A Haughty Courtesan

Nancy Wells

Description

Feelings of the heart do not abide by the rules of society, do they?
Rose is a proud and egotistical courtesan. She has a reputation of exacting her revenge on those who dare to cross her or put her in a bad mood. Still, her flawless beauty and skills at her trade make her the most sought-after courtesan in Madam Dustin’s brothel. As skilled as she is, she is unprepared for the moment Lord William Clifford makes his presence known and shakes the very foundation of her life.
Lord William agrees to attend a masquerade ball at the brothel with his lifelong friend, Lord Robert Tyne, with no intention of partaking of any services offered. His thoughts and emotions are strained when the most beautiful woman he’s ever encountered walks into the room. With one look from her, his life is thrown into chaos by a thunderbolt of emotions; something much stronger than lust.
Publisher’s Note: This steamy historical romance contains elements of power exchange.

Informations

• Publié par: Blushing Books Publications
• Date de parution: 02 juillet 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 4
• EAN13: 9781645630555
• Langue: English

Extrait

A Haughty Courtesan


Nancy Wells
Published by Blushing Books
An Imprint of
ABCD Graphics and Design, Inc.
A Virginia Corporation
977 Seminole Trail #233
Charlottesville, VA 22901

©2019
All rights reserved.

No part of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. The trademark Blushing Books is pending in the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Nancy Wells
A Haughty Courtesan

EBook ISBN: 978-1-64563-055-5
v1

Cover Art by ABCD Graphics & Design
This book contains fantasy themes appropriate for mature readers only. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as Blushing Books' or the author's advocating any non-consensual sexual activity.
Contents



Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23


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Chapter 1

I n the house of Madam Olivia Dustin, a masquerade was underway. Highborn lords were hiding behind masks, trying to conceal their identities from each other. Everyone was aware of who was present, yet all of them wanted to keep the charade of not knowing the presence of their neighbor, friend or family members.
The reason for their shame was the establishment where the current festivities were held.
It was a brothel.
An expensive one, and reputable for discretion.
The girls working at the brothel of Madam Olivia Dustin were highly paid. All the working girls were skilled in their trade and were some of the prettiest girls in the whole town. Nobility and merchants flocked towards the place every day.
Among these girls was one girl who was a favorite of the madam and the countless admirers who kept an eye on her every move.
And why wouldn’t they?
Her every move was a tale of sensuality and seduction.
Her name was Rose.
She had been living in the establishment ever since she was six years old when the madam picked her up from the streets and took her under her wing. In the beginning, she carried messages for the madam and became a courtesan once she came of age.
Under the tutelage of Madam Olivia Dustin, Rose had become the most sought-after courtesan from the very first day of her life as a courtesan. At the age of twenty-six, she was skilled like no other in her line of trade.
Her crowd of admirers increased day by day and so did her pride. She was beautiful. No one could deny it, but the fame had made her a bitter person towards others. She considered herself superior to others and maybe, in some ways, she was better than the other girls.
Her skin was alabaster, and her lips always painted like a red rose. Her thick, onyx locks reaching her slim waist ensnarled countless men in their trap. When she batted her thick lashes, a myriad of hearts stopped beating. Her violet eyes changed color as the lighting changed and it slew many in their wake.
Beauty was her weapon and she knew how to wield it.
It had been a long time since she began work as a courtesan, but never in that time did she yearn for a different lifestyle. Unlike many people, she liked her line of work. It provided a kind of freedom that was rare in a male dominant society.
At the masquerade, she was wearing a garland of roses in her hair and a mischievous smile on her face. She moved with a gait of a skilled courtesan from one person to another, hunting for her prey.
“Beautiful Rose, you look ravishing in the costume of Flora.”
She smiled at the man hiding behind the mask of a wolf. The only visible features through the mask were his lips and green eyes. The man was wearing a black tailored coat with golden embroidery and grey breeches… a complete ensemble for someone representing a grey, feral beast.
She would have never recognized the man, but the ring on his hand gave away his identity.
“Lord Doris,” she said coquettishly. “I should have known you would come as a wolf.” She leaned towards him suggestively and dragged a slender finger across his chest. “Deadly and clever.”
Lord Franklin Doris was an Earl. He came to their establishment less frequently than others, but he always came with a heavy purse. He was a favorite of the madam for his generosity, but he was not favored by the courtesans because he was a careless brute.
She knew he would never harm her because he would have to answer to Madam Olivia, and no one wished such fate upon themselves. Madam Olivia kept high-ranking officials in her pockets and one word from her could ruin the life of any nobleman.
“And ready to devour,” he drawled.
Her lips curled into a crooked sensual smile and she bit her bottom lip between her teeth.
“We are all here for your pleasure, my lord.”
Lord Doris did not miss the suggestive look she was throwing his way. He grinned at her before eyeing her leisurely from top to bottom with the gaze of a predator.
“Is that so?” he asked roguishly.
“Point to anyone and see for yourself,” she said in a sensual manner.
He leaned towards her ear and she pretended to shudder as his warm breath teased her lobe.
“The only thing I came here for is standing right in front of me,” he said. “Why should I bother looking elsewhere?”
When he straightened, she batted her thick eyelashes… casting her bait of deceptive innocence. Her innocent face always worked in her favor. Men fell at her feet in droves because of her ageless beauty.
“I am flattered,” she responded.
Her small gesture had the desired effect she had been looking for. His Adam’s apple moved up and down.
She had piqued his interest.
He had taken the bait.
“I usually don’t visit twice in a week, but for you, I will make an exception,” he said.
“I will be waiting for you, eagerly,” she purred.
He reached out to catch her, but she was quicker than he anticipated and all he could manage to grab was air.
“One kiss is all I ask this fine evening,” Lord Doris said.
She winked before turning her back on him. She was quick because it was not the first time she was luring a customer. She knew how to play this game of erotic teasing.
“You know the rules, Lord Doris,” she said. “Rose does not kiss her customers.”
It was true. Rose would allow the customers to do anything, but never let them taste her lips. She never offered any explanation, but it increased her allure, and everyone assumed it was the reason.
Maybe it was. Maybe it wasn’t. Who knew what Rose really hoped to gain? She was a proud girl with a big ego and all her other traits, good or bad, dimmed behind her bitter nature. No one cared to ask her why she was reluctant to kiss anyone.
She prowled through the party, searching for other gentlemen who would take an interest in her. Her eyes and ears were on alert for any subtle sign of interest from the guests.
She felt rather than saw a gentleman’s gaze penetrating her skin. From the corner of her eyes, she observed two men standing in a corner. One of them was wearing a mask of a white feathered bird while the other was wearing a mask of a devil. She knew the first one, but the latter was a first comer.
She stood near a pillar, knowing full well the gentleman in the devil mask was interested in her and would sooner or later approach her.
It was an old routine… an old dance she had been performing for a long time.
She knew and so did everyone else that no one could resist the allure of Rose.
Chapter 2

L ord William Clifford, the heir of Viscount Clifford Donald, was leaning against a pillar, watching the festivities around him with keen interest. It was the first time he had come to this establishment and so far, he was not disappointed.
He had observed many girls at the masquerade, but so far only one had gained his attention. She was a slender woman with exceptional beauty.
Her curves were on blatant display in the red silk dress she was wearing. There were neither petticoats nor a corset under the dress. A brown belt was loosely wrapped around her waist and her neckline was so deep, he could see her bare bosoms even from a distance.
She was a walking sin.
When she swayed her hips and played with a lock of hair, his heart had stopped beating for a moment too long. There was an aura of mystery around the girl. He wanted to know her and find out what made her exceptional from the crowd.
He was a successful businessman and never in his lifetime had he made an investment that cost him money or time. He was damn sure this girl would be worth his time if he spent his money on her.
She was a courtesan. They were all for sale.
“Her name is Rose.”
There was no need to look towards the source of the voice to know it was his friend, Lord Robert Tyne. Robert held the title of baron and had known him from the time they studied together in Oxford. They’ve been inseparable ever since. Their friendship was exemplary.
“She certainly looks interesting,” William said.
His b