"Because we must all be responsible for our own actions."
She stroked his arm with gentle caresses. He longed to hold her against his chest and give way to tears, but he didn't want her to see his weakness.
"I can't imagine how troubled your Anna must have been." Her voice was soft with compassion. "I would never kill myself, no matter how hopeless the situation. I would fight until the bitter end because I wouldn't allow death to have the victory without a hard-won battle."
"She didn't have your strength."
She gave a bitter laugh. "I'm not strong. I only pretend to be. Perhaps I can convince myself by saying it often enough. In truth, when things become too hard to bear, I simply run away."
His gaze captured hers. "And will you run away from me?"
"I already have."
"I won't give you up." Alex gave her a deep, longing look as they stood in the doorway of her room. Genesis held the doorknob, blocking him from entering her room.
"Give up what?" She hardened her heart against her growing desire. "Screwing each other till we can't screw anymore? There's nothing to give up because you're simply paying me for sex."
He shook his head. "There's more to our relationship than that."
"I don't want to talk about this tonight. I'm not feeling well. Perhaps tomorrow."
Why wouldn't he just leave? Didn't he know what the sight of him, the smell of him, was doing to her senses? She stepped forward but stopped herself from moving into the circle of his arms. His gaze pinned hers, and she was powerless to look away.
"Will you answer a question for me?" he said quietly.
She gave him a wary glance. "Maybe."
"And will you be honest with me?"
"If I choose to answer the question at all, I'll tell you the truth."
"Fair enough." He brushed a stray curl from her cheek. Even that simple gesture of intimacy sent her senses into heightened awareness. She closed her eyes as desire for him flooded through her body.
She opened her eyes and found him watching her closely as his green eyes twinkled under the muted lights.
"Why are we standing here in the hallway?" His voice was low and seductive, hypnotic in its sensual tones. "Couldn't we go inside your room and talk?"
Oh God.
She felt her knees buckle under her, but forced herself to concentrate on the conversation. "What did you want to ask me?"
"So we're all business tonight, are we?" He chuckled. "Very well. My question is why are you really working here?"
His gaze lingered on her lips, and it was almost too much for her to bear. She opened her mouth to invite him into the room. After all, it was only sex, wasn't it? It didn't mean a thing. No one would get hurt.
But she was already getting hurt.
After a moment, she said, "I want to understand what my mother experienced as a courtesan in this very brothel. I wish to know everything about her life, for I have nothing of her except this place."
He nodded as if satisfied with her answer. "I'm trying to discover what happened to your mother after she left you on your father's doorstep."
"Why would you do that?" Hope filled her heart. Could he possibly discover something about the mystery?
"Because you want to know the truth, don't you? It's important to you which makes it important to me. If you know what really happened, maybe it will free you from your desire to work here."
Tears stung her eyelids. "Alex—"
"I don't want you working here," he continued. "I don't want you fucking other men. I want to be the only man who claims you."
"Those are hypocritical words coming from a man who fucks prostitutes."
He cradled her face in his hands. "I have no desire to visit a brothel ever again. The night I met you, Gregory dragged me here, and I agreed because I needed something to get me through another lonely evening. I had no idea I would meet the woman of my dreams and my heart's desire in such a place."
"Oh." She lowered her gaze so he wouldn't see her tears. "You must understand. While I find you the most attractive man I've ever met, I also wish to enjoy physical relationships with other people."
"No." He shook his head. "You want to prove to your mother and yourself that you're stronger than her under similar circumstances."
"I wish to know my mother, that's true, but I also want to experience any number of sexual encounters."
"I don't believe you."
"You still don't understand me." As she spoke the words, she tried to convince herself, as well as him, of their truthfulness. "I have a fire in my blood and a desire to indulge my sensual appetite, to enjoy the sexual act with anyone I choose."
"I understand fire in the blood because I burn for you." His voice was rough with emotion as he placed her hand on his chest. "Can't you feel my heart beating for you? Craving you? Desiring you?"
"I crave you as well, but not enough to see you exclusively." She spoke the lie with a straight face. Did he believe her?
