“Sir, I assure you that we have many women for your, uh, perusal,” Charlie told the strange man before him, “but as a courtesy to our ladies, we don't allow -”

The man thrust more money onto the table at which they were seated in the dusty back room. “I am not asking for you to allow me in to see her before the allotted time; all I ask is that you don't allow anyone else in, either.”

Charlie shook his head in disbelief. “That is impossible. She comes from a rich family; there's noble blood in her veins, and she's undoubtedly been kept pure. You cannot possibly comprehend the number of men who will be clamoring to have a taste of that. Why, the price on her virginity alone -”

The arrival of the coach in front of the building was marked by the neighing of horses and the crack of a whip, setting the vehicle in motion once again. The man looked toward the small, dirt-streaked window that barely allowed light to filter into, then back toward the owner of Chanson Noir. “I don't have time to argue with you. I will pay you double whatever she'd go for. Keep her until I come again.”

“Triple.” Charlie knew a desperate man when he saw one, and this one wanted the new girl all to himself, for whatever reason, at any cost. Chanson Noir's clients were often wealthy, no doubt, as Charlie's girls were renowned as the prettiest and most refined of their profession.

The man glared at him, but acquiesced with a terse nod of his head that Charlie could barely make out in the darkened room. “I will make my exit through this door, here. I do not wish to make my presence known. I request that you do not alert anyone that I was here, as well.”

Charlie agreed. He'd dance on that very table with his pants around his ankles if offered enough money. He had no idea how long he'd be able to keep the new girl from the curious eyes of the men that frequented his establishment, but word had yet to get out that she was even there, so that should buy them all some time. In the meantime, so long as he was paid, Charlie'd keep the girl locked in a tower if that's what this man wanted. Brynn Callahan was turning out to make him quite the profit, indeed, all before even making her arrival.