Reckless by Anne Stuart Page B

tall doors onto the terrace that ran the width of the house, and without asking her to leave, he pushed one open, ushering her out into the cool morning air and closing the door behind them. “I don’t think we need anyone eavesdropping on our conversation, do you?” he said in a pleasant voice.
    â€œI wasn’t aware that we had anything to discuss that the servants would find all that fascinating,” she replied.
    â€œWe have…” He paused, staring at her mouth. Which was exactly what she’d wanted him to do. “Why do you muck up your face with all that paint?” he said.
    She laughed, the sound brittle. “Next you’re going to tell me I’m too pretty a girl to have to resort to artifice.”
    â€œNo,” he said, his voice measured. “I’m not about to tell you how pretty you are at all. You don’t need my empty compliments.”
    â€œEmpty?” she echoed, mocking.
    â€œAnd you’re hardly a girl.”
    It only silenced her a moment. “Oh, touché,” she said with a laugh. “But hardly Christian of you, sir.”
    â€œWhy is it unchristian to speak the truth? You must be nearing thirty—”
    â€œI’m twenty-eight,” she snapped, unable to help herself.
    She didn’t like the faint glint in his eyes. He’d managed to pique her vanity after all.
    â€œI beg pardon,” he murmured. “Still, twenty-eight is hardly a girl…”
    â€œPoint taken,” she said irritably. “I’m not a girl. What are we going to argue about?”
    â€œApart from your age? Most likely everything under the sun,” he said, his voice calm. “But I think we’re agreed on at least one thing, and that is our concern for Montague.”
    â€œAgreed,” she said after a moment, controlling her irritation.
    â€œI want the best for him.”
    â€œAs one of his closest friends I want the same. Why do ministers take so blasted long to get to the point? Say what you want to say so I can go sit with him.”
    â€œThat’s the point. I don’t think you should sit with him, or be anywhere near him. I believe the best thing you could do for Thomas is to go out to that wretched playground he built, get your fellowdebauchees together and leave this place. Leave him to die in peace.”
    She laughed without humor. “You think that’s what he wants? It was his idea to hold the Revels here. Monty takes joy and pride in his spectacular abilities as a host, even in absentia. He’s hired extra chefs, extra servants to handle the party, and it’s taking place well out of sight. If the festivities were to be cut short then the guests would descend on Hensley Court to change clothes, retrieve their carriages, all with a great deal of grumbling, which would distress Monty no end. Two more days and their departure will be normal. Everyone will leave, sated and cheerful, and Monty’s final social occasion will be deemed a triumph.”
    â€œThree days of whoring and degeneracy is a social triumph?”
    â€œIt’s too late to change him, Mr. Pagett. You aren’t going to save his soul, induce him to renounce his…his preferences at this late date. And why bother—he’s so ill he has no choice but to be celibate.”
    â€œYou underestimate Montague’s stamina,” he said dryly. “I’ve known him all my life—even on his deathbed he’ll be pinching the footmen. As for changing him—I don’t really care who he wants to fornicate with. It’s his soul that concerns me. And it’s never too late for that.”
    Lina eyed him curiously. “Wouldn’t you say his desire for other men makes him irredeemable?”
    â€œThat’s between Thomas and his lord.”
    â€œIsn’t his soul between Monty and his God as well?”
    He stared down at her for a long moment. A breeze had come up, and one by one the