Page 26 of The Wolf Queen’s Curse

“Of course, in the capacity in which you previously attended them, providing care to the women there.”

“And you? Are you going to attend them and provide the care you previously offered?”

He chokes and wags a finger at me. “No, I am not attending anything where I provide such care or am provided it in return. I have said I do not share well, and you have agreed you do not either, and that is how I like things.”

“So when you said we could attend brothels, did you mean purely as observers?”

A sputtered laugh. “I meant that you could attend venues that provide gambling and fighting, if you so wish. As for tonight, I am hoping that the entertainment I provide will be superior to those in any gentleman’s club.”

“I’m sure it will be. As for brothels, though, would I be wrong to presume that would have been your primary source of female companionship?”

He groans and shakes his head.

I continue, “Not that you couldn’t have had women otherwise—that clearly wouldn’t have been a problem. But you chose brothels for the ease of the monetary transaction.”

“I don’t think this is the proper conversation for a city street.”

I arch a brow. “Is it a proper conversation for the bedroom?”

“You are incorrigible.”

“I take that as a yes. I may ask anything I like, once we are in the privacy of our bedchamber.”

Bishop has been to Leeds before, and so he’d asked Julius to reserve our room at a hotel he chose. When we reach it, my breath catches.

“This is where you usually stay?” I whisper as we enter the grand hotel with a huge entryway and crystal chandeliers.

“No, but I’ve passed this place, and I knew it was right for our honeymoon.”

My hand tightens on his arm as I try not to gape. I’ve been to sumptuous balls and soirees, and that’s what this hotel lobby reminds me of. There’s even someone playing a harpsichord in the corner.

“I am distinctly underdressed,” I whisper as I watch two couples pass, both heading out for the evening.

“You are perfectly dressed for a bride arriving from a day of travel.”

He’s right, but I still long for my new gown as I marvel at the marble floor and the polished wood paneling. In the past week, I’ve slept in a basement cell, a forest, and a barn, and under the circumstances, I’d only dared hope for a clean bed and a bathing tub.

With me on his arm, Bishop walks straight to the counter and presents himself with all the grace of a lord. He tells the clerk that someone reserved a room for us earlier, and even implies that it was done by a manservant, which Julius would love.

“Of course,” the elderly man behind the counter says. “Your suite has been prepared. You have bags?”

“They will be arriving shortly. It has been a very long day of travel, and we decided to come ahead. I believe my man also saw to our necessities?”

“He did.” The clerk hands over the key. “Would you like an escort?”

“No need. Point the way, and we shall find it.”

Our room is on the top floor, which means traveling up in the tiny lift. Once we’re out of it, Bishop sweeps me up in his arms, making me laugh.

“I missed this part,” he says. “I would have preferred to be carrying you over the threshold to my bedroom, but this will do.”

He carries me along the hall as he checks the numbers. The first one on the left is ours, with a plaque under it reading THE VICTORIA & ALBERT SUITE.

“Ooh,” I say. “Julius got us the fancy room.”

Bishop deftly manages to unlock the door without dropping me. Then he knees it open and carries me inside to a sitting area, complete with a desk, a chaise longue, and a fireplace. Baskets cover a marble-topped table, and my nose tells me they’re full of food.

Bishop carries me past the food and knees open the next door. Then he growls, his eyes narrowing, and I glance over to see a wonderfully large and luxurious bed … covered in boxes.