Page 75 of The Wolf and the Wildflower
The marquess rejoined their table, and after a few more pints, Linfield suggested they move on to somewhere more exciting. Jules staggered a little as she stood, not having been able to avoid drinking more of the ale than she would have liked.
James pinned the marquess with a stare that appeared far too menacing when Linfield slapped Jules on his back, saying, “Come on, man, you have to learn to carry your drink, we’re gentlemen out on the Town and we intend to have some fun before the night is over.”
“Not foxed, my lord, just tripped over the table leg getting up. Lead on, my lord,” Jules cried a bit too merrily.Bloody hell. Iamgetting tippled.
Over the marquess’s head James arched a brow, Jules winked and he grinned, the raw sensuality inherent in that smile provoking a swirl of hot sensation low in her belly.
They all bundled into Linfield’s carriage which stopped outside a house in Soho Square.
“What is this place, Linfield?” James asked, lifting an arrogant brow when they alighted from the marquess’s carriage.
“Madame Laurent’s, it’s a nunnery…cunny house…” Linfield stopped as James clearly wore a bemused expression.
“A cunny house?”
The marquess tossed his arms about the duke’s shoulder. “You have missed much in your years gone, my friend. Tonight we will start making up for it.”
An arrow of shock went through Jules. Were they at a brothel?
James lifted a brow, a curious glint darkening his eyes.
A small sound of anticipation came from the marquess. “This is a very high-class accommodation house, a school of Venus and caters only to wealthy clients, but nonetheless a brothel.”
Jules schooled her expression into what she hoped was a nonchalant mask, even as her heart jolted. She was curious, for even though she masqueraded as a gentleman, Jules had never visited a house of ill repute before. There was another part of her furious that James might be enticed to partake. Jules could not understand or explain the feelings seething inside her chest.
A pair of heavy-set men in livery stood stone-faced on either side of the front door. A footman with a healed but misshapen broken nose obviously recognized Linfield and promptly admitted them. The house was fashionably decorated but tended to the over-opulent, the salon that Linfield led them into featured many overstuffed sofas and an excess of gilding. On one wall was a large but relatively amateur painting of Leda and the swans, other classical nudes were clustered on the walls, although some of the subjects seemed to be of couples engaged in sexual acts.
Having taken in the somewhat exotic decor, Jules gazed around at the lush beauties on decadent display.
“There are women and dancing here on the first floor,” the marquess said with a carnal smile. “Gambling on the second floor, and the private bedrooms are on the third. Indulge for the night, my friends. This treat is all mine.”
A beautiful lady approached, introduced herself as Madam Vinnette, and greeted Linfield with carnal familiarity. Her eyes devoured James and interest sparked in the madame’s gray eyes. When she looked at Jules, she considered her for only a brief moment, then said, “I know the perfect ladies for you gentlemen.”
The madam sauntered scandalously close to Jules and trailed a manicured finger along her cheekbones.
“I do believe Jocelyn will enjoy you.”
A spurt of humor shook Jules and she leaned away from the touch.
“I am sure Southby will be a nice surprise to her,” the marquess said, a lustful twinkle in his eyes.
James winked at her above the madam’s head, and Jules swallowed the groan, tugging at her neckcloth.
The madam who had witnessed the exchange arched a brow. “Allow me to escort you to some private rooms.”
“Are you up for the experience, Southby?” Linfield murmured mockingly. “You seem a bit flushed.”
“Linfield, you have no reason for concern. Our ladies can deal even with the most nervous of men. Young man,” the madam said, turning to Jules. “Jocelyn will give you an education in the erotic arts that I am sure you will enjoy.”
Jules affected an air of nonchalance, fighting the ridiculous blush climbing her cheeks. Thank heavens for the stage makeup. Still, a rough sound of provoking amusement came from James, and even the marquess laughed and said something to James about his important person being wet behind the ears and they should probably send him away in the carriage. Jules wished she could land him a bloody facer.
James stared at Jules, his gaze questioning her comfort and the tension unknotted from her belly. Jules nodded imperceptibly for somehow she knew he would never allow any harm to her person. The promise of it was naked in his eyes and her heart trembled with emotions.
The madam led them to the third floor, showing each to a private room. Once in hers, Jules groaned and leaned against the door. “This is a disaster,” she muttered. “What am I to do with a bloody bird of paradise?”
Loud giggles sounded, and straightening, she glared at the connecting door in her chamber. Jules padded over, frowning when she recognized the marquess and the duke’s voices. She opened the door, and to her credit Jules did not startle when she saw a scantily clad lady in the room with the two gentlemen. Nor did she growl, which would be perfectly permissible given the feral feel crawling through her at the suggestive looks the lady cast the duke.
“Are you to join us, Southby?” the marquess drawled with a sensual smirk. “The more the merrier, I say. Can you take all three of us sweetheart?”
