* * *
Weldon's hope that Lady Sara was captured died as soon as he talked to Mrs. Kent. "No, sir," the madam said emphatically. "She's just a child. Couldn't possibly be a woman in her twenties."
"Pity," Weldon said with regret. "Is she pretty?"
"Very. Long blond hair like an angel." Mrs. Kent gave an approving nod. "She could be another Jenny Miller, a girl who can play the virgin over and over. Valuable."
"We'll keep her then." Weldon glanced upward. "What room is she in? Someone has to be the first, so I think I'll take that pleasure for myself."
The madam frowned. "I've already promised her to someone else for later tonight. I've a particularly good customer who likes blondes, the younger the better."
Weldon shrugged indifferently. "He can have her second. Unless you've got another virgin in the house?"
"Not tonight. Just three of the regular girls, plus the new one. A man is bringing in two of his daughters tomorrow, just for one night." A peevish note entered her voice. "It's a lot harder running a virgin house than a regular brothel."
"Which is why you earn so much," Weldon pointed out unsympathetically. "What room is the new girl in?"
"The end of the hall, on the right."
"What's her name?"
"She wouldn't tell me. Won't do anything but cry for her father," Mrs. Kent said with contempt. "But I made her ready for her first customer." She went to her desk and pulled out a key. "Here's the key to the room."
Weldon went into the hall and climbed the stairs. Outside the new girl's room, he paused, his heart and breath quickening in anticipation.
There was such ecstasy in being the first, in knowing that no other man had ever penetrated that innocent body. Amidst the frustration of his struggle with Peregrine, he needed this to restore his power and confidence. His organ began swelling to hard potency at the thought.
After turning the key in the lock, he quietly opened the door. In the room's dim light, at first he saw only a slender body and blond hair tumbling over the pillow. As usual, the girl wore a flimsy, childish white nightgown, and her wrists were tied to the bedposts.
He licked his lips as waves of desire pulsed through him, melting his fears and frustrations. Yes, he needed this. Soft-footed, he crossed the room, anticipating the sweet taste of the child.
The girl had whimpered with fear when the door opened. Then she turned her head toward the entrance, a swath of lamplight falling across her childish features.
Weldon stopped dead in his tracks. Nausea began boiling through him, along with paralyzing grief.
The child's blue eyes widened, first with shock, then with joy. "Papa!" Eliza whispered, her voice raw from weeping. "Papa, I knew you would come."
Chapter 28
It had taken Kuram time to find Mrs. Kent's house, for in this part of London the streets were not well marked. Sara burned with impatience. When Kuram opened the door and said, "Here, lady," she jumped out immediately.
It was full dark now, and she pulled her hood up so that it shadowed her face. Kuram directed the driver down the block to an alley where the carriage would be inconspicuous.
Sara climbed the steps quickly, Kuram close behind her. There was an interminable wait after she knocked.
Finally a small window slid open in the door. "Who are you and what do you want?" a hoarse voice asked.
Perhaps some special password was required, but Sara didn't know what it might be, so she said, "I am here on a matter of business, Profitable business for Mrs. Kent."
The window slid shut, and there was such a long wait that she feared they would not be admitted. But eventually the door swung grudgingly open, and she stepped inside, Kuram behind her.
Standing in a drab hall were a burly ruffian and a large, unpleasant-looking woman who matched Jenny's description of Mrs. Kent. Eyes wary, the madam snapped, "What's your business—do you have a daughter to sell?"
Disguising her revulsion, Sara replied, "I have reason to believe that earlier today a young girl was brought here by mistake. I will pay well for her release, no questions asked."
Mrs. Kent frowned. "How did you know to come here?"
"No matter." Sara waved one hand negligently, trying to look more confident than she felt. The house reeked of evil. Even if Eliza wasn't here, Sara would willingly use her money to buy the freedom of any other captive children.
The madam shot a quick, hard glance to her guard. "Come into my office where we can talk."
Sara nodded and began following the woman. She had gone only a few steps when the noise of a fight exploded behind her. Whirling, Sara saw that the burly guard must have received a hidden signal from Mrs. Kent, for he had attacked Kuram.