Cowboys and Highlanders (37 page)

“Thank you,” Marion said gratefully, taking the pitcher and then filling the basin.

“You’re this excited to see him? Isn’t sex mundane by now?”

Marion rolled her eyes in a playful manner. Then she took off her dress. “He smells good, dresses well, and takes his time to make sure I’m pleasured.”

Allison blushed.

Marion laughed. “After a while, men all look the same. Then a man comes in that sets him apart. Frank makes love…with rigorous passion.” Marion splashed water under her arms and between her legs. Then she quickly dried and applied scented powder to her skin. “If someone gets to him before I do…” She let the statement hang.

“Go then.” Allison pushed her toward the door. “I’ve finished moving my things to the other room. I’ll clean up in here, change the water, straighten the bed, and pick up the clothes. Give him a drink and give me ten minutes.”

“Are you sure?”

Allison nodded.

“Allison, I’m so glad you’ve joined us.” She lightly kissed her on the cheek. “I think you’re stalling. You can’t avoid the inevitable. There always has to be a first. I know Sandy is watching for someone who’ll be gentle. Taking a man to bed isn’t love. It’s work. And once you’re a whore, you’ll never be anything else. Why don’t you find some handsome cowboy to give your virginity to? Then the choice is yours. Just avoid the miners. They smell and are too tired to put in any effort.”

“It doesn’t matter. I won’t be with someone I love.”

“The first time isn’t for pleasure. Just get it over with. But after that, sex feels good. I love a man with strong hands and plenty between his legs.”

“Marion!”

She smiled wickedly. “Believe me, it isn’t often I get pleasured, too.”

Allison closed the door. Marion’s laughter faded as she made her way downstairs.

Later that night, Allison mingled with the other girls. She even began to feel comfortable talking to the gentlemen having drinks in the lounge. Sandy was always in view when Allison needed encouragement. A wink and an inviting smile infused Allison with new determination to find someone to take upstairs. Many men expressed their desire, but Sandy had yet to give the green light.

* * * * *

Marion returned two hours later to find Sandy watching the lounge from an obscured position. “So how come she’s still socializing?”

“You look worn out.” Sandy chuckled.

“Yeah, well, you don’t rush a master.” She smoothed her hair with the palms of her hands. “So what’s up? Who’s the lucky one?”

“Allison is a lady. She reeks of money even though she claims she doesn’t have any. She shouldn’t be here.” Sandy sighed. “I had hoped she’d change her mind. I don’t know what she’s hiding or what she’s running from but she can’t hide her upbringing. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why someone of her caliber would choose this life over one of comfort.”

“You did.”

Sandy shrugged.

“What are you going to do?”

“Allison made her choice. What can I do about it? If she’s not working for me, she’ll work for someone else.”

“With her style and looks, she’s going to be popular.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Sandy left Marion and entered the lounge.

“Allison, I see you’ve met Mr. Clark. How’s business at the bakery?” she asked.

“Busy. My daughters take care of most things now. They say I work too much. I decided to listen for once. I came into your lovely parlor to relax. I’ve been having a pleasant conversation with Miss Allison.”

Mr. Clark was a well-groomed man in his fifties. He’d been coming to the brothel ever since his wife passed a few years prior.

“Perhaps Miss Allison would like to escort you upstairs?”

Allison’s mouth suddenly became dry and her palms grew moist. “All right.” Allison stood when Sandy gave her that knowing wink that said everything would be fine.

Mr. Clark carried his hat as he followed Allison to her room.

“I don’t need much,” he said, closing the door. Mr. Clark placed his hat on the hook on the wall. “Here.” He handed her a small bottle of perfume. “Please wear this.” He took off his suit coat and began to unhook the clasp of his trousers. “I miss my wife, you see.” His trousers fell to the floor. “Of course, you’re young and beautiful. You could never look like my wife, but you can smell like her.”

Allison opened the perfume and sniffed the overly sweet fragrance. Using as little as possible, she touched the stopper to her wrists and neck.

