His Lady Mistress

24 His Lady Mistress‘Ungrateful girl!’ cried Lady Faringdon. ‘After all we’vedone for you! The very clothes on your back!’Verity rather thought the light-devouring black dress shewore was one discarded by the Rectory housekeeper, but shebit her tongue and concentrated grimly on stitching up Celia’sflounce as efficiently as possible. With a modicum of luckLord Blakehurst would marry the girl and prove to be a veritableBluebeard.Nothing she heard about Lord Blakehurst in the nexttwenty-four hours led her to revise her estimate that it wouldbe a match richly deserved by both parties. Lord Blakehursthad arrived late, snubbed at least three people at dinner,whom he plainly considered beneath his exalted touch, andeveryone was hanging upon his every utterance.‘Such a personable man!’ sighed Celia the following eveningas she prepared for bed. ‘Terribly rich of course. Onecan only wonder that he has left it so long to marry! Ofcourse, he came into the title unexpectedly when his brotherdied three years ago.’Verity, tidying away her cousin’s clothes, thought it entirelypossible that no female would have so conceited a manas his lordship must be, only to dismiss the idea. Anyone thatrich could be as conceited as he liked and society would stilldeem him a personable man.‘And, of course, he must be seeking a bride if he has comehere,’ continued Celia.Verity blinked as she put away a chemise. ‘Oh?’ That leapof logic evaded her. She had yet to learn that a visit to FaringdonHall was a prerequisite for matrimonially inclinedEarls.‘He never accepts invitations to house parties, except fromhis closest friends,’ explained Celia, in tones of gracious condescension.Or boasting, more like. Verity shut the drawerwith a snap on the chemise. Pity it wasn’t Celia in there.‘Conceive for yourself how pleased Mama was when his