Suddenly You by lover

prologue

~PROLOG~

She was Nervous as she walked into the building her black hair hung lose around her frame with a sigh she walked in and approached the desk with a gulp she told the receptionists that she was ready with a nod they led her to the office were she walked in

With a sigh the director looked at her and smiled

"Please Sit down Miss Higurashi."

And she pulled out a list

"Now Miss Higurashi I will ask you some questions to find you a match...What is your preferred style, Miss Higurashi? Would you prefer your man to be fair-haired or dark? Average height or tall? English or foreign?"

The madam was astonishingly businesslike, as if they were discussing a dish to be served at a supper party rather than a man to be purchased for the evening.

The questions made kagome cringe. She felt her face flame until her cheeks prickled, and she wondered if a man would feel this way the first dello was far more discreet and tastefully furnished than she had imagined. There were no shocking paintings or vulgar engravings, and no clients or prostitutes anywhere in sight. Mrs. Devilin establishment was quite attractive, the walls covered in moss-green damask, the private receiving room filled with comfortable pieces of Hepplewhite furniture. A small marble topped table was positioned neatly beside an Empire sofa adorned with golden dolphin scales.

Reaching for a little gold-painted pencil and a tiny notebook perched on the edge of the table, Ayame Devlin stared at her expectantly.

"I don't have a preferred style,"

Kagome said, mortified but determined.

"I will trust your judgment. Just send someone on the evening of my birthday, one week from today."

For some reason, that entertained Mrs. Devlin greatly.

"As a gift to yourself?... What a delightful idea."

She stared at Kagome with a lingering smile that illuminated her angular face. The madam was not beautiful, or even pretty, but she possessed a smooth complexion and rich red hair, and a tall, voluptuous body.

"Miss Higurashi, may I ask if you are a virgin?"

"Why do you wish to know?"

Kagome countered warily.

One of Mrs. Devlin's ruddy, perfectly plunked brows arched in amusement.

"If you are indeed willing to trust my judgment, Miss Higurashi, I must know the particulars of your situation. It is not often that a woman like you comes to my establishment."

"Very well,"

Kagome took a deep breath and spoke rapidly, driven by something close to desperation rather than good sense she had always prided her self on.

"I am a spinster, Mrs. Devlin. In one week's time I will be thirty years old, and yes I am still a v-virgin...."

She stumbled over the word and continued resolutely.

"But that dose not mean that I must remain one. I have come to you because it is general knowledge that you are able to provide whatever a client asks for. I know it must be a surprise, for a woman like me to come here--"

"My dear,"

the madam interrupted with a soft laugh,

"the time has long passed since I was capable of being surprised by anything. Now, I believe that I understand your dilemma quit well, and I will indeed provide an agreeable solution. Tell me this.... do you have any preferences as to age and appearance? Any particular likes or dislikes?"

"I would prefer a younger man, but no younger than myself. And not too old, he doesn't have to be handsome. Although I would not wish for him to be unsightly, and clean."

Kagome added as a thought occurred to her.

"I do insist on cleanliness."

The pencil scratched busily in the notebook.

"I don't foresee that will be a problem,"

Mrs. Devlin replied, with a glimmer of something in her pretty, dark eyes that looked suspiciously like laughter.

"I will also insist on discretion," Kagome said crisply.

"If anyone should ever find out what I've done--"

"My dear,"

Mrs. Devlin said, arranging her body more comfortably on the sofa,

"what do you think would become of my business were I to allow my clients' privacy to be violated? I'll have you know, my employees cater to some of the most highly placed members of parliament, not to mention the wealthiest lords--and ladies--of first society. Your secret will be safe, Miss Higurashi."

"Thank you,"

Kagome said, filled with equal parts of relief and terror, and a terrible suspicion that she was making the greatest mistake of her life.