Page 68 of The Enchanted Land

“The women Jacques brings me, I do not use here in my house. They are sold to very wealthy men. They often marry well later, or if their lover tires of them, he settles sums on them that leave them comfortable for the rest of their lives.” She paused and stared at Morgan. “Yes, you will do very well. You are even prettier when you are filled with rage.”

Nicole took a few steps to the mirror and watched as the servant girls finished drying Morgan and dressing her in a pink gown. “You see, I like to know my girls, and I try to pick men who will fit their types. Your Jessica already loves it here. It will be easy to find a man for her. And Alice … we will find her an older man, one who will protect her and pet her, and she will be very happy. Mary needs a man to hit her now and then.

“And you, Morgan? What type are you?”

Morgan glared at her. “I am not any ‘type.’ I am a person and I cannot be put into a category.”

“Ah, but you have just described yourself. You need a man who will tell you his problems. One who will listen to you and to whom you can listen. And as a lover, you need one who will let you plan the moves sometimes, one who will let you control him sometimes, but not too often.”

Morgan stared at her in astonishment. She was too close to the truth. Embarrassed, she turned away from the woman. She saw too much.

Nicole laughed. “You see, I am right. Every woman and every man fit into little niches. The world is too old for anything to be new. Come now, get into bed. We want you pretty and fresh tomorrow. There are a lot of things to do to prepare for our Christmas special.”

In spite of her anger, Morgan fell asleep instantly.

For three days, Morgan lived amid a flurry of dressmakers. After a while she got used to standing nude in front of several women and even an occasional man, as they wrapped fabric around her and pinned things in place. She was not allowed out of her room or to see the other three captives. She missed Jessy and wished they could talk.

After the first three days she was left alone, but was still not allowed to leave the room. She found the door unlocked, but when she started out the portal, her way was barred by an enormous black man who held a whip coiled in his hand. Madame Nicole informed her later that Samson would always be there. He seemed never to sleep.

They gave her one of Mrs. Weston’s latest romantic novels to read, but she angrily tossed the book aside after a few chapters. She could not read about flowers and romance when her own life was so harsh.

When the first of the dresses was finished, Madame Nicole informed Morgan of a tea to be given in their honor. There they were to meet some of the eligible young men of San Francisco.

Morgan marveled at the woman. She seemed to have no contact with reality as Morgan understood it. An outsider would have thought the four women were Nicole’s beloved daughters instead of her slaves.

Morgan was led into a room of gold and white. The chairs and couches were covered in white velvet and there was a white rug on the floor. All the wood, including the mirror frames, was intricately carved and gilded.

“Morgan!”

She and Jessy ran to one another, their arms extended. “You’re beautiful!”

“Ain’t I though!” Jessy’s red hair had been toned down with, Morgan guessed, a color rinse. Her lean body was beautifully enhanced by a soft violet dress. “It’s her, though, that’s done the most changin’,” she whispered to Morgan.

Morgan was startled to see that meek little Alice was hardly recognizable. “She’s been standin’ in front of the mirror since she came in. Mary’s havin’ fits because the girl will hardly look at her. After all Mary did for her on the trip.”

Alice held her chin high, barely nodding toward Morgan. She kept twisting one way and another to see herself from every angle. Mary was on the verge of tears, pleading with Alice to come sit by her.

Jessy and Morgan exchanged looks, Jessy rolling her eyes to the ceiling. They both covered their mouths to suppress their giggles.

“They been treatin’ you good, Morgan? This is the finest place I ever even seen. Decked out like this, I look like a lady. Madame says all the men who come here are gentlemen. I’d sure like to get me a real gentleman.”

“I don’t really care, Jessy.”

Jessy looked at her friend in sadness. “I never saw nobody pine over anybody as long as you have.”

The door opened and Madame Nicole entered, followed by two very handsome young men. “Ladies, may I introduce Mr. Leon Thomas and Mr. Joel Westerbrooke?”

Morgan considered laughing. Was this an ordinary afternoon tea?

Mary’s voice reached her. “We’re held here as prisoners against our will. Would you help us? Get the sheriff!”

The two young men turned away, their faces crimson. Immediately, Samson appeared from nowhere. Mary was taken away.

Later, Morgan could remember little of the conversation. Alice and Jessy had talked to the young men eagerly. Morgan watched it all with little interest, and was glad when it was over.

Nicole came while Morgan was eating dinner in her room. “You were smart to be quiet this afternoon. Men dream of a quiet, beautiful woman. It is by far the better game.”

Morgan worked hard at controlling her anger. “I was not playing any game.”

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