His Lady Mistress

106 His Lady MistressI say that your expectations will remain unaltered...’ Hisvoice trailed off. It was entirely possible that Richard’s expectationswere already sunk. He dismissed the thought. Possible,but improbable. He couldn’t be that unlucky.‘Trapped you? You?’ Richard sounded as though he mightbe trying not to laugh. ‘A mere Miss Scott managed to snarethe untouchable Blakehurst? After you foiled the machinationsof every matchmaking mama between Land’s End andJohn-o’-Groat’s?’ He grinned. ‘Well, at least you can counton your heir having a few brains.’‘Ricky.’ Max’s deadened voice silenced his brother. ‘I’mnot joking. As far as I am concerned, you will remain myheir. And I promise you, even if the title goes to...goes elsewhere,the unentailed property will still go to you or yourson.’Richard looked up and met Max’s eyes for the first time.‘You’re serious. It can’t be that bad!’Max faced that penetrating gaze and shrugged his shoulders.‘I’m sorry, Richard. This is the last thing I ever intended.And if it were anybody else’s daughter, she could goto the devil with my good will.’Richard sat down again, stretching his leg out before him.‘I’ve missed something here. Who is Verity Scott?’Gritting his teeth, Max replied. ‘She’s the daughter of mylate C.O. And she was the reason I went to stay with theFaringdons. You know why I feel responsible. I wanted tosee for myself that she was all right.’‘And she trapped you.’ Richard sounded as though he hadbitten a lemon.‘Yes.’‘And you feel you absolutely have to marry her.’ It wasn’ta question.‘Yes.’‘Max, has anyone ever told you that your sense of responsibilityis blown out of all proportion?’ Richard shook his