His Lady Mistress

Elizabeth Rolls23She spoke to thin air, since Lady Faringdon had alreadystormed from the room. Arguing was a waste of breath. Themildest protest drew as heavy a retribution as full-scale rebellion.Not even over the hated name Selina did she objectnow.Resigned, Verity locked the chest with the key she woreon a plaited string around her neck. Giving the chest an affectionatepat, she gathered herself together, picked up herworkbasket and left the bleak little room in her aunt’s wake.Celia, of course, would be hysterical with fury over the tornflounce, blaming everything and everyone for the catastrophesave her own carelessness.‘Where have you been?’ screeched Celia, as Verity enteredthe elegant bedchamber. ‘Just look at this! And Lord Blakehurstmay arrive at any minute!’Verity selected the matching cotton and threaded her needle,biting back the urge to point out that Lord Blakehurstwould be admitted to the house by the butler and every footmanavailable and would be greeted with all due ceremonyby his host and hostess. Furthermore, since he would doubtlessrepair immediately to his bedchamber to adjust his cravatand swill brandy, he would scarcely notice the absence of hishosts’ eldest daughter, with or without a torn flounce. At leastthat was her considered opinion, based on the observation ofother visiting gentlemen. There was no reason to suspect thatEarl Blakehurst would differ from the rest in any degree.Except, of course, in being richer.She knelt down at Celia’s hem and began to stitch.‘Hurry up!’ whined Celia, whirling away to the windowand dragging the offending flounce out of Verity’s grasp. Aripping sound rewarded this indiscretion.‘Look what you’ve done!’ Celia’s shriek of fury outdid herprevious efforts. ‘Oh, Mama! Look what she’s done! She didit on purpose, too!’Biting back some very unladylike language, Verity turnedto see her aunt advancing into the room.