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She told him her thoughts. “But,” she added, her enthusiasm returning, “men make such arrangements all the time with no difficulty at all. If you were to do it, your solicitor would think you were merely setting up another mistress.” She waited anxiously, knowing that what she was asking was very nearly beyond the pale, even for David.
“Fine. I’ll do it,” he snapped, glaring. “But only to save your fool’s hide from being lauded as a strumpet across the whole of England! Melly, you truly have no appreciation for the dangers involved in this insane decision! Even if you manage to avoid conceiving out of wedlock, there are other considerations. Society’s appetite for scandal knows no bounds. If you are exposed, it will be their meat and bread for a year and a day.”
“I’m quite used to being the subject of speculation.” Mélisande laughed.
“Not the kind I speak of. There are certain aspects of your family’s history that will not bear close examination. All it would take is a French seamstress or lady’s maid with a vague memory of your mother’s surname to trigger disaster. If someone were to uncover your mother’s involvement with Louis, you could lose everything.”
Not wanting him to back out, Mélisande proceeded carefully. “Even if someone questioned my legitimacy, what proof is there? I cannot be disinherited on the basis of supposition and rumor.”
“Perhaps not. But even so, that rumor would haunt you and your children for the rest of your lives. People would always wonder.”
“I have very great appreciation for the danger, David, and I understand what’s at stake—truly I do—but even you must agree that after so long, the possibility of an inquiry pertaining to my legitimacy is remote, at best.” She waited half a heartbeat before continuing. “I assure you I shall be the soul of discretion. And I am most grateful for your assistance. You are quite correct in that I have not the faintest idea how to arrange something of this nature. I would soon be lost without your guidance.”
“Wonderful. You’re thanking me for helping you become a harlot.”
“David—”
He shook his head and sighed. “Never mind me. I’ll learn to live with my choices, just the same as you. For good or ill.”
“Then, you’ll help?” She waited.
“You’ll need to hire a coach and driver, as well as servants to maintain the residence,” he said at last. “I know several trustworthy, reliable people, provided you are willing to pay well,” he said pointedly. “Secrecy comes at a high price.”
“Money is no object,” she replied briskly, glad he was finally cooperating. “What else?” At his queer expression, she drew in a deep breath and rested her hands on her hips. “David, I must know how it’s done. I can’t expect you to manage things for me the entire time, and I don’t imagine you wish to do so, either.”
“You’ll need to watch yourself on your arrivals and departures. Arrange to have the coachman drive around to the carriage house at least an hour before you intend to leave, as if you are having a visitor. Board there, and be sure the curtains are drawn before leaving. Disembark under cover at your destination, as well—not around front. And be sure to return before dawn, when there will be fewer people about on the streets to see an unmarked carriage arriving at your gate.”
The need for secrecy was paramount. As a man, David could come and go as he pleased and never worry about his activities attracting undue interest. Mélisande knew she did not have that freedom.
“You’ll need to arm your driver, as well,” he added. “He should double as a bodyguard. It’ll cost a goodly sum to secure such loyalty, but it’ll be absolutely necessary if you’re to be trotting about town in the wee hours. And you should also carry a pistol and be prepared to use it,” he said with a hard stare. “Your carriage may be accosted by thieves. Terrible things can happen to women who travel alone at night, Melly.”
“I shall carry two,” she told him. “I’ve no compunction about killing a man should he enter my carriage uninvited.” And she didn’t. Anyone who dared attack her deserved to be shot. “Papa taught us how to shoot together, remember?”
“Indeed. You can always flee to the Colonies, if things don’t go well,” he said with heavy sarcasm. “God knows if anyone can survive in that beastly backwater, it’s you. Now, you’ll need new clothes,” he continued, ticking off a finger. “They should be modest, but of good cut and material.”
He ticked off another finger. “Carry very little money, only enough to secure the services of a runner and hire a coach.”
A third finger. “Remain veiled while traveling and never under any circumstances become separated from your driver for any reason,” he stressed. “And keep the curtains drawn at all times when meeting with your...” He stopped awkwardly.
“I understand,” she told him, nodding. She’d put him in a terrible position with her request, but there was no alternative. “I must remain anonymous,” she prompted.
“At all costs,” he again adjured. “Flirt as outrageously as you please in public, only make certain no one catches you acting upon those flirtations beyond a certain point. Anything up to a modest kiss is acceptable without any real danger of reprisal. But if you get caught with your skirts up, God help you.”
Mélisande raised a brow. “And what should I tell him?” she asked. “If the male usually does all the arranging, mightn’t he be annoyed?”
“He should be bloody well delighted at having to bear neither the responsibility nor the cost!” David spat. “After all, you’ve made it easy for him, haven’t you? All he has to do is show up!”
Mélisande arched a brow. “If you would rather I did this on my own...?” She might have to trust Gravina’s skill and discretion, after all. The thought did not please her, but there was little other choice if David decided to renege.
“No,” David replied, rubbing his head. “No. You’d be sure to commit some disastrous blunder, it being your first time. You need someone to show you how to conduct your affaires with some discretion.”
“My first time? Y
ou speak as if I plan to make a habit of this,” Mélisande laughed, uncomfortable with the insinuation.
“Don’t you?” he asked, fixing her with an intent stare. “As you said, let us be realistic,” he drawled. “Once one has enjoyed the delights of Eros, it is but a matter of time before one seeks those delights again. It’s an addictive pleasure, Melly. And as you’ve no wish to marry the man, you will repeat your current course of action in the future.”
Mélisande’s cheeks heated under his mocking gaze. “I’ve no plans to become a courtesan, if that’s what you’re insinuating!”
