Page 22 of A Tale of Two Dukes

“I’m taking Kitty to be my mistress,” I say with firm resolve. “Be sure to send me the bill for tonight as well as whatever else is required to keep her.”

“So, there’s no dissuading you then? You will do whatever it takes to make her yours?”

Is that a hint of relief I see in her eyes? Interesting. My mind turns about as I puzzle through this new piece. Is there something else about Kitty that I don’t know?

“Aye. That is, unless I have reason to keep her here with you?”

“But, Your Grace,” she murmurs, looking about. “If you wish to be her keeper, there are matters that must be addressed. Perhaps it will be best for you to sleep on it and allow me to draw up a contract in the morning? Besides paying for her virginity, there are other bills to consider. There’s the matter of her clothes, room and boarding, food, and the like.”

Crossing my arms, I tilt my head. “Money is no object. You, of all people, should know that.”

Again, that faint hint of unease sours the air. She runs her fingers along her neck, drawing attention to the rapid pounding of her pulse. “There are other things to consider here. When you tire of her, then what? I suppose I’ll just take her back…”

I mull over her words. None of this makes any sense to me. To my knowledge, there’s never been an issue with my friends or me taking a mistress from one of her girls. Is it perhaps because Kitty is a virgin and the madame worries for her safety?

Money seems to be the brunt of her argument, and it’s not uncommon for girls in this trade to rack up quite the debt. But from what I understand, Madame Douler is one of the fairer house mothers. Girls can leave her employ the moment she’s paid in full, by whatever means.

Though rare that a girl can make enough on her own, benefactors usually have no trouble procuring a woman as their mistress. That is, provided they aren’t one of the elites that line her coffers and keep this ‘family’ of hers fed. Those women are probably out of the reach of the common man.

But I am not some common man, and until tonight, Kitty has not yet made a name or reputation that should cause Madame Douler any reticence in letting her go. There’s something else amiss here, something that she’s not saying.

“Tire of her?” I finally respond. “Do I seem that fickle to you?” A smirk tilts my lips but disappears within a moment or two. “I wish to take her tonight.”

A flash of what appears to be panic lights her eyes. “You are certain you do not wish to sleep on it?”

“What aren’t you telling me?”

She hedges, gripping the fabric on her dress. Stepping closer, she lowers her voice. “Another has demanded her.”

Again, a spark of rage sizzles through my brain, firing along each synapse until Madame Douler blurs before me. “She is mine. I don’t give two pence if anyone else wants her. Who is it?”

“Your Grace, you know I am not at liberty to say.”

A growl vibrates through my throat as I stalk forward, my bulk pinning her against the door. If she feels any fear, she does not show it. The only, barely perceivable, hint that she feels anything is the sharp intake of breath and light acrid stench of nervousness as I cage her with my arms.

“Let me take an educated guess. Does the name Hugh Beaumont ring any bells?”

“No, Your Grace. I cannot reveal who it is.” She nods her head, her actions at odds with her words.

“And am I safe to assume that this unnamed man has put quite a price on owning her?”

Again, she nods her head. “You tease me, Your Grace. Nothing you say will make me cross my clients. However am I to stay in business if I reveal things I oughtn’t?”

I lean in close enough that only she is able to hear my words. “Until I deem otherwise, Kitty is my mistress. Do what you must to make it happen. She leaves with me tonight.”

With a slight nod, she turns to her door. Rolling my shoulders, I release her to do whatever it is she has planned with the man she keeps hidden away. Besides, I have more important matters to attend to. Spirits light once more, I take off to the room where Kitty should now be dressed and waiting for me.

She’s a smart girl and sure to kick up a fuss if anyone disturbs her. However, knowing that this potential villain wants to dig his claws into her makes me quicken my steps. Thankfully, the men at the exits are trained to keep the women in, not allowing any of them to leave with a man without Madame Douler’s express permission.

Hugh may think he can drag himself onto our shores and start ordering others about, but it will all be for naught. With his family so disgraced, all he has is his business. My newfound dukedom will win any battle at any time.

Besides, since rescuing the Prince, I am a friend to the family and beloved in court. If this miscreant thinks he can swoop in and take the strumpet I desire, then he will be in for a rude awakening. Grin firmly affixed on my face, I go and collect my prize.

CHAPTER 10

William

Kitty sits silently by my side as my carriage takes her to my pleasure house. There’s so much about our interaction that just doesn’t make sense. But it’s no major hardship. She’s here for me to fuck and enjoy. I don’t have to understand her, nor does she have to understand me.