His Lady Mistress

Elizabeth Rolls49ing her as his mistress would be the easiest and most satisfactoryway of protecting her. That was all.Hurrying along an upstairs corridor the following morning,Verity heard a breathless voice protesting.‘No. Please, sir...you mustn’t...’She hesitated for a moment. She should be helping Celiaget ready for the riding party... A sob of fright came, followedby a crash and a wail of despair. Anger burned awayher hard-won caution. Hitching up her skirts, she broke intoa run. Rounding the corner she found one of the youngermaids, Sukey, crouched weeping over a tray of broken porcelain.Desperate fingers clawed uselessly at the shattered ruins.Godfrey stood there, an amused smile on his face. ‘Nexttime you’ll know better than to refuse, won’t you?’Verity felt sick. This would see Sukey dismissed. Sheturned on the man responsible like a tiger. ‘Leave her alone!Haven’t you done enough? Just go away!’She hurried to the distraught maid and bent down to helpher, picking up the pieces. Godfrey loomed over both ofthem. Furious, Verity surged to her feet, a jagged shard ofporcelain in her hand.‘Were you looking for this? Go away!’He leapt back, swearing.‘What is...my Sèvres!’Verity barely bit back a curse as she looked up to findLady Faringdon, her face mottled with fury, staring down atthe ruined tea service.She turned on the maid. ‘Out! Go and pack. I expect youout within—’‘It wasn’t Sukey’s fault!’That halted Lady Faringdon’s tirade. Her eyes bored intoVerity.Meeting her gaze unflinchingly, Verity lied shamelessly.The truth wouldn’t help. ‘I was in a hurry. I bumped Sukey