‘We won’t,’ she whispered back, and slid her hand against his crotch. ‘Ah, you see, I knew you felt about me like I felt about you, the very moment I set eyes on you. We are meant for each other.’

‘True,’ he said, struggling out of his jacket, and then tugging at her sleeve.

‘Hurry! We must hurry,’ she murmured, and turned her back to him. ‘Just open four of the buttons, and I can slip out of it.’

With trembling hands, he did as she asked, then swung around and rapidly undressed, as anxious as her for them to be together. And all the time he watched her, as she stepped out of the long silk dress, threw it on a chair, and then shed her petticoat, her corset and stockings. When she turned to face him, she was naked, as she pulled out pins to release light-brown curls.

They virtually rushed at each other and began their passionate kissing once more, then staggered over to the bed, arms still entwined.

Once they lay next to each other, Blackie pushed himself up on one elbow and gazed down at her.

Her exquisite beauty entranced him … the finely crafted, high cheekbones; the arched, darker eyebrows; the perfect nose and a full, rather voluptuous mouth. But it was those extraordinary, very blue eyes that dazzled him, held him transfixed. He would never tire of looking at her.

It was Angela who pulled his head down to her face, and they began to kiss and touch each other. Their lovemaking was now in earnest, intense and deeply felt.

Together moving against each other, desire fuelling 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 one another, 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, marvelling 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.