He leaned forward, his face close. “Remember, you cannot escape. By morning, you will no longer be a virtuous maiden. Your cavalier, Lord Thatcham,” he spat the name with venom, “will want no more of you. You will be damaged goods, just like dear Beatrice. Oh—” he smiled, his eyes flashing green—“how I enjoyed the game with his wife. Did you know, my dear, that Beatrice was visiting me on the day of that unfortunate accident? I did not let her in to the little secret of my friend Joseph’s presence here, of course. The foolish woman thought she would be here alone with me.”

Muldrow sipped from his wine glass. “Revenge is very sweet, is it not?”

“Revenge?” she whispered.

“Oh, yes. It took many years to find a way to punish Thatcham for disgracing me at University.” His lip twisted. “My father taught me well, but Thatcham caught me out. Well, I was young in those days. It takes years of practice to become invincible as a card-sharp, you know.” With a swift movement, Muldrow tossed the remainder of his wine down his throat. “In any case, I digress. We were discussing plans for the evening. You, my good friend Joseph and me, all together. How very charming it will be.”

Philomena could not keep the horror from her face.

Muldrow laughed at her distress. “Any child, of course, will carry the Muldrow name, although Joseph, who has a finer liking for ladies than I, may in fact have to—er, complete the task on my behalf, tonight. My pleasure will be in observation. That will be our little secret, of course. As you know, my dear Philomena, we were married in church, quite legally.

“If you are not immediately found to be with child, our friend will remain here with us at the Manor and there will be many more enjoyable episodes until you present me with an heir.”

The full horror of her situation burst upon Philomena, and she trembled. She clutched shaking hands together, digging sharp fingernails into her own flesh. She fought sudden dizziness. I must stay calm. That is my only hope. Oh, Hugh, if only you were here.

As the thought of Hugh, Philomena felt some strength return. Hugh would never panic, no matter how dire the circumstances. She must be strong, escape from this vile beast and find her love once more. She would keep him talking. “Why did you choose me?” She struggled to sound confident, but her lips trembled so that the words were hardly audible.

“Why did I marry you?” He laughed, his voice as soft and smooth as satin. “Oh, how delightful. You really do not know? Well, this is better than anything I had hoped for.”

Muldrow winked at Joseph, who guffawed. “Tell ’er, then guv. It’s such a neat little tale.”