His Lady Mistress

234 His Lady MistressTo spy on you? To protect you? ‘For the pleasure of yourcompany, my dear,’ he lied. God help him, it would be morelike torture.Verity smiled and extended a hand automatically to herhost and hostess. The brief carriage ride and the crush in thehall had not helped her confusion in the least. From Max’ssilence in the carriage she had the impression that he wasbothered about something. He kept shifting restlessly and heavoided her gaze.Still reeling with shock at his unexpected tenderness, sheexchanged nods and bows, wondering who would cut heracquaintance this evening. To her frustration, on Max’s arm,she was greeted by most with far more respect. By the ladiesas well as the gentlemen. It was enough to make her spit.This was precisely what she needed—Max at the same ball,and everyone behaved as though she were a pattern card ofrespectability.Except for the Duke of Calverston, who took advantage ofMax greeting a friend to lift Verity’s hand to his lips andsimultaneously leer into her bodice. Her skin crawled at histouch even through the fine kid of her glove. Compared tothe gowns some ladies were wearing, this one was positivelychaste, but she found herself wishing she’d worn a fichu withit. Just in case Max noticed, she forced a smile for his Grace,ignoring a shaft of pain in her temples.‘How delightful to see you, Lady Blakehurst.’ Calverston’ssmile left her feeling smirched. ‘I believe you promised mea waltz this evening. I shall look out for you later.’ Hepressed her hand and she fought down the impulse to snatchit away. As he disappeared into the crush she surreptitiouslyrubbed her hand on her skirts.‘Really, niece,’ hissed Lady Arnsworth from behind her.‘Must you encourage every man you meet to ogle you? Peoplewere shocked at your conduct last night! I felt myselfobliged to inform Max!’Verity forgot her role in a flare of rage as she swung