Another chapter of the saga. One brief note--I've substituted the American word "ass" for the more British "arse," because, well it just sounds more British-y. And after all, all we Americans have to do to sound British is drop our "R's," except, of course, in the word "arse." Which makes you think "ass" should be more British, but--oh, the hell with it. Enjoy!
MAY AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT
Madame Louisa felt elated at her own rashness.
But what if Lt. Hudson chose to brag about his encounter with Loretta, and in so doing, word reached Flaywell? Or what if Loretta told him? She knew Flaywell better than most living, and had reason to fear him. But she also had more than enough reason to spite him. How many times had he regarded her with those dead eyes, as though she were less than human, and reached out his hand for a cut of her hard earned money?
But putting his hands on her? Threatening her? Over that Mina Berkeley slut? Did he believe she was some dockyard doxie he could treat with impunity?
As for both the Berkeley strumpets, they had caused her more than enough trouble. She could not bedevil them enough to suit her. She was confident that she had Loretta well under her thumb. She could just threaten to cut off her laudanum, or give her another beating!
The risk was not only with Flaywell and Loretta. The unrest in Cape Coast had been ruthlessly put down by the Governor’s edicts and strong arm tactics following the riot—summary whippings and even hanging for those who disturbed the public peace or agitated against the administration. A curfew had only recently been lifted. It was possible that any spark might inflame the tinder, and she wanted neither of the Berkeley sisters to provide that spark.
But it was a risk eminently worth taking—what an opportunity had walked through her door! How could she not permit the one man living who Laura Berkeley must dread and fear most in the world to make her acquaintance once again? Had she advanced to where she was in life by not taking risks, or by passing up opportunities to get even? All she had to do was concoct a convincing story that would seal his lips. And that was a craft she had mastered long since.
Madame Louisa looped her arm through Lt. Hudson’s and walked him down the hall and into her office. She closed the door behind them, after glancing to make sure no one had taken note.
“What is the meaning of this?” Lt. Hudson asked, offended at the woman’s familiarity. “Is this whore some sort of foreign agent? If you are trying to intrigue me into paying more money for her, I warn you, it won’t work.”
Madame Louisa looked up into the Lieutenant’s suspicious, resentful eyes and gave him her most disarming smile. She giggled in an attempt at girlish charm.
“Lt. Hudson,” she said, “Allow me to explain. I have the perfect young woman in mind for you. No, she is not a foreign agent, silly man!” She laughed gaily, as though delighted by his wit. “However, her position in my establishment is a bit delicate at this moment. She is one of my girls, but she is caring for another, an indentured servant, and the admiral who owns her indenture. . .” Here Madame Louisa paused, gave her head a slight shake and smiled ruefully at her slip of the tongue before she continued, “Forgive me Lieutenant, I spoke too freely. Let us just say that her master, never mind his rank, is holding her here temporarily, while she recovers,” She winked conspiratorially at Hudson.
“What? Is she contagious?” the lieutenant asked.
Madame Louisa laughed again. “She suffers from the same disease that another young woman, Laura Berkeley, suffered from. A disease that could only be cured with the lash.”
In spite of himself, Hudson nodded approvingly. “Ah, yes.”
Madame Louisa smiled at her own daring.
She continued, “He would be angry indeed if he discovered that I had allowed another gentleman to have access to her, even so worthy a one as yourself. And especially if word got out about his arrangements. So you see, Lieutenant, I’ve been a naughty girl to even mention it. If you choose to go forward, you must promise me your complete discretion.”
Lt. Hudson narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips. He well knew that most people tried to put something over on him or stab him in the back, but he’d learned to do it to them first. No one played Lt. Hudson for a fool! He had heard many a whore tell many a tale, and in the end, it was all about making more money for themselves, or to make a fool of him.
But a whore was a whore after all. Even if the slut Madame Louisa was trying to sell him was a bill of goods, it might just be worth his trouble to look her over; after all, if any part of Madame Louisa’s story was true, and he could discover who this admiral was, then that information could possibly be turned to account.
“I understand, Madame, and I assure you of my complete discretion. Now, what are your terms?”
“Lt. Hudson,” Madame Louisa said, “I don’t believe I could trust anyone else with this knowledge. But you sir have always struck me as a trustworthy officer, a man others may rely on. I can assure you, Lieutenant, it will be well worth your money. My price may seem dear to you, but I believe that you of all men would have the discrimination to consider the circumstances. . .”
“Do not try my patience! Your terms.”
Madame Louisa named the price. The Lieutenant coughed and spluttered in disbelief.
“You must be joking, woman!” He said. “No whore on God’s green earth or upon the seven seas has ever been worth so dear a price!”
“Lieutenant, I quite understand your astonishment. All I ask is that you look upon this girl, and then decide if she is indeed worth the money. I’ll wager that once you see her, you will agree that my price is more than fair, and that you would gladly pay half again as much for an hour to have your way with her.”
Hudson scoffed at this statement and waved it impatiently away. “A pearl of great price, is she? Nonsense! Understand that I shall pay nothing if this whore is not as you say. I agree to take a look at her. That is all.”
There were too many customers and girls about for Madame Louisa to feel comfortable with showing Lt. Hudson directly into the basement through the trap door in the kitchen. Rather, she had him leave by the front door of the house, to go around to the outside basement access. When she saw that the coast was clear, she stole into the kitchen and climbed down the interior steps that led to the basement to give him entry.
The area under the house had been extensively excavated. It had originally been a root cellar, but had been expanded and improved upon over the years when smugglers and slavers had occupied the house. It had even been floored with brick and mortar. It now provided room for the activities of a particular group of gentlemen who could afford to indulge their every whim.
Madame Louisa had brought two lanterns, one for her and one for the Lieutenant, for very little natural light penetrated the basement. As well, the thick walls and thick oak flooring of the ground floor above rendered it essentially soundproof. She unlocked the basement door that led to a protected entry outside, and bid Lt. Hudson enter.
As Madame Louisa led Hudson through the basement, he was surprised by the extent of the place. It was difficult for him to distinguish the furniture and appointments therein, for it was quite dark. As the lantern light cast a passing glow on the furniture and devices arrayed in the room, Hudson realized that this was far more than a root cellar or coal room. It was more like a dungeon.
“Come along, if you please, Lieutenant,” Madame Louisa said, as Hudson paused to get a better glimpse of what the room had to offer.
“I was not aware of this,” Hudson said. “I should like to bring a whore down here.”
“This room is ordinarily for the use of a private group of gentlemen, Lt. Hudson, whose names I cannot mention, but only to say that many would be known to you. The officer who owns the indenture of the young lady you will meet, or should I say, be reacquainted with, attends here as often as he is able. Membership is by invitation only, Lieutenant. However I am quite sure that a man of your parts and ambition may well find himself in possession of an invitation in due course. They have an eye for such men as you, Lieutenant, men with ability and discretion. It is very wicked of me to tell you this, sir, but your name is not unknown to them either. I have heard it mentioned with favor within these walls.”
Madame Louisa was quite pleased with herself. She could see the young fool was eating it out of her hand. She had just given him another reason to keep this under his vest. She was satisfied now that he would not blab about who was down here.
“Ah,” Hudson nodded, flattered and pleased to his bones that perhaps his abilities were being recognized after all by those who mattered. He savored Madame Louisa’s information for a long moment when something occurred to him.
“You say ‘reacquaint,’ Madame,’ Hudson said. “I know this whore, do I?”
“You shall see, Lieutenant,” Madame Louisa said, her voice teasing. She held her lantern up so he could see her flirtatious smile.