Bound by Bliss (Bound and Determined #2)(24)
The woman stopped and considered the two of them for a moment, and then a wide smile lit the shining crimson lips. “Hello. I am Madame Rouge, but please call me Ruby. And who are you, my dear child?”
Chapter Six
Duldon should have known that despite the cloak and mask Ruby would know Bliss for a woman. Ruby had always understood everything, even that which one wished to remain hidden, within a moment of examining the situation. He sighed inwardly. Yes, he should have thought this whole endeavor out much more clearly. His mistake was a sign of how Bliss fogged his thoughts.
Bliss opened her mouth to answer, but shut it at his glare.
“My companion wishes to remain anonymous. I trust that is not a problem?” he said, directing his question to Ruby.
Ruby chuckled, deep and throaty. “Is it ever? I’d be out of business in a week if I bothered to find out who makes use of my beds.”
“I imagine that is true,” he answered. Of the women he’d met with here, only a scant few had revealed their identities, and those that did had taken a long time to do so. Few London ladies would ever admit to finding their pleasure at Madame Rouge’s.
“Now, Simms said that you had a special request.” Ruby’s gaze shot to Bliss, who sat still, holding the brandy but not sipping.
“Yes.” He gestured her out of Bliss’s earshot. “My young companion is curious and would like to see what happens here. Do you have anybody who is interested in being watched?”
“Only watching?” Ruby glanced at Bliss again, noting the nervous tapping of her foot.
“Yes, she is young and does not know…”
“She does not look that young. Innocent perhaps, but not young. You know I am not happy when the girls—or boys—are too young.”
“And yet you permit it?” Duldon had always wondered about this.
Ruby sighed. “I try not to. I do everything I can to discourage it, but I would rather such things happen in a safe environment than in some dark hovel. And you know I only allow willing participants—and even so there are times when I just cannot stomach it.”
Duldon could only shake his head. He understood Ruby’s point, but he’d always had an intense dislike of men who targeted children. “We are straying from the subject. Is there anyone here tonight who might interest us?”
Nibbling on her lower lip, Ruby considered. “The Binkshaws are here tonight. I don’t mind using their name given that they love to be watched, that it gives them a special thrill. I do believe Mrs. Binkshaw, especially, loves running into those who have watched her when she’s out in society.”
“Truly, the Binkshaws? I cannot even imagine. They seem so proper.”
Ruby smiled. “You of all men should know that how people appear and how they are is not always the same thing.”
Duldon could only nod his agreement. “Anyone else?”
“How innocent is your companion?”
“What are you suggesting?”
“There are two gentlemen who also enjoy being observed, although I will have to warn them first. They do prefer masks if they know the peepholes may be opened. There are some things one does not want society to know.”
Turning, he stared at Bliss and considered. “I think that might be a possibility. I would give the gentlemen a warning if I were you. I cannot promise, but we shall see.”
“I am sorry that I don’t have anything more adventurous to offer you this evening.” Ruby laid a hand upon his arm.
“That is quite understandable. I know that it is not one of your specialties. And I must say that as a patron, I do find it reassuring to know that nobody is ogling without my permission.”
“Except myself, of course,” Ruby added with a slight grin. “You know that I do keep an eye on things—although I must confess I am not much concerned with you, my lord. Never have I heard a complaint—and from what I’ve seen there’s definitely a reason for that.” Her gaze fell to the front of his trousers.
Fighting a blush of his own, he jerked his chin in acceptance of her remark. “I do try to always leave my partners with a smile.”
“And a red ass, I reckon.” Ruby turned to stare again at Bliss. “And her? Will you be requiring your usual room later in the evening?”
Duldon could only shake his head, then against his better judgment the words slipped out. “She’s Swanston’s sister. The Countess Ormande had promised to bring her here and it seemed the wiser course of action to take her myself than to allow her to attempt entry on her own—and I know that she would have tried if necessary. I would not tell you, except that I trust you to help keep her safe should anything happen. I cannot imagine leaving her alone for an instant, but…”
Ruby’s lips pressed tight in consideration, the strangest of expressions crossing her face, and gave a short nod. “I assume her brother does not know. No, I can see from your face that he does not. You can trust in my discretion as always. I do believe that I had heard you were pursuing the girl with marriage in mind, assuming that it is the correct sister you have brought with you. Swanston does have a number of them. I would not have thought she shared your tastes.” She cast a speculative look at Bliss and he could see that far too much was whirling through her mind.