Free Hunting the Hero by Heather Boyd

letter and tapped it on the desk. “This business thrives on being agreeable and available to any who come.” Her lips pursed. “When I have one girl unavailable for a long period of time, it is bad for business. Very bad.”
    Unease straightened her spine. “It is my understanding that Grayling has paid handsomely for my time this past week?”
    Linnie dropped the note and picked up another. She tapped it on the desk, too. “You, my dear, are as close to an exclusive arrangement as you have ever come with any gentleman caller in the past year. I have a note here from Lord Grayling. He’s requesting your company for the next week exclusively. I also have one from Squires. It’s time to make some difficult decisions.”
    Meredith frowned at the news that she had two gentlemen competing for her time. Grayling might be a fine lover, his appetite for touch as voracious as it was for conversation, but she had done little to encourage him toward a permanent arrangement. As for Squires, she was honestly not too concerned that she hadn’t needed to entertain him.  
    She didn’t want to belong to a man as if she were a horse to ride when he could spare a moment. As a mistress, she would be expected to entertain only one man. Meredith would rather it be Grayling in her bed, but she was aware that during the height of the season she could go months without seeing him. Meredith enjoyed intimacies far too much to remain faithful should a protector become distracted and not call.  
    She met Linnie’s gaze. “I had suspected Grayling was starting to tire of visiting.”  
    Linnie picked up the first note. “He’s not.”  
    A foolish burst of happiness filled Meredith. They’d made love only once last night and although he’d left her very late, he’d done so without waking her to say goodbye. They had talked for most of the evening. “If he’s requested my company, then you know I will do everything I can to make him happy.”
    “T’is not just him that has to be made happy.” Linnie’s lips curved in distaste. “Someone must make Lord Squires happy, as well. Besides this letter, he’s asked for you every night this week and was far from happy to be told you were claimed again.”
    Meredith looked at the madam squarely. “What would you have me do? Break with Grayling?”
    The idea didn’t appeal, but perhaps it would be best to avoid forming an unwise attachment to the man. She’d caught herself thinking of him far too often and planning for their next encounter. He seemed to know just what she needed to be happy in his bed. Out of it, he’d become a dab-hand at fueling the fires just to keep her fingers and toes toasty warm.
    The madam’s face grew pinched. “Grayling cannot be dismissed. He has paid a pretty penny to keep you solely for his pleasure, but Lord Squires is in danger of taking his patronage elsewhere. I cannot stand to have him tup a streetwalker when he should have the best the House has to offer.”
    Meredith sighed. Deep down, she knew what the madam hoped she’d do: either speak to Grayling about a permanent arrangement, one that would see a handsome fee fill the House’s coffers, or service them both, either honestly or dishonestly, if necessary. Either way, Meredith didn’t enjoy the situation. She had grown comfortable meeting the demands of one man over several. But that was not the normal life under the bawd’s rule.  
    She met Linnie’s intent gaze. “I’ll speak with Grayling tonight and do my best to convince him that he should share.”
    “Good.”
    The notes on Linnie’s desk disappeared into the top drawer and she tipped her head toward the door, signaling that their conversation was over. Meredith left the room quickly, but anxiety filled her. She didn’t anticipate her conversation with Grayling would go well. She needed to be ready with her arguments. She stepped into the room she’d been assigned, the red velvet bedchamber with the southern view overlooking the