“What you looking for?”The woman’s gaze rose to roam over Jim, a spark of appreciation in her eyes.
“Good afternoon.I am looking for Mrs.Lowell,” Violet said.
“What for?”
“I wish to speak with her.I can pay her for her time.”
The woman shrugged.“Follow me.”
They stepped inside, and the foul smell of rancid body odor stopped Violet in her tracks.Her stomach roiled.She pulled a handkerchief from her reticule and held it to her nose before continuing to follow the woman.As they headed down a long corridor, she could hear people moaning behind the closed doors they passed.
Then they went up a staircase, and Violet again stopped in her tracks.On the landing ahead of them, a man and woman were having sex against a wall.The woman’s legs were wrapped around his waist, and she looked rather bored as the man pounded into her.Violet was glad she had her handkerchief as she gaped at the man’s hairy buttocks pulsing with each thrust of his hips.Dear Lord.
The three of them walked close to the opposite wall to get by the couple, who paid zero attention to them.Farther down the corridor, the woman leading them stopped and knocked twice before opening the door.“Some lady to see you, Mrs.Lowell.”
“Let ’em in.”
Violet tucked her handkerchief into her sleeve and stepped forward into the room.The space was not anything like what she expected based on the rest of the building.A buxom older woman sat behind a beautifully carved maple desk.Behind her, a large window faced the street, and sunlight streamed in, glinting off a polished brass oil lamp that sat on one corner of the desk.The stained glass lampshade reflected a colorful pattern on the floor.The room smelled nothing like the rest of the house.Instead, the pleasant smell of a spicy tobacco permeated the air.
“Mrs.Lowell?”
“Yes.What can I help you with, hon?”The lady’s gaze swept over her.
“I have some questions about a past client of yours.And I am willing to pay you for your time.”
The lady waved away the woman who stood at the door.“Get back to work, Jane.”Then her eyes returned to Violet.“Questions, huh?Well, now, client privacy is very important to me.Who is it you’re asking questions about?”
Violet glanced back at Jim.“Will you wait outside the room, please?”
Jim frowned but stepped into the hallway.“I’ll be right by the door if you need anything.”He shut the door with a snap.
Mrs.Lowell hadn’t offered her a seat, but Violet wasn’t about to converse standing in front of the desk like a naughty schoolgirl.She took a seat in a wooden ladderback chair across from Mrs.Lowell.“I am here to ask you about your dealings with my father-in-law, the Duke of Lavensham.”
Mrs.Lowell’s eyes widened.
“I know that he recently requested a girl from your establishment and that you turned him away.Why?He offered a very large sum.”
Mrs.Lowell leaned back in her chair.“Well, now, like I said, I take the privacy of my clients very seriously.I don’t know that I can divulge information about such an important client.”
Oh yes, this was the part where she offered her bribe.Of course.“I am prepared to pay you for the information.Say, fifty pounds?”
Mrs.Lowell tapped the desktop with one bony finger.“Let me see it.”
Violet took out the money and placed it on the table in front of her.“Why would you not send him any more girls?What was the incident with the last girl?”
“It’s my choice who I send girls to.Unlike some, I watch out for the girls who work for me.”
Violet leaned forward.“But why not the Duke of Lavensham?”
“I think maybe that’s worth a bit more than I originally thought.Say two hundred?The duke is a powerful man, after all.And how come you want to know?”
“Two hundred is outrageous.”Violet rose and leaned forward to scoop up her coins from the desk.“I’ll just take my questions elsewhere.”
But Mrs.Lowell’s hand snagged her wrist with a painful grip.“Where do you think you’re going with my money?”
“This money was in exchange for information which you did not give over.”
Mrs.Lowell’s hand on her wrist squeezed harder.“Didn’t say I wouldn’t tell ya.Just said it was worth more than fifty.”
