The Inheritance (closed for SlippedHalo and YoungLisa)

[EesomeBeastie]

Background

The story is set in a Roman villa and estate on the Cotswolds, near Corinium (modern Cirencester) in Roman Britain in the late 3rd century AD. This was a period when rich Romano-British families developed large estates which were run in a very business-like manner – the agribusinesses of their time – and built sumptuous villas on their estates with the profits.

See Wikipedia article “Roman naming conventions” for an explanation of the Roman name system, but basically Marcus Flavius Crispus means Marcus of the Flavius tribe and Crispus branch. He would be known by all three names or the first two in formal situations, by just the third by close friends, and by just the first by close family members who most likely shared the same second and third names.

See www.edunetconnect.com/cat/timemachine/villa.html for an illustration of an estate villa. For examples of clothing and hairstyles, see Wikipedia, http://www.fashion-era.com/ancient_c...women-hair.htm and http://www.novaroma.org/via_romana/r...lothing_f.html.

 

[EesomeBeastie]

Roles

Marcus Flavius Crispus (EesomeBeastie): 22 year old son of the Corinium town magistrate who has just inherited a large estate and villa from his late uncle

Damona (SlippedHalo): villa household manager, chief slave and secretary (and Marcus' uncle's mistress); an attractive redhead of around 30 years, mixed Scotti (Irish) and Roman descent, well educated and assertive

Briallen (YoungLisa): kitchen assistant slave; a 20 year old, brash and ambitious blond

 

[EesomeBeastie]

Marcus Flavius Crispus looked at the household slaves lined up before him for inspection in the courtyard in front of the villa he had just inherited from his uncle Gaius. He knew most of them by sight from his many visits to his favourite relative. It was a warm day and he detested having to wear his formal toga, but it was necessary to show his status as a full citizen and impose his authority on his new household.

On the right of the line stood Damona, a well educated and elegant slave woman, of mixed Roman and Scotti blood, his widower uncle’s household manager, secretary, and lover. She looked superb in a simple white ankle-length tunic, linen rather than wool, and pink shawl, which together aped the stola and palla of a free Roman lady as close as possible for a slave without causing offence. Her red hair was curled, tied up neatly in the current fashion, with a strand dangling artfully down either side of her face and a string of delicate lapis lazuli beads around her neck. His uncle might well have freed and married her, had he lived longer – that was not uncommon for a rich man who found himself without a wife in middle life. At the very least she could have expected to be freed in his will, with a generous endowment and probably then be employed as a freedwoman to manage one of the estate’s many businesses. Marcus Flavius hoped she did not harbour too much resentment and wouldn’t make things difficult for him – he’d hate to have to sell her on as the last thing he needed on coming into a new estate was to break in a new household manager, especially without a wife of his own to stamp her authority onto the household.

Next to her were the personal and public room slaves. Felix was the late Gaius Flavius’ personal slave, a handsome man in a moss-green tunic, with mid brown hair. He might be a problem as Marcus Flavius would be replacing him with his own personal slave, Servius, who stood behind him. Not so lucky for Felix, then. With him were two more slaves whose duties included cleaning the public areas of the villa.

Then came the kitchen staff. Laverne, a broad-hipped and heavy Gallic matron ruled the kitchen with a firm hand. Two cooks and three assistants stood beside her. One of the assistants caught his eye – a blond girl of probably about twenty years, in a long freshly-laundered tunic, one without sleeves and with a low neckline, revealing delicate shoulders and a rather lovely neck. He’d seen her serving at several of his uncle’s banquets. What was the name he’d overheard Damina call her by then? Briallen, or some-such Celtic name. She caught his eye with a gaze that was far too forward for a mere kitchen slave and he scowled back. Wasn’t she the unfree daughter of the farm manager? He’d have to watch her as she might have ideas above her station. Pretty, though…

There were others, such as laundry slaves and the bath-house slaves, two burly men in clean tunics which nevertheless showed signs of singeing from stoking the furnaces. They probably didn’t have any better clothes, as they’d never be in the public areas with guests present.

Quite a significant household then, over twenty slaves, not including the farm labourers and those in the outlying quarry, timber mill, and the wool processing and weaving workshops, all of which he’d toured before with his late uncle, a man justly proud of the productivity of his estate.

Marcus Flavius allowed himself a smile of contentment, despite the formality of the occasion. He had arrived. And at only twenty-two years at that! He was the son of the Corinium magistrate, a citizen of good standing socially, as his gold signet ring showed, but now he had the land and the wealth to go with it.

