Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Southern Belle



   I am from up north and no very little about the ways of the south, at
least I didn't!  I had been chatting with another CD for about a year when
she suggested I come down for a visit.  The idea was intriguing, but a
little scary.  I really didn't know her other than through e-mail and her
web site.  She seemed nice, but you never know.  Finally she convinced me
and I made plans to take a two week vacation at her place.  Then the
decisions began.  What to wear, what to pack, etc.  Joan (that's what I
know her as) told me to pack just enough to get me to and from her place
and she would supply the rest.  She knew my sizes from all our e-mails, in
fact, we were about the same size, so I would be able to wear her clothes.
I readily agreed, since it made packing easier and I didn't have to lug
heavy suitcases through the airport.  Finally the day arrived.  I dressed
casually in a pair of charcoal slacks and an emerald green cashmere
sweater. Of course they were both women's garments but no one would notice
as they weren't terribly feminine.  I wore satin undies and black stockings
underneath, but only I would know that.  I wore flat unisex loafers and
carried a small knapsack (my purse).  If I had made myself up, I could have
passed as a woman, but my passport shows me as a man, so I prefer to travel
that way.  The flight was uneventful.  It gave me time to relax and prepare
myself for the unknown.  Joan met me at the airport and we drove home in
her car.  She was "en femme", and looked just like her picture on
her web page, so I had no trouble picking her out.  Of course, she wouldn't
know me, since my male persona is not posted anywhere!  We drove out into
the country for about an hour.  It gave us time to get acquainted.  By the
time we were there, we were gabbing like we had been best friends all our
lives.  All my fears had been laid to rest.  As soon as we arrived, Joan
suggested I get out of my "male" clothes and slip into something more
appropriate.  She showed me to my rooms (I had a suite) and introduced me
to my maid, Marie.  I had no idea that Joan was loaded!  Marie drew a bath
for me as I got undressed.  While I soaked in the hot bubble bath, Joan and
Marie decided on what I should wear for the evening.  The bath felt so
good, that Marie had to practically drag me out.  After drying myself off,
I slipped into a satin robe Marie held out for me that came with matching
mules.  She then directed me over to a chair in front of a mirror and got
to work on my face.  That Marie is an expert.  By the time she was done, I
barely recognized myself.  I was gorgeous!  Joan had provided a wig that
perfectly framed my face and fell lightly on my shoulders.



   With that done, I was ready for the clothes.  Marie directed me into the
dressing room, where the lingerie I was to wear was laid out.  First, a
pair of French white silk undies followed by a matching chemise.  The feel
of the cool silk was wonderful.  Next came a light pink corset, with lace
trim.  I had worn a corset before, but not this beautiful or this tight. 
It took both Marie and Joan to get it laced to their specifications.  I
could hardly breath!  Next came white silk stockings that were attached to
the garters on the corset and then some 3 inch white satin sling-backs,
which Marie had to put on.  With the corset as tight as it was, there was
no way I was going to reach.  There were two petticoats and a hoop skirt to
go on next.  The first petticoat was satin on the inside, with an outer
layer of cotton.  There were many rows of ruffles sandwiched between the
two layers.  Then came the hoop skirt, followed by the second petticoat,
which was the reverse of the first, cotton inside and satin outside, but
with just as many ruffles.  I was about 5 feet wide by now.  Next came the
dress.  It was a soft pink lustrous silk skirt with a velvet bodice.  The
mutton chop sleeves were embellished with lace around the cuff that came
down to my fingertips.  The collar was made of the same lace as at my
wrists.  Next came a pair of satin gloves that matched the color of the
dress perfectly.  Finally, a set of drop earrings.



   Joan new my likes, and dislikes, from our many e-mail conversations and
from my web site, so I was not surprised by the clothes she had chosen for
me.  In fact, I was in seventh heaven!  I knew that Joan preferred tight
fitting dresses, with a more contemporary styling, so I was surprised that
she even had gowns like the one I was now wearing.  When I asked her about
it, she brushed me off with some quick story about it being her mother's. I
didn't think anything of it at the time, but it was the first clue that
something was up, and I had missed it!



   As I mentioned, Joan liked body hugging styles, and her outfit sure
belonged in that category.  Her dress had a gold lamme, strapless bodice
and a black, raw silk, mid-thigh skirt.  She wore a pearl choker with
matching earrings and bracelets.  I had to admit, it looked gorgeous on
her.



   When we got downstairs (I had a little trouble navigating them.  Not
used to the voluminous skirts I was wearing), Joan handed me a mink stole
and grabbed a sable one for herself.  It seems we were going out somewhere.
I was more than a little hesitant!  Where I come from, no one ever goes out
dressed like I was.  Joan calmed me down and explained that we were going
to a ball.  Lots of people would be dressed like I was.  So, reluctantly, I
gave in.  Sure am glad I did!  I now know why they call it a
"ball", because we certainly had one!



   I danced with about a dozen men, all dressed in tuxedos.  I wasn't that
used to dancing with a man.  Actually, I had never done it before.  I
really had to concentrate on not leading, but after the first couple of
dances, it started to come naturally.  By the end of the evening, I was
exhausted.  My legs were killing me from a combination of the dancing and
wearing high heels for so long.  I was starving!  The meal had been
wonderful, but the tight corset had kept me from eating very much.  If I
kept this up, by the end of my vacation, I would lose about ten pounds...
What am I complaining about?



