Well, a man had needs, didn't he? Even if Esau's reason for seeking out the brothel had little to do with any carnal instinct. He could still remember the girl from his nightmare and the shocking, inescapable strength of her slender arms. The horror of her fangs, draining him of his lifeblood. What better way to eradicate that eerie, unsettling memory than with an utterly mundane encounter?
When the woman called his name he turned, his own expression as innocent as the tone of her voice. It wasn't as if any proper lady would suspect what business brought him to this neighborhood, after all. But then Esau recognized the face that went along with that voice, and his deliberately casual attitude stiffened into unease. This particular lady would know exactly what he was about. In fact she already knew far too much about him for comfort.
"Miss Owen. This is an unexpected pleasure," he greeted her, his tone just a shade too dry for complete sincerity.