I looked around the room, and my eye was drawn to the fireplace. Carved in bold letters on the front of the chimney-piece was the family motto;
“Lust will seize and conquer where mere love is repelled.”
Two more maids, Tait and Donella, stood at opposite ends of the sideboard. Donnella’s belly and thighs were striped purple with fresh bruises. Miss Ballard, the mistress of discipline, stood close by the door to the kitchen, her arms folded and her ever-present riding crop at the ready.
At a signal from my grandmother, the maids began serving the evening meal from the huge platters crowding the sideboard. After the soup, Aunt Caroline said to Miss Ballard, “You can begin with the entertainment.”
Miss Ballard scowled at the pretty brunette and shook her riding crop. “Bridget, obey!”
“Ye
