Page 19 of Doxy for the Ton
“Very well. Two thousand.”
She reached toward him then paused. He lowered his gaze to her arm, which was covered in bruises.
“Guineas,” he added. “And I’ll meet your reasonable expenses during the term of our arrangement.”
It was almost too good to be true.
“And—the payment?” she asked.
“You’ll receive payment once you’ve fulfilled your part of the bargain,” he said. “At the end of the term.”
So itwastoo good to be true.
She lowered her hand, and his forehead creased into a frown.
“Don’t you intend to fulfil your part of the bargain?” he asked.
“You question my honesty when I’m the one who bears the risk of our arrangement?” she said. “What’s to stop you reneging and leaving me with nothing?”
“My word as a gentleman.”
Mimi suppressed a snort. “From my experience, a gentleman’s word is worth nothing—lessthan nothing.”
“From your experience?”
Damn him!She’d almost revealed herself. “It’s an expression, nothing more.”
He stared at her, and her cheeks warmed under his scrutiny. “Can’t you take me at my word, Mimi?”
“You can promise all you like, but what if something happens to—”
She broke off.
What if something happens to you?
His expression darkened.
“What a practical little creature you are,” he said. “But I suppose if this is a business transaction, it makes sense that we allow for every contingency while negotiating the terms. Very well—if you agree, then tomorrow I’ll place a deposit in your name with my banker, to be released to you either at the end of the term or if I should die beforehand. Doesthatmeet with your satisfaction, madam?”
She flinched at the ice in his voice.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Good,” he said. “Now, if I’m to pay such a sum, I expect a certain standard of behavior. I am, after all, seeking to improve my standing among the more…fastidiousmembers of my acquaintance.”
“By purchasing the services of a whore?”
“Beginning with your behavior and appearance,” he continued, ignoring her. “If this is to be a success, you must give the appearance of respectability…” He lowered his gaze to her body, and she tightened her grip on the bedsheet as she fought to conquer the shame coursing through her at the contempt in his eyes.
“Theappearance?”
“Yes,” he said. “You can be a widow—lately returned from the Continent. Italy, perhaps…” He nodded. “Yes, Italy—so few of my acquaintances are familiar enough with Italy to be suspicious if you’re unable to answer their questions.”
“Awidow?”
“Come now,” he said. “You’ll have played many different roles to satisfy the men who pay for your services. You only need to speak properly, look a little sad, and make a pathetic comment or two about how the man you loved left you to face the world alone. Are you capable of that?”
She fought to suppress the memory of the day she learned that the only man capable of loving her had been taken from her. The tears she’d fought to conquer swelled in her eyes, and she turned away.
