Charlotte sighed, "I know, I am trying honestly, just no one seems to compare to him."

Violet handed Charlotte over to Elizabeth and was introduced to Mr Dawson, an old friend of Lord Dunham's and a very dear one of Elizabeth's. He seemed a pleasant gentleman and offered to take Charlotte in to supper when he realised her dance card was full. She agreed to this, as she had immediately warmed to this gentleman who would be staying with them for the coming week.

Charlotte put Mr O'Hara to the back of her mind as she danced with her other partners. They flirted and she laughed, not taking their words seriously, but in the spirit most of them had been given. She was realistic, she was not an heiress, so although she was a popular dance partner, she would not been seen as a serious consideration by many of those gathered here. That was perfectly acceptable, she was not looking to marry. At least, no one from Somerset anyway.

Mr O'Hara appeared by her side when the supper gong was rung and was deeply offended that Charlotte would not be going into supper with himself, even though no arrangement had been made to this end previously. He glared at Mr Dawson as he held out his arm for Charlotte.

"It seems I should watch my behaviour tonight, or I am liable to be called out by your young man," Mr Dawson said, good naturedly as they entered the crush of the supper room.

"He is not my young man," Charlotte replied. "Until tonight, I thought he was very pleasant and amenable, but he is rapidly becoming the annoyance of the night," she said with feeling.

Mr Dawson chuckled and shook his head. It seemed that Elizabeth had found herself a like minded friend, one who said exactly what she was feeling. When he had made sure that Charlotte was seated comfortably, he offered to get her a drink.

"Would you be kind enough to bring me a gla.s.s of wine?" Charlotte asked, with a faint blush at Mr Dawson's raised eyebrow. "I really feel I need one after Mr O'Hara's behaviour."

Mr Dawson nodded and brought over two gla.s.ses and then returned to bring some food. Charlotte picked at the food while being entertained by Mr Dawson. He was very fond of Elizabeth and Lord Dunham, and took pleasure in telling Charlotte some of their earlier escapades, those which were suitable for a lady's ears. She drank the wine and asked for another; the wine and Mr Dawson's charm were making the night seem pleasant once more.

The dancing started again and Charlotte was entertained by her partner, she felt light headed, but freer, more open to the compliments and empty flirting, she found everything very funny. After two dances, she needed to sit down. She excused herself and sat in one of the window bays and watched the dancing. It was a lovely evening. She felt in need of something to drink, so skirted the edge of the dancing and made her way to the refreshment room. She could have sent a footman, but wanted to move around. The table was laid out, with a footman busy serving. She obtained a gla.s.s of wine and moved out of the room. She drank quickly; she was due to start another dance when the music ended.

Drinking the wine quickly soon turned out to be a mistake; Charlotte felt a little dizzy and instead of drawing attention to herself moved out into the hallway. She needed to sit were she could let the dizziness pa.s.s and compose herself, ready for her next partner.

She made her way to the morning room and was about to close the door when Mr O'Hara pushed his way in and closed the door behind him. Charlotte exclaimed in surprise, but Mr O'Hara spoke quickly.

"Shh, unless you want to bring half the house running," he said quietly. "I just wanted to talk to you."

Charlotte was silent, she was a little afraid. Her lack of experience putting herself at a disadvantage against an amorous man.

"I can't leave you tonight with no hope of there being something between us," Mr O'Hara said, touching Charlotte's cheek gently. "I want to marry you Miss Webster; I want to spend the rest of my days looking after you."

Charlotte closed her eyes; it would be so easy to say yes. She was sure that he meant his words; he was such a steady young man. She would be secure, she would be looked after, why could she not agree to the match and be done with it all?

Charlotte's action of closing her eyes must have appeared as an encouragement because Mr O'Hara moved towards her, taking her in his arms. He bent his head to touch her lips with his, just as Charlotte opened her eyes in surprise at his movement. She stilled as he bent to kiss her, he was gentle, reverent almost, his eyes closed, savouring the moment.

The first instinct Charlotte had was to pull away with indignation at such forward behaviour, but she paused. Everyone was telling her to forget, to marry someone more suitable, to put her happiness first. So, instead of pulling away, she moved her arms around Mr O'Hara's neck and pulled him towards her; just had she had done on that fateful day at Baron Kersal's. Mr O'Hara groaned with pleasure at her movement and pulled her tightly to him, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were pressed into his chest and he held onto her as if he would never let go. Charlotte responded to his kiss for a few moments and then slowly her movements stilled. She let go of his hair that she had been grasping and let her hands fall by her side.

