Jareth nodded faintly. “What else did he tell you about me?”
She shook her head. “Not much beyond that,” she said. “But he did ask me to tell you my story. Why I live at Aphrodite’s Feast.”
Jareth found himself turning back to the river, watching the serene water as it flowed gently to the sea. It occurred to him that he rather liked the sound of her voice, sort of low and sweet. She was well spoken. He also sensed that she was genuinely trying to make amends for their rough start, when the truth was that he should have been the one trying to make amends. He’d been the rude one, after all. He’d tried to make excuses for his behavior when the truth was that there was no excuse.
He’d behaved like a jackass.
“How long have you been here?” he asked.
“Three years,” she replied.
“And the reason you came here?”
Desdra spoke matter-of-factly. “Because my father owed a debt to Lord Chester,” she said. “It is no great mystery. There is gambling here at The Feast. There is a lower level where games of chance take place. My father loves games of chance, so he was a regular visitor here until he incurred a debt he could no longer pay. Therefore, he gave me over to Lord Chester to work off the debt.”
It wasn’t a new story. Jareth had seen, and heard, of things like that before, but he was rather surprised that Desdra didn’t seem distressed by it.
“I see,” he said. “And… this does not trouble you?”
Desdra shook her head immediately. “Nay,” she said. “The debt was repaid in full last year, but I remained because I like it here. Lord Chester was very good to me and I am grateful to him. I will remain here until you ask me to leave, my lord, but know that I am good with sums and I ensure everything about Aphrodite’s Feast runs smoothly. I would like to offer my services to you, to ensure everything remains as it should.”
He nodded. “Of course I should like you to remain if you want to,” he said. “I know nothing about this business. And it seems to me that a great many people depend on it.”
“That is true,” Desdra said. “The Feast is far more than what you see or what you’ve been told. We also provide alms to the poor, and twice a week, we provide sustenance for them. We feed them.”
Jareth was listening intently. “Fascinating,” he said. “And this is a usual occurrence?”
Desdra nodded. “The Feast has been helping the poor for over twenty years, so I am told,” she said. “Lord Chester’s mother started it. She was appalled by the hungry children in Bristol and decided to do something about it. You should know that she did not approve of her husband’s family’s endeavors, but she sought to make good out of them. And she did.”
Lord Chester’s mother. That was Jareth’s grandmother. He didn’t know the woman because she had died before he was born, but his mother always spoke fondly of her.
“You speak of Lady Adelie de Leybourne,” he said. “I am the son of Lord Chester’s younger sister, so Lady Adelie was my grandmother.”
Desdra nodded. “I knew you were his nephew, but I did not know the relationships,” she said. “He never really spoke of his family.”
Jareth shrugged. “It is unfortunate that our family was not close,” he said. “Not only is my family not close—I do not speak to my father or older brother—but my mother’s family was not very close, either. It’s sad, really. Families are supposed to be loving to each other, or so I’ve been told, but that is not my experience.”
“Nor mine,” Desdra said with regret. “My mother died long ago and my father saw me as nothing more than a burden, except when he realized he could use me as collateral for debts. I do have an older brother, whom I adore, but I do not see him much.”
Jareth was watching her as she spoke, watching the dimples in each cheek as her mouth moved. “What does your brother think about your serving here?” he asked softly.
She tried to smile, but there wasn’t much joy to it. “He comes every few months and tries to convince me to come home with him,” she said. “At least, he used to come, but he’s not come for a while. When he realized that I was far happier here than at home, he stopped trying. I know he only wants the best for me, but he’s a little like you—he sees the brothel. Not what this place truly means to me and many others.”
Jareth could understand that. “I suppose you cannot blame him,” he said. “He does not want his sister living at such a place. I can understand that.”
“I know,” she said. “But I told him what I have told you—The Feast does so much good for this community. It is so much more than what you and my brother think it is.”
“So I have come to see,” Jareth said. “I have had several women tell me their personal stories this afternoon, including you, so I have been given much to think on.”
“What will you do?”
“About what?”
“Will you accept your inheritance? Or will you decide you do not wish to be associated with us?”
His eyes crinkled with mirth. “I will need more information before I can make that decision,” he said. “I hope you will help me with that.”
She nodded. “However I can, my lord.”
