Page 20 of His Scandalous Lessons
“It’s Montgomery. What were you thinking, inviting him?”
Ever the perfect hostess, Caroline did not even look at the gentleman in question. “Isn’t he a friend of yours?”
“I have a number of friends I wouldn’t invite to house parties when there are debutantes about.”
Caroline raised an eyebrow. “So thisisabout Anne.”
“Don’t be obtuse. Why did you invite him?”
“He’s my cousin, Richard. And a patron of a few of my charities. It would have been impolite.”
“He?He, a patron? What, was he trying to impress a woman?”
The duchess scowled at him. “I’m quite sorry, I didn’t hear that. I was busy musing over the irony of a rake criticizing another rake forbeing a rake.”
“I have other hobbies.” None of them good, not that she needed to know that. “He doesn’t. And he’s spotted Anne.”
“Of course he’s spotted her. She’s lovely and he’s not blind.”
“Keep an eye on him, Caro,” Richard said as the music came to an end and he escorted her off the dance floor.
“I’m certain you’ll do that well enough on your own,” Caroline said sweetly, just before they made it back to Anne. “Miss Sheffield, let me introduce you to a few more people I think you’d like.”
Richard watched as Caroline very deliberately lead Anne away.
Chapter 11
Anne waited until the house was still. She’d gone to bed early, waiting and listening as the other guests made their way back upstairs to their rooms. House parties were infamous for scandals and trysts, guests taking advantage of close quarters to meet in secret. She couldn’t risk anyone spotting her as she left the bedchamber to enter a gentleman’s room; it wouldn’t help her cause.
Once the house had settled, and the only sounds to be heard was the rustle of trees outside, Anne slipped from her room and hurried across the hallway.
Without bothering to knock, she let herself into Richard’s bedchamber and quietly shut the door behind her. She was greeted by the sounds of even, unconscious breathing.
Drat, Anne thought.
Before she turned to leave, Anne caught sight of Richard in the bed. She loosed a long breath.
Oh. My goodness.
Now she understood how he had gained his reputation, why women sighed when they spoke of him. Oh, she had experienced the full force of his charm, the way he kissed and licked and touched. But she hadn’t seen him so unguarded, the way a woman might the morning after lovemaking.
Fucking, Anne corrected. That was what he preferred.
Such a word fit his state of undress. It was indecent, the way he reclined in bed without a shirt, the blankets hung low on his hips. Were gentlemen supposed to be so…muscled? She didn’t think so. Kendal certainly wasn’t, and she doubted he had been in his youth. The dying embers of the fire left just enough light to caress the musculature along Richard’s chest and stomach, the lines of his hips that lead down to—
Anne sucked in a breath and turned to leave.
“Coward.” That amused voice was rough with sleep. It sent heat through her.
“I thought you were sleeping,” she said by way of explanation.
“Was. Heard the door.” When she didn’t reply, he added, “I’m a light sleeper when I’m agitated.”
“Agitated?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“Haven’t fucked in a while.” Though it was too dark to notice her flush, he must have noticed the way her head dipped. “Frank language,” he said, as if in apology.
“Yes. I gathered.” Her cheeks were burning. How could she look at him now?
