Chapter 75: The Daughter's Manumission, Part 9, Ben's Enlightenment

CHARLOTTE

I can't help myself. As Ben bursts into the room, I shriek. It's not exactly fear. Not exactly protest or surprise. I'm not sure what it is, but I shriek.

My Master reacts instantly, almost launching himself upright to face Ben. There is a clatter as, in his haste, he knocks over a side-table, taking a lamp with it which lands on the floor with a crash.

And in a move that, even in the emergency of the moment strikes me as sweet, he snatches at the sheet, tossing it over me and covering my nakedness.

"Get the fuck out of here, Ben! Who d'you think you...."

Ben is not listening, screaming abuse, fists curled tight. "You whore! You've barely been married any time and you're already fucking my brother's so-called best friend...."

Pulling the sheet around myself I tumble out of the bed, backing into a corner away from Ben. I'm screaming something back at him but he's not hearing the words.