The Merchant of Vengeance Read Online Free PDF Page A

that Tuck. Smythe could be all of those things for you, save one. He could not provide for you. But then, you have your father to do that, at least for the present. Then, when he finally tires of supporting you and puts his foot down once and for all and insists upon your taking a husband, why then, rake one who can provide for you and does not make too many demands. And then keep Tuck as your secret lover."
    "Antonia!" Elizabeth was shocked. "You cannot possibly be serious!"
    "And why not, pray tell?"
    "You mean that you would wish me to be unfaithful to my husband?" Elizabeth asked, astonished at the very suggestion.
    "What I would wish is for you to be happy," Antonia replied calmly. "If you could find your happiness in being faithful to a husband, then I would wish no more for you. But if not, then I would wish for you to find some means whereby you might find the happiness you seek. I was merely suggesting one path that you could take. The choice is yours."
    "Could…" Elizabeth hesitated and glanced at her friend askance. "Could you ever be unfaithful to Harry?"
    Antonia laughed. "Oh, Elizabeth! Harry is my father's age, and
    I am but eighteen! What do you think?"
    Elizabeth stared at her friend as if seeing her for the first rime.
    "You mean to say that… that you have…"
    "Had a lover?" Antonia said, raising her eyebrows. "Aye, several."
    "Several!"
    "Well, two, to be exact," Antonia said. "Does that amaze you? Do you think less of me now that you know? Does it make you think I am a strumpet?"
    "Nay, Antonia, I would never think that of you!" Elizabeth replied. "But in truth, I .. I do not know what to think!"
    "For all that you are older, Elizabeth, you know so little of the world," Antonia said. "Do you truly believe that men are faithful to their wives? Who do you suppose patronises all the brothels in the Liberties?"
    "Why . I have never even thought about it," Elizabeth confessed. "I would have thought that… well .. men who had no wives, I suppose."
    "You mean men like Tuck?" Antonia asked mischievously.
    "I cannot believe that Tuck would ever set foot within a brothel," said Elizabeth with firm conviction.
    "Yet he is employed within a playhouse," Antonia replied. "And 'tis well known that whores ply their trade in playhouses. Why, the men who own the playhouses often own the brothels that can be found close by."
    "I cannot believe that Tuck would ever even venture into such a place," Elizabeth said.
    "Well, perhaps Tuck is one of the rare men who would not," Antonia replied. "Indeed, he is as upright as a maypole. And any fool can plainly see he is in love with you. Nevertheless, he is still a man, and sooner or later, a man will have his passion wane should it remain unrequited."
    Elizabeth glanced sharply at Antonia. "Are you suggesting that
    I should requite his passion?"
    Antonia chuckled. "I was thinking more that you should indulge your own, my dear."
    "And if I were to do that," Elizabeth replied, "which is not to say I would, mind you, then what if one day I should marry another, a man who could provide for me, as you suggest? 'What then would I say to my proud husband on his wedding night?"
    Antonia raised her eyebrows innocently. "'Why, you would lower your eyes demurely and inform him that you were afraid and meekly ask him to be gentle with you."
    Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Indeed! And do you suppose that he would fail to perceive that I was not a virgin?"
    "Men are not very perceptive, as a rule," Antonia replied dryly.
    "And there are ways to make a man perceive that which you would wish him to perceive."
    Elizabeth looked sceptical. "I should think that 'twould take a very foolish man, indeed, to be so gulled."
    "Men are often quick to call us women foolish," Antonia replied, "and yet 'tis men who are often made to play the fools. On the morning of your wedding, all you need do is pay a visit to a cunning woman and procure from her a bladder cut from a small sheep and filled with blood. Then,