Viola Rigby was just now breaking her fast?It was almost two o’clock in the afternoon.She followed Rhys down a long hallway paneled in a rich dark wood.Brass sconces gleamed against the paneling, and a deep-red carpet runner ran the length of the corridor.The smell of lemon polish permeated the air.A marked difference from the brothel she had visited down by the docks.She peeked into rooms as they walked down the corridor.They looked to be sitting rooms.Then they stopped outside one room whose door was slightly ajar.
Rhys glanced over his shoulder at her.“You ready?Viola is a bit brash and loud, but she is a good friend.You don’t need to be alarmed.”
Violet nodded.
“I heard that, boy,” a woman’s voice from inside the room called out.
Rhys rolled his eyes and pushed the door open.
Violet followed him inside, and her eyes widened.The only way to describe the room they had just entered was sumptuous.Several velvet-covered couches lined the walls, each in a different bright color—purple, mustard yellow, sky blue, and orange.The two windows were draped in more purple velvet, trimmed with red cording.Violet scanned the room, taking in all the color.A tall wardrobe large enough to walk inside dominated one corner.An oval rug covered in a pattern of red and pink roses dominated the center of the room.On top of it sat a large oak table, scarred and worn, but in the middle, an ornate gold candelabra at least three feet tall and dripping with crystals took the place of honor.This was a brothel?
At the head of the table sat a petite, lithe woman of maybe fifty.A towering coiffure of jet-black hair framed a round face.Her sharp, dark eyes traveled over Rhys and Violet as she took a bite of the piece of toast in her hand.Then she waved Rhys over with the other hand.He dutifully crossed to her and kissed her cheek.
“Fancy seeing you here.What’s going on?”she said.
“Been busy,” Rhys replied.
“I can see that.Going to introduce me to your lady friend?”
“This is Lady Sommerset.”Rhys stepped back to Violet’s side.“Violet, let me introduce you to Mrs.Viola Rigby.She was my mother’s best friend.”
Violet managed a small smile.This woman, even sitting down and wearing what appeared to be only a silk dressing gown, had a presence about her that made Violet feel like a nervous schoolgirl meeting the headmistress at school.“Pleased to meet you.”
“Can we speak with you about something?We are looking for some gossip,” Rhys said.
“Surely.Have a seat.”
Rhys pulled out a chair for her, and Violet sat, then set her muff aside.It was quite warm in the room, so she removed her scarf and gloves next.Debating for a moment if it would be appropriate to remove her bonnet, she untied the ribbons and took it off as well.She doubted that a woman wearing a dressing gown cared whether or not she had a bare head.Then Rhys’s hands slipped around her shoulders, and he gently removed her cape.She glanced over at him as he took a seat next to her.“Thank you.I am burning up the minute I step inside these days.”
Mrs.Rigby arched a thin eyebrow at that, then she took a sip of tea.“Before I answer your questions, tell me what’s what with you, Rhys.Tit for tat.Any more trouble at your club?”
“No.Rutledge’s boys learned their lesson.I made sure of it.Matthew and Elizabeth are expecting a baby.”
Violet turned to him.“They are?”
His lips twitched.“It seems my lot is to be surrounded by pregnant women these days.”
Violet let out a small huff in amusement.Then she suppressed a sigh.How nice it must be to look forward to bringing a new life into the world.To have a doting husband to protect you.
“And the girl?”Mrs.Rigby interjected.“How is Miss Stella?”
“Refused to let Matthew fund a season in society for her.She took a job with Jack Spencer at the Hillwood Theater.She is in rehearsals now.I believe the show premieres in April.”
“Good for her.”
Rhys nodded.Violet studied him.For the first time in their short acquaintance, he looked relaxed.He leaned back in his chair, long legs stretched out under the table and his hands folded across his middle.“I agree,” he said.“That girl has an enormous talent.She is going to be a star.”
Mrs.Rigby took a sip of tea and looked at them over the rim of her mug.“Zeke said you bought a dining table.You finally furnishing that house of yours?”
“When did you talk to Zeke?”Rhys replied.
Mrs.Rigby shrugged.“Couple of days ago.He found me a beautiful lamp I have been searching for.”
Violet tilted her head in question.
Rhys turned to her.“One of my businesses is an auction house that specializes in fine furniture.Zeke is my right-hand man.The auction house is his baby.”His gaze swung back to Mrs.Rigby, and he frowned.“My house is furnished.I have a bedroom full of furniture, and there’s the piano.I don’t need much.”
The door slammed open; two giggling women tumbled through.They stopped suddenly, smiles stretched across their beautiful faces.“Rhys!”
