Page 34 of Wicked Games

In order to keep Elizabeth uncertain of her reality and somewhat off-balance, I decided to hire all the actors and staff from the play to be my servants. From the moment they auditioned for the play, they understood there was the possibility of a much more lucrative position on the horizon, but all were made to sign an extremely thorough and intimidating nondisclosure agreement, swearing under pains of high penalties and damages that they would mention the project to no one, not even each other. While money was always a great motivator, I also made sure to only choose actors who had a past they wanted to hide, something serious that would lead to jail time or a complete upheaval of their personal lives. Money was good. Blackmail was better.

My plan was pitched as a completely immersive, intense reality show. Where every moment was filmed through hidden cameras to capture the true Victorian experience in real time. They were instructed to never break character, even when technically off duty and on their own personal time. They were not allowed to leave the estate or interact with anyone from the outside for one full year. To be honest, I was a little surprised how many actors did not hesitate to take me up on my offer. A testament to the power of money.

While I hid Elizabeth in the asylum after spiriting her away from that party, I brought the staff in. Before even setting foot on the estate, they all congregated at a nearby hotel I had purchased, where they surrendered all of their own modern belongings including cell phones and computers.

All of this would have the added benefit of convincing Elizabeth that her actual memories were just figments of an overtaxed mind. Everyone would look familiar from her former life but she should also recall them from the character names and costumes in the play that they were also wearing now on the estate. Soon she would have a hard time distinguishing her own memories between what was the play, what was her former life, and what was her new reality.

“I understand you completely. If you’ll follow Harris, he will take care of you.”

The footman turned, surprised to learn there was another person in the room. Suddenly some of his bravado left him, probably after he caught sight of Harris’ scarred face with its repeatedly broken nose.

Putting his hands up, he gave a nervous laugh. “Listen, we’re all friends here, right? I mean, there are cameras everywhere and I’m sure some TV crew is watching so…” His voice drifted off as he gazed up into each of the dark corners of the room, probably searching for a telltale red blinking light.

There were no cameras, no crew.

“You’re right. So, you have nothing to be concerned about,” I intoned lightly as Harris caught my knowing glance. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind Harris knew what my intentions were without my having to voice them.

I returned to my seat as Harris escorted the asshole out of my sight and off the property. Harris would be certain to put the fear of God… and worse, my retribution… in the man if he breathed a word of this to anyone.

Elizabeth was finally under my control.

I had planned too long for this day to let anything… or anyone… get in the way of what I wanted.

She was mine… and she would stay that way.

CHAPTER 12

LIZZIE

When I awoke, I was alone and no longer bound to the bedposts. I was a little surprised how well I had slept considering the complete hot mess my life had become in the last twenty-four hours. Snuggling deeper under the heavy down covers, I tried to think things through. The problem was no matter I how spun things around in my head, nothing made sense.

The possibility that I was part of some extraordinarily elaborate plan of Richard’s to trap me in the Victorian era as his own personal sex slave was even more ridiculous than the idea that I had tripped into a wormhole on my way back from the cast party and somehow managed to travel back in time like that chick from that Scottish show. And yet, what other explanation was there?

Unless what everyone was telling me was the truth?

Was I insane?

Every living soul around me seemed to think so.

My reactions to Richard certainly were not in keeping with my usual character. I had allowed the man to fuck me twice! And then there was what he did later… I shifted my body lower under the covers as if the bedspread could somehow hide my shame. The very idea that I enjoyed a man thrusting deep down my throat as hard and fast as he could rocked me to my core. Never in my life had I ever even fantasized about allowing a man to do something so carnal and violent to me… and yet there I was, moaning like a cat in heat with every thrust.

The problem was everything was so familiar and yet it wasn’t. The surroundings, the people, the clothes, they all felt right.

Before I could think further, there was a discreet knock on my door.

Annoyed, I realized my heart lurched at the idea it might be Richard. Then I realized that a man like him wouldn’t bother knocking. My thighs clenched slightly at the thought. Damn him! The thought of him being such an arrogant Neanderthal as to not even obey the most basic of social niceties should not be turning me on.

Mary entered, carrying a large heavy tray.

“Good morning, my lady.”

“Morning, Mary.”

“It’s Parker, my lady.”

“Right, yeah, sorry. Parker,” I added obligingly as I started to get out of bed.

“No, my lady. Please stay as you are and enjoy breaking your fast. I will tidy up the room.”

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