Free CamillasConsequences by Helena Harker Page A

faces her husband with renewed strength. When he looks at her, she slaps his face. “I don’t want you to touch me anymore. Ever!”
    “All right,” he says.
    “Or the servants. You will not touch the servants!”
    “All right,” he repeats.
    “Have as many men as you like. But never in our home and always in utmost secrecy!”
    “Yes, Virginia. I know the cost of discovery.” He raises his head.
    “Now thank me for giving you permission.” Fire gleams in her eyes.
    “Many thanks, Virginia.”
    “Remember that I have the power to withdraw permission at any time,” she threatens, “and I am only granting it because I want you to spend as little time as possible in our home.”
    “I understand.” He twists at the end of the rope and stares at the floor.
    “Good,” I say. “What else?”
    “I don’t know,” she says.
    “When your daughters have found husbands, approximately three years from now, you can ask for a divorce.”
    She nods, considering it.
    “Or you can travel to Italy for several months of the year to escape him, saying you need the fresh air to restore your health.”
    A small smile tugs at her lips.
    “There are many possibilities.” There, Lady Aldridge has been empowered. One final detail remains. I grab him by the neck. “Next week, Aldridge, you will vote to pass the law that will allow women to have control over their assets after marriage.”
    He stares at me, blazing with anger. “I will.”
    “Yes,” Virginia echoes. “You will. If you do not I will revoke your privileges and you will never associate with men again. You will spend every evening alone in your library.”
    It is time for me to go. “Shall I release him?”
    “No. I haven’t finished with him. May I keep the paddle?”
    “Certainly. I have many more.”
    A smile twitches at her lips as she strokes the black leather and stands behind her husband.
    “Virginia, please, enough!” He squirms and his buttocks clench.
    I do believe you have some difficult times ahead of you, Aldridge. I put on my skirt and blouse, take my handbag and leave the room. Before closing the door, I catch a glimpse of Virginia swinging the paddle toward her husband’s buttocks.
    The housekeeper is in the kitchen, tending to the cooling scones. She jumps and lowers her eyes when she sees me.
    “How long has he been abusing you?”
    “How did you know?” She quivers, transferring the scones to a serving dish. “I didn’t want to, but he’s a Lord. I can’t say no to a Lord. If I hand in my resignation, he will never give me a reference to find work elsewhere and I’ll end up in the Warren, selling the only thing I’ve got left.”
    “He will never hurt you again.”
    Her hands fly to her face and she bursts into sobs. I wrap my arms around her and hold her to my breast. “I promise he will never hurt you. That power has been stripped away from him.”
    “Thank you, ma’am.”
    “I am the sponsor of a girls’ boarding school.” Finding an opening for one more girl will be difficult, and she will be one of the eldest in attendance, but I will ensure she is taken care of. “I would like you to attend. How old are you?”
    “Seventeen, miss.”
    “Girls are schooled in all the basic subjects, such as reading, writing and mathematics, in addition to deportment and etiquette. Students are also given the opportunity to learn a trade so they can seek employment after graduation. Do you have any special skills?”
    Wiping her eyes with her apron, she nods and gestures for me to follow her to an adjoining room. One of Lady Aldridge’s gowns lies across a sewing table. Rarely have I seen such exquisite beadwork.
    “I sew some of the lady’s dresses.”
    Wonder of wonders! The girl is already an accomplished seamstress. “I believe you will be able to open your own dressmakers’ shop.”
    The girl beams. “It’s my dream.”
    “Then let us ensure it becomes a reality. Take this.” I offer her a calling card with the name