
Magdalena only smiled benignly and shrugged. "How?" It had always been a risk in my habits, one I did my best to avoid, but it would be a much greater risk if I was having sex regularly.

More delicately, and at your choice, we can ensure that you don't become unexpectedly with child during your stay." “And while I’m sure you’ll receive a number of gifts from your gentlemen, I do have a seamstress who will fit you with a few gowns just in case. “Your room and board are covered, they won’t be taken out of your wages,” Magdalena continued with a smile. I wondered what other gentlemen I would meet. How many men you see will be up to you, but I ask that you take their own happiness and peace of mind into consideration.” This suits the girls and keeps them from being overworked, and keeps the gentlemen’s tempers in line. We find it works best when a girl has her particular group of gentlemen she enjoys company with, rather than everyone wandering about as they please.

“Some of our gentlemen can be…territorial. “No man or woman in this house will touch you without your permission, and you’re expected to extend the same courtesy.” Her tone was so firm, I found myself nodding along obediently at once. “Now, a few ground rules, darling,” Magdalena said. I wanted him to look at me again, and I remained staring at him until Magdalena slid a cup of steaming tea to me, leaves swirling in the water. Booker remained, looming in the doorway, gaze sliding above our heads to cross the room. I skirted over to the table and took a seat as Magdalena took the tea service from the butler and served us both. “Here’s our man with the tea,” Magdalena said, and I jumped away from the door, not having realized Booker was waiting behind me to enter. Scented smoke billowed out of a gold canister, and instead of curtains, the windows were covered with handwritten letters. There were books on the shelves, but old ones with crumbling spines. There was a round table in the center, with four chairs around it, and a glass globe sitting in the center on a bright gold stand. Strands of bones hung from a lamp, and from the rafters hung hooks with dangling herbs. Where I had been expecting a proper office, with a desk and books and papers, instead there was a nest of unusual objects. Magdalena opened the door, and inside was one of the strangest rooms I had ever seen.

We arrived at a room at the end of the corridor.
