Negotiations

"Now that Niall is gone, we should talk business. You two could stay but you have to earn your keep." you said.

"Milord, please tell us your plans. I must tell you that we are not suited for hard labor." she answered.

"Actually I have something different in mind milady. You are a pretty woman and it has been a quite a while since I had the opportunity to bed one." you stated.

"You want me to sleep with you? I am a married woman." she cried in ire.

"That would be a start but I am actually more interested in your daughter. Is she still a virgin?" you inquired nonchalantly.

"Of course my daughter is a virgin. We are ladies of noble blood. Lili is a beauty and has many suitors. The war did put our plans into disarray though. You want to marry her?" she asked warily.

"I am a lord and would gain no benefits marrying your daughter. I was thinking to take you and her as my mistress." you laughed bringing her back down to earth.

"You must be mad if you think we would agree to be your whores! We would rather leave this estate at this instant." she retorted defiantly.

"Be my guest. You should remember that you are married to a traitor and I can make sure that no one would dare to give you employment or shelter." you dismissed her anger.

"You are a wicked beast to exploit our plight." she sweared teeth-gnashingly.

"I am tired of this discussion and want to sleep. You can either accept my offer or leave my lands. It would be easy to find a girl willing to warm my bed for a few shillings." you repeated your offer.

Ailis was contemplating your impudent offer, sometimes glancing at her beloved daughter who was quietly listening the whole time. Only today did she realize that she had in fact lost everything in this war, wealth, status and probably her husband and son. She acknowledged with bitterness that she was now a penniless woman without a trade and the only way to make money might be to sell her body. She knew that her survival was dependent on your goodwill and her agitation simmered down.

"I agree to be your mistress but please leave my daughter be." she pleaded.