Verbena

She watched him in confusion as he sat reading over a ledger.

"Am I only to sit here all morning?" she finally demanded. "I could be reading to Lyla or..."

"No," he answered without looking up.

Verbena went quiet, glaring at him.

"Lord Donovan, your guest has arrived," Anne announced.

Gideon stood as a man came in and they smiled at each other and shook hands. "Gideon! It's getting damn cold out there early this year! Bad news for the farmers and... who is this then?" the man asked, looking Verbena over.

"Lord Kennison, this is Verbena. Verbena, this is Lord Jacob Kennison."

"Jake, please!" the man laughed. "Lovely to meet you, Verbena!" the man smiled, moving close and taking Verbenas hand, kissing the back of it as his eyes took her in. "She is lovely, Gid! How long have you had this little treasure hidden away here?"

"Could I let her out to run into the likes of you?" Gideon teased. "Come sit down now and let's discuss the land you were wanting to sell."

"The land you want to buy!" the man laughed. "There is a distinct difference!"

The two men laughed and talked and went back and forth over the land for over two hours. Verbena sat watching them, confused. Why was she here?

The man finally left and Gideon went back to his desk and his ledgers and scribbling on paper. Verbena watched him for a while, then finally spoke up.

"I would be much more useful if..."

"No."

She sighed, then stood and paced in front of the fireplace.

"Sit."

"Why am I here?" she demanded, turning to him angrily.

"Sit, or I will have you satisfy every man who comes through that door for the rest of the day," he told her, still not looking up.

Verbena sat quickly, then pulled the lap blanket back up. It was frigid, even this close to the fire.

It was moments later that another man was announced and came in to talk with Gideon. He never once looked at Verbena until he was about to leave. "Has... she been here the whole time?" he asked uncertainly.

"She has."

"Gid, how could you not have introduced me straight away?" he asked with a charming smile.

"Because I know you too well, Marcus. Anne will see you out."

The man left with a chuckle and Verbena blushed as Gideon finally turned and looked her over. "Come here," he demanded, going to his chair and sitting down.

She went to him, standing a few steps back.

"On your knees, pet. Satisfy me," he demanded, unbuttoning his pants and leaning back.

"Now?!? Here?" she asked in horror.

"Unless you prefer to do it for every man who comes in the door for the rest of the day?"

Verbena went to her knees, her face red.

"As I instructed you, pet. Do it now."

Moving closer, she took hold of his member gingerly, then put her lips around the tip. He thickened and grew quickly, filling her mouth as she slid her lips down the length of him. He let out a satisfied sigh and leaned back, his fingers sliding into her hair.

"Lovely, my pet," he murmured. "That is perfection."

She could not stop the tears staining her cheeks, even if there was something a bit thrilling about pleasing him this way and having this sort of control. Knowing that she was the one doing this, making him hers for the moment.

"Be ready, pet," he whispered.

Verbena didn't have to be told or held as she took as much of his cock in as she could and swallowed his thick, sticky seed for him.

"Very good, pet. You are learning beautifully," he praised her, helping her stand, then fixing his pants. "Come," he demanded, offering his arm.

Taking her to the dining room again, he held her chair for her. She said nothing as she sat, but drank her entire glass of water as soon as it was set in front of her. Gideon smirked at her as he watched.

She stayed quiet with her head down, even as Anne came in to deliver the mail and correspondence from in the city. She also announced his afternoon meetings.

"I'll not be going to my upstairs study today," he told Anne. "I have too many meetings now that the season has ended and so many are coming up short with the early winter. It's either sell or ask for yet another loan and they know I am offering the best prices, so they all wish a piece of my time. Lyla will understand," he told Anne.

Verbena sat up. "I could..."

"No," he snapped before she could get another word out, as if he'd been expecting her to ask.

She sighed dismally and slumped, watching him open letters and unfold notes from friends.

"Anne?" he called loudly. Hardly waiting for her to come in the doorway, he continued. "Have my good suit brought out and cleaned and pressed. See to an appropriate garment for Verbena as well. Lord Masters is having a get together for his wife Geneva for her birthday. Her 50th, it seems, and their 35th anniversary as well. Friday. Find something in blue for her and find some sapphires as well to set off her skin. Have a hairdresser come in to see to her hair that day as well. Be quick, the seamstress's will be busy and I want you to get hers done first. Go now."

