Page 16 of A Scandalous Proposition
‘Adam.’ Christine appeared surprised. ‘What has he done to overset you?’
‘What has he done, you ask!’ Florentina, who thought that ought to be obvious, paused long enough to spread her hands. ‘His price for his silence. Oh, I beg your pardon, even then his silence isn’t guaranteed unless I please him. His price is that I should meet him in the summerhouse this evening.’
Christine laughed. ‘Oh, is that all.’
‘Is that all?’ She placed her hands on her hips and glared at her friend. ‘To me it’s a very great deal. I am not exactly a prude. How could I be after some of the things I saw in the war? But, even so, I expected you to understand the difficult position he has placed me in and be a little more sympathetic.’
‘Yes, I’m sorry. I ought to have anticipated that you would view the matter in that light. I can see that he has made things awkward for you. But, to be fair to him, he doesn’t know that you are not a courtesan. Since he believes you to be one, his request probably seems quite reasonable to him.’
‘Put like that I suppose it does.’ Florentina threw herself into the chair opposite Christine’s and blew air through her lips. ‘But why is he being so insistent when it must be obvious to him that I find the notion odious? And, more to the point, what am I supposed to do about it?’
‘As to why, I should have thought that was clear enough.’
‘Not to me.’
‘My dear, he desires you.’
‘Does he?’ Florentina opened her eyes wide. ‘How can you possibly know that?’
Christine chuckled. ‘He couldn’t take his eyes off you when you entered this room last night.’
‘Only because he was surprised to see me here.’
‘No, it was more than that.’ Christine shook her head decisively. ‘I’ve seen that look on too many gentlemen’s faces to mistake it. I’ve been acquainted with Adam for more years than I care to admit and I’ve never known him to turn down the offer of my services in favour of another lady’s, as he would have done last night if I hadn’t pretended to be insulted.’
Florentina tossed her head. ‘If he desires me, he has a very strange way of showing it. He has scarce uttered two polite words to me in all of our conversations. In fact, he’s been deliberately insulting.’
‘That’s because you have disappointed him.’
‘How?’ Florentina sighed. ‘I don’t have time for riddles.’
‘Well, he thinks you’re a courtesan but you are also acting as his mother’s companion. It would be enough to anger any gentleman. And he’s angry with himself because he wishes you to be respectable. But at the same time, he can’t rein in his desire for you and so is glad that you’re a lady of loose morals. And you have made matters worse by not responding to his overtures as you ought, which has intrigued him all the more. He’s been reduced to manipulation, which can’t sit comfortably with him.’ Christine smiled. ‘And so, my dear, if you’re confused, find it in your heart to spare a thought for poor Adam. He must be almost as bewildered by the situation as you are.’
‘Then it would better serve all our purposes if he left me alone.’
Christine chuckled. ‘You have much to learn about the male character if you think it’s that simple.’
‘Well, if he’s as honourable as you imply, he ought to reveal what he thinks he knows to his mother and have me dismissed. If I really was a courtesan he would still be able to use me, and his mother would be safe from my corrupting influence.’
‘You don’t mean that, surely?’
‘No, I suppose not.’ Florentina pouted. ‘But I dislike being blackmailed.’
‘Obviously, and so we’ll not waste precious time by arguing the point. What are you to do about his request is, I believe, what you asked me?’
Florentina nodded. ‘Yes, what?’
Christine paused to refill their teacups, offered Florentina a selection from the plate of pastries in front of her and then took one for herself. ‘Well, as far as I can see, there’s only one thing you can do. You’ll have to go through with it.’
Florentina leaped from her seat, spilling tea over her gown. ‘The devil I will!’
‘What choice do you have?’ Christine remained implacably calm. ‘Dare you call his bluff? Just think of the consequences to others as well as yourself if you do.’
‘Yes, I suppose, but—’
‘And, for what it is worth, Adam doesn’t disappoint.’
‘Huh, what’s that to me?’
