“Blast,” he cursed again. “I’ll get them out today, and send Wells one too, since he’s here. And bring your girls, Li. I’d like the church packed, for appearances’ sake.”
“As you wish, Jasper.” Li bowed her head. “And as to the other preparations you spoke of regarding your intended?” She arched one elegant brow high upon her forehead.
“Tell your maids to be thorough.” He did not hesitate. “Prepare Elizabeth as you would your finest whore.”
To her utter mortification, Elizabeth had been stripped completely bare. She’d beggedLeBrecht’sseamstresses to give her back her spectacles but was met with only laughter as the one named Rose guided Elizabeth’s naked body to a lady’s daybed replete with plush armrests.
Clearly,LeBrecht’swas no reputable dressmaker’s shop. Then again, with the man she was about to marry, nothing seemed reputable anymore.
Elizabeth’s arms and legs were quickly stretched at her sides and her breasts lightly caressed. She was about to protest when silk skirts swept into the room.
“Miss Winthrop.” Miss Li remained a blur in the distance. “As with all brides who visit my shop, you will be prepared for your wedding night in the manner desired by your groom.”
Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak but was promptly interrupted.
“You will submit to my maids’ ministrations”—those maids tittered behind their hands—“and after, I shall expect you again for tea, in order to educate you in other matters.”
Elizabeth was about to ask what matters those were, but Miss Li’s blur had already vanished. Then, to her utter humiliation, the maids systematically began to remove her body hair.
“Mark you already, did he?” Evie tsked when the three women helped Elizabeth flip onto her belly. “He’s a might heavy-handed, but knows well how t’ ease a body after.”
“Aye,” said Rose, “you’ll not lack fer pleasure, luv.” She laughed low in her throat.
Elizabeth started to speak when the third maid, Mae, whispered, “Biggest cock I e’er saw,” sending them all into giggles.
Elizabeth’s ears burned to hear them speak so intimately of her future husband. “Have you all had him then?” Hurt crept into her tone.
As one they fell silent.
“Well,” she insisted, “haveyou?”
“Miss.” Rose sighed. “We’re whores, o’ course we’ve all had ’im. And he’s had plenty others ’imself. There’s naught’ll change that.”
Elizabeth fought back tears. It shouldn’t matter one whit that the Baron had slept with all these women. It shouldn’t matter that he’d been paid to sleep with others too. None of it, absolutely none of it, ought to matter to her in the least, except for the threat of disease.
Fear lodged in her gut like a tapeworm beginning to feast.
Rose wiped a tear from Elizabeth’s cheek. “There now, ’tis not so bad as that. Why, a man like Jasper’s the finest catch a lady can nab! Handsome an’ wealthy an’ knows just how t’ please. Now you tell me how many other girls’re as lucky as you.”
“Lucky.” Elizabeth sniffed. “I’d have been luckier left a spinster than marry a man as base as?—”
“Now look here.” Rose peeled a strip of hair from Elizabeth’s leg a little harshly; whatever poultice of wax they applied dried quickly. “I’ll not have yertype speak ill o’ Jasp. He’s done yer a great honor indeed, askin’ fer yer hand. He treats us whores better’n any o’ them so-called gentlemen o’ yer own class what visit. An’ he’ll treat you well too, long as you show ’im the respect he deserves.”
“Respect?” Elizabeth raised herself on her elbows to frown at Rose’s blur. “Is a man who tans a woman’s backsiderespectful? Forcing her to submit to his every whim? What of his respectformydesires, ladies? What of my own free will and pleasure? What if I did not wishto be purchased for five thousand pounds, enslaved to his detestable?—”
“Five?” Evie let out in a squeak. “He paid five thousand pounds fer yer ladyship?”
“Christ almighty.” Rose sucked in her breath.
“Why, the wealthy friggin’ bastard,” Mae ground out, then cried, “I wish t’ God a man’d offer so much fer me!”
The room chilled considerably as Elizabeth realized her error. “Forgive me, I should not—I should not have spoken as I just did. You have been most kind, to be so open with me about the Baron.” She swallowed. “I did not mean offense. I most sincerely beg your pardon.”
Elizabeth awaited their condemnation, only it did not come. Instead, a silk robe was laid across her shoulders and her spectacles placed back upon her nose. Three pairs of hands eased her from the daybed.
“Miss,” Rose softened, “you’ll have t’ do worse t’ offend the likes of us.” She smiled. “Though we’ll take yer apology with thanks.”
Elizabeth sighed her relief as they led her to the dais, disrobed her once again, and began to oil her skin. Devoid of all hair but the locks on her head, her flesh felt alien to her, yet the process had not been too terrible. The maids next worked her body with sweet-smelling salves, their hands confident and firm. She imagined the Baron’s own firm hands, for he’d touched her enough to grant her an inkling of what awaited her on her wedding night.
