Karen Hawkins - Talisman Ring - 5 by Lady in Red

Author:Lady in Red [Red, Lady in]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-01-16T23:36:07.365000+00:00

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

“Name ten.”

Bloody hell! He scowled at her, wondering how he’d been tricked into even having this conversation. “I vow, but you are a cheeky wench.”

A wide smile spread over her face, her hazel eyes twinkling almost merrily. “So I have been told. Come, Trey-mount, name your friends. Surely you have a few.”

“I have many, thank you. Let’s see…” He raked a hand through his hair, pondering the many people he knew, wondering why he found so few of them worth the effort of getting to know. “The Duke of Rutledge and I meet once a month at White’s and discuss foreign markets and the state of our shipping company and—”

“Do you and Rutledge do anything other than discuss business?”

He shrugged. “Why should we?”

“Because if all you do is discuss business, then he is not a friend but a business acquaintance. A friend is someone you share your life with. The things you think about. The dreams you have.”

“Oh for the love of— Rutledge and I discuss business ventures. Surely that is a component of a friendship.”

“Do you discuss anything of a more personal nature? Your household? How your brothers are doing?

How you feel about your current mistress?”

“My current mistress is none of your concern.”

“Of course not. But then I am not one of your friends, if you have any.”

He made an impatient gesture. “I wouldn’t discuss my mistress with a friend, either. I don’t discuss those types of things with anyone.”

“Because you don’t have any friends,” she immediately said with a complacent air that set his teeth on edge.

“Because I don’t wish to have friends. There is a difference.” Really, she made it sound as if his life was dry and barren, which was far from the truth. He had his family, his brothers and sister and their spouses, and now their children. He had a busy and thriving household, money to invest and grow, and he had his antiquities. His collection was growing to be quite valuable. What more could a man want? “I don’t appreciate you putting a low value on my life.”

“I wasn’t. I was merely trying to point out that, no matter who you are, you can always do a little better; enrich yourself and your life a trifle more. None of us have the perfect life. For example, you would be much better off if you’d pay more attention to those around you and not keep all of your efforts for yourself.”

“If I don’t take care of the St. Johns, who will?”

“There are six of you, counting your sister. Surely some of your brothers would be happy to have the opportunity to assist in some matters.”

Page 112

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