Reckless (2010) by Stuart Anne

Author:Stuart, Anne [Anne, Stuart,]
Format: epub
Publisher: Mira
Published: 2011-01-14T19:07:16.500000+00:00

"In truth, I thought you had," Monty said lazily.

"I'd given up play with real stakes. Since real money wasn't being wagered..."

-I beg your pardon," Lina said. ''Does that mean you aren't going to pay me the twenty-seven hundred

He laughed. "I believe the final number was in my favor. Lady Whitmore. You owe me three hundred and forty pounds."

"I think he's right there, love." Monty had dropped out of the game an hour ago to simply watch, a wicked smile on his face the whole while. "Best pay up."

She was feeling a little wild and reckless, but in a surprisingly good way. She leaned back against the pillows beside Monty, looting into Pagett's face. Now that he was no longer so grim he was actually quite handsome, and the premature lines only seemed to add to his appeal. He was going to make some pretty little mouse of a girl a most excellent husband. Unless he planned to spend his married life celibate as well.

"La, sir, I came out without my purse," she said archly. "Will you take my marker?"

"Don't trust her, Simon. She's got wicked wiles, and she'll run off without paying."

"You can always take it in trade," she said.

The words hung there for a moment, and the impenetrable, stony expression was back on Simon's face, the one she couldn't read. Contempt and disapproval, no doubt. With a tinge of guilt?

"Don't look like that," she said gaily. "I heard something in church, once, when I wasn't daydreaming. "The truth shall set you free.' Isn't that right? You think I'm a whore and you said so. I'm not arguing, I'm simply offering you my wares in exchange for the gambling debt."

"Don't." The word was short and sharp.

She'd gotten a rise out of him. Not the right sort, of course. She suspected that particular part of his anatomy no longer worked, not if Simon Pagett told it not to. Her smile widened. "Oh, yes, that's right, you don't partake of pleasures of the flesh. Well, then, I'll simply have to owe you."

He'd moved down off the bed, reaching for his black coat, and Lina slid off beside him, her wide skirts rustling. She put a hand on his arm. "Oh, don't sulk. Admit it, we've had a pleasant night of it Quite the best night I've had in years," she said with a yawn she couldn't quite control. "We haven't fought, and clearly I've forgiven you your earlier gaucherie."

"Clearly," he said with a grim twist to his mouth. "It's late. I should go to bed."

"It's early. In the morning," she amended. She suddenly realized she was standing too close to him. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, but for some reason his accidental nearness brought up strange feelings inside her. He was tall, yet he didn't make her feel weak, something that always brought out the worst in her. He gave the impression of quiet strength, when she was lured by noise and brightness. He was waging a battle for Monty's soul, and she fought with the devil on the other side.

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