Page 29 of What a Courtesan Wants
-The London Gossip,20 September 1819
“Dear Benedict, I was delighted to receive your last letter, as well as the news that the Gentleman Courtesans have been able to continue operating despite the contents of that terrible column.”
Aubrey gave half an ear to the letter being read aloud by Dominick, who sprawled in an armchair alongside David. While the pair sat in repose, Aubrey and Benedict circled each other in a wide space cleared of any furniture, both outfitted with boxing gloves. While Benedict held a membership for Gentleman Jackson’s as well as the other pugilist’s clubs in the city, he preferred to train privately. Whenever his presence became known in any of the clubs, other members would clamor for a chance to spar with him—something he hadn’t been in the mood for today. Still healing from his last fight, his face was a nauseating mosaic of yellow and green bruises which faded more each day.
He’d received a letter this morning from Hugh Radcliffe, a former gentleman courtesan. The man had only joined them in order to feed himself while studying as a painter at the Royal Academy of the Arts and working toward having his paintings recognized. After being accepted into the Summer Exhibition a few months ago and proving to be quite a sensation, he’d moved on to pursue his career painting portraits as well as perspective elevations for a famous architect.
Aside from finally gaining his greatest wish, Hugh had also acquired a wife—a woman who also happened to have been his keeper. Evelyn had come to him looking for a man to warm her bed, but matters between them had eventually changed. Now, the two resided in London between Hugh’s travels, which were required for his work with the architect. He’d written from Devon, and Benedict had allowed Dominick to read the contents of the letter aloud for all the other courtesans to hear.
Aubrey ducked to avoid Benedict’s swing, driving his shoulder into the other man’s middle to put some distance between them. He had the longer reach, but Benedict’s blows could be lethal up close—even while practicing with gloves. Benedict sneered at him and continued to circle, shaking the tension from his arms and watching for another opening while Dominick continued to read.
“After visiting with Evie’s mother, we traveled to Exeter to where Edward and his wife live. You mustn’t be cross with me, Ben, for wishing to call upon them and share my happy news. We are two of a kind now, both being courtesans who have gone on to wed our keepers. Edward wonders if you are still wroth with him for his decision to wed Clare, and I assured him you couldn’t possibly still be angry over it.”
Benedict snorted, then grunted as Aubrey landed his glove in the center of his chest.
“Bloody presumptuous of him,” he grumbled, returning Aubrey’s blow with one of his own.
Aubrey stumbled, nearly losing his footing from the strike that felt powerful enough to have torn off his entire arm. His shoulder throbbed, but he ignored the pain and threw himself back into the sparring session, determined to repay Benedict in kind.
“Honestly, Ben, it’s been over a year,” Dominick muttered. “You can’t continue holding it against him.”
“Besides,” David chimed in. “Have youseenthe woman? Bit of a bluestocking, but she’s a prime article.”
“She has a pretty face, I suppose,” Dominick replied. “But she’s hardly any dugs.”
“Is that all you care about?” David argued while Benedict and Aubrey went on jabbing and swinging at each other. “They’ve other parts, you know.”
“Yes, well … the bosom is probably one of the most important parts. They ought to at least be large enough to fill a man’s hands.”
Aubrey darted a gaze at Dominick, and chuckled to find the man holding his hands up, fingers spread as wide as possible—as if to indicate a pair of breasts the size of melons.
“The nipple is the best part,” David argued. “Who cares how big the rest of it is?”
Benedict heaved a grunt of frustration and seemed to forget what he was about. He straightened, gloved hands falling at his sides as he glared at Dominick and David.
“I don’t care how pretty she is or what her udders are like,” he snapped. “Edward was barely a courtesan for a month before making off with his wealthy heiress keeper and canceling one of the most lucrative contracts this agency’s ever seen. I’ll remain cross with him for as long as I like.”
Aubrey took advantage of the opening and drove his fist into Benedict’s gut, sending his friend doubling over with a groan and a string of breathless curses.
“I, for one, am happy for the man,” Aubrey murmured, backing away to allow Benedict a moment to catch his breath. “You’re going to have to recover faster than that in a real fight, Ben. I could lay you flat right now.”
With a glare and a vicious growl, Benedict launched himself at Aubrey, and they grappled clumsily, their padded gloves making it difficult to find purchase. Aubrey laughed while Benedict snorted like a bull, driving a fist into his side.
“Speaking of breasts,” Dominick said, “Lady Bowery is certainly blessed with an extraordinary pair. Aubrey, you lucky devil.”
Aubrey paused, using one arm to push Benedict back as he swiveled his head to glower at Dominick. “You’ve no business concerning yourself with my keeper’s endowments, and I’ll thank you to keep a civil tongue in your head when speaking of her.”
David chortled. “He concerns himself with your keeper because he isn’t getting any satisfaction from his own. Tell us, Nick … when was the last time you even saw a nude woman?”
Dominick let out a derisive snort. “Calliope is a cold fish, but a rich one, so I’ll gladly take the coin she’s paying for me to be her escort and find my pleasure elsewhere. As for you, Aubrey … never known you to be so protective of a keeper before.”
“Nonsense,” Aubrey panted out, dancing out of Benedict’s reach and batting his flying fist aside. “I simply don’t wish to stand about listening to you clodpoles go on about her like she’s—”
“A woman paying you to bed her like all the others?” Dominick offered.
She isn’t,his mind insisted.She is different.
Rather than voice his objections, he threw himself back into the fight with Benedict. Aubrey didn’t have to justify his words or actions to anyone.