He waited for Damona to step forward and introduce all the slaves formally. It would not do for the master of the household to approach low ranking slaves directly, unless he needed something of them. That done, he would tell her to accompany him to the study and show him the household and estate accounts, so he could get a feel for the financial state of his quite significant inheritance, before a formal tour of the estate grounds and farm.

 

[slippedhalo]

Damona watched her new master, Marcus Flavius Crispus with carefully hooded eyes...a mere child compared to his uncle Gaius, now passed away, but a handsome and proud looking man-child at that, she noted. Still, she could barely appreciate his stature, she hadn't the time with all the worry left to her after her lover's death. He had promised he'd marry her, he'd promised her freedom...Instead she was passed down like some family heirloom to be at the disposal of Gaius's nephew. It was not fair considering how much she'd devoted herself to this household and to Gaius especially. There was bitterness in her green eyes as she regarded her new master. Yet dutifully she stepped forward with a slight bow toward his station before introducing each of the slaves by name and position in the household. When finished, she waited for his reaction or orders, her mind already wondering about ways to secure her freedom. Someday, she wanted to be free, someday, she promised herself....Someday she would be free.

 

[YoungLisa]

Briallen held her new Master’s gaze for as long as she could. She had enjoyed a comfortable relationship with Gaius, a delightful old man who had seen her grow up through childhood, puberty and now into a very desirable young woman. The sexual chemistry between the two of them had been held in tension and without ever becoming physical Briallen had used it to get her own way. So often the saucy look, the double meaning phrase or just the “little girl licking her lips” look had enabled her to treat Gaius as though he were putty in her hands, almost a favourite uncle. Then he had to go and die!

As she looked at her new Master Briallen knew the situation had changed. Here was a man much nearer her own age, one she could not play the same games with as she had his uncle. The next few weeks would be difficult as she adjusted, but she believed she would soon be able to find her Master’s weakness. As with all men it was probably between his legs! All she had to do was to keep the pot of desire in him boiling without actually letting him taste the goods. It had worked with the uncle. No doubt it would work with the nephew.

When Flavius scowled back at her she licked her lips to make them moist and returned a gaze that said ‘I know I have been a naughty girl, but you can’t be angry with me.’ From the corner of her eye she noticed Damona and couldn’t help but see the amusing turn of events. Damona had always boasted of how she would win her freedom when she married Gaius and it never materialised. Making eye contact Briallen gave her a mock smile coupled with a pout and then turned back her attention to her new target. Flavius.

She stood erect and upright but ensured there was just enough flesh showing to get his attention.

 

[EesomeBeastie]

Marcus nodded stiffly to each slave as Damona introduced them. When they reached Briallen, she once more met his eyes with a coquettish challenge, licking her lips and standing so that her tunic revealed the maximum amount of cleavage. Marcus felt surge of blood to his groin, just as his head warned him that here was trouble. He wondered whether she had behaved this way to his uncle. Gaius had never mentioned anything, but would he have revealed such a weakness even to his closest nephew?

He tore his eyes away from hers with difficulty and turned to Damona. “Thank you, Damona. You may now take me to the study and show me the accounts.”

“Carry on with your duties,” he ordered the other slaves, before allowing Damona to lead him across the courtyard and into the northern wing of the villa.

The study was a delightfully cool, painted a pale olive green with a tall wooden case of pigeon-holes containing scrolls: the estate accounts as well as Gaius’ collection of literature. Marcus and Damona went through the accounts, which showed the estate to be very profitable and well run, especially the lucrative wool business.

As they worked, he noticed an entrancing perfume wafting from her. An expensive one, he thought. Although she was older than the town girls he had pursued before, he thought he understood what his uncle had seen in her: a cool elegance with just a hint of Celtic passion hidden below the surface.

When they were finished, he turned to her. His speech was slightly stilted as it often was when talking to someone he was uncertain of.

“Damona, I expect you’ve been wondering why you and the other senior slaves weren’t freed on my uncle’s death, as is the usual practice. As my senior slave, I feel I owe you an explanation. My uncle had political enemies and they challenged his will in the courts and overturned it. My father, as magistrate, managed to have the estate passed to me, nonetheless, but all the clauses of his will were ruled void, including the freeing of his slaves. I’m sorry, but it was the best we could do. I tell you this in the hope that it will temper any ill feelings you might have, and allow us to work together for the good of the estate and my family.”

