Page 20 of Cocky August Rake

The question came from Violet. Rose knew the tremble in her voice. Knew she had nowhere to return to. No family willing to take her.

Lord Reginald’s expression tightened.

“There are proper lodgings to be had,” he said. “I will see to the expense for a reasonable period. And, as I have already said, no one will leave here penniless.”

“But you are closing The Domus,” Nell said, her voice quiet.

“Yes. Without delay.”

The room shifted. Someone made a broken sound and covered it with a hand. Another woman muttered something sharp beneath her breath.

Rose could not feel her hands.

The Domus was not merely the place where these women worked. It was where they slept without fear. Where they learned, ate, and were protected by rules that applied to everyone.

They had choices here.

And yet, Rose understood precisely what Lord Reginald was doing.

He thought he was saving them.

She swung around to face him. “Well that takes care of that then, doesn’t it?” Her fists clenched at her sides. “As long as you send us off with a little money, your conscience is clear.”

“I did not say the transition would be easy. But, it’ll be better for everyone in the long run⁠—”

“So you’re doing what’s best for us, is that it?”

“Is it not?”

“How would you know if it was? You yourself admitted this is your first visit to The Domus. Have you even been in a brothel before?”

His face flushed just the slightest hint of red, giving his answer without a single word.

“We’re not children to be managed,” Rose continued.

She looked out over the employees gathered below, and as she did, she happened to make eye contact with Nell. The ladies’ manager was watching them both closely and tapping a finger against her bottom lip, a sure sign that she was thinking hard about something.

“I never said you were children,” he answered.

“No.” Rose kept her voice even. “You merely intend to dismiss us as if we were.”

A faint line appeared between his brows. “No one will suffer for my decision.”

“And how can you be so sure of that?”

His jaw clenched.

Rose saw it, and immediately softened her tone before he could harden his own.

“I do not question that you mean to be fair,” she said. “That is what troubles me.”

A muscle in his jaw ticked.

Rose drew a breath. “You have not seen The Domus.”

His gaze moved over the lounge below. “I am looking at it now.”

“You are looking at one room.”