“So you’re friendly.”

“No.” The word cracked through the air.

Robert’s brows rose and she knew she’d betrayed her feelings too much.

She scowled. “He’s a cheat and no friend of mine. He never has been.”

“I can see that.” Robert’s soft voice held a wealth of meaning. “Then why do you assist him? It can’t be the money, for you’re quite capable of making money whenever you wish. You’re very resourceful.”

She sighed. Perhaps part of the truth would assuage his curiosity. “Aniston is blackmailing me. He specializes in that low art.”

“True. He was using it against my sister-in-law, from whom you stole the first onyx box.”

“Miss Beauchamp is married to William?”

“Yes, though she keeps her maiden name for her career upon the stage.”

“Her marriage must be a blow to Lord Covington. Wasn’t she his mistress?”

“In name only. Covington is more likely to get engaged to George Aniston, if his preferences are any indication.”

Moira started. “Covington and Aniston are lovers?”

“For almost two years. Covington dropped Aniston after his blackmail schemes were revealed. It was then revealed that not only was Aniston blackmailing Miss Beauchamp, but he was also pledging Covington’s funds around town and had run up a huge number of bills. Once Covington dropped Aniston, he was forced to leave London or be thrown into debtor’s prison.

“Which brings us back to: Why is Aniston blackmailing you? Forgive me if I indulge in some speculation, but you seem to be unable to share the truth.” Robert templed his hands, resting his fingers against his chin, his dark blue eyes agleam. “You say Aniston is holding something over your head in order to secure your very considerable services.”

“Yes.” More or less.

“Hmm. Forgive me for stating the obvious, but it’s not as if you have a reputation to uphold or a family to protect. And I cannot imagine you abide him for the money. As you said, you had retired, so I’m assuming you had sufficient funds stashed away to do so.”

She didn’t answer, and he smiled. “I know for a fact that you did retire, because there has been no mention of you for over five years in any investigation run by the Home Office.”

“I could have been overseas,” she said waspishly, hating that he had deduced so much from so little.

“I had people watching even there. You disappeared and then about six months ago, there you were, back in business and in a big way. There has to be a reason.”

“Perhaps I was bored.”

He shook his head. “No, Aniston has something he is holding over you, forcing you to fetch and scheme for him. Something significant.”

She puffed a frustrated sigh. “I’m done with this conversation. If you’ll excuse me, I must get out of this cold water.” She grasped the sides of the tub and stood, water running down her skin, her nipples peaking in the cold air.

Robert had thought he was completely under control, but the sight of her naked body glistening, as if she were Venus arising from the ocean, made his heart stop. Every drop caught his attention as they slowly ran down the top of her full breasts, slid down the flat plane of her stomach, then caressed the smooth curve of her hips and thighs.