A Mistress for M'Lord

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

“You’ve gone mad, man.” Brigham set his glass down on a small end table before he lost his grip and dropped it. “She’s a maid.”

“A lovely one at that.” Wolf grinned at him like a loon and simply shrugged. “It seems like the perfect solution for you both.” He took Lilly by the hand and tugged her toward the overstuffed couch. Once there he placed his hands on her shoulders and forced her to sit. “A solid business arrangement between two individuals, both of whom require something from the other. Nothing more.” He waggled his brows at Brigham. “Unless, of course-”

“Enough.” Brigham closed the distance between them in two strides. His heart pounded and his blood boiled. How dare Wolf so brazenly proposition one of his maids on his behalf. Not that Brigham would have done it to begin with, but just the thought of his long time friend even taking part in the selection of his new mistress was cause enough to cast the preposterous suggestion aside. Not to mention the chit worked for him and her family lived on his property. The scandal of that alone would send his mother into a fit of vapors. A gentleman having a mistress was one thing, but to take a mistress who was nothing more than a peasant was quite another. He motioned to Lilly, “You may leave.”

She paused as if unsure of what to do, then she glanced between the men before rising and making her way quickly out of the study.

Anger flared within Brigham. “What the devil are you about?”

Wolf shrugged and dropped onto the padded seat the maid had just vacated. “Sounded good to me. Think of it. She is not accustomed to the ways of a courtesan and therefore would be less likely to try to lighten your pockets for a new wardrobe every month. She has ties and obviously cares for her family and therefore would be less inclined to do anything that could have repercussions on them.”

Brigham scoffed. “You mean aside from becoming a barons mistress?”

Straightening, Wolf looked solemnly at Brigham. “The girl could do far worse than become your mistress.”

It was true. Many times among the villagers, when the husband and father died leaving the family to fend for themselves, mothers and daughters did anything they could to put food on the table. Even if it meant taking work that would make them the scourge of the community. Yes, she could do far worse.

At least as his mistress she would have his protection. She would certainly have access to more money than what she was currently able to give to her family for support. And when they decided to part ways he could set up a trust of sorts with a small monthly payment to help ensure they were all fed and clothed at the very least.

He could take her to London and let her experience the life he and so many others took for granted. Give her memories she could carry with her years after they parted ways. And it would allow him to return to London this season without the fear of match-makers and marriage seekers cornering him at every ball and event. Perhaps it was a solution.

For them both.

“I will consider it.”

Wolf bounded to his feet. “A drink to celebrate!” He scrambled for the brandy and poured them each a glass.

“Not to celebration but to the possibility.” No point in getting ahead of themselves. He still needed to talk to the girl and discover if it was a situation she was even willing to entertain.

***

Lilly couldn’t remember ever weeping so much. Not even when her father had died had she shed so many tears. His death and the subsequent shift in their family dynamic had at least been expected. But this? It was the fear of not knowing what to expect that filled her heart with dread. She was the sole support for her aunt and brothers. If his lordship found it necessary to send her away they would have nothing. No home. No money. And the possibility of employment at another estate in the area was slim. Most of the manors hired within their tenant population and even then, jobs were hard to come by. Especially ones for a single woman with three others to support.