Just perhaps unwary dreams at night.

He thought again of Fleur, of his first sight of her standing quietly in the shadows outside the Drury Lane Theater, and of his unexpected need for her. The need to spend a night sheltered in the arms and body of a woman who would accept him without question. The need to sleep with his head pillowed on a womanas breast. The need for some peace. The need to soothe his loneliness.

And he thought again of the blood and of her hand, which had been shaking so badly after he had violated her that he had had to hold it while putting the wet cloth in it. And of her hunger and the self-discipline that had held her back from wolfing down the food set before her. And of her humiliation when he had set the coins in her hand, payment for services rendered.

He paused outside the doors into the drawing room while a footman opened them, and entered with his wife on his arm. He smiled and was aware of her bright glances for those of their guests already assembled there.

FLEUR PRACTICED IN THE MUSIC room in perfect privacy the following morning. The door between it and the library remained closed.

And she found herself more self-conscious than on any other morning. Was he there? Was he lurking behind the closed door, listening? Was he about to fling it open at any moment to criticize some error in her playing or to tell her that she was no longer welcome to use that room? Or was he not there at all? Was she indeed as alone as she seemed?

She could not concentrate on the pieces she was learning. She could not lose herself in the music she already knew and could play with her eyes closed. Her fingers were stiff and uncooperative.

She smiled at herself without amusement as she left the room five minutes before her hour was at an end. Could she relax more, knowing that he was close, than she could when he was absenta"this dark, hawkish man who terrified her more than anyone she had ever known, even including Matthew, and whose physical closeness always made her want to turn and run in panic?

All morning as she taught Lady Pamela a variety of lessons, she listened for the sound of a firm tread outside the door and of the doorknob turning.

But they were left in peace. And peaceful the morning seemed, Lady Pamela unusually quiet and docile, until she suddenly snatched up the scissors without warning while they both embroidered and cut first the silk thread with which she had been sewing and then the handkerchief itself with deliberate and vicious slices.

Fleur looked up in amazement, her own needle suspended in the air. She was in the middle of telling a story.

aShe said I could go down,a Lady Pamela said. aShe said! And he said some other time. He said he would remind her. He said it ages ago. Iall never be let to go down. And I donat care. I donat want to go down.a Fleur set her work quietly to one side and got to her feet.

aAnd now you will tell them that I have been bad,a the child said, making one more cut with the scissors, aand they will come to the nursery and scold me. Mama will cry because I have been bad. But I donat care. I donat care!a Fleur took the scissors and the ruined handkerchief from the little hands and stooped down in front of the child.

aAnd itas all your fault,a Lady Pamela said. aMama said I was to go down, and you would not let me. I hate you, and I am going to tell Mama to send you away. I am going to tell Papa.a Fleur gathered the child into her arms and held her tightly. But Lady Pamela flailed at her with one free arm and kicked at her with both feet. She broke into loud shrieks as Fleur scooped her up into her arms and sat in the window seat with her, cradling her, rocking her, crooning to her.

The door opened and Mrs. Clement came bustling in.

aWhat have you been doing to the poor child?a she said to Fleur, her eyes glinting. aWhat is it, poor lovey?a She reached out her arms to take Lady Pamela. But the child shrieked louder and clung to Fleur, her face hidden against her bosom. Mrs. Clement disappeared again.

Lady Pamela was crying quietly when the door opened again several minutes later. The Duke of Ridgeway closed it quietly behind him and stood looking for a few moments. Fleur had one cheek resting against the top of the childas head. She did not look up.

aWhat is happening?a he asked, advancing across the room. aPamela?a But she continued to cry quietly in Fleuras arms.

aMiss Hamilton?a She raised her head to look at him. aBroken promises,a she said quietly.

He stood there for a while longer and then slumped down onto the window seat beside them, half-turned to them, one of his knees brushing against Fleuras. He reached out to run one finger along his daughteras bare arm as it circled Fleuras neck.

And Fleur looked at him to find him staring back bleakly, his scar starkly noticeable in the light from the window on his weary face. It was once a remarkably handsome face, she thought, remembering his portrait, despite the blackness of hair and eyes and the prominence of his nosea"perhaps because of those features. But it still was handsome, the scar somehow enhancing rather than detracting from the strength of his features.

If she had not met him under such terrifying circumstances, if she could but rid her nightmares of the image of that face bent over her while he did painful, humiliating things to her body, perhaps she would always have seen him as handsome.

