Page 69 of The Truth Serum
Rebecca didn’t think it was possible to see Nate blush. Indeed, if Fletcher were to be believed, Nate spent his days in thievery and his nights in debauchery. So the bright pink color on his cheeks seemed distinctly at odds with his reputation.
“Heidi,” he said as he took a step back. “We can discuss this better in private.”
Frid turned to her mistress. “You do not need me more this night, madame, do you?”
“Heidi!” Nate exclaimed, his voice strangled.
The mistress and maid both burst out in gleeful laughter until finally Madame waved her hand at Frid.
“Oh, leave the boy alone. You are too much for him.”
Nate straightened at the insult. “Not true, madame. I just prefer my affairs more discreet.”
Madame unbound her braid and began brushing her hair. “Is that not what Claude is determining now?”
“W-well yes,” Nate stammered. “But I know his negotiations have little impact on you.”
Now the lady smiled with a cat-in-the-cream-pot grin. “Very true, Lord Nathaniel. Tell me, how shall you buy my silence, while your friend buys Claude’s?”
Rebecca felt her insides tighten with shock. She had a great deal of experience with some of the darker sides of life. Healers like Mrs. Chenoweth saw depravity, even in their corner of Cornwall. Especially where horrors could be out in the open and still no one saw.
But she’d never seen such a household before. One where husband and wife turned everything to profit. While Monsieurextorted something from the duke, upstairs Madame laughed at Nate’s blushes while simultaneously demanding some sort of coin.
It wasn’t exactly depraved, not in the usual sense of the word. But it was coldly mercenary, and Rebecca wasn’t about to allow it continue. That was, if she could figure out a way for Nate to escape.
She needn’t have bothered. In this, Nate was clearly an experienced player. Rather than being outraged—as Rebecca was—he relaxed against the doorframe and shot the lady an indulgent look.
“No,” he drawled. “I don’t think I need your silence. Whatever you say will surely expand my reputation.”
“Unless I say that you skittered away from Frid like a boy with his first stiff.”
Nate chuckled. “And that would not be believed by anyone.”
The lady considered him, then glanced sideways at Rebecca and Miss Petrelli. “No one except these two ladies here. They saw your blush, clear as day.” She leaned forward, exposing an expanse of lush decolletage. “Non, Nathaniel.” She purred his name. “I require a forfeit.”
Nate casually brushed lint off his sleeve. “And what would that be?”
“I should like to know from Lady Rebecca—” Madame pointed her hairbrush straight at her target. “Do you intend to marry the half-dressed baron? Your brother says yes.”
“What?” Rebecca squeaked. “He certainly does not.”
“He has told me the details of your dowry. A large sum, yes? And a property to make up for your deficiencies.”
“My what?” Rebecca’s throat had gone tight. Fletcher couldn’t possibly have said that. Perhaps to her face, but not to everyone else!
But of course Fletcher would say that to others. It scared away suitors he did not like, leaving her with few options beyond the baron.
“Oh, ma chou,” Madame said, her tone half apology, half intrigue. “You are old, that is not news. Madness was hinted at, and I must say, coming to this liaison was not the act of a sane virgin, eh?”
“This lia—No!” Rebecca squared her shoulders. “I am spending the evening with the duke and Miss Petrelli. I had no idea—”
Madame dropped her chin in her hand, her tone gleeful as she bantered back. “You came up here, yes? Uninvited to inspect Frid. What did you think when you saw her? Did you think her too old? I tell you, Frenchwomen of any age make exquisite lovers.” And on those last words she blew a kiss to Nate.
He sighed. “She didn’t know. Cease teasing her—”
“But she does know, does she not?” Madame’s voice had turned cold. “She has seen hurt women before.” Madame leaned back in her chair as she fixed Nate with a considering look. “She feared that. From you.”
This was getting entirely too personal. And Nate was clearly upset by the thought as he shot her a wounded look. Rebecca shook her head. She hadn’t exactly feared that Nate had hurt some poor maid, but she’d needed to be sure.