She wouldn't fall in love with him. Love never worked out, except for a select few. Most people were unhappy in their marriages and their lives. That was why there were so many clients in the brothel. She knew her way was better.
She put on a flirtatious mask as she ran a finger down the front of his shirt. "If you wish to keep seeing me, you can't be jealous of those I bring to my bed."
"I don't have to like it." His expression hardened and his mouth set in a dark scowl.
"You don't have to like or accept anything. You can simply walk away. There are many beautiful women in this house, any of whom would be happy to satisfy your needs."
"You're right, of course." He gave her a speculative glance. "There are women such as your friend Sylvie. I'd pay Madame Colette a fortune for a night with her."
Jealousy gripped her in its cruel embrace.
Not Sylvie! He couldn't sleep with her friend!
"Sylvie is an exquisite beauty, don't you think?" His voice deepened with appreciation. "I wonder what her flesh tastes like?"
Her temper flared and consumed her like a forest fire. "Believe me, she tastes like honey from the gods. I know because I've had her. And don't forget to send her roses afterwards."
Alex looked at her for a long moment. "Have you always been this cold? There's no way to reach your heart because it's encased in metal armor. Perhaps I should call you Joan of Arc."
A tear slid down her cheek and she wiped it away. "Armor didn't save Joan of Arc. She died a horrible death."
His gaze softened as he touched her cheek. "I don't think you're as tough as you pretend to be."
"Perhaps not, but I'm determined not to fall into the trap of jealousy, suspicion, and misery which so-called love breeds. I'll fuck whomever I please, and I won't allow myself to suffer the same fate as my mother or your Anna."
The color drained from his face and his eyes were twin green fires. "Well, goodnight then. I'll see you tomorrow provided I'm not too tired after an evening with the lovely Sylvie."
He stalked down the hallway toward her friend's room. Genesis fled into her own room and slammed the door so hard the pictures on the wall rattled.
* * * *
"So how was last night's lovemaking session?" Genesis struggled to keep her voice casual as she sat in front of the mirror eating English toffees.
Sylvie gave her a blissful smile. "Absolutely delicious. The man fucks like an artist, as you well know."
Genesis dragged a brush through her hair, managing to pull out several strands by the roots. "I'm happy you had a good time."
"What's wrong with you? You sound positively fierce."
"Nothing's wrong with me. What could possibly be wrong?" She tangled the brush in her hair and winced in pain.
Sylvie took the brush from her hand. "Let me do that for you. I fear you'll go bald if you keep combing it."
"Don't bother." She snatched the brush away. "Perhaps you should leave now because I feel in need of a nap."
"You just woke up."
"Can't I have a nap even if I've just woken up?"
"Of course you can."
Genesis slammed the brush on the dresser. "So he fucks like an artist, does he?"
"You said he fucks like an artist. What does he do that's so artistic?"
Sylvie stared at her as comprehension dawned. "The green-eyed monster has certainly claimed you as a victim."
"I'm not jealous."
"Of course you're not." A teasing smile played across her face. "When he slid his tongue inside my pussy, I thought I might melt with pleasure. And his cock is so big, so thick, so hard."
"Shut up!" Genesis exploded. "I grow sick of hearing about your amorous exploits."
"You always enjoyed them before."
"I don't care if Alex finds you attractive. He can fuck anyone he likes."
"Alex? I wasn't talking about him."
Genesis stood up and gripped her friend's shoulders. "Then who?"
"Graham, of course. He's the one who fucks like an artist of sensual enjoyment."
Genesis laughed, suddenly feeling lighthearted with relief. "I thought you were speaking of—"
"You thought I fucked your darling Alex? I would
never
do that to you because anyone can see you're in love with him. Why can't you realize it?"
"Yes you are, whether you admit it or not." Sylvie smiled. "I know something about love these days."
"What do you mean?"
"I have a secret."
"I'm desperately in love with Graham, and he's asked me to marry him."
"Marry him!" Genesis squealed with delight. "And I was the matchmaker!"
