Page 171 of Master of My Heart

“The Brotherhood is steeped in tradition, which does take some getting used to. Nothing changes quickly, if at all.”

He began walking farther into the building. Under the staircase that bridged the room, he turned right and motioned toward a large dining room. The long, dark wooden table could easily accommodate thirty people. The seats were all white upholstery.

“We often have dinner here before the Gatherings,” Richard explained. “Sometimes it’s only a few people. Sometimes it’s many.”

He crossed to the other side of the hallway to a smaller, more intimate room. It was paneled all in oak and had a bar in the corner. “This is where we have cocktails or informal meetings. These are the public areas of the Manor. I’ll take you to the inner, private areas.”

Richard walked toward the back of the house and around a corner to a doorway hiding a wooden staircase going both up and down. “Upstairs are the guest rooms and dormitories.”

“Dormitories?”

“For my slaves.”

She stared at him. “Slaves?”

Richard nodded. “All Elders have them. Sex slaves.”

She remembered him saying he had slaves, but he spoke of them in such an offhanded way, she could hardly believe it. “How can you have slaves? It’s illegal. It’s immoral!”

“I don’t abuse them, Sabrina. They are well-cared-for. They and their mothers before them have only ever known the Manor. How else do you suppose we keep the men pleased?”

“I thought wives came to the Gatherings.”

“They do, but there aren’t enough women for the men. And wives aren’t always allowed. Not when there is formal business to attend to.”

Sabrina couldn’t believe what she was hearing and shook her head. “Chase knows about this?”

“Of course. All those in the Brotherhood do.” He studied her face for a long moment. “Slavery isn’t always bad, Sabrina. As I said before, I care for them. They’re happy. Would you like to meet them?”

She didn’t believe him for one moment. “Yes.”

An amused look appeared on his face as he motioned to the stairs. “Third floor.”

She turned and walked up the circular staircase, Richard following behind, and stopped at the closed door at the top.

“Open it. It’s not locked.”

“They’re not locked in?”

Richard shook his head. She opened the door into a large, sunlit room full of skylights and windows. It was bright and cheery, with sheer curtains that gave it a feminine feel. Women and girls lounged on couches, chairs, and the floor, chatting and giggling. In the corner, a large TV had a movie playing.

Someone noticed them and clapped twice. Immediately, every face turned to them. The next moment, seventy-five females were on their knees with their hands placed, palms together, under their chins, eyes downcast.

“Hello, girls,” Richard said pleasantly, a warm expression on his face.

“Good evening, Master,” they respond in unison.

Richard walked among them, stroking heads and asking questions. Each one of them looked up at him with absolute adoration, and Sabrina could do nothing but stare. When he got to the middle of the room, he turned and smiled at her, as if saying, See? They’re happy. And she had to admit, he was right.

“Girls, this is Miss Sabrina Mansfield.”

“Good evening, my lady,” they said, all of them looking at her curiously.

“She is Master Chase’s special lady.”

Several of them clapped in delight and soft murmurs filled the room. Sabrina had expected jealousy, but she sensed none of that. On the contrary. They seemed genuinely happy to hear that Chase had a “special lady.”

Richard asked about someone in particular and one of the girls responded that the girl in question was ill. He immediately motioned for Sabrina to follow. She picked her way through the room to follow him down a hallway to a closed door. He opened it and sighed when he saw a girl in bed, sleeping. He walked over and sat down on the bed, stroking her hair gently until she opened her eyes. When she saw him, she tried to get out of bed, but Richard shook his head.

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