Venetian Moon: The Beginning
By: Bunniko
Disclaimer: I own no rights to Sailor Moon by Naoko-san or "Dangerous Beauty" of Regency Enterprises.
Summary: 16th century Venice. The Lunar Court is reincarnated in a Paradise of sorts.
Note: Due to the setting, the English names from the translated manga suit my needs best. (With the exceptions of the Generals.) This is Part 3. I recommend you read the Introduction, Part 1: The Encounter and Part 2: The Connections first. Also, I've revised this a bit, caught a few errors. Yup, you can call me a perfectionist.
"Venice, 1583 - the richest, most decadent city in Europe. Its women were treated as property – few even knew how to read.
But there were some who enjoyed a different fate . . ." ~ opening of "Dangerous Beauty"
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Matteo escorted the five girls home. The sight of Mother Petrucho's charity cases arriving home in a fashionable gondola with a handsome and wealthy young man caused many of the lower district people to stare and murmur amongst themselves. Matteo stared at them coldly, but the girls ignored them. They had never been fully accepted here. It was as if the people they lived amongst could sense that they weren't like them.
Several of the people who dwelt in this area were descendents of powerful families, but had fallen into poverty and disgrace at some point in history. But they knew the rich and powerful. And when they looked at these girls, they could see the bloodlines in them. Raye, Bunny and Mina wore their heritage unconsciously. Lita wore hers proudly. She didn't know if she was descended from someone powerful in Rome, but she knew that they had been wealthy. Amy looked very similar to her mother, though not even she was aware of that. But even more than that, it was obvious that these girls had not lived lives of hard labor. Though they lived in poverty, they had a few servants. The girls knew genteel practices, such as needlepoint. Yet they also knew how to read and write.
Mother Petrucho had kept them apart from most of the people around them as well. This had greatly offended their neighbors as Delora was one of them, always had been. And yet she acted as if her charity cases were better than the rest of the poverty-stricken people! Yes, there was resentment in the neighborhood against this unusual family. Matteo could feel it. He wondered curiously at the girls' ability to ignore it.
They didn't ignore it. They simply weren't aware of it. They sensed a reserve, but they had led pretty sheltered lives. Resentment wasn't something they understood. They'd never consciously experienced it. They didn't spend much time out here, because, well, quite frankly, this was one of the few areas in Venice that wasn't kept very clean. At night, the homeless slept on the streets and used the canal for a bathing area. Many of the residents used it as a refuse disposal system. It was no wonder that Matteo's father and the other senators of Venice wanted to get rid of this blemish on their fair city. The only reason they couldn't was the fact that most of the people living here were true citizens. Venice was a republic, after all.
But as learned and intelligent as the city's senators and Doge were, they failed to see the danger of allowing the few cesspools like this one to exist. They simply didn'd see the true dangers they presented. Occasionally, epidemics would race through the city, but they had skilled doctors, and few besides the very poor or the very young would be lost. No, they reasoned, disease is a part of life. They overlooked the obvious for too long.
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Matteo nobly helped each of the girls out of the gondola. They thanked him sweetly, but were interrupted when Mother Petrucho swept down. "Such a spectacle!" she scolded, noticing the stares and murmurs, knowing what they meant. The poor and uneducated could be dangerous enemies. She hustled them all, including Matteo, inside. "Dinner was delayed for you, my headstrong girls. Go get cleaned up and Matilda will serve shortly." The girls all ducked their heads appropriately and fled upstairs, leaving Matteo facing their guardian. "Thank you for your help, good sir. We would like to thank you appropriately."
Matteo felt uncomfortable. He certainly didn't want to be thanked in a way that would be a drain on family resources. And he knew she would want to thank all five, which would definitely be a major drain, even if all she wanted was to provide them with a meal. But fate delivered unto him an idea. He caught sight of a woman carrying an elaborate gown upstairs. He knew instantly what kind of dress that was. "Signora Petrucho, I am honored that you feel my small aid is worthy of your kind regard." He demurred.
