Adrian was a damned scoundrel, he knew that, but he could not regret what he had done. He had only intended to give Lady Venetia a means of escape, but after that brief kiss in the library, his body had overtaken his rational thoughts. Once he had her close to him in the dark, he could pretend he was someone worthy of her, someone who could seduce her and bring her to pleasure like any good lover would. She had come apart so beautifully, and to learn that it was her first time to feel that release? He was surely damned for enjoying that as much as he did. After he left her, he returned to the library to retrieve their dinner tray. There was no sign of Monty or his lover. Adrian brought the dishes to the kitchen, and Mrs. Webster handed him a cup of tea and a few biscuits as he sat down a