Because of Rebecca - By Leanne Tyler Page 0,46
the chaise, her filmy wrapper dancing in her wake. “How about that drink?”
“No.”
“Black coffee?” She asked, discarding the cigarette butt in a nearby ashtray.
“Yes.”
She pulled twice on a white velvet cord hanging from the ceiling. Within minutes the door opened and a maid rolled in a cart with a coffee service.
“Can I get you anything else, Madame?”
“Please tell Mr. Rory to join us when he’s finished.”
“Yes, Madame.”
Once the maid left, Monique lit another cigarette. She took long draws on it and blew smoke rings into the air.
“When you feel up to it there is fresh water behind my dressing screen and a razor if you wish to clean yourself up. As for your state of dress I cannot provide new, but I can have them cleaned and pressed if you like.”
“And then what?”
Monique smiled saucily and wet her lips. “Then you and Rory are going to make compensation for the damages to my establishment. I feel I’ve been more than tolerant to you boys.”
“How much will it cost to compensate you?”
“Tsk—tsk, I thought you to be a smart man, Mr. Hollingsworth. I don’t want your money. I want you. And Rory, of course, but I can have him whenever I like.”
The door to the room swung open and Rory waltzed in, clean-shaven, sporting bruises and a black eye. “Monique! You look ravishing as always.”
“Ravishing,” she repeated and smiled. “See Mr. Hollingsworth, Rory knows what I like to hear.”
He grinned and winked at Jared. “Monique, what are you up to? He looks mortified.”
She chuckled, went to Rory and wrapped her arms around his neck. She planted a kiss on his mouth. “I think he needs to go back to his plantation and wait for his goody-good to return. I’m too much for him to handle.”
“Exactly where has she gone?” Jared asked, getting to his feet, this time without the need of support. He slowly walked to the beverage cart and poured black coffee into a china cup.
“Sorry, Jared. Her destination is something I cannot tell you.” Rory pulled Monique snug against him, running his hand slowly down her back and cupping her bottom before squeezing. “As for you, you saucy wench, leave him alone.”
Pouting, Monique pushed Rory away. “Then both of you get out before I think better of it. And if I see either of you here again I’ll have you thrown out.”
“You heard the woman, Jared. Let’s go.” Rory grabbed his waistcoat from an overturned chair. He put it on then winked at their hostess. “Until later.”
The men walked outside into the brightness of the new day. Jared frowned, hurrying to keep up with Rory. “Exactly where do you think you’re going?” he asked as they walked down Amherst toward the more respectable side of town.
“Home, of course.”
“And where is that?”
“Oak Hill.” Rory stopped and grinned, holding up both hands. “Surely all is forgiven after I saved your hide in there.”
Jared snorted. “Saved me? From what?”
“Monique. She’s a barracuda in bed.”
“Do you honestly think I couldn’t hold my own with a woman like her?” He began walking again.
Rory laughed. “You’ve never met a woman like Monique. She has mystical powders and oils she uses on men to make them a slave to her whims. Monique may be a Madame, but when she sees something she likes, she gets it, and from the way she looked at you, dear cousin, she wanted you and wanted you bad. I should be upset, but Monique is Monique.”
Jared ignored him. “That still doesn’t mean you’re welcome at Oak Hill. There is the matter of Stuart Delaney and his hold on your markers. How do you propose to pay them off?”
Rory patted his coat pocket. “I’ve got it covered.”
Jared scoffed. “I find it hard to imagine you being able to raise the money.”
“You wound me to the core, cousin.” He staggered, clutching his hands over his heart.
“Don’t be melodramatic. You’re a spendthrift and a gambler, not a thespian. As soon as you get your hands on any amount of money, you go through it as fast as you can. Exactly how long did it take you to spend the inheritance your mother left you?”
“I had a run of bad luck at the tables.”
“Exactly my point!” Jared exclaimed.
Silence accompanied them as they rounded a corner coming upon Higgins and the carriage.
“Mr. Hollingsworth!” The man exclaimed, jumping down from his perch. “Didn’t you find her, sir?”
“I’m afraid not. She was gone by the time I got there, but I did find Rory. As you can see.”
“Mr.