He'd been holding out hope that maybe 'getting into a broom closet' was a euphemism he hadn't been exposed to before, and the article was trying to say she'd been embarrassed, or something. Verity's further remarks chased any remaining hope from his mind; it was an allusion to exactly what he'd expected. How on earth had anyone gotten that impression? His Christmas conversation with Miss Belby was about as far removed from passionate lovemaking as any conversation could be.

"There were no stolen moments," he insisted, still flustered. "And certainly no — heat of the moment or fits of passion or anything else. What does that article say?" he asked, reaching for the magazine in her hands. "Give it here."