Free The Price of Pleasure by Connie Mason Page B

and laugh over this little . . . episode in our lives.”
    “Laugh? I hardly think so.”
    It was true that Reed was in no hurry to wed. Spending months in prison and weeks before that working undercover had left him eager to indulge the passionate side of his nature. Before leaving England, he had gained a reputation as a talented lover. But there had been no urgency to settle down then. He wasn’t the heir and had expected his brother to produce children. So Reed had abandoned himself to wicked pursuits, enjoying every one of them.
    His reckless quest for adventure was what had attracted him to his current position: that of a British agent in revolutionary France. Though Reed knew Grandmamma would insist that he wed soon and set up his nursery, he had earned a bit of carousing before settling down to wedded bliss.
    “You should leave,” Fleur said, interrupting Reed’s introspection. “Thank you for making me feel alive again. I needed this night as much as you did.”
    “We’re not done yet, sweetheart. The night is still young; we have hours left to make up for months of deprivation.”
    Before Fleur knew what he intended, he dragged her on top of him and pulled her head down for his kiss.
    The hours passed too swiftly as Fleur and Reed explored each other’s bodies, both aware that their time together was drawing to an end. They made love slowly, with Fleur on top, controlling the movement until the very end. Then Reed took over, his wildness driving them both over the edge. Nothing was sacrosanct, nothing off limits. After, they fell asleep in each other’s arms, only to awaken again before dawn and make love again.

Chapter Five
     
    Fleur became Reed’s lover during the time left to him on French shores. They both knew it was only a matter of days before Reed left France and Fleur continued her dangerous game.
    Sensing Fleur’s withdrawal whenever Reed urged her to leave France, he stopped mentioning it. Instead, he began considering the possibility of remaining in France and continuing his undercover work for the Crown. The earldom could wait for him until Napoleon’s march to conquer the world was halted.
    Reed’s only hesitation came when he thought of his grandmother, who anxiously awaited his return. To Grandmamma, nothing was more important than preserving the earldom for future generations, and that meant he must wed. But taking a wife was the last thing on Reed’s list of priorities. There was still a great deal he could do to help his country.
    A fortnight after Fleur sent word to Andre that Reed was well enough to travel, a message arrived via Antoine. Reed and Fleur were seated in the parlor when Antoine relayed Andre’s response. An English sloop would arrive to pick Reed up two nights hence. Andre would be waiting at the rendezvous on the beach to see Reed off. Reed received the message with ill humor.
    “Why are you scowling, Reed?” Fleur asked after Antoine had delivered the message and departed. “You’ll be home soon, taking your rightful place in Society.”
    “I never cared a fig about Society. Jason was the heir; it was his duty to maintain the Hunthurst dignity, marry and produce heirs. I never wanted the title. I was perfectly happy indulging myself shamelessly and pursuing danger and adventure. Becoming a secret operative suited me just fine.” His voice broke. “I’ll never forgive Jason for dying.”
    Fleur knew Reed was speaking from grief. He might not verbally admit it, but he loved his brother and mourned his death. Reed needed to return home and take over as head of the family. And she needed to remain in France, where rescuing men like Reed was essential to her country.
    “I want to talk to Andre,” Reed said. “Now. Can Antoine arrange it?”
    “I doubt it,” Fleur replied. “Andre appears only at a prearranged time and day. He won’t show himself again until the night of your departure.”
    “Where, pray tell, is that?”
    “There’s a small cove about