An overseer came up on his horse...we could see him coming from a distance, so I had time to order Julia to resume wearing the field work rags.
He was surprised to see me, a member of the patrician family, out there and even helping with the work. He became deferential, but I also saw the quizzical look on his face.
I easily slid back into the personality I use when with employees and slaves.
"What, are you surprised that we can work physically too?"
He bowed and his words of denial and apology come so fast that I laughed. Julia hid her smile.
"I am touring this estate and it makes sense to understand the tasks required if I am to lead well."
He bowed again, "You are most wise, Claudia."
"I am considering moving this slave to house duties. Is her task here finished properly?"
He looked around and confirmed that it was completed satisfactorily.
"Good, I will take her to the villa."
"As you wish" he bowed and took his leave to continue to the next station.
Julia exclaimed how fun that was, to witness the overseer being bossed and deferential. She explained the overseer was fine, but could get very bossy and drive slaves hard, including with his whip, because it was his job to ensure results.
I nodded, smiling. We began walking, I leading my horse as we continued to talk. After small talk, I quizzed her about being a house slave...and then about becoming my personal slave... at that, she turned and smiled boldly into my eyes, searching them as if for more information.
"Really? Do you mean it? I could be your personal slave?"
I was relieved and excited at this answer.
I grinned like a girl talking to a boy she had a crush on, and nodded.
"Thank you, mistress! Yes!"
I asked about her skills such as reading and writing, music, repairing clothing, but neither of us spoke out loud of the sexual possibilities. We came close to that, however, when we spoke of cosmetics and hair.
Eventually I had the idea of cleaning her, but not the usual way - other house slaves bathing and washing her, but washing her myself. I didn't care, really, if the estate staff and slaves might gossip... and I wanted to get there faster.
So I mounted my horse and helped her get up behind me. I relished her hands and arms around my middle, and her delight at being atop a horse. I also relished her compliment that my middle was lean and strong... I had seen her tight and flat abdomen while mine was covered.
Stable boys and girls took my horse when we arrived. She followed me to my chambers.
My heart thumped and I couldn't help but grin in happiness, matching her smile. Though she was of the lowest class, a slave who owned absolutely nothing (instead, was owned), and I a wealthy free person whose family was at the top of society (and even claimed descent from a demi-god), she exuded calm and happiness.
We were both grinning. We talked with an easy comfort as if we had been friends for a long time.
We exchanged more personal insights. I confessed that out here at the distant country estate I had felt lonely. She confided there was much missing from her emotional life. Her expression turned sad and I thought of the awful event she and her family endured that resulted in her enslavement.
As we entered my chambers, I told her that perhaps we can each improve one another's lives. She instantly brightened and grinned, stunning me with her resilience - and especially her beauty. Yes, her smile dazzled me.
I could hardly believe I was having such powerful feelings for someone I just met, and a woman, and so far below my social class.
I thought of tales of forbidden love that defied all
odds. I smiled to myself at my crazy thoughts, ascribing their existence to simple physical attraction, my need for companionship and the rush of the moment.
"These are my rooms - temporary of course, for visiting family and guests. My own are in Roma."
Julia said these remind her of her home she grew up in, but she did not say it with sadness.
"I actually don't mind the slave pens."