer. She walked to the double door, locked it and threw the key into his lap. For a moment she stood there, with her head cocked to the side, an elegant older woman, dressed in the latest fashion and only a sharp rise in the middle of her skirt gave warning of what was to happen.
In an instant, “Louise Gormosy” was “Louis”. Gone were Madame’s satin overdress, high coifed and perfumed hair. A bit of makeup remained, but this was current fashion among Parisian men. Louis laughed at the expression on Garrett’s face. He now was a slight-figured man, above middle age, with powdered hair and white silk stockings sagging around thin calves.
John Garrett shuddered. He knew his friend was not just any man in Paris. He was a demon, an important one– the Archduke Demon of Lust, with sixty legions under his command.
Louis Gormosy had ridden out of Hell on a white camel and long tormented the earth. It could not be helped; it was his nature. It was his ‘calling’.
Ah, thought Louis, I miss my camel… along with my legions, but tant pis! The cobblestones of Paris were hard on her aging hooves.
His guest, John Garrett, also a demon, but not of the same stature. Louis Gormosy was not sure of Garrett’s actual position in Hell, but knew him to have the patronage of the powerful Archduke Abigor, close to the throne. With friends like that, even the powerful Demon of Lust had to watch his hoof.
Louis Gormosy chuckled at his guest’s surprise. “Oh come, John, surely you are used to my little trick? Non? Well then, I have another reason to invite you here, besides parlor tricks. This evening I am expecting some guests, and I have reason for you to meet them.”
John Garrett sat up, stretching his legs. “Are you planning a little entertainment this evening? You know, Louis, one never can tell with you.”
Louis Gormosy lay a finger aside his nose and winked. “You have come at a good time, John. I expect a young woman, a girl actually. She is the daughter of a neighbor in the country. She is about seventeen. Her mother is anxious to have her married.”
“I am almost afraid to ask, Louis. What part do you play? ”
John Garrett looked at his friend from half-closed lids, like a cat settling in for a long story.
Monsieur Gormosy walked to the window and looked out at the pouring rain. He turned his head slightly and gave Garrett a nervous smile before peering down at the street, watching for a carriage to stop at his door.
“Madame Luciern is a silly woman, a bit more stupid than usual. She has a daughter on her hands she complains is a ‘bookworm’. Ah! Bon Dieu! So the young woman will educate herself with novels and newsprint. Tant pis!”
Louis Gormosy threw up his hands in disgust. The words “Good God” had a strange sound in his mouth, just shy of a gurgle.
“You still don’t tell me what your part is in this affair.”
Gormosy turned and looked at his friend. “Better you ask me what your part is.”
John Garrett sucked his breath in sharply, and let out with a soft “Oh no, Louis!”
Louis gestured with his hands outward, all Gallic charm, and continued his appeal.
“What is a little fun amongst devils, neh? You have certain…ah…attributes that I unfortunately, do not have.”
“The starch issue again, Louis?” Garrett’s words made Louis wince.
“Quel dommage! I don’t know if this is a little trick of Heaven or Hell, John…but it persists. I begin the attack, a few thrusts with the sword, and even with one parry, -I wilt.”
And, thought Louis sadly, it always came down to what devil had more ‘reach’. It always came down to a measurement. Here on earth the length of the cock, and in Hell, the amount of control.
“So, what is your plan and why should I care?”
Monsieur sucked on the side of his thumb, thinking how to present his case.
“I have not seen the young woman. Her mother keeps her well hidden. If she is a bookworm as the mother says, perhaps any attempt here in Paris to marry her off will be impossible. Perhaps she is ugly!”
“Or perhaps she has no bosom,” said Garrett from his sofa, eyes wandering back to the fire.
“Or perhaps she has a harelip!” said Gormosy. “What do I know? I have not seen the poor girl.”
With a grimace, Gormosy shook out his hand. He had bitten deeply into his flesh, and blood spurted from his thumb.
Garrett asked, “Does she have a good fortune?”