He shifted his gaze to his daughter. aWhat can I do, Pamela?a he asked her. aWhat can I do to set things right?a It felt as if he were talking to her, Fleur thought with an inward shudder.

aNothing,a the child said, pausing for a moment in her crying. aGo away!a aMama promised that you could meet the ladies someday, didnat she?a he said. aAnd I promised to talk to her and remind her. But I have not done it yet. Iam sorry, Pamela. Will you forgive me?a aNo!a she said against Fleuras bosom.

He sighed and laid his hand over the back of her head. aWill you give me a chance to put it right?a he asked. aThere is to be a picnic at the ruins this afternoon. Shall I arrange for you to come too?a aNo,a she said. aI want to stay with Miss Hamilton and learn French. She is to teach me this afternoon.a aPlease, Pamela?a he said. aIf we persuade Miss Hamilton to postpone the lesson until tomorrow?a Fleur kissed the childas hot temple. aWe will learn French tomorrow, shall we?a she said. aIt is such a lovely day for a picnic. I expect the ladies will all be dressed in their muslins and have pretty bonnets and parasols.a aAnd there are to be lobster patties, so I have heard,a the duke said. aWill you come, Pamela?a aIf Miss Hamilton comes too,a Lady Pamela said unexpectedly.

Fleuras eyes locked with the dukeas.

aBut Mama and Papa will want you all to themselves,a she said.

aMiss Hamilton will be glad of a free afternoon,a he said at the same moment. aShe does not have many.a aThen I wonat go,a the child said petulantly.

He raised his eyebrows and Fleur closed her eyes.

aDo you like lobster patties, Miss Hamilton?a he asked quietly.

aThey always were my favorite picnic fare,a she said.

Lady Pamela jumped down from her lap and pushed untidy strands of hair away from her flushed and puffed face.

aI am going to find Nanny,a she said. aI am going to tell her to put my pink dress on me and my straw bonnet.a aAsk her, Pamela,a his grace said. aIt is better than telling.a He got to his feet as his daughter whisked herself from the room, and looked down at Fleur. aIam sorry,a he said, athat you had to cope with that alone. Nanny sent Houghton running for me with the news that Pamela was screaming and you half-throttling her. I have been greatly at fault in hoping that she would forget her desire to meet the ladies.a Fleur said nothing but gathered up the ruined remains of the handkerchief.

aI will make the arrangements for this afternoon,a he said. aIf it is any consolation to you, Miss Hamilton, I would say that your pupil is becoming attached to you.a But she did not want to go on the picnic, she thought in some alarm as he left the schoolroom. She would do almost anything to get out of goinga"except break a promise to Lady Pamela. And so she was stuck with having to go.

She looked back with considerable nostalgia to the first two weeks of her life at Willoughby, when she had been happy despite the disapproval of the duchess and Mrs. Clement.

How she wished that the Duke of Ridgeway had not turned out to be who he was. But of course, she had realized before now, she would not have her post at all if he had not. She would be in London, living in her bare little room, a seasoned whore by now.

She supposed that, after all, she owed him some gratitude.

And if it were true that Lady Pamela was developing something of an attachment to hera"though she was not at all convinced that it was soa"then it was equally true that she was developing an attachment to the child. Petulant and stubborn as she could be, Lady Pamela had very real feelings and needs. And she needed Fleur, however little she might admit it. It was good to be needed.

It seemed that she had to prepare for a picnic that afternoon.

THERE IT IS,a THE DARK-HAIRED, HANDSOME GENTLEMAN said to his companion, leaning close to the carriage window as it crossed the bridge and left the lime grove behind and the house came into sight. aImpressive, wouldnat you say?a The fair-haired gentleman traveling with him followed his gaze. aVery,a he said. aI can see why it is so frequently admired. And it was all yours for a few months, Kent.a aAn amusing experience,a Lord Thomas Kent said, asuddenly to be everyoneas property just because I was the owner of it all. Almost as if the property owned me instead of the other way around. I thought never to see it again.a aYou can be sure,a Lord Brocklehurst said, athat when your brother told you never to return he spoke in the heat of the moment. He will receive you with open arms.a Lord Thomas looked amused. aI wonder,a he said. aBut I am not sorry you persuaded me into coming, Bradshaw. It will be priceless to see their facesa"Ridgewayas, all the servantsa. And it will be interesting to see my sister-in-law once more. They were not married when I left, you know.a aMagnificent!a Lord Brocklehurst said as the carriage drew to a halt and he gazed up at massive Corinthian columns and the great pediment, which hid the dome from that vantage point. aQuite magnificent. It was good of you to persuade me to accompany you here.a Lord Thomas laughed. aSince it was you who talked me into returning,a he said, ait seemed only right that you be witness to the touching reunion.a The look on the butleras face as he came out onto the horseshoe steps to greet the unexpected visitors must have been everything Lord Thomas could have wished for. His wooden butleras expression deserted him for the whole of three seconds as he watched his graceas younger brother descend from the carriage and look up at him with a grin.

