by Maggie Ryan
“Perhaps Ophelia is your lucky charm as well as Chester’s,” the man to her left said. “What say we take a little break ourselves, Miss Marie? A tumble might change your luck.”
“Perhaps having new table mates will change the lady’s luck.”
Looking up, she understood her friend’s sudden nervousness. It took everything she’d learned not to show her surprise. It didn’t matter which Mr. Davidson Ophelia had seen as both were standing in front of her. No one else might notice, but Juliette could see the slight widening of their eyes when they recognized her.
“Miss Marie is it?” the senior Mr. Davidson asked.
“Yes, and you are?”
“Donald and this is Henry,” he said, tipping his head in his son’s direction. He grinned when the man who’d propositioned her pushed back his chair and mumbled something about needing a break.
“Now that there are two empty chairs, might we join you?”
“Certainly,” Juliette replied, seeing another player quickly vacating his chair. “Should we be concerned?” she asked, “it seems we are growing a bit thin.”
“I don’t mind,” Donald said, taking a seat directly across from her. “A smaller game offers more of a challenge. I do love challenges, don’t you?”
“Yes, I find them quite exciting. Shall we play?”
Within a half-hour, only the three of them remained at the table. Her pile was shrinking and it wasn’t due to lack of concentration. Upon their arrival, she’d forgotten everything but the game.
“How about a drink?” Henry offered.
“I’d love one,” Juliette said, hoping the bar keep would remember the no alcohol rule. When he left the table, she saw that Ophelia and Chester had returned but not to her table. Instead, the man was seated at a different one, Ophelia once again on his lap. She could see her friend’s concern from across the short distance.
“Care to explain what you are doing in Storyville dressed as a whore?”
“Excuse me?”
“I didn’t stutter, Lady Juliette,” Donald said.
“Miss Marie,” Juliette corrected.
“The only game I like to play is poker, Lady Gardner. I’m wondering exactly what your grandmother would think if she could see you now.”
“I don’t believe that is any of your business…”
“I make it my business to take care of my clients,” he said. “As a whore I’d think you’d understand that.”
“As my barrister, I think you’d remember who it is that pays your fees. There isn’t any law stating…”
“Perhaps not, but there are laws of morality to consider.”
“Morality? You speak of morality when you and your son are in the same room as I? Isn’t that a bit hypocritical? What would your wife think?”
“My wife knows who provides the clothes on her back,” Donald said, “and more importantly, knows to bring her tits out for only my pleasure. Of course, I must admit yours are quite appealing. Perhaps we can make an arrangement that is mutually beneficial.”
Juliette knew her rouge wasn’t dark enough to cover the heat that flooded them. It wasn’t a heat born of embarrassment but was one of anger. It seemed men wanting ladybirds didn’t stay on the other side of the Atlantic. Forcing herself to calm, she said, “I don’t believe you have anything that interests me, Donald.”
“Is there a problem?” Henry asked, returning to the table with three tankards.
“Not at all,” Donald said. “We were just discussing upping the ante a bit. Make the game a little more appealing.”
“What are the stakes then?” Henry asked, setting the glasses down and taking his seat.
“A last hand,” Donald said, his eyes never leaving Juliette’s. “All or nothing?” Before Henry could speak, he added, “Just between Miss Marie and myself.”
Juliette nodded, reaching her hand to her bodice.”
“Attempting to distract me already?” Donald chuckled.
“No, I’m assuming the stakes will be higher and am just getting more money.”
“Let’s leave that treasure buried, shall we?” Donald said, sitting back and giving her a leer. “Money is so mundane. If this is the last hand, let’s make it interesting, shall we?”
“What do you propose?” Juliette asked, aware that the room had quieted and that both Amelia and Ophelia had moved to stand behind the Davidsons, both shaking their heads.
“If I win, we go upstairs and I mine those pretty tits for treasure and teach you a lesson on proper respect.”
