Fiery Harlot Seduced by a Duke Read online

  “I have much more,” William responded. “After a harsh whipping from Edward the head boy.”

  “I remember him.” A look of recognition crossed Charles’s face. “Isn’t he from the Mountbatten-Grey Family.”

  “That’s him,” William replied. “I wonder what he’s doing now.”

  ‘The last I heard he was an Aide de camp to Wellington,” Robert recalled. “I believe his whippings are more brutal now.”

  After a few competitive games of billiards William was the triumphant winner.As they relaxed by the fire with a few cups of hot chocolate they discussed Robert’s predicament.

  They examined a number of options to obtain money ie taking part in a daring duel, a blackmail threat to a devious Lord, or a more familiar way to obtain money – making an extravagant wager that would get the scoundrels excited enough to part with their guineas.

  Robert wasn’t sure about any of the options they had explored. But he needed the capital now - well within 30 days.

  “We’ve run out of ideas Robert.” Charles glanced at William. “You’ll have to be a pick pocket and go underground for money.”

  “The Underground?” Robert ran his hand through his dark curls. “My mother would be horrified if I mixed with undesirables.”

  “But she won’t know.” William cradled his hot chocolate between his hands. “Not if you’re armed with a mask and a shotgun like Jack Sheppard.”

  “The notorious highwayman? It’s all the rage at the moment.” Charles laughed out loud. “I seen a report in the paper the other day about a daring Lord who goes undercover as a highwayman? He loves the thrill of the chase and the money funds his gambling habit.”

  Robert was annoyed by his jest. “I don’t know why the suggestion is so funny, if I got caught I would end up in jail.”

  “Not if you cover your tracks.” William swirled his hot chocolate around his cup. “Anyway you’ll end up in jail if you don’t pay off your debt.”

  “See the dilemma I’m in.” Robert fingered his cravat. “I can’t rob a coach on my own, I need someone to show me the ropes.”

  “I’ll show you the ropes,” William suggested with an eager eye.

  “How can you when you’ve never..” Robert’s voice trailed off.

  “You don’t know what you can do until you try it.” William returned a mysterious smile.

  Robert stared at him in disbelief as Charles gave an audible gasp. Was this the rich highwayman that robbed numerous carriages in Hyde Park?

  Robert began to weigh up his options. “What if we get no cash or jewels?”

  “We keep robbing coaches until we get it,” William quipped.

  Robert pondered his proposition with a troubled expression.

  “Well,” Charles placed his hands on his hips. “Are you up for it?” Robert failed to answer. “Why don’t we lay down a wager as security?”

  “Yes lets make a wager,” Robert said. “That I pay off my debt in 30 days.”

  “No questions asked.” William took on a solemn expression. “If you’re serious about the venture. We must be bound by a code of secrecy.” He looked over to Charles. “All of us.”

  “Of course,” Charles agreed. “Are you sure you won’t get caught?”

  “I never get caught in the act.” William returned a look of disgust. “I am civil to my victims and never kill anyone under pressure.” He stood up and walked over to Robert by the fire. “You must be professional,” he commanded. “No harm must come to the occupants.”

  “You have my word,” Robert assured William. “The same code of honour as officers.” He was consumed by a sudden thought. “What if I don’t get enough money by the 30th day?”

  “Ye of little faith,” William mused. “One diamond necklace would clear your whole gambling debt.”

  “It would,” Robert replied with glee. “If I have the nerve to pull the robbery off.”

  Charles poured out another hot chocolate. “You will get a substantial amount of capital from your wager.”

  William was beginning to have doubts about Robert. Maybe he didn’t have the nerve to carry on a daring raid. He asked too many questions instead of being focussed on the end result – no more gambling debts.

  The Duke of Sussex slumped back in his chair as Robert asked another question.

  “What if someone found out it was us. We could hang for this.”

  “The wager will be dispensed by the clerk,” Charles continued with a furtive glance at William. “Who knows nothing about our activity.”

  Robert slowly paced around the room. “But what if someone did tell the clerk.”

  “Oh for goodness sake get a grip of yourself.” William banged his cup on the table. “We close ranks behind a veil of secrecy.”

  “Calm down,” Charles raised his hands in the air. “William is right the wealth and connections in this club will safeguard your life.”

  “Well Robert are you up for the wager?” William challenged his proposition. “Or are you going to end up in the debtor’s prison.”

  “Let me think for a moment.” Robert stopped in the middle of the floor, he had forgotten about the debtor’s prison. What was worse? Being shackled to a spoilt demanding heiress for the rest of his life or the public humiliation of going to the debtor’s prison. Either way he would not be a free man.

  He had to take a risk and see which way it went. The proceeds of one robbery and a substantial capital from a wager would turn his life around – he would be a free man who did not answer to anyone but himself.

  ‘Well,” the Duke of Sussex announced. “Are you a man or a coward?”

  Robert glared back at him. “My musket is locked and loaded.”

  Chapter 12

  Mary twirled around in a blue silk muslim gown in her new lodgings above the tavern. She gasped to herself as she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. “From harlot to lady.”

  “Quite a transformation,” Molly announced with a pleasing eye over her new courtesan.