   When we got home, Marie helped me out of my clothes and into another
bubble bath.  The warm water soothed my aching legs and totally relaxed me.
Again, Marie had to drag me out before I looked like a prune.  After drying
off and finishing my toilet, I made my way back into my bedroom.  Marie was
waiting with my night clothes.  I didn't say nightgown for a reason.  There
was more to it than that!  Marie slipped a knee length chemise of satin
over my head.  Next came a night corset, slightly wider than the one I had
worn that evening.  I was unprepared for this, but found it somewhat
exciting, at the same time.  I loved corsets, but had never worn one all
night before.  Next came the nightgown.  The peach satin gown, matching the
chemise, was floor length, with long, loosely fitted sleeves.  The cuffs
had three pearl buttons, securing them around my wrists.  The jewel
neckline was embellished with Queen Anne lace.  The cool, slippery feel of
the satin and the body hugging tightness of the corset were sending my
senses reeling!  I slipped in to the canopy bed.  I didn't think I was
going to be able to get to sleep, but I was wrong.  All the excitement of
the day had taken its toll.  I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit
the pillow.



   The next week was a whirl wind of activity.  Joan and I went to a party
every night.  Joan took me to her stylist who cut my hair in a style that
flattered my face.  I had a manicure and pedicure, as well as a complete
facial.  The beautician explained everything she was doing so I would be
able to make myself up in the future.  I already new a fair bit about
make-up, but she gave me a lot of useful tips.  We shopped for lingerie,
shoes, gloves and hats.  I had my ears pierced and bought about a dozen
sets of earrings.  You may have noticed that I didn't say anything about
buying clothes.  It wasn't until later that I noticed this myself.  We were
so busy that I didn't have time to think.  I did notice that Joan seemed to
have a whole wardrobe filled with the kinds of cloths I liked.  Since our
tastes in clothes were different, I was surprised, but never got a chance
to ask her about it.



   During this week, Joan and I had become very close.  We talked,
effortlessly, about everything under the sun.  Other than clothes, we had
the same tastes, likes and dislikes.  I was very quickly falling in love
with her.



   Which leads me to the second week.  The first evening, Joan suggested
that we take a break from the party circuit and have a quiet evening at
home.  I was feeling a bit tired, so I readily agreed.  This didn't mean we
were going to sit around in sweats or anything.  Marie had laid out a
beautiful gown of French lace.  The underskirt was a very pale pink, which
barely showed through the dress.  The petticoats and hoops made the dress
about six feet in diameter.  The dress was fastened with small pearl
buttons from just above the waist to the high stiff collar.  It took Marie
fifteen minutes just to get all the buttons done up.  I had never worn such
a gorgeous gown.  I was kind of disappointed that I wasn't going to be able
to show it off to all the people I had met during the last week, but I was
looking forward to a night off.



   After supper, Joan led me in to the living room where a fire had been
lit.  We sat down on the couch and started talking.  I suddenly noticed
that Joan was holding my hand.  It felt natural, so I didn't object.  Then
she put her arm around me and pulled me close.  I was starting to feel warm
and it wasn't from the fire.  At least not the one in the fireplace. 
Apparently, Joan was feeling the same way.  She pulled me close and kissed
me, ever so lightly.  She stared into my eyes to see my reaction.  From the
way I looked, she got the confirmation she wanted.  Our kisses became more
passionate, until we were both gasping for breath.  We retired to her
bedroom and made love all night.



   In the morning, after getting cleaned up and dressed for the day, We had
breakfast on the patio.  Joan looked very serious and uncomfortable.  I
hoped our night of passion hadn't ruined our friendship!  I asked Joan what
was bothering her.  She said she had something to ask me, but she hesitated
for a long time.  Finally, she asked me how I felt about her.  I thought
about it for a minute and the said I loved her.  She let out a huge sigh of
relief and said she loved me too.  Then she tensed up again.  I decided to
let her take her time.  Obviously, she was having trouble with something
and I thought it was best to let her deal with it at her own speed.  After
a long silence, she asked me how I was enjoying my stay.  I told her that I
was having the time of my life and wished it would never end.  She blurted
out that it didn't have to.  I asked what she meant.  Joan took a minute
and then, with a frightened look on her face explained that if I wanted to,
I could stay here with her.  She told me that she loved me and wanted to be
with me forever.  It took me about 5 seconds to think about her offer
before I agreed.



   We spent the rest of the week making plans.  I had to quit my job and
sell my house and belongings.  Close my bank accounts, etc., etc.. 
Obviously, this was going to take some time.  We talked to her lawyer about
taking care of all the legal stuff.



   When the week was up, I flew back home.  It took me about a week to tie
up the loose ends.  When I gave my notice, my boss was very understanding
and wished me the best.  Work was kind of slow then, so he didn't need me
to stick around.  I found a real estate agent who was very good.  She had a
buyer in no time and got me a good price for the house.  I decided to give
my belongings, other than a few keep sakes, to a local charity.  They were
very grateful for the donation, and picked everything up three days later.
In one week, I had managed to dismantle my old life completely.  This seems
only fitting since it had taken only a week to find a new one.



   So, that's how I became a Southern Belle.  Joan and I have been living
together for three years now.  I have had my name legally changed to
Veronica.  No one but Joan and Marie know that I am more than what I
appear, and we plan to keep it that way.


   The End.