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Angelica could not control an involuntary shudder. ‘My lord, what if I refuse your offer?’

‘I will not hesitate to take what I know about both Asprey’s activities and yours to the Serjeant at Arms right here, right now. The evidence is to be found in your portmanteau, after all.’

Angelica’s heart was thumping and she tried to think how best to navigate this newly threatening sea where calling his bluff seemed as perilous an option for her as acceptance of her concubinage to him. ‘When would you need my answer?’ she asked, hoping for time to think.

‘Now,’ he drawled. ‘I won’t make that mistake again.’

Angelica clenched her hands so hard she felt her fingernails bite into her skin. ‘Well then, yes, my lord. You leave me no alternative. On the proviso that you never again hint at anything that might harm Mr Asprey’s reputation or career.’

‘Very noble, Miss Leigh. You have been too long exposed to the dramatic arts, I fear.’

He advanced on her and pulled her close, his arms holding her tight to his chest. ‘I think we can seal this bargain with a kiss?’ Without waiting for an answer he tilted her chin upwards and pressed his lips hard on hers.

She recoiled. The smell of him, the alien feel of his skin, the hardness of his arms around her back, the fingers pinching her chin so she could not pull away. Breathing hard, he looked coldly into her eyes. ‘Come now Miss Leigh, I’m sure you can do better than that. Surely you have done this before?’

Angelica had never been so physically intimate before with any man but was not about to give him the satisfaction of knowing this. Tentatively she slipped her arms round his neck and lifted her face to let him kiss her again, willing herself not to shrink away from his touch. She was an actress, she told herself, now she had to summon her skills to save the day. His mouth pressed down once more and prised open her lips with his as his hand slipped inside her pelisse to clamp her hips hard against his groin. He was breathing deeply and his eyes were half-closed. Angelica felt a combination of alarm and horror. Every cell of her body and every filament of spirit recoiled. She had to use the most iron-bound restraint not to cry out in protest. This was not the way she wished her first experience with a man to be, and this man was not one she could ever desire.

She realised, however, with great clarity that, although unwilling to sacrifice herself for her father’s safety, she was more than willing to sacrifice everything for the man she loved. She pulled herself free. ‘Lord Rackham, I have my maid and coachman waiting. I must be gone.’

‘On your honour.’ He smirked. ‘I take it our deal is made. You will move into the house I have prepared with every comfort next Monday, and I will never mention to anyone the illegality of Mr Asprey’s activities. He will continue freely to promulgate his perverse reforms with never a demur from me.’

Angelica nodded, then grabbed her portmanteau and walked quickly to the door. Lord Rackham opened it, his eyes so full of cupidity and triumph she gasped. He spoke in a firm matter-of-fact way. ‘I will see you next Monday at eleven at number twenty-four, Albemarle.’

Angelica grasped Mary’s hand and could not leave fast enough. They were back in the wide corridor by which they had come, but the Parliamentary Officer had led them here and they had not paid attention. How to find their way back to the lobby and escape?

Angelica led them in one direction past closed doors with no sign of the way out, feeling a rising panic in her chest as the sense of entrapment grew. ‘Mary, do you recall the way we came?’ she asked, her voice betraying her anxiety. Mary looked as perplexed as Angelica felt. Just as she was turning back to retrace her steps, Angelica saw a familiar figure striding towards her carrying a sheaf of papers. ‘Oh, Mr Digby, I’m so glad to see you,’ she cried and to his consternation almost fell into his arms.

‘Miss Leigh. What are you doing here? Mary too. You look quite distraught.’ He took Angelica’s elbow and led her into his office. ‘Sit down for a minute. Can I get either of you something to drink?’

He was standing before her, concern etched on his kindly face. ‘Oh, I’m in so much trouble!’ She didn’t mean to confide in him but had not the energy to stop the words tumbling out.

‘Would it help to tell me more?’ he asked quietly.

She shook her head. ‘There’s no answer I’m afraid.’

‘Well, if anyone knows what to do it will be Mr Asprey. He’s back from his committee meeting in a minute or so.’

Angelica jumped to her feet. ‘No, no! He must not know I’ve been here and in such a state.’

‘What must he not know?’ A deep amused voice cut through her panic. She turned to see Ivor Asprey walk into the room, carrying even more papers, which he put down on a desk. He stood there, tall and soberly dressed with a wry look of amusement on his face.

‘Oh Mr Asprey.’ Angelica took a step towards him, then stopped herself. She had made her bargain to save him and his career and he was the last person in whom she should confide. Recognising her distress, he took her arm and led her into his office, clearing some books from a chair so she could sit. Her head sank into her hands.

‘Two brandies, please Mr Digby,’ he called before closing the door. ‘Now tell me, Miss Leigh, what has distressed you so.’

‘I cannot. I really cannot.’ Angelica’s mind was racing. How could she possibly tell him what she had agreed to? He would forbid it and open himself to Lord Rackham’s revenge. She was also frightened at what his wilder nature might do.

He drew up a chair next to her and she shrank away, afraid of Lord Rackham’s contamination already on her skin. She could smell him still; perhaps Mr Asprey could too. His lean handsome face watched her with tenderness, his eyes bluer than she remembered. ‘I don’t want you to do anything you feel uncomfortable doing.’ His words were so quiet and understanding tears sprang to her eyes. Mr Digby had brought in the brandy and she gulped a mouthful. The burning liquor hit her throat and made her cough. Ivor handed her his linen handkerchief.

‘Does your distress involve me?’ His words were neutral but they released a wave of emotion in her. She did not want to cry and could only nod.

‘Why not share it? It may not be as bad as you think.’

‘It is worse than you could imagine,’ Angelica said in a small voice. She put out her hand for his. ‘I so wanted my first kiss to be yours.’ He gave her a startled look as she continued, ‘But Lord Rackham kissed me and I feel defiled.’

Ivor Asprey leapt to his feet with a curse. ‘The devil take that man as his own! And I will hasten him on his way.’ He made as if he was about to leave and seek out the black lord.

‘Oh no! My Asprey, please don’t go. I need you here. Please!’ He turned and with a puzzled face returned to stand beside her, his face troubled and a sense of outrage emanating from his person. She took a deep breath and said, ‘Before I can say anything more I really wish you would kiss me to wipe my memory of Lord Rackham and allow me to start again.’