“Non. Madame Luciern is a widow. Her estate is lessened with the behavior of her oldest son. That young man has no sense at cards…and worse luck! I would give him some pointers in faro, but I do not cheat at cards.”
What a big lie, thought John Garrett, laughing silently. There was honor amongst devils but not at cards. What was the worse that could happen? A duel, you die, you come back fresh and new, with another chance to cheat life. And at cards.
“But!” continued Louis, raising a finger dramatically. “She has an honorable name! That is worth something, I think.”
“Hah,” said Garrett. “Perhaps of worth to mortals. But it is something.”
The blood continued to spurt from Gormosy’s thumb. “Merde”. He pulled a sooty handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped his thumb.
“So, what do you intend to do with Mademoiselle? Do you have a cuckold in mind?”
“Why would he be a cuckold, mon ami? I have all intention of marrying her to someone worthy and with a good fortune.”
“And if she is not marriageable due to this harelip or flat bosom? What do you intend then for Mademoiselle?” asked Garrett.
“I intend to make her a whore.”
There. It was out, thought Gormosy. Let him chew on that. There was profit to be made here, and he, Louis, would take the advantage.
“Why do you need me?” John Garrett’s eyes half closed again as he looked at his friend who was grinning broadly.
“ If I can not obtain an acceptable offer, I will need your –ah, efforts, John.”
“Meaning? Come Louis, do not make me beat it out of you.”
“You will seduce her. You will make her more pliable for her gentleman callers…I, of course, will revert back to Madame, for this is all her mother knows of me, and you will play…”
“Hold on, Louis. Do you or don’t you intend to get her a husband?”
“How should I know?” Louis Gormosy shrugged his shoulders and presented his palms upward.
“I don’t know if she has a harelip or an unfortunate bosom. We both, my old friend, will find out this evening.”
End of Chapter 1.
Jane Kohut-Bartels
Copyrighted, 2009, 2012
“Slave Fire in the Belly” Part II
December 31, 2008Oh, this is not going to be popular.
How can one hold to the scientific basis of Athene’s argument
and at the same time feel this:
“A woman is a helpless prisoner of her sexuality.”
But there it is. Is this an argument for Natural Order??
I don’t think so…but who knows. I just feel…or know somehow deep in my belly…or lower thereabouts…that most of us do recognize our desire to be acknowledged as deeply female…and do things, naturally without consciously thinking, or perhaps consciously doing so…
That we bend Heaven and Hell, to express that feminine nature…when we find a man opposite ourselves, who is strong and attractive enough and intelligent. We sent out ‘signals’…perhaps challenging them to ‘prove it to us’ that they ARE strong, will protect us from pitbulls and flying glass, etc. Perhaps we constantly test them…because we must have this security. This assurance that they really are worthy of our submission or service or whatever you call it.
Our power, as women….lies in part in our ability to seduce…to utilize our feminine power to impact with our beauty, wit and intelligence.
Lately I have been feeling this sentiment very strongly as a dancer. I realized recently that I was not just learning bellydance for the pure ‘joy’ of sore muscles and a strained back, but because I realized these movements reached something very deep in me…something dark and primal and sexual. It reached into a core of femininity that I hadn’t understood before. It is not just for myself that I dance, but to express the essence of me. I am a woman in full power when I dance.
And that power opens me sexually. I am strong and totally female when I dance.
Also recently I wondered if it was ‘proper’ to dance with such ‘openness’…even to thinking of these objectives? Well, belly dance is a dance of seduction, and we can call it ‘birth movements’ all we want, but in the beginning… and the end, it is all about our seductive feminine power. The beauty of expressing the essential female.
Perhaps we aren’t so helpless after all. Perhaps we are more powerful than we imagine. Perhaps with our seductive abilities, hell the essence of our femininity…we make prisoners of men.
Lady Nyo
OBEDIENCE
You,
scowl deeply,
I,
continue to
dance around
aware
of annoying.
