Chapter 2

Two

London, 1818

" Y ou are Julia? Tabitha Honeyfield's daughter, correct?"

Julia nodded at the woman, her heart thundering. She'd never seen the likes of her before. Coal lined the woman's eyes, her lips were painted ruby-red, and her melon-sized breasts threatened to burst from the low-cut décolletage of her emerald gown.

Looking closer, Julia noted fine lines etched at the corners of the woman's cat-like green eyes. Her jaw slightly sagged and silver strands laced their way through her brown hair, further betraying her advanced age.

The way Mama had fashioned Julia was mild in comparison to the woman standing before her now. And what exactly was Lavinia's Palace? Julia glanced around the room, noting the burgundy-and-gold color scheme covering nearly every surface. Ornate molding lined the door and windows, and plush carpeting, unlike any Julia had ever seen, padded the floor.

As she tipped her chin up in a silent prayer, the mirrored ceiling reflected her image back at her. Hells bells! What a peculiar place to put a looking glass. Where the devil had Mama sent her? And who was this woman?

As if the woman had read her mind, she said, "I am Madame Lavinia, the proprietor of this establishment, as well as its namesake."

Julia trained her attention back on Madame Lavinia, forcing herself to offer a smile. "Pleased to meet you, Madame." Only she had the sinking feeling deep in her gut that this meeting would result in the exact opposite of pleasurable.

"I've ordered a room prepared for you and Millie will be here presently to give you instruction on your duties." Madame Lavinia glanced at the door. "In the meantime, have you any questions for me?"

Where to start? Julia rolled her stiff shoulders, her mind racing. "What is Madame Lavinia's? A coaching inn, perhaps?" Even as she asked, Julia was quite certain this was no coaching inn, but what else might it be?

Madame Lavinia laughed. "Did your Mama not explain to you where you were being sent?"

"No, Madame. She said only that I should be kind to the gentlemen."

The woman's laughter increased in volume. "Good advice indeed, for this is a brothel."

Julia blanched, her stomach lurching in protest. How could Mama send her to such a place? She was sitting in a house of ill repute. She, an innocent maiden. One who'd never so much as been kissed now resided under the roof of a brothel. This simply could not be…and yet, it was.

Despite her lack of experience, she was not stupid. Julia knew what happened in these establishments. More than that, she knew she could never belong here. Julia stood, squaring her shoulders. "There must be some mistake."

"I assure you, no mistakes have been made. I have your mother's letter right here." Madame Lavinia sashayed over to her desk and lifted the parcel. "She chose my establishment due to our good reputation. You see, we protect our girls. Keep them safe and ensure they earn a fair rate for their services."

A rapping at the door prevented Julia from saying anything further. Instead, she focused her attention on the room's entrance and waited as Madame Lavinia welcomed another woman into the parlor. A pretty blonde whose face was painted in the same fashion as the Madame's, who appeared to be closer to Julia's age.

Could this be her fate? Her stomach roiled, threatening to toss up its contents. No. Julia would never— could never. There had to be an escape, another way for her to survive—to live. She would not accept the life of a whore.

"Millie, this is the new girl, Julia." Madame Lavinia waved a hand in her direction. "See her to her room and answer her questions."

"Yes, Madame." Millie came closer to Julia as she sized up her new colleague from head to toe and back again. "She will do well."

How insulting! They were discussing her like a horse in harness. Taking her measure, appraising her worth. She'd not stand for it. Julia fought to calm her pounding heart.

No way would she remain here, but where could she go? She needed time to think, to devise a plan. Time she feared she did not have.

Julia glanced between the women. Perhaps she was here for some other purpose. To serve drinks, maybe. If so she could abide it for a time. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it.

"I suspect as much, and she will fetch a premium for her maidenhead." Madame Lavinia leveled her gaze on Julia. "You are a virgin, correct?"

She was most certainly not here for anything as modest as serving drinks. Julia looked at the carpeting, her heart pounding. She'd not discuss her virginal state, or any other, with these women.

"Oh, the gentlemen will be fighting for who gets the chance to rut with her first." Millie placed her hand under Julia's chin, tipping it up and smiling. "How exciting for you."

Exciting? The girl must be daft. Julia could not imagine a worse fate than the one being laid out in front of her. She inhaled, turning her head to free herself from Millie's grasp. "Thank you for your time, but I will not be staying here. I'm sure it is a wonderful establishment, however, I have no desire to become a…a…I'll not be bedding anyone." She made haste for the door, her mind set on escaping.

Mistress Lavinia grabbed her elbow, jerking her to a halt. "Do not be daft, girl. You'd not make it five minutes out on the streets. Besides, gentlemen have already begun bidding on the chance to lay with you."

"You'll not be doing the bedding at any rate. The men will. All you need do is follow their lead." Millie added.

Julia struggled to free herself from the woman's grasp, her cheeks burning. "I will take my chances elsewhere."

"You'd rather have your innocence ripped from you by a street scoundrel than earn coin for it here, in the safety of my establishment?" Madame Lavinia tightened her grasp on Julia's arm.

Millie stared at her from where she stood, blocking the doorway. "Madame Lavinia tells the truth; if you venture into the London night, someone will assault you. I dare say, you may even turn up murdered."

Julia considered their words. She knew nothing of London. Could not even say where about she was in the city. She'd heard stories of London's underworld from those who had visited the city—pickpockets, murderers, all sorts of vagabonds. She closed her eyes and swallowed.

True, leaving would put her in danger, but staying could never be an option for her. Julia ceased her struggling. "Very well."

"You've made a wise choice." Madame Lavinia released her arm. "Millie show?—"

Julia stomped the Madame's foot and ran toward the door, tossing her full weight into Millie. The girl stumbled back, allowing Julia the opportunity to burst from the room. Her heart pounded as she made her way down the hall to the stairs.

As she clutched her skirts in one hand and descended the stairs, she heard the beating of footfalls behind her, but she dared not look back. Her heart pounded frantically as she hastily made her way toward the landing.

"Stop this instant! You will pay for your trickery." Madame Lavinia's shrill tone cut through the space.

Millie yelled from some distance behind Julia. "You are only making things harder on yourself."

Julia ignored the urge to look back as she pressed on toward what she hoped was the exit.

"Millie, stop her!"

Julia pushed herself harder, her lungs burning from the exertion. She would escape. They could not force her to stay. Could not stop her from leaving.

"Block the door," Madame Lavinia yelled.

A burly man with crooked yellow teeth stepped in front of the ornate oak panel.

Heart threatening to burst from her chest, Julia glanced around for a weapon. Perfect! She reached out grabbing a large vase from a nearby table. As she drew closer to the door, she raised the vase into the air, then brought it crashing down on the man's head. He crumpled at her feet.

No time to waste, Julia flung open the door and propelled herself into the dark, unfamiliar streets of London.