Free Reads!! Wednesday Briefs – Innocence & Carnality Part 13

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 “Keep your tongue in your mouth, where it belongs.”

Rother introduces Nathan to some of Delaga House’s staff.

Click here to start from the beginning

Part 13

“If I were getting married, I would be away for a lot longer.”

Striding towards us was a striking vision of female beauty. Mocha skin contrasted the vermillion tresses spilling over her shoulders, framing a pair of intense eyes and full lips. I needed to tip my head upwards; it was the only way I could look her eye to eye. Her midnight blue dress was simple yet tailored to fit, and accented her every curve, including her cleavage. The snug bodice held together by buckles and straps rather than the usual buttons. Confident steps drew her closer to us, and I found myself fascinated, hypnotized by the rythymic click of her heels on the floor. I imagined this was a typical reaction around her.

“But then I’d miss your shining face, my dear.” Hand outstretched, Rother motioned towards her. “Nathan, this is my head of house, Samantha.”

I nodded. “A pleasure to meet you.”

“Welcome to Delaga House, Nathan.” She reached up and stroked aside a lock of my hair. “I see Rother has excellent taste, as usual.”

“Thank you. May I call you, Samantha?” Trying to take on the more casual nature of Francine life, I decided to not ask for her surname.

A brilliant grin brightened her face. “That would be perfect.”

“Head of house?” I took note of her manicured fingernails. “You don’t strike me as a housekeeper.”

“I’m not. I make sure everything in Delaga House functions as expected.”

“If this house were theatre, Samantha would be its director,” Rother said.

“I’ll make a point to remember that,” I said.

Subtle creases marked the corners of Samantha’s eyes as she smiled. While she may not have been an adolescent goddess, her beauty defied her age. “I like him, Rother.”

A shrill, cry interrupted us.

“Rother! You’re home already!”

“I’d never be gone for too long, Vivian,” Rother said.

A waif with curly blond locks bounded into the room. Full of energy, I had the feeling she might have pounced on Rother had Samantha not laid a hand on her shoulder as she approached, halting her progress.

Vivian pouted. “It’s never the same around here when you’re gone.”

“I would hope not,” Rother said, chuckling.

“Am I still your best girl?”

“Always.”

Her playfulness, like her implied youth—she was nowhere near as young as she portrayed herself—somehow reminded me of my mother’s affectations. A touch too insistent, an air of insincerity hovered about her.

I worked to stay cordial. It was too soon to make a proper judgement about anyone. Vivian’s uniform marked her as a maid, but there was so little of it. The sight of her bare legs disconcerted me, but no one else seemed offended by Vivian’s attire, so I tried to hide my reaction. Although, given how her expression soured as she caught my eye, I’d done a rather poor job of it.

Her childish bearing evaporated. Vivian sauntered forward into Rother’s personal space and began fondling the edge of his lapel. Her voice deepened into something altogether inappropriate and pressed herself against him in a way noble women did not. “Your new husband’s very pretty, but it’s hard to believe you went to all the trouble of marrying him.”

“Vivian…,” Samantha said with an air of caution.

Heedless, Vivian continued. “Tell me Rother. Who will entertain you when you get bored of your new little toy, like all the rest?”

I startled at Vivian’s yelp as Rother snatched her head by the chin. Lifted to her toes, his fingers dug into her jaw. Her tiny hands scratched at his, as her hissing mouth pursed and distorted under the pressure.

Rother’s words came with calm venom. “Keep your tongue in your mouth, where it belongs.”

Jarred silent, I stood perfectly still, unsure of what to do. Vivian snarled back at my husband until she whimpered under his grip. Only then did he release her.

“I suggest you mind your manners in the future,” Rother said.

Vivian’s cheeks were flushed as she shook. The moment she noticed me watching, her glistening eyes narrowed and she advanced on me.

“You think you’re so much better than us—”

A wall in the form of Blythe appeared between us, bumping her backwards with his mass. “Push off. Go find a knob somewhere to polish. It’s what you’re paid for.”

After staring up at him for a moment, Vivian turned and stormed out the door. I blinked, unable to fathom Blythe’s interference given his crass display earlier.

Rother placed a hand on my lower back. “Forgive me, Nathan. That was not the homecoming I’d planned for you.” Rother turned to Samantha. “Did you make the preparations to my suite I asked?”

“Excuse me?” Samantha crossed her arms over her ample breasts as her brow arched.

Rother snorted. “Of course you did.”

“Thank you for remembering. You’ll excuse me while I have a chat with our wayward maid.”

Samantha left the room, the sharp, purposeful click of her heels could be heard long after.

“Blythe, help Harston get settled in. Nathan and I are not to be disturbed.”

Hand still at my back, Rother led me through the rear foyer, and a well equipped kitchen. I saw a few people I assumed were more staff members, men and women, but he steered us clear of them, declining introductions. It made me wonder if dramatic outbursts were common among the employees here in Francine. Not wanting to invite servant’s gossip, I waited until we were well clear of them all before speaking.

“Why in the world would you keep such an awful woman on staff?”

At the end of hall, we were graced by a wide stairwell. It reminded me of the private servant’s entrance my brothers and I used to keep from being seen by our parents.

“Because in spite of her sharp tongue, she’s one of my best employees. But let’s not dwell on unpleasant things. I would finally see my husband upstairs. Alone.”

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