La, La,
silly, silly
woman,
whirling
around
a dervish,
arms touching
your territory
mindful
of grimace.
pushing the
boundaries
of your nature.
Oh! such
a witless tease,
provoking
your anger
I continue
my revolving.
Enough!
You growl,
forcing
me still
within
the corral
of your arms
and
slyly I smile
wanting
my orbit
dissolved
into your own.
janekohutbartels
Copyrighted, 2008
MEN! DON’T READ…..
December 27, 2008This is addressed to the women who read this blog and are using the “Luscious” Belly Dance Workout dvd.
A while ago, I recommended this Belly Dance dvd to readers on this blog and some others not reading. Other belly dancers.
I have heard from a number of women about how hard it is. I can’t deny that this workout is not hard: it is very complete and delves into areas that we are not used to ‘moving’ in conscious ways. That is the way of belly dance in general: finding new and unknown muscles to move and torture us.
(Speaking of torture, a few of us were drinking and thinking about bellydance (we were all dancers at the table…) and the issue of ‘how much bondage elements are actually IN classical bellydance?’ was floated around the table. We all know of the “Lebanese Whip Dance” and the “Capture Dance” of the Bedouins…but there are a lot of undercurrents in Turkish/Egyptian dance)
However, it is a superb dvd. I can’t think of one in recent memory that gives such complete attention to the whole body work. It has some really great parts to it that are much different, even in a class.
And, because of the continuous flow from one movement to the next, it is really a completely seductive movement, pulling upon the natural curves and gracefulness of a woman’s natural body.
Very erotic as my husband will attest….
Starting this, it takes a number of weeks, but it does get in the muscle memory. I am haunted now, after a very slow and ignored start.
It was hard for me in the beginning…and parts are still very hard. But it’s doable. It just takes some time and constant effort and doing it EVERY day. That has made the breakthrough for me.
The combinations are beautiful, and natural, and the flow from a particular movement, not done in isolation for long, into a combination of two or three body parts.
I will say that they HAVE to be approached in isolation, and this is part of the downside of this dvd. You have to go on your own speed…you can’t rush through the movements to pile them upon each other for a combination. That doesn’t work..I know, I tried.
In part, I think the dvd can be rearranged for better results. The “BodyLine” section is absolutely excellent, laying the basis for an elongated line, more graceful movements, and confidence. It’s actually a series of spine stretches, and done first, awakens the body for what is to come.
I would recommend fast forwarding to this section and starting here. Remain on it for a week or so…of course you can peek at the other parts, combinations, but use this as a starting place.
The Hip Circles in the very front of the dvd, are great…but I have to say that the basic Hip Circle is hard because it must be done in 4 part isolation, to get the muscles acclimatized to the accented movement. This took me a full week and you can’t rush through it. I found myself grocery shopping and dropping into the Hip Circle,…trying to get comfortable on both sides of it. I believe it is the basic movement that everything above rests upon.
What is most important is keeping the chest/breasts UP…in other words, as you sweep with your hips and back downwards, keep the breasts/chest tilted upwards. This gives a much more graceful line to it all.
The breast circles are a riot! There is, on all of this…a 4-part movement….back, left, front, right….back, right, front, left. I didn’t know that my breasts could move in these circles! lol! However, exaggerate the movement….and keep the shoulders still. Make the abs work for this movement…beneath the breasts. These girls are independent of the body…front and center…and WEAR A BRA!
It is very hard to ‘lift’ the breasts without a bra…at least for a positive effect.
I think that the basic foundation of all of this is the thighs…so walk or strengthen your thighs to be able to squat and vertical pelvic curve upwards….I am still struggling with this, gaping like a fish….
It gets harder, but it should…It is building on from what we learn in the beginning, and that is why you can’t rush through this dvd. Each part is legitimate and a building block for what is to come.
The shimmy section is a killer, and though it starts from the basics (thighs, and moves upwards) it is a new and improved approach. At least to me.
