“That is the most underhand, dirty, caddish type of blackmail that any man could stoop to use!”

She stood at the table almost spitting the words at him and the Earl laughed.

“You look very lovely when you are angry,” he commented, “and I could not resist your eyes flashing, as I assure you they do, and hearing you denounce me!”

“You were not – really – threatening me?”

“No. I would not sink to that level.”

“Then why did you frighten me?” Thalia asked. “You know how vulnerable I am where Mama is concerned.”

“Just as I am vulnerable where you are concerned.”

“You can hardly expect me to believe that after the way you have behaved.”

“How have I behaved?” the Earl asked. “Except, when just a few minutes ago, I obeyed an irresistible impulse to make you angry.”

Thalia did not reply and he added,

“I merely offered you something that I thought you would find more enjoyable than struggling as you are now to keep yourself, your mother and doubtless your maid, Hannah alive. You have refused me! Very well, we must start again. I must find something that you will accept.”

He was aware that Thalia was looking at him uncertainly, not understanding his change of mood, and then he went on reflectively,

“Perhaps it would be special treatment for your mother and the very best doctors in London to diagnose her condition.”

“That is also unfair – and you know it!” Thalia cried.

“‘All is fair in love and war’,” the Earl quoted.

“Love!” Thalia exclaimed derisively. “That is the first time you have mentioned love! But you cannot use that word in connection with your – proposition.”

“So that is what you want.”

“Of course I want love,” Thalia retorted, “but that is something you could never give me, my Lord, and so there is no point in our talking about it.”

“I see I have been, as you so rightly point out, extremely stupid,” the Earl said.

There was a twist on his lips as he added,

“How could I have forgotten that a woman always wants to be wooed?”

“That is the last thing I want,” Thalia said sharply. “If you mean by wooing an attempt to persuade me by some – devious method to accept the – things I have just refused.”

“But, if they were yours, you would appreciate them all the same,” the Earl said shrewdly.

“I have always heard that one should beware of Greeks when they come bearing gifts and forewarned is forearmed, my Lord. Whatever you offer me now, I shall be well aware of the ulterior motive behind it.”

“Then I shall have to think out my campaign from another angle.”

Thalia gave a little laugh.

“So that is what I am – a campaign! The battle that must be won at all costs in case you lose face. Well, this time, my Lord, you have met an implacable enemy who will not be intimidated or taken by surprise.”