  “Is it really me?” Mary’s blue eyes sparkled beneath a mass of dark curls elegantly swept into a French pleat. “I never thought I would ever look like a lady.”

  “But you will only be a lady if you do as I say.” Molly stood next to Mary as she admired her finery in the mirror. She leaned close to her ear. “You belong to me now.” Her command sent a chill down Mary’s spine. “I’m in charge of your life.”

  “In charge of me?” Mary murmured to herself. “I suppose you will command a large fee from your clients?”

  She gave a little laugh. “You won’t see much of it.” Molly walked over to a ledger on the sideboard.

  Mary looked away from the mirror, her dream of being a lady fading fast. “So what do I gain as a courtesan?”

  Molly glanced back with a bemused look. “There are other benefits, if you do as your told.” She returned to the open ledger and quietly searched the pages for the name of a Lord.

  Mary began to have doubts - was she being used and abused again? Molly was not the kind caring woman she thought she was. It was obvious she was only interested in her own gains.

  She was no better than the selfish madams she had worked for in the notorious brothels in Drury Lane. Had she walked into another trap? Maybe this had been the real Molly all along?

  Mary looked back at her reflection in a quandary. How different she looked as a lady. But her every move came with another set of conditions. Oh to be free of all the mind games that people play.

  She wished she could bolt from the room and never see Molly’s evil, conniving face again. But where to? In a few weeks it would be winter, the dockside alleyways would soon be filled with snow and ice.

  Mary knew she would not last long in the sub zero temperatures. Her fate would be the same of many abandoned harlots in life - she would end up battered to death in a deserted dock.

  She clenched her fists with a grim determination; she had to take stock of her life. Being a courtesan was her only way up in li
fe. If she played her cards right, she would soon snare a rich Lord who would set her up as a mistress.

  Mary walked over to the sideboard. “What benefits would I receive?” She gazed at the open ledger. “Would I receive a fee from your clients?”

  “If you meet the needs of your client,” Molly replied engrossed in a list of names. “Rich men can be difficult to please.”

  “Of course.” Mary watched her draw a finger down an opulent list of Lords and Dukes. “I didn’t know you could read?”

  Molly was startled by her question. “I get by.” She slammed shut the ledger. “For my eyes only.”

  “I did not mean to intrude.” Mary stepped back from the sideboard. “I could help you read other contents of the ledger.”

  “I am aware that you are governess.” Molly returned the ledger in a small cupboard below and locked the door. “Which makes you a valuable asset for my Lords.” She faced her with a false smile.

  “Asset?” Mary queried. “I’m a real person.”

  Molly ignored her comment and walked around her prized possession. “Don’t you want to hear who your first client is?”

  “It seems I have no choice,” she whispered to herself. I’m one step away from the workhouse, she mused.

  “He is Lord Clarkson, a widower and a member of parliament. If you please him you might end up as his mistress.”

  A paid mistress, Mary reflected, could my escape from poverty be that quick? “Do you really think that is possible?”

  “It is tolerable.” Molly gave her a sideward glance. “You are a presentable woman who can converse on a variety of topics.”

  “Do I just engage in conversation?”

  ‘That depends on Lord Clarkson.” She looked her in the eye. “You must do what he commands.”

  “And if I don’t.”

  Molly looked down at her fine outfit. “I will rip that dress off you now and throw you out into the street.”

  “Don’t do that.” She raised her hands in defence. “Let me explain.” Mary was terrified of being cold and hungry again. “What if his demands go further?”

  “I am sure he will use his discretion.” A faint smile played on Molly’s lips. “There are plenty of bedrooms in the estate to fulfil every depraved act.”

  Mary felt a wave of fear, what kind of depraved acts? She began to have cold feet about the whole venture. “I don’t think I can do it.”

  “What! ”Molly laughed. “Your hardly the vestal virgin.”

  Mary changed the subject. “How can I pass myself off as a lady. As soon as I open my mouth they will know I’m from a lower order.”

  “Believe me.” Molly looked down at her amble cleavage. “It’s not your voice my clients will be interested in.”

  “Someone might try to catch me out,” Mary pondered. “I don’t want to feel like an imposter.”

  “Then ‘act’ like a lady,” Molly advised. “Practice using a posh voice for small talk or keep your mouth shut like the others.”

  “The others?” Mary queried.

  “You won’t be the only imposter,“ Molly smirked. ‘They’ll be plenty of other harlots at the ball too.”

  “I see.” Mary looked out the window and seen a young street walker plying for trade. The girl must have been about 12. She had the body of a child but a haggard face of an older woman.

  An old sea captain placed a coin in her hand then roughly manhandled her into the alleyway. Mary shut her eyes. She could only imagine the horror the young girl would face in the coming years - that’s if she survived that long.

  “Well,” Molly said impatiently. “Do you want to be a courtesan or not!”

  Mary thought for a moment. Molly may have become her jailer, but it was better than being cold and hungry in the alleyways. “I might as well give it a try,” Mary mused.

  “Give it a try,” Molly said sarcastically. “Don’t get high and mighty with me young girl.”

  Mary was taken aback by her answer.

