His Mistress By Christmas Read Free

attend.” Portia craned her neck to see around the crowd. “I understand he’s purchased a house in the country.”
    “Oh?” A casual note sounded in Veronica’s voice. “Do you think he intends to stay in one place for a while, then?”
    “I have no idea what he intends, but I will certainly ask him if we ever get close enough. Why are you asking questions about Sebastian?” Her eyes narrowed. “And you never answered me. What did you mean by he’s the one you want? The one you want for what?”
    “I haven’t decided yet.”
    A break appeared in the crowd in front of them, and Veronica urged Portia forward.
    Portia stood her ground. “Veronica Smithson, I don’t believe you have ever lied to me before.”
    “Nonsense, Portia.” Veronica shrugged. “I have lied to you on any number of occasions.”
    “And I have never known you to be undecided about anything.”
    “Ah, well, there’s always a first time.”
    “What are you planning?”
    Veronica peered around her. “There’s a path opening behind you.”
    “I don’t care!” Portia’s eyes widened. “If you are interested in pursuing Sebastian, I should warn you, he is not interested in marriage.”
    “Nor am I, as I believe we have already established.” Veronica took her arm, turned her, and started steering her toward Sebastian.
    “Then what do you want?” Portia pulled up short and refused to budge.
    “You won’t like it.”
    “No doubt.”
    “It really isn’t any of your concern.”
    “He is my cousin and you are my friend, so it most certainly is my concern.”
    “You may rest easy, then. I have no desire to become your cousin’s wife.” Veronica focused her gaze on Sebastian and smiled. “I intend to be his mistress.”

Chapter 2
    Portia stared in disbelief. “You what?”
    “You heard me.”
    “I hoped I was mistaken. Or I’d gone deaf. That is the sort of thing that would strike any decent person deaf. There are warnings about things like that, you know.” Portia’s brows drew together. “You can’t possibly be serious.”
    “I’ve never been more serious,” Veronica said, her gaze lingering on Sir Sebastian. He was a fine figure of a man.
    “Well, I won’t have it! And I cannot believe you would suggest such a thing. I know you pay no heed to matters of this nature, but this is . . . ,” Portia sputtered. “It’s immoral. That’s what it is. Beyond that.” Portia squared her shoulders and met Veronica’s gaze directly. “It’s scandalous! And I will not permit it!” Several heads turned in their direction.
    “Darling, you have nothing to say about it. However . . .” Veronica leaned closer. “It would be considerably less scandalous if you refrained from announcing it to the entire world.”
    “I don’t care!” Regardless, Portia cared more than anyone Veronica knew about scandal, and she lowered her voice. “I know you always do precisely as you please, but this is entirely too much, even for you. It’s wrong, Veronica. And it’s . . .” Portia searched for the right word. “It’s selfish. That’s what it is. Selfish.”
    Veronica raised an amused brow. “How on earth is it selfish?”
    “You’re thinking only of yourself. Think of the scandal. How it will affect your friends and your family. Your father and your grandmother and your aunt.” Portia cast a reproving look at Lotte, still making her way toward Sebastian. “Perhaps not your aunt but . . . Harrison.” Portia sucked in a sharp breath at the thought of the overly proper brother of Veronica’s late husband. “Harrison would be appalled.”
    “Harrison is far less concerned about scandal than he once was. Besides, he’s now married to Julia and scandal is what brought them together. I daresay my dear brother-in-law now understands the benefits of a certain amount of scandal.”
    “Well, I don’t!” Portia snapped.
    “I shall make you a promise, Portia dear. I shall be wonderfully discreet in all matters pertaining to