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“I’m sorry, ma’am. I cannot allow you admittance.”
The nerve of the girl. Selena narrowed her gaze at the petite female. “Now listen to me, you will let me inside or I will force my way in. Which is it to be?”
The maid appeared ready to burst into tears. Had she spoken so harshly? Selena almost didn’t recognize herself. She had never raised her voice to anyone in her life. The timid girl opened the door wide to allow Selena entrance.
Once inside, Selena studied the interior. The walls were decorated with ornate pictures in gilt frames. A plush carpet silenced her footsteps and a massive chandelier hung from the main entry. She was led into a parlor, which was also lavishly furnished. The chairs and sofa were upholstered in dark reds and greens, and the mahogany furniture shone from a recent polish. Thick velvet curtains covered each window and ornate wallpaper covered each wall. Whoever lived here was well off. Selena was studying a painting when a middle-aged woman entered. She wore a black gown that left little to the imagination. Her breasts were about to burst free if she exhaled too much.
“I am Madame Crenshaw. How may I help you?”
“Is this your house?”
The woman raised an eyebrow. “This is my establishment.”
“I saw my husband come in here.”
“Lord Fernsby? Oh, yes. He has been a frequent patron these last few weeks.”
Selena glanced around again. Good Lord, was this a brothel? She stared at Madame Crenshaw. What had possessed Owen to come here?
“Your husband is upstairs, if you would like to see him.” The madame spoke with a smile. “I can show you.”
Did she want to find Owen in bed with another woman? She had come here for a reason—to decide once and for all if her marriage was worth fighting for. Now, at the first test, she hesitated. Selena met the older woman’s inquisitive expression and squared her shoulders.
“Take me to him.”
Madame Crenshaw nodded her head. They went down the hall, then up the stairs to the third door on the left. “He is in there.” Before Selena could answer, the proprietress had sauntered back the way she came.
A glance both ways showed Selena that she was alone, but it was obvious that some rooms were occupied. Noises came from behind the closed doors, both male and female. Moans and grunts slid under the door, straight to Selena’s ears. Was one of them Owen? She was about to find out. With more nerve than she thought she had, Selena threw the door open.
In the center of the room was a grand four-poster bed. The sheets were scattered, and a naked couple was in the middle in a compromising act. Selena blinked, unbelieving of what she saw. It wasn’t Owen. She froze in embarrassment. Was this a joke? Had Madame Crenshaw meant to play her for a fool?
“Selena?”
She whipped around. It was Owen, sitting on a settee in the corner. He rose, slowly going over to her.
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to know why you smelled like perfume.” She stuttered, still trying to take in the situation.
“What?”
She shook her head. “When you come home some nights, I smell women’s perfume on your clothes, and I thought…”
“You thought I was with another woman?” He seemed amused.
Selena narrowed her gaze. “Why shouldn’t I be suspect? You’ve done it before.”
The words hit home. Owen grimaced. He stood still for a minute as if contemplating his options. A minute later, he took hold of her arm to lead her into a small room off the main bedchamber and shut the door.
“It’s true I have been around women, but not like you think.” He took a deep breath. “After our first time together, in the garden shed, I realized I don’t know how to please you.”
What did he mean?
“I don’t want to just have a quick tussle with you. I want to make love to you, worship your body the way you deserve.”
“So you came to a brothel?”
“To learn, that is all. Madame Crenshaw has been kind enough to let me watch. They have shown me things—things that I can do to you.” Owen took her in his arms. “All I’ve ever wanted to do was make you happy. I thought if I could satisfy you in the bedroom, then perhaps other parts of our lives would eventually fall into place. I’m sorry for deceiving you.”
