The Courtesan's Secret

"Wonderful... great dialogue...Sophia the seasoned courtesan [is] so feisty and fun...Don't miss this fresh and extremely fun romp through romantic London. It is, as Sophia would say, ‘simply too delicious to miss!' "
—
Night Owl Romance

"Riveting! This wonderful story is filled with so many secrets, intrigue, and even revenge that you are captured and held to the very end... Steamy romantic scenes and delightful dialogue... This is one historical romance you do not want to miss."
—
Coffee Time Romance

"This cleverly orchestrated, unconventional romp through the glittering world of the Regency elite—both admirable and reprehensible— is filled with secrets, graced with intriguing characters, laced with humor, and plotted with Machiavellian flair. A joy to read, it ends with a hook for a sequel involving the remarkable countess herself. Readers will be waiting."
—
Library Journal

"Dain shows a fine flair for subtle touches of humor and clever dialogue and tops everything off with a most engaging mother who is a master at manipulation." —
Romantic Times

"
The Courtesan's Daughter
is a ribald romp through English society and the rules of the ton that prevailed at the time. Ms. Dain has captured the sensuality of the period perfectly and treats readers to a rather steamy romance while creating a thoroughly enjoyable laugh at society."
—
Affaire de Coeur

"[Dain's] new book tells a tale of impropriety and independence, and a mother and daughter determined to bend the rules of society in their favor. The author never fails to write challenging and complex romances that challenge the reader to enjoy and beg for more; this novel will steal your breath away! Claudia Dain has proven yet again that her books are completely and utterly sensual and from the heart.
The Courtesan's Daughter
is HOT!"
—
Book Cove Reviews

"Claudia Dain's emotionally charged writing and riveting characters will take your breath away."
—
New York Times
bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries

"Claudia Dain writes with intelligence, sensuality, and heart and the results are extraordinary!"
—
New York Times
bestselling author Connie Brockway

"Claudia Dain never fails to write a challenging and complex romance."
—
A Romance Review

"Dain is a talented writer who knows her craft."
—
Romantic Times

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Copyright © 2008 by Claudia Welch

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Dain, Claudia. The courtesan's secret / Claudia Dain.— 1st ed.

p. cm.

ISBN: 1-4362-1428-9

I. Title. PS3604.A348C685 2007

813'.6—dc22 2007049677

For Kate, who makes everything better

London 1802

"THERE are certain circumstances upon which it is absolutely essential to seek out a courtesan," Louisa Kirkland snapped.

"If you're expecting an argument from me . . ." the Marquis of Hawksworth drawled, and gave a halfhearted shrug.

"Oh, shut it, Hawksworth," Louisa said. "Why should I expect something as energetic as an argument from
you
, of all people?"

It was entirely within her rights to talk to a marquis in such an abrupt manner, or at least this particular marquis. Hawksworth was not only her cousin, but he was an unrepentantly lazy boy of twenty who ought to have better things to do than lie around all day dozing on a sofa.

Which is exactly where she had found him when she had insisted he accompany her to Sophia Dalby's town house. Not that she would permit him to enter with her. No, that would not do at all. No, Hawksworth had to remain outside, engaging in whatever activity best suited him, likely a nap, while she went inside to face Lady Dalby in what was certain to be a most uncomfortable conversation.

But then, most conversations with Sophia Dalby were uncomfortable. She was entirely certain that it came from Sophia having been a noted courtesan in her day, though it was equally possible that Sophia had always been a woman other women found uncomfortable.

"And what am I to do whilst you're with the delightful Lady Dalby?" Hawksworth asked, neatly proving her point. Louisa had yet to meet a man who did not find Sophia Dalby delightful. It was most annoying.

"Isn't there someone you might call upon? Someone in the vicinity who would admit you?" Louisa said, straightening a seam on her glove as she prepared to approach Sophia's door on Upper Brook Street. It was a very nice address, the houses quite respectable, and Dalby House was a literal stone's throw from Hyde Park. Of course, Sophia had married into her fine address, but didn't most women? It had been a neat bit of work, and if Sophia could manage that, she could certainly manage the little thing that Louisa needed of her. "Doesn't Mr. Prestwick live on this street? Go and call upon him."

"And his lovely sister," Hawksworth said with all the laziness he could muster, which was considerable as he had such practice at it. "I could do with another look at her."

If there was one woman Louisa disliked, a ridiculous notion as she found it necessary to dislike quite a few women, most particularly Anne Warren, it was Miss Penelope Prestwick. Miss Prestwick was that impossible combination of sweetness and seduction that Louisa found intolerable and men found compelling. That the Prestwick viscountcy had more money than was entirely in good taste only made her more irritating, obviously.

"Of course you could," Louisa said. "I'm quite certain you are not the first man to get a good look at Miss Prestwick. I should be careful around her, Hawksworth. She wouldn't mind being a duchess one day and you would so nicely fill the bill."

"Thank you," Hawksworth drawled politely, missing the point entirely. "Shall we say half past? Or shall you require more time with Lady Dalby?"

"I shall be brief. I would advise you to be the same."

"Half past, then," he said agreeably. Hawksworth, for all that could be said against him, had a most even and agreeable disposition. It was his finest trait. It may also have been his only trait.

Louisa wasted no time in watching Hawksworth amble down Upper Brook Street toward the Viscount Prestwick's town house. She had other matters entirely occupying her thoughts.

Louisa was admitted, looked over not at all discreetly by Fredericks, the Dalby House butler, and a most inappropriate butler he was, and ushered into Sophia's famous white salon. Everything connected to Sophia was famous in one fashion or another, and Louisa did not waste time in ferreting out the particulars as to the source of fame for the white salon. It was a salon, like any other, except that it had the obvious distinction of being swathed in various shades of impossible to maintain white.

It looked immaculate, of course.

Sophia rose to her feet, greetings were exchanged, and Louisa, without shame and certainly no hesitation, proceeded to the point of her visit.

"Lady Dalby, thank you for seeing me."

"Not at all. Can I offer you a cup of chocolate?"

"Yes, thank you," Louisa answered.

She didn't particularly care for a cup of chocolate, but it served its purpose in getting Fredericks out of the room to send someone for another cup. In the silence and quiet of their momentary solitude, Louisa studied Sophia briefly.

She knew her, of course. They were not strangers to each other, though they were hardly friends. Louisa had studied Sophia as much as anyone else in London had done, which is to say, minutely. Yes, she was beautiful, darkly aristocratic, flawlessly seductive, relentlessly charming. But what woman could not claim the same list, with some little bit of effort?

Which was the entire point, really. Sophia, as far as Louisa could discern, accomplished her list of credits entirely without effort.

"I find myself in a bit of a dilemma, Lady Dalby. I don't quite know how to go about... fixing it," Louisa said.

Sophia merely raised her eyebrows in pleasant curiosity and kept stirring her chocolate.

"I," Louisa said, a faint blush heating her cheeks. Blast having red hair and the complexion that went with it. Every emotion showed on her skin. It was beyond embarrassing. "I...am certain that I don't have to tell
you
about... well, about my pearls. About the entire pearl evening that took place at Hyde House two nights ago."