Dressed in an expensive silk three-piece suit with wide lapels and a top hat that matched the colour of his suit the man made his way into the calm inn. His strides were filled with confidence as expected of an aristocrat.
Though most of the clients were yet to arrive at the inn some maidens in colourful dresses could be seen hanging around. Their hair had been braided and twisted upwards to bring out the comeliness of their featured and make them look more attractive. The strings of their dresses tightly drawn to emphasise their bust and waistlines.
As soon as the man walked in they vied for his attention. They did this by fluttering their eyelashes and exposing some conspicuous areas of their bodies.
The man scowled and shot them a look of disgust before turning his gaze aside. He wasn't a regular customer of the inn but he did come around occasionally to have a nice time with willing girls who he sent home with jiggling coin purses. Not many knew who he was but the manner in which he carried himself showed he had to be someone important.
He was one of those special customers that had luxurious rooms set aside for them and was never touched by others apart from themselves. Maidens always fought themselves over who would bed him. It was an amusing sight that gave people like Susan much to tattle about.
The man walked to a section of the inn and sat on the wooden seats, his favourite spot for observing others.
Vivian had been assigned to take the orders of the customers – a job most hated in the inn but the others deemed it fit to bestow it upon her and so worked in that section.
The man's eyes fell on Vivian who had an unusual twinkle in her bright blue eyes. She pursed her lips as if suspicious of any and everyone. Her face was delicate yet fierce showing she was not one to be trifled with. She moved gracefully and with precision to take the man who appeared to be a traveller's orders and see to his meal. The pale blue dress she had on brought out the full extent of her rounded figure which was breathtaking to behold.
She noticed his gaze on her and smiled, an annoyed one as she came to stand before him.
"What would you have sir?" She offered a half-bow and grinned though he could tell it was forced. Her short, wavy, honey-blonde hair fell freely on her slender shoulders and bounced around as she moved her head adding to the allure of her beauty.
The man exhaled slowly in an effort to contain himself. She was a beauty to behold. 'Why hadn't he seen her in the town before?'
"I want you." He stated in an upfront manner. The girl's eyes twitched and she frowned.
"I'm sorry but I am not on the menu. If you'll have anything else I will be happy to oblige but if not, I have other matters to see to." She gave a short bow and walked out on him.
The man stood up from his chair and briefly studied her movements. Something about her intrigued him. He had to have her. He returned to his room and lay on his soft bed. The only thoughts in his mind as he shut his eyelids were about the girl he had encountered earlier.
******
It was almost the time of noon in the inn. More customers had trooped in and the place was a beehive of activity. Some girls had been taken into the upper rooms to they had a nice time with the men. Occasionally orders of food and drinks were made from such rooms and they were hand served by the maidservants.
As expected Vivian was given that job also, her status in the inn not very pleasant as she had just arrived and was yet to familiarize herself with the others. She hid her disgust for the task she had been made to do and effortlessly balanced the tray of food in her hands as she made her way upstairs to deliver the order.
She walked past some rooms and could hear low passionate moans from behind the doors. She was disgusted at how freely the girls gave themselves to men who would only use and discard of them when they became tired. Girls like such lacked dignity and prestige. They were seen as being loose and unfit to be wedded. The highest position such girls could hope for was that of a mistress.
Vivian arrived at the room the order had come from. The number on the doorpost tallying with the one written on the note Susan had given her earlier. It seemed quiet and she wondered if someone was in there at all. She knocked softly and heard a voice urging her to come in.
She unlocked the door and standing before her was the man she had encountered earlier. She grimaced as he made room for her to enter which she hesitantly did. The man said nothing neither did he move from behind the door but stood there, watching her. Vivian felt uncomfortable with the way he followed her movements, a sleazy look in his eyes. After placing the tray on the stool and setting the bedsheets she was set to leave.
She made her way out of the room but was held back by a hand.
"You can't leave yet darling. After all you just got here. Why don't we have some fun?" The man pulled her in and shut the door.
Vivian furrowed her brows and stared at the man like someone who had uttered something completely insane. The man seemed unaffected by her piercing gaze and winked at her, a mischievous smile playing out on his greasy lips.
