The Price of Innocence (The Legacy Series) by Vicki Hopkins Page A

silken material, thanking her profusely.
    “I’m so grateful for your kindness, Madame Laurent.”
    “Don’t think twice about it. I only ask that you stay in this room the remainder of the evening. I’m afraid there are a few stragglers with some of my girls, and I don’t wish them to find you wandering around. Wash up and get a good night’s sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Madame Laurent smiled reassuringly. “Sleep well, Suzette. At least tonight you are safe, oui?”
    She watched as the door closed behind her and felt relieved that she was off the streets. Suzette sat down on the bed and felt the softness welcome her tired body. Her hand brushed the white linen pillowcase, no doubt washed and carried by her own toil. When she pushed down on the fabric, the goose down feathers plumped at her touch, and Suzette began to cry.
    She was surrounded by luxury. Two beds occupied the room, and Suzette wondered who slept in the other. Gorgeous coverlets, rugs, light fixtures, and framed artwork decorated the interior. It was nothing like the opulence she viewed in the parlor downstairs, but it held its own beauty and comfort. It was such a stark contrast to the dark room with four cots that she slept in for months.
    Suzette enjoyed the momentary comfort, but knew it would not last forever. Soon, she would see the Daughters of Charity again. She had gone full circle, back to the beginning with no work and facing the prospects of living on the streets.
    Unable to bear the uncertainties of the future, she buried her head in the soft pillow and sobbed. When she had finished pouring out her heart, she made her way into bath chamber and washed her face before climbing under the sheets in the silky nightgown. Finally, exhaustion won its battle, and Suzette drifted off into a deep sleep.
    She woke early the next morning to find Nadine in the other bed. Not too keen on her roommate, she ignored her presence while focusing on her new-found comfort. For the first time in many months, she felt pampered. If it were not for the fact she was sleeping inside a brothel, she wouldn’t have given it a second thought. It felt no different than a comfortable boarding house.
    As she lay on her back, she stared at the ceiling above thinking about what to do next. Nadine’s sleepy voice interrupted her pondering.
    “I see you’re awake.” She sat up in bed and looked at Suzette wrapped like a baby in blankets pulled up under her chin. “Madame Laurent warned me that you were my new roomy.”
    Nadine heaved a sigh, flung off her blankets, and stood up stark naked. She stretched out both arms over her head and let out a loud yawn.
    Suzette’s eyes widened. Nadine’s body curved in every direction, and at the sight of her unashamed nakedness, Suzette turned her face in the other direction. Her long, blond hair cascaded about her exposed breasts. She looks like Lady Godiva, only without the white horse, Suzette thought.
    “Oh, for God’s sake,” Nadine quipped, disgusted over Suzette’s reaction. “It’s not like you’ve never seen a woman’s body before. You look at your own every day!”
    She snatched a black silk robe from the foot of her bed and slipped her arms through the sleeves. After pulling the sash tight around her waist, she warned Suzette.
    “If you intend on staying here, you might as well get over your queasiness for naked bodies.” Her feet slid through her open-toed slippers as she continued. “Believe me, you’ll see them all the time . . . everywhere.”
    Suzette shot back in anger. “I have no intention of staying here.”
    Nadine smirked. “Oh? And where will you go? Wander the streets and sleep in alleys?”
    Her roommate sauntered into the bath chamber and left Suzette stewing over her words. A few minutes later she came back insisting that she get dressed and head downstairs.
    “We don’t dilly-dally in the mornings around here either. Every one of us has chores to do in order