Free Reads!! Wednesday Briefs – Innocence & Carnality Part 28
Can you believe it’s been going on 28 weeks already? Holy crap!
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 skipped using a prompt. I couldn’t figure out how to fit it in and this chapter had to be specific.
Nathan has tea with Harston and decides on his future.
Click here to start from the beginning
Part 28
Harston poured my tea as I sat watching the early sunshine on the screen porch. It filtered through the garden trees and brought a touch of familiar civility I needed to ground me. After Harston helped dress me, we’d moved downstairs so I could indulge in the quiet. Rother still slept, as did much of the staff. Given last night’s activities, it was no surprise the morning held little activity.
“Sit with me,” I said.
“Sir?”
“The social hierarchy is different here. It will be easier to change if I start with someone who’s company I enjoy.” I motioned to the next seat. “Please.”
Harston’s movements were stilted as if I’d made a vulgar request, but he pulled back the adjoining chair and sat beside me. When I picked up the teapot and poured him a cup, his eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
“We’re not crossing boundaries, we’re redrawing them. Things are different in Francine and we need to learn to become part of it. We’ve known each other for a long time. You’re still my attendant, but I’d like to think of you as my friend as well.”
The controlled smile and faint blush on Harston’s cheeks told me I’d said the right thing. “Thank you.”
I took my first sip of Francinian tea. It was bold and complex, much like its people. I hoped I might find a way to be part of that someday and feel far less like an outsider.
“How have you been faring in Delaga House?”
“Well, I think. Samantha sorted me after we arrived. The staff have been kind.”
“Even Vivian?” I said, peering at him from the corner of my eye.
“She seems nice.”
I shot Harston a knowing look. He ducked his head and averted his eyes.
“Blythe warned me about her. I’ve kept my distance.”
That sounded more like my faithful right hand. I chuckled softly, reveling in the genuine moment. There has been so few of them considering how much information had been withheld from me.
“I heard what happened last night. Are you sure you’re all right?” Harston hadn’t stopped eyeing the bruise on my cheek since we came downstairs. The dull sting faded as I watched a flock of small birds race between the branches. Fluttering from tree to tree, their melodic tweeting soothed me, showing a side of beauty I’d missed since arriving.
I huffed. “I think my pride is wounded worse. Although I probably would have fared better if Rother had confided in me.” I took a sip of my tea as I marshaled my nerve. “When did you find out about… the business side of things?” I still cringed at my choice of words, that I couldn’t say brothel out loud. Would I forever find coarse ideas so hard to voice?
“When you and Lord Rother were…”—Harston cleared his throat—“consummating in your chambers.”
An embarrassed laugh burst out of me and I nearly spilled my tea. “That was a rather bold response. How much chatting with Blythe have you been doing?”
“Enough to have the house’s purpose explained to me.”
“Were you shocked?”
“Somewhat. But I’m not a noble, Sir Nathan—”
I raised a hand. “Just Nathan from now on. We both need to adapt.”
“…Nathan…” Harston grimaced as he forced himself to break his habits. He was doing a better than myself. “I come from poorer stock. A man does what he needs to when he makes his living.”
“So it doesn’t bother you?”
“It’s not what I would have chosen, but there are worse fates. I could be out on the street with no options at all.”
An uncomfortable thought came to mind. “They didn’t expect you to… serve customers, did they?”
Harston shook his head and chuckled. “Only drinks. Not everyone does that sort of work here.”
I let out a cleansing sigh. Acceptance would be difficult enough without the idea of my trusted servant being coerced into becoming a courtesan, whether he agreed or not.
“I’m more worried about you,” he said.
My surprise was obvious. “About me?”
“Yes. Even though it wasn’t all perfect, you’ve lived a grand life. You were born a Victorian lord. We should all wish for great things. Delaga House is nothing like back home. I had a hard time picturing you settling in.” A small creased appeared between his brows. “A man of your breeding should be above all this.”
“Part of me thinks I should be. But part of me feels very sheltered and spoiled. I find this whole business so unsavory, but I can’t fault it’s success. It was a hard life, but Rother built his fortune on it. I can’t ignore that, even if I don’t approve.”
I hadn’t stopped repeating Rother’s history to myself throughout the night. Even in the wee hours when he finally returned to our bed, slumping into exhaustion. It was a harsh reminder of how fortunate I’d been in spite of the trials I’d endured. While I may have have been forced to wear the chastity belt for five years, there was never a time a didn’t have a roof over my head. I couldn’t even fathom the hardship.
“So what will you do?”
As scandalous as I found my husband’s profession, the thought of walking away from my marriage was far worse. Victorian lords and ladies didn’t do such things. A surge of morning air filled my lungs, strengthening my resolve.
“Try to become a man of two lands, I suppose. I may not agree with everything, but I don’t have to abandon my duty and all my values to be a proper spouse and support my husband. I will learn to accept my new position and be what Rother needs me to be. It’s what I was taught to do.”
“Are you sure?”
I swallowed back my drink like my father did his whiskey, almost wishing for liquor at this early hour.
“Pour us some more tea, Harston.”
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