Mr O'Hara pulled away at the change and rested his forehead on Charlotte's, he was breathing deeply and his pupils were dilated. "What's wrong?" he asked gently. "Have I pushed you too fast? You have made me so happy in the way you have responded, I hope you will see know how well we suit."

Charlotte pulled away. "I am truly sorry," she said simply. She was. She should not have used him in such a way, she had responded to his kiss to compare it to another's and there could be no comparison. She had been completely spoiled by Stephen for anyone else.

Mr O'Hara looked confused. "I don't understand, you acted as if you wanted my advances. Are you teasing me Miss Webster?" His tone had changed slightly, he sounded angry.

"I'm sorry," Charlotte repeated. "I was not teasing; I was trying to force myself into liking you."

Mr O'Hara flinched at her words. "You were trying to force yourself into liking me?" He said incredulously.

"I'm sorry," Charlotte repeated quickly. "I'm not saying this correctly, I can't seem to explain myself, but I didn't want to hurt you."

Mr O'Hara looked as if he was going to burst, but the morning room door opened and Lord Dunham and Mr Dawson walked in.

Lord Dunham took in the pair, a frown developing as he noticed Charlotte's obvious distress and Mr O'Hara's barely suppressed anger. "May I ask what is going on here?" he asked in general.

"I was making an offer, but I've been told clearly that it's not welcome!" Mr O'Hara said bitterly.

"You have made a proposal to Miss Webster without seeking my consent first?" Lord Dunham asked calmly, but there was a reprimand in the words.

Mr O'Hara flushed. "I was going to seek your approval tomorrow!" he snapped.

"I suggest you visit me tomorrow, at the earliest opportunity," Lord Dunham said.

Charlotte gasped at Lord Dunham's words; he surely wouldn't force her into a marriage with Mr O'Hara? The gentleman nodded his a.s.sent and left the room. Lord Dunham turned to Charlotte and although he noticed how pale she had gone, he was annoyed that she had put herself in such a position.

"I would have expected you of all people to be more aware of the dangers of putting yourself into a compromising situation, Charlotte," Lord Dunham said with reproach.

Charlotte's pale face was suffused with a blush of mortification. "I came in here because I was feeling dizzy. He forced his way in, but I did not insist he leave, and for that I am truly sorry."

"You would have been if anyone else had seen you," Lord Dunham said.

"Please my Lord, M-Michael," Charlotte stuttered at the look she received from the man before her. "You aren't going to force me to marry him are you? I know you could, but please....."

"I suggest you return to the ball and enjoy the remainder of the evening, if you can," Lord Dunham said with a more gentle tone. "We shall talk again in the morning."

"That's what worries me!" Charlotte said, but left the room.

Mr Dawson and Michael were left looking at each other; Mr Dawson had the ghost of a smile, hovering around his lips. Michael groaned, "Don't you dare laugh John!" he said with feeling.

"It reminds me of when Elizabeth was introduced into your life," John smiled at his friend.

"Yes, but this is worse, Charlotte is in love with Halkyn. I had hoped that Halkyn would come to his senses and realise what he had and make up for his previous mistakes, but it seems he is a bigger fool than I thought. He refuses to change his ways and the one he has hurt is the one who cares for him the most. We've been hoping that for her sake she would be tempted by someone more suitable, but after tonight it doesn't seem so," Michael said with feeling.

"Oh good G.o.d, you'd better tell me more!" John said in mock horror.

Chapter 14.

Laura came into the room looking wary and afraid. Stephen felt sorry for the woman, partly because of the support she had given to Charlotte. He walked across the room and embraced her, while he was holding her stiff body, he whispered in her ear.

"Do not worry, we are not going to harm you, but we need to speak to you, so please play along." Laura relaxed into him at his words and Stephen let her go. He took her by the hand and made a big show of introducing her to Peters. "This is my relative, Alfred. He seems to think that we have been boring in our previous rendezvous my dear, I hope you will show him the contrary is true." He squeezed her hand in rea.s.surance and Laura seemed to understand.

She approached Alfred and wrapped her arms around his neck, nibbling on his jaw. "Oh yes, my Lord, we will certainly make sure that he goes out of here knowing exactly what sort of pleasure is available here."

She started to unfasten Alfred's frock coat and then helped him out of it. She lay the coat over the chair and then turned to Stephen. "You too my sweet," she said playfully and helped him out of his frock coat. Both men were helped out of their waistcoats and then she took off their cravats. Both men allowed her to do as she wished. Once their cravats were gone, Alfred turned to Laura.

