Chapter 5
Cate
“Holy fuck, Lady Caterine,” Lady Amanda, one of my favorite and more regular clients, groans.
The air around me explodes in a deep, dark pink as Lady Amanda cries out her release. I continue to stroke her while I search for the threads, the fear and betrayal and grief that normally accompany her orgasm. But today I find nothing but peace and happiness.
I grin up at her. “You left him.”
Her own grin echoes back. “I did.”
I laugh, sliding off the bed and slipping into a robe. “Then why did you come back?”
Lady Amanda shrugs, her lithe body stretching, accentuating her gorgeous figure. “I missed your mouth, what can I say?”
I snort, tossing back my long waves and wrapping them into a loose bun. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me in a long time, my lady.”
Lady Amanda perches on her elbows. “You know I don’t bother with that honorific nonsense. Especially not now. Titles are a thing of the past, are they not?”
So far Lady Amanda—I suppose simply Amanda now—is one of the few nobility I’ve encountered who doesn’t seem to mind her new change in station, probably because it hasn’t affected her net worth.
With the Uprising’s victory officially declared, life across the provinces has begun to see change.
Minor ones, because laws that have existed for over two hundred years are not so easily swiped from the books.
The Gifted have not magically been granted our full rights overnight, but there is a tinge of hope in the air that has brought on a new kind of lightness.
But despite our comfortable relationship, I don’t typically talk politics with my clients. So I flash Lady Amanda a wink. “I suppose it’s a good thing my title was bestowed upon me by myself. No one can take it away.”
She laughs, pulling the silk sheets up to cover herself, making no move to vacate the bed. “I am dying—no pun intended—to see how this candidate selection process shakes out.”
I grimace, trying to hide my frown by turning toward the mirror over my dressing table.
“It does seem a little odd, don’t you think?
That the Uprising preached peace at us for two years, and this is the way they choose to determine the first leader of our united country?
” It’s a thought I’ve voiced often since the announcement was made, to everyone from Harold to the newspaper delivery boy.
So far I seem to be alone in my worries that encouraging murder isn’t the best way to begin a new chapter in Avon’s history.
“I wouldn’t worry about it too much. The commoners love a little violence now and then.”
It’s a stark reminder of the gap between us. Lady Amanda has never had to worry about where her next meal comes from or if she’ll have to spend the night on the streets. Even with her affection for me, I will always be a commoner, and she will always be nobility, even without the title to prove it.
“But that’s enough of that dreary talk.” She pats the silken sheets of the bed, tugging the fabric down so her breasts are on full display. “Why don’t you come back over here and I’ll leave you a little tip.”
My eyes travel over the expanse of her bare skin, tempted by the offer. “I wish I could, but I’ve got a meeting with the big boss.”
“Why must the responsibilities of real life always get in the way of the fun?” Lady Amanda pouts, even as she rises from the bed and reaches for her dress.
We help each other don our clothes, cinching corsets and doing up the long lines of buttons on the backs of our dresses.
Hers is a sumptuous midnight blue velvet, mine a dark gray with an elegant black collar and cuffs.
Normally I wouldn’t dress up for a meeting with Harold, but things have changed since Lady M has taken the helm of La Puissance.
“The club has been looking well,” Lady Amanda remarks, almost as if she can read my thoughts.
“It has.” I don’t elaborate, not wanting to get into any part of this conversation with anyone, let alone a client.
She tucks a heavy handful of gold coins into the pocket of my dress, using the moment to draw me closer and place a soft kiss on my neck. “Is it all right if I continue to see you, Lady Caterine?”
I reach down, taking her hand in mine. “We both know you no longer need my services, my lady.”
“Maybe not your Gifted services, but I certainly appreciate your other services.”
“My lady…Amanda, you know my goal is to provide whatever help I can, but the truth is, you don’t need me anymore.
And there are others out there who do. If you would like to continue to benefit from a sexual arrangement, there are several girls here at the club who would love to meet with you.
” I squeeze her fingers gently before letting our hands separate.
