Read Online Under a Stern Reign by Raymond Wilde - Free Book Online Page A

with them? When they were not making love, the two were the best servants he’d ever had. Neither complained of anything, and both did whatever they were told.
    Then it occurred to him to take them with him. But what would he tell Count de Tranville and his father? Why, he would introduce them as yet more imperilled aristocrats whom he was gallantly rescuing. Claudine could be the countess of somewhere, Juliette the baroness of somewhere else. Splendid!
    Having made the decision he relaxed into his pillows and smiled. Yes, it would be too great a shame to leave France without them.
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    After the thrashing received from the count, Genevieve fled to her bedchamber in tears. The punishment left her perplexed and at a loss to understand her own feelings. She felt fury at her guardian for being so unfair and so brutal, but at the same time she acknowledged the pleasure the blows had awoken.
    Her feelings toward Elise similarly confused her. On the one hand she resented the assistance she’d given him in the administration of the punishment - a punishment far more protracted than the one Elise had to endure, and a punishment for which Elise had been responsible in the first place - but on the other hand the memories of the pleasures she’d experienced earlier at her hand remained.
    The following day Elise complained of a headache and asked for her meals to be brought to her bedroom. She also issued instructions that she was not to be disturbed by anyone, including Genevieve.
    Genevieve felt despair at the announcement. What was the matter with her friend and why couldn’t she visit her? She began to feel lonely. She breakfasted alone and wondered what to do for the rest of the day, hoping Elise might feel better as it wore on.
    But as the afternoon came Elise still had not emerged, and glumly Genevieve decided to take a walk alone. Without a fixed itinerary she wandered across the lawns and headed for the woods beyond. A path cut through the trees and she followed it for some time.
    She soon began to relax. It was lovely in the woods, and the singing birds and the rustle of the wind through branches lulled her. Her thoughts slowly returned to Elise and then to Rodolfo.
    It now seemed so long since she had seen the man. It was difficult to remember just how he looked. Especially after the games she had played with Elise.
    The dark hair and powerful eyes of the man and her friend merged, so that Rodolfo suddenly loomed in her mind like a sorceress and Elise became a dashing foreign gentlemen. She would see Rodolfo again soon, though, she remembered.
    What would he feel for her? Would a man capable of so casually doing what he had done with Elise be capable of ever loving her? And would she please him? After all, what did she really have to offer? Nothing any more, except her heart and love.
    Genevieve came across a rutted road cutting through the woods, and caught sight of a small house. She had walked for quite some time now, and was beginning to feel tired and thirsty. Perhaps the occupants would allow her a drink and a little time to rest.
    But from first impressions the house appeared to be deserted. Slightly nervously she tapped on its heavy oak door, but there was no reply. Again she knocked, harder this time, but again there was no reply. She waited for a minute or so before deciding that there was probably nobody there, but just as she turned away the door creaked open.
    â€˜Can I help you, mademoiselle?’ a soft voice asked.
    Genevieve turned back to see a young blonde girl of about her age standing before her.
    â€˜Is everything all right, mademoiselle?’ the girl asked.
    â€˜Yes,’ Genevieve replied, after a pause, slightly taken aback by the loveliness of the girl. ‘I’ve been walking in the woods for a long time and was wondering if I could perhaps ask for a drink to quench my thirst.’
    â€˜Of course you can,’ the girl chimed sweetly, a bright smile lighting up her