The bastard hadn’t needed to agree with her quite so quickly, however. Even encouraging her to lay with other men.
“The customer didn’t complain, did he?” Molly asked, drawing Colleen’s attention back to the conversation.
Tossing her quill on the desk, Colleen leaned back. “No. He seemed quite satisfied with the change. But”—she ignored the Cheshire-cat grin spreading across the girl’s face—“I won’t tolerate that behavior. Do it again and you’re out.”
Molly shot to her feet and leaned across the desk. “Don’t threaten me,” she hissed. “If I go, there are many men who would follow me. Many. You’d be wise to remember that.”
Colleen’s scalp prickled, and she slid her quill off the desk. Molly looked ready to claw her face, and Colleen didn’t want anything pointy that could be used as a weapon within reach. Years of living outside the bounds of civilized society had obviously affected this woman. But even though they were in a vulgar business, that didn’t mean their behavior had to match it. Colleen wouldn’t allow it.
She pushed to her feet, tugging down the hem of her waistcoat. “I do know you’re one of the favorites, and you would be missed. But that doesn’t mean you’re irreplaceable. Now, pull yourself together, watch your tone, and let’s try this again, shall we? Interfering with the other girls’ customers will not be allowed. I will protect their right to make a living, just as I would yours. Try to behave in a manner that you would like to be treated and we will have no problems. Agreed?”
Molly’s pretty mouth twisted in a scowl, but she was smart. She knew when to back down. In a fashion. “Of course, my liege.” She flounced to the door. “I guess the rumors weren’t true. Anyone who was taking that strapping man’s cock couldn’t be so unbearably miserable.”
“What?” Heat clawed up Colleen’s neck. “What rumors?”
The brunette looked back over her shoulder. “The girls thought you and our new owner were having relations, as you might say. They thought your prim-and-proper act was just that; an act. But now that I think on it, I should have known it wasn’t true.”
Colleen licked her lips. “Shouldn’t you have?”
“No.” Molly leaned against the doorjamb and crossed her arms under her chest. “Aside from the fact you’re much too tedious to let loose, Sutton’s behavior would have proved the rumor false. Just last night when we were”—she flashed her teeth—“together, I could tell how tense and unhappy he was. He isn’t the picture of a man who is sexually satisfied.” She laughed. “I’d hate to think you were a mediocre screw, not when you’re surrounded by so many good examples of how to please a man.” She winked. “In any event, I’ll let the girls know they were wrong about you and the baron, shall I?”
“Please,” Colleen said faintly.
With a waggle of her fingers, Molly was gone. Colleen slumped into her chair and buried her face in her hands. She didn’t know which was worse. The gossip about her debauchery or the knowledge that Max had jumped in someone else’s bed so soon after hers.
No, she knew which was worse. Even though she’d wanted Max to move on, his actions still lanced her like a betrayal.
Molly could be lying, of course, spiteful little thing that she was. But even if Max hadn’t lain with her last night, it would soon happen. If not with Molly, with someone else. Colleen rubbed her temples, but the low throb didn’t dissipate. Couldn’t he have at least waited until this business with Zed was over and she’d moved out of The Black Rose? So she didn’t have to see him with another woman?
She took deep, calming breaths.She had a business to run, and no time to concern herself over such frivolities like the piercing ache behind her breastbone. Her feelings were of little consequence. Colleen rose and exited her office. When she pushed out into the club’s main room, her shoulders were square and her chin held high. The burn prickling at her eyes she could do little about.
Lord Halliwell was across the room, a girl sitting on his lap. He looked up and down Colleen’s standard uniform, and his eyes lit up.
At least someone found her superior to the other women. Colleen gave him a polite nod and turned away. She found Lucy in the entrance hall, chatting with a footman.
“Can I speak with you a moment?” Colleen asked.
“Of course.” Lucy followed her to the cramped office off the kitchens. “Did I do anything wrong?”
“No.” Colleen gave the girl a warm smile. Lucy was the one club worker who didn’t give her trouble. “I’ve been giving you some added tasks around here lately, and I’m wondering how you find them. Do you enjoy the additional responsibility?”
Lucy blinked. “Yes. I think I do.” She sat back on the broken table they used as a desk. “Although, additional tasks should come with additional pay, don’t you think?”
Colleen kept her smile to herself. A woman of business after her own heart. “That is something we can discuss. If you were to formally take the position of assistant manager, a new salary can be negotiated.”
The girl’s jaw dropped, her eyes growing wide. “Assistant manager?! Are you in earnest?”
“Yes. I won’t be manager here forever, and when I leave, I think you might make a good replacement.” Colleen’s heart pinched. When she left, she’d never see Max again. “It will give you a hiring advantage if you have experience as the assistant. It will be a lot of work—”
Her words were wrung out of her on a gasp as Lucy threw her arms around Colleen and squeezed tight.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Colleen laughed and patted the girl on the back. “I take it you’d be interested in the position?”
Lucy pulled back, her eyes damp. “You have no idea how much. I never thought I could be anything more than … well, you know.” She dropped her head.
Colleen paused and examined the girl. All the women had seemed so content in their positions. This was the first glimpse she’d seen that even though they lived more comfortably than most Cits, and pocketed more in a night from their wages and gifts than Colleen had seen in a month at her and her husband’s clock shop, that the women might want for more.
