The Indomitable Lady

18. Renewed hope

When her husband arrived Teresa tried to light the candle. Nervous, he couldn't do it and, laughing, he lit her candle with the flame he had in his hands.

ꟷYou can't even light candles and lamps, My lady, I really don't understand where you come from...

Teresa was relieved to feel that he was not angry at the fact that he had discovered them listening to the men's conversation. She sat down on the bed carefully and faced her husband

ꟷCarlos, are you going to torture that man to death just because he was inappropriate with me?

ꟷLet's do it because he's the slave who was forgetting that. He will have to serve as an example for everyone else. But don't worry about that, I already told you that it's not your business, ­ ꟷ he said as he undressed, as if a man's death was a trivial matter.

ꟷHow are they going to kill him? Will it be in your hands? ꟷasked slowly, fearing the answer

Carlos sat very close to her and looked at her

ꟷI would really like it to be, but we agreed that things wouldn't be done that way...I don't want you to think about it anymore.

ꟷ... a man's agony just because he was inappropriate with me. It's not a fair punishment! It's exaggeration!

ꟷThis matter is closed, Teresa! ꟷThe tone of his voice became firm, hard, almost threatening

Teresa remained silent although she continued to look somewhere between upset and sad. The husband continued while undressing:

ꟷListen, when my mother and the rest of the ladies in the house return from the city, what do you say the two of us go there?

Her eyes widened in astonishment.

ꟷBoth of us?!!! Will I see Dulce?

Carlos smiled. He seemed pleased to give her that little pleasure

ꟷYes, we are both going and we will only take two slaves. Your mucamba and Lucas. He will leave the dungeon without further punishment and will directly accompany us. What do you say?

ꟷOh, and Ruth and Luke will come with us! Carlos, thank you! She jumped into his arms, and he pulled her onto his lap, but groaned as she sat on his muscular legs, careless about her sore bottom.

ꟷIt might be difficult for you to make the trip with your tail in these conditions...ꟷhe said, touching the injured area

ꟷI can handle itꟷ She spoke decidedly although she grimaced in pain

As always he smiled with pride at her suffering. But at that moment it didn't anger her. She let herself experience the happiness of anticipation and enjoyed her husband's affection.

Only later did she remember that he took her from the farm at a time when the slave would be brutally terrorized and killed. Maybe he wanted to spare her that image that would make her suffer, and maybe he feared everything she would try to do to stop him. Whatever the case, she will see Dulce and try to find a way to get out of that world.

Carlos kissed her tenderly and made love to her, slowly and carefully, letting her find a position in which the bruises he caused would not hurt, caressing her tenderly, responding to her moans and voluptuous pleas.

In the morning, he got up at dawn as always but made a point of waking her up with kisses and caresses.

As soon as Ruth came in to help her get dressed, Teresa told her the news.

ꟷLucas will come out of the dungeon! And you and he will accompany us to the city.

Ruth looked at her in disbelief. Teresa repeated: