The Fifth Kiss Read Online Free PDF

scholarly subjects, of course. Any fool would know that such a …! Good lord, Livie, I didn’t think you’d show an interest in a sordid subject of that sort.”
    â€œAnd I didn’t think, Charles,” Olivia retorted in irritation, “that you would turn out to be a prig . Of course I’m interested in that subject. Anybody would be. Aren’t you?”
    Charles glared at her, puffing furiously at his pipe. “Never mind about me! This is not a subject fit for a lady, no matter what I may have said before! And Jamie was completely buffle-headed to have discussed such a matter with you.”
    â€œHe didn’t discuss it with me. I discussed it with him. ”
    â€œDon’t quibble.”
    â€œIt’s not a quibble. I’m the one who broached the subject.”
    â€œYou? But … why?” His brows came together in a worried frown. “Has Jamie gotten himself into some sort of fix with a … a …?”
    â€œNo. Not Jamie.”
    â€œThank goodness for that,” Charles sighed, leaning back in relief. “You mean you had merely a … theoretical discussion, is that it?”
    â€œNo, it wasn’t,” his sister declared bluntly. “But I would like to understand the theory before I tell you the substance. Do all gentlemen have fancy pieces in their care?”
    Charles, nonplussed, puffed at his pipe in some confusion. He didn’t know how or what to answer. This was not the sort of subject he felt comfortable discussing with his young sister. However, he had formed the habit of responding to her questions with candor and forthrightness, a habit which had worked out well in the past. Perhaps it would be best, he decided, to try to maintain that tradition. “I suppose not all ,” he answered with a shrug.
    â€œWell, then, how many do ? Almost all? Half? Two in ten?”
    â€œReally, Livie, this is most indelicate! Besides, how can I know? I don’t suppose anyone’s ever studied the subject … or published data—”
    â€œCan’t you guess?” she persisted.
    â€œNo, I can’t. It’s not a subject on which I feel qualified even to theorize,” he answered shortly. “Now, will you stop these silly questions and tell me the ‘substance’ of all this?”
    â€œOh, very well. But I’m beginning to realize that there are a great many very interesting matters about which I am sadly ignorant.” She got up from the chair and went to the fireplace, pausing to stare into the flames before continuing. “I saw Strickland on the street last night … with a lightskirt. He was kissing her.”
    â€œOh, I see. ” He gave his sister a penetrating glance. “You were, of course, quite horrified. And rightly so.”
    She lifted her gaze from the fire to his face. “Aren’t you horrified? He is, as Shakespeare said, ‘falser than vows made in wine.’” She studied her brother’s eyes for a long moment. “No, you’re not horrified! And neither was Jamie. Does that mean, Charles, that you men condone such behavior? Or that you yourself …?” She paused, unable to find the courage to pursue the thought.
    â€œNo, it does not mean any such thing!” he answered promptly, giving her a wry grin. “That’s how I know that not all gentlemen so indulge themselves.”
    Olivia gave a small sigh of relief. “I’m glad, Charles. I knew you were too fine a person to … But then, isn’t it shocking that Strickland has taken one?”
    â€œPerhaps it is,” Charles said thoughtfully, “but I wouldn’t judge him too harshly if I were you, Livie. I live a rather monkish life, you know. But Strickland is right in the thick of society, facing all sorts of stimulation and temptation, while his wife is miles away in the country tending her babies. It’s not very surprising, under the circumstances,