Manton hatches a plan

“I know one nigga bitch I'd like to get my hands on.” The glee in my cousin's tone should have forewarned me of his villainous intent, but neither I nor Mr. Kyleson understood what her intended until he pulled me roughly to my feet. The grip of Mr. Manton's strong fingers around my arm almost made me forget the pain of the branding that seared my flesh.

“I may not have use of you in my bed, Dolly. I have something else you can do.”

“What?” The word came out as a hoarse whisper, because I knew in my heart that I was not going to like what he wanted.

“You girl,” Manton's smile reminded me of a reptile's toothy grin, “are going to write your mother and invite her to come visit us her in Havenhall.”

“Oh, I couldn't!” I prayed silently that Manton would realize that what he was asking was beyond anything a decent human would do, but I knew in my heart that it was the wickedness of the action that made him delight in his idea.

“You will, Dolly.” Manton chuckled as he pinched my nipple between his fingers and twisted it enough to make me wince. “Have you ever seen a slavegirl whipping?” He asked almost like he was asking if I had seen a recent theatric play, “I don't want to ruin this exquisite flesh of yours, but I need you to understand what happens to an uppity nigga **** who defies her master.” Manton turned to Kyleson, “Bring one of those new breeders my uncle purchased, the proud one - you know the one I mean.” Kyleson nodded like this was something he was expecting.

“Yes, Sir.” He tipped his cap as he stepped back, “it'll do the slaves good to see how their new master treats a **** like that.”

“You're going to whip that girl because you want me to betray my mother!?” I didn't even know who this **** was and already my stomach was tightening into knots. I guess I should have been relived that it was not me who was going to feel the lash, but I still had no idea what that might be like. “That's not fair.”

“I don't give a damn. I can do anything I like to any of my livestock.” The grip on my teat pinched mercilessly and in spite of my desire to stay strong I squealed out in pain. “You have a lot to learn before you'll be a proper Fancy girl, don't you?”

It took about five minutes for the young woman in question to be dragged out of the **** pens and strung up at the whipping post. The **** knew what was in store for her as soon as she saw the whipping post and she started pleading to anyone who she thought might stop this.

“You stand here with me, Dolly.” Manton pulled my naked body close to his as all around the other slaves gathered to watch the proceedings. “Give her a dozen, Sean.” Manton seemed completely indifferent to the sobbing of the dark-skinned **** as Mr. Kyleson shook out his whip. Instead, with his arm around my waist and his mouth pressed so close to my ear that I could feel his breath he seemed much more interested in how I was going to react.

“Make sure you add this scene to your little notebook, girl.” His arm tightened just a little in anticipation of the first blow. “I want to see a nice sketch to go along with it too.”