Chapter Four
J osephine listened with half an ear while Cassandra happily chatted away on what to expect once they entered the Lyon’s Den located on the west side of London on Cleveland Row. Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon’s gambling establishment was well known within the ton . Known as the Black Widow of Whitehall, her clients were wealthy gentlemen and ladies who could afford to lose if Lady Luck wasn’t on their side. The men had their own floor and were kept separate from the ladies. This didn’t stop the women from going to a balcony where they could watch the men place their bets. Only the best wine and food was served at the Lyon’s Den making the place well frequented by those who chose to partake of what Mrs. Dove-Lyon offered… all for a price.
“The bouncers are all retired military,” Cassandra continued to prattle on, “and the male dealers prefer the company of men.”
“All of them?” Josephine asked as she now began to pay attention so she would be aware of what she was about to walk in to.
“There are two women bouncers at the ladies’ entrance to the Den along with a woman dealer. Her name is Oberon.”
“A woman dealer? ”
Cassandra laughed. “Yes! Can you imagine it? She wears a mask, but I’ve heard she’s quite lovely beneath it.”
“She doesn’t worry she might get… accosted by one of the gentlemen gamblers?” Josephine inquired with wide eyes at the thought of being surrounded in a room full of men. She supposed this was her own apprehension that would make her nervous.
“Good heavens, no,” Cassandra exclaimed. “Mrs. Dove-Lyon runs a tight ship. If one of her clients even made the slightest attempt to even touch the woman, they would be thrown from the place and barred from ever returning.”
“Then there’s no reason to worry one of the men might make their way to the women’s floor?”
“None whatsoever. Or at least there never has been a problem that I’m aware of. Bouncers are at the stairs and entryways to the Den. They keep everyone separate.”
“That’s a weight off my mind,” Josephine said and breathed a sigh of relief. She still had nervous knots in her stomach about this whole absurd idea of Cassandra’s.
“The evening should be delightful. Enjoy it.”
“Is there anything else I should know before we meet Mrs. Dove-Lyon?”
“I think I’ve told you most of the details of her matchmaking business.”
“I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay you whatever fees she charged you to find me a husband,” Josephine replied in concern.
“Nonsense! As with Moriah, this is money well spent. I don’t want you to worry about paying me back. Think of it as a gift. One friend to another.”
“I’m sure the cost set you back. It’s beyond generous.”
“The amount spent doesn’t matter in the least to me. I’m more concerned about my friends being happy and returning to Society again,” Cassandra answered. She reached across the seat and handed Josephine a box. “Here. I thought you might like to keep your identity a secret while Mrs. Dove-Lyon vets out the perfect man for you.”
Josephine opened the box, and two black masks that would cover the upper half of their faces were inside. She took one out and Cassandra reached for the other. “Is it normal to wear a mask at the Lyon’s Den?”
“Some men and women wear them while others don’t. They even change their names which you are also free to do if you so choose. Why, even all the people who work for Mrs. Dove-Lyon are called names from her favorite play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream .”
Laughter slipped through Josephine’s lips. The first bit of merriment she had felt since she entered Cassandra’s carriage. “You must be joking.”
“You’ll soon learn all there is to know about the Lyon’s Den, my dear. Hopefully, you won’t have to make an appearance for long before Mrs. Dove-Lyon finds you the perfect man to be your husband,” Cassandra said as she pulled back the curtain hanging from the window. “Here we are. Let’s go have some fun!”
As the carriage began to slow, Cassandra and Josephine placed their masks on their faces, tying the silk ribbon around the back of their heads. They waited for a carriage in front of theirs to have their passengers get out. When their own carriage rolled forward and the door was opened, Cassandra got out first and when it was Josephine’s turn, she stared up at the light blue building that appeared as though it was at least six stories tall. Several gentlemen looked in their direction, tipped their hats toward them, and then disappeared through the main door. When their carriage rolled away, Cassandra tugged on Josephine’s arm and they made their way to a separate entrance down the side of the building reserved for the ladies.
Two women bouncers stepped aside and one opened the door.
“Good evening, ladies,” one woman spoke.
“A good evening to you, Hermia… Helena,” Cassandra said sw eeping through the portal.
After Josephine went inside, the door shut behind her and she felt as if her fate had been sealed. She took a heavy sigh and squared her shoulders before leaning forward to whisper in Cassandra’s ear.
