Wicked Deceptions - Amy Cecil Page 0,11

her intently as she threads the needle, and I realize it is a good thing she had a dress because frankly, I would not have known where to begin to make one myself.

We spend the afternoon visiting while she continues to work. A little before five, Gabriella puts her sewing basket away and hides the dress. “I will continue tomorrow while Jonathan is at work. He would not understand and will probably be upset that I am helping you with this crazy idea.”

“Why are you helping me, Gabriella?”

She pauses and then says, “Because you have suffered great loss, and I just want to see you happy. When you told me about your idea, it was the first time I ever saw you genuinely smile.” She smiles. “I will not lie, I want you to have something better than selling yourself, but if this is what you want, who am I to stand in your way? All I can do is to help you get what you want and be there if you need me. So, if mistress to a wealthy man is what you want, then so be it.”

“Thank you, Gabriella, for understanding. I may be horribly wrong, but I believe this is a stepping-stone to getting a better life for myself. And who knows, I just might fall madly in love with him.” She shakes her head as if I have lost my mind, but she says nothing further.

A few days later, there is a knock on my flat door. I open it, and Gabriella is there beaming. “I have finished it. I am so excited for you to try it on,” she says as she walks into my flat, the beautiful dress draped over her arm.

I take the garment from her and run behind the dressing divider to put the dress on. It is perfect! I step out and say, “Oh, Gabriella, it is perfect! Thank you so much.”

“So, Katerina, I have to ask. Do you have any idea where you’re going to start?”

I shake my head. “No, I have not thought that far.”

“It is something you need to think about. There are prostitutes and then there are courtesans. You, my dear, need to be a courtesan. They are higher-class prostitutes and receive a much better clientele.”

“And how do I become a courtesan?”

“Remember when I said I had a past? Well, I have a friend. Jonathan does not allow me to see her much because she has a questionable profession, but I believe she is exactly who you are looking for.

Chapter 5

Paris, France

August 1915

It’s been several months since Gabriella introduced me to Madame LaRue, and although this life is the furthest thing I could have ever imagined for my future, I like it. Not to mention, I am rather good at it. Not the sex part of it all, for I would not know. But I find that my looks and my figure are pleasing to the men who frequent her brothel, so I am often requested.

She has asked on several occasions to use my family background as a draw, but I have refused. I told her my background, hoping it would help in her hiring me, but I personally do not want the fact that I am a Romanov to be public knowledge. Thankfully, she respects my wishes. I think it is really not needed, since her clientele has doubled since I started taking clients.

I actually have acquired regulars, and they shower me with very expensive and valuable jewels, many of which I sell. I do make good money, but the extra income from the jewels gives me a little extra to set aside in the event of another life-altering catastrophe, which I fully expect to happen considering my life so far. You would think I would be quite used to them by now, but the fear of more change is always right there in the back of my mind, reminding me that whatever I may have now can easily be gone tomorrow.

Leonid was livid when he learned of my plan and tried on several occasions to stop me. But when it came down it, the fact remained that if one of us did not provide an income, we would starve. Leonid was older, and although he tried, he was not a good candidate for the jobs available to him. I tried as well, and it was the same as before, no qualifications. When I reminded him he is not my father nor my brother and that