High Stakes Chattel

by Blue, Andie

  “Damn him,” Samantha said, while riding home. With every movement of the horse her buttocks hurt, not to mention the area in between her legs. Luckily, she was back in a dress. Thank goodness she didn’t have any tight material against her bottom.

  She could still smell him. Hopefully, no one else would. And hopefully she would be able to smother the huge grin that kept appearing on her face. Samantha had no idea that she could feel so much pleasure. She should feel embarrassed or ashamed. Instead, she just wanted more. More Nico. More of that naughty, complicated man. Being in his bed felt like an addiction.

  As Samantha rode up to the barn she spotted Tom, the man who helped out around her farm occasionally. “Hello Tom,” she said as he helped her down off of Midnight.

  “Hello, Mrs. Blake. How was your journey?” Tom’s cheerful spirit was infectious.

  “Very nice. There are signs of spring popping up everywhere and the fields are quite green.”

  They walked slowly around the farm as he told her about the fence he had repaired. The vegetable garden had declined a bit since she had left. She saw that most of the new tomato plants were dying and weeds were sprouting up around the lettuce.

  “I will try to spend more time here,” he said, seeing her look of dismay.

  She shook her head. “No. It is already very generous of you to come by as often as you do, and Mrs. Potter is fine with feeding the animals. We may just need to let the garden become smaller now.”

  He gave a sympathetic look, and they both bent down to weed while they talked. Tom told her about his latest creation. Tom and his son had a business making beautiful oak furniture.

  “The latest piece is a writing desk with wonderful hidden compartments and inlaid wood of various types and colors,” he said proudly.

  “I love it when you make the hidden compartments. It always makes me think of passing a secret treasure from one generation to another.”

  “Yes. I know you love those, and they do always seem to sell better than the others. I think people like a bit of mystery in their furniture.” Tom chuckled good-naturedly and Samantha assured him she’d stop and see his work when she was in town later.

  Entering her house, she found her mother and Mrs. Potter sitting in the parlor. Mrs. Potter was working on a bit of needlework and her mother was staring into the fire, looking far away and very unwell. Samantha walked over and hugged her, meeting Mrs. Potter’s placid gaze. “How is she?”

  Mrs. Potter sighed, looking a bit unwell herself. “She’s just a bit overtired today. She was up nearly all night, claiming to hear strange noises.”

  Samantha felt suddenly guilty for not being there. She pulled a chair close to her mother and began talking to her softly; telling her about the flowers and signs of spring outside while Mrs. Potter went to make them some tea.

  Her mother just stared at her blankly, not seeming to recognize her at all today, or even notice someone was talking to her. Samantha kept on talking, hoping something she said would get through to her.

  When Mrs. Potter returned, Samantha took her cup of tea and stared at the older woman sadly. “Is there nothing else we can do for her?”

  “Nothing, dear,” Mrs. Potter said with a shake of her head. “As her mind deteriorates, it will get tougher on you. There is nothing to be done but make her comfortable.”

  “I brought back some more medicinal herbs that a friend said may offer comfort for her.” Samantha gave Mrs. Potter the latest mixture Nico had created.

  “Of course.” Mrs. Potter opened the bag, smelled it and read Nico’s written directions. “I don’t recognize anything other than comfrey but the directions look quite thorough.”

  “It’s just so hard to see her like this,” Samantha said wistfully, reaching over to squeeze her mother’s hand. She tried to remember a time when her mind had been sound, but it was getting harder and harder to do so. She hated that all of her memories of her mother would be of her like this.

  “I know,” Mrs. Potter said with a sigh. “It must be doubly hard for you, having a friend who is sick as well.”

  Samantha glanced at Mrs. Potter sharply, but there seemed to be no malice or suspicion behind her words, just an effort at offering comfort. She felt guilty for having lied to her and for being away. She was now questioning her decision to leave the farm, as it appeared everything had gone into decline, including her mother.

