His Lady Mistress

250 His Lady MistressAnswer: behave in accordance with the precepts of chivalry.He couldn’t lay her down without waking her. So hewould have to hold her. At least until the choice was betweenwaking her up by laying her down and waking her up in afar less chivalrous, if more satisfactory, way.Somehow he needed to distract his mind from the temptationof soft breasts nestled against him, from the silkentangle of hair spilling over his chest. His gaze lit on a leatherboundbook on her bedside table. He picked it up with hisfree hand. Anything would be better than lying here, thinkingabout seducing her.Opening the book, he flushed and started to put it down.It was handwritten. Damn. He couldn’t read her private journal.Then, despite himself, a name leapt out at him. Twonames. His own and—Slender Billy? Why would Verity writeabout the Prince of Orange... unless—his breathing tore—unless it wasn’t Verity’s journal.Slender Billy in a miff. That young idiot Max B. had thetemerity to wonder, in his Highness’s presence! when OldHookey would make it back from Vienna.Max choked back a laugh. Good God. He’d forgotten that.Slender Billy imagining that he could command the Alliedarmy in the field against Napoleon in Wellington’s absence!Of course everyone in Brussels had been terrified that Boneywould cross the frontier while the Prince of Orange was inthe saddle. Everyone except the Prince, that was.He read on. He’d never realised that William Scott kept aprivate journal. His eyes widened. A very private journal, hehoped. How in Hades had Scott known about that affair?Heat stole along his cheekbones as he realised just how muchhis C.O. had known about him. He scanned the pages rapidly.Lord! Even his brief connection with Lady Gainfort had notescaped notice!A sudden thought sent even more heat flooding his cheeks.Verity had read this? And you had the hide to take exceptionto her deciding, in desperation, to become your mistress.