Lilias closed her eyes for mere moments, and let out a loud sigh of frustration before she opened them again. “Madame,” she said the word like it caused her great pain. “Alice is being dramatic. Perhaps she is too young for this profession or at least Pleasure House. If you recall, I had my doubts when you hired her?—”
Having heard enough, Kitty held up her hand. “Your doubts about whom I hire for my business is of no concern to me.” She folded her arms against her ample bosom, never breaking eye contact with the other woman. “What is my concern is that you have actively targeted Alice and destroyed her property. As you know that type of behavior is not acceptable at Pleasure House.”
“If Jacques were here things would be different.” Lilias glared at Kitty defiantly. “Perhaps Pierre should be owner.”
Kitty took several deep breaths at the mention of both Jacques and his lying brother, Pierre. For the past year Kitty had been in an ongoing court battle with Pierre Delcour. Her late husband’s brother claimed he was the rightful owner of Pleasure House because he had given Jacques the funds to start the business.
“You’re correct. If Jacques were here, you would be barely eating and living in squalor, still. He would’ve allowed any manner of gentlemen to enter and do whatever he pleased to you.” She took a step forward, invading the other woman’s personal space. “Now you live in comfort, safety, and if I’m correct, have gathered a small fortune over the years. All which we both know you would not have gained if my late husband were still alive. As for his brother, Pierre will never take what I have built with my own two hands.”
Unlike Jacques, his brother was reckless and only cared for himself. They had met a few times when Jacques was alive. After her husband’s death, she had not seen Pierre in years, until he had returned to London demanding a part of her business and its income.
She could remember the condition of Pleasure House when she had arrived with Jacques three days after their wedding night. Then, he did not vet the men entering, nor did he pay attention to the treatment of his employees. It was Kitty who had seen the need for a firmer hand on both patrons and staff. Kitty who had worked tirelessly to make the ramshackle mansion into a sophisticated place of business. It was she who had made sure every man and woman working at Pleasure House would always be safe. Kitty would not allow Pierre to ruin everything that she had built—she would fight him with everything in her power.
“I did not mean any disrespect?—”
Kitty wanted to roll her eyes at Lilias. The other woman was many things, but respectable was not one of them. They’d disagreed over the years, but mostly, she and Lilias actually worked well together. Lilias was the most senior member of Pleasure House and because of that, many other occupants depended on her knowledge and experience.
Loud, rambunctious voices traveled from the hallway to the study, and she could hear the footsteps of men being ushered into the ballroom. “Yet, you found it necessary to mention Jacques who has been dead seven years.” Kitty tampered down her growing anger as she waited patiently for Lilias to answer, but she knew very well that the other woman did indeed mean her comment as an insult.
“There was no need for me to mention Jacques and Pierre. I do not understand why Alice receives special favors,” she huffed out, her cheeks reddening. “The duke was mine until she came along. He offered me the position of his mistress, then she came along and ruined everything.”
Kitty couldn’t help the chuckle that came from her lips. The utter nerve of this woman. “May I remind you I kept you employed at Pleasure House despite our differences, but do not think for a moment that I will allow your insolence. If you wanted to be the duke’s mistress so badly, then you should’ve worked your feminine wiles a little harder, but since that is not the case, you may not take your anger out on Alice. Do I make myself clear?”
Kitty raised an eyebrow at Lilias. They were of similar height, both tall for their sex, but that was where their comparison ended.
“Perfectly, Madame.” The disturbingly cheery smile that Lilias plastered on her thin lips had Kitty suspecting that Lilias was far from done with Alice and the duke.
“Excellent. I’m glad we understand each other. Have a good evening, and perhaps you can secure another duke.” Kitty turned, walking toward the large desk at the far corner of her study.
“Perhaps, or maybe an earl,” Lilias sneered, causing Kitty to whip her head toward the other woman, watching her leave the study.
Lilias’s comment had everything to do with Harrison. It was no secret in Pleasure House that the earl fancied Kitty. Although, no one but Emmaline knew of their shared history, it was clear from the way he always sought Kitty out at every event. His penetrating stare set her body on fire.
But none of it mattered, he could never learn the truth and she would never give up her independence. Kitty had worked too hard building Pleasure House into the empire it was, and nothing would take that away from her. Not even love.
Walking behind her desk, Kitty shook her head, trying to rid herself of all thoughts of Harrison.
“I thought you would hide here,” the playful voice that she knew as well as her own called from the open door.
Her head sprung up, her gaze raking over the impressive vision of the man in front of her. Harrison Montlake, the Earl of Hendershot.
CHAPTER 3
The pain in his jaw was a welcoming sting as his smile threatened to spread across his entire face. It had been days since Harrison had last feasted his eyes on the enchanting woman across the room.
Dear God she was beautiful.
Her rich dark skin, sparkling hazel eyes, and long hair only contributed to a small part of her beauty. The most gorgeous thing about Kat was her confidence.
Being separated from her for any small amount of time was more like excruciating pain than distance to Harrison.
After his family had inherited the earldom, Harrison’s life became duty and responsibility. As the heir, he’d had to provide for the family and never allow himself to be distracted again—according to his late father.
However, the girl who’d stolen his heart when he was barely a man was never far from his thoughts.
Hearing of her marriage only two months after his father had wrenched him away was like a sharp knife to his heart. Discovering that she was the infamous Madame Delcour years later was life-shaking. He couldn’t fathom that the sweet girl he’d fallen in love with was now the owner of gentlemen’s club and the most sought-after courtesan in England.
Men boasted on her prowess in the bedroom, yet Harrison did not believe the rumors. The Kat he’d known before their lives had drastically changed would not engage with multiple bed partners.
