Reckless - By Anne Stuart Page 0,93

good in her pale face, and she seemed perfectly recovered from her early-morning bout of illness. Clearly she'd been worried for naught, and the Charlotte she knew was perfectly capable of making short work of Adrian Rohan should he offer any kind of insult. Besides, he was far more likely to run in the opposite direction. The viscount went through women like water and a repeat engagement would be unheard of.

"And Simon, dear fellow," Monty added. "I gather there's a leak in the church roof and your sexton is somewhat fond of the bottle. In fact, he's a total inebriate.”

"He is, indeed." Simon had a wry look on his face. "However, he's been an inebriate for the past ten years, and the roof has had a hole in it for at least three. Is there any particular reason you wish me to deal with it today?"

"No time like the present," Monty said innocently.

Rohan pushed away from the bedpost and moved to Charlotte's side. "I believe we have our orders.

Miss Spenser." He held out his arm, and Lina wondered if Charlotte would refuse. But in another minute they were gone, out onto the terrace, with Simon Pagett disappearing in the opposite direction.

"You're a very bad man, Monty," she said evenly. "I never would have thought you capable of match-aking. You always had too much respect for human individuality.”

"I always had too much respect for the trouble I could cause. Nowadays it doesn't matter 1

won't

be around to worry about it. So tell me the truth, my precious. Do you like him?"

Lina considered it for a long moment. "I don't actively dislike him," she said carefully. "But I don't think he has any intention of offering for Charlotte, or for anyone, and it would take more than subtle threats to bring him up to scratch."

He stared at her for a long moment, seemingly mystified. "My dear, there are times when you astound me." He hesitated, as if he would say something else, then shook his head. "Never mind, my dear. There's none so blind as will not see." She stiffened. "What are you talking about?" Monty's smile was a ghost of his usual insouciance. "I'll tell you later, precious. When you're ready to hear it."

The moment they stepped outside onto the wide terrace Charlotte yanked her hand away from Adrian's arm. "What in God's name are you doing here?" she demanded.

His slow, lazy smile was as devastating as it was infuriating. "You left me high and dry, my dear Miss Spenser. We have unfinished business."

"No, we don't." She hid her hands in her skirts so he wouldn't see she was trembling. Her common sense, which had fled the moment she caught sight of him, was slowly returning. She could only hope her equanimity would return as well. "I'm sorry, I'm being absurd. There is no way you could know we'd be here. I'm sure if you did, this would have been the very last place you would have appeared."

"As you say." His voice was enigmatic. "But in truth Montague is my dearest friend. I would have been here no matter what monsters I had to face."

Her smile was brittle. "Only one monster. Lord Rohan," she said. She allowed herself a moment to survey his battered countenance. "What happened to you? Did fate finally deliver you the comeuppance you so richly deserve?"

"Why would I deserve a beating? What great crime have I committed? You willingly put yourself in my hands. I would have released you any time you requested it." His expression was limpid, innocent, but Charlotte was unmoved.

"I didn't willingly get in your carriage yesterday. At least, I didn't know it was yours," she corrected, scrupulously honest. "As for several weeks ago, tell me truthfully. Would you have been able to unlock the door when I first requested you do so? Or several times thereafter?"

"No," he said, and she believed him. For a moment.

"And could you have had someone come to unlock the door if you requested it?" she persisted.

This time his smile was slow and rueful. "Yes." She stared at him. She should have raged, stormed, she should have stomped away, she should have accused him of every crime imaginable. And yet all she wanted to do was cry in relief. He'd wanted her.

He could have had anyone, he wasn't trapped in that room with her. He'd chosen her. He'd kept her.

He was looking at her quizzically. "Aren't you going to slap me?” he said. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't—I'm in