CHAPTER TWO A BARGAIN BETWEEN HOUSES
Tatiana lay curled on the small bed in the dark upper room, where she had been confined for over a week since the cleansing ritual. Heavy velvet drapes blocked any sunlight from filtering in, leaving her in perpetual gloom. The only interruptions were the silent maids, who brought meager meals and emptied her chamber pot before disappearing like ghosts.
She hadn’t seen another living soul in days, left alone with nothing but her increasingly desperate thoughts. Her mind turned again to her failed escape on the second day of her imprisonment. When one of the timid maids had arrived to bring lunch, Tatiana had shoved past her with surprising force and sprinted for the stairwell.
But the maid, possessing unexpected strength, had grabbed Tatiana’s arm in an ironclad grip and held her back until the door was locked once more. Tatiana had shouted and pleaded to no avail; it
was as if she were invisible and inaudible to them all.
She curled tighter into a ball beneath the brocade blankets, feeling herself disappear into the shadows too. She had never felt so powerless or so broken.
A key turning in the lock jolted her from her thoughts. Before she could react, the heavy oak door swung open, torchlight flooding the dim room. Tatiana squinted against the sudden brightness as her eyes struggled to adjust.
Two figures entered, their faces finally coming into focus. Her breath caught in her throat. “Father?”
Lord Henri Beaumont gazed sternly down at his daughter. “Come, sit up straight, girl. I’ve brought Lady Antonia Mancini to finalize arrangements for your betrothal.”
Heart pounding, Tatiana slowly rose on the bed as a well–dressed woman stepped further into the room. Everything about Lady Antonia’s appearance and bearing spoke of wealth and nobility. Her eyes, sharp as a hawk’s, quickly assessed the disheveled young woman before her.
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Tatiana,” she said smoothly. “I am Lady Antonia Mancini, soon to be your hother–in–law.”
Tatiana stood frozen, dizzy with confusion and fear. She turned her pleading eyes to her father. ” Please, I cannot marry your son; I beg of you! Surely we can.
Lord Beaumont silenced her with a glare. “You will mind your manners in front of Lady Mancini.” Turning to his guest, he added, “Forgive my daughter’s outburst; she is overwrought by excitement for her impending nuptials.”
Tatiana opened her mouth to protest but caught herself, trembling with frustration and helplessness.
Lady Antonia waved a bejeweled hand. “Think nothing of it. The young bride’s anxieties are to be expected.” She stepped closer, keen eyes assessing Tatiana’s face and form.
“Yes, she’s quite a lovely creature, pure and untouched,” the older woman murmured. “Young and strong, with fine childbearing hips, she will make an excellent mother to continue the Mancini line.”
CHAPTER TWO A BARGAIN BETWEEN HOUSES
Revulsion crawled through Tatiana, being scrutinized like livestock at a market. Lady Antonia continued circling her slowly, nodding and making approving sounds.
“Yes, I am most satisfied with this match. You have chosen well, Lord Beaumont. Our houses will both benefit richly, as will my son. He will be pleased with his fresh young bride.”
“Excellent. Then it is agreed she will return with you today to Mancini Manor.” Lord Henri affirmed.
Lady Antonia inclined her head gracefully. “Yes, I believe it is best we transfer the girl to her new home straight away to begin preparations for her union with my
y son.
Tatiana’s head spun as she struggled to process this rapid turn of events. Leave Beaumont Manor today. But surely she would be permitted a proper farewell to her childhood home?
Lord Henri was already summoning her maids to pack her belongings. Before Tatiana could utter a protest, she was bustling off for one last bath and dressing. Within the hour, she found herself seated across from Lady Antonia in the plush interior of the Beaumont carriage as it rolled away from the only home she had ever known. Tatiana stared numbly out the window, watching the familiar gardens and fountains disappear from view.
The journey passed in a daze. When the coach finally rolled to a stop, Tatiana peered out to behold the imposing edifice of Mancini Manor looming before her. Any other time, she might have marveled at the sprawling grounds and ornate architecture. But now it signifies her prison transferring from one
set of bars to another.
Lady Antonia’s personal maid, a tall, severe woman, escorted Tatiana inside the cavernous entrance hall. Tatiana moved as if in a dream, her sensibilities dulled by anguish. She barely took note of the imposing suits of armor and lavishly painted ceilings.
At the far end of the hall, an elderly butler awaited them. Lady Antonia turned to her maid.
“Thank you
you, Colette. I shall leave her in Dubois’s capable hands now while I attend to preparations.”
The butler stepped forward. “Right this way, Miss Tatiana. I will escort you to the chamber, where you shall await your betrothed.”
Tatiana numbly followed Dubois up a grand staircase and down a series of corridors, past countless other rooms likely grander than the one housing her. At last, he opened a nondescript door to reveal a small, dimly lit room containing only a solitary chair.
“Please make yourself comfortable, miss. Lord Roman will arrive shortly to introduce himself once he has completed his ride. I shall return for you then.”
Tatiana sat in the silent room, lost in thought. Suddenly, the grand doors burst open, and two scantily clad women entered, laughing and playfully fleeing. She momentarily snapped out of her daze, observing their lively entrance. Following them was a naked man who stumbled after them as though he were drunk.
He caught one of the giggling women and pushed her down on her back to the floor. Tatiana watched in shock as the man tore off what little clothing she had on her waist, positioned himself between her
CHAPTER TWO A BARGAIN BETWEEN HOUSES
legs, and began to thrust hard into her.
3/3
The other woman standing spread her legs open and slowly went down, planting her pussycat on the face of the woman being ravaged on the marble floors, muffling her loud moans. The man grunted loudly and quickly got on his feet, running both his hands over his cock vigorously. Copious amounts of cum splattered all over the women, who were still busy entertaining each other with their mouths.
Tatiana was taken aback when she discovered, locking eyes with the man, that he had been watching her throughout the entire ordeal, wearing a nonchalant smile.
He approached her, holding his cock in his hand. “Well, well, well, so this is my brother’s new play toy, huh? Perhaps he wouldn’t mind me having a taste.
Tatiana recoiled in her chair as she shut her eyes, too afraid to respond. She could smell the strong musk of his semen and the alcohol in his breath as he stumbled towards her.
Suddenly, a booming voice echoed, bellowing, “Dante! Take your degeneracy elsewhere. You’re frightening my new bride.” Startled, she opened her eyes and traced the source of the commanding
voice.
Before her stood a tall, wiry man, his long hair and cropped beard framing a stern expression. Returning her gaze forward, she noticed the room was now empty, the girls having hastily departed, while Dante mumbled curses under his breath as he stumbled away.
“My Lady,” he spoke, extending his arm. “I am Roman. Allow me the pleasure of escorting you to your room.”
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