Page 3 of Mayfair Madame

I felt behind me for something, anything to protect me from his advances. I wrapped my fingers around a bottle and swung it in an arc, hitting him on the head.

He dropped like a stone, falling with a thud onto the tiled floor. The bottle clattered next to him.

Was he still breathing? Had I killed him? Did I care?

I stared at the lifeless body and nudged him with my foot. Nothing.

A knock on the door startled me out of my daze. For a moment, I’d forgotten where I was. This wasn’t like last time.

I was at Emmeline’s house. I was safe. I was safe.

I stepped over his body, relieved when he groaned. Not dead then. I placed my hand on my chest and took a few shallow breaths. I wouldn’t give anyone the satisfaction of seeing me weak.

The door swung open, and Emmeline stood in the doorway, her eyes full of concern.

“Is everything all right?” She looked past me as Benjamin groaned again, and her hand flew to her mouth. “What the hell happened?”

“He assaulted me,” I said, my voice calm, although I felt anything but.

“Oh, my poor dear. Are you okay? Here, cover yourself with this.” She draped a silk robe around my shoulders, hiding me from the people now gathered at the door.

“You assaulted me, you whore. Someone call the police. I want to press charges.” Benjamin sat up, his head in his hands, blood still dripping from the scrapes on his face.

“You sexually assaulted me, you bastard. I should be the one pressing charges, not you,” I shouted.

But he was a lord. I was an escort. Who would the police believe?

“Oh, be quiet and cover yourself up, Benjamin. I’m calling the police.” Emmeline pulled out her phone and dialled, all the while keeping her hand on my arm to comfort me.

Clement stood in the doorway, face white. “What in God’s name happened? What did you do, Naomi? You could have killed him.”

How was it my fault?

“He assaulted me, Clement. Don’t you care about that?” I slumped against the counter, weary from the events.

He shook his head and backed away, his hands in the air. “Don’t involve me in this. This is nothing to do with me.”

“Too fucking late, Clement. You brought me here, and when the police get involved, they’ll want to know why.”

Emmeline pulled me to her side, and I bit back a sob. At least someone cared.

“Hello? Police? There’s been an incident. An assault. No, no one is dead, but we have someone with a head injury.”

Benjamin was now dressed and held a flannel to his ashen face. The bleeding appeared to have stopped, but he didn’t look good. The veins in his neck pulsed rapidly, and while I knew it wasn’t my fault, I couldn’t help wondering if I’d done anything to encourage him.

Don’t be fucking stupid, Naomi. You did nothing wrong.I’d gone over this with my therapist frequently, but self-doubt and irrationality crept in.

“Hey, Naomi.” Emmeline’s kind voice broke into my thoughts. “The police will be here soon. Let’s go to my bedroom. We can wait there.”

I walked on shaky legs, leaning on her for support. I hated this. Hated feeling weak, but shock had set in and the robe did little to stop the shivering.

She led me to the bed and patted my hand.

“Sit here, and I’ll get Elizabeth to make you some hot, sweet tea.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I said. “I don’t want to be a bother.”

“Please, Naomi. Humour an old lady. Now lie down. I’ll be back shortly.”