Fiery Harlot Seduced by a Duke Read online

  “I can’t do it.” He threw the gun away. “What kind of man have I turned into?”

  Mary turned away with a gasp. She could not believe she was still alive. She went into a state of shock. She could not cope with the whirl of emotions in her mind.

  She felt Robert’s fingers around her wrists. “What are you doing?”

  “You’re free to go.” As he released the rope around her wrists she sighed with relief. “Run!” He waited for her to run, but she didn’t. “You’re free!”

  There was an eerie silence then a piercing cry. The defiant woman, who had stood before him, fell to the ground crying like a wounded animal. “I can’t take anymore.” She put her head in her hands and sobbed her eyes out. “I’ve got no one to run to!”

  Robert was consumed with guilt. “What have I done to you?” He knelt down beside her. “I’m sorry.” He cradled her in his arms like a vulnerable child.

  Mary pressed her head on his shoulder and carried on sobbing. She didn’t care if she lived or died anymore.

  Robert turned up her face and began to kiss her tears away. She responded with a passionate kiss on his lips. An overwhelming desire took over as they hugged and kissed each other.

  He gently laid her back in the grass and explored the contours of her body. He kissed her down the side of her neck then down to her bosom. Mary groaned with desire as he suckled her nipples until she was wild with desire.

  She rolled on top of him and opened his shirt. As she kissed the rippling muscles on his bare chest he felt an erotic tingle in his groin.

  Robert was losing control of his senses as she caressed his body with more passionate kisses.

  She gazed into his eyes; they were filled with such love she was near to tears. Is this what love is like? She thought – to love and be loved. Mary was consumed with happiness. “Do you love me?” she whispered.

  Robert pulled away from her. “What are you saying?”

  She gave a heart-warming smile. “I love you with all of my heart.”

  “You love me?” Her declaration of love brought him back to reality. What was he doing? He could never love a harlot. He felt she was luring him into a trap – to capture his heart forever.

  Robert broke away from Mary and sat up in the long grass. He withdrew into a cold demeanour. “You must go now.”

  “What did I do wrong?” Mary tried to touch his face but he pulled away from her.

  “Why are you so cold towards me?”

  Robert stood up and brushed his clothes down. “We must never meet again.”

  “Because I love you,” she said, pulling her dress over her shoulders.

  “Because you seen my face,” he snapped.

  “You know I would never reveal your identity.” Mary stood up and smoothed down the creases in her gown. “Don’t you trust me?”

  He returned a look of disgust. “I never trust a whore.”

  “How can you say that?” Mary felt an empty void in her heart - would she ever find a man who truly loved her?

  “Get out of my life,” Robert shouted. He bent down and grabbed the gun on the grass.

  Mary stared at him in disbelief. He was crazy enough to use it again. She couldn’t understand his sudden change of thought.

  She sensed a sexual chemistry had developed between them – one that he tried to deny.

  “Listen carefully,” he said with a solemn voice. “When you return to London, don’t tell anyone about the raid on the carriage or your imprisonment.”

  “But what if Lord Clarkson mentioned the highway robbery?”

  “He won’t. He never paid any ransom.” He pursed his lips with anger. “He’s a politician who’s in bed with the judges. He knows how to play the game.”

  “The game of what?”

  “The game of power and corruption. As far as he’s concerned the raid never happened.” He glared down at her. “We have to do the same.”

  “And if I don’t.”

  “I will hunt you down and kill you.”

  “I don’t believe you?”

  “Run!” Robert fired the gun in the air. “The next shot kills you.”

  Mary screamed out in fright as she ran for her life.

  Chapter 23

  Mary sighed with relief when she returned to the only place she knew – the squalid alleyways by the London docks. Fortunately, one of the street hawkers that she knew took her in for a while until she recovered from her ordeal.

  When she was well enough to work again, she resumed her old life as a street walker. It was not long before she earned enough money to feed herself and share the rent with an old couple in a damp cellar by the dockside.

  As the autumn turned to winter the cellar was hard to keep warm with one fire between them. Mary missed her old lodgings above the tavern. One day she bumped into Molly at the Christmas market. She told her that she had gone to stay at Lord Clarkson’s estate for a few days.

  Molly did not appear surprised by her statement. It was proof that Lord Clarkson had said nothing about the highway robbery. Mary thought she might take her in again, but she coldly walked away from her.

  Mary hit hard times again when the old couple left the cellar they all rented. She couldn’t afford to live there anymore. The only person she could turn to was Molly.

  Fortunately, she took pity on her this time and let her rent her old lodgings. But Mary knew that everything came with a price. It was not long before she resumed her old living as a courtesan once more.

  Most of them were old rich Lords looking for a partner to attend various balls on the London season. Mary hoped that their sexual desires might have waned with age, but it was quite the opposite.

  She put up with their previse acts of depravity for the money. How she longed to have a young client for a change – a man with his own hair and teeth.