 

[slippedhalo]

“Damona, I expect you’ve been wondering why you and the other senior slaves weren’t freed on my uncle’s death, as is the usual practice. As my senior slave, I feel I owe you an explanation. My uncle had political enemies and they challenged his will in the courts and overturned it. My father, as magistrate, managed to have the estate passed to me, nonetheless, but all the clauses of his will were ruled void, including the freeing of his slaves. I’m sorry, but it was the best we could do. I tell you this in the hope that it will temper any ill feelings you might have, and allow us to work together for the good of the estate and my family.”

Damona lowered her long, golden lashes as she listened to the words, empty words to her. She'd heard passionate promises with less belief in thier meaning, but the intent here was clear. He did not want an enemy of her. And, despite her despising this situation she knew,at least for the time being, she could not afford to make an enemy of him..."Master...it comforts me to know you understand the pollitical difficulty of my position. I fear, perhaps, that you don't truly appreciate the emotional aspect of it, though...The pain in this household when your uncle passed on was immeasurable, especially among those of us...who...shared much with him. To lose that...it's....well, it's going to be an adjustment." she said, clearing her throat of the sudden thickness too much emotion had put there as she blinked back unshed tears and straightened her posture. Demona nodded, feeling awkward after her unplanned show of sadness and added softly, "Master, I will try. I know if would have pleased your uncle to see me at least try to make the best of this so I shall."

 

[YoungLisa]

Back in the kitchens Briallen was arranging a bowl of local fruit waiting for an invitation to take it to the new Master. She really knew how to decorate food to make it appetizing carefully polishing the apples, pears, nuts and small berries. Gaius had always enjoyed fruit and she recalled how she would tease and tempt him with it, taking cherries and dangling them above his mouth ensuring he got a glimpse of her cleavage as he took a cherry in his mouth.

Laverne snapped her out of her dreams “You won’t get away with your behaviour now young lady!” She looked at Briallen with a look of triumph in her eyes “You got away with murder with the old master, but our new one is a different matter. He will take what he wants and spit you out.”

“There is an art to controlling a man!” Briallen looked at the older woman with a sympathetic mockery, but some of us have it, others” here she looked Laverne up and down “… others don’t. All that controls a man is the appendage between his legs. I’ve already seen THAT look in his eyes. I’m half way there.”

“You are playing with fire” Laverne warned. “Our old Master was happy to let his imagination satisfy him. Imagining what he would like to do to you. Our new Master will want action, not imagination.” She picked a leg of lamb from the water bowl where it had been soaking and started work on it “You are going to finally get you cum uppance young lady.” She stared at the young temptress “I bet that by the end of the year you are heavy with child. Then you will be sent back to your family until you give birth and then be sold to a middle family to be the sex toy of their youngest son. Your days are numbered!”

Briallen turned on her superior “Better than being a shrivelled up old maid who no one wants! And you are so wrong! I will decide who takes me to their bed, who plants their seed in me. But until then I will enjoy the chase, always keeping just ahead of the hunter.”

The other slaves fell silent as they heard the insult dished out to the gentle Laverne. They all resented Briallen and longed for the day when she would finally meet her match. All of them believed that the new Master would be her conqueror and they couldn’t wait.

http://halloweencastle.com

 

[EesomeBeastie]

Back in the study, Marcus pondered what Damona had just said.

He was moved by her obvious pain and her efforts to control it. It had become clear to him on his many visits to his favourite uncle how much Damona and Gaius had cared for each other; through many little things, smiles and gestures. She was a slave, true, but strong bonds of loyalty, affection and sometimes even love were common between a citizen and his more trusted slaves. She was displaying admirable Roman virtues of loyalty and self-control, and his heart went out to her.

“Well I don’t intend to make any changes to the staffing of the household,” he told her. “Other than Felix, that is. I have my own personal manservant from my father’s household and I’ve brought him here, as you saw.”

“You can retain your privileges, be assured of that,” Marcus continued. “I assume you have a private room rather than space in the dormitories? You can keep that, and any special access to the bath wing and use of the chambermaids for your toileting and dressing. Whatever my uncle granted you is still yours, except for a place in the master bed and of course your freedom.”

“But if you serve me well and we put his rivals in their place,” he added, the anger clear in his eyes at the effrontery of them attacking Gaius through his will after his death, “then your freedom can be yours, too.”

“For now, I need to have my cases and trunks brought in from the wagons and my clothes laid out. I’ll need a riding tunic to change into before we tour the farm and workshops. Servius can oversee my stuff, and the bath slaves can carry it in. Please go and tell Servius to do that. If I know him, he’ll be in the kitchen, charming the ladies and wheedling snacks out of them.” He grinned at the thought of his manservant and his constant flirting.

