Page 13 of One Night with an Earl

“Wake her now.”

Something about his expression must have caused alarm because she made to slam the door. Before she could act, he pressed a palm to the door and pushed his way inside.

A flash of fear crossed the girl’s face. “I’ll tell Madame you are waiting, my lord.” She darted up the stairs.

Oliver made his way to the salon where he’d first seen Lady Scarlet. The brothel appeared entirely different in the light of the day. Cushions were stained and most of the used glasses had been removed, but some remained by the sideboard. The decanters were empty of alcohol. It was in need of a good cleaning, and he suspected the girl was one of many who ensured the place was ready each night for more debauchery. The Silver Chalice had a reputation to maintain.

Fifteen minutes later, Madame Crescent floated down the stairs in a pale blue night rail. She addressed him as if at a formal ball wearing an elegant gown.

“Good day, my lord. What is so urgent that you appear at my doorstep before the respectable hour of two?”

He almost felt put in his place. Almost. He came right to the point. “I wish to know the true identity of Lady Scarlet.”

One plucked eyebrow shot up. “Who?”

“Do not play games with me, Madame. I suspect nothing in this establishment occurs without your knowledge or approval.”

Her eyes sparkled in amusement. “You are correct. One of the reasons the Silver Chalice is a prominent establishment is because of its confidentiality. I do not reveal the names of my guests or my women.”

He refused to be waylaid. “How much will it take to learn her identity?”

She laughed, a light tinkling sound like a breeze blew through the chandeliers above. “No amount.”

A knot in Oliver’s chest tightened. “She was a virgin. I did not pay the premium price.”

“Ah. So you discovered that, did you?”

“What man wouldn’t?”

Her lips quirked with suppressed humor. “You’d be surprised. However, my dealings with Lady Scarlet are even more secret than most.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean she does not want her identity revealed.”

“Fine. Then I wish to spend tonight with her.”

“Impossible.”

He didn’t like where this was going. Not one bit. “She is already…reserved for another?”

“No. She no longer works for me.”

“Pardon?”

“She chose you, my lord. Be grateful and let it be. One night is all you will share with her.”

“Good God. You don’t expect me to believe that, do you? Name your price.”

“As I said, there is no amount of money.”

Oliver glowered. Her resistance was unexpected. Lady Scarlet, or whoever she was, had sold herself to him for a single night. Why? She was a mystery, and he disliked mysteries and loose ends. He’d thought by returning to the brothel to purchase her for another night, he could easily discern her name.

Never had he thought she’d just slip away.

Chapter Five

As soon as Ana was able to get time to herself, she went to her bedchamber and locked the door. After a quick search, she found the little book she’d successfully hidden in the bottom of a trunk for almost a decade. The leather cover was engraved with an intricate silver cross which had faded over time, but the hand-painted pictures of the Bible were still vibrant.