The Princess and the Rogue Read Free Page B

fervent promises of better future conduct, jiggling of breasts and buttocks, and stamping of feet, but Morgaine was not deterred. A full three dozen strokes were meted out to each maid before the flogging ended.
    “Did you enjoy watching, Gwri?” said Morgaine as she replaced the third or fourth rod, the others lying in frayed pieces on the stone floor. Her eyes shone brightly with excitement and her face was flushed as if the exertion of administering a flogging had energized her. At the frames the girls sobbed miserably.
    Gwri nodded. Already he was thinking that he’d have to visit Milly, his favorite tavern wench, to relieve the mighty erection he sported.
    “Then you will do as I ask, and I may invite you again. Perhaps I can teach you to wield the rod.” Then she fixed him with a harsh glare. “On the other hand, if you fail me, you may find yourself secured to one of these,” she said, pointing to the whipping frames.
    Gwri hadn’t needed any further motivation, and that is why he watched the crowd intently. The village folk moved from stall to stall, sampling, squeezing, and occasionally, buying. Then through a gap in the throng he saw her. At first just a flash of red. But he knew—it was the hair. He followed, straining to get a better look, while trying not to be obvious about it. He slid into the shadow of a tent where he could see her unimpeded. Yes. No doubt about it. She had shimmering long red hair, she was young, and she was exceedingly pretty. Now to shadow her and see where she went. Then he’d inform his mistress.
     
    * * *
     
    Several days later
     
    Scarlett awoke in a soft bed covered with silken sheets and cozy warm blankets. Where was she? And how had she come to this place? Then to her horror she realized she was naked. Her clothes had been taken from her. She pulled the sheets tightly about her to cover her nakedness. She looked around. It was a large room with stone walls covered in rich tapestries. Sunlight streamed in through a wide open window through which she could see distant fields and hills. The bed was huge, with tall posts draped with gauzy fabric to form a canopy.
    The last thing she remembered was being in the marketplace. She’d stopped at a stall, one she had not seen before. It sold perfumes, scents for ladies. The stall had seemed out of place, too rich for a village market like Kern’s, but the proprietor had noticed her. He had been insistent that she try some. She had protested that she couldn’t afford his wares and the good sisters would think it vain and foolish. But the smiling proprietor had been tenacious, and the sisters had been off on an errand to buy a cow while she did the shopping. So she giggled and let herself be persuaded to try an exotic scent. He put two drops on her arm and bade her breathe deeply. And then… nothing. All had faded to blackness. Now, she was here in this bed, and that’s all she knew.
    Footsteps approached the chamber and Scarlett shrank back at the sound, covering herself tighter. But when the door was flung open, several maids entered bearing clothing and hot water. The oldest, dressed better than the others, was clearly some sort of supervisor. She informed Scarlett that they were there to assist her in her bath and dress. After that there would be breakfast, and later an audience with their mistress.
    Scarlett marveled at the clothes. They were richer than anything she’d ever worn. Even the underwear. It was silk. Of that she was sure. The gown was a forest green and it complemented her hair, which was taken up and styled into an elegant bun, just like she’d seen on noblewomen. And the breakfast! There were delicate pastries and honey, succulent pears, sausage of some sort, and cream. It was more food than she could possibly eat.
    Afterwards she was escorted to see the person they had referred to as ‘the mistress.’ Scarlett was understandably nervous. What on earth would such a person want with the likes of her? Then