The Harlot’s Hero
by Tabetha Waite
Author’s Disclaimer
I wanted to warn anyone who might be sensitive to the material in this story. It is meant to entertain, not to concern the reader. Rest assured, it has a happy ending and there is no unnecessary violence or brutality involving women. In truth, I wanted the opposite of what I’ve heard about in historical retellings, for isn’t that what a romance is all about?
Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Waite
Cover Design by Forever After Romance Designs
Model Photography by Period Images
This title is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to similarly named places or to persons living or deceased is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever, including but no limited to photocopy, digital, auditory, and/or in print, without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations for a review.
Also by Tabetha Waite
Ways of Love Historical Romance Series
How it All Began for the Baron (Christmas prequel novella)
Why the Earl is After the Girl (Book 1)
Where the Viscount Met His Match (Book 2)
When a Duke Pursues a Lady (Book 3)
Who the Marquess Dares to Desire (Book 4)
What a Gentleman Does for Love (Book 5)
Season of the Spinster Series
Triana’s Spring Seduction (Book 1)
Isabella’s Secret Summer (Book 2)
The Spinster’s Alluring Season (Book 2.5)
Alyssa’s Autumn Affair (Book 3)
Korina’s Wild Winter (Book 4)
Novellas
Twelve Gifts by Christmas
Lord Castleford’s Fortunate Folly (Fortunes of Fate #1)
A Lady’s Guide to Marriage
A Promise Beneath the Kissing Bough
Miss Pageant’s Christmas Proposal
The Scot’s Bairn
Bedeviling Lord Coxford
The Brunette Who Stole His Heart (A Tale of Two Brunettes – Book 1)
In Love with a Charming Brunette (A Tale of Two Brunettes – Book 2)
Novels
Behind a Moonlit Veil
The Secrets of Shadows
The Piper’s Paramour
Anthologies
Heyer Society (non-fiction essays)
The Young and the Ruined (Various Historical)
Short Stories
Love’s Frozen Kiss
Love Out of the Ashes
The Magic Shield
The Journey Toward Hope
Thistles & War
Four Calling Cards
Table of Contents
The Harlot’s Hero
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Dedication
To the fabulous actors and actresses who starred in the Hulu original series, “Harlots.” Thanks for giving me the inspiration to write about my own harlot, but one who has a decidedly happier ending.
Chapter One
London, England
Spring 1797
The knock at Persephone’s bedroom door made her jump.
“Are you ready, love?” the feminine voice called from the other side.
Sephy, as most of the women in her mother’s bawdyhouse referred to her, looked at her reflection in the mirror attached to her scarred dressing table and clutched the oak surface. Tonight, she was to be bartered to the highest bidder, her virtue a sacrifice that would start her down the path of unrighteousness.
She slowly exhaled and tried to gain control of her nerves. As long as she’d lived she’d known this was the road she would take, and while some girls started out in the world of pleasure much younger, her mother had granted her a reprieve until she’d turned seventeen. Some would claim she was spoiled to be given such an extension of her innocence, but Sephy wouldn’t have traded a single moment of that freedom, for it was soon to be stripped away.
“Coming, Mama.” She took one last look at her powdered face and the heart-shaped patch on her left cheek. Both of which were quickly going out of fashion, but still remained a lark to the men when it came to such a prized event as the purchase of a virgin.
Her hair had been left down to shine in all its glory, the rich golden amber shades something her mother said the men would covet highly for it was an unusual color. But it was her blue eyes, stark and wide and slightly fearful that Sephy must control. She had been trained, not only in the art of proper speech and deportment like any other lady of society, but also in the mystique of seduction. Walking out into the crowded assemblage like a frightened doe ready to bolt would not endear her to the gentleman anxious to bow over her hand.
Gathering her courage, Sephy opened the door and faced her mother, Madam Phryne Welton, named after an ancient Greek courtesan, on the other side. The middle-aged woman had unassuming brown hair and eyes, but she was dressed like a duchess in her red silk sack-back gown. Sephy was a bit more modest in her white robe de gaulle with a light pink ribbon about her waist, but then, her mother claimed the innocent style would add to her allure.
The lady smiled broadly. “You are a vision, Persephone. The gentlemen will be fawning over you this evening.”
Sephy worried her lower lip. “Do you think so?”
Her mother laid a hand on each of her shoulders. “Men are feeble-minded creatures who are led only by their prick or a bit of coin. Never doubt your ability as a woman to attract attention. News has already spread of your purity and the room is filled with eager spectators hoping for a glimpse of the paragon of this house.” She touched her cheek. “And you are a paragon, my dear. After tonight, you shall be the toast of London. I have no doubt you will soon have a protector.”
Sephy inhaled a deep breath and nodded. This was her moment. She had been trained to be a courtesan, and while some of the teachings she had yet to fully understand, tonight would be the start of a brand new journey.
There was no turning back.
Her mother opened the door into the main receiving room of their house in Covent Garden and instantly the laughter and raucous conversation ceased as Sephy walked forward. There was a dais set up like a stage in one corner of the room where her fellow ‘nymphs’ were dressed in white Grecian robes that
