Miss Isabella's Home for Stray Kittens

By Davina Lee

Follow the story of Angelita, a young woman with no family, who is brought to Miss Isabella’s finishing school in hopes she can avoid being sent to the workhouse. Miss Isabella’s house is full, so an agreement is made to take in Angelita as a kitten.

Can a lower class girl as a mute kitten ever hope to fit in with the young women from prominent families who board at Miss Isabella’s manor? Only one other girl in Miss Isabela’s house seems to think so. But can their unique friendship ever hope to stand the test of society and family pressures and blossom into something more?

Nineteenth century historical romance set in the Spanish countryside meets the modern day kink of kitten play and owned submissives in this unique and tender novelette of women loving women from Davina Lee.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Jan 27, 2024
• ISBN: 9781685506612

Book preview

Chapter 1: An Unexpected Visitor

Miss Isabella Maria Moreno Cervantes strode to the manor’s front gate with brisk, measured steps. In her fingers, she clasped her skirts, pulling upward just enough on the crinoline beneath to spare the fabric from the small plumes of dust kicked up by the heels of her ankle boots crunching on the chipped stone of the path. Following behind Miss Isabella was a tall and smartly attired woman, with long white coat tails and a crisp crease adorning her matching trousers.

Constable Ruiz, said Miss Isabella, stopping at the edge of the property where the wrought iron gate stood open to the sun-baked road and the rolling hills of the family’s vineyard just beyond.

"Buenas tardes, señora, said the constable, whisking his hat from his head and clutching it at waist level in both hands. I trust you are well today."

Yes, said Miss Isabella. Always a pleasure to see you, Constable. But I must ask, what brings you around during the heat of the afternoon?

Yes, about that, said Constable Ruiz, wringing the brim of his hat in his hands. I have a favor to ask, if I may be so bold.

Of course.

I came to see if you might have room in your house for another girl.

Ah, said Miss Isabella, the line of her mouth curving into a smile. Is your Maria of age already? My, how the years have gone by.

No, said the constable. My daughter still has a few years until her eighteenth birthday. I came here to ask about another girl.

Miss Isabella cocked her head slightly as Constable Ruiz turned around to look between himself and the road. You can come out, he said. It’s okay.

Peeking out from behind Constable Ruiz, through a mop of unkempt hair was a little slip of a girl, dressed in a dusty garment that may have started as a simple peasant’s dress, but had since deteriorated into little more than rags. She looked to Miss Isabella with wide eyes for a brief moment and then cast her gaze to the gravel path.

I’m sorry to say, Constable, the rooms in my house are currently all full with five girls at the moment. Miss Isabella frowned. Have you checked with the holy sisters?

Yes, Constable Ruiz nodded. Unfortunately, the girl is too old for the orphanage. She may not look it, but she is of age. I suspect undernourishment is the reason for her small size.

I see. Miss Isabella’s frown deepened.

I suppose I shall arrange to take her on to Barcelona, then, Constable Ruiz mused. The workhouses are always looking for new help.

Miss Isabella shifted to her right by a step to peer behind the constable where the girl had taken up hiding again.

"Thank you for your time, señora. Sorry to bring you out in the heat of the day." Constable Ruiz straightened up and placed his hat atop his head once again, running the brim between his finger and thumb as he leveled it. The constable turned toward the road, placing his hand between the girl’s shoulder blades to usher her along.

Constable, wait, said Miss Isabella.

Constable Ruiz came to a halt and turned around. The girl at his side took to hiding behind him once again.

I may be able to find a place in my house after all, said Miss Isabella. Not for a girl, but…

Miss Isabella turned to the smartly dressed woman at her side as she finished her thought. Rosalind, said Miss Isabella. See if you can find the ears and the tail.

Yes, ma’am, replied Rosalind, turning on her heel as her coat tails sailed out behind for a moment. Just as her tails settled into place, Rosalind marched back to the house, her boot heels crunching on the gravel.

"Señora, said Constable Ruiz, his brow furrowed. I was under the impression your house was full."

Yes, said Miss Isabella, my house is full at the moment. Of girls. But I think I could find room for a kitten.

Miss Isabella walked two steps to the right to get a clear view of the girl hiding behind Constable Ruiz. The girl returned an empty gaze with big brown eyes, but said nothing.

Does she speak? asked Miss Isabella.

I have yet to hear her utter a sound.

Is she not able to hear, perhaps?

Constable Ruiz brought his hands around front and clapped sharply. The girl hiding at his side flinched. I don’t think that’s it.

Miss Isabella turned her attention to Rosalind who had returned with two objects on a simple, wooden tray. Resting on the left side of the tray was a woman’s hairband, woven of fine gold wire, with two triangular ears of black velvet sewn into it at the sides. On the right was a black velvet tail with a short, conical plug at the end. The plug was bent at a slight angle.

Miss Isabella picked up the headband. Do you understand what it means to be a kitten, girl?

The girl at Constable Ruiz’s