Story: The Secret Slave. Part 6.

by SW

Later, Sophia assisted at dinner and, though very nervous, her task was made somewhat easier because Miss Jane had instructed her to attend her Missa at table.  Unlike Mistress Caroline, Elizabeth, perhaps by design - Sophia could not know for certain - gave her serving maid clear signals for instruction; she tapped her wine glass with knife or spoon when its contents had nearly emptied and she pushed her unfinished plate away slightly when she had reached sufficiency of the main course - so that Sophia knew to step forward to replace with the trifle.  But Sophia marveled at how Ruby seemed to know Mistress Caroline's requirements by some mysterious intuition or instinct.  

Sophia's bottom was still quite painful after her beating and it took great effort, as she had been warned by the housekeeper, to maintain a 'pleasin' face fo' the mistisses' - her mood was sullen and resentful after her punishment and a remark by Elizabeth to her cousin 'how pretty the center-piece flowers look' did not improve her humor.  She had come, in her short time at Cypress Hill, to despise Mistress Caroline and she considered the woman nothing but a twisted termagant.  In her thoughts she conceded that Caroline may be wealthy and physically appealing, but, even had they met as equals at a society occasion she would have shunned the woman's company - Elizabeth's cousin or not!  

However, she was annoyed with her friend too, for there were unmistakable signs that Elizabeth was enjoying the charade a little too much.  Admittedly, she had to keep up appearances for that hell-cat cousin but did she really have to whip?  Sophia resolved to confront Elizabeth when she could; surely, in the aftermath of the beating Elizabeth would willingly allow her to talk freely?   Regardless, she would have her say; the beating, and Elizabeth's participation, would not be brushed aside and forgotten.  All of these concerns agitated her mind while she stood rigid and held her 'pleasing face', but behind the mask she quietly seethed.

She was ill-humored with her sisters in bondage too.  Since she had been punished there had been not one particle of sympathy from them.  Instead, she suffered dark looks from all three and Rosa had told her that she had been lucky to 'git only a dozen an' them laid on real light.'  Then later, in the kitchen, the housekeeper had gripped her arm and hissed 'Yo' bes' be a good gal, yo' heah?  Yo' gits Mistiss riled up then we all suffer b'cause of it.  Yo' hold yo'self good an' do like yo's told.  We ain' wantin' no stripes jes b'cause of some no 'ccount uppity house pet from town that comes heah an' cain behave hersel''.

Sophia recalled the warm and comforting presence of Martha and Milly at the Morgan place - they had been so very sweet and had protected her like family and, it could not be denied, negro or not - she missed them.  But then she caught herself: what on earth was she thinking!  She should not be wishing to be with those two slaves but to be at home; reclining in the River View drawing room after dinner and taking tea served by her own maid Sally!

Sophia's troubling thoughts were interrupted when the ladies rose from table and Mistress Caroline said brusquely, “You two.  Put water in the cauldron for two baths and then clear table.  After that you can set and light the bedchamber fires - it's a clear night and going to chill later.  Ruby, you shall attend me for bathing.”

Ruby and Sophia dipped and hurried to begin their tasks and it was something like an hour later when Sophia struggled upstairs to Elizabeth's chamber with a yoke on her neck and two large buckets filled almost to the brim with hot water for the copper bath which had been taken up not long before.  She hefted the heavy burden with Miss Jane's admonition ringing in her ears: 'Yo' be carefu' with them buckets gal, spill any watah and yo'll have Mistiss in a tempah again!'  When, slightly breathless, she entered the bed chamber she found Elizabeth sitting by the glowing fire and reading a book.  Her friend raised her eyes, smiled to Sophia and said mildly:

“Ah! Very good Sophie.  Rosa has already put cold in so make sure you add enough but not too much, else I should have to wait for it to cool.”  Sophia avoided eye contact and replied quietly, “Yes'm.”  Elizabeth continued in a friendly yet condescending tone; the same intonation Sophia used when she was not displeased with the River View slaves:

“I'm looking forward to you bathing me Sophie - I'll take a long bath, then after you have dried my hair and brushed it out I shall be directly to bed.  I have told Rosa to tell Jane that you will attend me for the rest of the evening so you are released from further chores downstairs.” She smiled and then pointed to a closet door.  “Oh, and you shall sleep in the maid's room from now.  Rosa has already brought your things up,”  Elizabeth smiled fondly at her maid and, as if offering a great favor, she continued, “You can tell me all the gossip that you must have accumulated from the kitchen about what goes on at Cypress Hill.  I wonder if your Mistress Caroline has any suitors.  Do tell me later.”

