Page 90 of A Flash of Golden Fire

“It’ll be worth the coin, my pretty.”

I sputtered with indignation, but Captain Martin wrapped stern fingers around my wrist and gave me a look. I forced myself to remain calm, although inwardly I bristled at the offer.

Captain Martin matched Domingo’s grin. “How much for both of us?”

Squid, who had already gotten himself a tankard of ale, made a noise of disgust.

I gaped at Captain Martin, then studied Domingo with a fresh appreciation.

Both of us? I wasn’t sure if that made the situation better or worse. Perhaps I should be glad he wasn’t planning to exclude me from his exploits. My gaze strayed to Domingo’s waist in the black corset, then over his shapely legs in short bloomers, black stockings, and soft leather shoes.

He frowned now, his pretty rouged lips turning down, and gazed back and forth between us.

“Well, I don’t know. That’s a lot to take on.”

“It is,” Captain Martin agreed. “But I know you can handle the job, Domingo. Mr Simon White is my right-hand man, you see, and I don’t go anywhere without him.”

The tip of Domingo’s pink tongue slid over the top of his lower lip as he assessed us, contemplating.

“Hmm. Since I know you very well already, Dinesh, I suppose I can do the both of you for fifteen. But three hours tops. You can’t ruin me for tomorrow.” He threw back his head and smirked with mischief, his beautiful and luxurious locks feathering back from his face in a charming way.

Captain Martin nodded. “Quite fair. Thank you so much. We’ll need a meal first. Where shall we find you?”

“I’m still in room 18. I’m sure you remember.”

“Oh yes,” Captain Martin said, giving me a cheeky wink as I forced my mouth to close.

“That will give me time to prepare myself,” Domingo said, giving a curt little nod. “I’ll see you and Mr White very soon, then.” He started away, then turned back. “That’ll be fifteen pieces up front, you realize.”

“Of course. I’ll have the payment for you upstairs.”

“Excellent.” Domingo fluttered his hand and wove through the crowd, shoving men to the side so he could get through, swinging his saucy hips as he went.

“Fifteen gold pieces!” I exclaimed as a scantily clad person of the female persuasion approached with a pitcher and two tankards.

“Ale?” she asked, blowing a curl of black hair off her forehead.

“Yes, please,” Captain Martin said. “And whatever you’ve got in the way of meat. Boar, perhaps?”

“There’s a rich stew, or you can have a roasted hock with potatoes and carrots.”

For a moment I forgot about Domingo and our future plans.

“Roasted hock?” I gasped. I could almost taste the delicate meat that would be falling off the bone. I might have drooled a little.

Captain Martin looked about for Squid and Hillier, but neither of us could locate them.

“Where on earth did the rest of them get to? Ah well, only us, then. Two of the hocks, if you please.”

“Right. The girls and boys are around if you’re looking for an evening’s entertainment.”

“Yes, well, we’ve made arrangements already,” Captain Martin said. “Thank you.”

“Fine. I’ll bring the hocks.”

I levered my mind away from the food and once again questioned the captain’s judgement.

“You’re going to spend fifteen gold pieces on a whore?” I asked, still finding the very idea to be outrageous.