  She wished a handsome duke would whisk her away to better life, but alas she never found one until she met Robert. She wondered if their paths would cross again. She couldn’t stop thinking about him and their steamy encounter in the forest.

  She let out a weary sigh. This was her life now and she had to get on with it. She knew Molly was not her friend, just another madam plying for trade. But at least she had a roof over her head and plenty of food and drink.

  “I have another client for you,” Molly popped her head around the door one morning. ”He is looking for a courtesan for a prestigious ball.”

  Mary sat up in her bed and rubbed her face after a late night with a Lord. “Anyone under thirty for a change.”

  “Yes,” she said brightly sitting on the edge of her bed. “Your wish has been granted.”

  “Am I dreaming?”

  “A young group of Dukes are hosting the ball.” Molly clutched the decorative card with relish. “I believe they are Lord Byron’s friends.”

  “The poet,” she gasped. “I would love to attend one of his poetry recitals.”

  “You’re not there to listen to poetry. You’re a courtesan,” she snapped. “You have been invited to a Masquerade ball at the hell fire club.”

  “The hell fire club?” Mary squirmed in her bed. It was a notorious club for rakes and scoundrels, set in a series of underground caves at Lord Byron’s Hertfordshire estate. “What kind of ball is it?”

  “Don’t look so alarmed,” Molly placed a reassuring hand on her arm. “The young bucks want a group of women to dance wildly in front of them in various states of undress.”

  Mary didn’t like the sound of it. She had heard of these wild dances, she knew they would expect more. “And?”

  She gave a coy smile. “See how the night ends.”

  Mary got a bad feeling about the event. Anything went in the hell fire club. Wild orgies, drug taking and acts of depravity seemed to be the order of the day.

  It wasn’t the sort of agenda she was familiar with. The Lords and Dukes that attended these events were from the upper reaches of society - politicians, judges, and royalty. If they didn’t get what
they want, things would turn nasty.

  Mary put her head in her hands. How could she get out of this one? “I feel ill,” she lied. “I must have picked something up. You’ll have to get another courtesan.”

  “Too late I’ve already booked you,” Molly huffed. “It’s a good fee for both of us.”

  “I can’t do it,” Mary gasped. “You know Lord Bryon’s parties are notorious. That’s why they have been driven underground.”

  “I don’t care what Lord Byron does as long as I get my fee.”

  “Not bothered about my safety then,” Mary quipped.

  “I do have a business to run,” Molly said chastised. “Think about the money. You do have some savings now.”

  “But I need more to get back to Ireland.”

  “You will be paid your standard fee.”

  Mary was angry by her usual reply. She knew she was being manipulated by Molly. She gave her enough money to live on, but not enough to save so she could get back home.

  “I should get more for an event like this,” Mary protested. “You know it might be risky.”

  Molly stood up from the bed and walked over to the door. “If you’re not interested, I’ll find another harlot for my client.”

  “I just want a better fee,” Mary said with a frustrating sigh. “I might as well stay with the old dukes. I know they don’t behave like gentlemen. But when I set boundaries for their depravity most of them adhere to them.”

  Molly thought for a moment. “On this occasion I could increase the fee.”

  “For you I assume?”

  “No, for you as well.” She fingered the corner of the decorative card. “As you said it is a risky undertaking.” She put the card in her pocket. “I have thought about your own safety. I have arranged for you to attend with two other girls.”

  “Girls? How old?”

  “16, Jane and Sue are twins. I found them plying for trade near the tavern.”

  ‘Street walkers.’

  ‘They look older than their age. They have been working by the quayside since they were 14. They are attractive girls with a ready wit. I think they would work well as courtesans.”

  “So you want me to keep an eye on them.” Mary didn’t like being a chaperone; she would rather work on her own. “Did you tell them everything about being a courtesan?”

  ‘They’re old enough to know what they’re getting into.” Molly opened the bedroom door. “Well?” She stood in the doorway. “Are you going to the hell fire club?”

  Mary gave a short nod. “I just hope I get out alive.”

  Chapter 24

  A light snow shower fell outside the tavern and over the tall ships gently swaying against the quayside. The sea was beginning to froze over. It would be a while before the packet ships would sail to the Carribean islands oncemore.

  Mary pulled her cloak around her shoulders as she waited for a carriage to take her to the Christmas Masquarade Ball. Jane and Sue stumbled out of the tavern in a jolly mood, after drinking a couple of gins paid by Molly.

  Mary did not think the twin sisters would be suitable as courtesans. They were too wild to pass off as ladies, but maybe Lord Byron’s friends might like them that way.

  She tried to warn them to stay together and not be caught up by the glamour of the ball. But once the carriage arrived with the first handsome duke they had ever met, she could see that her warning would soon be forgotten.

  Andrew Eaton, the Duke of Dorset escorted Mary and the twin girls - clad in decorative gowns with feathers in their hair - up the steps of a grand carriage. They looked like a trio of respectable young ladies on an outing to a ball.

  As the carriage jolted forward the twins laughed out loud. Andrew was enchanted by the nubile young girls within his grasp. ‘The sound of girlish laughter,” he said in an upper class accent. “Is very intoxicating.”

