by SL Figuhr
“You want to know where I am going?” he asked coldly, his tone and voice like his father’s when displeased.
His tone stopped Elizabeth in her rant long enough for him to continue.“I am going to visit the duchess, and fuck her. Yes, that’s right. The foreign whore you blame for all your problems. I plan on fucking her for a very long time, and unlike you, you frigid bitch, she enjoys it.” He rejoiced in the horror and shock on her face.
“We’ve been fucking each other since the mask, and I don’t care who knows anymore. I’m leaving you for a woman who isn’t a castrating bitch! For a woman who knows the difference between being cautious and being uncaring. And know the name she screams is mine.”
Sydney stormed from the room, ignoring the look of shock on his wife’s face. Elizabeth felt the blood drain from her body. He had promised her! He had signed the contract his father had drawn up! He could not do this to her! Not again!
The countess could barely breathe; she flailed about for a chair and weakly sank into it. Her humiliation would be complete once it became known around town. It couldn’t be! It mustn’t be! If only Lord Nicky was not chasing after disobedient slaves! She could make sure the king would command his advisor to marry her daughter, and punish the foreign whore for bringing disgrace upon her entire family. At least Martin had sense enough still. She could only hope he would not show signs of her husband’s disease.
Dimly, Elizabeth was aware of voices, and she looked up to see both her daughters and their minder standing in the doorway, staring at her in alarm and curiosity. They must not know what their father had done.
She cleared her throat and waved off the minder who was fussing around her. “Stop it, Dennela! I am fine. It is only my usual complaint. Why are both my daughters here?”
Dennela curtsied and said, “I do not like to interrupt m’lady during her travails, but you should know your daughters have been fighting and screaming things no lady should know.”
“It is your job to see they behave! I will not have any more disgrace brought upon our house.”
“Yes m’lady, only, it is more serious. Both your daughters think Lord Nicky means to marry them.” She kept her eyes downcast and thus didn’t see the slap coming. It left her ears ringing and her nose bleeding.
“How dare you tell lies? I will see you whipped.”
“No disrespect meant, m’lady, but I speak no lies. Ask them.”
Lady Elizabeth looked at her daughters coldly, and for the first time noted the defiance in their eyes, the scratches from nails down both their cheeks and the rumpled hair and clothes.
“What is the meaning of this? I warn you both, if you do not want to be whipped, you will tell me the cause of this fight.”
The two burst out at once, voices slowly rising in accusation. The things they said, the things she heard, brought a chill to the countess’s spine. She stopped them with a few cold words. The enormity of what they said lay before her.
It could only be because of the foreign whore and her sluttish clothes and her disrespectful ways. Her daughters had always been mindful and pure, and now that woman had all the men panting after her, her children had been driven to desperate, unnatural acts. She knew now her family was cursed. There was only one way to keep complete and utter humiliation at bay.
“I cannot speak of how deeply your behavior has hurt me. You will return to your rooms at once, and not leave them. Your meals will be brought to you. You will not speak with anyone but your body slave. You will not have contact with your brother, nor your children. If I hear one word of protest, I will disinherit you and eject you from the house. Do I make myself clear?”
Sullenly, her daughters nodded. Elizabeth stopped Dennela. “Minder, I have tasks for you. Should you fail in even one of them, or speak a word to anyone else in this household, I will see the flesh flayed from your back and sell you to the slavers.”
Dennela knew her ladyship always followed through on her threats. “Yes, m’lady.”
Elizabeth did not know if the people she wanted would do as she requested without speaking of it to others but she had no choice. Just the thought of having to treat with the likes of those people made her ill. “You will take a note to the marquis’s body slave telling him to present himself to me after dark.”
The countess stood, proud she did not faint or stumble as she crossed to the earl’s desk and scratched out a note. Dennela left with it, and Elizabeth managed to make it upstairs to her room before she stumbled, retching violently into her chamber pot.
* * *
Matters had not got any better when Lady Elizabeth met with Jenabram’s body slave. He was an odious sly man, with a roving eye.
