In a way...

"And uh," I cleared my throat loudly, "I assume that went... as one can expect?"

"Awkward fumblings in the Stable Loft, the smell of Horse Manure below us, and picking Straw out of our Clothes after? Yes, yes indeed." Samuel chuckled, while Ms. Mevan blushed beside him. "Not the most romantic of first encounters, but we didn't care. We did, eventually move beyond the Barns, and Stables to more... shall we say, less inhabited locations for our little moments together, but always in secret."

"We even had the good Fortune, when I had to visit a cousin of mine in the next State over, that we had the family Carriage all to ourselves!" Ms. Mevan beamed with a fond smile. "It took us twice as long as we needed to get there, and thrice over to get back!" Samuel burst out in a boisterous laugh, slapping his knee, his deep voice rich with amusement.

I must admit that even I had to smile. There is something strangely Pure about young Love and their little Trysts. But, when I spied the Collar and Lead upon the Table, my smile disappeared. "And when did... that begin?" I queried, gesturing to them.

Their smiles turned sad. They looked to each other, and then to me. "It began," Ms. Mevan sighed greatly, "with a whipping."

"A whipping?" I said, raising an eyebrow to them.

"Yes," Samuel replied, quite morosely. "Mr. Mevan, Rebecca, and I had been invited to a Tobacco farm. A potential husband for Rebecca. He showed promise, and had unused Property that was waiting to be sown, which is why Mr. Mevan had agreed to visit."

"An excellent opportunity to either expand our Cotton field or enter into Tobacco," Ms. Mevan tutted, quite annoyed at the memory.

I nodded understanding, but kept silent. "And while he was a well enough Host, his Overseer's ran... a harsh farm," Samuel continued, "I learned this talking with his Slaves, while Mr. Mevan and Rebecca sat talking with the Master. As well as first hand." My eyes narrowed, while his filled with anger and his hand curled into a Fist. "Apparently, when his Overseers saw a black person that was idle, they were to be immediately disciplined for being lazy animal. Any black person." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "When Mr. Mevan heard and then saw that it was me that had been whipped, he flew into a furious rage, damned the man and his Overseer, and took us home."

It took some time for me to find my Words. "I am very sorry to have heard that. It is improper for anyone to damage another's property. Were you still not freed at the time!" I added quickly, before turning to Ms. Mevan. "And how did you take to this?"