The Scarlet Thread by Becky Lee Weyrich

Author:Becky Lee Weyrich
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION/Romance/General
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2014-05-27T00:00:00+00:00

In the meantime, Roman had finally decided to confront Garnet with his suspicions. He had avoided Mahogany Hall, not wanting to hear the sordid details of that fateful evening, since he guessed the truth already.

In the late afternoon, Garnet and all the others were busy preparing for the night’s business. He knocked several times at her door. She took her time answering. When she saw who it was, her smile of welcome turned into a deep scowl.

“Hello, Garnet,” he said stiffly.

“Well, Doc! I thought you were dead or something. Ain’t seen you in nearly a month. I guess my ma’s all right?”

“I would have let you know if she weren’t.”

She made a great show of pulling on her striped stockings—pointing her toes and dragging the silk lazily up her legs. “Maybe you would and maybe you wouldn’t. I hear you got better things to do these days than taking care of sick old whores.”

“Like what?” he demanded.

“Like pleasuring that little wife of yours!” She cut an angry look at him.

“Desirée is the reason I’m here, Garnet,” he confessed.

She rose slowly from the chair and slipped her arms around his neck. “Aw, poor Doc! Did she tell you she’d had enough? Did she send you over for Garnet to satisfy your itch?”

Roman removed her arms from his shoulders with more force than was necessary. “That’s not it at all, Garnet! I want to know what happened that night she was here. You got her drunk, didn’t you?”

She turned away from him and strolled across the room. “We had a few, sure! But, hell, I had more than she did, and it didn’t do me no harm, Doc. So what’s all the fuss about?”

Roman gripped her shoulder and jerked her around to face him. “You know very well what I’m talking about, Garnet! L’Enfant said he found her here in bed with you and a man. Why did you do it, Garnet? Why?”

She laughed. “I didn’t do nothing! You know girls ain’t for me, Doc. I didn’t touch her.”

“And the man she was with?” Roman was fuming, ready to explode.

Garnet grinned at him and twisted the edge of her shawl. “Oh, he liked it just fine—two gals for the price of one! What john wouldn’t? And that little wife of yours, she seemed right anxious, too. You know how it is with some virgins. They just can’t wait. I’ll bet you’re really enjoying life these days.”

Garnet could tell by his face that her words stabbed him right through the heart She felt sorry for him suddenly. After all, he’d been good to her. But he had married Desirée! Her urge to tell him the truth and relieve his pain passed quickly.

Roman, feeling weak and defeated, turned to leave. He couldn’t blame Garnet for his misery. After all, Desirée had admitted coming to Mahogany Hall on her own. Garnet had only told him what he’d already guessed. Still, the truth hurt.

“Hey, Doc, I got a little time before Lulu opens.” She smiled with invitation when he turned back toward her.

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