Auctioned

2

The next evening Minerva came over to Penelope's townhouse to help her prepare for her outing. Tonight Penelope needed to convince the bawd that she would be a money maker. She had to look the part of a whore and a lady, but also be disguised. To pull off such a feat too planning and help in executing.

Penelope found a dress that she had outgrown a few seasons back. It fit everywhere besides her bust. Her chest looked like it would pop out any moment. In fact, when she bent over, it did.

"Oh my, Penny! You look like a tavern girl!" Minerva observed as he pointed to her friend's ample chest bubbling out of her bodice.

"Then I'll consider that a success. Did you bring your cloak?"

"Yes, but won't you just draw attention to yourself in a cloak in the middle of summer?" Penelope knew Minerva was just trying to curtail her adventure.

"I'll be fine. I'm getting a hackney a few blocks away. You worry too much," she told her friend. But truth be told she was extremely anxious and trying to reassure herself.

After adding some color to her cheeks and lips, Penelope found herself several blocks away signaling a hackney cab. The ride seemed to last longer than any in-town ride she had ever taken. The driver pulled up to a nondescript door. There was no sign or appearance that would make one think they were at a brothel.

That was the case until a few drunk lords fell out the door. Both were too in their cups to pay her any mind and were thrilled to see a hackney so close.

Penelope entered the door left open by the drunk lordlings. In no time she was being greeted by a man a foot taller than her that could crush any man she knew. "Who are ye lass?"

"Um, I'm here to see Mrs. Ziegler," Penelope said pulling her shoulders back and trying her best not to sound like a child.

"She know ye comin?" His accent was a mix she couldn't put her finger on, and she could barely understand him.

"No," she said simply.

"Well, come on then," he started toward a hidden door not far from the entrance. He banged on it a few times and then opened it up. He barreled through with Penelope in tow. "Ma'am, ladyship here to see ye."

Penelope was left standing in front of a woman that she could only call "well-decorated." She was an older woman but she had a red wig to try to make her look more youthful. She also had paint all over her face - red on her lips and cheeks, and coal on her eyes . There was no doubt that this was the infamous Mrs. Ziegler.

"Yea?" She said finally looking up. A look of horror changed her features. "Shit, my lady. I don't know your husband or what he does here..."

"Oh no! I'm not married," Penelope waved the procuress off. "I wanted to discuss an...arrangement that I'd like to make."

"Arrangement?" Mrs. Z asked as she calmed herself "Oh! You like girls..."

"No, no not that. I want my virginity auctioned off," Penelope decided to just spit it out. Hearing it loud it sounded foolish.

"Oh ah! Another one. Look I..."

"I just want to make some money so I can leave England. I'm a lady. I'm sure that would sweeten the deal, no?" Penelope looked eagerly toward the woman before her.

"Lady, eh? Like as in your daddy is a lord?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'm a single, innocent lady. And I want to be sold." Again the words sounded so strange. Sold - like a loaf of bread.

"Well, some of these men will pay a pretty penny. But they usually want more than one tup. If ya know what I mean." The old bawd gave a wink and wiggled her brow.