Slowly and methodically, Allison unbuttoned the front of her corset while Mr. Clark finished undressing then went to the bed. She turned from his stare and began removing her clothing. Falling to the floor, her skirt pooled around her feet leaving her standing nude with her back to Mr. Clark.

“Turn around, Miss Allison. Let me admire you.”

Allison’s chin nearly rested on her chest as she turned and let her arms fall to her sides.

Mr. Clark patted the edge of the bed.

Allison approached. Every step felt like a thousand pounds. Her legs were exhausted when she found herself sitting on the bed.

Mr. Clark, with a warm, soft, but trembling hand touched the skin of her shoulder. Allison shuddered. Tears filled her eyes and then spilled onto her cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed.

“Sorry? You’ve done nothing wrong? Have I done something to upset you?”

She shook her head. “It’s not you,” she said, hiccupping through her words. “You’re so kind to be patient with me.”

Realization dawned on Mr. Clark. Red crawled up his neck and settled in his cheeks. “Miss Alison, you are a beautiful girl. I can see now you’re still a child. I’ve got two daughters at home and I could never look at them again knowing that I was a first for you.” He hurried and pulled on his trousers.

“Please stay.” She took part of the blanket from the bed to cover herself.

Mr. Clark was dressed with his suit coat misbuttoned. “You do smell nice.” He turned and slipped out the door.

Allison fell back onto the bed and buried her face in the pillow.

A few minutes later, a soft knock came to the door. “Allison?” Marion asked. “Can I come in?” She didn’t wait for a reply. Marion entered the room and sat next to Allison on the bed. “What happened?”

Allison groaned, buried underneath the blanket.

“Sandy caught Mr. Clark on his way out. He was upset.” Marion put her foot up on the bed and picked at her toenail. “Sandy apologized to him. It took a little convincing, but Sandy was able to send him off with Cassie.” She put her foot back down, and leaned over Allison placing a hand on her shoulder. “I know Mr. Clark is a nice man. If he did anything to hurt you—”

Allison interrupted. “It wasn’t him. He knew it was my first time when I took off my clothes. I bawled at the first touch.”

“Sandy isn’t mad.” Marion paused. “Allison, this isn’t the job for you. Everyone knows it. That is everyone, except you.” Marion lay back against the pillow. “Oh, Ally.” She sighed. “What are you going to do? Sandy is a great lady, but she’s not a charity. No one stays unless they work.”

“I know.” Allison sat up and wiped her wet cheeks with her fingers. “When I couldn’t find work, this seemed like a solution. I guess it’s not.” She adjusted the blanket to keep from exposing herself. “I’ll talk to Sandy and ask her if I can stay tonight. Tomorrow I’ll look for somewhere to live and figure out what I can do for money.” Keeping the blanket tucked around her. Allison stood from the bed and picked clothing off the floor. “At least I haven’t ordered the wardrobe.” She fingered the soft velvet of the skirt in her hand then handed it to Marion. “I won’t need this.”

“We’ll figure it out together.” She gave Allison an encouraging smile. “After you bathe. With that smell I can’t stay in this room another minute. ” Marion went to the water pitcher. “I’ll return the favor,” she said, picking it up. “Obviously Mr. Clark had intended to stay with you.” She crinkled her nose. “I recognize the scent.”
              Marion returned a few minutes later splashing water in her haste to get back to Allison. “I have the greatest idea.” She set the pitcher next to the bowl. “It’s cold because there wasn’t any hot water on the stove.” She filled the large, ceramic dish. “It’s been a busy night. I guess no one has had a chance to keep up with the demand.”

“I don’t mind cold water,” Allison said. She was grateful for the chance to wash some of the fragrance from her skin. Between the tears, the heavy aroma, and the headache pounding through her temples, she was nauseous.

