AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Solomon grumped. “He will do as he is instructed.”
Philip stepped away from his father. “Not if it involves these women. How could you dare—” He stopped as a firm hand slid inside his elbow and tugged at it. He looked down into eyes that flashed both green and light brown. Hazel.
“My lord, may I suggest we settle this like adults, and not like opponents on a dueling field?” Her insistent and firm pull on his arm urged him toward the door through which she had appeared. “Since it is quite clear that Lord Newbury is already in love, perhaps we can just talk about his young lady.” Her voice turned low and sensual. “My instructions are not always physical, sir. Words can have more power than you might imagine.”
Philip relented. “Yes. They can.”
Only as the door began to close did what Cassandra had said register with Philip—at about the same time they apparently did with his father.
Just as the door latched, he heard Solomon bellow, “He’s already what?”
Cassandra chuckled, a delicious sound that vibrated in her throat. A scent of rose water wafted around that unbelievable mane of hair, and Philip began to relax.
“We will just talk.” Her gaze remained bright, even in a dimly-lit hall. “What your father may not realize is that these sessions are totally at your discretion. While we start with a goal, how we achieve it can take many different paths. But the fee has already been paid. There is no need to waste your father’s money.”
Philip glanced at her as she led him down another door-lined hallway and paused in front of one of them. “I do admit you are not what I would expect in a—” He broke off.
“A whore?”
“I did not mean—”
She patted his arm, leaning against him. “It’s quite all right, my lord. We may speak with fine words, but we all know what we are. Mrs. Chambers prefers the term ‘courtesan,’ so we humor her. And while it is true that we do a great deal more with most of our clients than simply take them to bed, that remains the core of our business.” She pulled a key from a pocket in her skirt and unlocked the door. She motioned for him to enter, then joined him, relocking the door. “For privacy. But you may leave at any time.”
Philip had to smile. “Even though the money has already been paid.”
She returned the grin. “Even though. No refunds, I’m afraid. Mrs. Chambers is most strict about that.”
“Even if your customer is dissatisfied?”
“Ah, ‘ye of little faith.’ Our customersneverleave dissatisfied.”
The room’s primary feature—a heavy four-poster bed—was mounded with pillows and quilts in various shades of green. In a far corner, a wardrobe nestled up against the wall, near a low dressing table and matching stool. A washstand stood between those and a folding screen in the other corner. Cassandra pointed to two deeply cushioned leather chairs near a small, coal fireplace. The embers glowed brightly, adding a calming warmth to the room.
“Please sit, my lord. Remove your coat if you wish. The room is cozy, and there is obviously no need for propriety here.” Cassandra lit two more lamps, watching as he did so and settled. After a moment, she eased into the opposite chair. The light from the fire seemed to make her hair glitter. “Tell me about your young lady.”
“How do you know there is one?”
She hesitated. “When you wish to train your horse in an additional skill, to whom do you go?”
Philip narrowed his eyes, watching her closely. “A horse trainer or a groom.”
“To repair the wrought iron on a balcony?”
“A blacksmith.”
“In other words, professionals well trained in their skills.”
Philip almost laughed. “You are proposing yourself as an expert with men.”
Cassandra held her hands wide. “They are my profession.”
“But what about me made you assume I had a young woman in my life?”
“What do your schoolmates call you?”
“I beg your pardon?”
She sat a little straighter and leaned toward him. “One of the many things I’ve learned about men over the years is that the ones who spend years behind the hallowed walls of Eton or Harrow or one of the universities get snagged with a nickname that follows them the rest of their lives. Twenty years from now, one of your old chums will see you in White’s and call out ‘Halloo!’ and your nickname, as if you were still ten.” She tapped her chin with one finger. “Now, you... you would never tolerate something vulgar.”