Ignoring the gasps of her friends, she lowered her hand. “And if I win? What are you wagering?” When he reached into his coat and removed his wallet, she said, “I thought you believed money was mundane.”
He didn’t speak until he’d removed a folded paper and returned his wallet to his pocket. Opening it had his son protesting. “Hey, that’s mine! I took it as payment for a case!”
“A case where I was head counsel,” his father said, not bothering to give his son a look as he pushed the pile in front of him towards his son.
Henry attempted to push the pile back. “That’s not right. I was going to…”
“To what?” Donald said, giving his son a look. “You work for me. Consider this payment for your share.”
Juliette’s glance had dropped to the table. He’d unfolded what appeared to be some sort of legal document. “What value does a piece of paper hold?”
“This paper represents a claim to a mine,” Donald stated, his finger moving to tap the seal at the top of he page. “
“A mine?”
“A gold mine,” Henry clarified. “One that I was…”
“I paid you,” Donald said, “it belongs to me.”
“That still doesn’t answer my question,” Juliette said, not allowing her excitement to show. “It’s just a piece of paper.”
“True,” Donald said, “unless, of course, you are a true gambler. Men are flocking to California with far less. If you win, you can sell it to some fool like my son who thinks they’ll get rich quick. Or hell, maybe I’ll give it to you anyway if you prove to be as bold in bed as you are at the table. You can always frame it and hang it on your bedroom wall to remind you of what happens when women think they can play with men.”
“I think we’d better go,” Amelia said, stepping up to the table.
“No…”
“It’s getting late,” Ophelia said, interrupting Juliette. “It wouldn’t do to upset your…”
“I’ll play,” Juliette said.
“Jules…”
“I’ll play,” she repeated. “But, someone neutral will deal.”
“Are you accusing me of cheating?” Donald asked with a smirk. “I’ll remember that when I’ve got you naked and under me.”
“Do you wish to play or not?”
“Fine, pick somebody.”
Looking around the room, she saw the man who’d gone upstairs with Amelia, leaning against the bar watching the action. “Sir, would you do us the favor of dealing?” she called out.
When he walked over, she picked up the deck and held it out, not speaking as he took it and began to shuffle. She ignored the crowd that had grown around the table. She ignored both of her friends and her opponent’s son. The only people in the room that mattered were her and Donald.
She kept her eyes on her opponent, not allowing her disappointment to show when his nose didn’t crinkle. It was his tell and not seeing it told her he had a good hand. Picking up her own cards, she fanned them out in her hand. A five, a six, a seven and an eight of hearts along with an Ace of diamonds had been dealt to her.
“Cards?” the dealer asked.
You said to find a dream and follow it, Uncle George. Well, this is my dream. “One, please,” she said, discarding the highest card from her hand and sliding it towards him. She left the one he dealt her face down in order to keep her eyes on Donald.
“One,” Donald said. Seeing his eyes widen just slightly when he looke
d at the card Henry dealt him, she felt her heart stutter.
“So it’s really down to one card?” Donald said, sitting back in his chair. Ignoring him, Juliette took the card from the table and slid it into her hand.
“Being an English lady, I’m sure you’ll find it rather apropos that even the cards seem to agree with me, Lady Gardner,” Donald said. “I’ve got not one but four Kings who say you belong to me.” The crowd gasped as he fanned his hand across the table.
Juliette waited until he looked back at her after flashing the crowd a grin. She placed her cards down in front of her as she spoke. “I don’t bow to any man and respect none who believe women are nothing but chattel.” Laying the last card down she revealed a four of hearts, making her straight flush. Donald’s sputter of disbelief was drowned out by the roar of the crowd.
Juliette plucked the gold claim from the table. “It was a pleasure.”
“See how pleasurable you find it when I tell everyone in New Orleans that you are willing to sell your body,” Donald hissed.
“Tell whomever you wish,” Juliette said, standing and tucking the paper into her reticule. “Oh, and consider yourself fired.”