But just before Damona could voice her compliance, he suddenly changed his mind.

“No. On second thoughts I’ll go and roust the lazy devil myself. You can get the stable staff to saddle a horse for me. The last time I was here I saw Gaius had bought a rather handsome chestnut gelding.”

It went unsaid, of course, that she would accompany him on foot on their tour of the estate. It would be unseemly for her to ride and, as a slave, a cart just for her was out of the question. Despite wanting to show her consideration by taking a cart together, the lure of his uncle’s fine horses was too strong to resist.

Marcus and Damona left the study, heading in opposite directions. The clack of his sandals on the limestone slabs of the corridor was a touch faster than seemly for a citizen formally clad in toga. He thrust away any thought of why he might be doing this, why he was so keen to visit the kitchens rather than his uncle’s stables (no, his stables now!). It was definitely not on the off chance of catching a certain blond kitchen slave alone…

He was almost at the kitchens, when he rounded a corner and came face to face with Briallen, almost crashing into her in his haste. She was carrying a bowl of fruit and nuts, reminding him that it had been over four hours since he'd last eaten. And her low-cut tunic reminded him of other things he hadn't done for far too long either.

“Where are you taking these, girl?” he demanded of her, in a brusque tone to cover up how he had been staring at her chest.

 

[YoungLisa]

“Where are you taking these, girl?” Marcus demanded of her, in a brusque tone to cover up how he had been staring at her chest.

Briallen noticed the look in Marcus’ eye. She had seen it many times before in the eyes of the soldiers, her fellow slaves and even old Gaius himself. It was a look of desire, of lust and of fantasy. She knew how to control men and did not feel the least bit threatened. As long as she played the long game she would have Marcus, like so many men before him, fantasising about what he would do to her without actually carrying it out.

“Master!” She said politely as she flickered her eyelids and almost pouted little girl fashion. “Master, I was taking this food to your quarters for you to enjoy. It has been hand picked and prepared by me especially for you.” She held his gaze, licked her lips and continued “It was Master Gaius’ favourite. Where would you like me to take it? To your study? Your living quarters? Or “here she raised her head fully to emphasise her cleavage. She then gave a smooth almost innocent young girl tone as she continued “Or to your bedroom?”

She stood with her feet on the ground but moved her body via her hips as she gave a ‘little girl lost’ impression.

 

[EesomeBeastie]

Marcus took a plum from the bowl and bit into it slowly. It was sweet and succulent, much like the young minx standing before him, displaying her charms like a market day whore, but unlike her, the plum didn't pretend to be anything other than it was.

He cocked a finger under her chin, tilting her head back. "I don't know what your little game is," he said to her, quietly but clearly. "Whether you hope for preferment in the household, or presents in return for your favours, or whether this is a bet as to which of you will be the first into my bed. But neither do I really care. You do play the game very well, though."

As he talked, he backed her into the wall, and kept coming, so that the fruit bowl was pressed into her bosom and she had no chance of escape.

He held her trapped there for a long moment, then stepped back, releasing her.

"I am hungry, and that fruit would be welcome. Take it into the small lounge - the one that overlooks the orchard. Wait there for me."

He let her walk away, and get about ten paces before he called out and stopped her: "One thing. Don't ever refer to a citizen by his given name alone in my hearing. I could have you whipped for that. And never forget: I own you."

He turned away, pleased at how the encounter had gone. He didn't mind her trying to play him, but he would have her treat him as a respected opponent and not as a fool.

Thank the gods that his toga hid his erection, so she didn't know the effect she had had on him.

With Briallen now gone, Marcus continued to the kitchen. He saw that Servius was indeed sat at the wooden chopping table, a half eaten bread roll in one hand, half way through a story of his adventures in Gaul (though the lying toe-rag had never been outside Britannia – Marcus knew that for a fact!).

Marcus stepped quietly into the kitchen, behind Servius, then shouted out, “Servius, get your lazy backside off that bench! My luggage needs to be carried into my suite. I’ll need a riding tunic, and you can look out dining clothes for this evening, too.”

He grinned as Servius jumped up, scattering crumbs, gave an exaggerated bow of mock servility and trotted off to do his master’s bidding. Servius had been his personal servant since he was a young teenager and there was a banter between them that he’d not tolerate from another slave.

Feeling very pleased with himself, he walked towards the lounge where Briallen awaited.

