His Lady Mistress

Elizabeth Rolls35Godfrey emerged from the stairwell and Verity saw withunchristian pleasure that her wild swipe at his face had drawnblood.‘What’s it to do with you?’ blustered Godfrey. ‘This ain’tyour house!’Lord Blakehurst smiled without the least vestige of humour.‘The whims of a guest should always be indulged,Faringdon. It appears the wench is less than willing. You willoblige me by leaving her alone. Is that clear?’Wench? Verity only just choked back the explosion. Saferif he did think her one of the maids. So she swallowed herfury and lowered her eyes. Probably in this clothing she didlook like a servant. She had already decided that it was toodangerous to let him know she was here.Godfrey smirked. ‘Unwilling? Oh, she’s always willingenough—’Blakehurst seemed to swell. ‘Go. Before I forget that yourfather is my host.’Godfrey backed away. ‘Suppose you think you’ll get a legacross, eh, Blakehurst?’ he jibed, settling his sleeves in anattempt to look unconcerned. Then he lifted his hand to hisface and stared at the blood in apparent disbelief. The lookhe stabbed at Verity swore revenge.Cold fear dripped down Verity’s spine. If this came to heraunt’s ears—that she had landed in Lord Blakehurst’s arms—her situation would be even worse.‘I suggest that you cease to judge others by your own dubiousstandards, Faringdon.’ His lordship’s voice descendedto outright menace. ‘I have absolutely no need to force myattentions on unwilling maidservants. Now take yourself off!’Godfrey left, with another vicious look at Verity. Her heartsank. God only knew how he would explain that scratchedface to his mother, but Verity didn’t doubt that she wouldfigure largely.Shivering, she turned to go. If Godfrey didn’t mentionLord Blakehurst’s presence, then she was safe. Relatively.