The Rogue’s Christmas Gift (Wicked Widows League #24)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

K itty Delcour walked through Pleasure House passing half-dressed women and men rushing to prepare for the evening event. Inhaling deeply, her gaze roamed around. Pride filled her every single time she observed all that she had built.

When she’d first arrived at Pleasure House as a girl of seventeen, it had been a dilapidated piece of property with chipped paint, broken windows, and fireplaces that smoked. For years, she had tried to repair the old mansion, but her husband, Jacques, had preferred to spend his money on gambling and women. After he died rather suddenly because of a jealous husband, Kitty had become nearly destitute with four working girls and two men.

She’d built Pleasure House out of nothing but her own two hands, and every single night as she watched the people that she protected and cared for prepare for the evening, she could not help but to feel victorious.

There were many horrors that could’ve happened to Kitty after Jacques’s death, but somehow, she had not only survived, she’d thrived. Quite a difficult accomplishment for a woman of African descent.

Stopping in the middle of the entrance hall, a smile played on her lips as she took in the décor. From the floor to ceiling embroidered drapes to the plush carpet, there wasn’t a single space at Pleasure House that was not a representative of her particular taste. Fresh flowers lined the walls in decorative French and Italian vases. Gold-framed paintings with erotic depictions of various women and men hung on the crimson walls.

Seeing the entire establishment covered in evergreen boughs and mistletoe for the Christmas season bought joy to her heart.

Kitty gazed down at her old pocket watch, a gift from Harrison, the boy she had once loved. Excitement bubbled in her veins at the thought of seeing him that evening. There were an unprecedented number of gentlemen in town for December because of a special session of Parliament. Usually, most of society retired to their country homes after the London Season, returning in April at the opening of Parliament.

As the Earl of Hendershot, Harrison would usually return to his family’s estate in Somerset, but that was not the case this year, and Kitty could not contain her joy at having him near. They had spent the last year revolving around each other like she was the sun and he the moon. She’d tried to fight the pull she had felt toward him as a girl, but in truth, she was tired of resisting him. Tired of resisting them.

Since the moment they’d found each other again, he’d still expressed feelings for her, but how could they be together after years apart? Not only did she not inform him of the one secret she’d kept from him, but being with him would mean she’d lose everything that she’d worked so hard for.

Holding her head up high, she shook off the melancholy that threatened to consume her whenever she thought about that time in her life. Marriage was not a possibility for her, but she knew that a man like Harrison would one day have to marry. Kitty was sure that the next Countess of Hendershot would not be a owner of a gentlemen’s club.

“Fifteen minutes, ladies and gentlemen,” she called out in a booming voice as Alice, one of her newer ladies, rushed down the stairs gripping a gold gown in her hands.

“Madame! I don’t know how it happened,” Alice said, holding up the gown that was torn at the skirts.

Kitty eyed the torn fabric before her eyes roamed around the room, catching the gaze of Lilias, an older woman, before she turned away from Kitty’s gaze.

Lilias' jealousy for the younger woman had grown at an alarming rate since Alice had joined Pleasure House earlier that year. In the beginning, the older and more experienced Lilias had been a mentor and a teacher to Alice, like she was with all the ladies and men that joined the establishment. That was until one of her exclusive customers, the Duke of Blackwood, switched his attention from Lilias to Alice.

Kitty released a loud exhale, knowing that she would have to speak with Lilias before the other woman did something unforgiveable. She had learned a long time ago that owning a gentlemen’s club filled with emotional women took a certain temperament. Lilias worked for Kitty’s late husband and was one of the original girls when she had first arrived, so they had known eachother a long time. She could admit that the entirety of their relationship hadn’t always been cordial.

“Perhaps you could wear another one of your gowns. Or I could lend you something of mine,” Kitty said, appraising the younger woman’s size.

She was smaller than Kitty, with a tiny waist, wide hips, and an ample bosom, but Kitty was sure that one of her gowns could fit her.

“Oh Madame, I couldn’t, besides the duke insisted I wear the gold gown especially for him tonight,” she said, wringing her hands together.

Kitty watched the younger woman, not liking how nervous she was about upsetting the duke. It was her job to ensure that every woman in her employ was safe and secure. She took the welfare and care of her employees seriously, like they were her own family, because they were.

Years earlier, Kitty had been disowned by her father, left without a home or protection or anyone to turn to. Her savior, Jacques Delcour, an acquaintance of her Uncle John’s, was a charming, older Frenchman. When she’d been broken-hearted, alone, and carrying another man’s child, Jacques had offered Kitty security and a home. He was the perfect protector she’d needed to forget the love she’d lost.

Theirs was a tumultuous relationship filled with laughter, infatuation, and passion. She’d thought he would help her forget Harrison, but his devotion was fleeting. Once Jacques had wooed and seduced Kitty into becoming his wife with promises of protecting and caring for her unborn child, everything had changed. A part of her believed that he’d wanted the dream of a family and respectability, but with his character, it was nearly impossible to want the reality of such things.

