“He claimed he’d had too much to drink at the ball. An excess of champagne, he said, combined with the feelings—the overpowering feelings—he’s cherished for me since childhood.” She made a sound of disgust. “It was a rubbish excuse as excuses go. And so I told him.”

She had done, and Fred had promised that he’d never take such liberties again. He’d even had the good sense to look ashamed of himself.

But Maggie was no fool.

The line Fred had crossed couldn’t be uncrossed. Emboldened by his power over her, it was only a matter of time before he crossed another and another. His bullying nature practically guaranteed it.

“That’s all very well,” St. Clare said tightly, “but what if he should—”

“He won’t have the chance. Jane’s already agreed to convey me back to Beasley in her carriage. Her aunt is coming, too, and they’ve both promised to stay a week, at least. It’s all been arranged.”

“Rather hastily arranged, it seems.”

“Fred didn’t give me much choice in the timing.”

“You aren’t obliged to dance to his tune. He’s the guardian of your fortune, not your person. He can’t prevent you from staying in London if you wish to.” St. Clare took her hand, cradling it gently in his. “Isn’t it better to remain here? Close at hand, where I can see you? Touch you?”

Her pulse briefly lost its rhythm. “I want to be with you,” she said softly. “More than anything.”

“Then stay. Please.” His voice was a husky caress. “Don’t make me call in my last forfeit.”

It would have been easy to say yes. To give in to the longing she felt for him. But she refused to lose sight of reality. “I can’t,” she said. “Not even for a forfeit. I won’t risk your cousin and his mother poking about the estate. It wouldn’t take much digging for them to learn about you and Jenny.”

His head bent closer to hers. “And what if I told you that the title didn’t matter? That none of this mattered except you?”

Her breath stopped for a moment. She stared up at him. “You don’t mean that.”

“Have you already forgotten what I told you at Grillon’s?”

“I haven’t forgotten.” He’d said he was never letting her go again. And she’d believed him. She still believed him. “But this separation isn’t permanent. It will only be for a little while. Just so that we can get a handle on the gossip. With Fred and I out of London—”

“Maggie—”

“I need to go back,” she said. “I need fresh air and wide-open spaces. It’s the only way I’ll ever get well.”

He stilled. “Did the doctor tell you this?”