Mother Petrucho hid a smile. She had seen his eye catch the dress and seen the lust flare in his eyes. So this man found at least one of her girls attractive, did he? She looked him over, sensing that perhaps this man would be a good start for her girls. But she must not push him. No, she would wait to see what he suggested. "I do hope my girls were not overly exuberant. They aren't used to male company, and they are rather outspoken."
Matteo rejoiced to be given a chance to play this game, for at least he was comfortable with such falsehoods. "The latter is considered quite normal for courtesans. However, the former could be quite a limitation."
Mother Petrucho raised her eyebrows as if in surprise. "Did they tell you they were courtesans?"
Matteo smiled, seeing through her pretense. "No, but why else would they be raised to be so outspoken? Even among the poor, no man wants an outspoken wife." Even as he spoke, he dimly felt the paradox he lived in, but his education pushed it away.
Mother Petrucho fought a sigh at his comments. "Very true. As for the male company, you saw what little there is of it." She gestured outside. "The rabble out there is not fit company for them. I have tried to hide the truth about their past from the girls, but it seems stamped upon them anyhow. They," again she gestured outside, "seem to sense a difference. They know the girls are different from them somehow and they resent it."
"The girls ignore it fairly well." he commented.
"They aren't aware of it. I've kept them safe from hostility and resentment. I want them to be happy." Her pretense had fully vanished as she looked out the window. "They had such painful beginnings."
Matteo suddenly felt intensely uncomfortable. She actually cared about these girls! His parents barely acted as if he was alive, unless he was needed to perform a duty of State. Deep in his soul he felt an odd wrenching . . . envy? With all his discipline as a soldier, he pushed it away. But he sensed that this woman had lived a painful life, and in her own way, was trying to help these girls have a brighter future. He cleared his throat. "Well, I really must be getting back. My friends and I have plans for tonight."
She turned back to him. "We haven't thanked you properly yet."
Matteo grinned, hoping his friends' interest in the group hadn't been feigned. "Well, I know one way to reward us." Mother Petrucho held her breath, hoping for what she thought was running through his mind. "It would honor us greatly if you would grant us the privilege of escorting your young charges on their first night as courtesans."
It wasn't very hard to read through that statement. Mother Petrucho bit back a smile at the idea. She pretended to consider. "Well," she prevaricated, "that could be arranged." Matteo gave her a small bow as he read through her pretenses as well. "Again, my gratitude for your kind care for my girls."
Matteo recognized the dismissal for what it was. "Do send round a message to the house of Mancuso when the girls are ready." He showed himself out, his mind full of thoughts.
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Matteo returned to the house of Mancuso much later than expected. Darien met him at the entry to his chambers, his icy blue eyes sparking with annoyance. Matteo's gray ones met his with laconic interest. He nodded and sauntered over to the table, where wine was waiting. Negligently scooping a full goblet up, he tasted the fine drink, then tossed out a comment. "Tis hardly sunset, Darien. The fun won't start without us."
The other guys laughed as Darien rolled his eyes in irritation. "Do tell us what caused your delay, Matteo." he bid sarcastically.
Matteo shrugged his shoulders gracefully. "Their mother wished to thank us."
Four pairs of eyebrows rose in true curiosity. "How so?" Vincenzo demanded.
Matteo grinned secretively. "Well, my dear companions, it would seem we have stumbled upon a group of courtesans-to-be."
Vincenzo seemed shocked. "That quiet, intelligent Amy is going to be a common courtesan?"
Matteo laughed. "I hardly think any of them will be 'common'. There's something very unique about those girls." He paused, then turned to rib his friend. "Besides, Vin, you didn't seriously think a girl as educated as Amy would be something else? What choice does she really have?"
Vincenzo thought about it, bemused by his own concerns. She would be highly unsuited for a wife, he knew. However, as a courtesan, her intelligence would be more acceptable. He tried to deny to himself that he cared what she did, but some connection, some bond had formed.
Meanwhile, Darien demanded, "What did you say to her wish to 'reward' us? After all, it seems patently obvious that she couldn't afford to."
Matteo nodded, "True, but she is proud. So I offered her an idea she seemed to find most appropriate."
