Reckless - By Anne Stuart Page 0,91

her weak in the knees. She never thought she particularly liked tongues, but she liked his. No, she loved his. Any doubt as to his checkered past was now thoroughly dispelled. No one could kiss like this without a very great deal of practice.

She moaned, swaying against him. Who would have thought a kiss could be like this? It was heavenly, distracting, almost...arousing. She could feel a strange flutter in her belly, an odd sort of ache in her heart, and she let her hands slide up his strong back, pressing herself closer against him as the kiss went

"Mr. Pag—“ Dodson’s voice broke off in embarrassment as the butler realized what he’d walked in on.

He was in the midst of trying a hasty retreat, but it was already too late. Simon had released her, setting her away from him with calm deliberation before turning to the butler. "Yes, Dodson?" His voice was completely calm. One might have thought he was totally unmoved by the deep kiss he'd just shared with her, but Lina wasn't fooled. His breathing was almost imperceptibly quickened, and she thought she'd felt burgeoning arousal against her stomach.

Yes, most definitely, since he turned his back to both her and Dodson and seemed suddenly fascinated with the wide expanse of well-manicured lawn. She should feel smug, triumphant. Instead she wanted to curse Dodson.

"I beg pardon, sir. I didn't meant to interrupt. Lord Rohan has arrived."

"What?" Lina shrieked as Simon was dismissing the butler.

Simon turned his head to look at her. "Viscount Rohan," he said. 'Thomas's dear friend. I went to see him after I visited with you, to request his presence at Montague's bedside. Thomas had asked for him as well as you.”

"And when were you going to tell me?" she demanded, her discomfort over the truncated kiss making her testy.

Except in fact it hadn't been truncated. He'd had time to kiss her quite thoroughly, and his hands had just slid down to her narrow waist. If they'd covered her breasts she had no idea how she'd react.

No truncation, it was a promise, rather.

"I didn't realize I needed to present a list of Thomas's guests for your approval."

"I don't give a bloody hell who comes and goes here. It's Rohan who's the problem. He..." Her voice trailed off as Rohan came ou( onto the terrace. He wasn't his usual graceful self. He had a decided limp, a black eye and bruising on his face.

"Good morning, Lord Rohan," Simon said. "I'm happy you were able to come so quickly. You're feeling quite recovered from your ordeal?"

Adrian made a bow. "It was trifling," he murmured. "Lady Whitmore, you are looking as beautiful as ever. I'm delighted to see you."

"Your servant, my lord,” she said, giving him a brief curtsy. She couldn't tell whether he was surprised to see her or not. It seemed highly unlikely that he would have come here if he'd known Charlotte would be in residence, but Adrian Rohan had always been an enigma.

"Are you here alone this time?" he asked.

She was saved from having to answer by Dodson's reappearance. "My lord Montague is awake."

"You've limed your arrival perfectly," Simon said in an easy voice, annoying Lina even more.

Personally she thought his timing was execrable, but there was nothing she could do about it. They all filed into Monty's bedroom, and Lina took a moment to appreciate it's outrageousness.

Monty had always had a flair for the dramatic, and his bedroom was a fitting backdrop. The bed was huge, a rival to the Great Bed of Ware, though the rich brocade hangings seemed better suited to a sultan's palace. There were cupids and seraphim and sea monsters carved into the bedposts, and enough pillows tucked behind Monty to outfit half of London. The French doors were open to the wide terrace and the spring air, but a fire was blazing in the huge stone fireplace as well.

Monty was sitting up, and if his thin body was even more wasted, his eyes were alight with mischief. He didn't look quite at death's door, thank God, though Lina couldn't help but wonder what games he was up to now. "How delightful to see you all!" he said in a strong voice. "I'm so sorry I was asleep when you arrived—that damned doctor keeps giving me laudanum and it makes me sleep too much. Lina, you're looking exquisite as usual. I'd say the same for you, Adrian, except you look as if an angry husband caught up with you. Whose wife