His Lady Mistress

158 His Lady Mistresssince. Literally. She might have ceased to exist for all heknew. The thought lacerated him. She had wanted to belong.On any terms. Even as his mistress.His distance. His sanity. At all costs. Only...he’d neverrealised she would bear the cost.Mrs Henty informed him that her ladyship had taken apicnic and gone for a walk straight after breakfast. That she’dgiven orders a few days previously that she would dine inher rooms until further notice.He winced at that bit of information. He knew preciselyon which day those orders had been given.‘Thank you, Henny,’ he said. ‘When her ladyship comesin, perhaps you might ask her...I mean, tell her...er, suggestthat she might care to dine with Mr Richard and myself tonight.’Good heavens! Could he not even convey a messageto his wife without stumbling over himself?‘Certainly, my lord.’The stiffness in his housekeeper’s voice warned him. Heeyed her carefully. ‘Something wrong, Henny?’Her lips tightened even more. ‘Well, it’s not my place tosay, Master Max, but...’Max braced himself. When Henny remembered her placeand called him Master Max, squalls lay ahead. He’d beenaware of the friction between Henny and her mistress, buthe’d thought the problem had blown over... Better to letVerity sort it out on her own terms.‘’Twould be better if you asked her ladyship yourself. Toldher last night that she should go down, but she wouldn’t takea bit of notice and she’s not eating enough to keep a sparrowalive. Just picks at her dinner again, she does. Like when shefirst arrived. Says she isn’t hungry...but if you ask me, shecan’t eat when she’s upset!’Max swore and Mrs Henty favoured him with a glare.‘Don’t you use that sort of language! Or I won’t bother turningthe sheep tallow into soap before I wash your mouth out!