Four heads swiveled towards him, waiting. Matteo made them wait. Slowly, he drained his goblet. He'd been longing for some amusement. Finally, Jerome's patience broke. "Well, come on then!"
Netheniel sighed at Jerome's impatience. However, he was leaning forward with obvious interest.
Matteo looked at each man, then gazed lazily into his wine. "I told her we would be honored if we were the lucky chaps to have the girls first." His usually icy demeanor hid his desire to laugh.
"You did what?!" Darien reacted first. Anger, shock, and a strange interest filled him.
"Excuse me? Did I hear right?" the stunned Jerome asked next.
Netheniel was choking on his wine. "Seriously?"
Vincenzo merely stared at them in shock. "I do hope you didn't put it quite that way, Matteo." he scolded, even as a part of him found the idea of being the first to know Amy quite appealing.
Matteo grinned wolfishly. "Now you know me better than that. I exercised proper manners. Besides, I thought a bit of change might make for a memorable night before we go off to slaughter the Turks."
Darien was standing stock-still. Images of Bunny ran through his mind. She reminded him of someone. The other girls seemed somewhat familiar as well. "Y'know," he spoke suddenly, gaining the attention of the others, "there's something very familiar about those girls."
"I'll say." Vincenzo piped up. His thoughts were on Amy. "Amy looks very much like the courtesan the Doge favors."
"Indeed. And have you noticed how much Raye looks like Senator Verocu?" Jerome added.
Darien even added his two ducats. "Bunny and Mina look similar to Signora Gabriella de la Cruz, the wife of that strange Spaniard." Matteo nodded his agreement.
Netheniel was silent. His thoughts were on Lita, the Roman. "I wonder if Lita has powerful relatives in Rome?"
Vincenzo shook his head. "Amy didn't say. She merely insinuated that her parents were wealthy. She said nothing of whether or not there were any attempts to reach Lita's family."
"Why would the de la Cruz family have abandoned their daughters?" Jerome asked idly.
Darien answered that one with scorn. "Senor de la Cruz had been deeply displeased that his high-priced bride had dared to deliver a daughter, even if she was a dead one. Perhaps the poor woman was afraid to tell him the truth. That she had not only had one live daughter, but two."
Matteo nodded. "It is unusual, but Gabriella was always said to be a highly caring woman. No doubt she couldn't bear to witness any harm to her daughters."
"Like a life of poverty isn't harm." Darien snorted, his aristocratic nature showing.
Suddenly, they all became aware that the sun had set. Awkwardly, they all rose, hastily readying themselves. It would be very strange indeed if the most eligible, handsome and wealthy young men in Venice stayed home.
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The girls ate a very silent dinner. They knew that this day was the ending of one life and the beginning of another. Nervousness and excitement ran through them. When Mother Petrucho excused them, they hurried upstairs. Lying on each girl's poor bed, they found a gorgeous dress. Sharp cries of excitement could be heard. Even Bunny was entranced by the beauty of the gowns. Quickly they hung the gowns with care, then changed into their thin, worn nightgowns. As they lay down on their pallets, their minds were wandering over the events of the day. Soon, Amy, Raye, Lita and Mina were fast asleep. Bunny, however, rose silently and knelt by the window. She gazed up at the moon, the one celestial object that never ceased to draw her in.
Her mind wandered over the events of the day. Her head still ached a bit, and she wasn't sleepy after her unwanted nap. She didn't understand why she had gotten so upset at Darien. He was just being an aristocrat, she thought with contempt. It wasn't as if that should have angered her so much. No, she mused, there was definitely something else. Something she couldn't quite figure out.
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The Next Morning: Courtesans in Training
The girls awoke early, even Bunny, who had passed a restless night. Matilda, Mother Petrucho and a woman they didn't know swept in, rousing them quickly. Mother Petrucho's first words threw ice on all the girls, especially Bunny. "Girls, the Turks are getting ever closer. Because of this, you must debut no later than one week from today."
The girls rose unsteadily. They looked at each other with concern and nervousness. They had thought they would have time to perfect this, to build up their confidence.
"I know that this doesn't seem like much time, but you girls are clever. Your looks will do most of the work for you."
