His Lady Mistress

Elizabeth Rolls119vulsive movement of her throat stabbed at him, but he saidharshly, ‘Quickly, Verity. Do you trust me?’She nodded.‘Very well. I’ll invite Faringdon in. Follow my lead anddon’t volunteer anything. Above all, don’t contradict anythingI say.’ He bent over her and caught her chin, forcing itup. ‘Remember. Back me up. It’s your only chance.’ Unableto help himself, he caressed the silky soft skin, lingering onthe delicate line of her jaw, the suddenly fluttering pulse inher throat. The fierce surge of desire shocked him.Grimly he wrenched his fingers back and stood up. ‘WhateverI say, Verity.’ Then he walked to the door and openedit.Lord Faringdon stood in the centre of the hall, covered indust, his face red with fury.‘Do come in, Lord Faringdon. Did I leave something behind?I rather thought I had everything needful.’Max noted with savage pleasure that his calm voice hadan anything-but-calming effect on Faringdon. His hectic flushbecame purple and his fists clenched.The moment he crossed the threshold of the library hisgaze fell on Verity. His jaw dropped and his eyes bulged ashis Adam’s apple worked convulsively. Speech explodedfrom him.‘By God, you carry your little affairs with a high hand,Blakehurst! But you’ve gone too far this time! Stupid, too.Did you think I wouldn’t realise she’d gone with you?’Max pretended to consider this. ‘No. I didn’t really thinkyou that lacking in wit. Honesty, yes. I confess that I do havea query there.’Faringdon swung around. ‘What the devil do you mean,sir?’Anger coursed through Max. ‘I asked you, Lord Faringdon,for news of Miss Scott and you informed me that she haddied...’His lordship pounced on that. ‘Nothing of the sort! Said