“It is not that bad, considering it has most likely not seen any use in many years,” Celia replied.

“It’s bad enough that I immediately noticed its condition earlier tonight. Go on up onto the terrace. I shall only be a minute or two.”

Celia nodded and ascended the terrace steps, intending on waiting for Gabriel there so they could enter the manor together. Gazing up at the night sky, she pondered the appearance of so many stars when the peaceful quiet was disrupted by a man’s rough whisper.

“Have you something for me, milady?”

Celia stiffened in fear before half-turning toward Bryan. “Have you lost complete leave of your senses?” she hissed. “The marquess is only steps from us.”

“He pays no attention to you and me. Although he should. You are a pretty sight, I’ll say that much for ya.” Bryan sidled closer. “Do you have what I want?”

“You only blackmailed me this morning. I’ve not had time to ask my husband for money,” Celia snapped back in a low whisper. “And this popping up in an attempt to intimidate as you did earlier this evening will not get your funds any quicker. You will make my husband suspicious if you do not keep your distance.”

“The way milord was eating you up with his eyes, I’d say he doesn’t notice anything else when you are around. And I think you won’t have a problem gettin’ whatever you want from him.” Bryan laughed and Celia closed her eyes at his crudeness. “Maybe after he tups ya tonight, you ask for it, right? I’ve a powerful thirst and no coin to quench it. Makes me tongue loose, if you get my meanin’.”

“You said I had two days.” Celia tried hiding the panic in her voice but failed. Her heart was beating so fast; she feared any second now Gabriel would turn and discover her speaking to this man. He would discover her secret. And he would hate and despise her for stooping so low as to be with someone so despicable and for the threat to his burgeoning social standing.

Even this limited contact with Bryan made Celia feel dirty. As though she should scrub her skin raw in an effort to erase any sign there’d ever been anything between them.

Bryan leaned forward, his sour breath wafting through the air. She nearly gagged, both from the toxicity of his breath and her terror at being caught with him.

“Aye, you are right. I did say two days. Shite, what was I thinking? To compensate for me time, bring some pretties in addition to the coin. I got a half pound for those earbobs. If you show up with nothing, I’ll be taking something more personal from ya.”

His lecherous laugh sent a wave of horror tumbling over Celia. That was the stuff of her nightmares. The thought of reliving everything this man had done to her left her frozen with fear until footsteps sounded on the terrace behind her.