“I didn’t say he was a student. The colonel required a bout partner experienced in foil to maintain his skills. He will be here any moment. I was just on my way upstairs to get dressed to meet him, so if you will excuse me…”

His overcoat shed, the lieutenant stepped in front of her, eyes glittering, full of hate. “I don’t think so, mademoiselle. Not this time. I happen to know that a member of the colonel’s staff also serves as his fencing partner. They’ve been a team for years and bout in the basement of his hotel.”

Victoria managed to keep from showing her surprise. She should have suspected it. The colonel had used the ploy of requiring a bout partner to meet her.

“You caused me much humiliation, Mademoiselle Colbert, and you will pay for it,” the lieutenant continued. Swiftly, he stepped behind him and reached for one of the dueling swords, protective sheaths and rubber tips removed. He brought the naked point of a rapier to Victoria’s throat. “Remove your clothes—now!”

“What?”

“I will not repeat myself again, Mademoiselle Colbert. Remove your clothes!”

“I most certainly will not.”

He pressed the point of the blade harder, and Victoria could feel a hot sting and a trickle of warm blood. “I believe you will.”

Victoria backed up. He had her trapped in the narrow space between washing machines, laundry tables, and equipment, the stairs behind him. She allowed him the satisfaction of seeing her shoot an anxious glance over her shoulder at the wall of the furnace. He grinned. “Yes, I see you’ve determined your three choices: my blade at your throat, hot metal at your back, or a delightful afternoon pleasing me on the janitor’s couch. I’m sure you won’t disappoint.” He began to unbutton his jacket.

Victoria tried to draw her neck out of reach of the rapier and could feel the fiery heat from the furnace. “Ah, so this is the only way of getting a woman into your bed—by the use of force!”

Anger, compounded by the embarrassing truth, reddened his face. “Undress, I say!”

“How do you expect me to undress with a rapier at my throat?”