F Campbell - Golden Wrists

“Don’t worry, darling, the men always win the first battle. But it’s us girls who win the last. Let’s do what he tells because he’s actually had the gall to threaten to cut a willow branch and whip my bottom ... Isn’t this fun!”

I had to discount Elizabeth’s help. I stood captive to my tree while Hugo looked around for some manner of making us even more captive. He untied his tie from my wrists and used it to join Elizabeth’s bound hands to mine, compelling us to walk awkwardly to his command. Thus we returned to Rockley.

Naomi was not pleased to see Hugo but was certainly pleased to see us, especially in the condition we now were. Had I not been well passed the tearful age, I would have wept in bitter chagrin. Nothing had gone right since we had landed on this damned island. In Naomi’s office, the authority of Hugo’s voice was slightly diminished. “I intend to take Miss Durrant back with me and whip her until she comes up with something constructive in the matter of my claim. I will use Mrs. Elizabeth Lord as a lever upon your Uncle Andrew, who must be shockingly embarrassed by her disappearance, to further press my demands. I refuse to be put off further.” He focused on Naomi. “Or would you, at the this time, be prepared to make me some sort of acceptable offer?”

“You’ll get no offer from me!” she countered. “These two females you appear to have captured provide no leverage whatsoever to the Estate. Do as you wish with them, I could care less.”

I felt like a nothing. Even Elizabeth’s radiance was diminished.

She inquired instantly, “Don’t you want to keep Diane and I to play with, darling. Weren’t you going to whip us?”

Naomi waved the question of whipping a pair of innocent and naked young women into limbo. “Of course I’ll whip you both, but that has nothing to do with the question Mr. Markham raises now.” She turned her full attention to the waiting male. “I am indebted to you for bringing the two of them to me in this condition. But you didn’t come to Plessious for that. What did you have in mind?”

“I came to tell you I’ve become aware of what you Uncle Andrew is doing in that big house of his in Dorset. I was wondering if you would care to help my cause if I keep quiet about something that would create a major scandal if disclosed.” Hugo was certainly feeling his oats. “I know Uncle Andrew is not a beneficiary but he has tremendous influence on everyone and on the Estate, itself. My source of information tells me your Uncle Andrew was mainly concerned with these two ladies who stand naked before us now. I’m not sure of the connection but it’s there, and I suspect he would be glad to have them back. Think about that, Miss Samis.”

I actually felt sorry for Naomi. The poor girl had to cope with too many unknown factors to make a reasonable judgment. Irritably she suggested, “If you’re in the kidnap and ransom business, Mr. Markham, I would suggest that you take these two naked and pretty young ladies back to where ever you came from. Do as you please with them, they have no interest for me at all.”

It was now Hugo’s turn to have me feel sorry for him. He stood there deflated and angry while I computed possibilities. I would be whipped for sure regardless, but I figured Hugo Markham offered my best changes of escape. I had not the least idea where he would keep us safe, but at least it would not be on an island. I was pretty sure Naomi would keep me heavily chained. I could feel Elizabeth’s heart beat against my bare skin as we stood so closely bound, and I could feel pretty sure her fate would be as painful as mine. Even without motive, people do seem to enjoy whipping pretty girls. It would be easy for Naomi to keep us captive forever, but with Hugo we would be a burden. Excitedly I told him, “Hugo, I want to be back in New York just as much as you. If you’ll take me there, I’ll give you my promise to go with you willingly and won’t make a fuss on the plane, and I’ll allow you to make me prisoner again on our arrival. Take me with you now.”

“Me, too.” Elizabeth added quickly, taking her cue from me. “There you are, Mr. Markham, you’ve got everything on a plate,” Naomi said cheerfully. “Let me wish you a pleasant journey and goodbye.”

Hugo was baffled, his tone was sour. “I’m not falling for this promise stuff. You’d kiss me goodbye whenever it took your fancy. And, as for you Mrs. Lord, you’re too hot to handle.” His tone became flippant as he looked at Naomi. “They’re all yours. Miss Samis. Aren’t you lucky!”

Hugo Markham was half way to the door when I called after him.

“Hugo, stop. Don’t leave us here. If you’ll forget this prisoner business and simply take us back to New York with you, I’ll fight your case forever, and pay all expenses.”

Hugo halted and turned. “All right. I’ll take you but you alone. I can’t afford Mrs. Lord.”

“I won’t go anywhere without Elizabeth ... Please, Hugo!”

Hugo left and slammed the door. Elizabeth and I stood there, still tightly bound with Hugo’s necktie and very nude. Mainly I thought of our clothes back on the jetty and wondered if Hugo would throw them in the water out of pique. Naomi was very much in charge. “It seems I’ve inherited you,” she conceded without concern. “I’ve come to rather like the idea. A pair such as you will give the girls some fresh interest. I’ll keep you heavily ironed, of course, until Uncle Andrew makes up his mind. I really must phone him and break the news.”

Elizabeth was intrigued. “And ... You mean like hundreds of years ago?”

“More or less, dear, except what you’ll get now won’t be rusty.”

I was instantly alarmed. “Look, for heaven’s sake, don’t turn me over to Uncle Andrew!” I pleaded. “He’ll whip me to death, and toss me in that rotten dungeon.”

“No he won’t, Diane. Uncle Andrew won’t whip you any more than I’m going to. And he won’t make you any more a prisoner than you’ll be with me. You know, dear, you really are the most irritating female I’ve ever met. I hate lawyers, and ever since I first met you I’ve been longing to give you a course of treatment.”

I tried not to show how scared I was. Except for the girl to whom I was tied, I seemed to have no friends at all. With more feeling that I should have, I demanded. “Very well, I know I’m in for it but, Naomi, you don’t have to be mean to Elizabeth. If you’re going to have her husband take her back, you need only keep her handcuffed. You can give her the run of the island with the other girls.”

“Whatever you get, Diane, I get too.” Elizabeth said firmly.

“That takes care of that.” Naomi said instantly. “You’re both of an age I’ll enjoy punishing. It will be a pleasant change to my darling girls who I hardly ever punish at all. They’ll love watching you whipped.”

I could think of bitter things to say but what was the use?

Elizabeth was shinning eyed and curious about everything. I could sense her eagerness as we stood skin to skin, and realized that for her, Plessious was infinitely preferable to the Gothic imprisonment at Rockley. But I wished we had never come to Plessious.

I am in the much hated little hut or little prison or little box, or whatever you wish to call it. I know about it from previous acquaintance, it holds me now. Naomi has given instructions that its door be left open to admit light and air. But a metal collar is snug upon my neck and from it a lengthy chain trails to its ring bolt in the wall. Elizabeth’s handcuffs are still on my wrists in the manner in which she clasped them when achieving her heart’s desire. I am very helpless. Often I stand up and take the several steps my chain permits towards the open door and sunlight. It is nice to know it’s out there and that someday, I am to be out there too. Good gosh, what a spot to be in!