Every Scandalous Secret by Gayle Callen Page A

read people, at least down to a certain level. While that might impress her, she shouldn’t be surprised. Anyone who could still move among Society after some of the outrages he’d committed—bringing women of the demimonde to a duke’s ball!—had to be able to tell just how far outside the boundaries he could go. “Then do explain what sort of feminine arts a man such as yourself prefers.”
    “Serving tea, of course. She must have the steadiest hand.”
    She bit her lip to keep from laughing at him. Mr. Wade was used to being amusing—she didn’t want to make it so easy for him. She did admit to surprise at how easily he had a response to everything she said, sometimes entertaining, sometimes intriguing. She wouldn’t have guessed it of him.
    He helped her to step up and over a fallen log on the hillside, and the imprint of his hand on her arm seemed to remain far too long. Shaking her head, she returned her focus to their conversation.
    Perhaps he was being honest with her. Serving tea was certainly a necessary talent in a well-bred young lady. Susanna usually spilled hers because she was always thinking about something else.
    “She should have a tasteful eye for fashion and be able to shop for hours,” he continued.
    “Shop for hours? Most men would shudder at such an expenditure.”
    He shrugged. “I enjoy seeing a woman well adorned.”
    “Another way we differ, Mr. Wade.”
    He looked at her face, then his gaze slid slowly down her body. When she stumbled over a tree root, he caught her arm.
    “I would not be so sure, Miss Leland. Look at how you’ve garbed yourself today.”
    “You’re not serious, sir. This gown is at least three years old.”
    “The horror.”
    She laughed. “It is a sensible style that is simple and classic.”
    “Hmm.”
    “Yet you noticed it,” she said slyly, glancing sideways at him.
    “How could I not? It is such an improvement.” He dropped his voice. “But perhaps I prefer you in nothing at all.”
    She looked ahead again to keep herself from tripping the rest of the way down the hill. “I did say you were a vulgar species.”
    “An honest one—and you yourself do not deny what you’ve done.”
    “You’re taking the conversation away from our topic, Mr. Wade. How will I ever learn the skills I need to emphasize?”
    “Sarcasm? It does not become you.”
    “But it’s so true. I can cut out silhouettes, you know,” she whispered as if in confidence. “And I can embroider the alphabet in many different ways. I paste shells in picture frames.”
    “Don’t speak too loudly. Not every woman has your artistic gifts and would be jealous.”
    “But that is the sort of woman you want, isn’t it? You want her to be occupied with frivolous things.”
    “Don’t forget gossip—I enjoy it immensely.”
    “I believe you do if I’ve heard correctly.”
    To her surprise, something flickered deep in his eyes, before he masked it.
    “People are always talking about me,” he said flippantly.
    “And you like that?” she asked in astonishment.
    “On the whole, it’s favorable. And I’m usually invited to the best parties.”
    “But not all, Mr. Wade. Why is that?”
    “Perhaps because I’m a second son?”
    “Or perhaps your reputation precedes you.”
    He shrugged. “It never concerns me one way or the other. I am exceedingly fond of my life.”
    “You forgot one other attribute for your perfect wife—youth.”
    He arched a brow at her.
    “Only a very young woman, fresh from the schoolroom, without any experience of life, would fit your requirements.”
    “I am not interested in a lady too young,” he said, shaking his head.
    “But you flirt with every young lady here!”
    “Flirting serves many purposes, only one of which leads to a wife.”
    “And the rest lead to mistresses?” she asked, intrigued.
    “Flirting is barely necessary for that.” He grinned at her. “But flirting gives a debutante some excitement, when all she usually knows is