Carrick rose at sunset, just as the sky was turning purple. It was a fine evening, and he decided that once he had dealt with Mir's disobedient young slave girl, he would go for a ride. He dressed accordingly in a pair of dark riding breeches and matching jacket with a white shirt and stock, with highly polished black riding boots. He selected one of his heavier whips - a thick hunting crop with a heavy deer antler hook at the top, designed to make it easier to open and close country gates from horseback. He carried it downstairs and into the living room where Mir and his slave were waiting.
He did not look at the girl for a moment, choosing to ignore her presence completely as though she were uterly beneath his notice. He crossed the room, hand outstretched to greet Vladimir.
"Mir. I'm glad you've come."
He set down the whip on a coffee table at Jenn's eye level and gestured for Mir to take a seat before he turned to look at the slave who he would be punishing. She knelt by her master's side naked and obedient, legs spread and breasts pushed forwards. She looked delicious.
Carrick took a few steps towards her, his gaze roving over the curves of her body and the smoothness of her unmarked skin. He walked around her in a slow circle, assessing her, his grey eyes sharp and focused with a predatory gleam.
"So. This is the little Eve who's been sowing discord in your house. It's almost hard to believe. She looks so innocent... apart from the fact I can tell she's already wet from displaying herself like this."
His mouth curved in a dark and cruel half-smile.
"I'm sure it won't be long before she's feeling truly sorry for the trouble she's caused you."
Carrick sat down in an easy chair, relaxing back into the seat. "May I offer you something to drink, Vladimir?"