Page 14 of Miss Ellis Unleashed

Abelton could hardly keep the amusement off his face. “The leggy blonde looks like she’s ready for some fun.”

“Yes, I suppose she will be for the right price,” he drawled, pretending that the exchange of money for pleasure didn’t bother him now.

Abelton grinned. “I’ll treat her well for the time we spend together, never fear.”

Max nodded, but inside, he winced. Had he ever been as cavalier about bedding strange women for money? Right now, Max was offended on the lady’s behalf to be picked out like livestock.

But that was how things went in a brothel, and on the marriage mart, too. A man could have any woman he wanted if the price was right. But beyond these walls, there were rules and hoops a gentleman had to contend with to have what he wanted in marriage. “Go get her, Abelton. I’ll wait around when you’re finished, and we can leave together.”

“Don’t forget to get your own woman tonight,” he murmured. “Perhaps the brunette will have a temper like Miss Ellis, and that will improve your mood.”

Max sighed and rested his head on his fist as his friend rushed away to charm his chosen lady of the night. He easily remembered all the times he’d done the same, and yet couldn’t now remember the faces of any of the women he’d taken to his bed.

After Abelton and the blonde disappeared together, the brunette headed toward him, swaying her hips as she neared. “Good evening, sir.”

He stood and bowed when she reached the table, but then realized he didn’t have to act like he was at a society event. Still, Max gestured to the seat opposite him. “Would you care to join me?”

The lady nodded and sat demurely.

Max smiled at her, trying to like her more. “Would you care for tea or something to eat, perhaps?”

“Well, aren’t you a real gentleman,” she murmured, smiling in turn as she toyed with her hair. “I bet the society ladies lap up your attention like cats.”

“I wouldn’t know,” he murmured. He was allergic to cats.

The prostitute arched one carefully painted brow. “Married?”

“I’m not.”

“You’ve got a family then? You’ve got that good son look in your eye. First time in a pleasure house?”

“No, and definitely not the second.”

The woman regarded him severely, and then appeared to freeze. “Are you one of them?”

Max laughed, taking no offense at her meaning. “No, merely starving for excellent food.”

“Ah, well, you’ve come to the right place. The dishes are refilled every hour. And when you’re done eating your fill, there are all sorts of other pleasures to indulge in here. Take one to bed or take us all.”

Max’s discomfort increased. He just wanted one woman. The right one. “Is that so?”

“Indeed.” The woman set her arms to rest on the table, leaning forward to show off her cleavage. “You can start with me if you want.”

But his eyes were drawn to her brow as her wig shifted, revealing her natural color as a blonde. Max did not want this woman, or any false brunette. While the view offered by a low-cut gown might have enticed him once, Max’s first instinct was to tell her to cover up…just as he had done with Daisy Ellis by ordering the seamstress to raise her bodices higher if she wished to be paid.

The difference between the two women was striking, and if he was to view anyone’s cleavage, he’d rather view Daisy’s and kiss her witless again.

It was a realization that had come as a complete shock and unsettled him still a month later.

The woman across from him slipped the top button of her gown open, showing off a little more of her assets. He couldn’t allow her to undo more, and again offered to fetch the woman a drink.

She declined.

“As you wish,” he murmured and resumed eating, ignoring the lady entirely, while his mind struggled and argued that he couldn’t possibly want Daisy Ellis more than any other woman. She was, had been, his ward for four years. He’d been responsible for her. Seduction should be the last thing on his mind when he thought of her.

She also hated him, and he’d almost felt the same.

But that was before the kiss. After…he was always thinking of kissing Daisy, though he tried so hard not to.