Page 10 of A Second Chance for Love

In sum, he’d enjoy having her company for a week.

“Seven hundred pounds for seven days,” she said again, as if the words were some kind of talisman. She cut him a nervous glance. “And you say I just need to assume the title of mistress?” Her eyes flickered over his person in a way that made his breath catch. His cock was certainly interested in her, but the notion of paying any woman for sexual favors—and that included whores—was repugnant to him.

If Juss wanted her, she’d come to him freely.

“I’ll secure adjoining rooms at the posting inns and we’ll certainly have our own rooms at the house where we’ll be staying. So, no,” he gave her a half-smile, “warming my bed is not part of your mistressly duty.”

He saw relief on her heart-shaped face, but there was something else, too—regret? Or was that merely arrogant, wishful thinking? Likely the latter.

“I don’t understand,” she said. “Why would you need me to pretend to be your mistress? Surely you can secure a real one?”

He smiled. “That is none of your affair, Miss Parker.”

Her eyes narrowed at his words, which echoed hers, and he knew she wanted to give him a blistering set-down. But she wanted the money more. “Starting when?”

“I’m leaving the day after tomorrow.”

“But—but—”

“You sound like a hen, Miss Parker.”

Her green eyes, which made emeralds appear dull by comparison, widened and she opened her mouth—no doubt to scold or snap at him—but then she closed it, her forehead furrowing.

“Go on,” he said. “Ask everything you can think of right now.”

“That doesn’t give me much time—not even a week to change my. . . well, not much time.”

She swallowed, her expression almost tragic. In Justin’s experience only one thing made a woman look so forlorn: a lover.

“Did you have plans next week, Miss Parker?”

She took a deep breath and then let it out slowly. “Nothing that can’t be changed.”

Juss’s curiosity was roused more than was good for him—or the woman across from him.

He’d just decided to give it free rein when she said, “My clothing.” She gestured to her person, as if Juss might not know what clothing was. “I’m not prepared for a country hou—”

“I’ll pay for clothing appropriate for my mistress.”

“Appropriate clothing,” she repeated the words carefully, her cheeks flushing darkly.

Juss wanted to laugh; just what the hell was she imagining in that beautiful head of hers? Clearly something scandalous—as if he were planning to dress her in a fig leaf, or less.

“Yes, appropriate,” he confirmed in a deliberately silky tone. “I will purchase clothing for your body that pleases me.” She jolted at the word body and it was all he could do not to laugh. Whatever act of debauchery she’d engaged in to lose her governessing job, it must have been on the tame side if the mere discussion of garments could make her so anxious. Juss smiled; this was a perk he’d not expected.

You’re a bad, bad man, Justin Taylor.

Oh yes, he was. But then he’d always known that. Miss Parker had probably suspected he was bad all along, and now she knew for certain.

“How will you find clothing in such a short time?” she asked.

“If you agree to my offer we will turn around and go shopping right now.”

She licked her lips, the unintentionally sensual gesture causing him to stiffen. “I assume you need an answer quickly?”

He smiled.

“Very well, I accept.” She said the words so swiftly they all ran together. “But I shall want half the money in advance.”