Together moving against each other, desire fueling their emotions, they were carried into another place of lust and sensuality with a hunger to possess and be possessed. Blackie had never known this kind of rapture, this kind of pleasure. But then neither had Angela, married though she had been. In a short time they had become besotted, had lost their hearts to each other, and their lovemaking soared.

They lay together, entwined in each other’s arms. Silent. Tranquil. Happy to be together. When Angela began to speak, Blackie changed position and pushed himself up, looked down at her, marveling yet again at her exquisite face, the bluer-than-blue eyes, the tumbling curls that fell to her shoulders. He took a silky strand in his hand.

“When can I see you again?”

She sighed a little. “I’m glad you like Harrogate, because I have to spend a little time there in the coming weeks—”

“Why is that?” he interrupted swiftly, taken by surprise.

“Because a lady I used to make clothes for needs me to do quite a few alterations to important pieces in her wardrobe. I feel obliged to agree to do this. Lady Lassiter has always been so kind to me.”

“Lady Lassiter!” Blackie exclaimed, sitting bolt upright. “Is she married to Lord Robert?”

Angela stared at him, frowning, and nodded, wondering how Blackie knew them, or of them, at least.

Before she could ask this question, Blackie said, “They live at Bolton Manor, between Harrogate and Ripon. Near Studley Royal, sure and they do.” He grinned at her obvious surprise, and added, “They also live in my little hamlet near Kerry, in the big house on the hill.”

“What a coincidence!”

“To be sure and it is, and I swear on the heads of the Blessed Saints that I’m as taken aback as ye are.”

“So you actually know them?”

“I do indeed; I used to garden for His Lordship sometimes, and me cousin Siobhan is a maid there and Michael, her brother, is a gardener at Lassiter Hall.”

“Of course I know they live in Ireland for half the year, but I never knew where.”

Blackie smiled at her, bent down and kissed her cheek. He said, “And so now ye do.”

“Can you come and visit me in Harrogate on Saturday?”

“I can’t. I have ter help my friend Finn. I promised. And my uncle is involved.”

“Is Finn in trouble or something?

“No. But he promised his friend Tommy O’Hara to help a girl who came ter Leeds, and got … sort of stuck with her cousin in the Bank.”

Angela sat up and gaped at him. “Oh, Blackie, Blackie, that’s an awful place! The Ham Shank. Very dangerous.” She grabbed his arm. “Be careful. You must have your wits about you there.”

“I know that! Me uncle Pat is coming along. His friend Jack Blane will be with us; sure and we’ll be like a little gang.”