who trains slaves, he’s going overboard in treating me like—like what? Not a girlfriend. Not a mistress. Not a wife. So, what is it? Why does he extend all the social courtesies to me, but to no other woman in his life? I don’t get it.
“How are you feeling, my Evie?”
Each time he calls me Evie, I cringe. With a false smile on my face, I give him my full attention.
“I’m sorry I had to leave.” I lean close and whisper in his ear. “I didn’t want to go into a coughing fit in front of your guests.” I tap my throat again. “Still a bit of a tickle, but much better now.”
“Good.” He takes my hand in his and gives it a light pat. “Dinner will be served shortly. Did you see Mr. S in the hall?”
There’s absolutely nothing to be gained by lying to Benefield. He knows everything, or will once he reviews the tapes recording the whole thing.
“I did. He wanted to take a stroll in the gardens. I think your birds fascinate him.”
“Is that so?”
“I suppose so.”
“Why didn’t you join him?” The tone in his voice changes. I’ve learned his moods. Hell, I survive only because I can read him so well.
“I wanted to get back to you. The first night is the most important and my place is by your side.”
“That it is, my dearest Evie. That it is.” He keeps his voice low and his head tipped over, close to mine. “And what are your thoughts about our guests?”
I don’t answer right away. Benefield expects me to give him my honest thoughts.
“Mr. B remains eager to grow his stable of girls. More equates to power with him, but he’s rough on the girls. He will go through his slaves quickly and be a frequent customer.”
“I agree. What about Mr. H?”
“He wants me.” I could hedge and beat around the bush, but that goes nowhere.
“And how do you feel about that?”
“I’m happy here.”
“Are you? Happy that is?”
“You’ve been kind to me when you didn’t need to be. Happiness comes in many forms. I’m content and grateful.”
“You never lie to me, do you?”
“I try my best to be honest with you. I told you I would stand by your side, and that is what I’m doing. Those men see it. They want it. Mr. H wants what you have. It’s why he wants me. He doesn’t understand the difference between forcing a woman to serve him and having one do so of her own free will. It confuses him and he covets what he doesn’t understand.”
“And what about Mr. S? He shows interest in you.”
“Mr. S is testing boundaries. He’s not interested in me.”
“You don’t think so? The way he looks at you…”
I place my hand over his. “He only looks at me that way to see how you react. He’s testing you. I’m of no consequence, and for that matter, he won’t be interested in your current selection.”
“Why is that?”
“He wants his slave unbroken.”
“That bothers you.”
“What I think is of no consequence. I said I would stand by your side. I never said I was comfortable with any of this.”
Our conversation is cut off with the arrival of the main course. Served by girls in training, they do their best to be graceful, but I sense stiffness, as does Tomas.
They’re all beautiful, plucked from their lives because of their grace and beauty. These girls are just a tease of what’s to come. They’re docile, any rebellion in them is long gone, beaten out of them through weeks of intensive training. But they’re still not ready to be sold. That doesn’t mean they won’t be used.
“Gentlemen.” Tomas grabs the attention of the table. Once all eyes are on him, he continues. “I have a treat for you tonight.” He gestures toward the girls. “After dinner, you will have an opportunity to choose who you want to spend the night with. Our selection is exquisite and the girls are willing.”
“And the price for this treat?” Mr. B asks. He’s a fat man, with greasy hair pulled over the bald spot on the top of his head.
“Complimentary.” Tomas settles back in his chair while I draw my shoulders back.
Tomas never gives anything away for free. Some of the girls gasp, realizing their fate. The reality of their situation is only just settling in. Whatever glimmers of hope and remnants of free will linger, they’ll be stripped of those foolish emotions after tonight.
“Now this is a treat. Does this