aJarvis!a he said. aSo you did get the promotion after all. Are you going to stand there and gawk, or are you going to send someone down to carry our trunks into the house? Is my brother close at hand?a Jarvis had himself under control. He bowed stiffly from the waist. aHis grace is at the ruins with her grace and their guests, my lord,a he said. aI shall have the carriage and your bags seen to if you would care to come inside.a aI certainly have no intention of standing outside here until permitted to enter by his august grace,a Lord Thomas said with a laugh, turning back to Lord Brocklehurst and ushering him up the steps. aDrinks in the saloon, if you please, Jarvis. What the devil are they doing at the ruins?a aThey are picnicking, as I understand, my lord,a Jarvis said, directing the guests with a bow into the saloon.

aHow long have they been gone?a Lord Thomas asked, looking about him. aNothing has changed, I see.a aAbout one hour, my lord,a the butler said.

aAn hour?a Lord Thomas frowned. aIall have time to do the honors and show off all the state rooms to you, then, Bradshawa"after we have refreshed ourselves with a drink and a change of clothes, that is. Have my old room made up for me, Jarvis, and have the housekeeper prepare another room for Lord Brocklehurst. Is it still Mrs. Laycock?a Jarvis bowed.

aTake yourself off, then,a Lord Thomas said. aThe drinks first, though.

aSo,a he said, awe are to kick our heels here for a few hours and feel the suspense mount. I wonder if Ridgeway would be choking on his chicken bone and his wine if he knew I was standing in the middle of his saloon at this very moment.a He laughed.

aI am glad to be here, anyway,a Lord Brocklehurst said. aI have wanted to visit Willoughby Hall for some time now.a THE DUKE OF RIDGEWAY watched his daughter leave the group with her governess and make for the stables and her puppy. And he wished that he could go with them, take the dog out into the paddock, and romp with it and with them for half an hour.

But he had Lady Underwood on his arm, and the Grantshams were engaging them in conversation.

The picnic, he thought, had gone well enough. Sybil had been alarmed at his announcement that Pamela was to be taken, and had looked defiant when he had reminded her of a broken promise to allow the child to come down to see the ladies on the day of their arrival.

But she would not have to worry about having to look after her daughter, he had told her. Her governess would do thata"at Pamelaas own request.

Pamela had been in the highest of good spirits and had been made much of by all the ladies and by a few of the gentlemen too. She had grown flushed and loud by the time they had reached the ruins, but Fleur had taken her quietly by the hand, whispered something in her ear, and taken her to see the inside of the towera"Sir Ambrose Marvell had followed them there.

Fleur herself had succeeded in staying in the background the whole of the afternoon and had assisted in the serving of the picnic food at his wifeas request. She had made no objection at being treated like a menial servant. Indeed, he had thought, she was probably glad of something to do.

And so they were home, and if he were fortunate he would have a few quiet hours to himself before dinnera"unless Lady Underwood contrived to keep him in her company, that was. They made a rather noisy entry into the hall. Jarvis was waiting for him there and bowing before him.

aYou have visitors in the saloon, your grace,a he said.

The duke sighed inwardly. Who would be calling at this hour of the afternoon? He hoped it was no one who would linger. He turned to make his excuses to Lady Underwood and strode toward the saloon.

aVisitors?a he heard his wife say in her light, pleasant voice. She had been in the best of spirits all afternoon, Shaw dancing attendance on her every movement.

