His Lady Mistress

Elizabeth Rolls263Lady Arnsworth swept in. She was only surprised that herladyship had given poor Clipstone enough time to announceher.‘Good afternoon, ma’am,’ she said politely, stuffing thebook under a cushion.Lady Arnsworth’s gimlet eyes bored in. ‘I’m sure it is noconcern of mine if you choose to further pollute your mindwith rubbishy novels. It is for Max to control you. I calledmerely to ask after your health.’Verity gritted her teeth against the urge to tell her ladyshipto go to the devil. ‘Thank you.’ She left it at that. LadyArnsworth would know the truth soon enough.‘Are you breeding? Is that the reason for your indisposition?’The unexpected question flooded Verity’s cheeks with embarrassment.‘I...I...’ Dammit! ‘I fail to see how that mayconcern you, ma’am!’ she snapped.Lady Arnsworth seemed to swell. ‘Not concern me? Youpresumptuous upstart! When I recall the agony my sister sufferedafter her eldest son died! Knowing that the earldomwould pass to Max, that she had failed in her duty!’‘Pardon?’ Verity stared at the mottled face.‘Max! He had never the least sense of responsibility!’ saidLady Arnsworth bitterly. ‘Thoughtless! Richard would neverhave ridden that horse had not Max dared him! And then itfell on him. My sister was devastated.’‘I beg your pardon?’ None of this made sense. Max wasthe most responsible man she had ever met. He would notwalk away from his duty. Not even an unwanted wife.Lady Arnsworth’s next words clarified everything. ‘ButMax had learnt his lesson, or so it appeared. He agreed toremain single, that Richard should inherit. No doubt he enjoyedthe freedom to mount mistress after mistress. Until hemarried you!’Black horror gaped before her. ‘He promised their motherthat Richard should inherit?’