His Lady Mistress

260 His Lady Mistressat her. No doubt he had not wanted more feminine tears todeal with.Fighting tears, she nodded. ‘And what have you discovered,my lord?’ She thought he stiffened.His voice hardened even further. ‘I met with your uncleand cousin. I offered to settle for fifteen thousand pounds andthe jewellery.’With careful hands, she set her tea cup down on the table.‘Fif... fifteen thousand, sir?’‘And the jewellery. Anything you don’t like, you may giveto Miss Faringdon.’‘And the jewellery,’ she repeated dutifully. Then, ‘Why?’‘Why?’ The topaz eyes narrowed.‘Yes. Why? Do you need the money, my lord? Does itcompensate in some part for an unwanted marriage?’ For abrief moment she thought that something inside him hadnearly escaped its leash.Then, in quiet controlled tones, ‘No, Verity. I don’t needthe money. But you need it. I wanted you to have somethingthat was unequivocally yours. Not mine.’Not mine.Heartsick, she focused mercilessly on that. Understandablethat he should grasp the chance to provide for his unwantedwife without broaching his own fortune. In a queer way hewas right. She would certainly feel better about it. It remainedonly to know when he envisaged her departure.Better to know at once. Better the surgeon’s knife than along drawn out torture. ‘Then, you will arrange with the lawyersfor a—what is the term? A deed of private separation?’A moment’s chilled silence hung between them. The onlything to move was the relentless pendulum of the clock onthe chimney piece, telling Max that it was all too late.He inclined his head. ‘That is the correct term, madam.’‘Thank you, sir. I am very grateful. When...when wouldyou like me to leave, my lord?’‘No.’