Page 50 of The Lady’s Sweet Revenge

Chapter Eighteen

“Why do you not try to do that as much as possible?” Harlow asked him when they had caught their breath. Reese chuckled, loving the way her mind worked. And her brazenness to ask any question that popped into her beautiful head.

“In truth, I do try to do it as much as possible, but it is not an easy thing.”

“Why not?”

“Ye remember we talked about the math?”

“Yes. Widows.”

“Correct. But there are not so many widows available for as many men in London.”

“I see.” She couldn’t but he would remedy that. He wanted to share everything with her. It wasn’t right that young women went about ignorant of the world around them. Harlow had wanted to learn and he would be happy to teach her.

“Widows are not the only option.”

“Brothels.”

“Aye, where there is pleasure there is a man is willing to pay for it. But there are risks in such establishments.”

“Risks?”

“Diseases the like you should never need to see. The women, while eager for coin, are not always eager for sport. They pretend and skilled actresses they are not. So it feels… contrived.”

She frowned. “I can’t imagine not wanting to do that. But I guess if I didn’t have a say as to who I was doing it with, it would change my perspective.”

She was a smart lass.

“A man who doesn’t want to share a woman with others can get himself a mistress.”

“I believe James had a mistress last season. I heard David and Luke lecturing him about it. They said she was too expensive.”

“Yes. Mistresses generally insist on having a place of their own and enjoy expensive gifts. They search for protection from a man who can never take them to wife.”

“So they seek rich men, which limits their options.”

“Correct. They are better actresses, but are just a different version of the first.”

“Hmm.”

“Some men will turn to their staff, though I never would. Other men prey on virgins and manage to steal a lady’s virtue without becoming embroiled in scandal.”

Harlow’s eyes went wide and he thought maybe this wasn’t the best conversation to have, but she wanted to know. And he’d give her anything she asked.

“Both of those options are disreputable but not the least honorable.” He’d not speak of it. Especially when it might have been her fate aboard the Zephyr.

“You mean men who simply take what is not freely given.”

“Yes.” He let out a breath and turned the topic to lighter subjects. Her favorite studies as a school girl. Her favorite foods.

“And what of your favorite time of year?” he asked his next question, fascinated to learn everything about her.

“I would say winter.”

“Truly?” Her answers never failed to surprise him.

“Yes. It is the time of year everyone is expected to stay indoors and find their own quiet entertainments. Like reading alone in my room. Plus there is Christmastide, and who doesn’t like receiving sweets?”