Manon and Belle, Part 13
"I knew they were keen to have their turn with you my lady, yes. They asked me endless questions about our bath time," she said. "I told them all about it. I hope that was alright my lady?" she said, suddenly nervous again.
"Yes dear, it was fine. I don't like gossip, and certainly not with anyone outside the household, but for you to tell your sisters about it was fine."
"Sisters my lady? I've heard you refer to us as that before, but I don't understand," she said.
"It's simple Romi, all my female slaves are sisters to each other, and I expect them to behave like loving sisters to each other at all times. That is why Claire and Kitty are going to be punished, as they didn't meet that standard."
"Now I know you three aren't mine, but for the moment you are in my care, and I expect you all to behave like that, you see?"
"Thank you my lady, I think I do. My lady, our previous household wasn't like that? The slaves all vie with each other, and some go out of their way to get others into trouble. This is very different for us," Romi said.
"Different Masters and Mistresses have different rules Romi, it's important you adapt to them, no matter what they are."
"Now, let's go and deal with Kitty and Claire," Manon said, but stopped when Romi looked at her, obviously wanting to say something but very unsure of herself. "What is it pet? You can tell me." Manon raised an eyebrow when Romi knelt in front of her.
"My lady, if I go too far I'm sorry. But can I ask for you to be forgiving with Claire and Kitty? They have both been very nice to all three of us, and I doubt they meant any real harm," she said.
"You have a kind heart Romi, and it seems you understand what being a sister means. Now up you get and follow me," Manon told her. "They still have to be punished Romi, but since you asked so nicely I will be more gentle than I would normally be."
"Thank you my lady," Romi said, following Manon into the dungeon room.
"You two, clothes off and kneel," Manon snapped at Claire and Kitty, and turning away from them winked at Romi, who smiled back.
"I was going to combine punishments, and give you the spankings from this afternoon, and something else for being unkind to your sisters, but Romi has asked me nicely not to be harsh. I expect you to thank her for that later."
"So, instead you get a choice, 30 strokes with a cane from Belle on your bottom or being locked up in the cage there, until morning," Manon said pointing at the small barred cage in the corner of the room.
It was a rectangle about five feet on each side and four foot high, with strong metal bars on all sides and the top, bolted to the floor. It sloped to a drainage hole at one end. "Make a decision, quickly now," Manon said.
Kitty looked horrified and just shook her head at Claire, "you decide," she whispered. Gulping, Claire looked over at Belle. She knew how strong Belle was and the fact that Belle was smiling at her, clearly happy at the idea of getting to use a cane on her and Kitty made the decision for her.
"The cage my lady, we'll take the cage please," she said.
"Poor Belle, look how disappointed she is," Manon said, gesturing at Belle who was hamming up a disappointed pout. "Stand up, face to face by the cage door, and put your arms around each other's waists. Good girls. Belle lock their cuffs together please, and then use the shortest chain you can find to lock their collars together."
Kitty was tearful but Claire was trying to calm her down, and telling her it would be alright. With their hands cuffed behind each other, they were in effect locked into a hug that they couldn't break free from.
Belle found a chain that was only about a foot long and having cuffed their hands clipped it to each girl's collar, holding their faces so close together that they were almost nose to nose.
"Now, back into the cage girls, and lie down and curl up, it's not long enough for you to stretch out." That took quite a while, it was really hard for them being linked as they were, but eventually they managed it, wriggling in like some bizarre but very sexy caterpillar, and lay on their sides. "Belle, link Kitty's ankle cuffs to Claire's and then together please."
Kitty had buried her head on Claire's shoulder and wouldn't look up, but Claire was watching Manon closely, not that far from tears herself now. "So, you will be let out in the morning, but Sage, Thym and Romarin will come and check on you, and give you some supper and water. It's quite warm down here, but just in case, the cage will be covered with that blanket, so you should be cosy enough."
Belle picked the blanket up and covered the cage, and Manon led everyone out. "Now," she said to Sage and Thym, "we've a guest of sorts arriving any moment now. So off all you go," she said including Romarin, "and report to madame Persil."
"Thank you my lady," they all said and disappeared quickly off.
Manon took Belle for a walk in the garden, enjoying the late evening sun, when one of the guards brought a messenger to them, who informed Manon that her prisoner was on her way, having left Bordeaux at the same time as him.
Manon and Belle went and armed themselves, more as a matter of routine than out of any concern, and waited for the prisoner transport to arrive. Not long after, they saw half a dozen mounted troopers turn into the gate, a carriage with drawn blinds in the windows separating them from another half dozen men.
"My Lady de Gaillard et des Trois Lacs?" the escort commander said formally, dismounting from the carriage. "The same," Manon replied. "Cornet Janine Russell, at your service," the young woman said, sweeping her hat off and bowing most gracefully. "My uncle asked me to convey your prisoner to you."
As she straightened, seeing Manon's look, she smiled, "My uncle my lady, Eric du Valle" she said. She held a hand up and made a gesture in the air, at which another trooper appeared from inside the carriage, holding a chain, attached to a collar around the neck of Cecille Dumain, lately mistress of this house.
Cecile looked very different now. Her hair had been shaved, so short it was just stubble, and she was gagged, a large ring gag was holding her mouth open, stretching her jaw painfully. As a result she was drooling, spittle running down her naked body. Her hands were chained to a leather waist belt behind her, but she was alert, her eyes looking daggers at Manon.
"Your prisoner my lady," Janine told her, and Manon signalled Belle to take hold of Cecile's leash.
"Can I offer you and the escort refreshments Cornet Russell?" Manon asked.
"Please my lady, Janine will suffice, after all you are a family friend now," she replied, that same smile breaking out. "But thank you no, with your permission we will be on our way, we are expected back promptly," she said shrugging.