"What would it take to make you mine?" He smirked. A raunchy look in his bulging eyes as he drew Vivian closer to himself placing his large hand on her slender waist. "I give you my word you shall have all the jewels, silk dresses and bags of gold coins you so desire if you accept my proposal..." His hand moved to skillfully undo the strings of her dress.
"Let go of me." She tried to wriggle out of his embrace but he held her firmly in his grip.
"I'm afraid I can't do that darling. Not when you look so lovely..." He cupped her cheek with his free hand and trailed his finger from her cheek to the back of her neck. Vivian flinched and shot him a look of disgust.
"You're such a feisty little thing. I like it" He licked his thin upper lip and tried to kiss her but she turned her face away and stepped on his foot with all her might. He yelped and let go of her, bending down to massage his hurt foot.
Vivian took that opportunity to exit the room, luckily the door hadn't been locked shut. She made her way down the steps of stairs trying hard to maintain her composure. Her heart thumped against her chest, her heartbeat echoing in her ears. She kept her shaky palms by her side.
She had never been held that closely by a man. The thought of that man running his filthy hands on her body irked her and made her feel extremely dirty.
'How dare he try to have his way with me.' She was lost in her angry thoughts and almost collided with Susan who was going up the stairs with fresh bedding and laundry.
"Are you alright?" Susan asked as she held on tighter to the bedding preventing them from falling and getting dirty once again.
"I am fine. I'm truly sorry for bumping into you. " She tied the strings of her dress and smoothened the apron tied over it before disappearing into the kitchen and through the back door.
********
Harris stood up from the floor and returned to his bed. His face seething with rage from being rejected by the lowly maidservant.
His cheeks were red from embarrassment. No woman dared treat him – a man of high status and power that way.
The girl needed to taught a lesson on manners and he knew just how to do it.
He shed his clothes and made his way into the bathtub soaking his aching muscles in the pool of hot water. During times like this, he would be in the company of a ready maiden but he was too angered to think of bedding anyone else.
After his relaxing bath, he dressed up in casual attire and strolled to Mrs Wells' office located at the other end of the hallway.
He barged in without knocking and sat down in a lax manner on the plush, upholstered, maroon-coloured armchair that had been set aside for receiving visitors.
The office was tastefully furnished with tapestries woven with silk and golden threads, thick woollen rugs that covered every inch of the hardwood floor and a mini-chandelier that hung from the ceiling casting soft glows of light in the room. It was a mix of affluence and elegance.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit Harris?" Mrs Wells observed him briefly with cautious eyes before returning her gaze to the parchments before her.
"There's a girl in your inn that I want." He got to the point not wasting time with needless pleasantries
"A girl?" Mrs Wells chuckled. A rare sight on her usually sullen features. "If you want a girl why come to me? I am well aware you're capable of getting anyone you so desire."
"She's different. I'm ashamed to admit but I'm at a loss on how to woe her. The girl in question is frisky and unwilling to give in to my charms or status. I need your help." He said at last.
"Very well. Tell me her name and I shall see to it."
"That I do not know but she has fierce blue eyes, full pink lips, silky blonde hair and the round face of an angel. " He beamed as he imagined what it would feel like to run his hands through that hair.
Mrs Wells amused expression changed to a frown. She dropped the parchment in her hand which fell and spilt on the container of ink. She turned to face Harris. Her eyes were sunken in fear.
"Do you speak of Vi..vian?"
"If that's her name so be it. Give her to me." He snarled, impatient.
"I'm afraid I cannot do that. Her...her father is not one you can afford to offend." She spoke tersely.
"Neither am I, Caroline. You do know I can make your lousy inn disappear from this town if I deem it fit."
Mrs Wells studied his features closely. His threat wasn't one to be taken lightly. She had heard stories of his ruthless manner in dealing with those who went against him. And though she was wary of him there was someone she was the more frightened of.
"Ask of any other girl and she shall be yours but not her. If I would advise, you should keep your distance from her. She isn't an ordinary girl..."
Harris scoffed and got on his feet ready to leave. "Special or not just you wait, she will be mine."