“Seeing as you need me more than I do you, it should be you what treats me like an equal.” He smirked. “Earl not joining us?”
She could feel her rage start to pound in her temples but she merely compressed her lips and ordered food and drink brought for him. “His lordship is sick at heart from these matters, and can’t bear to lay his eyes on them. It falls to me to deal with the mess.”
“That’s mighty nice of you, your ladyship. Such a shame. I always heard he had no balls. Now what can I do for you?” he said after he had seated himself and tasted of the wine and a morsel of food.
“I need your knowledge. My daughters...”
He chuckled. “Oh, everyone has heard about your youngest. But you mention both of them.”
She couldn’t keep the contempt out of her voice. “It has come to my attention they have been doing things which bring disgrace and humiliation to the house of Sydney.”
The snicker he gave almost had her ordering him flogged. “Lady Caroline. Your eldest is quite an accomplished bed warmer. No doubt she taught her younger sister how to please a man. My master mentioned many times how he was amazed you managed to produce such exquisite ladies.”
The slave laughed uproariously at the look upon her face at his words and he couldn’t help goading her, “Oh ho! You didn’t know? Lady Caroline has fucked every officer in His Majesty’s army. Why, it was bantered about those children may not even be her late husband’s. She fucked my master many times; he even let me take my pleasure of her.” He grabbed his crotch and licked his lips.
“She knows how to suck a man’s cock dry, even...”
“Enough! I will not listen to such... such filth any longer! Say one more word, and I will have you flogged.”
His eyes grew mean and small and he pointed his finger at her, “You need me, don’t forget, you high and mighty bitch. So you’ll shut up and listen if you want my help.”
Lady Elizabeth trembled in outrage, “If you expect to leave this room alive you will not speak such filth to me.”
Their eyes clashed and held and then resentfully he muttered an apology and sipped and nibbled after saying in a sarcastic tone, “What is it you wish me to do for you, My Lady?”
“Since my eldest daughter, it appears, does not care to be a lady, she can earn her living on her back. Not, however, in this town. I want you to find me a traveling slaver who will meet outside in the forest and give me the best price for her. I imagine you know of quite a few, and, with what you know of her, can find one adequate to the task.”
He licked his lips again, in anticipation. “I suppose you want one who will not blab of who she is?” She merely inclined her head. “And your youngest? I have nothing to tell you which would make Nicky marry her.”
“He will marry her if the king tells him to.”
“Your pardon, my lady,” he corrected her, “but the young man is hot for a dukedom. He won’t give it up easily.”
“It is because of that whore that disgrace has been brought upon my family.” The trembling was visible now.
“It would be a tricky thing to kidnap and sell her to slavers. My reward would be greater than arranging matters with your daughters,” the slave said.
“I will not chance her escape and return to denounce us all.”
He
paused in eating and looked at her in some small shock, “You wish her to be made silent? To cut her tongue out and sell her? It will diminish her value somewhat.”
“No, you fool! I want her dead! With the whore out of the way, Lord Nicky will have no choice but to marry my daughter.”
The man sat back and regarded her. “You are desperate indeed. The Advisor is not likely to forget her easily, not when his chance at being Duke Nicky is ruined. He would bring great pain and suffering to any who took part in denying him his prize. No, you have not the money nor power to pay the price it will entail.”
“I will have her dead!” the Countess hissed in fury.
“You had best take the risk yourself,” he replied tartly.
“I can’t,” she replied bitterly. “She knows I hate her.”
“Then you have a problem indeed.” He drained his goblet and gestured for more. “The youngest has only lain with one man. I can find someone here to take her who will not complain of used goods, if she can obey his orders. If she is a fast learner and clever, she will have an honored place in his household.”
“You talk of making her some concubine? Surely not the king’s?”
He laughed, and almost choked on his wine. “Are you daft? The king will not have a disgraced daughter of one of his nobles in his harem. No, I speak of another man who keeps one. He is very discreet about it—few even know he has one. He will consent to remain quiet, but it will require paying him what he asks.”