Anne hurried away and Verbena cut her eyes at Gideon in confusion. He was taking her to a party? To a Lords party? In front of people? Was he going to torture her? Make good on his threats to make her do things for other men?

"I will be good!" she told him quickly, sitting up.

"I know you will," he replied idly, reading another letter.

"I mean it! I'll do all you ask! Please don't... make me go to that party!"

"You will come with me, pet. Do not speak of it again. You will be on your best behavior and you will be very quiet. Am I understood? A mouse. A book mouse. Quiet as a book mouse. You can do that, can't you pet?"

"If... If I must, but please... don't make me do anything horrible?"

He looked over at her then, a little appalled. "Pet, I would not make you perform for those men or men like them. Not in that company. You are coming to stand on my arm and ward off the women who always try and corner me and try to convince me I need a wife. Have no fear of the other. So long as you listen and do as you are told, it will never be an issue. Am I clear?"

"Yes," she answered in a relieved whisper.

"Good. Go on to your chair and wait for me. I will be a moment."

Verbena started to hurry to her chair, then paused a moment to look at the door and wonder if it were unlocked. How quickly would he be able to come after her once he found her gone?

She took the chance, running to it and yanking it open. Tugging it shut behind her, she ran towards the city walls as fast as she could and made it all the way to the gates and the guards. She still didn't feel safe as she turned down an alley, then another and another as she got lost in the streets and warrens among the business district.

Seeing a woman coming out of a small bookshop, she darted in quickly and went to the corner. Picking up a book as if looking at it, she watched the window to see if anyone was after her.

Would he allow her to leave? Go to the trouble of trying to find her? He knew where she lived, she realized. Would he travel all the way to the capitol to find her at the library? She was sure he would. At least he would send someone to come and get her.

She was terrified now as she tried to figure out what to do. She had nothing, none of her clothes, not a copper to her name, nothing at all save the clothes she was in.

Perhaps someone could be induced to help her?

Turning, she made her way back to the man at the counter in the back. "Hello good sir. I wonder if I might ask you for some help?"

"What would you like, my Lady?" he asked with a smile. "A book recommendation?"

"Oh, thank you, not today. Umm, I'm from the capital actually, the great library. My father is the head librarian and scribe there."

"Is it a job you're after then?"

"As lovely as that sounds, no sir. I... I came here to this city with another job promised to me. Once I arrived, the master of the house... he used me and I got away. I need to get home now that I have run from him, but I left all I have behind to get away."

"Used you, you say? Ruined you?"

"Not that far, but... very close. Made me do other things for him."

"So you know the way of that, then? Doing 'other things' for men?"

"I... pardon? Sir, I..."

"Seems to me we could arrange a deal. I give you coin to get back to the capital and you show me this way you have of doing 'other things'?"

"Sir! That is inappropriate and very cruel! You can't really be serious?"

"Of course not," he chuckled. "Here now, sit down here while I send my delivery boy on to pick up some money from the safehouse. I don't keep much here and you'd be needing a bit to get back to the capital. What lord is it you're running from?"

"Lord Donovan."

"Gideon? Didn't take him for that kind of man! Alright, you sit tight and I'll get my boy. Danny! Daniel! Come in here!" he yelled into the back. "Let me make out a bank note. You imagine one gold will get you there or you need two?"

"One is more than enough and I will pay it back quickly! Or if you'd prefer, my father has a great many valuable books as well and he would be willing to part with one of them in return, I will write to you!"

"That sounds like a wonderful deal!" he agreed, smiling happily, then handing the waiting boy a folded paper. "Go on'n be quick, Danny! I'll keep her safe right here!"

Verbena let out a sigh of relief as the boy took off at a run. She was going to be able to get a carriage home on the next trip! She would get home and away from Gideon and his warped and insane way of thinking.

"Now, tell me about these rare books," the man smiled, turning back to Verbena.

She began listing them off to him, talking about them and where they'd come from. She felt so much lighter now that she knew she was on her way home!

The door opened and she smiled as she turned to see Danny.

Is was not Danny.

Gideon Donovan stood in the doorway, his face a mask of fury. "Come here, pet," he spat.

Verbena looked at the clerk in horror. "Shoulda said yes to them other things," he sneered.

Shaking her head, she turned to run out the back, but Danny WAS there, blocking the doorway.