Sophia felt her resentment mounting at this discourse; that her friend was prattling on so when she should be offering an immediate and profound apology, but she contained her anger just enough to say sullenly, “I don' know nothin' Missa, them gals downstairs don' hardly talk to me none, reckon they thinks Ise an uppity town-house nigra Ma'am.”

Elizabeth giggled, “Oh Sophie, you can't know how much I love to hear you speak like this.  It is perfectly delightful girl.  So pleasing to my ears!”

Sophia had been on her knees before the fire and emptying the hot water from her buckets when she quietly erupted.  She had had quite enough of her friend's demand that they play their roles in private and Elizabeth's nonchalance and casual manner - so soon after the degradation of what had taken place in the drawing room - angered her intensely.  Why, Not five hours earlier Elizabeth had wielded a whip on her naked bottom!  Sophia turned, scowled and said, though careful not to raise her voice so that it might be heard along the landing, “You like having me as your slave don't you?  This is more than just having me act out my role to preserve caution against discovery.  You actually enjoyed whipping me this afternoon didn't you?  You're not much better than that spiteful vixen - that dreadful witch-creature along the landing that you like to call dear Caroline!”

Elizabeth took a risk - she knew that Sophia was at the limit of her endurance but she reasoned that the threat of the scandal that would ensue if they became exposed would be enough to suppress any mutiny.  She smiled at Sophia and placed her book upon the side table and then said very calmly and very quietly, “Must I take you to Mistress Caroline's room to let her hear your explanation of things?”  Sophia dropped her eyes and Elizabeth continued, “Shall we say you are already bored with your charade and wish to leave?  And will I ask her to lend you a silk dress and arrange a carriage for you to the railroad station so that you might return to your fine home at River View?  If so, come along now and on the way home we can look forward to Caroline's letters to your parents and my family that would surely follow.”  

Sophia looked up miserably - she had been defeated in an instant!  She said softly, “Oh, Elizabeth dear, it's just that she is such a-”

Elizabeth interjected, still in a low voice, and there was much gravity and authority in her words, “Enough!  We will go on as before, and for the sensible reasons I have already explained you will perform your role even in our private moments together.  This whole affair was arranged at your request and you must see it through - neither of us can go back on this mad game of yours now.  We have gone too far for that.”

Sophia nodded but the words stung; it may not have been quite, as Elizabeth had stated, her 'mad game' but it was undeniable that she had entered freely into the adventure.  She protested, “Yes but why did you whip me Elizabeth, I don't understand why you-”

Elizabeth interrupted again, “Listen to me Sophia.  Mistress Caroline thinks you have been accustomed to treatment and conditions much too gentle at my home, and now, if I don't behave as your mistress here then she will conceive that you are not, in fact, my slave.  We cannot risk any such suspicions taking root do you understand?  I had little choice other than to beat you, had I declined then I have little doubt that such suspicions would have been aroused.  Besides, I laid on very lightly for you.” Elizabeth paused and was gratified to see that her words were met with a reluctant nod and an expression of acceptance upon Sophia's pretty face.  She went on, “No dear, I played my part and you will play yours, for the sake of us both.  I will ensure that your Mistress Caroline's demands upon you do not become excessive.  I will admit that she is a very unforgiving and formidable mistress but you will put up with things as they are and trust me to look after you.  Here we remain unless and until you are in danger of permanent physical harm - or of losing your purity - and you, will, be my body slave.”

“But can't we just return home?  Tell her that you have taken unwell and must see your physician.  Please Elizabeth, this house is simply unbearable.”