“Does Mrs. Dove-Lyon employ more women than just the three you mentioned?” Josephine asked as she gazed around at her surroundings. Candles lit the foyer displaying the opulence of a beautiful home. She could only image what the rest of the place would look like.
“Well, there are more, I suppose, including the servants,” Cassandra replied. She leaned forward to whisper in Josephine’s ear. “One of the top floors of this place houses women who will be paid to spend time with a gentleman as long as they can afford it, if you get my meaning. Don’t worry… you’ll never see them.”
Josephine tried not to be too surprised at the thought of prostitutes being employed here, especially given her own past. It was certainly none of her business and she was more concerned with getting through the night. They were escorted down a hallway and then led into an office where Mrs. Dove-Lyon waited. She was certainly in widow’s attire including a heavy veil that hid her features. In fact, this woman was so concealed in black, it was difficult to tell anything about her including her age.
“Ladies… welcome to my Lyon’s Den,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon murmured while a servant entered and offered them champagne.
“We’re happy to be here, are we not, Josephine?” Cassandra said waiting for her reply. When she didn’t answer, she continued. “Tell Mrs. Dove-Lyon how happy we are to be here, Josephine.”
Josephine could only nod her head. “Yes… yes, of course. So pleased to be here. Thank you for inviting us.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon let out a soft chuckle. “I am sure you are terribly overwhelmed, Mrs. Bouchard, but think of this as a grand adventure. You’ll be enjoying yourself in no time.”
“If you say so,” Josephine managed to murmur and then proceeded to take a sip of her drink. She tried not to cough when the bubbles tickled her throat.
“Josephine, don’t be rude,” Cassandra scolded. “Please forgive her Mrs.—”
“There is nothing to forgive, Mrs. Vaughn,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon replied. “I know this place can be a bit intimidating for someone who hasn’t been here before. But the rules are simple. The ladies often stay on this floor, but they are permitted to venture down below to where the men play their games of chance. You may observe from the balcony for your pleasure. Since you are new to my establishment, you should know that the bets the gentlemen place on the games they decide to play are sometimes not of the normal variety. Do not be surprised when or if you see a gentleman lose whatever they’ve eaten for the evening. There is one table in particular where something is put in the beverages, and the player with the losing hand is required to drink. Bets are laid as to who will vomit first!”
“My word!” Josephine placed her fingertips over her lips. Another laugh came from the depths of the woman’s veil.
“Rest assured, every gentleman is perfectly aware that the bets are odd, and the house generally always wins. It’s one of the ways I can ensure my matchmaking business is a success. But even knowing they are bound to lose, and that I may ask for quite a bit from them as their forfeit—including compelling them to court the woman I have selected for them—they still play, the silly fools, and some eventually find themselves wed to someone who is perfect for them. I promise I shall only look for the very best husband for you, Mrs. Bouchard, and soon you shall be returned to your rightful place in Society. I stake my reputation on it, and I always find the perfect match for those who pay my fees.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon stood, and Josephine took that as their cue that their audience with the woman was over. Before they left, the lady told them to continue to return each night and she would keep them informed when the next steps would be required.
From that point on, Josephine followed Cassandra through the dining room where several women were seated. The buffet looked divine but Josephine knew if she tried to eat anything, it would most likely not settle in her stomach so she passed. They tried their hands at several games of cards but that only lightened Josephine’s purse. A roar of male laughter reached their ears and several women began to make their way to the balcony to see what the ruckus was all about. Cassandra took Josephine by the elbow and steered her to the railing where they could look down into the gambling room of men.
Josephine held onto the marble edge as if its support would be needed so she didn’t fall into a dead faint. There at one of the tables was her brother, Simon, who just raised his head from a bucket that had been placed near his feet, giving evidence to what the bet may have been at that particular table. It had been over four years since she last saw her brother’s face, which even from this distance appeared ashen. But Simon wasn’t the reason she felt as if she were going to pass out. No… it was because of the man who stood behind him. He surveyed the crowd with an angry scowl before scooping up what remained of her brother’s coins carelessly tossed upon the table.
Gyles… her heart flipped as if it were only yesterday that she stood before him pleading with him to confess he had feelings for her. She had hoped that day that the marquis would be her savior. In the end, he had become her downfall when his rejection had driven her into the arms of a fortune hunter.