The cloaked woman stepped forward. She pushed back her cloak to reveal a shining mass of blue-black hair, intelligent blue eyes and flawless skin. The girls gasped, looking from her to Amy. Amy stared in shock. "My name is Leila. I am one of the most successful courtesans in Venice. I am here because I owe Signora Petrucho a debt I can never repay. For her, I will turn you girls into courtesans. Your success or failure will depend on you." Her eyes rested on Amy for a moment, pain filling them. "Yes, Amy, I am your mother. You might as well know it now, for all of Venice will know when they first see you." She paused. "I had hoped you would look more like him."
Amy's eyes filled with pain. She had never thought an encounter with her birth mother would be so cold.
The woman looked at all of them suddenly, her eyes seeking something within all of them. Finally, she spoke again. "You girls are my legacy. I am retiring. Very few courtesans can last as long as I have, though I was only 15 when you were born, Amy." Her face was a cold mask. "My mother needed money desperately. I became a courtesan at 14. A courtesan usually only remains in favor 'til she reaches the age of 22 or so. Because of this, you must always be at your best if you do not wish to spend your remaining years in poverty. Many courtesans marry merchants after their popularity wanes." She walked over to the window and pulled the fabric covering over it. "First, we must get you ready."
The next thing the girls knew, they were taking turns having their senses overwhelmed. Each took her turn in a sensuous bath, the water scented with a delicious scent, a different one to fit each girl's character. Each one endured the exfoliation of her skin and the rubbing of her body with a matching scented oil. Then, each one had her hair pulled through a strange hat that separated it into tiny sections. The five laughed at each other's appearance, until the three women began to work on them. They had decided that the girls' natural hair colors were satisfactory, so they began rubbing in scented oil that would bring out the sheen and beauty of their hair under candlelight. The only exception was Lita, who was going to have her brown hair highlighted with copper. This process took up most of the day, and when the girls had nothing else to do, they were trained by Leila in proper facial expressions, seduction techniques and choosing a lover wisely.
The next day was more hands-on for the girls. After the scented baths, which were to become a daily regimen, and the elaborate dressing on their hair, they came down to breakfast. Breakfast was an object lesson, as the girls learned to modify their already perfect manners into seductive manners. "Every movement, every look, must be temptation." Leila instructed, as she demonstrated a rather shocking way to devour a banana. Next, they went upstairs to learn how to walk.
Delora had already trained them in a rather suggestive walk, without their knowing. The old trick of a book on the head was merely a refresher course for them, until Leila showed them their shoes. Though the shoes were exquisite, they also had at least 6 inches of platform! Lita's were the exception, since she was already unusually tall her shoes were only perhaps 2 inches thick. Still, it took them quite some time to feel comfortable walking in the shoes, and Bunny, Mina and Raye took more than their fair share of spills. Even after three days of practice, Bunny still paled when she took the flight of steps in those shoes. Of course, she was the shortest, so her shoes were the highest, but she still took quite a bit of teasing for her clumsiness.
The training wore on. They were instructed on the application of face paint, one of the things Mina found most intriguing. Indeed, she felt that this whole thing would be a great role. She began to take on a persona, rather than transform her real self into a courtesan. Bunny enjoyed looking her best, but she still was quite nervous and uncomfortable with the whole idea. If truth were to be told, as their first night as real courtesans grew closer, they all felt more and more naïve. And then, on the last day of training, they entered their room to find a nude man awaiting them, as well as Leila.
The poor man blushed beet-red and his eyes darkened as five wide-eyed girls stared at him in shock, confusion and some curiosity. The least shocked was Amy, since she had read quite a bit about human anatomy, but then again, she was the shyest of them all, so she was still terribly embarrassed, both for him and herself. Leila spoke suddenly. "Don't be afraid. There is nothing to fear. If you show fear, you will earn resentment. Resentment will not pay the bills." She then proceeded to show the girls how to pleasure a man with their hands and mouths, teaching them exactly what touch where would produce the desired response. The girls watched in wonder, soon forgetting their embarrassment.
