“Now remember,” James said to Kip before they reached the brothel next door.“You’re an errand boy employed by Berry Brothers and Rudd, should anyone ask.”
The boy agreed with a firm nod, then pulled the door open so James could enter the hallway beyond.
* * *
Roused by the sound of laughter, Edwina willed her eyes open even as bone-deep exhaustion tried pulling her back into slumber.Her limbs were heavier than the last time she’d woken, her mind number.
Parched, she licked her lips and attempted to focus her eyes.Wherever she was now, it was dark, yet there were clearly a number of people close by.Men, she realized, after paying closer attention to the voices.
A subdued line of light ran along the floor, illuminating soft folds immediately above it.A curtain, it seemed — some form of partition between her and the rest of the room.
Over-taxed by the brief process of observation, she closed her eyes and took a series of steadying breaths.
What was the last thing she remembered?
Mr.Grover, had come to her aid and made her feel better.
No, that wasn’t quite right.She’d been trying to leave, and he’d stopped her.Yes.Another woman – Nelly – had wanted to ready her for her debut.That still made no sense.She must have been mistaken.
But Edwina had been in a different place then.She’d been on a bed when she’d woken last and dressed in a cotton wrap.
Now she reclined on a velvet-upholstered chaise lounge.
Her fingers moved over her knee, and she stilled.Someone had changed her clothes.The cotton from earlier had been replaced by a slippery fabric.Silk or satin.
Her stomach clenched.Even in her delirious state, she felt the shame of knowing she’d been undressed by strangers.Possibly even bathed too, while she remained oblivious.That was what Nelly had spoken of, was it not?A bath and a change of clothes?
Pulse pounding at the thought of it, she regretted her lack of cooperation.If she’d only done as Nelly asked, she’d have had more control over what transpired.Now, she would always wonder about it.A notion that made bile rise in her throat.Dizziness followed, and she closed her eyes once more.
You must find the strength.You must get up.
She took a deep breath, then paused at the sound of Mr.Grover’s voice declaring, “Gentlemen, I bid you welcome to this night’s exclusive event, where you shall be given the chance to bid on various effects, not otherwise available to the general public.Indeed, you may have already guessed thatVenus Playing with Two Dovesis not to be the star of the evening.Instead, we’ve something far more priceless to offer — something only the wealthiest among you can afford.”
A pause was accompanied by a hushed silence before Mr.Grover spoke again.“I am, of course, referring to Lady Edwina, the Duke of Wrengate’s sister.”
Laughter and cheers followed.
Edwina’s heart turned to lead.
Surely she must have misheard or else Mr.Grover must be jesting.He couldn’t possibly mean to…to…sell her.
And yet, it was the only thing that made sense at this point.The reason he’d made sure she lacked all ability to leave.He had no need to restrain her when she was unconscious most of the time.
But she was awake now.Aware of what her fate would be if she didn’t manage to get away.How could she though, when she lacked the energy to even push herself upright?When it felt like she was drowning in a fog of confusion?When her body didn’t respond to what her brain was trying to tell it to do?
She felt as helpless as when she watched Claire try to move, unable to offer her poor sister hope for the future.Her own looked exceedingly dim now.Perhaps that was fair.Perhaps this was fate’s way of ensuring balance remained.If Claire was to suffer, then she would too.As would Sebastian with yet another sibling gone missing.
For years, he’d wondered if Ryan still lived.He’d do the same now with her.
Unless she found a way to escape this nightmare.
She closed her eyes and tried to ignore Mr.Grover’s voice as he started auctioning off the first items.
A plan.That was what she required.
Inhaling deeply, she put her mind in pursuit of calm.Protesting and struggling would probably be counterproductive.It would only give Mr.Grover a reason to give her more smoke.
Instead, it might be more prudent to play along.
