wedding date as to why this girl is an inappropriate choice for a bride. And I expect you to be the one to beg off when I do.”
“I’ve already said as much.” His father’s lips quirked and his eyes twinkled with what looked suspiciously like humor. “Why don’t you take a trip to London and visit that mistress of yours? It might go a long way toward curing your ill humor.”
“My ill humor will remain until I extricate myself from your political machinations. But a trip to London might well be in order. It’s entirely possible there might be less scheming in the royal court than here in my own home.”
But nay, he was meeting Izzy at noon, and that was an appointment he fully intended to keep. Tomorrow afternoon was the absolute soonest he’d consider returning to London, and even then it would only be a quick trip to sever his ties with his current mistress, assuming Izzy agreed to become his new mistress. And assuming he could tear himself from her bed.
His father’s hearty chuckles followed him as he stalked from the study, slamming the door for good measure.
Chapter 5
A sharp knock on the bedroom door awoke Izzy the next morning. When a quick glance to her side revealed Belinda still sound asleep, Izzy pulled a wrap about her shoulders and crept to the door.
Her mother stood on the other side, eyes wide with concern. “Oh, you must have been feeling truly dreadful, darling, you look awful. I’m sorry I didn’t check in on you, Bel didn’t indicate you were seriously ill.”
Izzy muttered up a prayer of thanks for the ill effects of over imbibing. Before she could protest, her mother felt her forehead, clucking over her like a hen. “Mama, I feel ever so much better today. And I wasn’t very sick at all.”
“Perhaps you should spend another day in bed for good measure. I’ll have a maid bring you something with which to break your fast.”
“Really, Mama, that isn’t necessary. I feel right as rain. In fact I think some fresh air might do me good.”
Mama looked skeptical, but her attention was drawn toward Belinda, stirring in her bed. She heaved a big sigh. “Soon, you’ll be married and gone and I won’t be able to come find you girls like this in the morning.”
Not any time soon, Mama .
As the thought went through her mind, guilt nagged at her. Her mother just wanted what was best for everyone and it wasn’t her fault she chose to support her husband in this. It was what a proper wife did. “I’ll be one property over, Mama, not across England.” She restrained herself from rolling her eyes.
Her mother stroked her hair. “I know. Still, it will not be the same as having you here, at home with me, though.”
Her mother would be so disappointed when it came to light what Izzy had done. Izzy ducked her head, overcome with guilt. But what other option did she have? She loved Paul and she would do whatever she had to do to make sure she became his wife.
An image of Julian rose up, so dark and virile. She pushed it down. Lust did not equate love, and she was sure part of her attraction to him was the illicitness of their acquaintance, however brief it would be.
She needed to ready herself if she was to meet him at their appointed time. With a quick kiss to her mother’s cheek and a mumble about getting dressed, she shut the door and retreated into her chamber. She found Belinda staring at her.
“Did you need something Bel?”
“You’re planning something. I’ve seen that look in your eyes enough times to know that much.”
Izzy bit her tongue to avoid sounding exasperated. “I’m planning to take a simple ride to clear my head. Ale leaves much to be desired.”
“Would you care for some company on your ride, then?”
Izzy struggled for calm, but obviously, Belinda’s suspicions were on high alert. The best friend in the world she might be, but she was as tenacious as a bulldog when it came to sniffing out Izzy’s schemes. More often than not, Bel would
“I’ve already said as much.” His father’s lips quirked and his eyes twinkled with what looked suspiciously like humor. “Why don’t you take a trip to London and visit that mistress of yours? It might go a long way toward curing your ill humor.”
“My ill humor will remain until I extricate myself from your political machinations. But a trip to London might well be in order. It’s entirely possible there might be less scheming in the royal court than here in my own home.”
But nay, he was meeting Izzy at noon, and that was an appointment he fully intended to keep. Tomorrow afternoon was the absolute soonest he’d consider returning to London, and even then it would only be a quick trip to sever his ties with his current mistress, assuming Izzy agreed to become his new mistress. And assuming he could tear himself from her bed.
His father’s hearty chuckles followed him as he stalked from the study, slamming the door for good measure.
Chapter 5
A sharp knock on the bedroom door awoke Izzy the next morning. When a quick glance to her side revealed Belinda still sound asleep, Izzy pulled a wrap about her shoulders and crept to the door.
Her mother stood on the other side, eyes wide with concern. “Oh, you must have been feeling truly dreadful, darling, you look awful. I’m sorry I didn’t check in on you, Bel didn’t indicate you were seriously ill.”
Izzy muttered up a prayer of thanks for the ill effects of over imbibing. Before she could protest, her mother felt her forehead, clucking over her like a hen. “Mama, I feel ever so much better today. And I wasn’t very sick at all.”
“Perhaps you should spend another day in bed for good measure. I’ll have a maid bring you something with which to break your fast.”
“Really, Mama, that isn’t necessary. I feel right as rain. In fact I think some fresh air might do me good.”
Mama looked skeptical, but her attention was drawn toward Belinda, stirring in her bed. She heaved a big sigh. “Soon, you’ll be married and gone and I won’t be able to come find you girls like this in the morning.”
Not any time soon, Mama .
As the thought went through her mind, guilt nagged at her. Her mother just wanted what was best for everyone and it wasn’t her fault she chose to support her husband in this. It was what a proper wife did. “I’ll be one property over, Mama, not across England.” She restrained herself from rolling her eyes.
Her mother stroked her hair. “I know. Still, it will not be the same as having you here, at home with me, though.”
Her mother would be so disappointed when it came to light what Izzy had done. Izzy ducked her head, overcome with guilt. But what other option did she have? She loved Paul and she would do whatever she had to do to make sure she became his wife.
An image of Julian rose up, so dark and virile. She pushed it down. Lust did not equate love, and she was sure part of her attraction to him was the illicitness of their acquaintance, however brief it would be.
She needed to ready herself if she was to meet him at their appointed time. With a quick kiss to her mother’s cheek and a mumble about getting dressed, she shut the door and retreated into her chamber. She found Belinda staring at her.
“Did you need something Bel?”
“You’re planning something. I’ve seen that look in your eyes enough times to know that much.”
Izzy bit her tongue to avoid sounding exasperated. “I’m planning to take a simple ride to clear my head. Ale leaves much to be desired.”
“Would you care for some company on your ride, then?”
Izzy struggled for calm, but obviously, Belinda’s suspicions were on high alert. The best friend in the world she might be, but she was as tenacious as a bulldog when it came to sniffing out Izzy’s schemes. More often than not, Bel would
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