This story was a request by a very special person who was originally going to co-write it with me. Unfortunately circumstances made that impossible. I have, therefore, written it alone using her story line and ideas.

Thomas was an artist in the newly formed country of the United States. He had been fortunate to have married the daughter of a very wealthy man. Although her family had not approved of the union, she had married him anyway being infatuated with his bohemian lifestyle. He was a man of considerable talent. However his greatest works were his nudes which were not appreciated in the conservative society of the new country.

His wife had born him only one child, a daughter. They had named her Natasha. She was now 14 years old. She was fair haired and slender. She had fallen love with ballet at a very young age and was developing into a very accomplished dancer. Since she was from a wealthy family, she had her own servant, a black girl named Molly. Natasha and Molly were the same age and their relationship was closer to that of sisters than the normal maid status.

Thomas had sold most of his paintings in Europe and decided to move to Paris to be closer to his clients. His wife, realizing her marriage had been a grave mistake, took advantage of the situation and opted to remain in her family home. Divorce was out of the question but her not accompanying her husband would be accepted by society. Her father was ill and where her mother had already passed on, the excuse could be given that she had to care for him and would join her husband at a later time.

Natasha, upon learning her father would be going to Paris, begged him to take her. Paris was known for its ballet schools and she would be able to attend. Thomas initially was against the idea not wanting to be burdened with his daughter but realized Molly would be going too. Molly had always been supported by his wife's family and having her there would release him from either having to find a housekeeper or doing it himself. Besides, his wife had assured him that the family would send money for her support. Although Thomas did not relish the idea of having his daughter around feeling that she would be only a disturbance, he relented and agreed to let his daughter and her maid join him. Three weeks later they were on a ship heading for Europe.
 

Thomas found what he considered suitable quarters for the three. The house had a large studio where he could paint and a small living section. Natasha was not impressed with her father's selection. In America, she had lived in a large house with fine furnishings. This house was small and dull in comparison. Still, it was in Paris. Molly's situation was worse. She had gone from the relatively easy job of assisting Natasha and caring for her belongings to managing a whole house. She cooked, cleaned, and performed all the duties that in her past location had been performed by four others.

Thomas quickly made contacts with his former and prospective clients and was soon busy in his studio. Natasha, who had looked forward to studying ballet, was more or less left to her own devices. Her father ignored her and she knew nothing about even where to start looking for a ballet school. On occasion, she would go into her father's studio to watch him but he had no patience for her and would quickly dismiss her. Most days she would spend either in her room or wandering around Paris alone. She missed Molly's companionship but Molly was far to busy to spend time with the lonely girl.

Thomas found more business than he expected and had to spend many hours in his studio. In America, he had the privilege of doing things in his own time but now, his clients were pressuring him to deliver their paintings. To cope with the growing demands, Thomas started drinking. Although the liquor didn't seen to affect his painting abilities, it had a profound affect on his nature. He transformed from the happy go lucky bohemian to an angry, cruel man. He would go into a rage over what once didn't even phase him. He also missed the sexual aspects of his wife and began to look lustfully at every woman he encountered.

As a painter of nudes, there was always a supply of nude models to satisfy his visionary lust but he needed more. He couldn't risk going after his models. He needed them to paint. His daughter was out of the question so the only choice he saw was Molly. He would leer at her every time she was within sight. Although there were no actions yet, it was only a matter of time.
 

Robert had been married to Thomas' older sister before her untimely death. He was an English military man. Although he did not especially like Americans, Thomas's sister had proven to be his opposite and Robert had been smitten with her charms. They had two daughters but his wife had died during the birth of a third, who had also died. Due to his military life and associated travels and battles, his daughters had been raised by his sister. He had maintained as close a contact as he could with them during their childhood and  now both were married. Retired from his military duties, he was now involved as an emissary for the Queen.

He had heard Thomas had moved to Paris with a daughter. If only as a courtesy, he decided to go visit his former brother-in-law. Although far from being close, Thomas was still family and deserved that much. Robert booked passage and was soon heading to Paris.

Arriving at his destination, he knocked on the door of the house Thomas had rented. Molly answered and, after ascertaining his identity, invited him into the sitting room. She excused herself and went for Thomas. Robert looked around the room as he waited. Hanging on the wall was a nude painting which impressed him. The artist was obviously very talented. As Robert admired the painting, Thomas staggered into the room. He, as usual, had been drinking heavily.

Robert, only out of politeness, asked Thomas about the painting. Thomas announced proudly that he was the artist and then made a crude remark about the model. The remark angered Robert but he said nothing. Thomas then screamed for Natasha. "Natasha, come keep your uncle company! I have work to do."

In the doorway, a teenage girl appeared. Her dress was simple but her appearance was elegant. Her body was slim but muscular from what Robert could see. She blushed as she entered the room. Her father's behavior was always an embarrassment to her. Thomas introduced the two and then mumbled something about painting more as he left the room.

The two talked for a while. Robert was impressed at the maturity Natasha showed. Although only 16, she acted much older. A mysterious bond quickly grew between them. Even though their ages were far apart, they were surprisingly compatible. What had been intended as a short, polite call by Robert turned out to be an entire afternoon. He learned of her passion for ballet and her hope of studying in Paris.

It was getting late and Robert had a commitment for the evening. Reluctantly he left but not before he had made plans to meet Natasha at a local garden park the following day. All that evening, his mind kept returning to Natasha. Her honesty and poise had struck something deep within him. He felt comfortable with her.

They met as planned the next day. The conversation this time was not the usual small talk. As they walked through the gardens, she told him of her life, loves, and sexual experiences. A conversation on those topics was not considered proper but somehow it seemed right to both of them. He learned that she had been seduced by a client of her father's at a young age. A confession she had not made to any other soul. She also talked of pleasuring herself. Normally Robert would have been very uncomfortable, to say the least, having such a conversation with a lady but with Natasha it didn't bother him. He felt like he had known her forever even though they had just met. Again, their meeting ended too soon and they went their separate ways after making plans to meet the following day.