Page 34 of Her Beast

“Yes.” Malcolm agreed. “So, you see, I knew what she was like before I married her.”

“That wouldn’t stop a lot of men from being jealous or putting a stop to her activities,” Smith said.

“No, you’re probably right.”

“Could you have been satisfied with just her and no other lovers—not even Brian?”

“Aye,” Malcolm said without hesitation. “She was always enough for me.” He cut Smith a teasing look. “I’d even have given upyouif Sukey had asked me to.”

“But it never bothered you that she needed more?”

“No. I liked it.”

Smith’s eyebrows shot up.

“It’s true. It made me hard to think of her taking what she wanted. Besides, after she was done with them she always came home tome. None of those others were competition. What we had was one-of-a-kind.”

“Did you take lovers without her?”

Malcolm hooted. “Lord, no! My Sukey was fine sharing ifshewas part of the fun, but all Hell would’ve broken loose if I’d wanted to keep lovers on the side.”

Smith looked bemused. “And that inequity never bothered you?”

Malcolm narrowed his eye at the other man. “I might be thick, Smith, but why do I feel this isn’t about me?”

Smith chuckled. “See right through me, do you?” He sighed, the smile sliding from his lips. “I’m afraid the arrangement you had with Sukey must be very rare.”

“Probably,” Malcolm agreed. “Most people place a high value on sexual fidelity.” He hesitated and then asked, “Is you being here tonight bothering your Charles?”

“Yes,” Smith said without hesitation.

“But you’re here, anyhow.”

“Yes.”

“If coming here is causing you trouble, then we can make this the last time you—”

“Absolutely not.” Smith hadn’t raised his voice, but his soft tone had been implacable. “These annual reunions are important to me and I don’t wish to give them up.”

Malcolm was surprised by the rush of relief he felt at the other man’s words. As pitiful as it was, he enjoyed their debauches and knew Sukey would have liked that they honored her memory in such a way.

Smith was just like Sukey when it came to being sexually voracious and adventurous. He pitied poor Charles if the man thought he could ever tie Smith down.

“You’ve made up your mind, Malcolm?”

Malcolm blinked at Smith’s change of subject but didn’t need to ask what he meant. “Yes, I have.”

Smith took another drink.

“You don’t think I should do it?” Malcolm asked.

“No, I don’t.”

Malcolm gave an exasperated huff. “You’re the one who gave me the information I needed. You could have withheld what you knew about Sheehan and Harlow and I probably never would have found out.”

“Yes, I know.” Smith caught his gaze and held it. “I told you what I knew because you asked me for it. I’m not your conscience, Malcolm, I’m your friend. And as your friend it is my duty to tell you that I think your plan is unwise.”

“You think I should just go ahead and kill them and be done with it?”

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