  “Yes, it is difficult,” she replied softly. “I’m not sure what to do now.” That much was true. Between the stresses of her mother and the farm, and the confusion of her feelings for Nico, she felt overwhelmed.

  “All you can do is have faith,” Mrs. Potter assured her. “Things will all work out in the end. You’ll see.”

  After they finished with their tea, Mrs. Potter went to take a short nap while Samantha sat with her mother for a few more hours. The medicine seemed to calm her and she fell into a peaceful sleep until she awakened with a pleasant smile and asked for tea.

  After Mrs. Potter returned, looking much rested, Samantha took the opportunity to go into town to speak to Jolene. She desperately needed to spend some time with her best friend.

  When she arrived at Jolene’s house, Jolene asked if she’d like to go for a walk, but Samantha shook her head, thinking of her sore bottom. “No, I’d rather just stay here and talk, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course not,” Jolene assured her, ushering her inside.

  Jolene made Samantha’s favorite tea blend and brought out some homemade biscuits to her small, comfortable parlor.

  “You are the best baker! These are delicious.” Samantha savored the honey flavored treat.

  “I use them as bribes at school,” Jolene said with a laugh. “You would be surprised how quickly a misbehaving boy will change his tune for these biscuits.”

  “I’m not surprised.” Samantha could picture Jolene with her students. “How is school going?

  “It’s good, but I miss having you around to vent all the details.”

  “Any progress with the widower?” Samantha dunked her biscuit into the rose tea.

  “No, none. I think it is still too soon. We only talk about his son’s progress in my class but never anything personal.” Jolene frowned, noticing the dark circles under Samantha’s eyes. “Enough about me. Tell me everything. You look a bit upset today.”

  Samantha wasn’t sure she knew where to begin. “Things have changed a bit with Nico,” she said, feeling confused.

  “Ah, it’s Nico now, is it?” Jolene shook her head. “What has that scoundrel done to you?”

  Samantha stared down at the floor, sure she was blushing furiously. “Don’t call him a scoundrel. He’s a complicated man, but a good man, truly.”

  Jolene laughed. “You’ve fallen for him, haven’t you?”

  Samantha sighed. “He’s hard not to love. He’s funny and interesting and he’s ridiculously beautiful to look at. His work is very important. He cares so much about contributing to science and helping people. And when he touches me, it’s incredible. Beyond incredible.” Samantha stopped for a moment, lost in thought.

  “I cannot go on working for him, though, now that… I don’t know what to do. And, we’re from two different worlds. Someday he’ll marry someone like Lady Morgan. Someone who is part of the ton, who will host parties and can give him the social connections he needs to further his work.”

  “Lady Morgan?” Jolene asked with a frown. “He is still courting her?”

  “He was,” Samantha admitted. “But I asked that he get rid of her, and so far, it seems that he has.”

  “Perhaps he cares more about you than you think,” Jolene said shrewdly. “Most men would not give up a Lady for the sake of a commoner. He’s obviously smitten with you.”

  “Perhaps.” Samantha sighed. “I don’t have any regrets. At least, not yet. I’ve been enjoying the time that I have with him and trying to forget that it will inevitably have to end.”

  “You should tell him how you feel,”
Jolene said. “If you let him know that you love him, it could change everything.”

  “It could also drive him away,” Samantha said darkly, but the thought took hold of her and wouldn’t let go. Maybe she should tell him how she felt about him. So far, they’d been so careful to keep their relationship light and playful, but she’d sensed tenderness from him, so perhaps he simply needed to know that she felt the same.

  “How is your mother?” Jolene asked, seeming to sense that there was another problem on her friend’s mind.

  “Not well. She seems to be declining rapidly,” Samantha said softly as tears streamed down her cheeks.

  “Oh, Sam, I’m sorry. Maybe there will be a miraculous recovery.” Jolene reached out to squeeze Samantha’s hand.

  “Jolene, you know as well as I do that doesn’t happen in these cases.”

  “Yes, at least not in the cases we have seen around here. Have you thought about what you will do when she passes?” Jolene asked softly.