“What! You can’t…”
“Ladies, I’m ready.” Turning, she saw a man standing with Ophelia and Amelia.
“Thank you, John, we’re ready to go,” Ophelia said, taking Juliette’s hand. They left to shouts of congratulations.
“This is becoming a habit,” Ophelia said as soon as they were outside.
“Are you complaining?” John asked as he helped them into the carriage.
“Hell no, I’m thanking the good Lord,” Ophelia said, “though I’m wondering if you are expecting another tip.”
Juliette giggled when the man slapped Ophelia’s bottom. “Not here. You ladies need to get home. Rich men do not like to lose, especially to a woman and in a room full of men they’ve fleeced.”
“Take us to my home,” Juliette said. “I’d feel safer having us all together and I have another proposition to make.”
“Your grandmother isn’t going to be thrilled,” Ophelia said. “We aren’t exactly dressed appropriately, and that includes you.”
Juliette looked down. “I had forgotten, but I don’t care. I can loan you some clothes but you are coming.”
The three found it really didn’t matter as Willamina had retired by the time Juliette had used her key and opened the door. “Thank you, John,” she said softly, pressing some bills into his hand.
“You’re welcome, Lady Gardner, but I don’t suggest you make a habit of this. Donaldson might be an ass but he’s right. Games are best left to those who have nothing to lose. I’d hate to see any of you hurt.”
“I won’t have a need to return to Storyville,” Juliette said. “Uncle George taught me it’s best to leave the game while you are ahead.”
He grinned, and surprised her by bending to kiss her cheek. “He was a smart man. Good night, ladies.”
After he left, the three tiptoed upstairs, soft giggles escaping. “Why do I feel like I’ve been naughty?” Amelia whispered.
“Perhaps because you know there is a woman with a wooden spoon downstairs,” Ophelia suggested.
“I swear, that woman’s mojo is in that spoon,” Juliette said once they were safely inside her room. “All I have to do is think about it and my bottom clenches.”
The three laughed and Juliette handed them each a nightgown. “I’ll show you the guest room. I’m afraid you’ll have to share the bed.”
“That’s fine,” Amelia assured her.
After showing them the room as well as the water closet, she said, “I’ll leave you now.”
“Wait, you said you had another proposition?” Ophelia reminded her.
“Yes, but I want to figure out a few things in my head first. We’ll discuss it over breakfast. Good night and thanks for the greatest adventure.”
After washing up, Ophelia and Amelia tossed off their clothing and giggled as they pulled on the floor length gowns. “How in the world do you sleep without getting tangled up in all this fabric?” Amelia asked, tugging at the gown’s hem as she climbed up onto the bed.
“Or ever produce children?” Ophelia added, extinguishing the lamp and joining her friend. Soft laughter filled the room as ten minutes later, she sat up, threw back the covers, pulled the gown over her head and tossed it to the end of the bed. “Now I can breathe!” Amelia’s gown followed and the two settled down again, turning on their sides to face each other, unabashedly comfortable in their nudity.
“What do you think Juliette’s proposition is?” Amelia asked.
“I have no idea,” Ophelia said. “That is one woman who is constantly surprising me.”
“You have to admit it would be nice to live in a house like this.”
“No matter how nice Juliette is, she is still naïve. We might be her friends, but the truth is we are whores. Women like us do not live in grand houses and have servants.”
“I know,” Amelia sighed, “but it’s fun to dream.”
Ophelia smiled and lifted up to give her friend a kiss on her cheek. “Well, this bed is absolute heaven so you should have nothing but sweet dreams tonight.” Turning onto her other side, Ophelia closed her eyes. “We’ll be okay, Amelia.”
“We always are. Good night, Ophelia.”
