Page 51 of Notorious

“I would have you speak plainly, Drusilla.” His puzzled expression infuriated her all the more.

“You cannot really be asking me that? I’m sure all of London knows where you went last night.”

More wrinkles joined the ones already on his forehead. “To White’s?”

“You weren’t there all night, were you?”

“No, I wasn’t.” He shrugged. “What of it?”

An ugly laugh slipped from between her tightly clenched jaws. “What of it? What of it? You threatened me not so subtly last night about what would happen if I were to take a lover, but I suppose the same does not apply to you? Men may have lovers and mistresses aplenty, but a woman must sit at home and endure the ignominy in silence.”

Comprehension dawned, and he sat back in his chair. “Ah, you wish to know where I went last night—or you believe you already know—while you were home reading missives from your paramour?”

“That’s—”

He raised a hand, his lips curled into an unpleasant smile. “No. You have said enough. Let me address your comments, my dear. Yes, you are correct. It is a different situation for a man than a woman when it comes to the taking of lovers. Part of that is because a man cannot bring a surprise home to his wife nine months later.”

Her face heated at the vulgar innuendo, but she refused to be cowed. “I beg to differ, sir. A man can bring home little surprises to his wife at any time.”

His eyebrows leaped up. “And what do you know of such surprises?”

She gave him a look of scorn. “Please, such matters may not be spoken of in polite conversation but they are common knowledge, not to mention a very common fear among married women. A woman always pays for her husband’s indiscretions one way or another.”

“You sound as if you speak from experience.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do know what you mean—and I also happen to agree with you.”

She snorted in disbelief.

Gabriel continued, undaunted by her scorn. “I do know, but I would enjoy hearing you elaborate on the subject.”

“That is not going to happen.”

He shrugged. “Well, perhaps some other time. But for right now, you may rest assured you shan’t pay for my indiscretions, my dear.”

Her heart leaped at his words. Did he mean he’d stop taking lovers? Her lips parted. “What—”

“You see,” he said, his eyes narrowing to dangerous slits. “I have always worn a sheath when I am uncertain of a lover.” She stiffened at the word lover and the sensual way it rolled off his tongue. But that other word?

He noticed her hesitation and gave her a superior smile. “I’m not shocking you, am I? You gave me cause to believe you are a sophisticate.”

“Of course I am,” she snapped.

“Really? Because I thought you looked confused. Was it the word lover or the word sheath?”

She clenched her teeth hard enough to crack walnuts. “I know what the word lover means, Mr. Marlington.”

“Ah, so it is the word sheath that is in doubt. Let me educate you: a sheath is a supple, impervious tube which a man places over his—” He glanced down at his lap, his eyebrows raised. “Well, I shouldn’t like to be vulgar—which word do you prefer? Breeding organ? Membrum virile?”

Drusilla sucked in a noisy breath, and his smile grew.

“Yes, I see you understand. In any event, Englishmen call them French letters.” A wry smile twisted his lips. “But the French call them English hats. Amusing, don’t you think—that such national animosity would carry even into the area of bed sport?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “I use them so that I neither leave any little surprises behind nor take any away with me when engaging in my numerous indiscretions.”

A sound of muffled fury slipped out of her before she could stop it.

He cocked his head. “What was that?”