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

washhouse. Suzette arrived at the shameful realization that she looked forward to her morning visits in a house of ill repute, if for nothing more than to breathe fresh air and enjoy a luxurious atmosphere where everything appeared soft and clean.
    Her visits were often short and without conversation. As the weeks dragged on, she met more of Madame Laurent’s employees. They rarely spoke to her. More often, they eyed her arrival through the back door and commenced whispering amongst themselves. Nadine always seemed to be the center of attention, giggling at her whenever she passed by.
    At first, Madame Laurent stood silently observing Suzette as she carried out her duties. Eventually, she would bring up the subject once again, asking Suzette to join the ranks of her staff and become one of her girls.
    “My offer is still open, Suzette, should you wish to take it. Leave the squalor and come live like a queen.”
    Madame Laurent entice Suzette’s weakening resolve with offers of a comfortable bed, a belly full of food, new clothes, lavish creams, and perfumed hair. Suzette would shake her head and give the same timid response.
    “No thank you, Madame.”
    After time, the cat-and-mouse game, as they often do, began to wear upon Madame Laurent’s patience. Unable to convince an eighteen-year-old beauty to join her staff was merely a minor setback, which she would soon remedy by other means. It would not be long, and Suzette would be one of her new beauties of pleasure. When Madame Laurent wanted her way, she was sure to get it.
    * * *
     
    Monsieur Brouchard counted the 50 francs at least a dozen times. The bills were crisp, and he brought them to his nostrils and inhaled the alluring scent of money. The amount was more than what he made in three months.
    He folded the bills for the last time and stuffed them into his pants pocket, after standing up from behind his desk. The clock on the wall indicated the end of the shift had arrived. He was about to earn his pay by performing one small task he would immensely enjoy.
    The door to his office opened, and he walked out onto the washroom floor and observed the women finishing their work. Each night, he would bellow out at the top of his lungs, “ End of shift!” and then stand aside and watch the weary ladies go their separate ways.
    He meandered over to Suzette stooping over a basin scrubbing sheets, which should have been done hours ago. Both of his hands were shoved into the pockets of his trousers, and one fingered the crisp francs with greed.
    “I need a word with you,” he scowled. He purposely contorted his face into an angry scowl.
    Suzette stood up straight and wiped her sweaty brow with the back of her hand. She frowned at him in return. “Yes, Monsieur Brouchard?”
    “You’re fired. Take what belongings you keep upstairs and leave. Your services here are no longer required.”
    Suzette dropped the sheet into the soapy water and wiped her hands on her apron. Dumfounded, she froze. He spat the words in her direction with such force that she could not deny he meant every syllable. His angry expression dared her to question him, but Suzette’s shock would not allow her to remain silent.
    “But why? What have I done?” she persisted.
    “It doesn’t matter,” he hissed, as he took a step and shoved his face closer into hers. “It’s my prerogative to fire anyone I please, whenever I please. I’m not happy with your work. These sheets should have been hung to dry hours ago.” He shook his finger at her, inhaled a deep breath, and yelled, “Gather your things and leave now!”
    Suzette could not believe what she heard. “May I at least spend the night here, Monsieur? Surely you don’t expect me to sleep on the streets.” Her voice shook from the fear. “I will leave in the morning.” She wanted to kneel at his feet and beg for mercy, but before he would even give her the chance to plead any longer, he finished the deed he was paid to do.
    “There’ll