 

[slippedhalo]

Back in the study, Marcus pondered what Damona had just said.

He was moved by her obvious pain and her efforts to control it. It had become clear to him on his many visits to his favourite uncle how much Damona and Gaius had cared for each other; through many little things, smiles and gestures. She was a slave, true, but strong bonds of loyalty, affection and sometimes even love were common between a citizen and his more trusted slaves. She was displaying admirable Roman virtues of loyalty and self-control, and his heart went out to her.

“Well I don’t intend to make any changes to the staffing of the household,” he told her. “Other than Felix, that is. I have my own personal manservant from my father’s household and I’ve brought him here, as you saw.”

“You can retain your privileges, be assured of that,” Marcus continued. “I assume you have a private room rather than space in the dormitories? You can keep that, and any special access to the bath wing and use of the chambermaids for your toileting and dressing. Whatever my uncle granted you is still yours, except for a place in the master bed and of course your freedom.”

“But if you serve me well and we put his rivals in their place,” he added, the anger clear in his eyes at the effrontery of them attacking Gaius through his will after his death, “then your freedom can be yours, too.”

“For now, I need to have my cases and trunks brought in from the wagons and my clothes laid out. I’ll need a riding tunic to change into before we tour the farm and workshops. Servius can oversee my stuff, and the bath slaves can carry it in. Please go and tell Servius to do that. If I know him, he’ll be in the kitchen, charming the ladies and wheedling snacks out of them.” He grinned at the thought of his manservant and his constant flirting.

But just before Damona could voice her compliance, he suddenly changed his mind.

“No. On second thoughts I’ll go and roust the lazy devil myself. You can get the stable staff to saddle a horse for me. The last time I was here I saw Gaius had bought a rather handsome chestnut gelding.”

It went unsaid, of course, that she would accompany him on foot on their tour of the estate. It would be unseemly for her to ride and, as a slave, a cart just for her was out of the question. Despite wanting to show her consideration by taking a cart together, the lure of his uncle’s fine horses was too strong to resist.

Marcus and Damona left the study, heading in opposite directions.

Damona was a bit more lively in her efforts to perform the things the Master required of her when her freedom was mentioned. She was lighter in her step than he, but quick and efficient, always. She moved with quick grace to get the finest horse in the stable ready for him, ordering the stable boy to ensure the saddle was the best quality in the stables and checking herself that everything was in place. But, he was keeping her waiting....She was no stupid woman. Demona knew that the kitchens were near to where Servius had been quartered to rest. She knew there was a certain girl there hoping to sleep her way into the favors of any powerful man in this house. The same girl trying to rival herself for her Gaius's love only she never gained more than appreciative stares and compliments from him. His hands and heart never strayed from their place with Demona. So, now she wondered how secure her promise of freedom would be if this girl persisted in her flirtatious and ambitious ways. Demona had not planned on seducing young Marcus Flavious but perhaps it would be the only way to truly gain his favor. Perhaps hard, honest work would not be enough. Demona vowed to herself to try to warm up to the new Master, for the sake of her own survival, for the sake of her tenuous hope of freedom...and at the very least, to keep her position as the most honored and appreciated slave in the household. She might just have to drop her pride and play politics like so many slaves in so many other households so oft are prone to, fighting fire with fire.

 

[YoungLisa]

Briallen was not prepared for Marcus’ response in backing her against the wall. She had often teased men, played the vixen, but had never allowed them to touch the goods. She had this off to a fine art and was rather shocked to find herself on the defensive. Marcus soon stepped back and she regained her composure. She resented the idea that Marcus thought she had taken a common bet on who would bed him. That might be for the ordinary slave, but not for her. She looked down on those who had to sleep their way to favours the way Damona had tried to. Instead she knew how to use her sexual promise to achieve what she wanted without actually giving her body.

"I am hungry, and that fruit would be welcome. Take it into the small lounge - the one that overlooks the orchard. Wait there for me."

Flicking her head she smiled seductively at those words. Of course she would wait for him. She looked forward to teasing him, leading him on and then leaving him with the promise of more. Men were so predictable!

Then she almost stopped in her tracks as he uttered six words “And never forget: I own you” He wouldn’t! No! He wouldn’t insist on his ownership rights would he? That was not part of the game, it never was! Suddenly her confidence was beginning to waver and she dreaded the thought that Laverne would be proved right. Taking a deep breath Briallen regained her composure just in time for Marcus to enter the lounge, stop, turn and lock the door.

Briallen felt her mouth run dry and her pulse suddenly increased as she felt herself tremble. Worse still, she realised she was not ONLY trembling for fear.

