Tempting Mr. Vincent (Ladies of the Night #3)

CHAPTER ONE

Mayor Remy Vincent perused the document in front of him. “This doesn’t look like your standard mistress contract.”

Madam Giselle smiled, a chill frosting her eyes.

He was truly starting to hate the woman.

She’d provided a service to Storyville for over a decade, but recently she’d been taking things too far.

It was one thing to take in women who asked for this way of life, but purchasing young girls from their families, or snatching them from their homes wasn’t something Remy could condone.

“You’re costing me money, Mayor Vincent. You may be one of my best customers, but I have to make a living. Gauthier offered me top dollar for Rachel. You know he likes them young and innocent.”

Yes, he knew all too well about Gauthier and his perversions.

Unfortunately, the man didn’t do anything to break the law.

It was just disgusting the types of things he enjoyed.

Even being in his presence made Remy’s stomach turn.

The thought of him breaking a woman was enough to make bile rise in his throat.

Remy would see this through. Mostly because he’d given his word, but he also didn’t want the woman to suffer.

“This states I cannot purchase another mistress for the next six months.” She couldn’t be serious. Could she? Yes, he was going to purchase Rachel, but he didn’t intend to touch her. He only wanted to keep her away from Gauthier.

She shrugged a shoulder. “Well, not from me at any rate. If you prefer to take your business to a lower class establishment, however…”

Remy knew something it seemed Madam Giselle either didn’t, or wouldn’t, acknowledge.

Rachel was in fact Laurell. The young innocent miss she was trying to sell was the girl’s older sister.

The parents switched them out with no one the wiser.

If a little spy hadn’t gone to the new Baroness Kilnworthy with the information, no one would have known until it was too late.

He didn’t know why the parents had made the switch, and he didn’t care at the moment.

“Eight hundred seems a bit steep for a girl I can’t even sample beforehand.” His gaze scanned the document again. “And it seems there will be no refunds if the girl is returned.”

Not that he was going to return her, but he needed this to look convincing.

He hadn’t the faintest idea what he was going to do with her, other than get her away from Giselle.

Remy had never questioned where the girls had come from in the past, but with the recent abduction of Baron Kilnworthy’s wife, he had begun to have his doubts that the girls were here of their own free will.

It was one thing to pay for the services of someone willing, and another entirely when he knew those girls were forced into this life.

“You can’t make her a virgin again once the fruit is plucked,” Madam Giselle said. “She’ll be worthless to me once her innocence is lost.”

It wasn’t the money, not really. He’d pay anything to save the poor girl.

Maybe it was his advanced years giving him a conscience.

At forty, it was past time for him to set up his own nursery.

Some of these girls were young enough to be his daughter.

His stomach cramped at the thought and he picked up a pen.

With a flourish, he signed his name and handed the document to Madam Giselle.

“It’s done,” he said. “Have her brought down.”

Madam Giselle steepled her fingers and sly smile graced her lips. He’d never despised her before, but right now, he’d love to knock that smirk off her face. Remy had never been one to hit a woman, but he wasn’t entirely certain Giselle was completely human. She was too cold and unfeeling.

“Didn’t even want to see her beforehand?” Madam Giselle asked.

“All of your girls are beautiful in their own unique ways. I’m sure she’s no different.”

With a snap of her fingers, Madam Giselle sent one of her henchmen scurrying out the door, supposedly to retrieve his new mistress.

What a mess. Knowing the girl’s story, he couldn’t very well use her as he would someone he’d actually purchased.

Why had he answered the door last night when Baron Kilnworthy had stopped by?

He should have told Winston to inform the man he wasn’t available to callers.

And yet, if he had done so, this young woman’s life would have been handed over to a monster.

There was a rustle behind him and he turned, his heart kicking violently in his chest when his gaze landed on the young woman in the doorway.

Her hair, a beautiful deep chocolate brown, nearly black, tumbled from its pins and fell across her shoulders and down to her waist. There were dark smudges under her hazel eyes and her face was a little too pale, but she was still breathtaking.

Her figure was sweetly curved, even if her dress didn’t fit quite right.

“Rachel, this is Mayor Vincent,” Madam Giselle said. “He’s just purchased you.”

