His Lady Mistress

Chapter SevenVerity glared at him, lifting her chin. ‘Sir, this farce hasgone far enough. I cannot possibly—’‘Why on earth didn’t you send for me, if you wished tospeak to me?’ He spoke straight over her. ‘Have you no discretion,or conduct? No well-bred young lady pays any callunescorted, let alone on a bachelor household!’‘Good,’ retorted Verity. ‘If nothing else has worked, perhapsthat may serve to convince you that we cannot possiblymarry!’He opened his mouth and shut it again. Stunned ambereyes burned into her and Verity fought to keep her gazesteady. ‘My God,’ he said softly. ‘You really mean it, don’tyou? Why then?’It was her turn to flounder. ‘Why? Isn’t that obvious, mylord? An earl does not marry his mistress! He does not marrya female whose relatives would prefer she did not exist. AndI—’‘No—’ he flung up one hand ‘—you misunderstand me. Imeant why did you come to my bed if you did not intend totrap me into offering for you? Surely you must have knownwhat my reaction would be when you told me your real name.You can’t have thought I wouldn’t remember it!’This time her eyes fell before his as memories of that night