She sat a moment in thought. “Very well. Make the inquiries.”
“As you wish, my lady. You understand it will take more than a few days? You’ll see they do not run off?”
She nodded curtly, telling herself not to think about the next part. “There is one other matter.”
“My Lady, you have no other children in disgrace, unless your son...”
“No. He is innocent. It is...my...Lady Caroline’s children.” She paused and pushed the sick feelings down.
His eyebrows raised and he tsked, “I know you are hard and frigid, but it is extreme even for you.” He mocked her.
“I cannot condemn children to a life of slavery. However, they are bastards, if what you say is correct. I will have no bastards in my house. You will find me a poison gentle yet effective.”
The slave contemplated her over his cup, smiled evilly, “Done. Now, as to my price...”
* * *
The Earl was by turns sick and exhilarated. Yes! Finally I have done it! No more will I be held a slave to my father’s bargain. I care not what people will think of me.
He entered the courtyard of the duchess’s house, shocked at how many people swarmed over the buildings. He saw men and not a few women he knew. They called out greetings, but he could tell they laughed behind his back over his daughters’ foolishness.
I don’t care. They will have more to mock when it is heard how I left my wife. Nothing matters but my love for Her Grace. Once we are married, there is nothing Lord Nicky can do.
Sydney dismounted and handed his horse’s reins over to a waiting slave and asked to see the duchess. He paced in her receiving room, slapping his riding gloves against one hand. The wait seemed to be a long one, more so than usual, but then, when he had come to her not as a lover it had always been thus.
There is no need to worry. It is nerves from finally having the wherewithal to pursue something I really want.
He had almost convinced himself she didn’t love him by the time a slave came back and escorted him into the room she had chosen to make her office. Sydney bowed to her, until the slave left; he hurried to close the door, rushed to catch her in his arms.
He kissed her, one part of his brain noting she held back from him. He stepped to arm’s length, still holding onto her, “I thought you would be happy?”
Her voice was distant. “You mentioned we need to be discreet.”
Sydney smiled at her concern for them and drew her close and kissed her mouth, even though it was still unyielding. “I have left the cold, unfeeling, uncaring, castrating bitch. Now we can be together and out in the open and free.”
Lira placed one hand on his chest. “But I am not. You know that. You know what will happen if...”
“I don’t care!” he burst out and clasped her closer, or tried to. “Don’t you love me? Did you not hear me? I have left her, for you! For us! We can marry, be together.”
She regarded him, no emotion or expression on her face. He was beginning to feel a sinking feeling in his stomach as she carefully and gently replied, “Chadrick. Tell me you are joking. You didn’t really tell her about us, did you?”
He stared at her in shock, not believing how cold she sounded, “Of course I did!” He was indignant and started to pace the room in jerky steps. “She just kept hounding me, denigrating my manhood, our marriage, my honor, all I have done for our family. I...I couldn’t take it anymore. I just blurted it out, told her I was never coming back. I came here to you, my love.”
Lira briefly closed her eyes and opened them. “Oh Chadrick.” He paled a moment at the thought it had all been a lie.
“Explain yourself.” He had meant to be cold but it came out hurt and wounded.
She closed the distance and taking his hand, urged him to the loveseat against one wall and sat beside him, keeping his hands in hers.
“Chadrick, I am afraid.” She looked down briefly, then back up. “It is not an emotion I feel often, but I feel it now. I am afraid of what will happen to us, is all.”
Her wonderful yellow-brown, green eyes searched his as he swallowed painfully, and before he could say anything, she was speaking quietly and deliberately.
“You told me the countess is proud, and vengeful. What if she won’t give you up and instead demands I be punished? What if His Majesty refuses to grant you a divorce? Lord Nicky, he...I am afraid of what he will do to you in retaliation.”
“He and my daughter! Ruined her! He will have to marry her for the insult done to my family. You said you loved me, was it just a lie? Surely you can’t tell me you want to be his wife after all his accusations of you? You would be jealous to deny her marriage to the man who took her maidenhead.”
