A Gentleman's Prerogative (Unedited Version)

Chapter 31

Marioselle noticed Sean immediately. She was elated to see him and almost ran to him, but instead she held herself back. "Hmmm," she thought quelling the actual sound by placing a finger to her lips in thought. This could be amusing and as well as informative. It looked as if her question from her earlier musings was going to be answered. "Would Sean recognize her?" Well, she would soon find out.

She slowed her walk and began to sashay towards the carraige where he was standing. The other girls, struck by Sean's handsome visage were oblivious to what was actually taking place around them. They giggled and flirted as he helped each one into the equipage. One of them quite blatant with her charms.

When the busty blonde rubbed her over exposed breast against Sean's arm Marioselle wanted to rip her hair out. It took everything she had to tamp down her jealousy. Not that she was the jealous type. At least not normally. However, this situation was different. The damned man hadn't even given her a second look. This onlynfuriated her more, and her face fell in disappointment. He hadn't recognized her. Maybe, she thought sadly, he didn't really love her after all. For surely a man in love would recognize the woman he loved underneath a bit of rouge and eyeliner. Wouldn't he? Oh! Fiddlesticks she fumed, and nearly stomped her foot as she stepped up to his proffered arm. Maybe she should just tell him it was her. Afterall the man was here to help save Mei. What more could she expect? He was an honorable and kind man. Most women would be happy with those characteristics alone. She sighed and looked up into his eyes, but before she could speak he lifted her up by the waist and into the coach. She jumped and hit her head on the roof of the carraige at the sudden pain in her backside. The other ladies, sitting inside the carriage giggled once again.

********

Sean couldn't resist swatting Marioselle's perfect little derrière. The woman was infuriating. Why the little minx acted as if she didn't even know who he was. The way she sauntered up to the carriage acting like a brazen...well acting he had to admit. He knew she was just playing a role, but to completely disregard him? It wasn't as if the other ladies could do anything should she speak to him. Besides, she had to know that since they commandeered the carriage, the other women would not be seeing the Marquis tonight. Her cover was safe.

Well, he had thought petulantly, two could play at this game. I will just pretend not to recognize her as well. So like the hubristic, halfwitted man that he was, and without regard to the consequences, he made the hasty decision to slap her soundly on the rump. He cringed quickly in response, as watched her head hit the roof interior. That had to have hurt, he thought regrettably. She was going to ring a peel over his head later for this one. That was for certain. First, however he was going to have a little fun. In for a penny, in for a pound he mused heedlessly.

After he closed the door, and without careful consideration once again, he leaned in through the coach window, leveled his gaze on Marioselle and winked. Then to his dismay he stood on the back of the carriage chastising himself a fool, for his careless tongue. He had opened his mouth and spoken six of the most regrettable words he had ever spoken. "I'll be seeing you later, oui Madamoiselle?" He hadn't been prepared for her reaction. Although, for some peculiar reason the image brought a titillating smile to his face. Marioselle's eyes had grown as round as saucers and her face had flushed red with embarrassment before she folded her arms in front of her chest and turned her haughty chin away from him. Sean couldn't suppress the laughter as he had moved from the window. An action he was almost certain irritated her more. He just had stepped up and onto the carriage as Aung had slapped the reigns. The carriage dipped backwards and surged forward nearly causing him to lose his footing.

The jarring action had brought his thoughts back to the grim reality. He mentally kicked himself for being so selfish and teasing Marioselle at such a perilous time. They all had more important issues to focus on and attend to at the moment. If they didn't work together and come up with a sound plan none of them would be leaving Paris, of that he was certain. He learned early in his career to depend on those he trusted and that teamwork was important for ones success.

As they came to a wooded area he whistled, signaling Aung to stop. They would allow the girls to get out here if they wanted, or they could choose to help. He would settle them all with enough money to leave Paris should they choose to assist them in rescuing Mei. However, he would not put them at risk without their consent. He could certainly use their help as a distraction, but he wouldn't put them in danger. He prayed they would consent, If not they would have to make due with Marioselle as their only decoy. Of course they had Chen Li as well. At least he hoped they did. He hadn't spotted her anywhere of yet, but he had the sneaking suspicion she was close by.

Aung stopped the carriage and Sean could hear the ladies fluttering inside. He spoke French fluently but for the life of him he couldn't make out a single word. What on earth were they carrying on about, he thought quizzically. He got his answer as he pulled open the door. The busty blonde came tumbling out knocking him to the ground in a heap beneath her. "What in the bloody hell is going on here," he managed to choke out from his rather unfortunate position, as he tried to untangle himself from the womens tight grasp.

"Sacré bleu!" Screeched the now dishelved young woman as she got to her feet and began dusting herself off. Sean stood up and did the same as he watched Marioselle and the other girls alight from the coach. He needed to figure this mess out and quickly, as four whores sparring on the side of the road would gain unwanted attention.

"Marioselle, would you please explain to me what exactly just happened here?"

Marioselles, who was biting her lower lip,  lifted her downcast eye's to Sean's and sheepishly replied, "I pushed her."