There was a hint of fear in the woman’s eyes, but she held silent.

A tremor raked her body and he wondered what she’d suffered already.

Had Giselle tried to train her in the ways of men?

She seemed to be such a gentle creature, and he was glad he’d just signed away his right to bed a woman for six months.

He’d gladly do it again if it meant she’d be safe.

“If our business is concluded, I believe I’ll take Rachel home now,” Remy said.

Madam Giselle laughed. “Surely you aren’t taking her to your home. I know you keep a house in Storyville for your mistresses. Why not take her there?”

Because he couldn’t take a lady to a whore’s home, that’s why.

Besides, he didn’t trust Giselle. If he didn’t keep the girl under his constant care, the madam could very well try to steal her back.

He wouldn’t put it past her. If a married woman was fair game to her, he could only imagine how she’d feel about someone she deemed one of her whores.

“What I do, or don’t do, with Rachel is no longer your concern, Giselle. Send one of your men around in the morning and I’ll give them a bank draft for the agreed upon amount. You know I’m good for it.”

Madam Giselle’s eyes hardened. “And why can’t he get it from you tonight?”

“Because I want some time alone with Rachel.”

Madam Giselle folded her arms and gave him a calculating glare. “If the balance isn’t paid in full, the contract isn’t finalized, Mayor Vincent. Which means she’s still fair game for Gauthier.”

He sighed. A headache was forming between his eyes and Remy wanted to rub at the spot, but he wouldn’t show weakness of any kind. Giselle, and this transaction, were quickly becoming a pain. As mayor, he dealt with enough on a daily basis without adding anything extra.

“Very well. Have him follow us home. I’ll pay him tonight.

” Remy knew it was the only way to get rid of her, at least temporarily.

He had no doubt that within six months, she’d be back, wanting him to hand the woman back over to her.

He had no intention of doing that, but Giselle didn’t know that.

The contract didn’t state he had to return her, and he’d hold the madam to the agreement.

Madam Giselle nodded.

Remy stepped closer to the frightened young woman and held out his hand. “I won’t hurt you,” he promised.

Tentatively, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to lead her to the waiting carriage outside.

He didn’t want to chance his driver hearing something he shouldn’t, so Remy kept quiet on the ride home, instead choosing to watch his lovely companion.

Her hands fidgeted in her lap and her gaze never strayed from the window.

Even sitting across from her, he could see her pulse pounding in her throat.

It was a twenty minute drive to his home from the brothel.

When they arrived, the downstairs windows were lit.

His housekeeper and butler knew about his errand tonight and it seemed they wanted the house to look warm and inviting when the young woman saw it for the first time.

He’d made certain they understood what was happening, and that Laurell wasn’t truly his mistress but a guest in his home.

Remy helped Laurell out of the carriage and escorted her inside, with Madam Giselle’s henchman on their heels. He went straight to his study, eased Laurell into a chair, and pulled a bank draft from his desk. He quickly filled it in and handed it to the man hovering in the doorway.

“I believe that concludes my business with Madam Giselle,” Remy said. “See that she gets that this evening.”

The man nodded and backed out of the room. When they were left alone, Remy stood and poured himself a brandy before reclaiming his chair. Laurell looked nervous, and he couldn’t blame her. She had no idea what was really going on.

“Laurell.”

At her true name, her gaze jerked to his.

“Yes, I know who you really are. It seems you made an impression on young Ann and she went for help.” He smiled. “I was to be your knight in shining armor, but it didn’t turn out quite the way I’d planned.”

Hope lit her eyes, and he hated that he’d have to tell her the complete truth. He’d have every intention of going to Giselle and demanding that she release Laurell, but the woman had turned the tables on him. She hadn’t been willing to part with what she considered her latest asset.

“You mean you didn’t really buy me?”

“Oh no, my dear. I really bought you.” Remy Vincent swirled the brandy in his glass, as he stared at the woman in front of him.

The first thing he’d have to do would be hire a seamstress.

The gown she wore appeared two sizes too small for her petite frame.

“What, precisely, am I to do with you? That’s the question.

Obviously, I can’t return you to your parents.

I’m guessing you don’t have any skills other than managing a house. ”