  Samantha thought about it, shaking her head. “No. I don’t have any idea. I’m doing all I can in this moment, this day.”

  Samantha returned to Bentley Park with low spirits, unsure what to do. Should she resign and go back to be with her mother, even if it meant letting go of Mrs. Potter and handling it all herself? Or should she continue on, only to feel this pressing guilt?

  She needed to talk to Nico. She wasn't sure what to say, but somehow knew he’d make her feel better.

  Shortly after her arrival, she saw him heading out to the barn. She thrilled that he’d come out to greet her, but the precariousness of her situation suddenly struck her hard. It was strange not knowing how to greet him. He was her lover, yet her employer. She wanted to touch him, to throw herself into his arms, but it didn't seem right.

  His quick, jaunty walk slowed as he approached, and she sensed he felt awkward too. They looked at each other for a long moment, both far more serious than they’d ever been in the past.

  “How was your visit home?” He stood close but not touching her, looking into her eyes. His beauty still took her breath away. How was it possible for a man to look like that?

  “It was good,” she stalled, not quite ready to tell him the painful details yet. “Did you get a lot of work done with me out of your hair?” She gave him a rather wistful smile, wondering if that was indeed the case, if he saw her as nothing more than a distraction from his meaningful work.

  “Yes and no. I got a lot done but my mind kept wandering to a certain girl in boys’ trousers.” He gave her one of his dazzling smiles that made her stomach flip. “Also, I came to the realization that I need to do another botanical expedition.”

  “Expedition? To where?” Sudden worry overwhelmed her. She couldn’t bear it if he went away again so soon.

  “To Swineshead. It's a little more than a half a day’s ride to the west of here. It has a slightly different climate from ours.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I've gone before.”

  “Can't you ask someone to go and gather plants for you?”

  “I suppose I could, but it’s important to my work, and I want it preserved properly. It’s just easier to go myself.”

  “Yes. I understand.” She turned her attention back to the horse she was grooming, determined not to let him see her disappointment.

  “Will you go with me?” he asked, sounding somehow vulnerable.

  She hesitated. Though she was thrilled that he’d asked, the worry and guilt over her mother was still weighing heavily on her mind.

  “My mother was quite a bit worse. I want to go with you, but I worry that something will happen to her.”

  “Worse in what way?” Concern etched his handsome features as he reached out and held her hand.

  “She didn't recognize me,” she said, her voice catching a bit. “I couldn't get through to her and she looks like the life has gone out of her. I feel like I'm going to lose her.” Tears welled in her eyes. Nico moved swiftly to her and hugged her tight.

  “Sam, you need to go be with her,” Nico insisted. “Don’t make the same mistake that I made. Even if she doesn’t know you are there, you will know that you are.”

  Samantha sobbed into Nico’s shoulder, loving the feeling of safety he provided.

  “It's all right,” he comforted her. “Let me help you. I will pay for your nurse and whatever else you need.”

  His offer overwhelmed her. “Nico, that isn't your responsibility.”

  “Money means little if you can't help people in their time of need. And I want to help you.”

  “Does that make me your mistress?” she asked quietly, looking into his eyes to see his reaction. The thought of taking his money made her feel strange, yet she couldn’t see that she had any other choice. Still, before she did, she felt the need to put a label on their relationship, to get it all straight in her mind so she knew what he expected of her.

  He took a step back. “No! You don't ever have to come back to me. You don't have to do anything. I just want to help you. I always would have, you know.”

  “Thank you, Nico,” she whispered softly. She could tell that he meant it and it felt like a burden had been lifted from her.

  “I will be most grateful to accept your generous gift. But before I go, I would love to accompany you on your expedition.” She knew their time together was quickly coming to an end, but before it did, she was determined to spend one more glorious day with him.

  “I would like that, thank you.” He gave her one last squeeze, then let her go with obvious reluctance. He turned to go, but then came back, as if deciding about something. “Sam, would you like to join me for dinner? I have some old friends coming. The Earl of Bellamy and his wife, Charlotte.”

