Wicked Angel (47 page)

"It is part of her rather enormous and immeasurable charm," Alex responded playfully.

"Nonetheless—come on, quick with your answer, she is drawing near. A gold sovereign for my very fine nephew if she utters a quote?"

"And one if she does not?" Alex shot back.

"Naturally," Arthur said, now trying to hide his mirth from Lauren.

Alex jumped to his feet and met her at the top of the terrace steps. "I see my hellion of a son is quite out of sorts," he said, taking her hand in his.

Sighing, Lauren nodded. "Afraid so. '
Of all the animals, the boy is the most unmanageable, '
you know."

"Ha! Plato!" Arthur cried, and triumphantly slapped the wrought iron arm of his chair with such force as to startle Lauren.

"What?" she asked, turning to Alex.

Grinning, he cupped her face in his hands. "Lauren, my angel"—he smiled as his mouth descended to hers—"
shut up. "
Ignoring Arthur's very tasteless cheering, he devoured the lips of his cherished, proverb-quoting wife.