The Reluctant Duke (A Seabrook Family Saga)(8)
“It does not look quite as savage as some have depicted,” Myles commented. “Rather, it looks quite like any other bustling port in England. Do you think we will encounter Native Americans while we’re here? It will be to the disappointment of everyone back home if we don’t.” Myles passed the glass back to Thomas. “How many days are we staying in Boston?”
“Three. I’m anxious to travel to New Bedford and glimpse my holdings and meet with Mr. Hamilton’s solicitors.”
Myles frowned and grabbed the rail just as the ship nudged the dock. He looked around at the bustling waterfront. “Do you see what I see? I want to spend more than three days here. Visit a brothel or two and see if American ladybirds have different skills than our courtesans.”
Myles could not be serious. Thomas hadn’t traveled numerous weeks, through a violent storm no less, just to visit a brothel. He’d come to find out about his newly acquired fortune, not to mention the situation with Miss Hamilton. Leave it to his friend to think of his body’s pleasure needs first.
“Why am I not surprised you have nothing on your mind but arranging an assignation with a courtesan?” Thomas complained. “Actually, it might not be a bad idea. We have been long on the ship. A little drink and taste of exotic flesh might be just what we need.” Myles slapped him on the back.
Thomas continued. “But first we’ll make inquiries for lodging and then hire a team so we can visit Miss Hamilton.” He had no intentions of visiting a brothel, but if it made Myles more agreeable to his suggestions, he would pretend to go along with it.
The sound of Myles’s growling, deep in his throat, did not surprise him. “You want to see the chit now, before we’ve slaked our thirst for drink and occupied a woman?”
“Exactly what I had in mind.” Thomas had never shared his friends’ taste for brothels. He preferred widows and unhappily married ladies of the ton. He liked to think he did them a favor by servicing them, rather than the other way around. Thomas took great pains to be an attentive and thorough lover. No female left his bed without experiencing multiple pleasures. And he took his pleasure in return.
Besides, he was extremely particular about the women he bedded, for he did not want to contract any diseases. Hence he rarely visited establishments centered on the pleasures of men. His father had taken him to a brothel when he was ten-and-five. He paid a young ladybird, not much older than Thomas, to take his innocence. After that experience he was half in love with the gel. She had not, however, appreciated his penned poems and the serenades in the dark. The owner of the brothel finally sent word to his father. Thomas remembered the thrashing. He’d been unable to sit a horse for a fortnight, and thus had ended his love of ladybirds and their favors.
Ahhh, jaded by the tender age of ten-and-five.
“Wentworth, are you even listening to me?” Myles interrupted his reverie.
Thomas turned to his friend. “What were you saying?”
Laughter sprang forth. “I was saying that our luggage has been off-loaded, and we need to disembark.”
“Oh, sorry…lost in thought.”
“If only I could be privy to the thoughts going around in your head.” Myles paused and shook his head. “Never mind, I don’t want to know your twisted and sadistic mind. I might have to beg off our friendship if I did. What say we find our lodgings and stretch our legs for a bit before we venture forth to meet Miss Hamilton? I, for one, need to be rested and in good form so as not to miss your reaction when you meet your new ward.”
“I’m so glad you find my situation humorous. Just you wait until you inherit the earldom. If I recall, you have three, no, four…Make that five younger sisters to marry off if your father does not manage that before you inherit.”
“Yes, well…” Myles winced. “My father is still considered somewhat young and in fine health. I have complete faith that he will foist my sisters off on suitable young bucks long before I inherit.”
Thomas laughed and stepped inside the hackney Giles hailed to take them to the Concord Colonial Inn. Once settled on the seat, he faced his longtime friend.
“Why don’t you mention to your father that Lord Amesbury would be an excellent choice for Marissa?” Thomas suggested. “She is coming out this season, is she not?”
The scowl Myles gave him had Thomas laughing again.
“Why the face? What is wrong with our dear friend?”
“Amesbury would never suit my regal sister. She maybe only be ten-and-seven, but she is mature beyond her years. I can’t see them together. Nor would I wish my sister upon him. I know her too well, and poor Amesbury would never have another moment’s peace if he wed her. Marissa is the most opinionated and stubborn chit.” Myles snorted.