Lira raised one brow. “Don’t be silly. I bear no ill will toward the girl, but...”
“But what?” he burst out. “I thought you would be happy, and I am hearing nothing but excuses and denials!”
Sydney watched her take a breath in, breasts rising as if he was a complication to her day she didn’t need.
“I am trying to point out reality, which will come crashing down on us all too soon, and for which we need to be prepared. I don’t want to lose you.”
He stared at her, something about her words not quite convincing him even though her tone was sincere. “Then you must go to the king and plead for us both. He cares for you, he will grant whatever you ask of him.”
She stared at him, searching his eyes. “Very well. I will ask.”
“When?”
The frown was back. “Soon. There are things here I must take care of first.” She hesitated, then added, “Chadrick, you will not like what I have to ask of you next, but I must do it all the same.”
The sick feeling of dread was back as he nodded stiffly.
“You should stay at the sheriff’s barracks until His Majesty grants our requests. He will see you mean to leave Lady Elizabeth with whatever dignity is possible still intact.”
Chadrick felt like refusing. There was no reason he could not discreetly stay here until they could marry. He was about to say as much when she squeezed his hands gently and pleaded, “Please, Chadrick, please, my love. It may help us, however little.”
“I...” he cleared his throat. “If I do this, you must spend a part of each night with me. I want...I want to make love to you.”
“Of course, as long as we continue to be discreet until we are free.”
He leaned forward again and kissed her. This time her lips yielded under his.
Chapter
Nine
The soft groan broke the silence of the chamber as the figure on the floor stirred. Another groan came along with an exclamation, “Oh my god! I shouldn’t be hurting! Where the hell am I?”
Eron squinted in the half gloom. He remembered the boy. There was a battle. The damn kid had ran his horse over him! Twice! He had felt things break inside, and he had died...Eron sat bolt upright. A pure shot of terror and adrenaline coursed through him. The best thing was to approach his dilemma logically. That meant finding out where he was, and getting the hell out of there. He was on top of a musty pile of straw, still in his dirty clothes with his sword strapped to his side. Whoever had dumped him down didn’t care if he remained armed, and usually that meant there was no way out. Eron made his way across the detritus-covered stone floor toward the light. He saw a window embrasure, such as castles had, with a warped and rusty metal door with many glass plates. He undid the latch, saw the metal had warped and gave a tug. The latch came off in his hand in a shower of rust, and the glass shattered and tinkled to the floor. He wrapped his hand around the metal and it crumbled to pieces. He pried bits of the doors off until he had created an opening. The shutters behind looked to be metal as well, and rusted full of holes. He tested them, and they flaked apart. Eron gave a hard push, and they plummeted to the ground. He barely kept from following them. Eron felt wind tugging at him. He was up three, maybe four stories. Despite his precarious position, the view was breathtaking. From what he could see, the keep was U-shaped, and sat up high in the mountains, which sloped steeply away. He could hear the muted thunder of water. That alone let him know this was the hidden castle the three men had seen through the spyglass on their hike in to town. It also meant he knew where he was, and who had brought him. His biggest worry right now was finding the ground floor.
He needed some sort of light, but there was no candle or torch. Their conspicuous absence only ratcheted up the curiosity and alarm he was feeling. He searched the debris and found a few lengths of wood which appeared to have petrified. He could wrap his cloak around them for a makeshift torch. Eron set to work tearing strips off and using some of the straw to bulk it up. Crude and wouldn’t last long but better than nothing. At least he still had his belt and the leather purses on it, one of which held his flint and strike stone. All the furniture in the room was slowly crumbling, as it had been thick wood and protected to a degree from the elements. He found a heavy wooden door, hanging off one hinge, which looked to have been heavily carved at one time. Slowly he eased the door open only to have it crash onto the floor and shatter. He stepped over the wreckage to find himself in a stone corridor. Lights made to resemble torches were either hanging off the walls by what looked like moldering wires, or smashed to bits on the floor.