"Why would you want to buy a mistress anyway?" Edward asked his best friend Emmett, the Marques of Halverson. "You might as well look for a bride. Both will drain you of your energy."
"And bank account." Edward added as an afterthought.
"Because I could use a mistress of the manor." Edward rolled his eyes at Emmett's answer.
"I always hated Victoria's Gentlemen's club." Edward complained.
Victoria's was a club where not only men drank and gambled, but often bought a pretty wench for an outrageous sum.
Edward never paid for a woman; he thought it incredulous to pay for something that was often thrown at him for free, so he never frequented the club much.
"Well get used to it." Emmett replied.
"Why can't you just find a nice lady and settle down already?" Edward was genuinely curious.
"And leave you all alone?" Emmett scoffed, "Who's going to help you ruin all those eligible young debutantes if I'm leg shackled?"
"I think I'll be able to handle the ladies on my own." Edward joked.
"Well let's try not to find out." Emmett laughed.
…
"Happy Birthday!" Bella exclaimed to her friend and only source of solace in this godforsaken place.
"Oh thank you Bella!" Renesme flung her arms around her best friend.
They laughed and giggled, surrendering themselves to the happiness of this day.
"What are you girls doing?" Victoria, the caretaker of the girls asked.
"I'm sorry ma'am." Bella was quick to take the blame, knowing if she didn't then Renesme would be in jeopardy. "We were just celebrating Renesme's sixteenth birthday."
"Your birthday?" Victoria asked.
"Yes ma'am." Renesme couldn't help but smile in excitement.
"Sixteen huh?" Victoria asked.
Oh no. Bella saw the wheels spinning in Victoria's eyes. She knew this day was coming, but she didn't expect it to come this soon.
The only reason Bella avoided this terrible fate was because she was more valuable taking care of the girls and their needs.
"Today is another auction." Victoria looked expectantly at Bella.
"No."
The shock was evident, showing on both Victoria's and Bella's faces. In the ten years working for Victoria, Bella had never refused her anything.
"Excuse me?" Victoria's famous temper was starting to surface.
Renesme just looked on in horror at the two of them.
"I will not allow you to sell her off to the highest bidder." Bella stood up for something for the first time in her life. It felt oddly liberating.
"You won't allow me?" Victoria screamed.
"No."
"Fine." She huffed.
Surprise hit Bella. Could Victoria be so merciful?
"Renesme you'll take over for Bella." Victoria spoke to the frightened girl.
And to Bella, "You're up for auction."