It was kind of him after she’d initially turned him down.
“You’re welcome.” Mr. Evans held her gaze for a second before jerking his head toward the left. “Come on. The place I have in mind is right over there.”
6
Brody opened the door to the Ugly Grouse and led the way inside. The place was fairly crowded with working-class men intent on spending some time with their mates before going home to their families. Games of dice were being played at some tables. A small group had gathered for darts while others stood about chatting.
Brody surveyed the space. When he spotted a table for two in the far corner of the room, he suggested to Mr. Michaels they take it.
The young man, who’d been glancing around wide-eyed as though he’d never been in a place like this before, gave a quick nod. Stepping in front of him, Brody cleared a path to the table and gestured toward one of the chairs. He wasn’t sure why he waited for Mr. Michaels to sit before claiming his own seat, and chose not to wonder about it further.
There were more important things to consider right now, like getting some drinks.
He raised his hand to catch the barmaid’s attention. It took a while for her to arrive at their table, during which Brody asked Mr. Michaels if he’d also care for some food.
“No thank you,” he replied. “I can’t stay long.”
“Got to get back to that wife you mentioned?” Brody asked, his voice deliberately teasing.
Mr. Michaels smiled and for a second, Brody could have sworn the entire tavern lit up with the brightness of ten thousand stars.
“I only said that so Mary would leave me alone.”
Brody slowly nodded. He felt both stunned and muddled, as though someone had clubbed him over the head. A quick shake helped him banish the odd response he’d just had. And then the barmaid arrived, offering further distraction.
“Is pale ale all right with you?” Brody asked Mr. Michaels. When he gave a quick nod Brody ordered a couple of mugs.
“Anything else?” asked the barmaid, a buxom brunette with a saucy gleam in her eyes.
“No. That’ll be all.”
“Let me know if you change your mind, aye?” She added a wink before sauntering off with what looked like a very deliberate sway to her hips.
Brody glanced at Mr. Michaels, whose cheeks had turned pink. “I’m starting to get the sense that forward women unnerve you.”
“Not at all.” Mr. Michaels crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, appearing to affect a nonchalant pose without managing it very well. “It never ceases to surprise me when they behave in that way. After all, girls are brought up to protect their virtue.”
“Some are, but not all. Unfortunately many are forced to supplement their income through the art of seduction. Or to make their entire living that way.”
“It’s a shame.”
“I’m not sure they’d all agree with you there. Take Mary and that barmaid for instance. I believe they like the experience as much as the men they engage.”
“Really?”
Mr. Michaels did not look convinced, which made Brody realize the young man was probably rather innocent with regards to the way of the world. A notion that instilled a sense of responsibility toward him.
Turning in his chair, he leaned forward and crossed his arms on the table. He met Mr. Michaels’s gaze. Those eyes, a deep hazel, were so incredibly soulful. They could easily muddle men’s minds if they belonged to a woman.
“Women can enjoy bed sport too,” Brody said, in case the lad wasn’t aware. “Take Mary for instance. She wouldn’t be begging for you to tup her if she didn’t expect to find pleasure as well.”
“I…um…”
The blush was back. Brighter than before despite the dim light in their corner. It was adorable, Brody mused, only to tamp down that inappropriate thought as soon as it formed.
He frowned. Perhaps if he spoke about bedding women he’d stop responding to Mr. Michaels in ways that were getting increasingly worrisome. “Most men gain their experience from loose women like her.”
“They’re not worried they’ll get the pox?” Mr. Michaels whispered, so low Brody barely heard him.
