Maxey stared wide-eyedat the three-story red brick building. So far, this was the fanciest establishment she had run across since arriving in port. Green grass surrounded the place, along with a four-foot stone fence.
Nora led the way while Maxey and Nash walked side by side behind her. As they neared, they saw women dressed in beautiful silk dresses on the wraparound porch and scattered around the lawn, all accompanied by a well-dressed man.
Maxey eyed each one carefully. They must have walked into some kind of soirée. But so far, nobody questioned them, or their attire, even though neither she nor Nash were dressed as elegantly. However, the women called out greetings to Nora and appeared genuinely happy to see her, welcoming her back from her trip.
Nora walked up the steps to the front door, then opened it and hurried inside. As soon as Nash walked in, he grabbed Maxey’s hand, bringing her to a halt. She looked into his eyes in silent question. His hooded expression didn’t tell her anything, just that he needed to observe the people in the room before they proceeded.
She tore her attention away from him and took in everything, from the hard wooden floors, to the beautiful, colorful designs of meadows and the sky painted on the walls, then to the very expensive furniture scattered around the floor. The white lace curtains allowed the afternoon sunlight to pour through, making everything appear shiny and new.
All the people in the room were dressed in silks and satins, but it was the way they paired off that made Maxey curious. Usually at soirées, people stood together in groups. So why had every woman been paired with a man? The ladies giggled as they whispered things in the men’s ears, or cuddled next to them in an indecent display.
Nora started up the staircase, then stopped and turned toward Maxey and Nash, who still stood in observation.
“If you would follow me, I will show you to your room.”
“Forgive me, Mrs. Littleton, but I must protest,” Nash stated loudly.
An uneasy feeling washed over Maxey. Something in the tone of his voice made her alert and suspicious.
Nora squared her shoulders and faced them. “What is it, Nash?”
Gently, he squeezed Maxey’s hand. “Please do not think I am a simpleton, Mrs. Littleton. Although your daughter has not been to places like these, I certainly have, and I highly doubt she will feel comfortable here.”
Pink highlighted the older woman’s face, but she remained standing firm. “My apologies. I do not believe you to be a simpleton at all. I brought you here to hide you. This is the one place your uncle and his men will not look. After all, why would they think my daughter would hide out in this type of environment?”
Pain welled in Maxey’s chest. What were they talking about, and why was Nash so leery? Once again, she took a quick look around the hallway, then into the nearest room. The only thing out of the ordinary was the couples who cuddled up to each other in an improper fashion.
Laughter from up the stairs drew her attention. Another woman and man came into view. The man’s shirt hung open as he stuffed his shirttails into his trousers, and the woman wore the most indecent nightdress Maxey had ever seen. The very short gown exposed the woman’s bare limbs, and the deep cut in the bodice displayed most of her full bosom.
Maxey gasped as her hand flew to her mouth. Heat rushed through her, and finally pieces of her mother and Nash’s conversation fit together in her mind.
Jerking her head around to Nash, she blinked. “Is this a…one of those places?”
His lips stayed in a thin line when he nodded. “Indeed it is, my love. This is the type of establishment I had hoped you would never have to go inside.”
She hissed and swung her focus toward her mother, who was still on the stairs standing proud and rigid.
“How dare you,” Maxey said.
Nora’s mouth twitched into a grimace. “Please come with me, and I will explain. We need not air our discussion in front of these people.”
Nash leaned down to Maxey’s ear. “She is correct, my love,” he whispered. “We need to go to a room posthaste. We should not give these people a reason to ask questions.”
Stiffly, Maxey nodded. “Then make it quick, because I wish to hear my mother’s explanation for this very soon, before I give her a piece of my mind, and before I empty my stomach all over her fancy floors because of the disgust rolling through me.”
Grabbing handfuls of her skirt, Nora lifted it to her ankles as she hurried up the stairs. Nash and Maxey were close behind.
Agony wrenched her chest, and disappointment settled in her stomach. Her mother had lowered herself tothiskind of life? What happened to the wealthy man she had run away with and left her family for? Then again, Maxey’s father had mentioned that passion ruled her mother. Did he know she was reduced to living in a prostitutes’ house before he died?
Nora led them all the way down the hall then opened a door with a key. Maxey half expected to find a man and woman on the bed. Instead, an empty room greeted her. The furnishings looked to be as expensive as the ones downstairs. Everything was straightened and dusted. The large bed in the far corner against the wall had beautiful covers and matching pillowcases, and red scarves were draped along the posts. Armoires and trunks lined the walls, and nearest to the door sat a mahogany desk with a Chippendale chair.
Obviously, her mother lived in luxury. Why would she regret leaving her poor family when she had all this?
Nora closed the door behind them and leaned against the solid oak. Silence filled the room until Nash cleared his throat and shifted in his stance, obviously uncomfortable.
“Why…” Maxey swallowed hard. “Why did you bring us here? Was it to show your daughter what kind of life you live now that you are no longer her mother?”
Tears filled Nora’s eyes. “As I tried to explain a few moments ago, this place was the only place I could hide you.”
