His Lady Mistress

Elizabeth Rolls75seat, then she had good reason to fear what a man might doto her.Lord, but she’d be sweet though. Those great dark eyesand dusky curls. Her slender figure would be all delicatecurves when she filled out a trifle. She had spirit, too. Hegrinned, remembering the yell of pain from Faringdon, justbefore Selina had tumbled out of the stairwell—and the markson his face. Faringdon had endured any number of witty remarksabout wildcats the next morning. And she had defendedthat maidservant.All of which would go hard against her when he left. Maxlifted the glass to his lips and swore again when he found itempty. He reached for the bottle and carefully poured anothertot. And another.Selina had refused his offer. There was not much he coulddo for the poor girl, unless... Unless he could persuade hisAunt Almeria, Lady Arnsworth, that she needed a companion.That Miss Selina Dering would fit the bill admirably. Hecould go up to her room now and suggest it to Selina. Giveher his direction in town and some money for the fare. Almeriawould have her if he offered to frank, say, her box atthe opera.Contemplating the level in the brandy bottle, he hesitated.Perhaps he ought to leave it until morning. Business matterswere best undertaken with a clear head. And he had a horriblefeeling that he had reached the limits of his control on hisprevious visit to her bedchamber. It had been damn near impossibleto release her then. Now...his whole body hardened,just thinking about the sweetness of her response, the wayher body had melted in his arms. If he went now, he’d probablyfind himself attempting to seduce her into accepting hisoriginal offer.She refused you.He was still battling with his conscience when he heard asoft tapping on his door. Frowning, he fished his watch outof his waistcoat pocket and stared at it in disbelief. Who the