Once she knew her husband’s profession and he’d introduced her to the few occupants of the Pleasure House, everything had changed. Back then, the house had been nothing but a dilapidated mansion he’d inherited from his maternal grandfather.

After only two months of being married, she soon realized that her new husband’s affections and promises were fleeting. He was never cruel to her, but he preferred to entertain himself with many women, and he didn’t particularly feel the need to hide his behavior from Kitty. After she lost Harrison’s child, she felt empty and lost. All she had was Pleasure House.

“Madame, what should I do?” Alice asked Kitty, ripping her from the past.

Inhaling deeply, Kitty held out her hand for the torn dress, waiting patiently for Alice to relinquish it. Placing the muslin gown in Kitty’s outstretched hand, Alice nodded with watery eyes.

“Leave it to me.” Kitty smiled at the younger woman before turning and striding to where Lilias pretended to be adjusting herself in the large gilded mirror against the wall. “Lilias, my study, please,” Kitty commanded without stopping as she strolled down the hall.

Pressing her fingers to her temple, she tried to calm herself before speaking with Lilias. They had come a long way together since Kitty had first arrived at Pleasure House. Then, the other woman was Jacques' preferred lover and had not taken kindly to Kitty usurping her. It had taken tragedy, resilience, and a firm hand to turn the other woman’s attitude around. That and the fact that Kitty had ceased caring about her husband’s bed mates mere months after marrying him. If she’d ever cared at all.

Strolling through her small empire, she smiled at her employees before entering the large room at the end of the hall. In a traditional home, it would’ve been a smaller dining area, but at Pleasure House, it functioned as their modiste’s studio. The resident seamstress, Emmaline Winters, joined the staff a few years back and had become a close friend of Kitty’s.

Rolls of fabric, dresses, and suits filled the open space. Worktables lined the walls as Emmaline sat behind a small desk, sewing a blue waistcoat.

“Emma, we have an emergency,” Kitty said, holding the gold gown up.

Emmaline’s dark eyes darted up before they went back to the garment she was currently working on. “Since when don’t we have an emergency minutes before patrons are due to arrive?”

Kitty laughed, placing the dress down in front of Emmaline. “That is true. However, this really needs your attention right away.” She spread out the fabric, revealing the torn skirt.

Kitty stifled the burst of laughter that was threatening to burst free as the other woman comically froze before gently ghosting her fingers over the fine muslin in front of her. “Oh my. This is a Madame Beaumont original.” Emmaline said, mesmerized.

The rounder, slightly older woman pulled the fabric across the worktable, bringing it closer for her inspection. Her dark spectacles slid down her nose, and she quickly pushed them back up without taking her eyes off the torn section of the gown.

Kitty tried not to take amusement at the sight in front of her, but it was comical to watch her employee worship a piece of fabric as if the famous modiste Madame Beaumont were right in front of her.

Emmaline had been more like a sister to Kitty in the years since she’d arrived at Kitty’s door with no family or connections. Very much the same way that Kitty had been since she left Nottingham for London.

The seamstress was the first person Kitty had felt a connection with since she had left her own sister, Daphne.

Years had passed with no word from her parents or younger sister, but it mattered not, because the occupants of Pleasure House were her family now. She also took comfort in knowing that Harrison was a small part of her life, no matter how temporary he may be. Kitty reveled in the small stolen moments they found with each other. A small part of her wanted more. The seventeen-year-old girl in her wanted everything from him again, but the woman she was now knew better.

“Can you repair it?” Kitty asked, tapping her foot against the lush black carpet.

There were several other things that required her attention before the ball, but instead, she was dealing with petty jealous disputes.

“I can mend it, but who had the audacity to commit such a travesty?” Emmaline shook her head from side to side, lifting the damaged skirt.

“Lilias,” Kitty exhaled the name, knowing that it was time she spoke to the woman.

Not that Lilias was a disagreeable person by any means. But once she felt threatened or challenged in any way, she could become cruel and vengeful. And Kitty would not permit that to happen at Pleasure House.

She prided herself that Pleasure House was a haven for women and men who chose such a profession. Although Kitty had never been in such dire circumstances as to sell her body, she had met countless women and men who had no choice but to turn to the world’s oldest profession. It was an honor to be chosen as their Madame to ensure their safety and livelihood.

Often, she wondered why Jacques Delcour had married her instead of propositioning her to work at Pleasure House. He could’ve easily put her to work after her child was born, but he had married her and taught her everything he’d known about running a house of pleasure. Though Kitty was thankful that he did indeed save her, she often wondered what set her apart from anyone else. Over the years, she had pondered the thought to exhaustion, until she realized that the one thing Jacques coveted above women was respectability. There was nothing more respectable than becoming a husband and a father.