  “You will only get one chance,” Molly warned “If you mess it up I’ll throw you back on the quayside.”

  “I do want to be a courtesan. Will Lord Clarkson call for me at the tavern?”

  Molly could hardly contain her mirth. “Shall I get him to arrive in a horse and carriage too?”

  “Why not?” Mary said. “I’m supposed to be a lady.”

  “You are not a lady,” she snapped in her face. “You’re a..”

  “Common little harlot.’ Mary finished her sentence weary of the expression.

  “Who is engaged in a business arrangement between you and a client.” Molly looked out the window at a waiting hansom cab. “I have ordered a cab to take us to a discreet address in London.”

  “Now?” Mary looked down at her fine gown. “Dressed like this?”

  “Of course, you must look the part.” Molly took a cloak from the wardrobe and placed it around Mary’s shoulders. “A lady is not dressed without her cloak.”

  Mary wrapped the fine cloak around her. “Is this mine?”

  “For now.” Molly pulled on a brown pelisse. “We’re going to Lord Clarkson’s private town house.” She adjusted her hat in the mirror. “If he likes what he sees, he will be your first client.”

  “And if he doesn’t?” Mary queried.

  “Back to life on the street.” Molly snatched her reticule from the table. “If he doesn’t like you, I don’t get my fee.”

  “But if he does like me?” She followed Molly down the stairs and out of the tavern. “Will he show me how to behave?”

  “He’ll certainly do that my dear,” Molly said with a smirk as she stopped a passing hansom cab. The cab raced away from the grim alley ways of the docks to a more prestigious part of London.

  “I do love this gown,” Mary said as the dress filled the interior of the small cab. “Can I keep it if Lord Clarkson approves of me?”

  “If you do everything that he commands,” Molly said sharply.

  “What do you mean everything?”

  “Use you’re imagination Mary.” She returned a chilling stare. “You will have to charm him with all your graces.”

  Chapter 13

  Robert and the Duke of Sussex quietly sat on their horses, behind a large oak tree disguised as highwaymen.

  It was the perfect night to acquire a stash of jewellery; a full autumn moon lit up a number of escape routes and there was enough twilight to obscure their disguised faces.

  Robert tried to summon the courage to raid the next coach through the forest as he clutched his musket. Two coaches had already raced past without a hint of menace from Robert.

  His lack of courage was beginning to make William nervous. He never had a problem raiding coaches and took pride in the number of successful raids he had undertaken this summer without being caught. However, he had come to the conclusion that this should be the last one.

  A number of palatial estates were situated beyond the ancient woodland. Lord Shaftsbury’s opulent estate was one of them. He was holding a grand ball this evening for a number of charities in London.

  He was a very affluent well-connected politician. A number of wealthy benefactors would certainly be at the ball tonight.

  William was also aware that their wives and mistresses would be adorned with the most expensive jewellery in the country.

  He had heard at a gentlemen’s club that Lord Shaftsbury had taken some precautions to deter any highway robberies enroute to his estate. His coachman had found a secluded route that would take his guests to the rear of the estate.

  The Duke of Sussex glanced at Robert’s reluctant expression. “We must do it this time,” he commanded. “The horses are getting nervous waiting in the dark.” What was he waiting for? “You do know this neck of the woods.”

  “I thought it would be easy being a highwayman.” Robert reined in his agitated horse. “It’s finding the right moment to strike.”

  “You wouldn’t think we were ex-military men,” William said sarcastic
ally.

  “We have to be careful.” Robert was getting cold feet. “We don’t want to kill anyone and get hung.”

  “No one would ever know it’s us.” William sat uneasily on his horse. “We are well trained for the exercise.”

  “Well trained?”

  “You know how to use a musket,” he snapped. “And ride a horse through all kinds of terrains.”

  “Maybe I should see it as a military exercise,” Robert mused.

  “Being a military man is not much different.” William had a renewed sense of optimism. “Many have resorted to highway robberies. It’s a nice little side line to their tranquil existence. They are titled peers in the day time and dashing robbers in the night time.”

  His statement surprised Robert. “Is your life as a Lord really that boring?”

  “Have you got any other ideas?” William said. “At least I’m not up to my eyes in debt.”

  Robert thought about his mother’s 30 day ultimatum. He had to carry out this mad wager or be tied to a spoilt demanding wife for the rest of his life.

  He wondered what his late father would of thought of the deed he was about to commit. He would of admired his guts for undertaking such a daring venture, but another side of him would have been ashamed by his fall of grace.

  Robert felt a dull ache in his heart, how he missed his father. He felt as if his life had been torn apart. He thought about the massive gambling debt he had to clear. It was now or never.

  A grand coach pulled by six horses raced into the forest. Robert braced himself for the raid of his life. He shot his musket in the air. “Do or die!”

  Chapter 14

  The hansom cab came to an abrupt halt outside a discreet Georgian terrace in an affluent part of London. Mary glanced out of the window in awe. “What a grand house for one man.”

  The face of the terrace had gleaming ivory walls, with a solid oak door at the centre. Decorative curtains elegantly draped behind highly polished windows, lined with freshly watered flower boxes.