This part of the process can be difficult for many clients, but it’s actually one of my favorite things, when the work I have done for them reaches its final payoff.
“Something tells me there’s no one out there quite like you, Lady Caterine.”
“Well, of course you’re right about that.”
We laugh and separate in the hallway, her heading down the grand staircase—it’s been buffed and painted and repaired and is once again worthy of the descriptor “grand”—while I make my way to Harold’s office, my feet treading over the plush new carpet, so soft under my feet it’s like walking on a cloud.
It’s late, but the main salon is still full of people, the sounds barely contained in the theater.
I still have time for more clients, but the day has been a long one, and I would rather end on a high note.
I will miss working with Lady Amanda. She was as kind as she is wealthy, an unusual combination, even if she was a little out of touch.
I tap on the thick mahogany door at the end of the hall and wait for Harold to grant me permission to enter.
It’s an action I’ve taken on so many nights before this, but nothing about our visits feels the same anymore.
Now, not just Harold greets me from behind his massive desk; he is joined by Lady M.
On the surface, her addition to the club has brought nothing but positives.
Repairs have been made, electrical lighting has been installed on the stage, new girls have been offered refuge, and the main salon is full to the brim every night.
Everyone at La Puissance—including Harold—is prospering.
The girls, and everyone else who lives and works at the club, seem to love Lady M, showering her with praise and gratitude whenever she blesses us with her presence.
And for her part, Lady M does seem to be trying to acclimate herself to the club. She has begun dressing in less severe clothing, and though I still have yet to see her smile, she dotes on the girls in a way we haven’t experienced since we lost Diana.
But I can’t shake the memory of the way she looked at Andra, like my sister was something to devour.
Something to bleed dry. No one else seems to share my trepidation—I’ve made small mentions to several of my closest friends that are quickly dismissed as ludicrous—but something is keeping me from fully trusting our new benefactress.
I keep hoping that with time I will come to see the goodness the others see in her.
So far, the only feeling she stirs in me is unease.
Perhaps it’s the way her golden eyes always seem to pierce right through me, as they do while I take my position in one of the chairs in front of the desk. My hands clasped in my lap, back straight, ankles crossed. When Lady M is present, I sit like a lady.
“You are looking well, Cate.” Harold begins with a warm smile on his face.
I force myself to return it, even though he has to realize mine is strained.
“Thank you, Harold. You are looking well yourself. As is the club.” I tilt my head the slightest bit in Lady M’s direction, all the thanks I’m willing to offer, though I am happy to see fewer lines on Harold’s face.
His smile genuine, his eyes brighter. Even his golden hair seems shinier.
“I’m happy you’ve noticed the improvements, Lady Caterine. They have certainly helped put La Puissance back on the right path.” Lady M’s voice is as cool as her eyes. She still doesn’t smile, but the corner of her mouth tilts up just a tad.
“And what path is that, my lady?” I place an emphasis on her title, one that, like mine, has been bestowed by herself, one that she insists everyone at the club continue to use.
“The path to prosperity. I expect great things are in store for everyone here at La Puissance.”
“Indeed.”
“You have been living here at the club for many years, correct, Caterine?” Lady M doesn’t give me a chance to answer. “And in that time, you have paid Lord MacVeigh a paltry sum to cover your living expenses.”
My eyes narrow. “I have contributed to the finances of the club in many ways, my lady. Including bringing in multiple loyal and dedicated patrons.”
“Patrons who also tend to pay a paltry sum.” She flips through her stack of papers.
I open my mouth to retort, but she cuts me off.
“Yes, you have several clients who are able to pay fully for your services, Lady Amanda for one. But you also see a number of clients who can barely afford to leave a single gold coin.”
I grit my teeth. “Those clients need my help even if they can’t afford to pay full price for it.”
“Hmm.” Lady M taps the end of her pointed nail on the desk. “So perhaps one of the reasons the club was struggling so much financially was because members like you were making full use of the club’s amenities while charging insufficient rates to cover the loss.”