Page 1 of To Resist a Scandalous Rogue
Chapter One
London, Late 1828
Life was truly satire, Charlotte thought, for why else would her new employer think her a courtesan? The news had propelled her to clamp her hand over her mouth to contain her laughter. With the manner in which her life had played out over the last year, she was not surprised.
“It’s not so bad,” Eliza explained, her tone coaxing. Charlotte suspected her cousin used just such a voice to cajole her customers to agree to her hefty fees. “And you said you were desperate for work.”
She didn’t appreciate Eliza’s reminder of her dire circumstances, for it made her consider actions that violated every one of her morals. Instead, her mirth transformed into irritation and anger at her cousin’s nonchalant duplicity. She’d not known Eliza earned her keep on her back, but then, she hadn’t seen her cousin in five years. Discovering the truth about Eliza had left a painful knot in Charlotte’s throat…one she would have fretted over had she not been offered the same fate.
“Why did you not just tell me what this job really entailed?” Charlotte grasped Eliza’s hand and squeezed it. “I would not have judged you, but I also would not have accepted. I thought I was to be a maid for an earl’s house party.Youled me to believe that, Liza.”
“You’ll make more in one night at this house party than you’d make in an entire six months as a maid,” Eliza argued, flicking a guinea-blonde curl over her shoulder. She pinned Charlotte with hard blue eyes. “I thought you would be reasonable and see this opportunity for what it’s worth. I know a dozen girls, at least, who would jump at the opportunity to be near such men.”
When Charlotte looked away, Eliza reached out and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to meet her gaze. “All you need is one of them to offer for you, and your problems would be a thing of the past.”
“No, they wouldn’t.” Charlotte sighed, and she felt it in every limb. “I would just have different problems. And I would still be a mistress.”
Eliza shrugged, the motion causing the red cambric shawl she wore to slip off her pale shoulder, showcasing her scandalously low neckline. Unconsciously, Charlotte placed a hand against her own chest, relieved to find her modest muslin bodice still in place.
“I find problems are much easier to manage when I have a full belly and a clean, safe place to sleep.”
She found she couldn’t argue with her cousin’s pragmatic response.
“Several of the gentlemen are quite handsome.” Eliza smoothed her hands down her sides as she smacked her lips together. “I daresay the evening will be quite enjoyableandprofitable.”
Catching Charlotte’s frown, she waved her hand. “You act like you’re a fresh-faced virgin, afraid of a man’s willie. You’re a widow, Char. You should know a thing or two about bedsport by now.”
Charlotte bit the inside of her cheek, but even the pain couldn’t stop the flood of heat that spread over her cheeks. Eliza was correct that she was no longer an innocent, but the only man she’d ever slept with was Roderick, and she had loved him. Their relationship had never been casual, and the thought of engaging in such an intimate activity with a stranger, for money, was more than she was capable of.
“I just can’t do it.” She had taken a step back, freeing herself from her cousin’s grip. “I appreciate your willingness to help me, but I can’t do this.”
Eliza regarded her intently for a long moment before she exhaled loudly. “I didn’t think you’d truly follow through with it, but I wanted to give you the choice. Which is why I didn’t tell you beforehand—I thought a last-minute decision would allow you to forget all your prim reasons to say no and instead allow you to focus on your survival.”
Charlotte couldn’t fault her cousin—well, not too much—for her line of thinking. Women had few employment options available to them, and certainly prostitution was one of the more lucrative choices. Which was why she had been so thrilled at the prospect of a maid’s position. Charlotte knew that, while it was only temporary, it would have helped garner a reference she could have used to secure employment in another grand Mayfair house. ’Twas a bitter blow to learn the position was an illusion.
“I have to go. The men are expecting us.” Eliza ran a finger across her mouth before she patted her curls. She had only grown more beautiful with age, Charlotte reflected as she watched her cousin primp. Her junior by a year, Eliza had possessed a merry exuberance to accompany her flawless complexion, silky flaxen hair, and cornflower blue eyes. Charlotte had always assumed her pretty cousin would marry a barrister or man of business, but life didn’t always play out the way one expected.
Of this, she knew firsthand. The knowledge of where life had brought her and her lovely cousin made anger spark hot and fast in her veins before it was swiftly extinguished.
She didn’t have the luxury of feeling an everyday emotion such as anger. Especially when she didn’t know how she’d feed herself once she left the earl’s rich townhome. The maid position was the only decent work she had found since she returned to London, and her funds were almost gone.
“I’ll gather my belongings,” she said stiffly, willing her body to collect her effects. She had nowhere to go, but after turning down Eliza’s offer, she didn’t want to assume her continued presence there was welcome.
“Don’t worry, Char, you can leave in the morning.” Eliza removed Charlotte’s palm from the door handle. “The men will be busy, and no one will know you’re here. Leave on the morrow.”
Charlotte nodded, forcing down her relief on a painful swallow. “Thank you. And I’m sorry.”
Eliza pulled her into an impromptu hug. “Do not fret. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you.” She pulled back and offered her a sad smile. “I am strangely relieved you said no. Despite everything, you’re still…you.”
“Yes, well, my empty stomach may regret my actions come next week. Still, I’m happy I didn’t disappoint you.” Catching Eliza’s arched brow, Charlotte suppressed a smile. “Too much.”
“Find me before you go,” Eliza said as she opened the door and stepped into the hall. “I know some decent boardinghouses where you can stay.”
“I’d appreciate it.” Charlotte gripped the edge of the door tightly. “Please be careful.”
“I always am,” Eliza said before departing, her swaying hips descending the stairs toward the sound of distant laughter.
Charlotte closed the door and locked it, leaning back against the cool wood. Anxiety weighed heavy on her shoulders, although she was sure she should be used to its smothering presence by now.
