Behind the Courtesan’s Mask Read Online Free PDF Page B

to drink it. He could tell she was nervous by the way she was cradling her cup with both hands. She looked much younger today, her luxuriant hair confined in a heavy bun at her nape. Her skin really was flawless. He wondered how many men had touched it since he had. How many men had shared her body? How many men had claimed her lips? Disgust warred with something horribly akin to jealousy.
    Troy pushed back his chair and got to his feet, leaning against the wooden mantel over the empty grate. “Four days ago, when I came here. I deceived you,” he said baldly. “My name is Troy Templeton, the Earl of Ettrick. At present, I am assigned to the British embassy in Italy. The ambassador there is Lord Wheetley Montague.” He waited, but La Perla made no sign of recognition. Troy sighed. “To be clear, madam, I came here on business, but not the sort of business you normally transact. I had no intention of paying you for your services.”
    â€œSuch vast sums as you offered,” Constance said with a frown. “Did you think I would take you seriously?”
    â€œA thousand for the night, I was reliably informed, is the going rate.” Reliably informed from several sources, in fact, one of whom claimed to have been accepted, and further claimed it was worth twice that.
    â€œGood heavens, really? A thousand pounds?” Annalisa had been proud of her exclusiveness, certainly, but she had not translated it into financial terms, and Constance, determined not to judge, had deliberately avoided the issue.
    â€œA thousand guineas,” Troy said, watching the emotions flitting across her beautiful countenance in confusion. There was a glaze of tears in those big almond eyes, a hint of sorrow. Despite his resolution to get this over and get out, he was intrigued. And in danger of becoming distracted! “The amount is irrelevant, it is what it signifies that matters.”
    â€œAnd what does it signify?”
    Troy pushed himself away from the mantel and resumed his seat, the better to scrutinize her countenance. She smelled different, of sweet summer flowers and grass, not heady like before, but her scent went to his head all the same. And other parts. Again.
    Say it, goddammit! Make her agree to your terms Then get out! “It signifies that the game is up, madam. You are exposed.”
    â€œWhat game? You mean the money? You surely knew I never intended—”
    â€œI mean the game you were playing with Philip Montague.”
    â€œI’m sorry?”
    â€œThe eldest son of Lord Wheetley Montague.”
    â€œThe ambassador to Italy. You said. But I’m sorry, I don’t know anyone of that name.”
    â€œOh, for God’s sake, don’t prevaricate. You promised to marry him. You promised to retire from your profession for six months to prove yourself worthy. A clever move on your part, I’ll grant you. Six months, you said, of complete abstinence, then he was to come to claim you. Well, madam, your duplicity has been discovered. I came here thinking that your agreeing to my price would suffice. As things turned out, you betrayed yourself feely. You are undone, madam, and you will release the poor deluded boy from the betrothal forthwith.”
    Constance picked up her cup, but her hands were shaking so badly that the tea slopped onto the saucer. “I don’t understand,” she said, staring at Troy in dismay. “You think that I—you say that this boy—this—what was his name?”
    â€œPhilip,” Troy said curtly. “I’ve told you…”
    Constance clutched at her brow. Annalisa had never mentioned a Philip. Surely she would have, if their relationship had been serious. But Annalisa had been dying and now this boy, this poor boy—had all this time been waiting in vain. “He’ll have to be told,” she said faintly.
    â€œPrecisely,” Troy said with satisfaction. “I will pay you the compliment