Elizabeth answered, “Have you forgotten that my servants have been sent away for two weeks!  Don't be ridiculous, do you expect me to cook; to wash my own clothes and dress myself?  And, let me remind you that your treatment here, thus far, has not in any way been extraordinary.  You have complained to me more than once that you had to whip Sally for some fault of forgetfulness or accidental disobedience.  If you are so ill-suited to the role that you have arranged for yourself then it occurs to me that you have not thought things through very well.  Certainly, not if you expected serving here for two weeks to be nothing other than an enjoyable girlish prank.  Now, I know what a clever and bright girl you are and it would seem quite out of character for you to have carried this out without some expectation of the realities of your situation here.  After all, you yourself are a mistress who beats her maid.”  Sophia shrank and lowered her eyes to the floor.  Elizabeth smiled and continued with a slight yet well-calculated air of disapproval, “One might almost begin to speculate upon what it was, exactly, that possessed you to wish for this my dear.”  

Sophia hung her head and blushed furiously at this.  Elizabeth had cut to the heart of the matter and any further examination of affairs would very likely expose her to some deeply uncomfortable questioning.

For her part, Elizabeth knew perfectly well that Sophia had embarked on the enterprise at the Morgan's place, and now at Cypress Hill, to fulfill a very secret desire.  She had suspected so from the day she had collected Sophia from the Morgan house and it had been confirmed beyond doubt when she observed the evidence of her friend's arousal when she had whipped her.  

And Elizabeth had advantage in that; though she had the sureness of knowledge of Sophia's yearnings, Sophia could not be certain of her friend's - if Sophia did suspect that she had enjoyed flogging her then it remained that; no more than a mere suspicion.  Sophia most assuredly did not know that while she had been busy picking flowers below the veranda, Elizabeth had been obliged to go up to her chamber and take the air at her window - she had found that whipping Sophia had made her feel a little flushed and faint.

Sophia having remained bowed and silent for some time, Elizabeth said, “Then it is agreed.  Stay we shall and you must not attract attention with inappropriate or bad behavior, and, unless Mistress Caroline threatens to treat you in some exceptional way you will keep any grievances to yourself.  Keep in mind that I am your true mistress here and it is not in my interest to have you harmed.  Is that clearly understood?

Sophia bit her lip and fretted with her apron for a moment, and then she signaled her submission: she said very humbly, “Please Missa, I is goin' ter be a good gal fo' yo' an' Mistiss Caroline and Massa Philip when he comes Ma'am.  I ain' goin' ter cause no trouble again Missa.”

Elizabeth sighed in pleasurable relief and urged, “Look at the mantelpiece and tell me what hangs from a hook.”  Sophia didn't take the trouble to turn her head but she replied, correctly, “A whip Missa, reckon Mistiss Caroline musta had one spare fo' yo' Ma'am.”

Elizabeth laughed and said lightly, “Quite right and I can tell you, my hand itches to use it this very minute.  However, I will let your insult to my dear cousin go, but this time and this time only,” and motioning her hand to signal Sophia to stand she said, “Now, be on your feet and help me undress before the bath water gets cold.  Don't dally girl.  Up, up,”

Sophia's body warmed and tingled at the command and she immediately began to moisten.  As she rose she said, “Yes'm, Sophie goin' ter give yo' a good bathin' Ma'am.  Shall I fetch rose watah from yo' dresser to add ter yo' bath Missa?”

“Yes girl, do that and then help me with these confounded stays, I can't wait to get them off.”

As the undressing proceeded Sophia mused that she had never seen her friend in anything less than petticoats and drawers before and kneeling to remove Elizabeth's shoes and stockings she blushed.  When Elizabeth stood naked, Sophia averted her eyes and Elizabeth giggled, “Why Sophie, no need to be abashed at seeing your mistress unclothed girl.  You shall bathe me in a moment, and your soft hands will be upon me, all over, do you find your mistress ugly to behold?”

Sophia shook her head vigorously, “Oh no Missa! Yo' is truly beautiful Ma'am.  It jes I reckon since I ain' seen yo' nakkid befo' yo' don' wan' yo' gal eyein' on yo' Ma'am.”