"And you'll be the maid of honor. We're getting married in a month. He's resigning his commission from the Army, and soon he'll spend his time managing his estates. He's buying a home here in Paris because I told him I couldn't bear to live away from my friends."
Genesis hugged her. "I can't believe it! And you met him here of all places."
Sylvie laughed. "I think we'll keep that fact a secret from his family."
They both giggled.
"And guess what?" Sylvie continued. "Madame Colette is hosting a reception in the ballroom, and she's spared no expense. She says it's like losing her own daughter whenever a girl marries and leaves Le Petit Palais. The day after the reception, we're having a formal wedding ceremony in the cathedral. His family is traveling here from England. I hope they like me."
Genesis kissed her on the forehead. "I know they'll adore you, and I couldn't be happier if you were my own sister."
"In my heart, you are my sister."
"And I always will be."
By late afternoon, Alex hadn't arrived and Genesis found herself pacing the floor. The walls seemed to close in on her as she held Napoleon in her arms and petted him. Perhaps Alex had found another woman to keep him company for the evening. She decided to visit Madame Colette and discreetly quiz her for information.
"I'm glad you're here." Colette lit up one of the thin, fragrant cigarettes she was fond of smoking. "There's something I need to discuss with you."
"What is it?" Genesis eyed the other woman's pale, concerned face.
"I shall discuss this with every girl who works in the house. Perhaps I'll call a meeting tomorrow. Yes, that's what I'll do." She pushed a newspaper across the desk and Genesis picked it up and stared at the front page.
Colette exhaled a plume of exotic-scented smoke. "Have you heard about this awful man who is killing women in London?"
Genesis read the headline out loud. "Jack the Ripper slays five prostitutes in London's Whitechapel."
"They have no idea who this monster is. He could be anyone."
"You're not worried he'll show up here?" she said in surprise. "It says he's killing streetwalkers in one of the poorest slums in London."
"True." Colette paused. "Still, it drives home the point that we must all be careful. There might be others like him, others who seek to copy him."
"The eunuchs seem to be efficient at doing their job. I have barely to ring and they arrive in my room." Genesis grinned. "I know because I've tested them."
"Clever girl." Madame studied her with a thoughtful expression. "And now let us speak of something more pleasant. How is the earl treating you?"
Genesis couldn't prevent the flush which spread up her throat and colored her cheeks.
"I can see by your face he's treating you very well indeed."
"I have no complaints." She hesitated. "Er, I don't believe he's coming here tonight so I'd like to work the main parlor if I may."
Colette studied her from behind the desk. "What makes you think he won't be back tonight? He's booked your services for the entire week."
"We had a disagreement."
Madame frowned. "You're not paid to have disagreements with paying customers."
"I'm sorry." Genesis struggled to look properly chastened. "I'll try harder to get along with the clients."
"Hmm. If he shows up tonight, I'll expect you to entertain him."
"Very well. But until then, I'd like to mingle with the others in the parlor. I grow tired of my own company."
Colette's gaze was shrewd. "Perhaps you grow tired of pining for Alex."
"I'm not pining for him. I wouldn't waste that much energy on any man."
"Very well then. Work the parlor, at least until he arrives."
Genesis stood up to leave. "Thank you, madame."
"And remember what I said. You ladies need to be especially conscious of safety."
* * * *
As Genesis entered the spacious, smoky parlor, many heads turned in her direction. There were some very handsome men sitting on plush, comfortable chairs, but her gaze slid away from them. She sought the most unattractive, non-threatening person in the room as her gaze settled on a man old enough to be her grandfather. He blinked in surprise as she made a bee-line toward him.
"Enchanting." He rose from the divan and took her hand in his as he bent to kiss it. "Would you care to join me?"
He introduced himself as Monsieur LeClaire, a retired banker. As she sat next to him, one of the women played a sweet, haunting melody on the harp. Genesis leaned her head against the older man's shoulder and pretended he was her grandfather. After all, he seemed harmless enough and had made no sexual overtures towards her.