In her hurry to help the child, she hadn’t considered the consequences of rushing headlong into an unknown situation.
“It’s a wonder you were never kidnapped or sold to a brothel,” Lord Varley continued.
“Stop such foul musings,” Purity ordered, “and step out of my way.”
“I suggest you make yourself comfortable. By the time I release you from this room, you will be LadyPurityno longer.”
For a second, the blood seemed to rush from her head, but she took a deep breath and reminded herself of her parents’teachings, which calmed her. She had no intention of letting this man touch her.
To that end, she quickly removed her gloves, rolled them tightly, and tucked them into her reticule so she wouldn’t lose them when she ran. After all, they were her favorite — pale pink and extremely soft leather.
“Oh, dear lady!” he said. “You’ve blanched. Do not fear for a moment. I shall not lay a hand upon you. I am no scoundrel. Time alone with me in this room will do damage enough, especially when my wife comes by later, accompanied by an impartial friend to bear witness. Along with the manager attesting to the time of your arrival — that’s all I need to destroy your reputation beyond any hope.”
Purity considered to what end such nefarious actions might produce when he added, “This is not about you. You are merely an unfortunate bystander. It will injure Foxford greatly. When my wife tells the newspapers that Foxy’s own baroness, a newly wedded one at that, has met me here for a tryst, he will be rabidly enraged by your betrayal. That will knock him down a few pegs. Frankly, it is long past time.”
Purity didn’t worry about the latter, not for a second. Matthew would never believe she could play him false. However, having her name sullied —again!— was not to be tolerated. She needed to escape before his wife arrived.
Suddenly, he yanked his cravat until it came free and tossed it onto the bed.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
If he was going to undress, then she was reconsidering her first plan and would use her nails upon him to escape.
“This must look as real as possible. Thank you for removing your gloves. May I press you to take off your shoes as well and perhaps your hat?”
“Are you mad? I can think of no other explanation for these bizarre antics.”
His expression darkened. “Do you know something, my lady? I might be a lunatic, driven there by Foxford.”
Purity could no longer stand for his position as a victim. “You must take responsibility for your own actions. Were you not dallying with then Lady Tupmoure?”
He sighed. “I was, but that infernal Fox blunders through everything without ever paying the piper while the rest of us are left floundering in his wake. I, for one, intend to pay him back, shilling for shilling.”
“By ruining me?”
That seemed to give him pause. But finally, he nodded.
“You seem to be the only person he cares about more than himself. If Foxford is capable of love, I would say he loves you, although I don’t believe it will last. He’ll have moved on with another female by the Twelfthtide.”
Purity hoped not, although that was her constant fear.
“More reason for you to release me,” she insisted. “While you are up to the boughs in jealousy and anger at this moment, I believe your conscience will regret taking out your vengeance upon me.”
Before she could press her case, there was a pounding upon the door.
Purity’s heart skipped a beat. It was too late. Lady Varley and her friend would come in, and she would be ruined far beyond a rumor of a kiss at the Syon Park fountain.
“She is early!” Lord Varley said, sounding annoyed.
To that point, he immediately ran his hands through his hair, mussing it beyond repair without the help of a valet or his comb.
“Must look real for her friend, Lady—”
The door burst open, sending Matthew rushing in shoulder first.
“Are you hurt?” Matthewasked Purity, although he could see she appeared unharmed. Accordingly, his heart returned to his chest from where it had lodged in his throat the moment their butler had showed him the nefarious missive.
“I am not,” she said, but she looked pleased to see him, nonetheless. “We thought you were Lady Varley,” she added.
