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“We are not married, Rosaura. Perhaps there is still some document that binds us, but as soon as the scrap is found, Mountbane will rip it up and throw it in the fire.”
“And what will happen to you?”
“Hopefully, I’ll be gone from here… somewhere where my body can breathe again and I’ll feel safe.”
“I feel so safe I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”
“We’re very different women,” Charlotte assured her.
d
It was much too late at night to be torn from bed for any simple reason. When Charlotte felt her body shaken by the maid, it took some several minutes before her conscious mind finally took charge. Her eyes were heavy, her body languishing in a restful sleep. Why would anyone need her at this hour?
“Mistress, you need to rise.”
“I need to sleep,” she said.
“No, please, you must come.”
“Is there a fire?”
“No, ma’am, Mountbane wants you.”
“Then it might as well be a fire,” she said scornfully. She tried to pull herself from bed and seemed hardly able to lift herself by her own power. The maid gave her a tug and she was on her feet.
“Your traveling clothes,” the young woman added.
“My traveling clothes?” The shock of that order awakened her more.
“He said to tell you there is an important mission that requires your obedient service.”
“A mission?” She was suspicious but unthinkingly compliant as she’d been trained to be. If she’d been thinking clearly, she might have questioned this “mission” more. Regardless, she would have donned her traveling clothes and presented herself to Mountbane at this ungodly hour.
“Sir, what could possibly…” she started to speak as she entered his chambers but was abruptly halted by the sight of several men—also in traveling clothes—present with her husband. Each one stared at her with narrowed eyes and scowling faces.
“They are Sir Guy of Baudaire’s fellows. You’ll be attended by them on your way to your new home.”
“What!”
“When you’re there, your chastity will be revoked, if that pleases your new owner. Just as we agreed, you’ll have your sexual life restored.”
“No! This is not what we agreed!”
“Oh?”
“No, milord,” she was on her knees at his feet, kissing them frantically—when in recent months just the thought of kissing any man’s feet, especially this one’s, left a sour taste in her mouth. She pulled up on her knees, imploring him with her tear-filled eyes. “Please, I cannot serve another master. Just give me my freedom and I’ll slip away on my own. Oh, please….”
“I want you out of Ilusia.”
“Then escort me to the border; send me back to my homeland. On my honor, I will promise never to return. I have no desire to.”
Mountbane looked at her, scornfully saying, “I’ve made other plans for you. Our divorce is done, but I still own you. You are a slave—and for your heritage, training and adept skill in making love you bring too much a price to let you disappear.”
“For your increasing kindness… as a practice for your new nature … in order that you enjoy the love you feel… because Rosaura would delight in such tenderness… because you once had some affection for me, please sir? ”
“I’m not that sentimental, not yet,” he answered swiftly. “You’ll have your sex just as I agreed, that’s all I’ll give. He may be older and a little grey, but Sir Guy is a horny man who will give you plenty of satisfaction. And, the kind you like best.”
“You know this man?”
