A Gentlewoman's Predicament (4 page)
“Of course, my dear. I’ll be happy to help.” I still her hands with mine, then reach into my reticule for my card case. “Why not come to this address at around three p.m. tomorrow? I’m sure that my associates and I can provide you with all the answers—and the therapy—that you need.”
“Associates?” She looks doubtful.
“Don’t be concerned. They’re the most trusted of professionals. You’ll be safe in their hands.”
She smiles. Her spirits seem to be lifting already and her eyes are brighter.
“Thank you so much. I’ll be there.” She almost seems about to kiss me in gratitude. “Bless you, Madame Chamfleur. I knew I could rely on you.”
As she turns away, and begins to discuss cross-stitch with another of our number, I glance down at the top card in my little case.
Mme. Sofia Chamfleur, Intimate Advice to the Gentlewoman
, it proclaims in a very handsome copperplate script, followed by an address in Hampstead, and the words
Consultations By Appointment
.
I smile, happy anew every time I think of my plan, the way I invested some of my fortune, and the delicious arrangements I made. Beneath my skirts, my body warms as if readying itself for the attentions of my beloved Ambrose.
You see, I
did
decide to marry, after all.
If you liked this story
, look for Portia Da Costa’s next story of Victorian sensuality,
A Gentlewoman’s Ravishment
, the second installment of the Ladies’ Sewing Circle series, on sale June 2010.
Hungry for more? Spice Briefs to suit every taste are available now at www.spicebriefs.com, including these recent titles:
Night Moves
by Eden Bradley
Private Party
by Amanda McIntyre
Special Delivery
by Riki Kaye
Knightley’s Tale
by Destiny D’Otare
Erotique: Alex
by Susan Lyons
Tuscan Freedom
by Ruthie Michaels
Erotique: Jillian
by Susan Lyons
Loch Dragon’s Lady
by Christine McKay
Erotique: Carrie
by Susan Lyons
For something a little longer, visit www.spice-books.com or stop by your local bookstore for stories that will ignite your senses!
Think you’d like to write a Spice Brief? Submissions are always welcome at [email protected]
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5146-9
A Gentlewoman’s Predicament
Copyright © 2010 by Portia Da Costa
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
