By Kate Deveaux, erotic romance author
I’m a huge Downton Abbey fan, and before that Upstairs
Downstairs, and movies like Gosford Park. Those turn of the century soap opera-like
dramas, set within the confines of upper crust society, are so intriguing. Is
it the opulent settings that lure us in or the secret affairs between masters
and servants, aristocrats and their houseguests? It’s a veritable feast of
social convention turned on it’s ear, and I for one, love it.
Behind the thin veneer of etiquette, there was plenty of sexual
impropriety going on at Downton Abbey — just take young Lady Mary and her
clandestine tryst with the ill-fated Turkish officer, Mr. Pamuk. That sexy romp
ended with her mother, Lady Grantham, and her lady’s maid, Anna, helping Mary
drag the dead man from her bed! Or the numerous scenes involving Thomas,
whomever was the eye of his affections, be it man or woman. Or Lord Grantham
and his infidelity with the quite plain maid, Jane.
Downton Abbey was stately on the outside — scandalous on the
inside. Lord Grantham’s manor was rife with indiscretions and sexual escapades
and so is ‘The Butler Did It.’ As an erotic romance writer, I starting thinking
how great it would be if there were a current day Upstairs Downstairs type
scenario, set in contemporary times, with a risqué, more erotic edge.
The inspiration for the ‘Butler Did It’ is a twist on an age
old theme of boss meets servant. But this time the boss isn’t a Lord Grantham-like
aristocrat — this time the boss is stiletto heeled Vivienne Martin, the mega
rich, high-powered fashion mogul, secure in her position and used to getting
what she wants. But when she meets her new ultra sexy butler ten years her
junior, Clarkson Dale, the attraction sizzles. Vi can barely get him out of his
Ermenegildo Zegna suit fast enough. Sometimes breaking the rules can be much
more fun.
The day to day living in Vi’s Miami sprawling two-storey
penthouse may not be as constrained and formal as the bygone era of Downton
Abbey, but the Upstairs Downstairs theme is still poignant today. Similar to
the social conventions of the past, the employee/employer relationship is still
a minefield for any type of extra-curricular activities. Clarkson and Vi are
well aware their attraction spells trouble when they give into their
uncontrollable passion and realize they have a bigger problem — they can’t seem
to keep their hands off each other! Definitely not a good working relationship.
But this story is set in the modern millennium, so they strike a compromise
that seems to work for them. Work by day and play by night. It seems an
arrangement that suits them both just fine.
I further developed Vi’s control oriented personality to
reveal her weaker, more vulnerable side — the part of her that would really
like a man to take control occasionally. And by control, I mean a bit of
bondage play. In this day and age, as opposed to Downton Abbey era, women have
made huge strides in equality and that is to be commended for sure, but the
bedroom playing field is still up for grabs for these lovers as they explore
their fantasies, and role play however they see fit.
As Vi’s relationship with Clarkson evolves, she is able to
keep everything she’s worked so hard for by day, and still get what she wants
in the sultry hours of the night. I think that’s one of the elements of this
story that I loved while crafting it. There’s no denying their story is racy,
and pushes a few buttons of convention, but it contrasts the modern day woman
against her most intimate desires – bondage and ménage a trois. Vi takes a risk
revealing her deepest fantasies when she confides in Clarkson. Lucky for her, he’s
only too happy to oblige and it seems in this household the arrangement is suitable
to all involved, including the hunky personal chef, Michel.
I hope my readers will enjoy the sizzling chemistry between
Vi and Clarkson and the wry sense of humor they both have. I have plans for the
lovers to continue their sexy escapades with a host of other characters in the
Upstairs Downstairs tradition in Vi’s penthouse villa perched in the Miami skyline.
About
Kate: Kate Deveaux is a contemporary erotic romance writer
and die-hard romantic. A former wedding planner, she has always been “in love”
with love! Kate is currently working on several fictional stories – each filled
with sexy romance, heroines who are no shrinking violets and heroes who make
your heart skip a beat. She is a member of Savvy Author, Romance Writers of
America (RWA) and their erotic romance chapter, Passionate Ink. Kate currently
resides with her husband in Arizona.
Author website: http://www.katedeveaux.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KateDeveaux
Sounds like such a hot read, Kate. On my TBR list for summer. Not much sexier than the forbidden!
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