The week passed quickly and the girls were soon gowned for their debut. They entered the common room one at a time, each one descending when she was finished, to await her friends.
Amy was finished first. She was clothed in a gorgeous dress the color of deep ocean water. Its low-cut bosom and tight waist set off her figure to perfection. Her short tresses shone a deep blue in the candlelight. Matching earrings mimicked a waterfall on either side of her face. Her hair was swept into artful knots, suggesting a day on a boat at sea, delightfully tossed but not rumpled. A delicate necklace of gold, set with a blue stone, graced her slim throat.
Lita descended second. Her brown hair was the only one that had been touched with henna, and now it glowed like burnished copper. Her gown was a deep russet over gold. Gold earrings with deep red stones inset dangled from her earlobes, glittering brightly. Her was upswept, leaving tendrils to curl about her neck seductively. A green ribbon, chosen to offset the russet and gold and to match her eyes, was woven into her hair. About her neck she wore a matching necklace that dipped suggestively into her low bodice.
Raye was the third to come down. Her look was disarmingly simple. A purple ribbon encircled her throat. A simple but exquisite purple gown clung to her body like second skin. Delicate earrings graced her ears, simple stones that changed colors as the candlelight glanced upon them, shifting them from deep red, to passionate purple, to a mesmerizing violet capriciously. Her raven-black hair shone with purple highlights due to the scented oil. Her hair was also done simply. Her hair was a mass of slight curls, flowing past her waist.
Mina emerged finally, in a gorgeous dress of orange. Her hair was drawn into an intricate half ponytail. The upper portion was woven into a knot, while the lower half was allowed to flow freely to her waist, with the slightest hint of a curl. Gracing her ears were gold earrings that dangled to her chin. She wore no necklace, as the bodice of her gown was embellished with gold embroidery that needed no adornment.
Finally, Bunny carefully came down the stairs, managing not to look as nervous as she felt about those treacherous steps. Her hair was done up in her traditional buns, but red stones had been set inside them. She wore a gown of white with red roses stitched intricately upon it. About her slim neck was a choker of pearls, and matching pearls shone from her earlobes. Her long blond hair, which normally reached to the ground, only fell to her ankles due to the added platforms beneath her feet.
The girls stared at each other for a moment, then began to talk excitedly, praising each other's appearance and making small jokes. Finally, Mother Petrucho, Leila and Matilda descended, dressed in fine gowns provided by Leila and done up rather nicely themselves. "We will accompany you to the arranged gaming house, where the men we have already engaged for you will meet you." Leila spoke. "Be certain to treat them with respect, kindness and, above all, do not be nervous." She looked each one in the eye. "You are beautiful, intelligent young women. I know that you will succeed tonight. There is no turning back."
The girls nodded their understanding.
Mother Petrucho moved to each of her girls. "Amy, don't be too shy. Raye, watch your temper. Lita, do your best to hide your fear of the canals. Mina, don't babble endlessly. Bunny, walk carefully, but confidently. And all of you, go easy on the wine and food. Keep your wits about you."
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Mother Petrucho had sent round a missive to the Mancuso home the day before. Darien had crumpled it in his fist, but passed the news on to his friends. He had other concerns to deal with. For example, Beryl.
The day after Bunny and her friends had entered his life, another woman invaded his domain. She entered even more dramatically, although not totally unexpectedly. His uncle returned from Rome, along with his fiancée and her father. When Darien finally got a moment alone with his uncle, the poor man could only explain that she refused to wait. Darien had groaned. Just what he needed, a demanding wife! His uncle had patted his shoulder, but looking like a man who had been harried to death, he had quickly excused himself to get stinking drunk.
Beryl was the daughter of a very rich and very powerful Roman. He'd named all his daughters after rare stones, a quirk Darien found irritating. What he found even more irritating was the fact that he was to marry her the very next day! His first inclination had been to roar with outrage, but he knew that as a son of Venice, he had to do his duty. He'd spent the night sobering up, much to the amusement of his companions.
