Behind the Courtesan - By Bronwyn Stuart Page 0,48
In London my lifestyle is accepted in some circles, but here...” She sighed. “Here I may as well have leprosy for all anyone will give me a chance.”
“I gave you a chance.”
She finally turned to look him in the eye. Is that what he thought this was? This was her chance? “You gave me a chance to prove my mettle only after losing your temper.”
“That might be so, but it’s a chance nonetheless.”
“Why, how magnanimous of you to bestow this great honor upon me.”
“Don’t twist my words. You are doing a fine job here, Sophie. Not a one would argue that.”
“That entire room full of women would beg to differ.”
“This is where you show them what you have shown me. Show them that you are a woman and not a leper. Since when did their opinions become so important anyway?”
He was right. She did not need the approval of her sex. She did not need their disapproval to make her regret her life either. She wasn’t proud to be a courtesan though she did take pride in her handling of the situation. She had arrived in London with barely more than the clothes on her back and a child of rape growing in her womb and now she had means. She was really quite wealthy, and until she had returned to Blakiston, she had been content if not happy.
How could a few remarks from an old biddy reduce her to tears? She was Sophia Martin. She straightened and lifted her chin.
“There you are,” Blake murmured.
“Here I am,” was her reply.
* * *
Sophia had only met Dominic’s sister, Maria, the day before and already she liked the girl. At thirteen she was young enough to have not been informed about the inner workings of London’s demimonde and old enough to form her own opinions. It gave Sophia hope, having just one ally. Two if she counted the fact that Maria’s mother knew Sophia worked at the inn and still let her only daughter go to work.
After waiting for Maria to arrive and take over the lunch preparation, Sophia went back in to the tap to try to make peace and show the women for that day, she was in charge.
“Ladies, can I have your attention please?”
It wasn’t entirely necessary for her to raise her voice, since they had all fallen silent again within moments of her arrival, but it made her feel better. As though she had rediscovered control in a situation that needed it.
“I’m afraid Blake is indisposed at the moment. Would you like refreshments? Morning tea?”
When Sophia met Annie’s eyes, the woman paled. “Annie, would you care for tea?”
“I am Mrs. Simpkins to you, gel.”
“Since we weren’t properly introduced, I wasn’t sure. Tea then?”
Sophia didn’t wait for a reply as her gaze moved from one woman to the next.
“I would like tea,” Violet spoke up.
The poor woman was likely famished. It must have taken a great deal of courage (or discomfort) to respond. “Something to eat as well?” While she was pushing her luck, she may as well see how far she could go.
“Yes, please.”
She could have hugged her sister-in-law in that moment, but had to settle for a smile in her direction. She wasn’t sure why Violet was treating her less like she was diseased than she had at their dinner on her first night, but she didn’t care. It was progress. “Excellent. I will only be offering once, Ladies. I have many things to do and Blake is quite ill, so I don’t have time to spare.”
“Ill?” came a voice from her right.
“You said he was all right,” came another.
“He has some injuries, but nothing rest won’t cure. For the moment he is unable to run the inn.”
“So you’re doing it?” This question came from a young girl. Sophia would guess her to be around sixteen.
“I am.”
A murmur rippled through the women and Sophia had to bite her lip to stop her smile. This was how to win over a room full of Blakiston women. She couldn’t hope to impress them all, but perhaps showing her strengths and that she wasn’t there to steal husbands would do for a beginning.
Once the tea was served and the general atmosphere less hostile, she retrieved her basket of medical supplies and went in search of Blake. Regardless of how she felt about being close to him, his health had to take precedence over her embarrassment. Perhaps after their moment in the yard, he would have forgotten the previous night’s lack