His Lady Mistress

150 His Lady MistressGrimly she concentrated; somehow she had to make thedogs look asleep, not dead. Despite herself, she smiled at theway they were curled up together, Gus’s nose resting onTaffy’s back. A bee hovered over his nose, buzzing loudly.Gus opened one eye, snapped lazily and the bee flew off intoa lavender bush.Her shoulders ached and she wriggled them again.Slowly, steadily, the sketch progressed and she was ableto lose herself in it, forgetting everything. Except for the dullache in her heart, the ache that whispered she had failed, thatMax didn’t want her as a wife in any capacity, that he nolonger even wanted her as a woman. She thrust the knowledgeaway. At least she had a home, somewhere she feltsafe... She should be counting her blessings. Her neck ached.Unconsciously she reached up and rubbed it, turning her headfrom side to side to release the sore muscles.‘Madam?’The quiet, deep voice brought her around with a snap andshe gave a cry of shocked pain as every muscle in her necklocked tight. Dizzy, nauseated with the sudden pain, shefought, eyes closed, to control it.‘Verity! Here, let me.’ Gentle hands closed on her shoulders,drew her close and eased her forehead against a powerfulchest. Careful probing fingers began to rub and soothethe taut muscles of her neck, easing the tightness, relaxingher.Close. Too close. He was holding her again. Gentle, tender.Memory poured over her in a bittersweet wave, mocking herwith the echo of what might have been. If she had not beenso foolish, or if he had never found out who she was.She wriggled, trying to escape, but he held her with effortlessstrength. ‘Please—let me go. There is no need...’‘Shh.’ His fingers pressed and kneaded. ‘You were rubbingyour neck anyway. And you’re wound as tight as a watchspring.Just relax. Let me help you. I shouldn’t have startledyou like that.’