"On the bed, wench!" he said, not unkindly, but firmly. Laura looked a little worried, but Alfred moved across to her. He took her hands in his and pulled her towards him; he whispered something and then kissed her fully on the lips. Laura relaxed into Alfred and allowed herself to be picked up and carried to the bed. She opened the curtains slightly and clambered onto the mattress.

"Come on boys," came the m.u.f.fled voice behind the thick drapes. "Come and show me what you are made of."

Both men climbed onto the bed and without making it obvious, made sure that the curtains were closed, ensuring no one could see in through them. The three made sure they moved around to create the illusion that they were engrossed in carnal pleasure. Stephen left it to Alfred to whisper to Laura the reason they were there. Her eyes had widened at the information, but she had turned to Stephen immediately.

"I wanted to ask you about Charlotte. Is she well?" she asked, keeping her voice low.

"She is well and safe, and will never be at risk from Kersal again. It was a kind thing you did to help her," Stephen said.

"She was so young and so scared in the carriage, but she tried to hide it and gave Kersal a right tongue lashing. He looked as if he wanted to gag her, but I wouldn't let him. It was my job to make sure she was returned here unharmed and I did," Laura whispered. "I know it's happened before, but I've never been involved. It has always felt wrong, but once I'd seen the child, I couldn't stand by and do nothing. We do this but we get paid and agree to it to a certain extent; she wasn't given any choice, or a way out."

Child. Stephen had almost flinched when Laura had said the word, how could he have proposed marriage to a child? He was as bad as Kersal. He tried to dismiss his thoughts and focus on the matter at hand. "Her friends thank you, and want to stop Kersal," he said quietly.

As the conversation progressed, Stephen came to the conclusion that it had to be the most surreal conversation he had ever experienced. It consisted of whispers that were interrupted by noises from Laura, Alfred and himself. There was also a lot of movement around the bed by the three of them, all without actually touching each other. They had to give the impression of having an enjoyable experience.

Laura had confirmed what Alfred had said, that there were peep holes in all the rooms. It had sickened Stephen further, but she had also suspected that once the people who had chosen to watch their session realised there was nothing to see, they would be left alone. They continued with the farce purely to be on the safe side. Laura's safety was vital.

She had a lot of information to give, most of which Stephen could not hear as it was whispered to Peters. He fired questions at her on regular intervals. She seemed relieved to be able to speak to someone in authority about the goings on. Even though she was a working girl who would never be accepted into civilised society, she had standards and morals. Kersal it seemed was turning most of his girls against him, but Laura was not sure if anyone else would be prepared to give them more information to help the case.

"We will gather what we need, your information is just setting me on the right track," Alfred a.s.sured her. "It will save me a lot of time."

"So you can then return to your own world, well away from this h.e.l.l," Laura had whispered to him, sounding a little bitter.

Alfred had looked a little surprised at her words, but soon regained his usual calm expression and leant in to answer her. "We are both involved in different types of h.e.l.l," he said calmly. "Mine isn't any better or worse than yours, but it is every bit as much a h.e.l.l, believe me."

Laura did believe him and did not know really why she had snapped at him. She could see the horrors he had seen in his eyes. She was attuned to people, she had to be in her profession and she could see that the gentleman before her had been involved in far more than any reasonable human being should have been. She trusted this man and would help him in any way she could. The kiss he had given her at the start of the evening, she would remember for a long time to come. It would help when she had to blank her mind to everything that was happening to her, for if she did not close her mind to what she did, she would have gone insane a long time ago. The memory of his kiss would provide a place in her mind which her sanity could retreat to while her body was being abused.

Alfred's questions seemed to last forever; Stephen was becoming bored with the situation. He was relieved when Alfred thanked Laura for her help. She nodded her head and began to take off her dress.

"What are you doing?" Stephen asked in disbelief.

"They won't expect me, or you to climb off the bed fully dressed," she said simply. "Don't take them for fools, they aren't. They may be a little drunk, but they aren't stupid."

Stephen sighed in resignation. He was not embarra.s.sed about getting undressed, but it was a d.a.m.ned inconvenience. Laura pulled the pins from her hair and ruffled her curls. As the three continued to undress Alfred reached inside his pocket. He brought out a small pouch.

"Here, this is yours," he said quietly to Laura.

"What is it?" she asked, not reaching out to take it.

"It is your reward for your work this evening," Alfred said simply.

"Reward? I'm a working girl Alfred, I shall get my pennies after the evening has finished. Don't feel obliged to pay twice, I'm sure you've already had to pay handsomely," she responded a little tartly.

