"Society does not have an opinion of my expertise in the bedroom. "
"Of course it does. Where do you think you get your nicknames? Skirtchaser. Whoreniaster. Libertine. Gamester. Drunkard—"
"Bitch," he returned pleasantly.
"Oh, dear," she murmured. "Does that mean you've changed your mind? Perhaps you only like sweet, inexperienced women. "
"Are you going to tell me you've suddenly gained experience other than the quite effective swiving I gave you?" His voice was silken.
"It's been three weeks, my lord. "
"Has it? I haven't been paying any attention. " Point lame, he thought.
"Ah, but I've been enjoying myself immensely. I suppose I should thank you for introducing me to the sport of lovemaking. And I don't mean to criticize— you did your best, and for a halfhearted effort it was a good beginning. And truly, I don't mind bedding you again. I'm certain you improve with practice. "
He was quite in awe of her. She was carrying this off beautifully. She was expecting she could infuriate him enough to let her go. Unfortunately the more inventive her insults the more enchanted he was with her imagination. It was, of course, possible that she'd spent the last three weeks imitating her dear friend and shagging everyone in sight. Bui he sincerely doubted it. She still moved like an innocent.
A woman changed. Not through the magic of sex—the women in his family, in society, still walked demurely, at least for the most part. But women who spent the majority of their lives in their lovers' beds walked differently. With an erotic sway to their hips. A knowing way of carrying themselves certain to draw the attention of any randy young buck.
Charlotte walked like a virgin, kissed like a virgin, reacted to his ridiculous attempt at abducting her like a virgin.
But she fought him like a woman, an angry one. A hurt, abandoned one. And part of him wanted to slop playing this ridiculous game and hold her. The rest of him was having too much fun.
"I'm honored that you're giving me a chance to improve on such a shoddy performance," he said, and grinned in the darkness when he heard her distressed intake of breath. If she'd ever played cards with him she would have known this wouldn't work. "What else?"
“What else what?" Her voice quieter in the darkness. They were nearing Grosvenor Square—the best way to reach his home was to go directly past Whit-more House. He wondered if she knew that.
"What other insults are you planning to lob at my head?" he said. 'They're quite entertaining. "
"I'm so glad I've amused you," she said, some of her bravado fading. "But in truth, I think we can both agree that what happened three weeks ago is something not worth repeating. You can certainly find much better company for that sort of thing. "
"But Miss Spenser, now that you have all this expertise, don't you want to form a more experienced opinion on my technical prowess? Size, stamina, imagination. . . "
She said nothing.
"Admit it, Charlotte," he said lazily. "You've spent the last three weeks mooning over me. Crying your eyes out over my rude departure. I think you'd give anything to have me again. "
"Do you, indeed? When I've had so much better?"
He laughed softly. "Prove it. "
He heard her swift intake of breath. "I beg your pardon?"
"If you've spent the last three weeks on your back with various men, show me what you learned. "
The coach had pulled to a stop, but no one came to open the door. His servants knew not to disturb him until he rapped on the roof of the carriage.
She sat there frozen, holding her breath. And he was holding his, hoping against hope that she was going to try to continue this charade to its natural
And then she let it out in a whoosh. "Take me home," she said in a small voice. "So you lied. "
“Yes. Take me home or I'll scream. ”
“I’m shocked," he said cheerfully. "I would never have thought you'd succumb to such a weak defense. I'll tell you what. We'll wager for your release. "
There was more light coming in the carriage now, and he could see her clearly. Unfortunate, because his wanting her became stronger than ever.
"So you can get away with saying you never rape," she said bitterly. "I suppose you want to play cards so that you can easily cheat. "