"Pet, you have a matter of seconds to come here. If I come to you, it will be much the worse for you."

Verbena deflated, looking at the shopkeeper balefully as she walked up to the door, turning her eyes down as she got closer.

Gideon said nothing as he took her arm and led her outside to his horse. Setting her up on it, he got on behind her and turned the horse there in the narrow street and rode back to his estate.

He stayed quiet and Verbena got more and more anxious as he said nothing. Not even when he dismounted and pulled her inside. Pushing her towards the chair by the fire, he went to his desk and sat, saying nothing at all.

She stood there, shaking uncontrollably as she watched him.

"Gideon, I..."

"Sit," he commanded.

She sat on the chair and wrapped in the blanket.

"Gideon? I..."

"Silence," he snapped.

Anne stepped in. "Lord Childress is still waiting, shall I send him in?" she asked Gideon.

"Yes," he answered tersely. Glancing at Verbena, he scowled. "Sit up and put it on your lap. Look presentable, like a lady and not a beggar."

Quickly, she did as she was told and curled up in the chair, the book in her hands as if she were reading.

The man who came in was the youngest she had seen that day, in his early twenties at most. Half as young as Gideon at least.

"Gideon! So good to see you again!" the boy smiled, truly pleased and not putting on a face.

"You too, Franklin. Come in and sit down, sorry for the delay," Gideon smiled, motioning to Verbena. "You understand of course."

The boy looked at Verbena, his eyes going a little wide. "Oh! Yes of course! She is lovely, Gideon! Breathtaking! Is she to be your wife or just a passing interest for you?..."

"He asks, desperately hoping she is a passing interest," Gideon teased. "One look at her will do that, won't it? Leave you hoping she hasn't settled for anyone just yet."

"Has she settled for you, then?" Franklin asked, his eyes still on Verbena as he blushed.

"Oh, at this point, I'd not let her get away if she tried," Gideon laughed. "Sit down and tell me how your father is doing."

As they sat, Verbena suddenly understood why she was there. He had told her he thought her beautiful and she hadn't believed him. He was showing her that she was, letting men see her and react to her where she could see it. It was for her benefit.

Turning away, she looked into the fire sadly, wishing she had chosen another shop to step into. She had trusted him because he sold books. She should have found a woman, she would have more compassion for a girl in her position. She wouldn't make that mistake again!

After another moment, she stood. "Gideon, my love," she called to him. "My head is aching again, may I go lie down?"

"Of course," he smirked. "I'll be right up, Franklin was about to leave anyway since my next appointment will be here any moment. I will walk you."

Verbena nodded, then stood waiting as they said their goodbyes. When the boy left, Gideon offered his arm and she took it, letting him lead her up the stairs.

"I know it was a cover so that Franklin would not realize how much you hated being there, and therefore angering me... but I find I enjoy you calling me that. It is how you will address me from now on. Do you understand?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"Yes, what?"

She sighed again. "Yes, my love."

"Very good," he murmured, patting her hand. "It will not get you out of your punishment, though."

"I did not imagine it would," she told him, still heartbroken beyond measure.

He stopped at a door not her own and pushed it open, guiding her in. It was much larger and more lavish, with two fireplaces on either side of the room and a bed large enough for ten people to sleep in.

"Take off your dress, and your underclothes and lie down in that bed. Put nothing else on, you will only come to my bed with nothing, do you understand?"

"This is your room? Your bed?"

"Yes. You wished to lie down, you will lie down here and wait for me to come and punish you. Unless you find you'd rather sit with me through my last two meetings and eat dinner with me?"

She shook her head, too tired and defeated to play his games. She didn't even hesitate as she stepped away from him and pulled the dress off. She left a trail of clothes all the way to the bed and climbed in, hiding under the blankets.

He laughed as he left, locking the door as soon as he did.

Curling up into a tiny ball, she cried herself to sleep, cursing herself for trusting a man.

Gideon woke her when he slid into the bed next to her, his body warm next to hers. He wore nothing at all and Verbena began to sit up in shock. His arms caught her and he pulled her close, holding her against him, his hot skin against hers.

"Go back to sleep, pet," he rumbled. "I will punish you tomorrow."

She stared wide eyed into the darkness, her cheek pressed to his chest, her head resting on his arm.

"Mmm. You feel good, even if you are a slip of a thing. So warm and you fit so perfectly."

