Cotton & Lace

The Morning After

The next morning I awoke still in the position I had fallen asleep in. I gently tried to move my body, the aches and pains feeling overwhelming.

Andrew was still asleep beside me and I feared waking him. I laid there contemplating what to do but could not come up with any scenario that would get me out of this bed safely.

I soon heard a knock on the door.

"Master..it's time to wake up..breakfast will be ready soon." I heard Isla say.

Andrew stirred.

"Come get the wife ready and presentable.'' Andrew sleepily grumbled.

The door creaked open and Isla came inside. I was still too afraid to turn to face her and even more so embarrassed of the site she must be witnessing.

I heard her gasp loudly. This solidified my embarrassment.

"Miss Sadie...we gotta get you cleaned up. What happened you you Miss Sadie???" Isla said softly and with great worry.

"She was acting like a common w***e, therefore she was punished as such." Andrew said dryly.

Isla went silent immediately but come to help me out of bed. She grabbed a robe and wrapped my body in it and then took my hand.

"Come on now Miss Sadie, let's get you in a bath."

She guided me slowly down the stairs and out of the house to the bathhouse. She set me down on a chair while she filled the tub with hot water. Once the tub was filled, she slowly pulled my shoes and stockings off and then undid my corset and gently pulled it away from my body. Hot tears streamed down my face. I felt like a broken person and couldn't imagine what she was thinking. She carefully as to not touch my wounds, pulled my chemise over my head. She then helped me into the tub.

I sucked in a sharp breath, the heat and weight of the water against my skin almost too painful to bear. But I knew I needed this bath. I needed to feel clean because right now I felt like discarded trash.

Isla let down my hair and gently began pouring water over my head. She soaped my hair and scrubbed my hair. Her fingernails felt good on my scalp and I relaxed a little bit. I knew she would never hurt me and I knew she cared for me the way a mother would. She took a cloth and gently rubbed it over my back. I clenched instantly at the pain.

"Miss Sadie........." She started but I could tell she was trying to find the right words.

"Did...did Mister Andrew do this to you?" She finally finished.

I choked on the words that wanted to come out and could only muster a slow nod, tears spilling down my cheeks.

"Now I know us ladies get in trouble sometimes and we have to get punished...but our menfolk aren't supposed to be beating on pretty little things like you." Isla stated like it was a law.

"I deserved it..." I whispered hoarsely.

Isla sucked her teeth.

"No ma'am...no missus deserves to be beat like a common slave. No matter what you did. That Mister Andrew has gone too far."

I scoffed but had no response worthy of giving.

Isla rinsed my body and then helped me out of the tub. She handed me a towel and I carefully patted myself dry. I caught a glimpse of my back in the steamed mirror. There were multiple swollen and blistered welts from my middle back down to my thighs. Somehow this hurt worse, actually seeing them.

Isla helped me get dressed, keeping my clothing loose so as to not put too much pressure on my wounds. She escorted me to the breakfast table where Andrew was already seated. I took my seat, keeping my eyes cast down, not wanting to look at him.

He acted as though nothing had happened, chatting cheerfully about the weather. I picked at my food but had no real appetite. After a few minutes, he slammed his hand on the table, startling me.

"You will eat." He said in a low growl.

I sniffled and began eating my food, quickly, wanting this to be over soon.

Once I was finished, I looked up at him.

'' May I be excused, please?"

He looked at me for a moment before replying.

"You may. But you are not permitted to leave this house for any reason." He stated sternly.

"Thank you." I said and then left, making my way to our bedroom. I opened the door to see the linens still unmade. There was blood on the sheets and I knew it was mine and everything that had happened last night. I pushed down tears and knew I didn't want to be in here after all. I went back downstairs and into the library. I fell onto the couch and laid there thinking about what to do.

I suddenly felt extremely nauseous and ran as fast as I could, my legs trembled, until I reached the kitchen, vomiting into the sink. My body wretched for several minutes.

Isla came to my side with a cool cloth, patting my neck and forehead. I heard the sound of footsteps approaching and then the familiar voice.

"I'll send for the doctor." Andrew said.

I stared at the contents of my stomach in the sink, knowing this had to be from what he put me through last night and then forcing me to eat this morning.

Isla took me to bed, where she had changed the linens. I laid down, enjoying the cool sheets. She placed a bucket beside the bed incase I got sick again.

The doctor came in about a half hour later. He listened to my heart and chest and pressed on my stomach some. He asked me a lot of questions and then asked Isla to step inside the room.

"Miss, I need to examine you further. Please have your maid undress you from the bottom down and cover you with a sheet. Your modesty is very important to me." The doctor said.

I nodded and Isla helped me undress and covered me as she was instructed. I laid back on the bed and the doctor examined me, using several tools. I tried to relax but I was still in a lot of pain. My stomach churning at the feelings.

He lowered the sheet to cover me and then looked up happily.

"Miss, you're pregnant! That is why you are having an upset stomach. But don't worry, it will pass soon enough." He said with a smile and then stepped out of the room.

I sobbed at the news. I knew once Andrew found out, he would be beyond livid.