The Art of the Corset

Chapter Three- The Time that Follows

In the year that followed, Evelyn grew into the lifestyle she learned about in the last few years. Each new customer was a reassured night where she could eat what she wanted instead of the slop given to the poor-courtesy of the richest family in the village; The Greydons. Eve had adjusted to the costumes, the feelings, the payment but always somehow found a range of guilt to linger in her subconscious. She used to find herself connected to her clients but soon their faces blurred and their names became a list of potential meals. She just saw the rule of survival. She found no pleasure in the men that took her for the night, only another set of coins or even jewels she would sometimes be paid in. Most of the time, she played out her night by bathing, taking a handful of clients, then reading one of her romantic books. Although Madame Belladoux told her that love was a tale, she saw it betwixt certain people. The exchanges; men giving women flowers, the chaste relationships that seemed to be something to work toward, and even the kisses exchanged. Although some were lustful, they were never selfish. It made her sometimes question if Belladoux truly had her best interest.

But something of the night of her sixteenth birthday, changed her life forever. It was a seemingly endless night for the poor girl. It began as she was set to meet a client in one of the alleyways deep on the outskirts of the city. She saw how he had a bag with him and he stayed mostly to the shadows. He wore a long coat and top hat and did not speak so much as a groan their entire encounter. He removed rope from his bag and placed it before them both-showing he wanted to tie her hands. It had not been the first time in which this had been a fantasy so she complied without a fuss. She paused for a moment as he painful whipped her arms behind her and tied them so she was unable to move or defend herself. There was something in the way he moved with her that made her feel as if she was in harms way. She wriggled away trying to break free but found the bonds were too tight. She tugged as she tried to run but he then moved to tie her ankles. As he was lower, she brought up her knee and knocked him in the mouth, causing him to fall toward the ground.

He moved slowly and collected her in his grasp before taking her toward the ground. She displayed a scratch on her forehead from falling down as he tied her ankles from behind her. He then turned her around and began to lift up her skirt before forcing himself painful inside of her. He had his hands on her hips and plunged inside of her, making her squeal. He then placed his hand over her mouth in which she found he was wearing gloves. She was forced to endure the moment and she found how he left her there as she had passed out. She awoke with no binds as she decided she would not allow herself to be placed in that position again.

Running out of the alley, a horse nearly ran her over and she dodged it, but in order to, the rider forced his horse to heel and she fell looking up to him. She was at a loss for words as well as thoughts as she saw his physical appearance. She was unable to conjure words as she thought of being with him in the way her occupation allowed her. Her fantasy ended as she made her way to her feet. The man jumped from his horse and spoke in a deep voice as he apologized to her.

"I am so sorry my lady. Are you alright?" His eyes showed a truly sentimental apologetic phrase. He brushed off her skirt before noticing her forehead bore a wound. "You are wounded...please let me aid you."

"It is not necessary I can assure you...I will be fine. And have dealt with much worse..."

"Please, I insist. I will not cease until you agree to let me help you. It is the least I can do for scaring you half to death..."

She smirked before he helped her upon his horse and moved toward his destination which was a beautiful cottage. Covered with ivy and surrounded by flowers, it was gorgeous in every way. Rustic, secluded, and majestic as it stood alone near a barn and a long field that was spotted with various types of animals from cows to horses and flowers.

"I apologize I neglected my manners this evening..." He paused as she slid off the horse and he then caught her. "My name is Marth Karthsdeel. It is a pleasure to meet you..."

"Evelynn-Eve- Sarien." She said quickly.

And it was then she felt a spark. She knew now love did exist as she felt it through first sight of someone she had never seen before...she felt love at first sight.