Verbena wondered if she could get him to let her go and leave her alone, at least for the night. Upset him enough to make him leave like he always did when she upset him.

"Who was Lyla's mother? Where is she now?"

"In the ground," he answered coldly. "Attention seeking whore," he grated.

"She was beautiful?"

"At first."

"She... you aren't Lyla's father, are you?" she asked him softly, understanding now.

"It doesn't matter. I take care of her and see she has the best medical assistance available. Why would you assume she isn't mine?"

"Her hair, her eyes. Dark is dominant. You have dark hair and eyes, she does not. It could be an anomaly, but it isn't, is it? The man your wife was with, he..."

"Men," Gideon spat. "The MEN she was with. More than one! Even her own cousins!"

"That might also explain other things. Intermingling bloodlines that way can cause defects in birth of the mother and father are closely related."

"Enough, I do not wish to hear this!"

"You always imagined there was a chance she was yours..." Verbena whispered softly. "You don't want to know if she isn't."

"I do not. Go to sleep, pet."

"How did she die?"

"Do you imagine I killed her?" he asked darkly, his arms tightening around her.

"Did you?"

"If I had, I would not be blamed or held accountable. Everyone knew what she was."

"She died in childbed, didn't she?"

"She did."

"She is why you hate women."

"Beautiful women. She is."

"If you hate beautiful women, and you claim I am beautiful, why hold me here against my will?"

"Because you are mine and I will have you. Sleep now, pet, or I will put you to sleep another way."

"Why must you be so violent all the time?"

"Why must you disobey?"

"I'm an adult, not a child. I don't have to obey anyone at all until the day I decide to marry, and that will be never."

"You do not wish a husband? Even a rich one?"

"Money doesn't matter to me... I wish to learn. I want to know everything! That is my dream. Nowhere in there is there room for a man to clip my wings. No, I will be my own person until the day I die."

"And do you imagine I will ever let you go?"

"It won't be long until I find a way to get away from you. Even if I don't, I will age and another will come along, younger and more comely. You will let me go eventually."

"And if I do not? If I decide I will put you in the ground before I allow you to leave?"

"Then I will find a way to escape you."

"I am having the second study cleared away and turning into a bedroom. By tomorrow, it will be done and I will have Lyla moved down to it. She will be able to be wheeled outside. I did not make them fix her chair, I left it leaned back as you had it."

"I'm sure she'll be much happier now. May I... go and read to her sometimes? Take her on her walks outside? Spend time with her?"

"Perhaps next week I will allow it. When the new governess arrives, you will instruct her on Lyla's needs."

"Gladly."

"I will grant you free use of both libraries as well."

"You have another?"

"I have two, one for stories and works of fiction, and one for manuals and guidebooks. Works of nonfiction. You were in the latter, it is larger by far. The other is smaller, cozier. Meant to be enjoyed as free time. It is little used unless I have a guest in the manor. A nephew or niece, or cousin."

"You have family?"

"I have four sisters, all with children your age or older."

"Do they come often?"

"No. Do you imagine they might help you? They would not. They would lose their income if they did and they'd not risk that, not for anyone."

"And that bothers you. They love your money more than you."

"They love me, but I am no fool. They love my money too and they love my money more than a foolish girl who wouldn't listen when told to leave. Go to sleep now, pet."

"Would you please use my name?"

"I do not like it. And you are my pet. Would you prefer 'Book Mouse'?"

"Yes, actually."

"I'll not call you that either," he snorted, amused. "What else were you called? What did your father call you?"

"I prefer not to tell you that."

"Tell me anyway."

"Bean."

"Bean. Adorable, but I'll not call you that either. It does suit you, doesn't it? Part of your name, and also so small. A tiny thing, but will grow. Knowledge is what fuels you, isn't it? What will make you flower? Besides me," he chuckled. "I can make you flower as I please, can't I?"

"Even if I ask you not to," she answered sadly. "You have not a care for what another wants, only yourself."

"That is not completely so, is it? Do not tell me you were not pleased today when all of those men spoke of how lovely you are. Do not tell me you did not enjoy flowering for me again and again. I've had a care for what you want. I even moved Layla as you asked and made the other allowances you asked for. I am not wholly selfish, but you are right. I will not allow you to leave, not ever. I will allow you to continue to learn as you please, take you on trips, get you any book you wish, bring in masters to teach you anything you wish to know."