The wedding had passed slowly enough and after the obligatory dance, they had been shut in the bridal chamber while the families celebrated the match. When he was finally alone with his bride, he soon wished he had stayed drunk. She had proved to not only be a prude, but, the next morning, she proved herself a shrew. Since their wedding night, he'd endured constant complaints about Venice, Venetians, and life in general. She was easily displeased and cared not one whit that she denied him even the simple pleasure of a few peaceful moments.
At the moment, she was in their bedroom, haranguing a maid over the fold of the bedspread. The bedspread of all things! He glared at the missive and tossed it on the table. Snatching up a glass of water, he dashed the contents on his face and rubbed the water over his skin and into his hair, cooling his flushed skin, but not his sorely frayed temper. "Give me a willing whore over a prudish, noble, properly raised wife." he thought sourly as he stared at the crumpled missive.
The thought penetrated his mind slowly. It dawned on him that he did not have to stay here this night. No other husband in Venice would. He ignored Beryl when she swept into the room, caught up in the memory of that vivacious Bunny and her friends. Whether or not they had learned much about the role of a courtesan, they had something rare in this day and age. They had compassion and kindness. Suddenly his outlook on the following night was brighter and he seemed in a more jovial mood, a mood which did not escape his icy wife's notice.
When his rather sobered up friends came round to collect him, Beryl watched with disgust and apprehension. She knew instinctively where he was headed. Part of her filled with disgust, knowing he would stagger home drunk as her father had or return late in the day with the scent of some cheap woman upon him. Another part of her filled with dismay that he would be going to such a place after barely five days of marriage. And another part of her filled with possessiveness and a jealous hate for the woman he went to. Her eyes narrowed as she watched her husband and his friends float away into the night. A maid nearby, nursing a bloodied lip, could have sworn the room actually seemed to grow darker, though none of the candles had gone out. The maid turned to leave, but tripped over a chair, sending it and her sprawling. She didn't dare look up as her angry mistress turned her icy rage on her.
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Meanwhile, at a popular gaming house, Darien and his companions stood in a group, unaware of the dark anger unleashed in the Mancuso's home. They made idle chatter and talked in passing to their fellow Senators and nobles of Venice. They enjoyed the fine wine and foods offered as they awaited the appointed hour. Darien leaned against a wall, eyes cold, as he surveyed the gaming house. He was beginning to wonder if this was such a good idea. He'd seen his wife's temper, suspected that the unexplained bruises on his help's faces came from her, and he had sensed her anger at him as he left. He tamped his concern down. Tomorrow he would make her understand that no one abused his servants in his house, that she was nothing more than a wife. Tonight, ah tonight, he would relax, enjoy himself, and hopefully, pass a pleasurable night with a willing wench.
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Amy and Lita rode in the first gondola with Leila. The moment they entered the contraption, she pressed a small piece of paper into each girl's hand. On the paper was written the address of a lavish house, along with a room number. "This is where you take your lover, nowhere else, when he is ready for pleasure. I will collect you in the morning." Her words were firm and brooked no disobedience. Lita released her death grip on Amy's hand for a moment as they slid the papers into the hidden pockets stitched inside their skirts. But the second that was done, Lita's hand was crushing Amy's again. When the gondola began to move, her grip tightened further, making Amy wonder if she would ever write again.
When Amy and Lita's gondola moved out of sight, Raye entered the second one with Matilda. She received the same lecture and paper. The second gondola then followed the first at a distance. Finally, when Raye's conveyance was out of sight, Mina and Bunny entered the final gondola. Once ensconced within, Mother Petrucho gave her twins the same lecture and slips of paper. After a long moment, the third gondola began a slow journey towards the gaming house. In this manner, the five would arrive, but not in a large group. That would attract far too much attention.
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The five men stood in a group just inside the gaming house. From their vantagepoint, they could see the arrivals before they disembarked and easily move forward to claim their companion or slip back to avoid recognition. For the most part, they made idle chatter. Until Vincenzo put his foot in his mouth.
He had only intended to remark lightly on Beryl's countenance. His smile was mischevious, his eyes amused. "Your wife looked positively furious this eve, Dare. Whatever did you do to her?"
