F Campbell - Golden Wrists

“But shouldn’t you have whipped me first,” I blurted out. “before putting these on?”

“I am a tease.” Juanita sparkled at my surprise. “You do not get whipped today at all. And not even tomorrow, Miss Durrant. I was having fun with you.”

“You won’t put me back in that dungeon?”

“No, you are free. You can walk out of this house and anywhere you want upon this island. These chains make sure you cannot swim and make it easy to fetch you if needed.” She raised my shackled hand and kissed it. “The night is warm, sleep where you please.” She thrust me towards the passage and the door.

It was always too much, too soon. I tinkled and clattered as I walked, my ankles snubbed constantly by their chain, but walking was possible. I felt a tremendous exhilaration as I wandered out into the Caribbean moon and warm night. My hands had been chained in front and, even though the links were few. I was not nearly as helpless as before. My heart sang in gratitude, which was sort of silly considering the way I was restrained But the island of San Jancith was beautiful in the pale moonlight and the phosphorescence of the surrounding sea. I tripped constantly but couldn’t have cared less. My thankfulness for being out of that blasted dungeon was intense.

I clinked my way around in the magic night of San Jancith. I followed one of the foot paths to a ridge which I climbed with difficulty but was rewarded by a truly gorgeous view and a comfortable place to sit. I arranged my nakedness and chains to cup my hands beneath my chin and gaze longingly across the silver sea to where other islands were plainly visible. If boats traveled these waters, I suspected they stayed well clear of Uncle Andrew’s island. I hated to leave the loveliness on which I gazed but it would be there tomorrow and the day after, so I found a collection of fallen leaves which I gathered into a pile to give some comfort to my contours, and went to sleep. In the morning I was ravenously hungry and, since the ancient house with its dungeon and goodness knows what else, was the only source of food, I returned and sought Juanita and Constance who shared the breakfast table with me as though I was an honored visitor, making no mention of my chains. After the final cup of coffee. Juanita unlocked the shackles from my wrist and told me we would go for a walk.

I pointed out I couldn’t walk very fast with joined feet, but she laughed and said it didn’t matter, we had lots of time. Constance didn’t say anything.

Juanita held my arm, as much to keep me from falling as to keep me moving in the direction she wished. She chatted busily about how she admired Uncle Andrew and Constance and loved the tiny, rocky island. We followed a different path from my journey of the night before. It led us to a pleasant little green area shaded by widely spaced trees, a little glade in which it would be easy to hear the pipes of Pan, and the laughter of the maidens he pursued. Dead center there remained a grim reminder of human hand, an ancient pillory. A small green vine wrapped around the heavy vertical post, giving the appearance of age. Like other things I had seen on this island, it was just girl sized.

Juanita detected my distaste and the slowing of my steps. Her voice because a soft authority. “It is desired for you to stand here for a period of time I cannot tell. If you do not wish to help me fasten you, I will get Jacob and Constance to help me lock you safe ... Please. Miss Durrant?”

What the hell could I do! I could fight and get fixed anyway or be a good little girl. It was Uncle Andrew’s ultimatum about a kidnapping all over again. I understood now why my hands and arms were free. I raised them disgustedly to place my wrists and neck where the pillory would hold them fast. I could not fail to note the clean and shinning surface in the holes in the wood. I wondered if this had been done on my account or if other girls had recently stood in this pillory to appease Uncle Andrew’s quaint sense of humor. I did not ask, but arranged my hair to the best advantage along my cheek.

“Is this the way you want me, Juanita?”

The answer was instant. The upper yoke was carefully lowered upon my waiting neck and limbs where it fitted perfectly. I turned sideways to watch Juanita click the huge iron hasp and huge padlock. I was fixed for sure.

“I expect you would now like to scratch your nose, Miss Durrant.” My jailer laughed. It is the first thing a girl wants to do when she is fastened as you are fastened now. I will do it for you and then go.” Her fingers were soft upon my skin.

“How long do I have to stand like this?” I asked unhappily.

“I have told you. I do not know. Miss Durrant. But there are worse things then standing as you are now. The worst part of it is to be left alone, and so I say goodbye.” She tilted my chin and kissed me on the lips.

The sound of Juanita’s retreating steps soon vanished. I soon felt like I was the only living thing in the world. The glade was pretty and very still but offered very little in the way of a view. Since I couldn’t stand fully erect. I could see only the grass and shrubs close by. I had to suppose the reason for placing the pillory in this isolated place was to give a girl the shivers in a constant bout of apprehension as she stood awaiting the touch of unseen hands. It was a lot better than the dungeon but I was fixed so firmly as to be frightening. My hands mocked me in their helplessness.

It was probably a couple of hours and I was becoming tired and a little scared when I heard footsteps behind my naked back, and Constance came into view. She looked at my condition approvingly, then kissed my forehead with genuine warmth before finding a chunk of wood on which to sit. Her greeting was forthright. “I’m glad you’re out of that dungeon, dear. If Juanita had kept you there much longer, dear. I would have had to do something about it.” There came a long pause. “But I don’t like the way you’re being treated anyway. I suppose Mr. Everleigh had his reasons but he’s a strange man and treats his females in strange ways. Honestly, I don’t like to see you locked in that pillory the way you are, naked and with your feet chained. And I’m sure you’re imagining all sorts of horrors about to happen.” Looking at me earnestly, she added. “I really have to do something about it.”

“You mean you’re actually going to let me loose?”

“I can’t do that, dear. You have to be punished, and this is about as mild as punishment as you’re likely to get. I’m afraid you’ll have to put up with it. I’ll make sure Juanita doesn’t leave you here all night. What I want is something more constructive, so I’ve phoned that nice Mr. Markham and told him where you are and how to get here. But he’s not likely to get her until late tomorrow or the next day because of the connections he’ll have to make.”

I was enveloped in a flood of gladness and showered my, benefactor in thanks.

“I like you, dear,” Constance continued in explanation of her acts. “I liked you back at Rockley with all those silly girls we had to look after. By the way, the girls are still there. Why don’t you ask Mr. Everleigh to give you back your old position there. I understand Elizabeth Lord is scheduled to be a prisoner there again, you liked her, didn’t you?”

“But won’t you get into all sorts of trouble if you let me free? If Andrew Everleigh discovers it was you who told Hugo where I am?” I shifted anxiously against the pillory.

“Mr. Markham would have discovered where you are anyway, it would simply have taken longer. I can’t tell what sort of pickle Juanita will have you in when he arrives, but I’ll guide his steps some way or other. And no one will ever know you were not rescued by your knight in shinning armor.”