Page 22 of What a Courtesan Wants
“Aubrey,” she whispered, lowering her eyes. “Please.”
“The name’s Mr. Drake, my lady,” he corrected with severity in his tone. “Have you come to inspect our newest gold and silver muslins? They’ve arrived from India only this morning, and there is also a most delicate netted gauze that would complement that muslin most nicely.”
“I have no interest in muslin,” she replied with a little huff of annoyance.
Aubrey continued to play daft, backing away from the counter and taking hold of a length of watered silk in a vibrant peacock blue. “Of course not. A woman of your age and experience has need of something a little bolder. You won’t find silk in this particular shade of blue anywhere else in London.”
“Dash it all, Aubrey,” she hissed, her voice lowering yet somehow coming out all the stronger as she glanced about to ensure they weren’t overheard.
The shop remained empty apart from the two of them—the only sounds to be heard the muted clop of horses’ hooves and voices through the panes of the windows, as well as the occasional clatter or thump hinting at the renovation happening just behind the partition on the far side of the room.
“I only wish to speak with you on the matter we last discussed,” she finished when he prodded her to go on with a raised eyebrow. “I realize I might not have explained myself so well—”
“You were clear enough,” he said with a shrug. “There is no need—”
“But there is. There are things I wanted to say, but found I lacked the courage. It might be too little too late, but I’ve mustered it now if you would be willing to hear me out. Please, I … I do not want you to think me a heartless sort of person.”
Aubrey wanted to say that was exactly what he thought of her, but not only would that be snide it would also be untrue. While what she’d done had been insensitive in and of itself, he had seen quite clearly that she wouldn’tallowherself to care. Despite his anger he was also curious about what she might have to say to him. Even if their arrangement was now over, there could be no harm in clearing the air between them.
With a heavy sigh, he rolled his head in the direction of the back room. The door hung ajar, and the voices of Kit and his niece came muffled through the wood. The lad hadn’t yet made his way into the storeroom to begin his pointless inventory.
“Kit!”
The boy’s head appeared from behind the door, jade eyes like saucers and eyebrows raised. “Yes, sir?”
“Tell Rupert and Toby to finish their buns and get back to work. Then, take over for me. I have business that needs attending.”
Kit spared only a moment to bow to Lucinda and murmur pleasantries before heading off to do as instructed. Elizabeth then appeared, several pins speared through her bodice so she could keep up with them, and a length of delicate white lace held in both hands.
“Oh, good afternoon,” she said upon finding Lucinda standing on the other side of the counter.
Aubrey stifled a curse, realizing he had no choice now but to make an introduction. While he wasn’t feeling very charitable toward Lucinda, his niece was looking back and forth between them and seeming to wonder just what his business with such a fine lady would entail.
“Lizzie, this is Lady Lucinda Bowery, the Dowager Countess of Lanhope. My lady, may I present my niece, Miss Elizabeth Barrett?”
Elizabeth’s spine snapped straight, her eyes growing wide just before she dipped into a flawless curtsy that would have made Mrs. Baines’ bosom swell with pride.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, my lady,” she murmured, eyelashes lowered demurely.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Lucinda replied, her voice taking on a sudden warmth as she offered Elizabeth a smile. “That is a lovely frock you’re wearing.”
Elizabeth beamed as she glanced down at the gown of sprigged muslin she wore, a bright band of spring green silk slashing just under her bosom in a splash of color. “Thank you. It is my own design.”
Lucinda’s eyebrows shot up in clear shock as she gave the gown another once-over. “It is exceptional work. You are quite gifted.”
Kit and the lads chose that moment to reappear, and none too soon for Aubrey wanted as little interaction between his ward and the woman he’d been fucking as possible. In the past he might have cringed to think of a woman in such crude terms, but that was simply one of the things his time as a courtesan had changed. He had no choice but to think in such matter-of-fact terms when he’d gone so long feeling like nothing more than a commodity to be bought, sold, and traded.
“Right this way,” Aubrey said to Lucinda, gesturing toward the back staircase while Kit resumed his place behind the counter.
“It was lovely to meet you,” Lucinda said to Elizabeth just before they disappeared up the stairs.
Elizabeth said something in response, but Aubrey hardly heard it as his mind whirled from trying to puzzle out just what Lucinda might have to say to him. Whatever it was, he doubted it would make a difference to his feelings or the end of their arrangement. Still, he would hear her out.
Once upstairs, he bypassed the doors leading to various storage rooms and led Lucinda to his personal chamber. As she swept inside, skirts swishing about her legs, Aubrey watched her take in the space while removing her hat. Before joining in the venture of the Gentleman Courtesans, the room had been sparsely furnished. However, he’d taken the time to have it decorated and made more comfortable for his keepers. The blue damask counterpane was a match for the printed wallpaper, while a thick rug laid over the floorboards muffled the sound of their footsteps. A table that would seat two rested near a window, curtains thrown open to let in the light of the afternoon sun. He untied them and let them fall closed, then took a moment to light a few lamps.
Aubrey glanced over at the cozy seating area he’d arranged near the hearth—a settee and two mismatched armchairs—and couldn’t fight the etiquette that had been drilled into him from a young age. He offered her a seat, which she took, and a drink, which she politely declined. Once he’d sunk down onto the armchair across from her settee, he rested his elbows on his knees and raised his eyebrows at her.
“First, I wanted to apologize for my poor explanation yesterday. I visited Mr. Sterling this morning and asked him to convey my regrets to Mr. Graham, and I do hope he doesn’t think too poorly of me. But, I felt I owed you a greater explanation after what we’d … shared.”
