The Last Honest Seamstress by Gina Robinson

Author:Gina Robinson [Robinson, Gina]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Amazon: B008T2K2L8
Published: 2012-08-03T21:00:00+00:00

"You need more money so soon, Con?" Lou Gramm sat regally straight, perched at the front of her chair in her office in her beautifully rebuilt parlor house, imitating a lady of quality. Her girls never saw her shoulders so much as brush a chair back. But then, they hadn't seen her in her own whoring days, when she'd seldom been off her back. These days she preferred the quiet role of madam. She'd always been an astute businesswoman, and now, in her early thirties, she was well past yearning for the wildness of youth. Exterior dignity suited her.

She looked Con straight in the eye, guessing they were nearly the same age. He was tall. Successful. Appealing. His exquisite hazel eyes leapt with great passion, especially when he spoke of business. Pity that he didn't patronize her house. Though she lamented the loss of business, he had her grudging respect.

Con sat back in his chair. "You know about the latest city ordinance requiring a regrade of the streets. We're no different from anyone else. It's costing us."

In the background, glasses tinkled and men's conversations joined together to form the comforting noise of a busy establishment.

"Oh, the boys! They allowed Mr. Yesler to block the regrading project for far too long. I'm glad they got up the balls to tell him to go to hell." Lou smiled sweetly.

Many of the boys to whom she referred, city councilmen and men of power, occupied tables surrounding their own. The bar owners had raised such a fuss that the ban on liquor sales had recently been lifted. A begrudging city council finally admitted that the immediate danger to the city posed by alcohol-induced rowdiness was past.

Lou had been smart enough to be one of the first to apply for the newly issued licenses. Now she served alcohol to many of the city's elite and powerful throughout the day, often free of charge. If they were tempted into sampling some of her girls' lucrative nighttime wares, that was not a bad thing either. Her establishment had become so popular, in just the last few days, that it had been nicknamed the second city hall. "Has Jacob sent you with another note of reference?"

Con didn't waver under her inquiry. He took a sip of beer before answering. The man was a wonder with a poker face. "I didn't bother with it this time, but I can get one if it would ease your mind."

"Oh, Con, how polite you are! I know I can trust you. What are you offering as collateral?"

"A greater share of the Aurnia." He set his beer down.

"No, I want a share of Fayth's little shop."

"This doesn't concern her."

"But this loan is for her business, isn't it? I can't in good conscience allow you to take the risk for her. The city ordinances don't affect the wharf. You wouldn't lie to me, would you, Con?"

"Her business is not mine to offer. I'm willing to assume the risk."

"You're her husband. Of course, it's yours. But Con, you're too fine a man to risk all you have for a woman.

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