This dvd is straight Turkish/Egyptian to me. It is awesome. I am making a transition to Tribal Fusion in a few weeks, at least checking out a longggg workshop in Montreal, Quebec with Audra Simmons.
However, I can’t express more how beautiful and luscious this technique on this dvd is. Had I received this dvd before I made the arrangements for Montreal, I think I wouldn’t have bothered with this workshop. “Luscious” is enough to develop a core of dance in any woman. It is something NOW, finally, that I go to each day to set up some muscle memory….
and if I miss a day….I feel guilt. I am robbing myself of a valuable tool as a dancer, but I am feeling it’s full potential as a woman.
It is a sexy and desirable way to blossom for any woman.
Teela
A Plug!!!!! This morning I have received
November 24, 2008a number of emails, queries about belly dancing…and from a man, too!
Not that I would want to see this man belly dancing, but he is all about ‘all things female’…so he’s allowed.
But not in the studio~! That is like a harem in there…..and you would have to leave your testicles outside in a bucket….
The Plug: I bought a while ago, a dvd called “Luscious” The Belly Dance Workout (for beginners)….www.worlddancenewyork.com…probably from Amazon.com…
This is an amazing dvd. Although stating it’s for beginners, it is one of the very BEST dvd’s on bellydance I have ever seen. One of the things it does is NOT portray isolations ‘in’ isolation. It’s part of a continuous movement of dance…where it is incorporated in the general muscle memory.
I LOVE this disc. So why am I not watching it all the time??? It is damn hard. It moves fast, but not so fast you can’t concentrate on pieces….that is what the stop and reverse buttons are for.
However, as much as I bitch that it’s hard, it’s hands down one of the most beautiful displays of sensual bellydancing I have ever seen….in continuous performance….and broken down…it’s easy enough.
I would advise anyone..male or female….to go to their website and see the promo. It is fantastic, not the least the dancers…gorgeous women all.
This is classical bellydancing…and I am gnashing my tooths that I am going into Tribal Fusion right now.
Ahhhh…who knows….but this disc is a lovely learning tool and applicable to all levels of dancers….
Teela….
I was talking to a friend this morning, who is off to Paris for a Birthday Day celebration.
November 6, 2008He is a good friend, who has shepherded me through a lot of angst in the past. I have grown to trust this man and listen to his opinions closely.
V. is in Europe, and it’s a good thing, too. He LOVES women…and makes no bones about it. He loves women from the top to the bottom, around the sides, inside and out and all the parts between. I have thrown many curves at him…and he catches them all…
The man is a TRUE lover of women. Without any noticeable argument as to what that means. He takes it all.
Many men ‘say’ they love women…that their objective is to bring the ‘true’ woman forth, to allow a woman to feel caressed, etc. But I wonder.
Many men expect a woman to fall into their arms with little work. Many men expect a women to surrender to their charms fast. Some think that ‘control’ is the ‘key’.
V works at it…little steps by little steps….and you don’t really notice what he is doing because he is so good at it! You end up surrending..something..because he is trustworthy.
He is building friendship, confidence, trust AND seduction along the way and bingo~ suddenly, you are in the mud and enjoying it immensely.
You realize you trust this this man because he loves your mind most of all. He is really a thinking modern-day Casanova. (Casanova was much more ‘tender’ and naive than what we THINK we know about him…read his Memoirs and you will understand what I mean here…)
V. has all the abilities to answer Freud’s “What do Women want?”…because he makes women the center of his attention. He’s not exactly selfless, because he enjoys his ‘work’ totally, and certainly gets a profit out of his …..efforts.
But he answers some of the issues for women in many ways. And he calls me “Sweetwoman”…exactly like that. It was a term I used in my first (and unpublished) novel. I thought it so tender and sexy then…and I still think it so.
V is a good friend, but even more importantly, he’s a good Man.
Happy Birthday, V….you are very worthy. See you in NYC in 2010.
Lady Nyo
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