Free Reads!! Wednesday Briefs – Innocence & Carnality Part 37
Welcome to the next part in my Wednesday Briefs flash fiction serial, Innocence & Carnality! Each chapter has to be between 500 and 1,000 words and this week I chose the prompt: Use “Don’t talk to me like I’m stupid.”
Umm… uh oh…
Click here to start from the beginning
Part 37
“What is this?” I growled.
Rother rolled his eyes, openly annoyed at the interruption. “Damn it.” He swatted the kneeling man’s shoulder. “Get up.”
The young man was blond and fair, reminding me far too much of myself, wiping his mouth as he stood. My husband rose, tucking his penis away. There was no mistaking what I was witnessing. Outrage licked the corners of my vision as all sounds tunneled into an echo. I stalked over and snatched the boy by the collar, dragging him to the door.
“Get out,” I snarled as I shoved him through. Vivian stood in the doorway, a devilish smile on her pretty face.
“I’m sure deep down he only has love for you.”
She giggled.
Without conscious thought, I slapped her across the cheek, sending her tumbling against the opposite wall. The door slammed even faster with her on the other side.
“She’d better be in a condition to work tonight.”
I whirled to face Rother, agog at the idea. “I walk in on this and all you’re worried about is whether your whore can earn money tonight?”
The comment rolled off my tongue without hesitation. Apparently, rage made coarse subjects easier to utter.
“It’s a business night.”
I scoffed in disbelief. “I suppose he was strictly business as well.”
“Of course! I’m not going to risk the reputation of Delaga House on just anyone’s word of their talents.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing as he finished buckling his pants. Not one shred of remorse or fleck of guilt came off his lips. To him, this was perfectly acceptable behavior. No matter what, I refused to believe this was normal, even within Francinian culture.
“You honestly expect me to believe that was some form of employee interview?”
“How else would you expect me to assess their skills?”
Rother came around his desk, but I retreated a step, unwilling to let him touch me. “Next you’ll tell me you’ve done that with everyone on staff.”
“Short of Samantha, if they serve clients, in some shape or form, yes.”
Every lesson on comportment and civility was far beyond my reach. Years of conditioning gone in one indiscretion. I paced in circle, my hands waving about mimicking my mad thoughts. My instructions never covered such an event and I had no idea how to temper what I felt.
“Unforgivable. Would you personally bed down clients as well?”
“If they paid enough.”
My heart hammered inside my chest, burdening my lungs in sympathy. “How could you?”
“You’re well aware of how I started Delaga House, what makes you think I’m suddenly above it now? Are you seriously surprised?”
“Nauseated is a better word.” Using Rother’s immense sexual history against him was a cheap tactic, but I needed to wound him. His callous disregard of my pride called for something to balance the scales.
Rother stiffened, flattening his gaze on me. I imagine with his profession he’d been looking down upon once or twice. If he was annoyed with my unexpected presence before, now he was incensed. And I was too hurt to care. Standing up tall, he looked down his nose at me.
“You’re offended far too easily. Perhaps I overestimated your ability to conform, which is odd. Victorians are well known for following dictates without reservation.”
Controlling my anger was an unfamiliar task. Even with all the indignities suffered at my father’s hands, I’d never had such trouble reigning in my temper.
“I realize our marriage was arranged, but I still take our vows of fidelity seriously.”
“Don’t make me laugh. You were so offended by the whole affair you barely paid attention. And now, after everything you’ve learned you’re still shocked.”
“I can’t believe you’d do this to me.”
“I haven’t done anything to you. Everything I do for the sake of Delaga House is about money. It has no bearing on you being my husband. Accept it.”
“Oh, please. Next you’ll be planning to put me up for sale to the highest bidder.”
Rother snatched me by the collar and pulled me close. “Never. You’re mine and mine alone. Your fidelity is non-negotiable. Ever.”
“You’re a hypocrite,” I said, slapping his hand away.
“No. I’m the patriarch here. Is that too much for you to understand? I can say it slower if it helps.”
“Don’t talk to me like I’m stupid.”
Rother’s volume began to pitch. His patience was fraying. “Then stop acting the fool.”
“If we were in Victoria—”
“Victoria wouldn’t take you, you little bitch! You’re lucky I did!”
Rother’s curse struck me like a physical force and I retaliated with a fist. It didn’t surprise him. He caught my wrist and for my trespass, slammed me hard into the wall. Air rushed out of me as he pinned me by the throat, the chair rail digging into my back. Leaning in tight, his hostile words huffed across my face.
“I’m fucking sick of your judgments and complaints. Stop pretending you’re in charge or that you share an equal authority in my house.” I chilled as he began enunciating each word for emphasis. “You are my spouse and you will do your duty as you were taught. At least that uptight Victorian standard I can agree with.”
When he released me, I nearly crumpled to the floor. Rother stepped back, every inch of his body vibrating with a vicious undertone. As upset as I was, I recognized the futility of continuing the argument. If I did, I would lose in ways I could barely imagine. The tension in the room promised it. I was in the right, I knew it, but I didn’t dare take it further.
“Go upstairs and compose yourself,” Rother whispered. The dangerous edge couldn’t be mistaken. “I expect you to paste on your best face and be at my side tonight as planned. Do I make myself clear?”
My jaw was clenched so tight, my barely restrained response came hissing through my teeth.
“Yes… sir…”
Check back next Wednesday for the next installation… Be sure to take a read at the other briefers free reads this week here: Wednesday Briefs
