Page 4 of The Duke's Pet

“Ah, I see.”

Madam was a rotund woman with a portly belly and jowls. She had a huge mole on her left cheek, and even in the low lamplight it was easy to see a long black hair grew from it.

Wearing a knitted black cardigan over a green dress, she was smoking and had a glass of what appeared to be sherry in her hand.

The room was small and crammed full of furniture. A bed on a slight tilt, as though one leg was struggling to take the strain. A wooden dressing table littered with toiletries, curtains that hadn’t been pulled completely and let the light of an oil lamp in. A fireplace was squeezed into a corner, the hot embers warming a black pot, which steamed gently.

“How old are you?” Madam directed at Jemima.

“Twenty-one, Madam.”

“You don’t look it.” She peered forward.

“She’s been down on her luck. Lost both parents summer gone and has been struggling to run their arable farm.”

“Hard times indeed.” Madam nodded. There was a softness in her eyes.

Jemima managed a weak smile. “It has been a long winter but now I have come to York to work.”

“As a woman of pleasure at The Rose and Thorns?”

Jemima paused, then after a deep breath, said, “Yes.”

“And what experience do you have?”

“She don’t have much,” Emily said quickly. “But she’s a fast learner, I can tell you that. She’s sharp, and a fast talker, she has men sending her love notes, offers of proposal.”

Jemima opened her mouth to speak. No such thing had ever happened to her.

Emily jabbed her in the ribs.

She closed her mouth.

“Mmm, she’s a bit on the skinny side. I’ve seen rats with more meat on them.”

“She admitted it’s been a hard winter.” Emily cupped Jemima’s right breast.

Jemima gasped, shocked by the sudden invasion of her personal space.

“And when she’s had a few good meals, these will fill out, you mark my words.” Emily squeezed. “She’s got a good pair, they just need feeding up.” She laughed.

So did Madam. “I can see that she’s in need, and if you can vouch for her then a week’s trial can begin. A trial, mind. I’m not paying for her to learn, she can do that at her own expense.”

“Of course I’ll vouch for her.” Emily grinned. “You won’t be disappointed.”

“She can start tonight. There’s a tub there.” She pointed to a tin bath beside the fire. “Bathe and change. I run a classy establishment, I like my girls well presented.”

“Can I get her some food from the kitchen?” Emily said. “The wee lass hasn’t had anything to eat today.”

“Aye, we don’t want her fainting and being taken advantage of. Some clients are rotters, they’ll take what they want then skip off without paying what I’m owed.” Madam waggled a finger at Jemima. A huge red ring sat on it. “You speak to Will, let him know you’re new.”

“We’ve seen him already, but I can show Jemima the ropes.”

“I know you can, you’re a good girl.” Madam sat back and sipped her drink. “Now chop, chop, let’s get on with this night’s work. Time is ticking on and time is money.”

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