Suzanna Medeiros by Lady Hathaway's Indecent Proposal

not to correct that assumption since it served her own plans.
    “I want you to know it is not my intention to force you from town. I realize that you cannot socialize until you are out of mourning, but you are welcome to remain here. Or if you’d like, I can help you find a new house.”
    Miranda realized she liked James Hathaway and was glad she had finally gotten a chance to meet him, but there was no way she could remain in London after her affair with Andrew ended.
    She stood and he rose to his feet as well.
    “I thank you for your generosity, but I would prefer the quiet of the countryside right now. I am not removing from town because of you.”
    He gave her a small nod of acknowledgment. “Very well. I will leave my address with your butler. And if there is anything you need, please know I am at your service.”
    She remained standing as he left, but her legs gave out as soon as she heard the front door close. Pain lanced through her as she realized it was almost over. Within days she would leave the Hathaway town house and London, and she would never see Andrew again.

Chapter Six
    He was late, caught up in a particularly heated debate in the House of Lords. As the hours ticked by into the evening, he grew increasingly more bad-tempered. At several points it occurred to him that he should arrange to have his driver deliver a note to Miranda before she left for the house he’d rented, but he couldn’t bring himself to cancel the evening. Not while there remained a glimmer of a chance one side might cool down enough for the matter to be resolved.
    When it became clear that wouldn’t happen, he could have arranged to have a note delivered to her at the house, but still he held off and that annoyed him more than anything else. He needed to see Miranda. Craved her with a desperation that alarmed him, and with that realization his mood darkened even further.
    As the hours passed, curious glances were cast his way as those around him began to sense his dangerous mood. No one approached him until Viscount Morrison was foolish enough to intercept him when the session had finally ended for the night.
    “I don’t suppose we’ll see you at Brooks tonight,” the man said with a knowing smirk.
    Andrew barely resisted the urge to wipe the smile from the man’s face and started to turn away, but Morrison’s next words halted him in his tracks.
    “There have been a few wagers placed as to the identity of the woman who has captured your interest to the exclusion of all else. I’ll admit to more than a small curiosity myself. I don’t suppose you’d care to enlighten me?”
    The look he aimed at the slight man would have been enough to keep another from continuing. Morrision, however, had never been known to possess much good sense.
    “She must be very good. Perhaps I can give her a go.”
    Peripherally he became aware that their conversation was drawing the attention of others, but Andrew’s attention remained focused on the man before him. Every muscle in his body had tensed at Morrison’s last statement, but somehow he managed to keep from planting his fist into Morrison’s thin face.
    “I don’t share.” Andrew’s words were clipped, his anger barely contained at that point, but the fool continued.
    “Oh no, neither do I. I meant when you tire of her, of course.”
    Morrison paled when Andrew took a step closer and allowed his hands to curl into fists at his side. One more word along the same vein would have been enough to destroy the little control still within his grasp.
    Morrison opened his mouth but must have thought better of it, because he closed it again right away. With a quick nod, he turned and fled. Andrew’s gaze swung to the group of men that had stood by, watching the scene as it took place. They, too, wisely chose to turn away and pretend nothing had happened.
    Without another word to anyone else, Andrew made his way from Westminster and headed straight for the house. It was already nine and