Fair Fight by Anna Freeman Page A

to disturb me,’ the brute said, but he tired of his teasing and did then leave his post and disappear inside. We heard the scraping of bolts within as he secured the door. An inordinately long time passed, or so it seemed to me.
    At length the bolts slid back and the brute appeared.
    ‘There’s three of the misses will see you, for a little extra coin.’
    In the event there were four mollies waiting inside, in the company of an old bawd with the skewed and lumpen countenance that suggests that curse of Venus, the dread syphilis. The girls were handsome and looked clean enough – especially standing as they were beside that old crone – but one in particular I thought exceptional. She was not neat in her figure; her bosom spilled from her corset, her skirts swung about as she walked forward to greet us. Her face, too, was spilling over; full lips, heavy eyelids, rounded cheeks painted up high. What gripped me, however, was the look in her eyes – never had I seen such a lewd and worldly expression in a face so young. She was an angel, fallen as low as an angel could fall. She was beauty, made dirt. I was seized with an ache upon the sight of her. Granville’s face grew still in a peculiarly rapt expression I could feel mirrored in some measure upon my own countenance. Perry, by contrast, looked only frightened.
    ‘I will have this girl for company,’ Granville told the old bawd.
    ‘And I,’ I said. ‘I will wait my turn and visit her likewise.’
    The young whore shot me a hot glance when I spoke.
    ‘George,’ Granville had something like passion in his voice, ‘I should prefer you to take another. I must have this one to myself.’
    ‘Must you?’ the bawd said then. ‘How long shall you want her? Dora don’t come cheap, young sir, but she’s worth twice what I’ll charge you nonetheless. You’ve never in your dreams been pleased like it.’
    I thought to protest; he was being absurd. Granville, however, was emptying his pockets.
    ‘That’ll not buy you more than ten minutes, lad,’ the bawd said.
    ‘Make it ten minutes longer and I shall put the coins into your hand this moment,’ Granville said.
    ‘You’ll do that whatever I say,’ the bawd replied. ‘You’re hot as Old Nick himself. But you’ll have your extra ten minutes, just for the brazen cheek of you.’
    ‘Thank you, good woman,’ Granville poured his pennies into her palm. He took my hand and pressed it.
    ‘George,’ he said, ‘take another one. I beg you, oblige me.’
    I thought him ridiculous but the negro girl had by then caught my eye and was winking and smiling. I was beginning to feel nervous and thought she looked kind enough to guide me through the deed. Perry’s hand was seized by a busty, freckled creature and although he looked back at me, wide-eyed, he let her lead him. Anxious as I felt, it was nonetheless amusing to see his hesitating ascent behind her upon the stairs.
     
    Afterward I was puffed up with pride, despite the event being less momentous than I had hoped. I came downstairs to find Perry waiting in the hall with the blackest look upon his face. He would not answer my enquiries as to his experience, nor what was the matter. I was forced to stand there, my thighs aching, with Perry burning with silent fury beside me.
    Girls began to appear from the recesses of the house and came to take their seats on the bench in the hall.
    Seeing us, they called out, ‘You’re young enough to go again, lads. I’ll show you what my sister there couldn’t.’
    ‘Hie, Sally, what d’you do to the boy? He’s sour as a crab.’
    ‘Did she bite you, dearheart?’ one said, coming toward Perry. ‘You’d do better with me, look,’ and she held back her lips to show the pink gums laid bare of teeth.
    Perry muttered, ‘In a moment I shall strike them.’
    ‘You do that, dearheart,’ the toothless whore said, returning to her seat, ‘and Sam, on the door there, will have your mouth the match of mine.’
    Granville