His Lady Mistress

78 His Lady MistressWatching her closely, he wondered if she were about toflee. God knew he’d been blunt enough. He could see thetension in her body and longed to ease it, to take her into hisarms and kiss all her fears away, but it had to be her choice.Faringdon might have taken her innocence, but he wouldhave no part in forcing her any further down this road if shedid not wish it. She had refused him very plainly. Perhapsshe had meant it, perhaps not. He had to be quite sure.‘You...you do not really want me, do you?’ The questionripped into him and he saw her turn to the door. Belatedlyhe realised that his attempt to warn her, to ensure she knewexactly what she was doing, had shamed her.‘Selina!’She stopped and looked back, her cheeks scarlet. ‘Mylord.’He fought for the right words. ‘It’s not that. I want you,but when I asked you before, you refused. I won’t force you.You must come to me. Of your own free will.’She took one step towards the bed and halted again.‘That’s it,’ he said softly. ‘Come to me. I will not touchyou until you lie naked beside me in this bed.’A shudder went through Verity as she heard his invitationand understood what it meant. She would have to strip infront of him. Take all her clothes off and walk naked to hisbed. And in doing so she would cross the line from respectabilityto the demi-mondaine. She would be an outcast fromdecent society.What will have changed? You are already outcast. You’relittle better than a servant. Worse, in fact, since you don’tget paid.Still she hesitated. She could feel his eyes on her, knewthat the choice, and responsibility, were hers and hers alone.No one would be hurt or injured by her actions except herself.And this way she would wrest back control of her life.Her hands shaking, she fumbled with the first button of herbodice. Her fingers seemed made of wood. They slipped and