“I understand. You have much to lose from helping me.” Winnie squeezed her friend’s hand.
“I hope you know what you’re doing. The ball will last exactly one hour. Afterward, the ladies will go to their appointed rooms, where they will be joined by a gentleman of my choosing,” Kitty informed Winnie, her eyes tracing her face for any signs of discomfort. “If you wish to leave, simply ring the bell, and Siegfried will come.”
“Siegfried?” Winnie asked her friend. She had never heard Kitty mention anyone by that name before.
“He is in charge of security and making sure that everyone is happy. This place would not function without him.” Kitty walked behind Winnie holding the mask in her hands. “If you’re sure about this, I want you to know that you have nothing to fear. Every gentleman who is in attendance has been vetted and chosen by me. There is no tolerance for cruelty with my girls, and tonight that includes you as well.”
Winnie’s abdomen took several dips and turns, like an acrobat was performing inside of her. She had seen one perform at the circus with her parents once when she was a child. Winnie could still feel the excitement she felt from watching the performer twist and turn high off the ground. Suddenly, she could relate to that acrobat with precise clarity.
The parlor door opened, bringing in a short man with blond hair and gray eyes. His gaze bounced around the room until it landed on Winnie. “All the gentlemen have arrived, and the ladies are in the ballroom,” he rushed out his update to Kitty.
“Thank you, Siegfried. This is Sarah. I want you to escort her into the ballroom.” Kitty tied the mask deftly around Winnie’s head, where her blonde hair hung freely, the way Kitty suggested.
“Sarah, you look ravishing. There is nothing to fear. If you need me, I will arrive at a moment’s notice.” He offered Winnie his arm, his cheerfulness calming her completely.
“Thank you, Siegfried,” she said as she took his offered arm, her heart beating wildly in her chest.
This was it. Her life would never be the same.
“Here is the key to your room. You will be in Gretna Green.” Kitty slipped the old key, which was tied to a ribbon and a piece of paper like a dance card, onto Winnie’s wrist.
Winnie tried not to laugh at the name of her appointed room, but she could not help but to believe her friend was having a laugh at her expense.
Siegfried led Winnie out of the parlor, down the hall, and to the doors of the ballroom in a blur. Suddenly, everything was real as she stood in front of the large white doors of the ballroom.
Once she was past those doors, Winnie knew that her life would change forever.
CHAPTER4
Richard stood by Hendershot in the dimly decorated ballroom of Pleasure House. The room was set in a romantic glow with chaise lounges and a small number of chairs placed around the room. An orchestra played a waltz on a raised platform at the head of the room. Dancers circled the dance floor, but unlike a proper ball, there was touching, kissing, and more.
Scandalously dressed women were circling the room wearing elaborately decorated masks as the men followed them with hungry gazes.
It was a setting that he was knew well, but Richard had not attended a party at Pleasure House in years. He had turned away from his scoundrel days, wanting to settle down, perhaps have a few children. That was his plan untilsheand his wretch of a cousin lured him into their games.
“What room are you in?” Hendershot leaned over asking Richard, his gaze roaming the room in search of Madame Delcour.
Madame Kitty Delcour had a peculiar way of arranging her parties. Every party was specifically designed by her. The ball portion allowed one to mingle and engage the other occupants. Unlike the balls of society, this one was filled with debauchery and lust. It only lasted one hour until the real fun began.
Upon arrival you were given a key to an assigned room of Madame Delcour’s choosing. It added a certain mystery to being at Pleasure House. You never knew who you would end up with in a room.
Richard leaned back looking at his friend suspiciously. “Why?”
“Gretna Green, again. I believe she is playing a trick on me,” Hendershot stated, removing the key from his wrist and discreetly shoving it toward Richard.
“I’m not switching rooms with you. Madame Delcour chooses each room and occupant for a reason.” Richard used to frequent Pleasure House years ago. There wasn’t a party that he missed, knowing several of the girls on a first-name basis.
When he was younger, he was a scoundrel, popular among thetonand free from his grandfather. Now Richard was older and much wiser; he had no time to visit such parties unless Hendershot demanded it.
“Switch with me. I’m going to find Kitty tonight, no matter what it takes.” Hendershot tried to take Richard’s hand discreetly, but Richard pulled his hand away.
“You’re mad. I’m not switching rooms with you.” Richard scanned the room, bored with the party and wishing that he could go home and read. There was much work to be done in Parliament, and he had no time for parties and women. “If you fail with Madame Delcour tonight, I suggest you give up on this madness.”
“I’m not mad. I just know that Kitty is meant to be with me." Hendershot’s gaze roamed the room in search of the object of his affection. “I dare say when it finally happens to you, you’ll be just as mad as I am.”
Richard envied Hendershot at that moment. Because, unlike Richard, the earl was a man who knew exactly who he wanted, and he would do anything to be with her.
The ballroom door opening caught Richard’s attention, and suddenly everything changed inside of him. Standing on the arm of Siegfried, the security and second in command at Pleasure House, was a goddess.
