A Question of Class by Julia Tagan

everywhere. We need to speak.”
    Catherine stepped away from the door. “I don’t think we need to speak at all, you’ve already said enough.”
    He grabbed her arm roughly and pushed her against the wall. “I don’t think you understand. I’ve offered you an opportunity to have everything you could possibly want. You need security, and I need you. It’s simple.”
    “No.” His breath reeked of alcohol and she turned her head away. “I am not interested in being anyone’s mistress. I thought I was clear.”
    He leaned into her and pushed his knee between her legs. “You are a sight to behold tonight. Your dress is ravishing. I’ve wanted you for a long time and I think the time has come I get a taste, don’t you?”
    “How dare you touch me.” She squirmed but he held her tight. A strand of his thin blonde hair fell across his forehead and he blew it out of the way.
    “I’m sure you’re quite a pleasure, my dear. As Delcour has already been with you in sin, I don’t see how you can object.”
    He kissed her and dug his fingers into her buttocks. She bit him hard on the lip and pushed him away. He yowled and stepped back.
    “Stay away from me,” she warned.
    Percy touched his lip gently. He leaned back against the opposite wall and laughed, and then pulled a shiny watch fob out of his coat pocket.
    “Before long, you’ll be out on the streets begging for me to take you in. And I shall relish every minute.” He held the watch up and let it swing back and forth. “Tick, tock, it’s only a matter of time.”
    She grabbed her skirts and ran down the hall toward the deafening roar of the party as fast as she could.
     

 
    9
     
    Benjamin’s dance with the eager Marianne seemed to last for hours. He spied Catherine and Theodosia dashing out of the ballroom, and was unable, with all of the turns of the dance, to keep them in his sight. When the music finally stopped, he gave Marianne a curt nod and escaped.
    He headed in the direction where he’d last seen Catherine. The lilac dress, which had taken his breath away earlier that evening, was nowhere in sight. When Catherine had glided down the stairs at the townhouse, the silk clinging with every movement and her breasts swelling up enticingly beneath the gold lace trim, Benjamin had to look away to keep from staring.
    From the corner of his eye, he noticed Carpenter walk briskly into the ballroom and motion toward the same group of men he’d been standing with earlier. As Carpenter led the group of men out of the ballroom, Benjamin followed.
    He caught up with them one floor above the ballroom, standing in the middle of a grand library. Books covered every wall, and the woodwork, extending up the walls and across the ceiling, was intricately carved and smoothly polished. The men gathered around a table covered with several bottles of wine and half a dozen goblets. Carpenter noticed Benjamin lurking in the doorway and invited him in.
    “This, my friends, is Mr. Benjamin Thomas, a relation of Delcour’s.” Carpenter turned to Benjamin. “You must join us. I’m about to uncork a bottle of wine that will bring you to your knees. You’ve never tasted anything quite like it.”
    Benjamin nodded politely as he was introduced to the other men. There were five of them, including the owner of the City Hotel and several esteemed innkeepers.
    Carpenter seemed nervous and Benjamin noticed his hands shook as he uncorked the bottle. Carpenter caught his glance and gave him a smile.
    “Let me catch you up, my dear man,” he said. “You don’t know much about wine, do you?”
    Benjamin shook his head. “Please, I’m eager to learn.”
    “Now this is a Chateau Margaux.” Carpenter pointed to the label. “You, like the rest of the ignorant souls of the Americas, have tasted what I call the lower liquors, like rum, gin and brandy. In France, wine is the drink of choice, and Chateau Margaux is the quintessence of the grape. Each year the vines are grown in a