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everything we just gained.”
    MacDonald attacked the steak trying to find words to explain to his friend that frontier food was not Thalian food. How could he explain the Thalian need for the caress of another being or how emotions transferred physically and mentally between Thalians? Every bedding with a prostitute had left that need unfulfilled and a steady fire had grown inside of him. He had never had his First Bedding rite, although Leta, an older female from Donnick's Enforcers had taken pity on him and instructed him in certain matters while granting him a bedding. When he returned he would reward that lassie if she still lived.
    When no good words emerged, he changed the subject. “I'll camp tonight, but tomorrow I am going to the whorehouse Rutledge recommended.”
    “All right, Mac. We go there together tonight. I'll have a drink and wait for you.”
    “It will take me awhile.”
    Rolfe snorted and downed his beer. “You're crazy, Mac.”

Chapter 9: A Refined Place
    Madame Collette smoothed her brown hair and slid her hand down her maroon faille dress. She slipped a heavy pearl necklace over her head and smiled at the round face in the mirror before entering the lobby of her domain. She nodded at Doris arranging the glassware and whiskey bottles. Twilight had begun and her girls were in place awaiting her inspection, each deliberately posed in their most alluring position. She studied Suzette as she checked them. This would be Suzette's last season here. She was getting too old. Worse, it looked like the woman was pregnant again. She shook her head. Too damn stupid to use the correct douche. She nodded at the maid to unlock the front door. She could see two looming shapes outside. This might be a good evening for midweek if someone were here this early.
    Doris opened the door with a beaming smile and two men crossed the threshold. The huge form of one made some of the smaller girls suck in their breath. There were times when such men could rip the insides of a petite woman. At least he was well dressed. The other man was dressed in buckskins. Not a good sign for someone with money to drop.
    Madame Collette tried to gauge whether to ask that they leave or accommodate them. The large man solved the problem by removing his hat, bowing, and speaking in French.
    “Good evening, Madame Collette. Mr. Rutledge recommended this as a refined place to visit before leaving your fair city. It seems you have those that will please a man and your drinks received almost as much praise.”
    Madame forced a smile to her lips. The girls be damned, she thought. Rutledge was her link to the law. This man was entitled to anyone in the place.
    “If we both could have a drink, I'll make my selections.”
    “Selections, monsieur?”
    The dark eyes smiled down at her. “Aye, I'll select two now and more as the evening progresses.” He had reverted to English.
    Madame Collette stared for a moment and gave a low chuckle.
    “I like a man who knows what he wants. The fee is twenty-five dollars per room.” In her establishment, it was the room that was rented not the female. “Since you are selecting two, it would be two rooms. It is a bit difficult to be two places at once. Do you intend to spend the evening? Then it becomes one hundred dollars.”
    MacDonald's smile was becoming a bit fixed. “Tis there a time limit on the two rooms?”
    “Only if you spend the evening, then, as I said, the fee is one hundred dollars for each room. One room could be empty, of course, if that is what you prefer. We do make our gentlemen feel quite at home here.”
    Relief flooded MacDonald's face. “Of course, the fee changes with each selection. Tis that nay correct?”
    The girls were twittering in the background. Madame could see someone else's shape at the door and the knocker clanged.
    “Doris, admit the gentleman.”
    She turned to MacDonald. “That is correct.”
    “Then for now I twill take the two tallest. I should be back down in