It’s 2am. He’s rung.
Always it’s this time, with mistress asleep, children sleeping and the other servants tucked away in the beds in the outside quarters.
He wants me now. Its part of my job he tells me. I don’t have much choice it’s be at his beck and call or be out on the street. At this time of night he sounds different, he gasps as he speaks, there is a slur in his voice as he announces what he wants and how I am to dress.
I fear one night he will overstep the mark and it could be the end. I am realistic enough to know he can easily replace me. Though I doubt he could, as I am very good.
I have learned to look after myself. Though we both know that in life no one is indispensible.
Even Barons.
The Baron is a Jekyll and Hyde. By day he is a pillar of society, the perfect gentlemen, a benefactor to so many. But in the next few hours he will become a monster and he knows it. I often sense that the mistress is aware of his behaviours but is powerless to control him. Past servants have whispered about him, to beware of his late night calls, to protect yourself at all times, to make sure he never locks the door.
I have been lucky in that he likes me as much as he uses me. We are on speaking terms, he discusses with me his needs, I know he does not intend to hurt me but I also know his desires are much greater than any sense of my well-being.
By day I am his secretary. He starts early and so do I. As the Baron there is always much to be done in administering the vast estate, which he does with fairness and benevolence. The workers are well cared for, he pays good wages, he expects a good days work but never expects anyone to work if they are unwell or injured. He rewards us generously at Easter and Christmas, with bonus days off, extra food and an estate party to which all members of the estate attend.
To the outside world we live a very privileged life compared to so many who are mistreated and discarded at the whim of their employers. Ours is an ideal situation, we know we have it good.
At least most here do. Me? I am on call twenty-four seven. Now it is ten past and I have five minutes to be in his office. He will be waiting, I can see the look in his eyes, the way he leans against his desk when I enter as if I am to be surprised to see him in the way he will be. Drunk. In some state of undress, its what he will have in his hand that bothers me the most.
My master is into pain. He likes to inflict it as much as receive it. He loves whips, has many; it’s like a smorgasbord of choice when he decides to use them.
Tonight I fear he has something new as his voice had that air of excitement about it when he has discovered some new method of inflicting and receiving. It will be a matter of me receiving as he explains how it all will work then me returning the ‘favour’ to him.
I know its something new as he asked me to wear my initiation dress. As I leave the room I glance at myself and think I still look good in white. I doubt I will do so when I return. Pain you see is something I can do without. But for him it’s all pleasure.
I can bear the shrill excitement of his voice, the lustiness of his desires, even cope with the fumbled sex that concludes his explorations, but it’s the leering look, the attitude that he has something to impress me with that I abhor.
I could leave but where would I go. Apart from his humiliation my life is good and he does treat me fairly outside this time. But one night I know he will go too far and that will be his undoing.
I have it planned that when the time comes, if it comes, he will be found lying in the middle of his perversion.
I pray that day never comes but a girl does have to protect herself.
Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/prompt-67-a-fly-on-the-wall/
Morpethroad 
Oh my a bit of S&M I never knew Michael 😛 You have done an excellent job here I felt like I was looking in through a keyhole so to speak. Pleasure is just pain in small doses I can’t remember where that quote comes from but it has the ring of truth
Thanks Yves, the prompt left me so many options. This idea came to mind. Glad you enjoyed it. Have a good day.
You too Michael XD
Dark and powerful. Very well-done. I enjoyed the characterization in this piece, particularly the Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde personality of the baron.
Thank you Gabriella. As always I enjoy reading your comments. Thanks for taking the time to do so.
You’re welcome!
You’ve done it again, Michael. I was glad to see her “plan (if need be)” in the end. 🙂
Thanks for reading and your comment Mandy. It’s always good to have a plan b
Powerful writing. It really captures the fear of women servants; they will be let go. Then the only place in the streets. You work in the power of how men held the power, and women were excepted to accept and say nothing about such abuses.
Smart girl — she takes the pleasure of the day as refuge for the night of pain. And that she has a plan. I hope she uses it soon. And, although theft if she took it, she’s owed a lot of money for her night shift activities.
Thanks phylor, great comment. Yes I agree she is owed a bonus at least but I suspect he boss wont know what hits him when she puts her plan into action. Whilst the men in this tale have a lot of power it was also important to suggest the woman had power as well, she needs to be judicious in its implementation.
True. Social history, women’s history, and other disciplines (oops, sorry for the unintended pun) skip the dead white men to look at the interplay of male and female, gender bias, abuse, etc.
You are right — there were strong (subversive women) who fought the injustice of a male dominated society in subtle and not so subtle ways.
Thanks for reminding me that I studied strong women who set their own rules.
The beginnings of a great story is there more? Xx
Thanks Justine, not sure if there is more I may leave it to your imagination.
Awe shucks
Well, you are always a surprise. Women are/were always expected to give just that bit more to keep their jobs. Not surprising. I would like to know what her plan is.
Thanks Jackie, its always surprising where ones muse will take one.
Oh Michael!
I’m…ummmm…speechless. LOL
RoSy it is hard to imagine you ever being speechless. But you read my words and sometimes I guess what I write leaves you a little wordless. Good that you can read and comment and that I can impact on you just a little.