Across the hall, Juliette was sitting at her desk, the claim in her hands. She was the owner of a gold mine! Setting it aside, she spent an hour running through a string of figures. Her father might not have given her love, but he had given her a gift of mathematical ability. Standing, she blew out the lamp, slipped the paper beneath her pillow and climbed into bed.
“Now all I need to know is where exactly is Culpepper Cove?”
Chapter Eleven
Juliette woke with a start when she was tossed up in the air. Her squeal of shock turned into a giggle at the sight of her two friends who were bouncing on the bed.
“I thought you slept half the day,” Juliette said, pushing up to sit against the headboard. “Was the bed uncomfortable?”
“The bed was divine,” Amelia said, struggling with the gown in order to sit cross legged on the counterpane. “These gowns are impossible.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t sleep well…”
“We slept just fine,” Ophelia said, moving to sit against the headboard with her. “Gowns are easily removed. However, you might need to speak with Mrs. Douglas. I think we almost gave her a stroke when she came to dust your guest room.”
Juliette groaned at the vision of the housekeeper opening the door to discover the room unexpectedly occupied; much less occupied by two beautiful, naked women. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think about her cleaning so early. I hope you weren’t embarrassed.”
Ophelia patted her arm. “Jules, honey, you do know that being naked is as commonplace to us as wearing gowns that have enough fabric to outfit a family of five is to you, don’t you?.”
“You are just too amusing,” Juliette said, smoothing her hands down her body. “Think of it as a way to keep warm on chilly nights.”
“If I want to be that warm, I’ll find a man who wants to wrap his entire naked body around mine.” Ophelia countered.
The three were laughing when the door opened and Mabel walked in. “Good morning, ladies. Mrs. Douglas suggested you might need some help in dressing?”
A half-hour later, three young women descended the stairs, Ophelia and Amelia looking lovely in borrowed gowns. Their faces were bare of the makeup applied the night before and their hair was twisted into chignons held with jeweled combs.
“What a lovely surprise,” Willamina said in greeting as they entered the dining room. “Mrs. Douglas informed me that we had guests.”
“Good morning, Gram,” Juliette said, bending to drop a kiss on her cheek. “I’m afraid that with the lateness of the hour, I totally forgot to mention I’d invited Ophelia and Amelia to spend the night.”
“So I heard,”
Willamina said with a smile. “I took the liberty of informing Nettie. You can tell me about your evening at breakfast.”
The three took their seats and were soon enjoying freshly fried beignets and drinking from delicate cups. Willamina was enjoying tea while the girls all chose café au lait. When Nettie entered with a fresh pot, Juliette looked around the table as the cook refilled cups. She loved these women. Each was unique and special in their own way and yet, to her, they were her family. It was time to include them in the plan that had been developing since the moment she’d left her childhood home.
“I’d like to talk about the future,” she said.
“Shall we go into the library?” Willamina asked.
Three took seats in the library where sunlight was streaming through the windows. Once again Juliette was pacing, fiddling with the drapes, asking if they’d like more coffee or tea.
“Juliette, sit down,” Willamina instructed. “I’ve been patient long enough. Does the fact that Ophelia and Amelia are in residence mean that they’ve accepted your offer to share the house? I must admit, it makes me glad to know I won’t be leaving you in the city alone.”
Juliette moved to sit on a chair opposite her grandmother, noticing the glances her two friends were giving each other. It was time. “No Gram, neither have accepted my offer.” Seeing her Gram’s expression, she hurriedly continued. “Don’t fret, I have another proposition; one I hope they will agree with.” No one interrupted as she told Willamina about the events of the evening before, the elder woman giving an occasional grin and shake of her head as if imagining her granddaughter dressed as a painted lady playing poker in a district very few women ventured into.
Her smile disappeared when Juliette told her about the final wager.
“How dare he threaten you!”
“Gram, it’s all right. It doesn’t matter. I won the game and…”
“It most certainly does matter. I will not tolerate anyone threatening my granddaughter! George has put a great deal of money in that man’s pockets!”
