Madame Sable eyed the muscled back and bit down on her lip. “There are great benefits to being a member here, as you can see.” She turned and entered the sitting room. “But female members remain rare. I am quite interested to learn what piqued your interest.” She held her hand out to an empty chair, a smile on her face.
Amanda sidled past the woman and took the seat on the settee that faced the open door with its view of the hallway. She willed her racing heart to slow its pace. “Perhaps”—she licked her lips—"perhaps female membership is rare because men hold women’s purse strings. Not because we are so different in our needs.”
Madame Sable raised her eyebrows, but settled gracefully in the chair opposite. “Too true. And all too unfortunate. If men only knew what women were capable of they would no longer underestimate our sex.”
Amanda shifted. She didn’t know of what she was capable. Except for the one moment she’d stood up to her father, the moment she’d lost control and lashed out at him with a knife, she hadn’t accomplished anything in her life.
That one horrible deed had achieved her sister’s and her own safety from a monster. And that was the grand sum of Amanda’s life. It was a depressing thought.
The proprietress loosely clasped her hands together above her knee. “Now, let’s get down to business. I take it you heard about our little club from Julius?”
Nodding, Amanda smiled through gritted teeth. Hearing his Christian name roll off the woman’s painted lips was as irritating as the scratchy jute rope Julius had tested against her skin.
But it shouldn’t be. Julius was a man with a past, and a future that wouldn’t include Amanda. He could have as many red-headed harlots screaming his name as he wanted.
A pit opened up in her chest at the thought. She had been fooling herself to think that she could keep her affair from touching her heart. She had been half in love with Julius from the day they’d met and adding physical intimacy had only strengthened her attachment. No, she could no longer fool herself but she prayed Julius would remain unaware of her feelings.
Madame Sable’s eyebrows drew together the longer it took her to answer, and Amanda squared her shoulders. She could console herself later. Now, she had a job to do. “Yes.” She cleared her throat. “The earl knew we had mutual interests and thought I might enjoy your club.”
Said earl poked his head out of the room across the hall and slipped out the door, heading for the office. Sutton tip-toed behind him, his knees slowly raising to his bare stomach with each step. He looked like an extremely large child sneaking out of nursery, and Amanda bit back a smile.
A floorboard in the hallway creaked.
“I was quite impressed with my tour,” Amanda said loudly. “You seem to, uh, have something for everyone.” A guess, based on the several closed doors downstairs. If dripping wax on a woman was in one of the rooms, she could hardly imagine what the other chambers contained.
Smoothing down her skirts, Madame Sable sent her a satisfied smile. “I do try to cater to everyone’s needs. Well, the reasonable ones, at least. The safety of my girls and the other patrons is of paramount importance.”
“Of course.”
The madam smirked. “If you came with Julius, I can imagine what your need might be.”
There was a muffled bang from down the hall, and the proprietress turned to look out the door. “Did you hear something?”
“No.” Amanda gulped down a breath. “Nothing at all.”
“Maybe I should go check …” Madame Sable began to rise.
Amanda scooted to the edge of her seat. “Please. I’ve only ever been tied by Lord Rothchild. But he won’t always be available.” Especially not if he was thrown in prison for burglary. She swallowed, trying to bring moisture back to her parched mouth. “Can you tell me how your club would handle finding me a partner?”
“Of course.” She cast another concerned glance over her shoulder but sank back into her chair. “I can either find another guest whose preferences suit yours, or one of my domestics. They are highly trained, and all interactions would be monitored until you feel comfortable with your partner. Now.” She leaned forward, her breasts threatening to spill from the top of her gown. “Let’s talk business. It is an annual membership, entitling you to entry any night you wish. Or every night.” Her sharp gaze flicked on Amanda’s mask. “Anonymity is highly-prized. Each member signs a contract guaranteeing they won’t disclose anything that he or she sees at the club to non-club members. You never have to reveal your face, Mrs. Walker, if you don’t wish to.”
“The members sign contracts.” A bead of sweat gathered at Amanda’s temple, and she brushed it away. “But what about the workers. As you say, you have many girls.” She looked to the empty door and back to the madam. When would Julius be finished? She didn’t know how much longer she could maintain the pretense.
“And some men,” Madame Sable said. “I provide for every taste. And they, too, are made to sign privacy contracts.”
Amanda wiped her damp palms on her skirts. “And you? What guarantees do I have of your discretion?”
The woman opened her mouth, but it was a deep voice that rang out across the room. “Apparently no guarantee at all.” Julius stepped into the room, Sutton right behind.
The baron leaned against a side table and tapped a leather-bound book against his thigh.
Madame Sable spun in her seat. She saw the book in Sutton’s hand and gasped. She shot to her feet. “How dare you? That is private property.”
Amanda pressed her hands to her stomach. Thank the heavens. Her task was done. Rising to her feet, she asked, “What did you find?”
Madame Sable turned her venomous glare on her. Amanda lifted one shoulder.
“We found proof that Madame Sable is as greedy as she is stupid.” Julius shook his head. “Keeping the book in your top desk drawer, and with such a flimsy lock?” He tutted. “Did you really think no one would ever come looking?”
