Free Reckless by Anne Stuart Page A

planned to ignore it, but her legs were cramped and gave way beneath her, forcing her to reach to him for support. His was a strong hand, and not soft like those of the aristocrats who touched her.
    â€œHas Montague converted to Catholicism without telling me or are you some part of his depraved activities?”
    She was still wearing the wimple, though by now it was on crooked. She snatched it from her head, shaking her long black hair loose around her shoulders, and surveyed him for a moment. “I’m a part of his depraved activities,” she said in a cool voice meant to deflate pretension. After all, he was only a vicar, not someone who had any right to judge her.
    The man was unmoved. He wasn’t a young man—perhaps close to forty if she were to guess by thedeeply etched lines on his face. A handsome face, with deep brown eyes, a straight nose, high cheekbones and a stubborn mouth that on a less disapproving man might almost be called sensuous.
    Not on this man.
    â€œYou must be the new vicar.”
    â€œYou are very perceptive. I’m the Reverend Simon Pagett, here to take up the living.” He glanced down at the sleeping Montague. “Is he dead?” he asked in a voice as cool as hers.
    â€œOf course not!” she hissed. “How could you ask such a thing?”
    â€œSimon’s never been one to avoid the truth, no matter how ugly it is.” Monty’s voice came from the chaise, sepulchral and amused. “I’m afraid I’m not ready to stick my fork into the wall, dear boy. Sorry to disappoint you.”
    â€œGood,” the man said. “That means there’s still time to save your soul.” He glanced toward Lina. “And your strumpet’s soul as well.”
    Lina drew a deep, shocked breath, but Monty chuckled. “You know as well as I do that I haven’t changed that much, Simon, even if you have. My strumpets are a different gender. Lina’s a dear friend and I’ll thank you not to insult her.”
    â€œFrom the local convent, no doubt,” Simon said politely.
    Montague snorted. “You’d best have a care, Simon. This is Lady Whitmore. I have no doubt there are atleast half a dozen of her admirers who would gladly defend her honor from your prudish, judging ways. Of course…the term honor …” His smile at Lina took the sting out of his words.
    â€œAnd where are those half-dozen men, Montague?” Simon said. “When I arrived I saw the carriages, and yet the house seems empty. Where are your licentious playmates?”
    â€œThey’re at the abbey ruins. I’ve had it renovated, landscaped. It’s really quite delightful, though I doubt you’d appreciate its all-too-human beauty. You’d be shocked.”
    â€œYou lost the ability to shock me years ago, though you continue to try. How long have you been ill?” he demanded abruptly.
    â€œIt takes a number of years for consumption to kill a man. I don’t pay any attention to it.”
    â€œI know you don’t,” Simon said severely. “And that’s why you’re in this current difficulty. You can no longer afford to burn the candle at both ends.”
    â€œIt’s the only way I know how to live. And I didn’t invite you here—you weren’t supposed to arrive until my guests were long gone. Unfortunately, thanks to Dodson’s interference, you’ve come at a most inopportune moment.”
    â€œI am desolate,” Simon said dryly.
    â€œStill, I suppose it’s just as well. Dodson’s infernal meddling has forced Lady Whitmore to miss the first night of the Revels out of kindness for me. Lina, mypet, why don’t you run along and play. You can still catch up with the party—it’s not far past midnight. Simon will look after me. He’s done it enough times before. I have no doubt you’ll be able to find some amiable distraction, even at this ungodly hour.