Page 20 of The Mistress, the Monster and the Marquess

He groaned and tugged on the ropes. He really didn’t want to be tied up for this conversation.

She looked up and moved, her speed too fast for him to follow with his eyes. He was untied and she was laid back on top of him before a moment had even passed.

He stretched his arms down, allowing the blood to flow again. They ached in the strangest way. He sat up slowly, taking her with him. Should he try to bring her into his world? “Marry me.”

Even as he said the words Benedict knew such a thing would never work. How could he marry the madam of a brothel? A mistress of the night? The scandal would rock the ton and be so immense and shameful that his family would likely wish he had died instead. But how do I live without her? And perhaps Antony too?

Lina smiled and shifted so she straddled him, wrapping around him again. She sat in his lap, her legs and arms around his torso. “You know I can’t do that, though I appreciate the heart with which such an offer was made. We will work something out, I’m sure. I will not let you go, but I cannot leave my girls either.”

Benedict frowned. Lina wanted to continue to be a brothel owner?

“You don’t need to continue running this place, Lina. I can keep you comfortable.”

She laughed, the sound surprisingly harsh and cruel as she jumped off him. Her clothes appeared as though by magic and wrapped around her, covering her beautiful nakedness. Her supernatural speed was truly amazing.

He was relieved in a way that she was no longer naked. When she was covered it was easier to concentrate, but he longed for her naked body too.

“I don’t need you to take care of me, Benedict. I have been doing this for a very long time now. I do this so that I can take care of the girls under my care, otherwise they would be out on the street. And it is an honest profession, despite your hypocritical society’s viewpoint. Prostitution has been around as long as humans have lived on this Earth, so don’t pretend you can give me better. I am safe and I am happy.”

Benedict moved to his feet, lightheaded, and dizzy. He gathered his clothes and frowned as he began to dress. Her anger and opinion didn’t make any sense. “I thought you would want to be out of this profession, Lina.”

She scowled at him.

Benedict blinked. What did I say wrong?

“You have no idea what these women have been through or who they are, Benedict. So, do not assume to judge them. Or me.”

He pulled his jacket on and tucked his cravat into his pocket. How had this conversation detoured so much? One moment he had been proposing marriage, a lifelong commitment, and the next they were fighting over her brothel. How preposterous.

“I don’t—”

She stomped her foot, a veritable dark princess in this strange off-beat conversation.

“You do! Your society is full of these stupid rules. Gentlemen may fuck who they like, especially whores. When you are single, when you are married, it doesn’t make a difference. You may treat women like slaves, then call yourself a gentleman.”

Benedict frowned, anger growing in the pit of his stomach like smoldering coal. He’d never treated women like that. He’d had a permanent mistress that he treated very well, though he intended to pay her out, as he didn’t need her anymore.

“I wasn’t judging your girls,” he said in earnest, trying to placate her. “I just thought you may like to stop working and let me take care of you.”

Lina was truly angry now, steam practically fuming from her ears.

What was wrong with her?

She flew to the stairs and began stomping up them, muttering to herself.

“You have no idea. I want you to take care of me for eternity, Benedict. I want you to be right there with me. And all you can think about is a damn house and societal marriage?”

Benedict stopped at the base of the stairs, his heart pounding. A sick feeling of inadequacy threatened to make him retch.

She was right.

He was only thinking about the now, and the next few years. But in a hundred years, what would they do for money? Where would they live? How would they stay safe? Did he even want to live forever? He had so much to figure out. And he had so many questions.

Benedict forced his heavy legs to move and staggered up the stairs behind her.

She had reached the landing and had already opened the door.

People bustled around. Beautiful women, young women, old women. Everywhere.

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