If Lenoryn has been distracted by Rene's state of undress, because truly the outfit was nothing more than a few scraps of brightly colored fabric and he might as well just be naked, it was quickly dashed from her mind the moment they had entered the room. She had been uncomfortable with the slave undressing before her, but here, in this room, with their eyes sweeping her from head to toe, she felt worse. She could see their intentions. She could feel them. Even mostly nude, Len would have picked being alone with Rene over these roaches.
And then she was mingling. Or being forced to mingle, truly, as Heleana paraded her around the room with a hand so firm on her wrist that she wouldn't be surprised to see bruises in the morning. Where would I run to, mother? she thought was she was dragged from man to man like a sheep to the slaughter.
Old Hat was probably the oldest of the group, and she had already forgotten his name before he even said it. He gushed over her hair, even reached forward and ran his ugly pig fingers through it around her face. It took every fiber of her being to keep from flinching.
Then she was off to meet Pock Face, then Youngest Old Man, then Oh God No, Baldy, and Thin Lips. She hated them all. But they clearly loved her and seemed to almost be fighting over where to sit once dinner was finally announced.
Once, Len was able to slip away under the pretense to grab a drink from the serving table on the side of the room and made a show of meticulously filling her glass with whatever punch or wine had been laid for them. Her hands were shaking so much she needed to grip the glass until her knuckles turned white to keep the liquid from sloshing out. There, facing the wall, she was able to drop the mask for a few blissful moments, close her eyes, and take steadying breaths before an arm snaked around her waist. Old Hat didn't seem to notice how stiff she became at his touch, and the mask of "pleasant hostess" was back up – not that she thought he'd notice her discomfort anyways.
Then they were seated. Extravagant foods presented on glittering platters were placed before them, and Old Hat's hand began moving up her leg.
Breathe. She commanded herself. Keep still. He wouldn't do anything here in front of the others.
Her hands were clammy and she didn't touch the food on her plate.
"Thank you all for coming this evening to celebrate the reunion of my darling daughter. As you know, my late husband whisked her away before she could be properly trained by a woman to be a lady, so I hope you'll forgive her slips in decorum." What was this? Len thought angrily, forcing her face to remain passive, "She is so naïve and will need our help to understand the world. I do hope you'll be willing to help her."
Was...was this a dinner to find a potential husband or to make this group of men think they could take advantage of this naïve and stupid girl who sat before them? What was Heleana's goal here? Surely if Len's virtue was in question it would hurt the house....or Kia, was she actually that naïve? Was she actually just as stupid as her mother was making her out to be? Her mask slipped for a moment and fear crept into her eyes as she, unconsciously, cast a glance at Rene. He lived this. He had said her stupidity was going to get him killed.
Maybe she should have listened.
Old Hat's hand continued to stroke her upper thigh under the table.
"Now! For our entertainment! I have an exotic treat for you. I gifted this beautiful slave to my precious child this morning." She gestured to Rene, her mouth twisted into a smile, "Perform. Enthrall us." She commanded him.
