Page 36 of Legacy of Succession

CHAPTER NINETEEN

VICTORIA

Two weeks have passed since the day I was savagely beaten. I move a little better, but I know that I’ll always bear the scars of my attack. Not just physically in the silver streaks that mar my perfect skin but also in the nightmares that haunt me. The names — I want to forget them, but no matter how much I try to fill my head with positive synonyms for women, the negative always seems to invade my consciousness. I see, now, despite the advent of feminism and the burning of bras, women are still second-class citizens within the nobility of England. I wonder how many others have been sold into a world of slavery as I have been.

“Victoria?” Amelia’s voice drags me from my reflection. “Do you want anything else to eat?”

“Err. No, thank you. I’m good.” I push half an American pancake to the side of my plate. I enjoyed the fruit, but I am still finding it hard to eat a lot. I’ve always prided myself on being toned and curvy, but with not eating and no swimming, I’m a shadow of my former self.

“Maybe we should ask Nicholas’ doctor to retake a look at your tongue. He said you should be eating well by now. You didn’t eat much dinner last night and not much breakfast.”

“I’m fine. Honestly. Just not hungry. I ate all my fruit. I’m being healthy.” I laugh, but she still frowns at me.

“Dear God, stop fussing over her all the time. If she’d said yes, then she wouldn’t be in the state she is.” Elizabeth pipes into our conversation while shoving the last piece of her venison sausage into her mouth.

I haven’t warmed to Elizabeth as I have Amelia. In fact, you could say I think she’s a total bitch. She wants to marry Nicholas for the title and the money. That’s completely obvious. I also question her morals — she doesn’t seem to ask about anything that’s going on here. Amelia doesn’t make a show of hating her fate, but at least you can see she thinks it’s wrong. With Elizabeth Sandford, you get the feeling she’s enjoying what’s happening. I shudder at that thought. Nobody could enjoy this.

“No one deserves what happened to Victoria,” Amelia responds and wipes her mouth with a napkin.

“It’s the rules — if she breaks them or doesn’t answer in the way the Duke, or the Earl, demands of a wife, then she should be punished.” Elizabeth picks up her coffee and takes a mouthful to wash down her breakfast.

“Were you aware of the tasks before coming here?” I ignore her misguided views and question her instead.

“Of course.” She pouts.

“And you don’t think that it’s wrong?” I ask.

“Why should I? I’m a realist, not a dreamer like you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Her words make no sense.

“We live in a male orientated world. If we want to succeed in it, we need to learn to be subservient.”

“Why?” Amelia interjects.

“Because if we don’t, then we'll end up with nothing.”

“You do know that a woman can have a career of her own that doesn’t involve opening her legs for a living, don’t you?” I’ve had enough of this bitch.

“But it’s a lot easier if you use what God gave you,” she smirks. “Men are weak. They have one brain, and it isn’t in their heads.” She wiggles her index finger to illustrate a dick.

“Seriously, aren’t you supposed to be a virgin?” Amelia snorts.

“You can still be a virgin and know how to give a man pleasure.” She leans forward on her elbows. “Nicholas found that out two weeks ago.”

I have my coffee cup halfway to my mouth while she’s talking, but it never makes it there — I put it down with a thump.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“I sucked him off.” She looks smug with her declaration I want to smack it off her face. I keep my calm, though. Mainly because moving fast still hurts. “He needed a release after all the stress that you're putting him through with your ridiculous acting out. I gave it to him. He’s big — I gagged on him more than once. His cum is the sweetest I’ve ever tasted as well.”

“Shut up,” Amelia shouts at Elizabeth. I sit there dumbfounded. I know she isn’t lying. I can see it in her eyes.

“I told him that he’s welcome to come to me anytime he wants. It’s one dick I won’t ever say no to.” Elizabeth carries on, and Amelia covers her ears, so she doesn’t have to hear the conversation anymore. “If you don’t want to end up dead, maybe, you should start showing him a few more favors of that kind,” she sneers at me.

“I can’t listen to this anymore. You’re sick.” Amelia stomps out of the kitchen. I push my chair back to go after her. I like the blonde, and I know talk of this will impact on her fragile emotions.

“You thought you had him wrapped round your little finger, didn’t you?” Elizabeth stops my progress, and I swing back around to face her. “He called my name as he came. I’ve sucked enough men to know that, when they come, the name of the one they truly want is on their lips.”

“I feel sorry for you.” I step into her space. She instantly gets to her feet ready to fight me if needed. “You’re the daughter of a Bishop and should have better morals. They seem to have disappeared down the drain with any compassion and kindness you might have. If you think that what’s happening here is right and good for women, then you’re as insane as the Duke and Earl. This is pure and simple kidnapping, murder, and then rape when he chooses a partner. When, not if, I get out of here, I’ll see them all go to hell for this. Mark my words. If you want to get on your knees and suck Nicholas’, no doubt, disease ridden dick, then go ahead. Open your legs and let him fuck you. I don’t care. I hate him. If he chooses you as his wife, then I wish you the best of luck. In fact, congratulations, have him. I’d rather die than have him ever touch me again.” Elizabeth’s eyes go past me toward the doorway. I spin around and come face to face with Nicholas — his jaw ticking with anger.

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