Page 2 of Tempting Mr. Vincent

Remy stepped closer to the frightened young woman and held out his hand. “I won’t hurt you,” he promised.

Tentatively, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to lead her to the waiting carriage outside. He didn’t want to chance his driver hearing something he shouldn’t, so Remy kept quiet on the ride home, instead choosing to watch his lovely companion. Her hands fidgeted in her lap and her gaze never strayed from the window. Even sitting across from her, he could see her pulse pounding in her throat.

It was a twenty minute drive to his home from the brothel. When they arrived, the downstairs windows were lit. His housekeeper and butler knew about his errand tonight and it seemed they wanted the house to look warm and inviting when the young woman saw it for the first time. He’d made certain they understood what was happening, and that Laurell wasn’t truly his mistress but a guest in his home.

Remy helped Laurell out of the carriage and escorted her inside, with Madam Giselle’s henchman on their heels. He went straight to his study, eased Laurell into a chair, and pulled a bank draft from his desk. He quickly filled it in and handed it to the man hovering in the doorway.

“I believe that concludes my business with Madam Giselle,” Remy said. “See that she gets that this evening.”

The man nodded and backed out of the room. When they were left alone, Remy stood and poured himself a brandy before reclaiming his chair. Laurell looked nervous, and he couldn’t blame her. She had no idea what was really going on.

“Laurell.”

At her true name, her gaze jerked to his.

“Yes, I know who you really are. It seems you made an impression on young Ann and she went for help.” He smiled. “I was to be your knight in shining armor, but it didn’t turn out quite the way I’d planned.”

Hope lit her eyes, and he hated that he’d have to tell her the complete truth. He’d have every intention of going to Giselle and demanding that she release Laurell, but the woman had turned the tables on him. She hadn’t been willing to part with what she considered her latest asset.

“You mean you didn’t really buy me?”

“Oh no, my dear. I really bought you.” Remy Vincent swirled the brandy in his glass, as he stared at the woman in front of him. The first thing he’d have to do would be hire a seamstress. The gown she wore appeared two sizes too small for her petite frame. “What, precisely, am I to do with you? That’s the question. Obviously, I can’t return you to your parents. I’m guessing you don’t have any skills other than managing a house.”

Her hands, clutched in front of her, were white knuckled. There was fear and vulnerability in her eyes. He hated that this had happened to her. She should have been able to live a quiet life, one where her family kept her safe.

“Are you going to turn me out?” she asked.

“No. I’m not that cold. However, I find myself in possession of a mistress that isn’t a mistress. As mayor of this fine city, people are going to notice I have a woman living with me. And I can’t very well set you up in the Storyville house like I would any other mistress.”

She stared at him silently.

“Laurell, what do you suggest? A train ticket to a new city? Somewhere your parents can’t find you?”

She licked her lips and turned her head, not holding his gaze. But not before he’d seen the shame in her eyes. “It’s more complicated than that.”

“Explain.”

“You obviously know that my parents sold the wrong daughter to Madam Giselle.” She licked her lips again, something he decided was a sign of her nerves. “What you don’t know is why they did it.”

She had a point. He’d wondered about it, but figured the younger girl was their favorite. Or perhaps, they’d thought their eldest daughter more disposable, though he couldn’t fathom why. She was beautiful in a quiet, unassuming type of way. But it was her eyes that drew him in. They were stunning.

“I assumed the younger daughter was more in favor with them.”

She nodded. “Yes, but…it didn’t used to be that way.”

Was she ever going to tell him everything? Or would have to pull it from her one bit at a time? Whatever she was hiding, it couldn’t be all that bad. Had she angered her parents? Maybe done something she shouldn’t have? Spent too much money? He couldn’t imagine her doing anything truly scandalous.

“So what changed?” he asked.

Her gaze dropped. “I did something bad. Very bad.”

He gave her an indulgent smile. He had a hard time picturing this angelic creature doing anything bad. She was soft spoken, and from what he’d seen, mild mannered. It was hard to picture her doing anything she shouldn’t.

“And what might that be?” he asked.

“I allowed a young man to carry me off into the gardens one night. He…We…” She licked her lips yet again. “He took advantage of me and there were consequences.”

Remy arched a brow. Well, this was getting more and more interesting by the moment. He had to wonder if the gentleman in question had, in fact, taken advantage or had she let him under her skirts? If she’d tried to stop him and the man had persisted, then Remy needed a name so he could have a little visit with him. “Are you telling me that you’re expecting?”