Revealing Ruby (Bound and Determined #1.5)(7)

“If ever someone comes to you with such a story, you must tell me. I will always do my best to help.”

Tilly did not look quite satisfied, but nodded.

She was going to have to have Mr. Simms keep an eye on the girl. A soft heart was not a blessing in her profession.

“You may go enjoy the rest of the afternoon. I will expect you to bring me the captain’s money before your first client arrives.”

“Yes.” Tilly stood to leave. They were back to single-word replies.

Ruby rolled her neck and glanced at the clock on the wall. Time was passing much too quickly.

Before she could decide if she still had time to open her book, there was tap on the door and Cook entered. She grinned at Ruby and took the seat Tilly had vacated.

Ruby tried to find the energy for a true smile.

“Well, are you going to?” Cook asked.

Ruby could only blink. “What?”

“Are you going to sleep with him?”

That had her eyes opening wide. “Who? What? No!”

Cook shook her head. “The big man. I was coming to see if you needed more pastries and I heard him ask how much. Not that you need to charge him, but I do think you could use a little fun.”

Ruby was back to blinking. Cook had certainly known they didn’t need any more pastries, the tray had been near towering, but then Cook had always liked to keep her eye, and her ear, on what was happening. “Then you heard me tell him no. You know I don’t indulge with patrons.”

“Or anyone else,” Cook answered. “I’d understand if you were just being discreet, but it’s been years since…”

“It hasn’t been that many years,” Ruby grumbled.

Cook just stared at her. “Still, I think you should. A woman needs a little every now and then. I heard he was a sailor, which means he’ll be gone soon. Why not have a little fun?”

“Did Madame Noir ever…? Besides her duke, I mean.” The question just slipped from her lips.

“Now, that would be telling. But she certainly did smile many a morning after she’d been out visiting friends for the evening.”

Ruby chewed on her lower lip. She’d run the house for nearly a decade and only taken two lovers, neither of them patrons. She’d never felt the need for more.

But something was stirring within her now, something she wasn’t sure she wanted to give in to.

Hell, she didn’t even like the man.

She might even strongly dislike him.

He was an arrogant ass, walking into her house and making demands.

Only…only something about him did capture her interest, and given how long it was since that had happened it was worth paying attention to. Even her last lover had not affected her like this, not made her breath grow shallow and her breast peak, not caused that unquenchable ache between her thighs.

“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you? Thinking about him?”

“Yes.” There was no point in denying it when Cook was watching her so closely. “It is a bad idea, however. My life is quite satisfactory as it is. Why should I take risks by changing it?”

“I don’t see any risk. He’ll be gone in a week, two at most. You can always wear a wig and hope he doesn’t recognize you.” Cook laughed, her eyes on Ruby’s bright red curls. “What would be the harm? It’s not like you’re a virgin.”

No, she wasn’t a virgin, hadn’t been one for more than a decade. She knew how to prevent a child, and if she was here in the house she would be safe. What would be the harm? It wasn’t like she was in danger of falling in love with the man. She didn’t even like him; emotional attachment was not a danger.

So, why not have a little fun? Tilly had certainly looked satisfied, and if she was going to take a lover why not take one who lasted the entire night?

Only, it all seemed a little sordid. He had been with Tilly just last night. And she did like to think she still clung to some standards.

It would never do.

And the only way to protect her identity would be to let him think her a whore—an ambition she’d never had. She might not look down on her girls, understanding the necessity that had driven them to their position, but it didn’t mean that she wanted to join them—and if she took the captain’s money she would.

How could she not take it? If she refused payment he’d become suspicious and if somehow she slipped from his room, he’d just pay Madame Rouge—assuming he hadn’t already paid her. The whole thing was far too complicated.

“You are thinking too much,” Cook said, rising from her seat.

Ruby was not at all sure about that. How could it be possible to think too much? Her life would have been very different if only she’d thought more and acted less ten years ago.





Chapter Three


Ruby heard the first patron come through the door. Lord Thorton. The man was one of the few who strode in as if coming home after a long day. He greeted everyone with a smile and called hellos to any girls who were in sight. Most men snuck in or walked with purpose—knowing just what they wanted and not looking about. Lord Thorton always stopped and chatted. Granted, the man’s wife had died a few years before and he had no children. He just might actually consider this home.

Ruby glanced in the mirror by the door, being sure that she was fit for display, because display it was. Madame Rouge was all glitter and shine, ready smiles and deep sexy laugh. The laugh was natural, she’d had it since she was a child, but she would have been an idiot not to understand its effect on men.