“This is so exciting,” Lord Ramsgate said, his mocking tone perfectly calibrated to make Hugh’s nerves stand on end. “Dear me, I feel like a schoolgirl.”

“Don’t touch her,” Hugh snarled. “By God, if you lay a hand on her . . .”

“Now, now,” his father said. “Lady Sarah is going to be the mother of my grandsons. I would never dream of causing her injury.”

“Don’t do this,” Hugh said, his voice choking before he could add, please. He did not want to beg. He had not thought he could stomach doing so, but in this, for Sarah, he would do it. She did not wish to marry him; this much was clear after all that had transpired with Daniel earlier that morning. If she entered the room, Lord Ramsgate would lock her in and seal her fate. Hugh would gain the hand of the woman he loved, but at what cost?

“Father,” Hugh said, and their eyes met in shock. Neither could recall the last time Hugh had addressed him as anything other than “sir.” “I implore you, do not do this.”

But Lord Ramsgate just rubbed his hands together with glee and walked to the door. “Who’s there?” he called.

Sarah’s voice came through the door.

Hugh closed his eyes in anguish. This was going to happen. He couldn’t stop it.

“Lady Sarah,” Lord Ramsgate said the moment he opened the door. “We’ve been expecting you.”

Hugh turned and forced himself to look at the doorway, but his father was still blocking his view.

“I’m here to see Lord Hugh,” Sarah said in as cold a voice as he’d ever heard. “Your son.”

“Don’t come in, Sarah!” Hugh yelled.

“Hugh?” Her voice rang with panic.

Hugh thrashed against his bindings. He knew he wouldn’t break free, but he couldn’t just lie there like a bloody lump.

“Oh my God, what have you done to him?” Sarah shrieked, and she pushed past Lord Ramsgate with enough force to knock him into the door frame. She was dripping wet, her hair plastered to her face, the hem of her gown muddied and torn.

“Just getting him ready for you, my dear girl,” Lord Ramsgate said with a laugh. And then, before Sarah could utter a word, he stepped out of the room and slammed the door behind him.

“Hugh, what happened?” Sarah asked, rushing to his side. “Oh my God, he tied you to the bed. Why would he do such a thing?”

“The door,” Hugh practically barked, jerking his head to the side. “Check the door.”

“The door? But—”

“Do it.”

Her eyes grew wide, but she did as he asked. “It’s locked,” she said, twisting back to face him.

Hugh swore viciously under his breath.