Emmaline sucked at her teeth loudly. “Figures she’d be upset that Alice has Blackwood captivated.” She shrugged a plump shoulder, her rich brown skin gleaming in the candlelit room.

“Indeed, we both know that she does not take rejection well.” Kitty looked at her watch again, turning to leave.

“Perhaps Lilias should learn how to be innocent again?” Emmaline rummaged through a set of old, worn brown drawers to her right.

Kitty couldn’t help but to laugh at the comment. “I don’t know if Lilias remembers ever being innocent. Do you?” Kitty asked, happy that she could solve one problem swiftly.

Now all she had to do was to speak with Lilias and ensure the petty nonsense stopped before someone got hurt or terminated. She had gained two more women recently, twin sisters, but she needed the more experienced women to mentor the newer members. Despite her unpredictable attitude, Lilias was an excellent mentor.

“I don’t remember at all,” Emmaline whispered, a dark shadow crossing her countenance. “But I know a particular earl remembers your innocence very well.” Her friend teased her, winking one eye suggestively at Kitty. “Will the earl be attending tonight?

“Perhaps. The earl has not informed me of his plans for the evening,” she said, trying to hide the small dash of hope in her voice.

Kitty rushed out of the room, thankful that her dark skin would conceal the heat rising on her cheeks. She had confided her history with Harrison to Emmaline long ago, after a night of too much indulgence in her finest brandy.

As a girl, she had loved Harrison more than anything in the world. Now he was the man she resisted with every inch of her being. Kitty could admit that his constant marriage proposals thrilled her, but it was becoming distracting since she could never marry him. Not that she didn’t want to be with Harrison; it was more that she would lose everything including herself. That, and the fact she wasn’t entirely sure he would ever forgive her for the real reason she’d married Jacques.

Harrison had always been the kindest person she’d ever known, but surely even he had his limits. Would he forgive Kitty once he learned the truth about their child?

With one task scheduled to be handled, Kitty reached her study, ready to have a word with Lilias, but before she could enter, her head of security, Siegfried, strolled up to her.

His blond hair hung to his shoulders, his piercing blue eyes serious. There was no hint of a smile on his handsome face. Often, both men and women would approach Kitty inquiring about her stern security guard, wondering if he was on the Pleasure House menu—he was not.

“Madame, there is a line forming, shall we open the doors?” he asked, stopping in front of her.

“A line, again?” Kitty asked.

It was rare that they were busy during the winter months. Most of the aristocracy were away at their country homes, but this year, Parliament had called a special session.

Usually, the months after the season saw Pleasure House filled with repairs, staffing the household and interviewing for new members of the pleasure staff. Kitty rarely added more than one or two new people a year. She hand-selected most of the ladies and men at Pleasure House. Being chosen as a Pleasure House Pleaser was an honor that women and men throughout England coveted.

It was a name she had chosen after Jacques’s death because courtesan, mistress, prostitute, and light skirt were all unfavorable terms in Kitty’s opinion.

“This one’s longer than most during the fucking season. Seems like the gents have all returned to Town without their balls and chains,” Siegfried good-naturedly cursed, chuckling to himself.

Kitty brushed back a stray dark curl, there went the quiet evening she’d been hoping for. “Open the doors, but ensure that no one who is not a member enters. No exceptions; they must have clearance,” Kitty said, placing her hand on the door handle of her study. “And perhaps we should look into hiring more security for the Christmas Ball.”

Siegfried nodded his agreement. “I’ve already sent out missives to the usual gents.”

“Good. We’re going to need extra help if there is already a line in December,” she said, turning to enter her study.

In the past, there had been several incidents where gentlemen and ladies of the ton tried to enter Pleasure House without being a member. That would never happen as long as Kitty was the owner.

When her late husband had run the business, he’d allowed any manner of scoundrels and reprobates to enter their establishment. It was Kitty who’d suggested a more exclusive membership and clientele. This protected every employee from unwanted attention.

Siegfried nodded his head before he walked away to do Kitty’s bidding. She trusted the man with her life and her livelihood. Siegfried and his team of three men and one female would ensure that every single person at Pleasure House remained protected.

Entering her study, she found Lilias sitting lazily on the black chaise lounge in the corner—like she hadn’t destroyed someone’s property.

Her light complexion and silky hair hinted of the aristocratic father that she had constantly claimed since Kitty had arrived at Pleasure House. Lilias was a stunning woman, a fact that she used to her advantage.

“Kitty, I know what you’re thinking.” Lilias stood, holding her hands out in front of her.

Walking over to the other woman, Kitty folded her arms and cocked her head to the side. “Kitty?” she asked.

