Their conversation was cut short by the arrival of a buxom woman wearing the finest fashion and a look that promised no nonsense. She breezed into the room with two other women on her heels and made a complete circle around Fleur, muttering to herself as she did so. “You will be a diamond when I am finished with you,” she clucked firmly.
Fleur was about to tell her that she didn’t want to be anything more than simply dressed but the woman was already barking out orders to her assistants and so she fell silent and allowed herself to be poked and prodded for the next two hours.
Once the modiste was finished, she handed a gown to the maid. “Your master was quite accurate of his description of his lady. This should fit her like a new glove.” She turned to face Fleur. “My ladies will work all day and night just for you. Your fabulous wardrobe will be ready for you first thing tomorrow.”
“That’s not necessary. I’m more than happy to wait?—”
“No,” the modiste waved a hand. “Mr. Porter was most insistent that you were properly dressed with the finest items from my shop. And he has paid me handsomely to see it done.”
She was out the door in the same whirlwind manner in which she’d entered. It was enough to make Fleur’s head spin.
“Would you like to get dressed?” Erin held up the ivory dress with an expectant look, as if Fleur couldn’t wait to get outfitted in the satin garment.
Instead, Fleur was eager to speak to Mr. Porter. When she had asked for gowns, she hadn’t intended for him to engage in the expensive services of a personal modiste to do it.
Unless this was his way of starting their affair.
She swallowed nervously, not sure if she was prepared to follow through with her commitment but knowing she had no choice if she wanted to remain in his good graces. In that regard, she would willingly oblige, because something told her it wasn’t wise to be on Mr. Porter’s bad side.
Fleur was patient as Erin styled her hair into a becoming chignon and assisted her into her new gown and undergarments that had also been provided. By the time she was laced into the corset and donned the petticoats and silk stockings, Fleur donned her old boots. It made her feel ridiculous to have such finery intertwined with her worn, scuffed shoes, but it was enough of a contrast that it gave her the courage to head downstairs to confront Mr. Porter in his study.
The door was open, so she walked inside. He had his cap on and was bent over a ledger, scribbling on the page. He seemed intent on his task but when he heard her enter, he glanced up and looked her up and down. “We shall outfit you in shoes and visit the millinery once the rest of your gowns arrive.” He promptly went back to his ledger, as if she were dismissed.
Stalking to the desk, she set both of her palms on top. “When I asked to be outfitted properly, I didn’t mean to empty London of all their material. A few simple dresses were perfectly fine so I didn’t have to keep wearing that shirt.”
His gaze flicked up at her, the silver piercing as always. “You find fault with your new wardrobe?”
She sighed. “I don’t want to seem ungrateful but surely you can see it is too much. I am not a member of theton, and I find it unnecessary to dress in such high fashion. I’m not even part of thedemimonde.” She straightened. “At this point, I’m not a courtesan. I am just a common Englishwoman.”
He was silent for a moment, and then he returned his pen to the inkwell. Leaning back in his chair, he set his arms on either side. To the casual onlooker, he appeared perfectly at ease, but Fleur could feel the tension coiled up inside of him because it was always present—like a snake preparing to strike. “You are anything but common, Miss Davies, and perhaps it was my choice to attire you thus because it pleasesmeto see you outfitted like a duchess.”
“But why? I am nothing to you but a prize you won, the sister of the man who owes you a large debt.”
His nostrils flared slightly. “If you believe that, Miss Davies, you aren’t as perceptive as I originally believed.”
* * *
Drake wasn’tin the habit of telling anyone how he felt, but surely, she could see that she was more than just a means to an end, more than an object of desire, but something else he couldn’t dare understand. All he knew was that he wanted to keep her safe, and after his second meeting last night, those wheels had already been set into motion. Amos’s son, Devon, would soon be part of his household, not just to keep an eye on Miss Davies when Drake wasn’t around but to ensure that the rest of his staff were innocent of any foul deeds.
It was strange to have so many people under his roof. For years he’d always preferred his privacy and solitude. However, he no longer had his own comfort to oversee. Until he parted ways with Miss Davies, he had to make some adjustments. He might not have foreseen them at the time he had attended that auction, but then, he had attended because of this absurd fascination he had with her.
“What is the purpose of this finery if I’m to be confined inside this house?”
His attention returned to the matter at hand. He got to his feet and rounded the desk. He was impressed that she stood her ground and didn’t shy away from him like so many others did. Not only did his reputation proceed him but he had intimidation down to an art. He’d spent years perfecting the persona that he portrayed to the world. There were times he wasn’t sure he could ever be the man he once was again.
He decided it was better that way. Mr. Porter was feared and respected. Both were qualities that had served him well in this life.
“I have been thinking that we might attend some gatherings together.”
Her green eyes narrowed slightly and she tilted her black head slightly. She made such a charming picture that he nearly acted on his lustful impulses and dragged her into his arms for a passionate kiss. “What sort of gatherings? If it is another boxing match, I’m quite content to remain here.”
“Not quite,” he smirked. “I was thinking more along the lines of the opera. And perhaps Vauxhall.”
She blinked. “You make it sound as though we are embarking on a courtship.”
He mirrored her pose by tilting his head. “I hadn’t considered it in those terms but consider it however you prefer. You wanted a chance to experience something other than the same four walls. I’m giving you that opportunity.”
She shook her head in obvious bewilderment. “I don’t understand why you would go to so much trouble when you have already won my body.”
