Courtesan's Kiss by Mary Blayney

around and undid her own dress. Her singular dexterity did come in useful sometimes, like today when she had climbed up onto the driver’s box after Lord David had refused to help her.
    “Che diavolo!”
Mia whispered. Janina had the ties all tangled and she would need two mirrors to see how to undo them. The room did not boast even one.
    She went down to the common room, hoping to find a daughter of the house who would come up and help her.
    The room smelled of hops and smoke. And men. She made no move to enter or even swish her skirts to attract attention but her one glance stilled all conversation.
    That did not bother her as much as the sight of Lord David seated at a table, his newspaper announcing he did not want company. He had a private parlor, but here he sat in the common room. One would think he’d prefer solitude, rather than face the possibility of conversation when he so obviously had no skill at it.
    “Is there something I can do for you, my dear?”
    The gentleman who had spoken to her looked rather nice, well-dressed and well-groomed, but Mia knew better than to respond to that sort of invitation.
    “No,” she said, using the imperious, queenly version of the word.
    Quiet prevailed and when Lord David did look up, his bored expression conveyed his disinterest. She knew it for a sham but she also could tell that, like this morning, he would wait until the last moment to step in. Mia did not know whether to be annoyed by his lack of gallantry or pleased he thought she could handle this herself.
    “Good evening, gentlemen.” She gave a vague curtsy to the room, not eyeing anyone particularly. Speaking loud enough for all to hear she went on, “I am looking for the mistress of the house. My maid has taken ill.”
    Some bowed, a few only nodded, but not one of them cared about a woman with a sick maid. The gentleman who had approached her chuckled. “I’m so sorry.” His tone made a joke of it. “Why not let me escort you back to your room.”
    Mia shook her head and stepped back, but the man, not a gentleman despite his dress, came out into the hallway with her.
    “Perhaps we could go somewhere else.”
    His tone of voice suggested something so improper that Mia did not have to pretend outrage. “No,” she said even more brusquely. “My maid is ill and if you cannot solve that problem then leave me alone.”
    “Your protests charm me but they can be overdone.”
    Admitting defeat and now profoundly relieved that Lord David sat nearby, she marched into the common room, over to the table where he waited, and sat down. “I need your help.”
    “Hmmm” was all he said, though he did glance at her for a moment.
    “Janina is sick and I need someone to help me undress.”
    “But that man offered to do just that.”
    She banged her fist on the table, which hurt more than she thought it would and also stopped conversation once again. She did not want the attention of anyone but Lord David. Though she whispered the words it did not diminish her rage. “Stop insulting me. Stop right now. Help me find a maid and please beat that man to a pulp.”
    “Beat him to a pulp.” Lord David seemed to consider the suggestion as he eyed the room full of men, most of whom were nodding. “With pleasure, Miss Castellano.” Lord David put the paper down and took her arm, escorting her from the room.
    Murmurs followed them.
    “Her husband?”
    “No, she would have come to him right away.”
    “Her brother?”
    “They don’t look alike.”
    Lord David turned to the man who had been so importunate. With a speed that took everyone by surprise Lord David shot his fist into the man’s nose and then grabbed him by the cravat. “Let’s finish this outside.”
    David pulled him out the door, followed by the entire population of the common room, both local and traveler alike.
    “Her lover,” one of the men muttered to the others.
    “May well beat her next,” another suggested.
    “Neither. He’s a gent that