Page 105 of Obligation and Redemption
Will Elizabeth ever welcome me? Darcy took this time to commit himself to refrain from coming to her room without her willing consent, but before the thought had even taken root, he began to doubt his ability to ultimately withstand the draw.
The idea of employing a mistress unexpectedly returned.
Other men had married into what more closely resembled a business arrangement, creating an heir and perhaps a couple of other children, then employing a professional courtesan to meet the high demands of a virile man.
From what he gathered from peers who spoke too openly at Whites, wives rarely received their husbands gladly except on occasion – primarily for procreation – and were all too willing to share him with a mistress.
Darcy had tried to live a life of virtue to avoid the complications that came with a hired courtesan, but was he being fair to himself?
Now that he was married, he had hoped that he would finally find satisfaction, but perhaps he had idealised a committed relationship.
Whatever his course, he must take this time away from Elizabeth to figure it out. Darcy did not know how long he would stay in town, but he determined not to return to Pemberley until he was ready to break down the walls of bitterness that had so easily divided him from his wife.
Saturday was several days away, so now he was committed to staying in town for at least another week for he could not travel on Sunday, and the safety of taking leave was weather-dependent. He would continue his visits with family, exercise at Angelo’s, and evening meals at Whites.
ONE NIGHT DARCY was at his club and ran into Langston.
They eventually joined a small group of gentlemen who were talking about a recently opened establishment that catered to the needs of men.
Madame Karina’s was located on St. James not four blocks from Whites.
Darcy had never paid any attention to the lewd jokes and references in the past, but now found himself drawn in.
“Madame Karina, or so she calls herself, apparently has worked in the profession for years in Paris, but moved to London late last year to escape the war. Apparently, it wasn’t good for business.” The men laughed at the idea.
“I thought war would increase her business as men sought a way to escape the cruelties of life.”
“Yes, but apparently, her business only catered to the elite, and they became unable to maintain her high standard of living.”
“She brought a group of young, some very young, ladies with her, trained in their professional arts. She told me herself that whatever you want, she could provide, for the right price.”
Langston then had his say, surprising Darcy.
“Madam Karina knows her business, and she carefully screens her girls to make sure they stay clean; she only accepts clients through referrals to avoid the undesirables. But somehow she got the list of the members of Whites and will take anyone on that list. That’s how she got started.
Add to that, she is very discreet. She never uses your real name.
Instead she assigns a different one, some quite amusing. ”
“You seem to know a lot, Langston,” said one of the men.
The viscount smiled and said, “No more than half the other members here.” They laughed. “We could all go there tonight, that is if any of you are man enough.”
Darcy had never enjoyed such conversations and usually made his exit, but he had to admit, the thought had occurred to him more than once since arriving in town.
He had heard that the French were adept at the art of lovemaking; Madame Karina’s might be just what he needed.
He was mulling this over in his head when several at his table stood up .
“Darcy, are you coming with us?” He stared at the man who asked, unsure of what to say. “Come on and join us. We will catch a hackney and will be back in a couple of hours.”
Then Langston, entertained with the thought of Darcy playing along, said, “Your wife will never know. And maybe you will learn a thing or two you can share with her when you go back home. Come on. I know the perfect girl for you, and I’ll let you have her.
” All of the men were standing there looking at him, encouraging him with their words and manner.
Possibly owing to the three drinks he had consumed and lack of nourishment to balance, and also perhaps due to his unsatisfying relationship with his wife, but most definitely due to a slip in judgement, Darcy stood.
The group of men left Whites and got into a couple of hackneys to travel the short distance to Madame Karina’s, the freezing temperatures a stark contrast to the warmth found in the club. A few minutes later, they alighted at their destination, anxious to get inside.
During the short journey there, Darcy was telling himself why this was a good idea.
His wife did not want him and most likely still would not when he got home.
In fact, it could be months, if ever, before she welcomed him; and fearing his own impatience, using a courtesan could help stave off his own desire, with the hopes that he would avoid regrettably losing control with Elizabeth again.
Many men of his rank and wealth used these services, even those whom he found worthy of merit and respect.
Langston himself came often. Many single men even came to avoid a compromising situation with an innocent, which was a noble motivation.
Is it actually breaking marriage vows if you are simply gratifying a physical need, not establishing an on-going emotional and physical relationship?
Apparently this place is very discreet, not using actual names.
Except for the men who were with him, no one would know, and they would not tell for they were just as guilty.
Guilty. And the French were well trained in the art of copulation.
He knew that he had limited experience himself.
Maybe he could learn how to help Elizabeth enjoy their intimacies.
Darcy was a proficient at the art of persuasion and as such had admirably talked himself into accepting the enterprise as commendable.
When they entered, Darcy looked around, curious to see what such an establishment offered.
He was surprised to see a fashionable looking home not unlike his own.
There were men dressed in the attire of footmen stationed in several locations within his view, as one might see at any fashionable home, taking coats and hats.
Their hostess, for that is what she called herself, came up to make the introductions.
Recognising Langston as well as one of the other men, she smiled.
Madame Karina wore a diaphanous dress with a plunging décolletage, more suited for sleeping than public consumption.
“Madame Karina, you are looking quite lovely this evening,” Langston said, while kissing her hand. “As you see, I have brought several friends with me each anxious to meet a lovely paramour. I can vouch for all of them.”
She looked over each of them, taking in each man’s fine lines.
The scrutiny did its work as each man, including Darcy, began to anticipate the entertainment to come.
“If you will follow me, I will guide you to your rooms.” Darcy noticed Langston whispering something into their hostess’s ear.
She looked back and caught Darcy’s eye and raised her eyebrow in amusement.
Madame brought all of the men to a holding room where they were assigned names, written on the back of a card for privacy, and given room numbers along with a key to the corresponding room.
She provided each of them with their beverage of choice and then began leading the men, one by one, to their destinations.
As it would happen, Darcy was the final man left; he looked at his card.
On one side, embossed in gold lettering, was the address along with Madame Karina’s name, but no identification as to the actual type of business was noted.
On the reverse side he saw his assigned name to be Adonis, which caused him to chuckle; he wondered if everyone was given mythical names designed to further entice.
Since arriving, his conscience that had been his guide so many times in his life began reasserting itself.
Guilty kept repeating itself in his mind.
The thought of wilfully engaging in an activity that brought him into a state of guilt began to plague him.
As he sat there waiting for Madame to return for him, he began to feel the full weight of his perfidy.
Could he ever hope to achieve a state of marital harmony if he were to engage in such unfaithfulness, for he now understood that it would indeed be adultery, and so early in his marriage, just because things are difficult?
He knew that one encounter would open the door for many others.
But then again, his wife despised him. What further harm could be done to his marriage?
The door opened and Madame Karina walked over to him. “I saved the best for last.” Then she took his drink from his hand. “Monsieur, Adonis,” said she with a sly smile, “your friend spécialement requested Aphrodite to serve you, and I know you will be delighted with her performance, non?”
What madness is this? I must stop! “Madame Karina, I do not doubt her many talents, but I am not altogether certain that I should stay.”