Because Aline thought that she knew how to cajole him when he was being difficult, she put her hand, palm downwards, on his shoulder and turned her face up to his in a manner that in the past he had always found irresistible.

The fire in her eyes, her red lips parted slightly and waiting for his, had never failed to make him forget everything but her closeness, which could arouse him in a way that no other woman had ever managed to do.

But now, as the Duke looked down at her, he felt nothing but an urgency to get her out of the house before Honora was aware of her arrival.

He remembered, almost as though it was being whispered in his ear, that she had confronted Honora with the choice of marrying him or of going into a Convent.

He could hardly believe it possible that any woman could have behaved in such a brutal manner, least of all one who had meant something in his life.

Almost as if it was one of the questions that Honora had asked him in the last few days, he heard a voice say,

“Is she a good or a bad woman?”

There was no need for him to think about it.

Aline was bad and he knew now that he should have been aware of it with the instinct which came first from his mind and then from his soul.

He stepped back, saying in the icy cold voice he could use very effectively when he wished,

“I am not going to offer you any refreshment, Aline, as I think you should be on your way.”

She stared at him in complete astonishment and for a second or so her hands were still outstretched as they had been before he moved away.

Then she asked incredulously,

“Are you telling me, Ulric, that your feelings towards me have changed?”

“My dear Aline, must we have a post mortem on the past?” the Duke enquired. “As you know only too well, I am now a married man, and it would be a great mistake for anything to spoil what I hope will always be a pleasant and friendly relationship between my wife’s relatives and myself.”

Aline gave a little scream before she said,

“How can you talk to me like that? Are you bewitched? What can have happened to change in just a few days what we felt for each other and the happiness we found together?”

“I think I have thanked you before for ‘the happiness’ as you call it,” the Duke said slowly, “and now, Aline, let me show you to your carriage. You have quite a distance to go before you reach the Stillingtons.”

He passed her before she could prevent him and walked towards the door.

She stood almost as if turned to stone before she put out one hand and cried pleadingly,

“Ulric! Ulric!”

Her voice seemed to vibrate round the room and, as if the Duke was concerned, although it was impossible, that they might be overheard, he paused.