 

[EesomeBeastie]

Marcus paused at the heavy panelled lounge door, before entering. He smiled at the thought of the game he was playing. A dangerous one, since having a fling with a junior slave could really upset the dynamics of a household, but one he was drawn to, nonetheless, like a moth to a lamp flame.

He opened the door, walked in and pulled it shut behind him, dropping the latch. Briallen was there, as instructed, beside one of the low couches, holding the fruit bowl. The mid afternoon light poured through the window, illuminating the painted plaster walls with their hunting scenes. A different sort of hunt he was engaged on now, he thought, and one in which the roles of hunter and hunted were yet to be decided.

He sat on a couch and motioned Briallen to place the fruit bowl on the low table between the couches.

"Kneel here and pass me an apple," he ordered her. "Let's talk."

As she held a polished red apple up to him, he suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand. Holding it firmly in his, he lifted the apple, still tight in her grasp, up to his mouth and took a bite from it. He kept her hand firmly trapped as he slowly chewed and swallowed. Then he reached out with his free hand and lifted a strand of her long blong hair. Letting go of her hand, but twirling her hair round his fingers, he fixed her with his eyes.

"I'll bet a pretty girl like you has the men eating out of her hand, eh?"

 

[YoungLisa]

Briallen wondered what her new Master wanted. He motioned to her to place the fruit on the mid table and told her to kneel. Part of her still could not help playing the temptress and she knelt so as to show her cleavage, and handed the bright red apple to Marcus. But when he asked her to talk she froze, even more so when he grabbed her hand!

Next he grabbed her hair as he asked "I'll bet a pretty girl like you has the men eating out of her hand, eh?" She blushed at that remark, not really knowing how to take it. Yes she did use her charms to get what she wanted from men, and she had used them to tease poor Gaius. But now she was in a different situation and she felt vulnerable.

“I really have no idea what you mean Master!” She responded feeling the blood rush to her cheeks. “Men are kind to me, they always have been. Your Uncle saw me grow up from a baby and he was always kind. And, yes, I used to feed him sometimes by dangling fruit into his mouth … if that’s what you mean”

Briallen couldn’t help but feel discomfort from Marcus’ stare, he was watching her every movement, no doubt undressing her with his mind and imagining what he would like to do to her.

But it mustn’t go that far, there had to be a way of escape. Then she thought of something. “I trust you are getting familiar with your new inheritance.” She said as he let go of her hair. “And I expect Damona has been showing you round. No doubt she will be here soon.” Briallen smiled thoughtfully, but inside she was praying that Damona would soon appear. ‘Where is she when you need her?’ she asked herself.

 

[EesomeBeastie]

“I trust you are getting familiar with your new inheritance,” Briallen asked Marcus.

"Oh yes," he grinned wolfishly. "More familiar by the minute. You are after all a part of that inheritance!"

He continued winding her hair round his fingers, now tautly enough to reel her in towards him. He still wasn't sure how far he would take this. He could feel his lust rising, but he was having fun teasing and ever so slightly scaring this overly familiar slave, and he would achieve that better by taking her so far and then stopping, letting her fret over whether he would take it further next time. And he felt no qualms over his actions. She had flirted with him first, after all.

When her face was within a foot of his, he reached out and gently stroked down the side of her face and neck with the back of his index finger. Her skin was beautifully soft.

He let his finger drop, and untwined her hair from around his left hand.

"Stand, slave. Let me look at you properly."

 

[YoungLisa]

Where was Damona? Briallen didn’t really like the woman, but she needed her now or all her strategy could go wrong and Laverne could be proved right. Squirming she stood, still holding her Master’s gaze.

“What is it you require to see Master? I have put all the fruit in the bowl, there is nothing else here. Is there?” Briallen knew exactly what her Master wanted to see and she also knew that she was in a situation she had never been in before. Suddenly she knew that she was no longer a child who could expect to be sheltered from the world. Now she was a girl in her early twenties and the desire and goal of a lot of men.

Seeking to change the subject she said “Master, I suggest Damona would be the one to show you around. She knows all the intimate places of you inheritance. Shall I go and look for her?”

 

[EesomeBeastie]

"My inheritance includes some intimate places that I suspect Damona has never visited."

Marcus' eyes swept down Briallen's cleavage and lingered on her crotch, making his meaning crystal clear.

"And she is arranging a horse for me to tour the estate, so she will be a few minutes more," he added.

