Page 23 of Winning the Wallflower's Heart
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
She nodded, then drew back the curtain to allow him through to the long hallway beyond. Madame Marie’s brothel was respectable in that it mirrored the look of his club, except for the circular sofa beyond in the morning parlor. That room was dripping in crystal chandeliers and gilded mirrors. From what he heard, she drew inspiration from Versailles, and maybe that’s why any man who walked through the doors of Madame Marie’s left fancying himself a king.
“She’s lovely, Linny.”
He cleared his throat, scanning the hall, then glancing up the sweeping staircase that led to the rooms upstairs.
“Have a little faith, we haven’t corrupted her completely.”
But he froze in the doorway as Franny sat in a chair in the middle of the drawing room and Georgiana stood behind her, softly tracing her fingertips up the woman’s arm.
“Slower, dear. The key to seduction is not giving into the rush. It’s a slow build.” Madame Marie sat a few feet away, combing her fingers through a man’s hair as he lay reclined in her lap.
“It’ll drive him mad, lamb,” the man added, sitting up enough to sip claret from a golden goblet.
“Whomad?” Ellis asked, his voice gravelly.
Georgiana startled but remained focused on her fingers and their slow march up the woman’s neck, then back into her pale blonde hair.
“Go away, Linny. We’re working.” Madame Marie untangled herself from the young buck and walked up to Georgiana. “Now, when you kiss…”
“I’ve come for my wife. It’s time you come home, Kitten.”
Georgiana’s eyes went wide, and she jumped back. “I?—”
Madame Marie turned and clasped her hands, a smug smile on her face. “See, works every time, darling. Men are such basic creatures, driven by jealousy and governed by lust.”
“I’m not jealous,” he argued.
The older woman tsked him. “Whatever you say. Come along, Franny and Parkes, it’s time we leave them alone. Take your time.” The older woman winked, then closed the doors behind her.
Ellis scoffed at the cheeky farewell before turning back to Georgiana. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought I was free to go about my life. That was our arrangement, wasn’t it?”
“Georgie.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“You’re at a damn brothel for seduction lessons.”
His wife nodded, licking her lips in a slow sweep, drawing all his attention to her mouth. His cock hardened at the mere sight of it. Hell, not twenty minutes ago he had himself in hand remembering their kiss. And now she was here, and he…
He was in bloody trouble.
“Why does that bother you, Ellis? I spend all my day in my rooms at the club, and I’m lonely.”
“There are Hester and Esther.”
Anger peaked within her. Her cheeks grew red. “You can’t keep me locked away?—”
“You’re free to go do whatever.”
“Then why are you here if you do not care what I do with my time?”
“I care about what you do with your time. I do. You can start with why you’re at a damn brothel.”
She backed up a step. “I wasn’t here very long. Hardly learned anything.”
