He looked over his glasses at me and then down at the bowl. “Seems we will be in time for dinner after all. You will head back to your room, there will be a dress waiting for you. I will collect you in ten minutes. I expect you to be dressed and presentable for the meal.”
“Will we be eating in here again?” I asked.
Arthur looked at me like I was the most trying being he’d ever encountered. “Certainly not, we will take supper in the dining room, as is proper for a lady.”
My heart dropped to my stomach at this news. “Will there be anyone else there?”
“Yes, your new bodyguard. He’s been busy with his own training and instruction on your care, which is why he hasn’t greeted you sooner,” Arthur explained as he rose from his seat, motioning for me to do the same.
Tossing the napkin in the bowl, I hurried after him out of the school room and back into the hall. Arthur unlocked my door and pushed it open for me to enter.
“Just so you are aware, that door.” He pointed to the single door on the right. “It leads to your bodyguard's room. He will have a key and the ability to check on you whenever he chooses. If he elects to, he could also leave the door open at night to keep a closer eye on you. He’s been made aware of your aversion to physical touch but has been permitted to discipline you as he sees fit.”
Before I could even utter a word, Arthur turned on his heel and left the room, slamming the door behind him. Fear gripped me as I stared at the other door my bodyguard would be staying behind. This man, who I hadn’t even met, had already been given permission to do as he saw fit. My mind flashed through all the punishments my father had inflicted upon me. Fists, kicks with his steel toed boots, pieces of wood he found in the basement, and then the time he broke my leg.
Earlier, I’d said this was a worse form of torture and hoped for the beatings and to be locked away. Now things could be so much worse.Did they know that I’d already had a heat? That I was no longer pure? Is that what they meant when they said he could punish me as he sees fit?
My hands started to shake, and I turned to the bed and found the dress waiting for me. The fabric was light blue and was a simple cut with long sleeves. Mechanically, I undressed, knowing that if I didn’t do as I was told there would be unknown consequences. If I knew what the punishment might be I might have been willing to risk a small show of defiance but the speed my heart was beating at told me that wasn’t going to happen.
Thankfully, the dress zipped from the side so I didn’t have to get someone to help me. I stood in front of the full-length mirror, and let my hair down, and it fell in looser curls than were natural, having dried in the bun. The black flats still worked so I left those, not seeing an alternative. It would seem that whoever picked out my wardrobe didn’t want me showing any skin except from the knee down. Not that I minded, as I didn’t want to draw any attention to myself. I saw a sort of classic beauty in this look. The dress hugged my chest then flared out at the waist giving me the illusion of more curves than I think I’ve ever had.
“Miss Cambrie, it's time to go,” Arthur announced after a quick rap of his knuckles on the door.
Seemed to me that this man was trying to catch me doing something wrong so he could punish me. Thankfully, he didn’t try to escort me, he just led the way down the hall at a quick pace. This time, we went much farther and even down a whole flight of stairs. It was hard to keep up as I gawked at this place. Everything was vintage, and the house was gigantic. Clearly, we were only using a small part of it.
Who in the world is the man that bought me? Is this actually that man, or has something else happened entirely?Arthur keeps referring to him as my father, but I still wasn’t convinced about that. I’m not sure what proof I would need but taking the butler’s word for it didn’t seem like enough.
Finally, we arrived at an ornate dining room with a table large enough for ten people, but only three place settings were laid out. There was already a man seated at the table to the left of the head seat. He was looking down frowning at something, but the dim light of the room made it hard to see what he looked like. Then he raised his head and my gaze clashed with deep forest green eyes that I knew, and hope soared in my heart.
Savo.
He was who they’d hired as my bodyguard. I wanted to shout and clap with joy that I wasn’t alone. All the fear that I had about the mysterious bodyguard trying to hurt me blew away on the wind of relief.Could he get word to the others about where I was? Was he going to help me get out of here?
When I opened my mouth to greet him, he gave a slight jerk of his head. My jaw snapped shut so fast it made my teeth click. If he wanted to keep the fact we knew each other quiet, then I would do so. Even though our interaction was brief, I knew no matter what, I wouldn’t have to fear him hurting me. Whether or not he would save me was an entirely different question.
“Miss Cambrie, allow me to introduce you to Savo Bakal. He is your bodyguard. From this point forward, he will be the one to escort you to classes and meals. As we discussed previously, he had been given the authority to punish you if you do not abide by the rules,” Arthur informed me. “Now, please take your seat at the head of the table. We will be having a four course meal tonight.”
My stomach churned at the thought of having to eat more food when I’d had the bowl of soup not fifteen minutes ago. He had said there would be more lessons, so that might help draw out the length of time like it had earlier. Arthur pulled out my chair for me, and I took my seat, then was startled as he shoved it forward. I tried not to react but a gasp escaped, snapping Savo’s attention to me.
Quickly, I situated myself trying to play the whole thing off, not wanting Arthur to know I was distressed. This time the napkin was artfully folded on my plate, and I picked it up and placed it on my lap.So far so good, please, god, don’t let it be soup.The same woman who brought us lunch entered the dining room with a tray and placed a small plate with three little ravioli in front of me.
I went to grab a fork but paused seeing there were multiple to pick from. When the lady returned to the kitchen, I looked at Arthur. “How do I know which one to choose?” I asked.
“You will start from the outside in, there are three forks since we are having an appetizer instead of soup,” Arthur explained. “You will not eat the ravioli whole, instead you cut it in half. Take the fork in your left hand then cut with the knife in your right. Once cut, place the knife down and switch the fork to your right hand. All food must be eaten with the right hand, understood?”
Nodding, I reached for my silverware only to hiss as I got slapped with the ruler across the back of my hand. Pulling it back to my chest I looked at the butler, absolutely confused. I hadn’t even leaned forward. What could I have possibly done wrong?
“When someone asks you a question you will reply with your words,” Arthur scolded. “Allow me to ask once more, have you understood the instructions I’ve given you, Miss Cambrie?”
I licked my lips trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. “Yes, Arthur, I understand.”
“Good, now you may proceed,” he ordered.
Savo’s gaze resting on me was like a weight. I knew he wanted me to look at him, but I couldn’t. With the shame that I felt burned hot in my chest, it was easier to pretend he wasn’t here witnessing all this. Keeping my back straight, I grasped my silverware and cut the ravioli in half, set the knife down, and switched the fork. So far so good, now all I had to do was pick up the pasta and eat it.
The sweet taste of the bite had me letting out a contented little moan. It was sweet yet savory with the sauce they’d paired with it. The inside was a bright orange color, telling me it was sweet potato or maybe a squash. Whichever it was, it was delicious and I was glad that I had to take such small bites to make it last longer.
“Miss Cambrie,” Arthur snapped. “What on earth has possessed you to make such a sound at the dinner table?”