His companions fell silent, staring at the blond man in shock. Darien's frozen gaze bored straight into Vincenzo's widened green eyes. His voice was even colder than his gaze and deadly, deceptively soft. "I came tonight to get away from that . . . that . . . woman. Do not mention her again." Vincenzo's eyes grew even wider and he nodded, shame-faced and shell-shocked. Netheniel came to his rescue, of sorts.
Unable to bear the tension between his friends, he had turned his gaze to the dock and spotted Lita and Amy approaching. He stepped forward, cutting off Darien's angry speech and catching Vincenzo by the upper arm. "C'mon Vin, we're up." He gave the three remaining men a slight bow and a cocky grin. "See ya in the morn."
Netheniel and Vincenzo made it to the dock just as Amy and Lita alighted. They stopped just shy of the carpeted entry path to drink in the girls' appearance.
Amy and Lita were similarly surprised as they looked about them. The spectacle presented them had them frozen on the carpet. Only a whisper from Leila kept them from gawking like country girls.
Netheniel and Vincenzo stepped forth just then, drawing mental gasps of shock from the girls. Netheniel murmured something to Leila and she nodded. Each man offered his arm. Leila watched as the girls accepted the arms presented them. As they walked away, she kept a close eye on the two pairs, then re-entered her gondola. As her gondola turned away, Raye's began its approach.
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Vincenzo felt a deep stirring when Amy's hand lightly touched his arm. It wasn't base lust, of that he was sure. No, her touch had sent shivers into his soul. He guided her to an area where couples were dancing to soft, airy music. As he led her out onto the dance floor, Amy experienced a slight sensation of familiarity.
Netheniel and Lita walked into the heart of the gambling section. Something inside him kept him hovering very close to her, and his eyes narrowed when he caught other men admiring her. He carried on light conversation with her as they idly played a card game. His mind kept wandering back to a memory of how vulnerable she'd been when she'd fainted, and how perfect she had felt in his arms.
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When Raye and Matilda disembarked from the gondola, Jerome was by her side in an instant. A murmured exchange with Matilda, and the blond man had the raven beauty to himself. He drew her inside, guiding her to an area where they could converse quietly. The feeling he'd had on their first encounter, that strange attraction, only deepened as they spoke. She displayed none of her fiery temper, choosing instead to wield her clever wit as they sipped fine wine and watched the other patrons.
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Mina and Bunny arrived last of course. Their entrance made quite a splash. Heads turned and voices murmured far more so than when the other girls had arrived. Though dressed and made up quite differently, there was no denying the deep similarities between the girls. Matteo reached Mina's side long before Darien even began his approach. Pressing a gentle kiss to Mina's hand, the normally cold and diffident Matteo graced Mother Petrucho with a disarming smile before he swept Mina into the building, as envious men and jealous women watched in stunned silence.
Bunny did not feel as regal as she tried to appear. Her insides churned nervously as she tried to avoid the gazes of her admirers. She nibbled her lower lip unconciously, until a sharp whisper from Mother Petrucho made her stop. Just then, deep blue eyes caught hers. She almost sighed as he approached her. He was gorgeous, she thought. Then she noticed his slightly mocking smile. Her spine stiffened and when he bent low to catch her hand and press a kiss to it, she steeled herself against it. She wasn't prepared at all for the thrill that raced through her.
Darien was stunned when he saw the young girl. Since his companions had all made their choices, previously he assumed, he was left to escort the young woman whose scent had lingered on his pillow and eyes had haunted his thoughts. When he noticed her nervousness, he knew what would give her the courage to face the staring, murmuring hordes. Setting his mouth in its usual sardonic grin, he'd been gratified to see the fire in her eyes. He hadn't been ready for the shock of just touching her. Looking up at her eyes, he knew she'd felt the same way and was bemused by it. This would prove to be a short night at the gaming house, he already knew.
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AN: Well, Chapter 3 is finally finished. Would really like some feedback on this one. Not sure if it's too rushed in places. Please feel free to email me, but if you flame me, give me a reason please. Thanks for all the great reviews! They really helped! I hope to have Chapter 4 out by Wed, maybe sooner if work allows.