He stood up and walked around her. Her woollen cloth dress was loose, but it did reveal enough of her figure to show that she was a very shapely young lady indeed.

He stopped behind her, standing so close that she might even be able to feel his breath on the back of her neck. He reached out and ran a finger down the back of her neck.

"Eyes front, girl, and stand still!" he commanded, lest she try to turn or to move away.

His finger trailed along her shoulders, across the bare skin revealed by her narrow-strapped dress, more revealing and of much finer woollen cloth than a kitchen slave would normally get given. Gaius must have cared for her, or been a sucker for her charms, he thought.

He brushed his finger back along her shoulder to the top of her neck, then slowly slid it downwards, feeling her spine through the thin cloth.

When her reached the small of her back, he removed his finger, waited a few seconds to get her hopes up that he was finished, then grabbed hold of her right buttock.

"Still, slave," he reiterated.

He squeezed and fondled her firm buttock, feeling her tense and clench. His fingers bit into the soft flesh as he tightened his grip.

Letting go her backside, he next trailed his finger down the cleavage between her buttocks, down towards her anus and her cunt. She had almost certainly never let a man touch her there, even through her dress, he thought.

 

[slippedhalo]

Damona decided she'd waited long enough and perhaps something had gone wrong with the Master. In her search for him she heard his unmistakable voice..."Still, slave.." he ordered to someone in the area near to the kitchens....her expression darkened and she quickened her pace. That rogue...And as she turned the corner she saw what she thought she'd see, both Master and the stupid, silly girl, Braillen, nearly embracing, his hands touching her in an intimate way. But, by the look on the girl's face this was an unwelcome advance.

This was unique. Damona could have sworn Braillen was anxious to sleep her way up the ranks but perhaps she'd been mistaken. Or, it was more likely this was just moving more quickly than she'd anticipated in her young nievete.

Damona cleared her throat, a hand on her hip as she stared coldly at the pair who suddenly turned in her direction, quite surprised to see her there. "Master. Youre horse is ready." she said simply, her posture taught as an arrow's bow.

 

[YoungLisa]

Briallen froze as Marcus looked her over. He was looking at her cleavage and then stared there! Her most private part and she suddenly felt vulnerable. She had been in this position previously with Gaius and with some of kitchen suppliers but they had always been aware that they could look and not touch. But now Marcus appeared to be intent on ignoring that understanding and she felt her mouth become as dry as dust.

Marcus walked behind her and she could feel his breath on her neck. Then the touching started and she really began to panic. What should she do? Should she tell him that she was really nothing more than a tease? That, despite her bravado, she was still as pure as the driven snow? Would he believe her? If he did would he want to rectify the situation?

Suddenly the touching stopped and she almost breathed a sigh of relief until she heard his command “Still slave!” Then he was squeezing her buttock. And then his hand, where no other hand, apart from her own, had ever been. O where was Damona?

As if by magic she heard her voice from outside the lounge “Master, your horse is ready.” She felt Marcus’ hand cease the intrusion and she breathed in and out deeply knowing her honour had been saved. But why did a little part of her feel disappointed?

 

[EesomeBeastie]

Marcus whipped his hand away from Briallen’s bottom. He flushed with embarrassment under Damona’s glare, like a little boy caught doing something naughty, and that reaction confused him. He was within his rights to use his slaves sexually - though it was considered ungentlemanly to force oneself on a clearly unwilling girl, and certainly unwise to engage in such things where one could be seen. But the cause of his guilt ran deeper than mere manners, as he felt a sudden shame for apparently having upset Damona .

“Briallen, er, I… I hope you have learned a lesson. It is unacceptable to wear a tunic with stains on it when in the public part of the villa.”

The excuse sounded pathetic, even to his own ears, but he hoped it would suffice as a polite fiction to explain why he had been touching her.

“Now, Briallen, go back to the kitchens and tell Laverne that dinner tonight will be informal, in the small lounge, and just for myself. No, make that for two. Damona, you can dine with me. We will no doubt have estate business to discuss after my tour, and it’s much more pleasant over good food.”

“And one more thing,” he added, before Briallen could leave, “I’ll want to throw a banquet for my friends, to show off my new villa. For half a dozen, say. And themed. An Egyptian theme, I think. Ask Laverne to plan a menu and submit it to Damona for approval.”

