Chapter 33 Sex Counsellors.

I opened up to Lola, "Tell me all about you and your mother!"

Lola froze, surprised, "I thought you were going to ask about Prince Leon!"

"I just want to know why your mother whipped you?" I softened my tone toward Lola, "Does she hit you often?"

I do not know why, but I have always felt a surge of sympathy and compassion for Lola. For I did not see any maternal love in Mrs. Bowyer's eyes for Lola. My gut told me that Lola's mother had done more than flog her. She must have suffered a great deal.

"To my mother, I'm just a whore!" Lola smiled wryly, "My father was a gambler, and he died unexpectedly after leaving a large gambling debt. My mother gave my 14-year-old sister to a duke who was said to have several idiosyncrasies. No virgin can leave his castle in one piece. The next day a box of gold was brought to my mother by the duke's servant, who told her that if she wished my sister to die, she would not take advantage of it. Sometimes she tries to kill me for money.

"Damn Mrs.