Elizabeth laughed and said, “Nonsense girl, how can you do your work properly if you don't watch what you are doing?  Besides, being naked in front of you is hardly different from being seen naked by a dog or cat. I don't mind in the least!  Now here, help me in,” and Sophia blushed and goose-pimpled at the words as she extended her arm for Elizabeth to hold as she stepped into the bath.

Elizabeth sighed with pleasure as she slipped into the rose-scented water, she smiled and looked at Sophia saying, “Start with my hair and make sure you keep soap from my eyes,” and then she lay back and closed them.

Sophia nodded and taking up the soap she knelt by the bath and said, “Yes'm, I be careful Missa.”  Her sex had been tingling ferociously as she undressed Elizabeth, and looking at her friend, now mistress, at ease in the bath whilst the glowing yellow firelight danced upon her silky smooth white skin, Sophia shuddered with desire.

The bathing was exquisitely arousing for mistress and slave.  At first, Sophia's hands trembled with the strength of emotion and Elizabeth very nearly succumbed to the desire to pull Sophia to her and to kiss and fondle her.  As Sophia worked gently on Elizabeth's body - soaping and smoothing with a light and delicate touch - both mused in silence how their friendship had irrevocably changed since their arrival at Cypress Hill Plantation.  Elizabeth felt a new possessiveness and responsibility for Sophia, particularly so in the trying environment of Cypress Hill.  For Sophia, Elizabeth had become very much more than a very dear and beautiful friend - her best friend - whom she deeply admired and respected.  She was entirely powerless at Cypress Hill and without even the company of friendly slaves to comfort her, she looked to Elizabeth as her protector and she would rely on her guiding hand.

Sophia, still, could not unravel the turmoil of deep emotions that had conflicted her ever since she had been a slave for a day at the Morgan place, but she knew that her need to serve and be placed almost at the very base level of society was no mere passing fancy.  Her strange and dark desires were part of her, whether they were, perhaps, beginning to define her she knew not, but she was certain that if that strangeness meant that she must serve then she wanted to serve Elizabeth more than any other.  If that was sinful then so be it - it no longer mattered to her.  

Her laughably weak rebellion earlier had been brushed aside as quickly and easily as it deserved.  Elizabeth knew best and she would trust her.  As she soaped and massaged Elizabeth's beautiful breasts, she fully accepted that she must give herself entirely to being her slave whilst they remained at Cypress Hill.  In any case, she had little option.   As for what came after Cypress Hill - well, she would save these concerns for another day.

“Is I doin' this alrigh' fo' yo' Missa?  I hopes it feels good fo' yo' Ma'am,” Sophia asked, anxious to show Elizabeth that she had become, once again, truly compliant.

Elizabeth sighed with pleasure and opened her eyes and smiled to the girl squatting by her side as she gently rubbed shoulders and breasts, and then she stretched a long and elegant leg and rested it on the rim of the bath.  She reached out and cast Sophia's bonnet to the floor and began to run a wet hand through the silky black tresses.  As she caressed, she said tenderly, “Oh yes Sophie, I can't recall when I ever had such a pleasing bath, you are very skillful with your hands.  Rest assured that your mistress is very pleased with you now girl.”  Sophia gave a beautiful and wide smile - her teeth gleaming pearl-like in her dusky face, and as Elizabeth withdrew her hand she continued, “You can do my leg now, begin at my foot and pay special attention to my toes will you.”

Sophia took Elizabeth's delicate foot in her hands and replied, “Yes'm, Ise glad ise doin' it good Missa, I wan's ter be pleasin' fo' yo' Ma'am.”

“I know you do girl,” and Elizabeth sat up reached forward and gave Sophia a gentle stroke on the forehead.  Then she moved her hand and held Sophia's chin firmly.  She turned the beautiful face gently towards her own and while Sophia lowered her eyes and fixed on her mistress's wet and glistening breasts Elizabeth almost whispered, “Now Sophie, do your work quietly.  I am enjoying my thoughts and I don't need any silly slave chatter to disturb them.”

Sophia answered, “Yes'm, sorry Ma'am, I be quiet now Missa.” and she returned diligently to work; gently soaping and fingering between her mistress's toes.  As she did so she wondered what her mistress's thoughts might be if she were to know that the little cotton rag between her legs had become really quite damp.

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