Anonymous - The Loves of Lord Roxboro

An excellent repast was served. The lord plied his charges with questions in regard to their life in the convent. The younger girl, Freda, seemed quite lively and full of life, laughing and joking. Caroline, burdened perhaps by the consciousness of her greater age and dignity, due to her budding womanhood, was more reserved; her eyes, as they encountered the lord's burning ones, dropped to her plate and a telltale flush overspread her beautiful countenance. She was evidently conscious of her sex and fidgeted nervously under her uncle's sensual gaze, blushing to the roots of her auburn hair and partaking of but little food, mostly sitting toying idly with her fork and eating but small nibbles of this and that.

By skillful and adroit questioning the lord ascertained that the two lovely creatures had been in different classes at the convent and had not slept in the same dormitory. This was fully in accord with his plans, and almost hugging himself with glee, he ordered Marie, the maid, to prepare two rooms, one on each side of his library, for the adorable damsels. At the conclusion of the repast he retired to his library to read and meditate, the girls each going to her room to rest after their travels of the day.

Evening fell and the servants, their daily tasks finished, prepared to retire to their own quarters outside of the mansion. The lord heard his two charming nieces moving about in their respective rooms, probably setting their things in order. Both rooms were entered from the hall, his own being reached through the library, although a door to each of the girls' chambers also opened from the library.

Opening the door to Freda's room, Lord Roxboro found her busily engaged in unpacking her boxes and stowing her apparel away in the drawers of a chest.

“Ah, right at home already, I see,” he said, laughing as he chucked her gaily under the dimpled chin. “I suppose you are tired, my adorable little niece, from your long ride?”

“Yes,” she replied. “I am very tired and I am sure I shall sleep quite soundly. In fact, to be quite frank, I'm almost asleep on my feet right now, dear uncle.”

“All right, pet,” he said, pinching her again. “Go right to bed and tomorrow when you have had an opportunity to rest yourself, I will show you about the estate. Good night.” And leaving the room, he carefully closed and locked the door behind him.

He then cautiously approached the door on the other side of the library, leading to the divine Caroline's apartment and tapping softly upon the panel, he gently turned the knob and softly opened the door and entered. Caroline was engaged in the same task as her sister had been, placing her apparel in order, and upon the entrance of her uncle she rose to her feet and faced him. Her face was flushed and rosy, probably from the stooping attitude she had been in while unpacking her clothing. Her violet eyes sparkled like twin stars.

“I see you are very busy, Caroline,” he said, closing the door behind him and giving her a careful inspection, his eyes bright with passionate desire as they fairly ravished the girl's beauteous form.

“Yes, uncle,” she replied in a low murmur with a rather confused air. “I'm packing away some of my things.”

“Tired?” he asked.

“A little,” she replied. “You know, we had a long trip and it was rather fatiguing.”

“Well,” said he, “if you are not too tired, there are certain things I wish to discuss with you and I would be glad if you would come to see me in the library before you retire.”

“Certainly, uncle,” she replied demurely.

“I will call for you when I am ready,” he said. “I will rap on your door when I wish you. You may finish putting your things away.” So saying he left the room and closed the door. Opening the door that led into the vestibule, he looked about to see that all the servants had departed the house. Reentering the library, he closed the door and slipped the bolt.

Tiptoeing over to the door of Freda's room, he bent his ear to listen and was rewarded with the sound of heavy, regular breathing, indicating that the youngster, tired from the day's activities, was fast asleep.

Seating himself for a few moments in his easy chair, he allowed his mind to speculate upon the future pleasures which seemed about to be his, alone in his house with such charming creatures, his sensual nature suggesting many delights to which he would treat himself. Allowing sufficient time for Caroline to have finished her task of arranging her clothing, he went to the door, tapped upon it and said, “Come in now, dear; I am ready for you.”

Caroline opened the door of the room and stepped slowly inside. At a motion from her uncle, she seated herself on a couch and he, reseating himself in his easy chair, surveyed her from head to foot. She blushed nervously under his burning gaze and the lord, tearing his eyes from their appraisal of this luscious creature, folded his hands and addressed her: “I think, Caroline, that you will like it here.”

“Yes, uncle, I'm sure I will.”

“First,” said her uncle, crossing his legs and regarding her fixedly and somewhat sternly, “there are certain matters that we must discuss. That is why I had you come in. Your father-” He paused as he saw the girl's great violet eyes fill with tears at the mention of her father. “Your father,” he went on, “either could not or did not make any provision for yourself or your young sister. You are therefore both dependent upon me, as you have no other relatives. Without me you would therefore become public charges; you understand that, I suppose?”

“Yes, uncle,” she replied, tears coursing down her alabaster cheeks as she bowed her head. “We know you have been very good to us and I want you to know that Freda and I both appreciate it very much.”

“I am glad, Caroline, that you realize this,” he said. “Freda is too young to fully appreciate the situation you are in and it is for that reason that I am talking to you tonight. Your conduct will govern not only your own fate but that of your sister as well. I am sure that I won't be disappointed in you, Caroline.”

“I hope, uncle,” she replied, “that you will never have cause to regret your noble action in taking two unfortunate girls under your tender care; I assure you that we will both respect and adore you and will do our best to please you in every possible manner.”

“A pauper and a public charge is indeed an unpleasant thing, and a sad thing,” he said musingly, as though talking to himself, but artfully watching between his lowered lids the look of extreme terror that crossed the girl's features. “I wonder”-at this he turned and faced her-“I wonder if you really mean what you say? I wonder if I can be sure that in doing this benevolent act, in taking you girls into my home, I can be sure of your respect and obedience in all matters? Girls are headstrong creatures, you know.”

“Oh, uncle,” quivered the distressed maiden, reproachfully, “how could you doubt me? You have taken us into your wonderful home and surely you must not think we would ever be ungrateful to you.”

“It is easy enough to say that you pledge yourself to obedience and respect, but perhaps your ideas and mine might not agree at times, and then what would be your reactions?”

“Oh, uncle,” she replied, “I am sure you can believe me when I say we will do everything in accordance with your slightest of wishes.”

“Well, here is the situation, then; I am not a harsh man, but I do not propose to be taken advantage of on that account. I will agree to take you girls into my home on the same basis as though you were my daughters, but I will not be crossed in my wishes or plans for you. I must be the judge of your conduct; I must be the court of last resort as to what you will or will not do; I must be consulted in every plan and I will not be disobeyed; you must agree to conform to my every wish. For my part I will treat you kindly and take the best care of you that my wealth may command. Your course is open to you; you may remain here under those conditions, or you may make whatever other arrangements you see fit.”