Page 38 of Cora
Cora’s education in the world of highbrow brothel art continued when Starke led her into a tastefully appointed library. At first glance, it appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary, an exceptionally luxurious and comfortable place to read.
But now that Cora was attuned to the true nature of the House of Virtue, her gaze kept snagging on small details: the gilt-stamped titles on the spines of books that hinted at salacious content, mixed in with classic works of literature. The statuette of a?—
Her teeth clicked together. She hadn’t even been aware of her mouth hanging open until the life-sized figurine of man’s erect penis sitting on a shelf caught her attention.
“Mind your step.”
Cora stumbled. Starke caught her elbow to steady her. He led her to the corner where Tulip, her blond hair pulled back in a severe ponytail, sat ramrod straight at a delicate escritoire. The visual contrast between her black leather corset with a short leather skirt, and the dainty lady’s writing desk, startled Cora into stupefied silence.
She settled into the chair Starke pulled out for her on the opposite side of the desk.
“Is Daisy not joining us?”
“She’s tied up at the moment. With a ball gag in her mouth.” Tulip’s mouth turned down at the corners. “It’s the only way I can stand that woman. When she’s immobilized and silent.”
“What on earth is a ‘ball gag’? Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
Tulip’s lips twitched. “Are you sure? I could give you a tour. Your brother might murder me for it if he finds out, but he doesn’t come around much anymore.”
Cora raised both hands. “Stop. I don’t want to know anything about my brother’s activities here, or anywhere else.”
“What about Annalise’s?” Tulip folded her hands and placed her chin on them, grinning mischievously.
“No.”
She knew her sister-in-law had spent time here, but Cora preferred not to know the full story of how she and Eryx had met. Some secrets were better left in the dark.
“How’s the honeymoon?”
Cora huffed and glanced away. Heat raced over her skin, thinking of their billiards game the night before.
“That good, huh? I could teach you a few tricks for the bedroom. If you wanted.”
“Does he ever come here?” Cora demanded. She glanced guiltily around the library, but they were alone. Still, she whispered when she said, “For sex?”
Tulip threw back her head and laughed. “Wentworth? Visit his enemy’s brothel?”
Confused, Cora sat back. “Countess Oreste and Gideon are enemies?”
“Not Belladonna. Your brother.”
“Oh. Right.”
She knew that. She had simply always assumed the loathing was one-sided, flowing from her family toward him. Gideon had always appeared indifferent to the havoc he’d wrought. This tidbit of information added to her questions and piqued her already-unbearable curiosity about him.
“That isn’t why I’m here today.” Cora inhaled a fortifying breath. This was hardly the first time she’d been in an unfamiliar situation. She would manage. There was no one she knew socially here to witness her embarrassment, which helped. After one had endured a public humiliation, the prospect of a second held less terror.
Tulip tapped her toe impatiently. “What does bring you to the House of Virtue, then?”
She inhaled deeply. “Can you teach me to play billiards?”
CHAPTERNINETEEN
CORA
That evening, Cora returned to an empty home with her head spinning. The things Tulip had shown her were shocking, but she couldn’t bring herself to be appalled. Instead, she was intrigued that lovemaking could encompass such a variety of acts.
All sense of herself as worldly and experienced had evaporated. Over an afternoon of billiards lessons, Tulip had convinced her to take a tour of the House of Vice. Cora never had made it to see Honey, instead rushing to make it home in time for supper only to find an irritable note from Martha waiting for her. She tossed it aside, lost in thought.
