Her Husband's Harlot by Grace Callaway

Author:Grace Callaway
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-02-06T03:08:34+00:00

EIGHTEEN

The last time she was here, she'd been a newlywed, frightened and unsure, desperate for her husband's love. How things had changed in the last two months. This time around, Helena walked past the lewd sculptures and bawdy goings-on without blinking an eye. She followed the footman up to the first floor and into a scarlet-and-gilt chamber in which the most prominent feature was a wide, curtained bed.

Seeing the Abbess seated at a small table, Helena greeted her. She declined the offer of lemonade. Instead, she asked in a rush, "Would you be so kind as to have your men ascertain that there are no untoward persons lurking about outside?"

The Abbess' thin mouth bent with humor. "Milady, this is a brothel. There are always untoward persons lurking about. Anyone in particular you want us to keep an eye out for?"

Too restless to sit, Helena wandered to the nearby looking glass. A familiar, smoky-eyed nymph peered back at her. Shivering, she adjusted her demi-mask and said, "This afternoon when I was shopping on Bond Street I happened to notice two men in dark coats. They seemed to be everywhere I went. I thought it might be a coincidence, but then later on tonight, I saw the same two villains from the window of Lady Draven's townhouse."

"Cutthroats, do you think?" The Abbess inquired. "Ever since the attack on Lady de Lacey last month, they've been out in droves. This new breed—they've no qualms about holding a lady at knifepoint to score her jewels ... and other personal effects."

Cringing at the Abbess' matter-of-fact description of mayhem, Helena said, "I am not certain. But if I see them again, I will contact the magistrate." Her hands were not quite steady as she smoothed the brassy curls of her wig. "Lady Draven arranged for her carriage to meet me at the back of her townhouse, so at least I left undetected tonight." Dryly she added, "I suppose it was just as well that I happened to be in disguise."

"And a fine one it is, milady—or should I say mademoiselle?" The Abbess gave a knowing chuckle. "Don't worry a thing about the blackguards—I'll have my boys clear the area of any filth."

"Thank you," Helena said with relief.

The Abbess grinned. "Likewise. Thought I'd seen the last of you, hadn't I? But when Lady Draven asked me to send your lord that note on behalf of Mademoiselle Nymph, I was tickled. For a bashful thing, you've got pluck, eh? I haven't enjoyed myself so much for a long time."

"I hope he comes."

"Oh, I'm quite sure he will. Come, that is." The other woman chortled. "What hot-blooded man could resist such an invitation?"

Humiliated anger flared in Helena's chest. Why was it that her husband would choose a whore over her? Why would he come at a whore's bidding, yet avoid his own wife at every turn? "When I was a demure wife, he sought a harlot. When I tried to seduce him, he called me a strumpet," she said, jaw tight.

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