The Indomitable Lady

12. The sense of subjugation

Several times she woke up at night, sore, but in the morning she slept soundly and didn't even notice when her husband left. Only when she felt the slave enter the room and watch her did she open her eyes. He groaned as he moved and asked the time.

ꟷThe sun is already high, Sinhá! But Senhor Carlos ordered no one to wake you up and we let you sleep. He left very early to see if the mare and foal were all right.

ꟷTo see what?!

ꟷYou were all night watching a very complicated delivery of a mare. They thought they lost it. They even called the doctor, but even he thought they were going to lose the animal. But she eventually managed to give birth. However, the mare is still very weak and struggling to nurse the poor foal.

Teresa sat up with a groan as she tried to understand what was being said to her.

Luísa and Francisca entered the room and approached her.

ꟷHow are you? ꟷasked Luisa with an air of consternation and almost embarrassment ꟷ We heard everything! Carlos gave you a huge beating!

ꟷI'm fine ... But where did Carlos go? Or rather, where was he last night?

ꟷMom tried to tell you .... ꟷ said Francisca ꟷThe clothes that the father came to wear were not city clothes, on the contrary. Apparently he came to put on an outfit to be in the mare's bay and help her give birth . All three of them were with her, but the father is the only one who usually goes around in city clothes and came to wear something more practical.

ꟷ Oh, my God! So I accused Carlos unfairly?! He had a mare in labor and I thought he was at Madame Carmen's!

ꟷ Yes, ꟷ confirmed Luísaꟷ And you took an unnecessary beating.

ꟷBy God, Teresa, what did you expect by treating my brother like that? - exclaimed Francisca

Teresa looked now at one, now at the other and decided:

ꟷ Ruth, help me get dressed. I want to go to Carlos and apologize!

ꟷAre you going to see him in the stables to apologize? ꟷ Asked Francisca with astonishment

ꟷYes, I know how to admit when I made a mistake!

ꟷ Are you going to apologize to him after the beating he gave you?!!! ꟷExclaimed Franciscaꟷ You could have done that before you took her...

ꟷ Oh, don't tell her that ꟷ asked Luisa

ꟷIt's true! But I didn't think he was taking care of an animal ꟷ explained Teresa

They helped her to dress carefully, choosing the most comfortable underwear to minimize the pain of the abused place and ended up not wearing the traditional culottes

They went down to the kitchen where Nina had prepared a good breakfast for her. They all spoiled her and tried to make up for her husband's terrible behavior.

ꟷNow I want to go to the stables to find my husband ꟷshe decided after eating the meal

ꟷMiss, don't go getting into more trouble with Mr. Carlos ꟷ asked Nina

ꟷNo, I will not cause problems, I will apologize. I don't want to wait until night

ꟷI'll go with you ꟷsaid Francisca ꟷNina, see if Lucas is around and can escort us

ꟷDo you need an escort? The stable is behind the house! Let's not go away ꟷ exclaimed Teresa

ꟷ It is not mandatory, but it is better. Your husband will see your goodwill. ꟷexplained Francisca