Maybe it's worth it.
"Ah, Lord Fairfax, how are you?" Julian says, pulling my attention away from my thoughts.
"Lord Melberry, happy Yuletide to you," Fairfax replies. "Who is this exquisite creature with you?"
"This is Lady Belinda Clemont."
I hold out my hand on cue. Fairfax takes it and raises it to his lips, his eyes full of lecherous promise. From that look alone, I know he's the kind of man who'd get himself barred from the Black Fan. Lady Catherine doesn't like anyone who takes advantage of us.
"Enchanted, my Lady."
"Not as much as I am, my Lord," I reply, adding a little bit of a sultry edge to my voice. It doesn't feel right doing it in front of Julian, but I'm here to further his agenda, so it's necessary, whether I like it or not.
"Are you new to the city? I haven't seen you at any of our events," Fairfax asks.
I laugh nervously, not wanting to lie, but needing to send him off my trail. If he learns I'm a courtesan, it'll ruin Julian's chances at getting him to invest in whatever it is he's doing.
"I'm the daughter of a minor Lord, no one of any importance," I say, pleased that none of it is a lie. Most of the nobles here will consider my family as too far beneath them. Barely above middle class. Technically, I shouldn't even be referred to as a Lady.
"Then I shall endeavour to pay more attention," Fairfax says. "I didn't know that you were seeing anyone, Melberry."
"Oh, yes, we..." Julian trails off. His hand tenses on my back, alerting me to how distressed he is.
"We've known one another since we were children, but we lost touch until Lord Melberry came to the city," I say smoothly. "It's been so much fun reconnecting, though." I lean in and kiss Julian's cheek while pressing a hand against his chest. None of what I'm saying is a lie, which I hope is enough to convince Fairfax I'm telling the truth.
"Ah, you're Sir Rodney's sister."
I give him a tight smile. "I am. Though he doesn't approve of the relationship." That's stretching the truth a little, especially as my brother has no idea I'm here with Julian. I doubt he would approve if he did find out though.
Fairfax chuckles. "Ah, is Melberry here a bit of a rogue?"
I force out a laugh, knowing it will convince him. I've had plenty of practice at making men believe I think they're funny. "Absolutely not. He thinks I'm not good enough for the Lord here."
"A beautiful woman is always good enough," Fairfax assures me. "If things don't work out with Melberry here, perhaps you could give me a call." He slips me a business card, which I take even though I don't really want to.
I hate men like him.
"I'll be sure to keep you in mind," I say tightly.
Fairfax nods, then glances over his shoulder. "My apologies Lord Melberry, Lady Clemont, my wife is calling me." He disappears into the crowd before I can even respond.
I smother a relieved laugh. "Did he really come on to me while his wife was in view?" I murmur.
Julian finally relaxes. "That's normal," he reminds me.
"I know, it's just been a long time since I've been to a party thrown by the nobility, it took me by surprise."
"Thank you for saving me there. You're good at this."
"I have to be," I point out. "Not all of our potential clients are polite. Or funny. It's normal to have to pretend to some extent."
"I hope you don't feel like that with me."
"No," I say softly. "I definitely don't feel like I have to pretend with you."
A very genuine smile spreads over his face. "I'm glad. I want you to have a good time."
"I am," I respond. "Is Fairfax someone you're trying to get to invest?"
He shakes his head. "If I can manage it, I want to keep him far away from any projects I can. He has a reputation for micromanagement."
"No wonder his wife doesn't mind him taking other women to his bed."
Julian snorts. "Is there often a correlation between micromanaging and bad sex?"
"From everything I've seen, there is."
Amusement shines through his eyes. "I'm sorry it took me so long to find you once I was in the city. I'm going to curse myself for the rest of my life for missing out on those years of amusing conversation."
"You're as good as I am with flattery," I warn him. "You'll need to be careful or a Duchess is going to swoop in and make you her paramour."
"Would Lady Catherine have a position for me at the Black Fan then?" he quips.
I cock my head to the side. Is he serious? I don't think so, but it's safer to answer as if he is just in case. "I don't know. Most of the male courtesans are at the specialist houses. But I don't see her being opposed to the idea."
"Hmmm. Or maybe I could just be company for hire."
"Any woman would be honoured to have you on her arm," I assure him.
"So long as you are, that's the main thing."
I place a reassuring hand on his arm. "I am."
His smile could light up a room, and it's all I can do to keep myself calm. The effect he's having on me is a new one. I don't think I've ever felt it before.
No. I can't think like this. Julian hasn't made any indications that he wants to spend more time with me after this. I'm simply doing this as a favour to him, and once we're done, I'll go back to my life, and he'll go back to his. I try to ignore the regret that brings out in me. I'll have to make the most of the rest of the night, and hope it isn't the last time he wants to see me.
Chapter 7
The streetlights pass in a blur through the car windows. The further away from the ball we get, the more relaxed I start to feel.
"Are you still hungry?" Julian asks suddenly.
I lick my lips, my fangs descending. "Yes. We could have some blood once we get back to the Black Fan..."
He shakes his head. "Or we could go to a blood bar."
My heart skips a beat. He wants to spend more time with me after all. I suppress the excitement at the idea. It's nothing more than a thank you. We're having a good time, and he doesn't want that to end, but tomorrow, it will be over.
"The place Lady Catherine gets blood for the brothel from has a bar attached, we can go there if you want?"
He nods. "That sounds lovely. How long until we get there?"
"One second." I take my phone from my pocket and pull up the map app. It only takes me a moment to find the bar. "It's right around the corner, actually."
"Then it's fate."
He taps on the window of the car, and it moves to the side of the road. That's one advantage of there not being any traffic.
Julian slides out of the car first, then holds out his hand for me.
"Let me just tell the car to retire for the night, then we'll go."
I nod and take stock of my surroundings while he does that. There are a lot of people around, both humans and vampires from the smell of them. Some are on their way to work, some on their way home. I imagine many of the vampires are taking advantage of the winter hours and the later sunrise. I always liked winter more for that reason alone. I love the freedom of being able to leave buildings at any time I want, and the sun in summer restricts that.