Mine Beloved (Lunari Series book 1)

001

“I need a slave.” Lord Lucian Blackwell declared, gazing the eloquent garden through the window of his manor.

“A slave?” Trevor asked as he dropped his feet from the table in disbelief.

It was no secret the number of the things Lucian Blackwell detested–slavery being chief among them. Slaves were nothing but property: deprived of name, status, wealth, respect, and dignity. To Lucian, slaves were depreciating liabilities–they aged and got boring quickly. He believed in the principle, ‘Every man has a price’ which extended to labour. Until now.
Lucian turned away from the window and took a seat, facing his old friend. “I need a slave. Young, healthy, and smart. I don’t care the cost if it meets my requirements.”

Trevor leaned forward, “Why? You have never weened such notion… What changed?”

Lucian’s eyes flickered toward the painted portrait of his deceased wife cradling an infant swaddled in a red blanket. “For Nathaniel’s education. A slave his age to learn, rival, befriend, and serve him will be necessary.”

“You can hire a young servant or adopt a child.”

“Nathaniel is my sole heir. A servant has his years of service before he retires without lingering attachments.” Lucian’s tone brooked no argument. “Are you helping me or not?”

Trevor sighed and folded his arms. He understood Lucian to be stubborn and firm in his decision even on simple matters. Suggesting anything sensitive, like remarriage, would be equally futile.

“There is a slave caravan that comes to Linfield every six months. Their slaves are expensive, but high quality of different ages and genders. I’ve purchased two slaves from the caravan, and they are remarkable.” Trevor crossed his feet with a debauchery grin.

“When do they arrive?”

“Tonight. You are in luck my friend; I hear they have something special tonight. If it is as wonderful as rumoured, my harem is willing to welcome another.”

“Very well.”

***

The slave market sat on the outskirts of Linfield where the caravan camped. Lucian’s sharp gaze took in the crowd, many of whom haggled for slaves and contraband with factions that catered to their pockets. Some slaves, brazenly parading naked without handlers, latched onto potential buyers and led them to secluded corners—a thinly veiled hint that this was as much a brothel as it was a marketplace.
Lucian hadn’t expected the auction house to be a decent build that could cater for a house given its grotesque and vulgar surrounding.

“This way, my friend.” Trevor said and opened the wooden door.

They were greeted by a beautiful young woman draped in purple sheer silk. Her curly raven hair framed delicate features, and her gentle brown eyes shrouded any self-thought. She bowed. “Welcome masters.”

“We are here for the auction. We want the best seat… it is this gentleman’s first time.” Trevor said and tilted her chin to meet his eyes. “Have you missed me, my dear?”

“If it will please you, I have not.” She replied coldly, pulling her chin from his grasp.

Trevor laughed. Lucian trailing behind, scowled at his friend’s shameless flirtation. Her heart must have been made of iron and stone to resist a man as silver-tongued as Trevor.

They sat in a private room above the other guests with a clear view of the stage where each item would be presented. Lucian spotted a few faces from the ton who chattered amongst themselves, unaware of his presence. It was disappointing discreet purchase were impossible in auctions, people might misconceive his intentions with a slave and play politics with him.