Page 5 (1/2)

Author: Anne Stuart

Lina batted at Louise's hands and turned to look at her "Why not?" Her voice was sharp "I wasn't aware that you were even acquainted with hi to offend you?"

"Apart fro lack of moral fortitude?" Charlotte said icily "No I've only spoken with Viscount Rohan once in my life, and I've never been alone in his presence, thank heavens " This time she allowed her voice to be as priuessed the truth it would be unbearable

'Thank heavens," Lina echoed "Then on't you?"

"I'd rather keep my distance "

Lina shrugged, turning back to face her reflection, and Louise returned to her work,French imprecations beneath her breath "Suit yourself If you've taken him in aversion then I'm certain one of my friends will help I just can't be certain they wouldn't take him for themselves " She made a moue of distress

"From what I've heard of Viscount Rohan, he's probably had them already "

Lina's laugh was low and earthy "Most probably If he hadn't spent the last year on the continent he would have had athering I absolutely cannot wait! The Heavenly Host, in all their wicked glory!"

The fahtened "Nor can I," she said, secure in the knowledge that her cousin's dresser wouldn't understand

Lina looked up at Charlotte for a long ?" she said finally "I' fro of the Heavenly Host is rather likefrom St James Palace to the stews of London I do ad the baser instincts ofa bit too far You ht wish to start a little more slowly "

The fact that Charlotte wanted to agree with herto turn craven at this late date "I understand the basics of animal husbandry and fornication, Lina I've lived in the country for a great part of my life, and there are noto spend my life in celibate comfort I wish to observe exactly what it is that you tellBesides, I have a certain scientific curiosity The practices I've heard mentioned seem either unsanitary or anatomically ies it " It had all sounded extremely reasonable when she and Lina had first co untoward about it To think so would be ridiculously missish

Lina chuckled "I can't promise your curiosity will be satisfied if you choose to come merely as an observer "

"You think I should participate?" Charlotte inquired, careful to keep her voice sensible

"Good God, no! Hardly the proper introduction to the pleasures of the bedrooh "And I suppose there's nothing to be concerned about If you wish to observe so of the Heavenly Host is the place to do it There are always a fair nuuests who derive their pri others, and you'd be dressed in an enveloping monk's robe, with a hood pulled down to obscure your face and hair No one will knohether you'reyou as long as you wear that strip of white around your arm It's perfectly safe "

"You sound as if you're convincing yourself Perhaps this is a bad idea," Charlotte said evenly