Page 31 of An Extraordinary Lord

Veronica rolled her eyes. Rejected by a brothel madam…lovely.

“It’s not what you think.” He bent down and tugged at Veronica’s beard. The adhesive gum gave way, and the beard pulled off. Her hat came next, revealing her hair in a knot at the top of her head.

Madame’s arms fell to her sides. Taking a long, assessing glance over Veronica, she murmured, “Well, aren’t you just full of surprises?”

Merritt grinned at the backhanded compliment. “Madame Noir,” he introduced, “may I present to you Miss Veronica Chase? Miss Chase, this is Madame Noir, the proprietress of Le Château Noir.”

“A pleasure,” Madame purred.

“Is it?” Veronica countered, her impudence earning a smile from the woman. “After all, you keep calling him Snake.”

“Because that’s what he is,” she explained. “A barrister in a brothel.” Her eyes narrowed at Merritt. “A snake in my henhouse.”

He shrugged and casually sat back on the rolled arm of the settee. “A man who can have her business shut down for violating the Disorderly Houses Act.”

She nodded at Veronica. “See my point?”

“Yes, I do.” So no cause for being jealous after all. From the way she’d greeted him, Madame would have preferred to havehimup to his neck in the tidal Thames.

“Madame Noir is special,” Merritt told Veronica, continuing with the introduction. “She’s a skilled businesswoman who used to be a highly sought-after courtesan in the Viennese court and a favorite of the Holy Roman Emperor.”

“Please,” Madam scoffed but didn’t attempt to hide her pleasure at the compliment. “Francis was neither holy nor Roman nor imperial.” A nostalgic smile rose on her red lips. “But hewasgood with a sword.”

Merritt nudged Veronica with his shoulder and murmured, “Your kind of man.”

“If I only had a sword now,” she muttered.

Madame turned her attention to Veronica. “And you are…?”

She smiled. “A thief-taker.”

“Of course you are.” Madame’s lips twisted in dark annoyance. “The reptiles are multiplying.”

“Then best to deal with us as quickly as possible and send us on our way,” he replied.

“Very well.” Madame let out an impatient sigh. “What do you want?”

“The use of your skills.” Merritt pushed himself off the arm of the settee and crossed to the little cabinet in the corner, opened the glass doors, and reached inside to help himself to a bottle of cognac. Veronica didn’t let herself contemplate how he’d become so familiar with Madame’s private rooms as to know where she hid her liquor. “Miss Chase is going to be attending a society soiree in two days.” He pulled out the stopper and splashed the caramel-colored liquid into a crystal tumbler. “I want you to prepare her for it.”

Madame laughed. “You want me to be agoverness?”

“I want you to teach her all the niceties and manners she’ll need to know to make her way through the evening without drawing unwanted attention to herself. She doesn’t have to shine. She just can’t cause any noticeable offenses.” He smiled at her over his shoulder as he returned the decanter to its place. “If anyone can teach her that in such short time, it’s you.”

That little bit of flattery worked its magic to settle Madame’s ruffled feathers. A bit. “What kind of event?”

“A ball. At Carlton House.”

“You’re mad!” Veronica accused breathlessly as she shot to her feet, shocked by his plans. “Everyone in society will be there.”

“And the more people who are in attendance, the easier it will be for you to blend into the crush. I’ll take care of securing the invitation and providing an escort and carriage for you.” He pointed his glass at Madame. “You’ll make certain she’s dressed properly and knows what to expect.”

“And in return?” Madame pressed.

He shrugged. “I promise not to have your business shut down, your property confiscated, and you transported to Australia.”

“How generous of you,” she drawled sarcastically.

“I’ll also reimburse you for all expenses for whatever gown and accessories you deem she needs, plus an additional twenty percent for your trouble.”