Regency Improprieties. Diane Gaston

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СКАЧАТЬ you, but some … some get an arousal when they hurt a girl. It is their pleasure to inflict pain. Like a bully, n’est-ce pas?’

      Rose felt sick at the thought.

      ‘A Frenchman wrote a book about it,’ Madame Bisou added.

      Rose put her hand on her chest. ‘Oh, Katy, you must take care!’

      Katy waved a hand. ‘I can handle myself.’

      ‘Do you know who hurt the poor girl?’ Rose asked the madame.

      She shrugged. ‘Iris said he wore a mask.’ She patted Rose’s hand. ‘I assure you, we do not allow such men in this gaming hell. If we hear of such a man, or if one dares mistreat one of the girls, Cummings tosses him out.’

      Rose shook her head. ‘But Katy is out and about. At Vauxhall, where so many men wear masks.’

      Katy laughed. ‘Do you think I cannot spot a viper like that?’

      Madame Bisou cautioned her. ‘It is sometimes difficult. You cannot tell merely by looking at a man.’ She stood. ‘I must go.’ She took Rose’s hand briefly. ‘Katy has told me of your marquess. That is good for you, Rose. Tannerton is a good man.’

      Even Madame Bisou sang his praises.

      Katy settled back in her seat. ‘Tell of the marquess. That is what I wish to hear.’

      Rose could not help but think that Katy needed the marquess more than she did, no matter what her father said of the theatre. If Katy had enough money, she could abandon this dangerous life.

      ‘I hope you will like it,’ Rose said. ‘I am to meet with him in two days. His guest at King’s Theatre.’

      ‘At a theatre?’ Katy seemed unimpressed.

      Rose continued. ‘The best news is, you are to accompany me.’

      Katy’s mouth dropped open. ‘Me?’

      ‘Yes. I asked if you could come with me.’

      Her friend looked at her as if her wits had gone begging. ‘But why?’

      Rose hesitated before answering. ‘I was not wanting to go alone. Mr Flynn is to be there, too. If you do not come, I’ll be the only woman with two gentlemen.’

      Katy laughed. ‘You did not want two men all to yourself? If your marquess is half as handsome as your Mr Flynn, it would be heaven to have them all to yourself.’

      Rose felt her cheeks grow hot.

      Katy’s eyes filled with mischief. ‘Why not bring Letty Dawes with you?’

      Rose returned a withering glance. ‘You must be jesting.’

      Katy laughed. ‘Oh, I’ll go. I have a fancy to meet this marquess who pines for you so strongly. Wish I could play it cool like you do, Rose. Never could disguise wanting a man as much as he might want me.’

      Rose gave her a stern look. ‘Did not the madame always instruct you to dampen such liveliness? Do you not remember?’

      ‘That’s like asking a tiger not to have spots,’ Katy responded.

      Rose could not help but smile.

      When the night arrived to attend the opera at King’s Theatre, Rose went to Madame Bisou’s to dress. The madame had insisted on hiring a hairdresser to fix their hair, and Rose and Katy each wore Paris gowns Miss Hart had given them. Katy’s was a rich green silk gown that set off her red hair to perfection. Rose wore silk in a pale blush with white lace adorning the bodice and hem. The hairdresser threaded a strand of pearls through her hair, and Madame Bisou lent her pearls to wear around her neck and on her ears.

      As Rose and Katy stood next to each other, surveying their images in a full-length mirror, Rose thought they looked tasteful. She had no wish to look like a harlot, even if that was what everyone wished her to be, what Flynn had accused her of being. She looked pretty, but she was nothing compared to Katy. What man could resist Katy’s vibrant beauty? Perhaps, if Rose were very lucky, the marquess would transfer his interest to Katy. And Flynn would forgive her.

      Gentlemen were already arriving at the gaming-house at the time the marquess’s coach was to pick them up. Perhaps they would think her a new girl at this place, not much better than a bawdy house.

      She shook her head. She must accustom herself to men thinking of her in this carnal way. It was part of being in the theatre, her father would say. She glanced at Katy, whose excitement just enhanced her lively beauty. How could she not impress the marquess?

      Soon the footman came to tell them a gentleman waited for them in the hall.

      ‘Well, you are off, then,’ Madame Bisou said, nearly as excited as Katy. ‘I wish you good luck.’

      She squeezed both their hands, and the two young women descended the stairway. Some men in the doorway of the gaming room stopped to watch them, their sounds of approval reaching Rose’s ears. She felt herself blush.

      Rose purposely let Katy go first so Katy would make the first impression.

      ‘Why, if it isn’t Mr Flynn,’ declared Katy halfway down the stairs. She extended her hand so he could assist her on the last few steps. ‘Where is the marquess?’

      Flynn’s eyes followed Rose’s slower progress as he answered, ‘He will meet us at the theatre.’ When Rose reached Katy’s side, he said a curt, ‘Good evening, Rose.’

      ‘Flynn,’ she answered, fearing matters would never be easy between them again.

      ‘Well.’ He looked at Katy, but only fleetingly glanced at Rose. ‘You look very charming. I am indeed most fortunate to escort you.’

      Katy took his arm, holding on to him much too close. ‘Let us be off, then. We do not want to keep a marquess waiting.’

      Flynn offered his other arm to Rose. Her fingers trembled as they lighted on his sleeve.

      In the coach, Katy’s lively chatter filled the air, so Rose could excuse it that Flynn did not speak to her. He said a word here and there to encourage Katy to rattle on, but his attention to her friend only made Rose feel worse.

      Soon the coach pulled up to King’s Theatre. As Flynn escorted them in, Rose forgot everything, even the admiring stares of gentlemen, as she took in the beauty of its grand hall, all marble and gold gilt. Flynn led them up carpeted stairs and past doors to what must be the boxes. They did not go far before he stopped at one and, after making a quick knock, turned the knob.

      Katy nearly jumped up and down, but Rose held back, so it was Katy who first entered the darker interior of the box, where Rose could just make out the figure of a man.

      He spoke. ‘Good evening. You must be Miss Green.’

      Katy replied, ‘You are correct, sir. I presume you are Lord Tannerton?’

      ‘I am indeed.’

      When Rose’s eyes adjusted СКАЧАТЬ