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.The pen was set down and Ellis allowed his eyes to come backinto focus.William got up and sat beside Ellis, close enough that itwas hard for him to recall what he d come to say.No matter he drally while the master was speaking. When Alex and Alastair were over, did one of them dosomething that bothered you? Hurt you in some way? Of course not, Sir, Ellis said.He hadn t expected to be askedthat.Other than the pillowcase situation, he hadn t been hurt in anyway.In any way that he would ever tell, that was. Hmm.Because you ve been a little distant since then.Ifsomething happened, you can tell me.Alex might be my friend,but I know he isn t perfect.And Alastair is a little unusual for aslave.So if you re bothered by something, don t keep it inside. I m fine, Sir.Actually, that was what I wanted to talk to youabout. About Alex and Alastair? No, Ellis said, beginning to get irritated.This was hardenough without William misunderstanding everything he said.244AT HIS THROAT, A PROMISEThen he realised it was his fault that he wasn t getting through.He d never really tried to explain himself before. Go ahead, Ellis.Tell me what s on your mind. Well, Sir, I was wondering if you d found anyone to be mymaster yet. There.Blunt and forthright, and completely andutterly eviscerating.Ellis forced himself to breathe.William sat back a little and watched Ellis.Ellis found thisdisconcerting, as he wasn t doing anything to warrant suchappraisal.He wanted to blurt out an explanation, or perhaps justtell William to forget about it, do it at his own leisure, or maybenot at all.But he had to know. You are eager to leave us, then? William asked unfairly, inEllis s opinion. Of course not, Sir.I don t like being a burden. Have I we ever made you feel that way? Not in so many words, Sir, but it s implied just by my beinghere.I know you didn t want to take me home, that you only didbecause you care for Harte.William s face was impassive, but his eyes narrowed a little. That s not entirely true.Harte may have me wrapped around hislittle finger, but I do make my own decisions.Ellis s eyes widened. Oh, I didn t mean to suggest And furthermore, I would have thought you d be grateful.I msure you have a decent enough imagination to realise where youwould have ended up without my intervention.The conversation wasn t going nearly as well as Ellis hadhoped, and he hadn t exactly hoped for best-case scenario in thefirst place. Please, Sir, let me explain.William didn t say anything, so Ellis surged ahead. I am245AT HIS THROAT, A PROMISEgrateful that you took me in, more than you ll ever know, if you llpardon me saying so.And I don t think that Harte makes yourdecisions for you, I only meant that it was thanks to him that younoticed me at all. Ellis, maybe it isn t proper to say so, but when you walkedinto the Lounge, every single set of eyes was on you, from masterto slave to employee.No one could look away from you.That damnable blush was back, but Ellis fought it under. That s sweet of you to I m not saying it to be sweet, William interrupted. I m onlytelling you the truth.Even with Harte on my lap, I was drawn toyou.You don t know the extent of your own power, your ownbeauty.And that s part of your power.I ve never been more eagernor more glad to listen to Harte when he asked for something.If I m so amazing, Ellis thought sadly, why don t you want tokeep me?Instead, he simply said, You honour me, Sir. But you want to begin your slavery in earnest, is that it?Ellis nodded. It s difficult to relax when I m not sure whatwill happen next. I can respect that.The honest truth, Ellis, is that I haven t beenlooking very thoroughly for a master for you.I ve been greedy,enjoying having two slaves to myself, enjoying the fact that myslave has someone to keep him company.Keep him in line, truly.But I ve been neglecting my responsibilities, and you are verygood for bringing it to my attention.Ellis s heart sank.How long, he wondered, would Williamhave gone on enjoying him if Ellis hadn t said anything? Perhapshe would have continued to do so right until the end.Though itwas unlikely that William would have kept him for three years.246AT HIS THROAT, A PROMISEAnd if he had, it wouldn t have been the best thing for Ellis.Asponsored slave wasn t the same as an owned one, and Ellis seducation, though as complete as Harte s, wouldn t have been asprestigious.Either William had to own him, or find someone whowould. I don t mean to tell you how to do your job, Ellis saidweakly. Of course not
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