  Samantha was a little surprised. “Won't that be strange? Your groom/lover who is still dressed in mourning coming to dinner?”

  “Yes, strange, but it won’t matter. He is an old friend, a close friend. And she is very kind. They won’t be judgmental. And I want them to meet you.”

  Sam sighed, uncomfortable with the thought, but so happy he’d asked her that she couldn’t say no. “All right.”

  He smiled and again reached for her hand, as though he needed the physical contact between them.

  Just then, John entered the barn and looked at the two of them, so close together, touching hands. Sam dropped Nico’s hand and stepped away, her face burning with embarrassment.

  “Good morning, Lord Chattel,” John said, giving no hint that he’d noticed. “May we saddle up a horse for you?”

  “No, thank you, John, but I do need you to do something else for me. Samantha and I will be leaving very early tomorrow morning on an expedition. I need you to prepare the horses and gear. It is the same trip you and I took earlier this year over to Swineshead.” Nico didn’t look the least bit embarrassed, but she supposed that made sense. He was not the one who would be judged for the relationship. People would laugh and pat him on the back, while she’d be shunned and called a whore.

  “And you will be camping overnight?” John asked with a slight grimace. “Are you sure you want to take Samantha instead of me?”

  “Yes, I'm sure,” Lord Chattel answered with a tone of finality.

  John looked flustered, obviously unhappy with the situation but well aware of his place. “Yes, my lord. I’ll have everything ready before dawn.”

  After Nico left, John turn to Samantha and gave her a questioning look. “What is going on? Are you carrying on with Lord Chattel?”

  “Yes,” Samantha admitted, knowing there was no point in lying. “I always have been.” The confession felt good. She hated telling John anything but the truth.

  Unfortunately, John was not nearly as accepting as she’d hoped he’d be. His face twisted with anger and disgust. “And now you're going on a trip with him? Overnight? Stop and think, Samantha. Do you know what this will do to your reputation? Your future?”

  Samantha stared at him, surprised at his react
ion. “What future? My so-called reputation was already in tatters after Henry,” she snapped. “Do you intend to tell?”

  He shook his head and walked away. For the rest of the day, he avoided her, leaving her even more miserable and confused about what the next few days would bring.

  ***

  Back in her room she changed for dinner, wishing that she had a prettier dress to wear and something to put in her hair. The plain, black gown, silver pins and white rose from the garden would have to do. “Not terrible,” she said as she looked in the mirror.

  Even though she had entertained Henry’s friends, she still felt like she didn’t know how to properly behave around members of the ton. She wanted Nico’s friends to like her, or at least not to make fun of her.

  Taking a deep breath she smoothed her gown and attempted to keep her stray hair from coming out of its pins.

  Nico smiled at Samantha as she came down the hall for dinner. She looked ravishing, even in the widow’s weeds she’d been forced to don because of her husband’s death. From the expression on her face, he knew she felt self-conscious.

  Determined to set her mind at ease, he stepped forward and took her hand, raising it to his lips and tenderly kissing her palm. “You look beautiful, Samantha.”

  She frowned and plucked at her dress in distaste. “I look dowdy and crow like,” she pouted.

  He laughed, wishing he could dress her, as he’d like, in something silky, draped in diamonds. “Are you telling me I don’t know beauty when I see it?” he asked with mock indignation.

  She gave him a wry smile, obviously unconvinced. “I just hope I don’t embarrass you in front of your friends. I’ve never dined with an Earl before.”

  “They’ll love you, don’t worry.” He hoped he spoke the truth. Last time he’d visited his old friends, he’d told them about mentoring a woman who went on to do well in a Chattel tournament, and they’d been interested in meeting her. But as open-minded as they were, he worried they’d still see her as somehow beneath them and hoped they wouldn’t say anything to hurt her or make her uncomfortable. Nico steered her toward the dining room, where Bellamy and Charlotte were standing at the sideboard, enjoying a glass of wine.