Over the years, her and Lilias’ dislike for eachother had other turned into a functional and highly profitable working relationship. Some days they jested and laughed together, and there was the occasional conversation about clients, London, and the monthly activities that Kitty planned for the house occupants. However, Kitty wouldn’t describe them as friends. If they were friends, a friend would know not to tear another woman’s dress out of pure spite. And a friend would definitely know to address her using her proper title as mistress of Pleasure House.

Lilias closed her eyes for mere moments, and let out a loud sigh of frustration before she opened them again. “Madame,” she said the word like it caused her great pain. “Alice is being dramatic. Perhaps she is too young for this profession or at least Pleasure House. If you recall, I had my doubts when you hired her?—”

Having heard enough, Kitty held up her hand. “Your doubts about whom I hire for my business is of no concern to me.” She folded her arms against her ample bosom, never breaking eye contact with the other woman. “What is my concern is that you have actively targeted Alice and destroyed her property. As you know that type of behavior is not acceptable at Pleasure House.”

“If Jacques were here things would be different.” Lilias glared at Kitty defiantly. “Perhaps Pierre should be owner.”

Kitty took several deep breaths at the mention of both Jacques and his lying brother, Pierre. For the past year Kitty had been in an ongoing court battle with Pierre Delcour. Her late husband’s brother claimed he was the rightful owner of Pleasure House because he had given Jacques the funds to start the business.

“You’re correct. If Jacques were here, you would be barely eating and living in squalor, still. He would’ve allowed any manner of gentlemen to enter and do whatever he pleased to you.” She took a step forward, invading the other woman’s personal space. “Now you live in comfort, safety, and if I’m correct, have gathered a small fortune over the years. All which we both know you would not have gained if my late husband were still alive. As for his brother, Pierre will never take what I have built with my own two hands.”

Unlike Jacques, his brother was reckless and only cared for himself. They had met a few times when Jacques was alive. After her husband’s death, she had not seen Pierre in years, until he had returned to London demanding a part of her business and its income.

She could remember the condition of Pleasure House when she had arrived with Jacques three days after their wedding night. Then, he did not vet the men entering, nor did he pay attention to the treatment of his employees. It was Kitty who had seen the need for a firmer hand on both patrons and staff. Kitty who had worked tirelessly to make the ramshackle mansion into a sophisticated place of business. It was she who had made sure every man and woman working at Pleasure House would always be safe. Kitty would not allow Pierre to ruin everything that she had built—she would fight him with everything in her power.

“I did not mean any disrespect?—”

Kitty wanted to roll her eyes at Lilias. The other woman was many things, but respectable was not one of them. They’d disagreed over the years, but mostly, she and Lilias actually worked well together. Lilias was the most senior member of Pleasure House and because of that, many other occupants depended on her knowledge and experience.

Loud, rambunctious voices traveled from the hallway to the study, and she could hear the footsteps of men being ushered into the ballroom. “Yet, you found it necessary to mention Jacques who has been dead seven years.” Kitty tampered down her growing anger as she waited patiently for Lilias to answer, but she knew very well that the other woman did indeed mean her comment as an insult.

“There was no need for me to mention Jacques and Pierre. I do not understand why Alice receives special favors,” she huffed out, her cheeks reddening. “The duke was mine until she came along. He offered me the position of his mistress, then she came along and ruined everything.”

Kitty couldn’t help the chuckle that came from her lips. The utter nerve of this woman. “May I remind you I kept you employed at Pleasure House despite our differences, but do not think for a moment that I will allow your insolence. If you wanted to be the duke’s mistress so badly, then you should’ve worked your feminine wiles a little harder, but since that is not the case, you may not take your anger out on Alice. Do I make myself clear?”

Kitty raised an eyebrow at Lilias. They were of similar height, both tall for their sex, but that was where their comparison ended.

“Perfectly, Madame.” The disturbingly cheery smile that Lilias plastered on her thin lips had Kitty suspecting that Lilias was far from done with Alice and the duke.

“Excellent. I’m glad we understand each other. Have a good evening, and perhaps you can secure another duke.” Kitty turned, walking toward the large desk at the far corner of her study.

“Perhaps, or maybe an earl,” Lilias sneered, causing Kitty to whip her head toward the other woman, watching her leave the study.

Lilias’s comment had everything to do with Harrison. It was no secret in Pleasure House that the earl fancied Kitty. Although, no one but Emmaline knew of their shared history, it was clear from the way he always sought Kitty out at every event. His penetrating stare set her body on fire.

But none of it mattered, he could never learn the truth and she would never give up her independence. Kitty had worked too hard building Pleasure House into the empire it was, and nothing would take that away from her. Not even love.

Walking behind her desk, Kitty shook her head, trying to rid herself of all thoughts of Harrison.

“I thought you would hide here,” the playful voice that she knew as well as her own called from the open door.

Her head sprung up, her gaze raking over the impressive vision of the man in front of her. Harrison Montlake, the Earl of Hendershot.