The Copper and the Madam Read Online Free PDF Page B

company for his own pleasure. Why was her name carved
into his skin? Was Rory correct? Had the murderer known the lad
worked for her?
    A chill curled around her heart. Could it be
that depraved Earl of Southen? Jacob told her that when he smashed
the door down, the earl had been covered in Lila’s blood and at the
ready to penetrate the unconscious girl’s ass. He was cackling with
a maniacal mirth that bordered on terrifying even in its retelling.
Lila never knew about the near sodomy, and Rea had not been about
to reveal the details to her. After she nursed the poor young woman
back to health, she sent her off to Queens College to study be a
governess, all expenses paid and called the incident closed.
    Since tossing and turning in her bed the
previous night, she decided to tell Rory after the funeral. When
she relayed the additional information of Southen’s brutal attack
on Lila, his face had darkened to a furious shade of crimson. Rory
grasped Jacob’s arm and pulled him away from the others. The
conversation between them became intense as they spoke in hushed,
quiet tones, their heads close together. Jacob gesticulated wildly,
his arm arching in a whipping motion, as if acting out the scene.
Rory stormed off, and she had not seen him since.
    Rea glanced about her study and frowned. She
never cared for it, even though she’d decorated it as she did
herself, with dark reds and burgundy shades. The room stood as a
grim reminder to the life she lead, one fraught with uncertainty
and danger, and now—murder. Along with garish furniture and
paintings, a marble sculpture of a couple having oral sex sat on
the sideboard. The room screamed “madam” and “brothel,” which was
what she wanted to convey. She should go to her own room, which
reflected her personality more than this showy, counterfeit space
did. Her bedroom gave her the private sanctuary she craved,
allowing her to lower the mask and be at peace. She could use that
protective shelter right now. Anything to forget the horror of the
past forty-eight hours.
    As she stood, Jacob knocked and entered.
“Desmond Glover to see you.”
    In the midst of the dreadful events of the
past few days, she had completely forgotten about Desmond. She was
not in a frame of mind to handle this, but better to see it
done.
    “Show him in.”
    Desmond entered with his usual brazen
confidence. He wore a gray suit with a sky-blue waistcoat and
matching neck cloth to match the shade of his eyes. She’d never
seen him wear such fancy clothing before. Well. Was the spinster
dressing him, now? Rea took her seat, a weary sigh escaping her
throat. Desmond stood as tall as Rory, though more muscular. His
male beauty never failed to seize her breath, but with the new
wardrobe and his raven hair trimmed and styled, he appeared every
inch a young gentleman.
    Desmond placed a small sack of coin on her
desk.
    “What Anne owes you for the other night.”
    Rea waved him to sit before her and he did,
crossing his long legs.
    “What is this nonsense, Desmond? You’re
done?”
    “Yes. I’ve fallen in love.”
    Rea fought back the bitter laugh. The
poor, deluded lad .
    “In one night? What you are feeling is lust,
nothing more. Besides, she is older than you.”
    Desmond frowned. “Credit me with a few
brains. I know the difference. And why not in one night? The heart
knows. I have been happier and more content these last few days
than in my whole life. Anne is my world entire. God, to be loved so
completely, regardless of my past…. There is nothing like it. Age
is just a number. It means nothing to me or her.”
    Desmond’s passionately spoken words squeezed
her heart in longing. Who didn’t wish to be loved and adored in
such a way? Alone in her room late at night, the same yearnings and
longings fueled her dreams. Nearly all of her fantasies had Rory
Kerrigan front and center. Desmond’s face glowed with utter bliss.
Good God, he was in love.
    “What will you do now?”
    “Anne is