 

[slippedhalo]

Damona watched at the girl scuttled away, her face a deep shade of crimson Damona could identify as the exact color she felt her bottom should be instead. She glared at Briallen and eyed her contemptuously as she walked away. But, the hardness in her gaze had not softened when her emerald orbs turned to regard the master either. Her mouth was set in a thin line and she said simply, "Master...thank you for the dinner invitation but I can eat with the househeads just fine. Your horses wait this way." she said, changing the subject and turning to lead him to the stables in the hopes this would deter any further conversation on the subject of dinner. She didn't want to spend much time alone with him if she could help it. From what she could see he had a problem keeping his appetite in check and it had nothing whatsoever to do with food.

 

[YoungLisa]

Briallen wanted the earth to open up under her as Damona looked at her with that superior look. How dare she? What was she? A Roman’s seed bag! She, Briallen, had kept herself intact and only suggestively teased Gaius. Damona, on the other hand, went the whole hog. How she had never fallen for a child she did not know, but everyone heard about what was going on. Now she had the nerve to look down her nose at her.

When Marcus said “Briallen, er, I… I hope you have learned a lesson. It is unacceptable to wear a tunic with stains on it when in the public part of the villa.” Briallen nearly gave out an involuntary laugh. She had found a weakness in her Master, one she would employ in her favour. It was clear Marcus was embarrassed to show his sexual needs in front of an older woman. And while Damona was not ‘mutton dressed for lamb’ she was no ‘spring chicken either.’ No doubt she would offer herself on a plate to Marcus, he would accept and in doing so he would not be able to bed Briallen. What a clever girl she was.

****************************************************************************************

Briallen hadn’t heard Damona decline the invitation to dine with Marcus, so when she got to the kitchens she told Laverne to prepare a simple dinner for two. “By the gods you are a fast worker” said Laverne eying Briallen up and down. “Just you go careful lass, I’ve seen this all before. You will be with child before the year is out. You being so young and ripe and he so full of healthy seed you will catch on like a tar fire.”

Laughing at the older woman Briallen countered “For your information it’s the slave Damona who will dine with the Master and no doubt sharing his bed afterwards. You should dress smartly, you might be next. He likes old women!” She laughed again.

Laverne was about to throw something at the young girl but the former raised her hands. “And, listen … the Master wants to entertain his friends soon. He wants an Egyptian theme.” She laughed again “There you go, you can dress as Cleopatra. You probably knew her anyway!” Both women laughed.

Then Laverne countered by saying “You better dress as a mummy. Better that than becoming one!” Then she stopped and smiled at the young temptress. “It’s true, isn’t it?” Briallen looked curious “All that with the old Master, just a game of tease wasn’t it?” Briallen blushed and nodded. “Just be careful, you are a very attractive young woman and you are likely to be out of your depth.”

“I know what I’m doing” countered Briallen “I’m still a virgin.”

Laverne looked concerned “A situation any soldier in the Roman army would gladly rectify in less than ten minutes.” She walked over and run her hands through Briallen’s golden hair. “Just be careful little one.” Then changing the subject she said “Now, let’s get the Master’s dinner ready.”

 

[EesomeBeastie]

Marcus walked to the stables, with Damona following just behind, stopping at his suite to change into the short riding tunic which Servius had laid out for him, whilst she waited outside the door for him. He said nothing to her as they crossed the courtyard, unsure how to deal with her hardened attitude. He’d only been here a couple of hours and he was already learning that managing a household of slaves was harder than he’d thought.

The chestnut gelding stood outside one of the stalls, held by a slave. It was a fine beast, with a gleaming coat and a bright glint in its eye. Just seeing it raised Marcus’ spirits, and he forgot the earlier awkwardness.

He swung himself up into the saddle and settled into position, gripping the horse lightly with his knees. Taking the reins from the stable slave, he nudged the horse into a slow walk.

“Let’s visit the mill first, then head up to the spinning and weaving shops,” he said to Damona. “Come, follow me.”

They set off in silence. As they climbed the gently slope to the mill, between fields of golden wheat, Marcus essayed some conversation.

“Briallen – what do you make of her? I gather Gaius was quite fond of her, almost as an uncle. Is she too spoiled to be a good worker? Does she need some more discipline?”

 

[slippedhalo]

Still a little perturbed about the earlier scene, Damona simply shrugged one shoulder in response. "She is young and must learn her place. I fear she thinks the world is hers if she just smiles right and...seduces the right men...Perhaps, in her case with some less worldly, more simple men she may be correct but I think it would benefit her more in the long run if she learned from the beginning that there's something to be said to hard work and devotion to one's station." Damona kept her eyes off of the master as she gave her opinion. She didn't want any accidental flashes of emotion to show through and dampen the impact of her words.