"You would receive a reward for the information you have supplied. I won't be able to give it to you in the future, so you may as well have it now," Alfred said, throwing the pouch on the bed.

"So you won't be back?" Laura asked, for some reason the thought left her with a dead weight in her chest.

"No, we won't be back to this place ever again," Stephen responded with venom. "Take the money Laura, you've earned it." He got out of the bed covers, dragging his clothing behind him. "Well my dear, that was a b.l.o.o.d.y good time, even if I do say so myself!" he said arrogantly, moving over to the table containing the wine and having a large gla.s.s. He appeared as if he was quite happy with the evening's entertainment. After having his fill of wine, he sat down on the chair and started to dress himself. "Come Alfred!" he shouted. "Even you must have had your fill by now."

Laura picked up the pouch and emptied it quietly into her hand. She looked questioningly at Alfred. "This is too much; a reward is usually a few pounds. I couldn't earn this much in three years, even if I worked every night," she said simply.

"I won most of it tonight," Alfred said with a shrug.

"And the rest?" Laura asked, looking into Alfred's eyes.

"We all need help sometimes, use it well and get away from this business," he said gently.

Laura knelt up on the bed and wrapped her arms around Alfred's neck. She had no corset on and she pressed her b.r.e.a.s.t.s into his shirt front. "Thank you," she whispered, before leaning in and kissing him fully on the mouth.

Alfred should not have allowed such a kiss to take place. He was on duty and she was a working girl. If he was found out, he could lose his job, but the amount of feeling that was given with that kiss almost took his breath away. He responded like a starving man being offered a banquet, pulling Laura to him and kissing her fully in return. They separated, both gasping for breath, wide eyed and flushed.

"I won't ever see you again will I?" Laura said.

"It would be best if you didn't, in my line of work there is a high casualty rate," Alfred said matter of fact.

Laura cupped his cheek in her hand. "In another life I would have taken care of you," she said simply.

Alfred turned his head and kissed her hand. "In another life I would have let you," he replied and got off the bed without looking back.

Both men dressed without speaking and left the room. Laura hid the pouch and dressed slowly, tears running down her face. She shook herself once she was presentable again, there was no point repining over something she could not change. She had been given the opportunity to leave this establishment and she would pick her moment and go without looking back. She had done enough here.

Stephen and Alfred returned to Stephen's house. Both travelled in silence, thinking about the night's events. The carriage arrived at the house and Walter opened the door. It might be the middle of the night, but the butler looked no different than if he had opened it during the afternoon.

"Walter, go to bed!" Stephen said gruffly, but not unkindly.

Walter bowed his head slightly. "Do you require anything else, my Lord?"

"Strong brandy," came the usual response of late.

"Already in your study my Lord. If there is nothing else, I shall bid you gentlemen good night."

Stephen led the way into his study and poured two large gla.s.ses of brandy. He took a large drink and slumped into one of the chairs that were placed in front of the fire. "Thank G.o.d that the evening is over."

"It was worth it," Alfred said, sitting opposite Stephen, when invited to sit down. "She knew a lot more than I expected. My colleague Corless has been working on the outside, following the Baron, noting who he meets with and building a picture of his activities. With the work that Corless has been doing we should have enough to move in quickly."

"Good, I would hate to think that he was left to roam the streets for much longer. I didn't realise just how much I hated him until tonight."

"I realise it was difficult, but at least you have returned. When all this comes out there will be speculation as to who informed on him. Your appearance tonight will probably mean that you are excluded from that suspicion," Alfred explained.

Stephen looked Alfred squarely in the eye. "What about Laura? Will she be safe?"

"I don't know," came the honest reply. Alfred appeared to have his usual control, but a slight gritting of his teeth betrayed some emotion he was hiding. "I gave her enough money to enable her to get away and support herself for a time, but she will have to pick her moment, or she will put herself in danger. She is intelligent and has survived in that world until now. I am sure she will be fine."

"I hope so, I would hate to think that in stopping Kersal, we have put someone in harm's way," Stephen said. "So what happens now?"

"You leave the rest to us," Alfred said with authority. "Mr Frost will inform you when there is something to report. But until then, be a.s.sured that work will be going on to stop this ring." He rose. "It is time I returned to my lodgings. Thank you for your a.s.sistance my Lord."

Stephen stood and shook the officer's hand. He had gained respect for the calm Alfred, even in such a short period of time. "Well I can't say it was a pleasure, but I hope we've done enough to help you. Good luck."