Chapter Two #2
Madam Chloé set down her teacup and leaned back in her chair.
“My dear, men are far more complex creatures than most women realize. They are not simply driven by base desires, as popular wisdom would have you believe. A man who has lost a woman he loved deeply may fear allowing himself to feel again. He may worry that taking another woman to his bed—even his own wife—would be a betrayal of that love.”
Ashley considered this. “But surely, he understands that marriage requires…certain duties? He will require an heir.”
“Understanding and accepting are two different things entirely.” Madam Chloé smiled slightly. “Now, the question becomes—how do we help you overcome his reluctance?”
“Yes, exactly. That is why I came to you. My friend and I thought perhaps…that is, you must know how to attract a man’s interest?”
“Indeed, I do. But the techniques that work with my usual clientele may not be entirely appropriate for a wife seeking to seduce her own husband.” Madam Chloé paused, considering. “Tell me, have you ever seen a man and woman together? In an intimate way?”
Ashley shook her head, her face burning with embarrassment.
“I thought not. Your innocence is quite apparent, my dear. Perhaps that is part of the problem—your husband may fear overwhelming or frightening you with his desires.”
“But I am not afraid,” Ashley protested. “I want his attention. I want to share his bed and give him children.”
“Wanting and knowing how to encourage such attention are two very different things.” Madam Chloé stood and moved to the window, gazing out at the street below. “I have a proposition for you, though I suspect you will find it shocking.”
“What sort of proposition?”
“You could return here one evening, properly disguised, of course, and observe. See how my girls conduct themselves with their gentlemen. Learn what pleases men, what draws their attention and inflames their passions.”
Ashley’s eyes widened in horror. “You want me to…to watch? While people are…?”
“Not in the bedchambers, obviously. But here in the parlors, where the initial seduction takes place. You would see how a woman presents herself to capture a man’s interest, how she speaks, how she moves, how she touches.
” Madam Chloé turned back to face her. “Knowledge, my dear, is power. And currently, you possess very little knowledge about the art of seduction.”
The suggestion was so scandalous that Ashley immediately thought, ‘what would Farah do’?
She’d tell Ashley to do what she had to do.
Could she be as bold as her friend? Of course she could.
To witness such things, even as an observer…
But then she thought of her empty bedchamber, of the children she might never have if things continued as they were.
“I… I need time to consider such a suggestion.”
“Of course. But while you consider, let me offer you some immediate advice.” Madam Chloé returned to her chair.
“Tonight, when your husband returns home, do not retire immediately to your separate quarters. Find a reason to remain in his company. Engage him in conversation—ask about his day, his interests, his business dealings. Men enjoy discussing their accomplishments with an appreciative audience.”
“But we have so little in common. I know nothing of business or politics or—”
“You know nothing because you have never tried to learn. A wife who takes genuine interest in her husband’s concerns is far more appealing than one who merely decorates his home.
” Madam Chloé’s tone was gentle but firm.
“And while you speak with him, allow yourself to be…softer. Touch his arm when making a point. Sit close enough that he can catch your scent. Smile often and let your eyes meet his.”
Ashley absorbed this advice, trying to imagine herself behaving in such a forward manner with Raven.
“Furthermore,” Madam Chloé continued, “you must begin to present yourself differently. No more retiring early to your separate bedchamber. If you encounter him in the hallways or common rooms of your home, do so when you are dressed in your nightrail and robe—nothing improper, but enough to remind him that you are a woman, not merely a piece of furniture.”
“You truly believe such simple changes would make a difference?”
“My dear girl, men are remarkably simple creatures beneath all their complexity. They respond to beauty, attention, and availability. Currently, you are providing none of these things in a way that reaches him.” Madam Chloé smiled. “But we shall remedy that.”
As Ashley prepared to take her leave, pressing the promised five pounds into Madam Chloé’s hand, the woman caught her arm gently.
“One final piece of advice—do not attempt too much too quickly. Subtle changes over time will be far more effective than a sudden transformation that might alarm your husband or arouse suspicion among your household.”
Ashley nodded, pulling her veil back into place. “Thank you. I… I never expected to find such thoughtful counsel in a place like this.”
Madam Chloé laughed, the sound surprisingly warm. “My dear, where did you think fallen women learned their trade? We are often the most educated in the ways of men, precisely because our survival depends upon understanding them completely.”
As Ashley made her way back to the street where Petra and the hackney carriage were waiting, her mind was buzzing with everything she had learned.
Tonight, she would begin implementing Madam Chloé’s advice.
She would engage Raven in conversation, show interest in his concerns, present herself as a woman rather than merely a wife.
And perhaps, if she could gather the courage, she might even consider returning to witness the arts of seduction being practiced by women who had made it their profession.
The thought terrified and thrilled her in equal measure.
*
Madam Chloé sat back and smiled. She knew exactly who the young lady was, and she had a fair idea why her husband had not come to her bed.
She frowned. But that couldn’t be why? He didn’t have to spend much time with her to perform his ‘husbandry duties’ and get her with child.
Then he could find another woman like Kitty.
Perhaps he really was still pining over Kitty.
That was nice to know. Some men did have feelings.
Not many of her customers would be devastated over her death.
She sat back and drank her coffee. She liked Lady Ashley’s gumption. It took guts for a lady such as her to come to this house and ask what she had. She had a mind to help her. Lady Ashley reminded her a lot of herself. Wanting something and doing anything to get it.
Lady Ashley was trapped in a life not to her liking with a husband who seemed to be trying to behave like a gentleman. That wouldn’t work for long.
And she could see why a lady in a loveless marriage would want children.
She kicked her slippers off and tucked her feet under her as she relaxed in the warmth of her expensive parlor.
If children were what Lady Ashley wanted, then she would ensure she had all the skills needed to tempt her husband. Madam Chloe had yet to decide if she would tell Lady Ashley why she suspected her husband didn’t want to come to her bed. Too much all at once might frighten the young lady.
She smiled as she drank her wine. That was silly thinking. Lady Ashley didn’t seem to be a woman who would frighten easily. She had a mind to tell her the truth about her husband’s sexual tastes on her next visit.