Page 24 of Surrender to Sin

“We were gossiped about at the Gardens, but did nothing truly shocking. We partially broke the rules at the fundraiser, but Baxter’s cronies won’t speak for fear of retribution. What if we shattered the rules…here at Fallen? Tonight?”

Sin sat up so fast he nearly sent Grace sprawling onto the floor. “Of course! It’s our annual pirate ship extravaganza. The scandal sheets call it the most decadent and downright immoral event in England. To attend is risqué enough, but—”

“I could take part!” she exclaimed, her eyes shining with hope. “Except…how would they know it was me?”

He rubbed a hand over his face, hating the thing he was about to advocate. “If you weren’t wearing a mask, everyone would know who you were. See you practically naked, being touched and fucked. And when I say everyone, I mean the most important men and women in the country, including Prinny. Do you know how many anonymous notes are delivered to the press in the early hours of the morning following one of our events? Hell, nowadays lads are employed to stay and sort and check them, because they know they’ll sell ten times the copies if a Fallen scandal is included.”

“That’s it!” she said excitedly. “Lord Baxter would hate that beyond all. Especially if it were you with me.”

“Wait. Wait. This is no small thing. Your reputation would be destroyed.”

Grace chewed her lip, her face the portrait of grave consideration. “It would be, wouldn’t it? Then I should like our…display…to be no half measure. A man is one matter, but surely making love to another lady is infinitely more scandalous.”

Sin choked on a laugh. Minx. “You really are determined to experience that, aren’t you? With a redhead, by chance?”

“Do you have red-haired ladies who are members?”

“As a matter of fact, we do. And a few of them love nothing more than devouring the wet pussy and swollen nipples of a beautiful woman. But fair is fair, you’d have to return the favor. Knowing all this, do you agree?”

“I do,” she said with wide eyes and ruby red cheeks, but her reply was so quick and firm, he did laugh this time.

“Then our next task will be taking you to Madame Alice and fitting a costume.”

Bloody hell. This crazy plan might actually have a chance.

…

She’d never seen anything like Madame Alice’s.

Rather than being situated in the heart of Mayfair like most other modistes and milliners catering to the wealthy, the large red brick warehouse was tucked away in a bustling corner of Blackfriars.

But inside, it was a whole other world.

Bolts of fabric—satin, silk, cambric, linen, twill, muslin, and velvet—were arranged in hundreds of colored rows. Cards of Brussels lace, ribbons, silk flowers, semi-precious stones, and dyed feathers rested in large, glass-fronted cabinets. Bulky, fearsome-looking footmen with pistols tucked into their belts stood guard at regular intervals around the perimeter, while two dozen neatly dressed, smiling women chatted, measured, fitted, and showed fashion plates to well-heeled customers.

“Ah! My beloved Sin,” called a very stout, silver-haired woman with a warm smile as she hurried toward them. “You need something else for the ball?”

“Hello again, Alice,” said Sebastian, taking her hands and kissing each of the woman’s apple cheeks. “I need a special favor.”

“Anything for you.”

“My very dear friend, Lady Carrington here, requires a pirate costume. Can you help?”

Madame Alice pursed her lips. “To whom do you think you are speaking to, young man?”

“The second mother who changed my small cloths, fed me strained pears, and ensured I was fashionably attired long before I knew what the words meant,” said Sebastian with an audible sigh, and Grace couldn’t muffle a giggle.

“That is correct. Now, my lady, let me look at you. Hmmm. Adequate posture, elegant neck, large breasts, ample hips…all hidden under the most ghastly and offensive sack ever seen in London. Who created that lilac monstrosity? Tell me at once!”

Grace tried not to flinch under the woman’s furious gaze. “Er, I’m not sure, Madame Alice. My late husband ordered my clothing and it was delivered ready-made to the country.”

“Bah. Well, dearie, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been creating costumes for Fallen since it first opened its doors, and I’m going to sew you something spectacular. Now, tell me who you would like to be this evening.”

“Be?” she replied, confused.

Sebastian grinned. “Indeed, darling. Is it your wish to attend as a bold pirate queen? An innocent princess taken captive? A siren or mermaid luring men to their ruin?”

“Ohhh. Then I want to be a princess from a foreign land. A woman forced across oceans for an unwanted political marriage to an evil tyrant, when the ship is attacked and she is stolen by a reckless and courageous pirate who falls in love at first sight and introduces her to all manner of lustful acts.”