The laughter spread around the table as the other girls joined in.
"Lord, I don't understand why some men feel the need to rescue us, when in fact we are living life exactly as we want," Opal sighed. "I don't think being at one man's beck and call is a step up, unless you love him, of course. Otherwise it's simply trading one form of servitude for another and at least we get to choose at The Red Petticoat."
"I agree completely," Crystal said, "which is why when he offered, I refused."
"You refused Jasper Montgomery?" Amy gasped, her mouth dropping open. "Do you have any idea how rich he is, not to mention that body," she continued, rapidly fanning herself with her napkin.
"I prefer to make my money the old-fashioned way," Crystal replied crisply.
Instantly the girls erupted in laughter.
"Well, you can't get any more old-fashioned than making it on your back," Dottie interjected with a snort.
"My, my, you girls are certainly in high spirits," Nettie said as she plopped a platter of ham on the table. "See that you behave yourselves tonight."
"Yes, ma'am," chorused around the table.
"Crystal, maybe you should consider wearing a pink petticoat for a day or two," Jewel suggested kindly. "Serving drinks and mingling with customers will give you a chance to recover from; well, I understand Jasper spent the entire night with you. I hope he made it worth your while."
Crystal blushed to the roots of her hair and took a drink of water.
"Yes, um… he's very, um… skilled," she croaked out.
"I'll bet he is, but I meant financially, dear," Jewel replied, blushing slightly.
"Oh, yes, I see. He was very generous in that regard as well." Head down, she pushed the food on her plate around.
"How generously is he a… made?" Amy drawled, winking at Opal before continuing. "If you know what I mean?"
All the gems were learning slightly forward in anticipation of her answer, when in reality she had nothing to base it on.
"He was adequate," she hissed.
"Girls, stop teasing Crystal," Jewel ordered. "If you're so curious, entice him up to your rooms."
"Don't think I haven't tired," Amy sighed. "I'm just curious," she insisted, defending her question. "There's adequate, exceptionally adequate and monstrously adequate," she giggled. "Come on, Crystal," she pleaded. "Tell me he's only barely adequate so I can stop fantasizing about him."
"Amy!" Jewel scolded. "You're embarrassing her."
"No, it's fine," Crystal shot back. "In fact, Jasper is the most passionate lover I've ever known. In my humble opinion, his organ is exemplary in both size and strength. There, does that satisfy your curiosity?"
"Oh my yes," Amy replied, dreamily, her chin resting on her hand. "It most certainly does. I just knew he'd be hung like a horse."
Opal burst out laughing and the others joined in. Even Crystal giggled at the affronted expression on Amy's face.
"What?" she demanded.
"Apparently you are the only one here who doesn't know that until last night Crystal had never been with a man," Opal howled, wiping her eyes. "Of course Montgomery is the most passionate and well-endowed lover she's ever known. He's her only lover."
"Well, talk about keeping secrets," Amy huffed. "You could have told me."
"It's not your business, nor is it any business of ours what went on between Mr. Montgomery and Crystal. I just wanted to make sure she was not disappointed in her wages for the evening," Jewel said sternly.
"I was quite satisfied in every respect, Madam Jewel," Crystal replied calmly.
"How much did you charge him?" Amy asked.
"Miss Amy, if you don't stop prying into things that don't concern you," Nettie snapped as she brought out dessert, "I'll put my wooden spoon to good use and right quickly too. Leave the young lady alone. She's just learning the ropes."
"Did he use ropes?" Amy teased with a smirk. "That must have cost him plenty."
In two strides Nettie had Amy by the upper arm and hauled her out of her chair.
"Come along to the kitchen with me," she instructed, shaking her head.
"I was only kidding," Amy wailed, unwilling to struggle and increase the older woman's ire.
"Let's see how funny you feel in a few minutes," Nettie replied.
It was at that moment Gabe approached the table and took his seat. "Sorry I'm late, ladies. I was delayed," he remarked, calmly shaking out his napkin. "I see Nettie has everything under control, as usual."
"Is she really going to take a spoon to her?" Crystal asked nervously.
"She most certainly is," Opal laughed, "and she deserves it too. Sometimes Amy plays dumb to get what she wants. Tonight she overplayed her hand and her bottom will pay the price."
The sound of Nettie's voice carried from the kitchen quite clearly and everyone around the table froze when the words, 'bend over that worktable and lift those skirts' floated to the dining room. Almost immediately screams of 'I'm sorry' followed crisp sounds that could only be the echoes of a hard spoon striking flesh.