“Precisely.”
“You don’t mince words, do you?”
“Under these circumstances, there seems to be little point. I did warn you that I had no experience as a gentleman’s mistress. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I am not practiced in the arts of coyness and flirtation.”
His smile was amused. “You haven’t disappointed me, angel-eyes. On the contrary, I find candidness refreshing in a lady.”
“Oh? And are you acquainted with many ladies? I own I’m surprised.”
He chuckled. “I see I shall have to try to be a better host. In addition to giving you the opportunity to exercise your sharp wit on me, I will endeavor to find activities to entertain and occupy you. Do you like to read?”
Vanessa replied with all seriousness, “Very much.”
“You are welcome to use my library whenever you please.”
“Thank you. I shall take you up on your offer-whenever you are not availing yourself of it.”
“And you ride, I presume?”
“Yes.”
“Then you should choose a mount from my stables. Olivia’s horses badly need exercise.” He frowned. “One of her greatest pleasures was riding. She frequently was in the saddle from morning till night.”
Sensing his darkening mood, Vanessa offered a consoling thought. “Perhaps in time she will be so again.” When Damien made no reply, she made an effort to change the subject. “I am also surprised that you enjoy such mundane pleasures as reading and riding.”
“I enjoy many pleasures, sweeting.”
“So I understand. Your enjoyments are legion. The tales one hears of you are enough to set even the most jaded tongues wagging.”
“What exactly have you heard?”
“That you founded the latest order of the Hellfire League, for instance.”
“Co-founded. I and some half-dozen of my colleagues.”
“Its reputation is rather unsavory. Rumor has it that you regularly indulge in orgies and perversions.”
“You give us too much credit. We are a pale imitation of the Hellfire Club that was active during our grandfathers’ time.”
“But it is still a fraternity for depraved libertines, I imagine.”
“Depraved libertines? Is that not a redundancy?”
“Not in your case, I expect, my lord.”
He gave a mock wince. “I thought you agreed to call me Damien.”
Vanessa ignored his personal remark. “Is it true the price of membership is ten thousand pounds?”
“Yes.”
She started to demand why he had invited her brother to join, but she knew the answer to that; he was intent on bankrupting Aubrey. Besides, she had made a pact to refrain from mentioning her brother.
“I trust the price is worth it,” she said instead. “Do you allow women to become members?”
His brow arched. “Not at the moment, but I imagine we could make an exception. Are you wrangling for an invitation?”
“Certainly not,” she responded with amusement. “In the first place, I could not afford the subscription fee. And in the second, I have never much cared for the company of rakes.”