  Jane glanced over to Mary. “I can’t understand what he’s saying?”

  “Nor I.” Sue clasped her silk shawl around her shoulder. “Is he being rude?

  “Quite the contrary,” Mary remarked. “He finds your laughter refreshing.”

  “Did you misunderstand my meaning?” The Duke placed a concerned hand on Jane’s knee. “I did not mean to put you girls down.”

  “You can put me down anywhere darling,” Jane sniggered.

  “Jane,” Mary chastised. “You must be discreet.”

  Andrew touched her arm. “Do not be too harsh with these girls,” he smiled back at them. “They can be whoever they want for one night.”

  Mary averted her eyes. “That’s what I’m worried about.”

  “Is it true what they say about the hell fire club?” Sue bend forward exposing her amble bosom. “About th acts of debauchery?”

  Andrew was lost for words. He was not used to women talking in such a derogatory way. “I must say you are very vulgar with your words.”

  “Sue?’’ Jane nudged her sister to keep quiet.

  “Forgive my sister.” She tried to behave like a demure lady. “It is the first time she has attended a grand ball. I fear it has gone to her head.”

  “Well it’s more of a masquerade than a ball.” The Duke looked back at Mary. “Have they worn a mask before?”

  “We’re going to wear decorative eye masks,” Jane exclaimed.

  Andrew pulled a dark cloth off a small hat box on the seat next to him. “Why don’t you pick one yourself?” He gestured to the open box.

  The twins pulled out two green silk eye masks trimmed with lace. When they tried them on for size they squealed with delight.

  “Forgive their exuberance,” Mary whispered to Andrew.

  “It’s their first time.”

  “Did you hear that?” Sue said, as Jane tried to suppress a giggle. “It’s our first time for everything,” she mocked.

  “Really?” Andrew enquired.

  “I would not believe everything they say,” Mary said as she pulled on a black eye mask with glitter around the edges.

  “Are you their chaperone?” the Duke asked Mary as he pulled on his own eye mask. “You do appear much older than these girls.”

  Jane and Sue tried to contain their laughter

  Mary glared at him. “I am only one past twenty.”

  “Are you sure?” His surprise brought more sniggers. “Being a harlot has aged you.”

  The twins laughed out loud, they could not hold back their mirth anymore.

  “Well not anymore,” Mary snapped back. “This is my last night of debauchery.”

  He slapped her on the back. “That’s more like it old girl.”

  The carriage lurched to a stop outside a grand estate. Once the girls alighted from the carriage they walked down a pathway lined by a series of flaming torches.

  The snow was falling very heavily. The trees on the Berkshire Estate sparkled with snow flakes, next to a frozen lake that glistened under the a full moon.

  As the girls walked towards the hell fire club they marvelled at the sight of flame eating performing artists and outrageous dancing girls cavorting on the festive manicured lawns.

  The twins nervously giggled to themselves as they followed Mary and the Duke down a series of stone steps. As the door swung open by two footmen the smell of smoke and opium wafted over them.

  They walked into a large room inhabitated by a series of caves. A roaring fire crackled in a large fireplace, decorated with holly and ivory.

  Large sprigs of mistletoe were hung over the entrance of the club, along with decorative evergreen pine branches and wreaths.

  The club was packed with the cream of society - Lords and ladies, judges and royalty. They were all dressed to impress, in outrageous decadent outfits - incognito behind colourful masks and wigs.

  Lords mixed with harlots and actresses, ladies mixed with rakes and scoundrels. Everyone could behave as decadent as they wished.

  Chapter 25

  Andrew led the girls through a haze of smoke, past a respectable quartet of musicians playing
music. The twins looked in awe at beautiful half naked ladies widely dancing in front of a mob of baying Dukes.

  Mary marvelled at the sight of Lord Byron loudly reciting his poetry to a theatrical group of admirers.

  They walked past a long banquet table covered with a selection of sweet and savoury dishes. Iced cream, jellies and plum puddings and desserts. Rare treats that common folk could only dream about.

  There was also a large selection of poultry, ham and beef. At the centre of the table was a large two tier cake decorated with a very expensive commodity - sugar.

  “Wait here young ladies,” Andrew gestured towards a table and four chairs. “I will return with some wine."

  "I'm starving." Jane pulled him back. "We want food. Can't we go to the banquet table ourselves."

  "No." He gently pushed her back. "You will get food later, after the entertainment."

  "What entertainment?" Sue asked.

  "You're the entertainment," Mary whispered. She touched his arm. “I would not recommend the wine for the girls,” she urged. “They are not used to wine.”

  “No,” Jane said. “We’ll have some gin instead. A large one.”

  Mary sighed as she sat next to Sue. “I can’t talk to Jane, but be careful, he wants you to get ape drunk so..”

  “He can dip his wick,” Sue laughed. “Isn’t that the idea?” Mary looked away embarrassed. “We have been booked to dance suggestively.”