The Formidable Earl (Diamonds in the Rough #6) - Sophie Barnes Page 0,3

man looking to have a good time. Few clients were bachelors. The majority were either betrothed or married, which was why Amourette’s was as popular as it was. Because it promised discretion.

Leaning forward for a clearer look, Ida watched as Philipa played the hostess. She paired each man who arrived with one of the available courtesans, who then either escorted her companion into the parlor or upstairs to her bedchamber. None of the men ever spotted Ida. They were much too preoccupied by the courtesans to do so, and in any case, she was sitting away from the steps, on the landing just past the spot where the banister turned.

Her face pressed against the balusters for a better view. She’d recognized the previous man who’d arrived. He was a regular client who came once a week and always asked to see the same girl. Ida watched as her aunt escorted him toward the red parlor, engaging him in conversation as they went. Their voices eventually faded, leaving nothing but silence behind in the now empty foyer.

The front door opened again and a new gentleman entered. Seen from above, it was hard for Ida to gauge his height except by measuring him against the painting that hung immediately to his left. His shoulders appeared to reach the lower part of the frame, making him several inches taller than she. He removed his hat, allowing her to see the top of his head, which was covered by lustrous hair colored in shades of oak and chestnut brown. His build was both imposing yet somehow elegant at the same time. Perhaps because of the authoritative way in which he moved that suggested high social standing and power.

He glanced around and, finding no one about, looked up.

Ida froze. Even though she knew she ought to hide, she could not seem to move. Her gaze locked with his, her heart pounding harder with each passing second. Heavens, he was far more handsome than she had expected, perhaps the most handsome man she had ever seen.

Eventually, it was he who spoke. “You there.” His voice was not unpleasant, but the arrogance of his tone made Ida tense with irritation. “Will you keep me waiting forever or do you plan on serving me? I haven’t all night.”

Hawthorne hadn’t exaggerated his description of Amourette’s. Simon was impressed with how nice and respectable the building looked, considering its location and the business it housed. The tavern next door, slightly askew with timber-framed walls leaning into the street, seemed to fit the area better. By contrast, Amourette’s appeared to have been built with a love for precision.

When he’d first stepped inside, he’d been both surprised and relieved to find the place empty. In spite of what his friends had said, he’d worried about potentially coming across someone who might know him.

As it turned out, his concerns had been unfounded. Unsure of how to proceed, he’d remained where he was. Waiting. Wondering if he should call out for some assistance.

Until he’d glanced up and spotted her.

Even though the woman was partially hidden behind a railing, her eyes peered through the dimly lit interior to hold him captive. She shifted her gaze to the doors on either side of him before responding. “It will likely take an hour before one of the women is free and ready to accommodate you.” Her eyes met his once more. “They’re all fully occupied at the moment.”

“You’re not,” he said with challenging boldness.

Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not available,” she told him plainly.

He tilted his head and continued to study her. It was impossible for him to see her entire face, but based on her eyes alone, he believed she had to be somewhat pretty. “A pity,” he finally murmured.

There was a pause, and then she slowly stood, revealing a heart shaped face with a delicately positioned nose, a wide mouth with a plump lower lip, and hair spun from strands of gold.

Simon's gaze followed the woman's every movement as she began descending the stairs. She was slim of build with curves in all the right places, and it occurred to him that pretty didn't suffice when it came to describing her. Stunning was a much better word.

His heart kicked up a notch.

“If you’re willing to wait, I can have some food brought up from the kitchen,” she said. “A plate of sandwiches perhaps? There are also newspapers available to help you pass the time.”

Simon merely nodded while she stepped off the bottom step. She passed him