“Well, I do. I admit it.” Marion put her hand over her heart. “I love what I do. I won’t ever stop. I’m never getting married. Long story, but I’m never getting a baby either so I’ve got no reason not to lay down with whomever I want.” She put her hands on her hips. Her eyes brightened along with the excitement escalating her voice. “And it isn’t bragging to say I’m busy. So busy that I don’t have much time to take care of myself. I deserve hot water and clean clothes. I want my sheets changed whenever they get dirty. I don’t care if that means twice a night.” She stomped her foot. “I need some pampering.” She put a washcloth into the water. “Will you work for me?” Marion handed her a damp cloth.

“I know how much you earn. Sandy already takes so much. You can’t support me, too.” She took the cloth and wiped her arms and neck.

“You’re right. Not alone, I couldn’t. But if you took care of all of us girls, together we could.” Marion sat and took Allison’s hands in hers. “We all see something special in you. You’ve still got what we lost a long time ago. Seeing you throw away your life breaks my heart. If you stay here, you’ll never get married. God forbid if you have a child. No one is going to want to raise a baby for you. Worst of all, you wouldn’t know who the father is.”

Allison felt on the verge of tears again. “I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to leave, either. You’re the first real friend I’ve ever had. Sandy isn’t going to let me keep the room.”

Marion shrugged. “Who cares? Get dressed. If we can’t convince her that we need you, then you can sleep with me after I’m done for the night. We’ll figure out the details later. For now, let’s see who wants to hire you. I know I’m not the only one who hates fetching water to clean up.” A minute later, Allison was dressed. Marion took her by the hand and led her down the hall. “Lets see how many of us our willing to spend a few coins for a little pampering.”

Business had tapered off for the night and only a few gentlemen were in the parlor and most of the girls were in their rooms. Stopping at the first door, Marion gave a gentle knock. Cassie opened the door.

Marion pushed inside and Allison followed. “We have a proposition.”

An hour later, Marion, Allison and several girls crowded into Sandy’s office. The only obstacle in their way was Sandy. Anyone who knew Sandy, realized she was a businesswoman first. Letting Allison stay would cut into her profits. The room represented potential income, but not if Allison wasn’t bedding men.

Sandy listened, but continued to shake her head. “I’m not a charity.” She sipped a cup of tea. “Girls, it’s been a long and tiring night. I don’t want to argue. You know the rules. We have contracts. I can’t justify the expenditure.” She sat behind her desk, removed her wire-rimmed reading glasses, and messaged her temples. “Allison, you’re a lovely young woman.” She sighed. “I knew this wasn’t going to work. You don’t belong here. You need a nice husband and a baby on each hip.”

“She doesn’t have anywhere to go,” Marion said. “I’ve been with you a long time, Sandy. I’ve never wanted more than what I have right here. God knows it’s far better than where I came from. We both know how cruel life can be.” She pointed her finger at Allison. “I don’t want her to know,” she said. “We have a chance to do something right.” She wiped a tear from her cheek.

“Marion,” Sandy said, sharply inhaling. “Don’t cry. I’ve never seen you cry, and I’m not sure I want to now.”

“If it’s the room, she can stay with me. If it’s money, don’t worry about it. I told you, the girls and I are going to give her a cut of our share. There isn’t any reason why this won’t work.”

Sandy turned to Allison. “Aren’t you going to say something?”

“I understand your position. I’ll stay on and work just as everyone else.”

“No!” Marion and Sandy said in unison.

“I’m sorry about Mr. Clark. It’s going to be tougher than I thought.”

“Well Allison, it doesn’t get any easier than Mr. Clark,” Sandy said. “I already decided you aren’t working for me.”

After what seemed like an eternity, Allison said, “Can I work for them? If it doesn’t work out, I’ll leave.”

Sandy threw her hands in the air. “We’ll try it. Until I need your room, you can stay.”

Marion and Allison hugged each other. Sandy came around the desk. They pulled her into the hug, too.

“Now stop and settle down,” she chided. “Marion, I leave it up to you to decide on Allison’s wages. She’s your employee.” She clapped her hands together. “Now get out of my office and get some sleep.”

Marion and Allison left together with the other girls following. “I have a job,” Allison squealed.

And first thing the following morning, Allison went to the kitchen to make sure there would be plenty of hot water for everyone.