The duke stopped inside the doorway of the saloon and clasped his hands at his back. Strangely, he did not feel particularly surprised, he thought, taking in the bronzed good looks of his brother, his fashionable clothes, his smile. He had surely always known that Thomas would come back.

aYou look as if a feather could knock you backward, Adam,a Lord Thomas Kent said. aHave you no welcome for me?a aThomas.a The duke extended his hand and strode toward his half-brother. aWelcome home.a Lord Thomas was smiling, but his eyes moved beyond the dukeas shoulder as he took his hand.

aThomas.a The word was whispered, but it filled the saloon.

Lord Thomasa grasp loosened on his graceas hand and his gaze fixed on the figure in the doorway. aSybil,a he said, and his eyes and his smile softened. He moved toward her, both hands outstretched. aHow beautiful you look.a aThomas,a she whispered again, and her small white hands disappeared into his bronze grasp.

aSybil,a he said quietly. aI have come home.a Then he turned his head, smiling. aDo you know Bradshaw?a he asked his brother. aMatthew Bradshaw, Lord Brocklehurst, of Heron House in Wiltshire? He was the first friend to call on me after my return from India. And he helped persuade me that I should come all the way home. I have brought him with me for a few weeks.a His grace shook hands with Lord Brocklehurst. aYou are welcome,a he said. aI am pleased to make your acquaintance, Brocklehurst.a aIndia?a the duchess was saying, her large blue eyes fixed on her brother-in-law, her hands still clasped in his. aYou have been in India, Thomas?a aYes,a he said, awith the East India Company. I came back to see if jolly old England was still in the same place. So you are the Duchess of Ridgeway after all, Sybil?a He squeezed her hands before releasing them.

aIn India,a she said. aAll this time?a And she began to cough.

aIall escort you to your room, Sybil,a his grace said, taking in her pallor and the spots of color high on her cheeks. aThe afternoonas outing has been exhausting for you.a Surprisingly, she took his arm without argument and went with him after he had directed his half-brother to entertain their guest until dinner.

She said nothing as he led her along the hallways to her sitting room and rang the bell for her maid. She just held her shoulders back and stared blankly ahead of her, occasionally coughing.

aArmitage,a she said when her maid came into the room, aI will want you to undress me and brush out my hair. I wish to lie down.a She sounded like a tired and bewildered child.

The Duke of Ridgeway, closing her door quietly behind him as he left, could not remember a time when he had felt more furiously angry.

LORD THOMAS KENT WAS WHISTLING. It felt good to be back. Even though he had left vowing never to return just as vehemently as his brother had ordered him never to do so, it was, after all, Willoughby, his childhood home, his fatheras home. And all his own for many months when Adam had been reported dead in action.

Yes, it felt good. And it had been worth all to see Adamas face. Good breeding had provided him with an almost adequate mask, of course. Brocklehurst had probably not even realized that the greeting the duke had afforded his brother was less than cordial. But Adam had been white-hot with rage. Lord Thomas knew his brother well enough to have detected that without even looking for it.

It was not nearly time to go down to dinner. He still wore his silk evening shirt open at the neck. His man was brushing his velvet coat, and paused in his task to answer the tap on the door.

aYou may leave, Winthrop,a Lord Thomas said, smiling at his visitor. aI shall ring when I want you to return.a The man bowed and left the room.

aWell, Sybil,a Lord Thomas said softly, still smiling.

aThomas,a she said, fragile and lovely in pale blue silk, her hair loose down her back. aYou came home.a aAs you see,a he said.

aYou had the courage to come back,a she said, athough he drove you away.a He smiled at her.

aOh, Thomas,a she said, ayou have come back.a He turned his hands so that his palms faced toward her, and she uttered a little cry and hurtled across the distance between them and into his arms.

aDid you think I would go away from you forever?a he said against her hair.

aYes,a she said. aI thought you must stay away since he had ordered you to do so. I thought you would never be able to come back. Thomas,a she wailed, looking up at him with horrified and tear-filled eyes, aI married him.a aI know, love. Hush,a he said. aHush.a And he found her mouth with his own, ravishing it with his tongue while he wrapped his arms about her small and pliant body. aAh, you are so beautiful. More lovely than ever, Sybil. How could I have stayed away from you forever?a aI have not known how to live without you,a she said, her voice high-pitched with emotion. aThomas, I have been half-dead without you. You went to India? I had no idea. I did not know where you were or even if you were still alive. And I donat think he knew either, and if he had, he would not have told me. Why didnat you write? Oh, why didnat you give me some sign?a aIt would not have done,a he said. aYou know it, Sybil. It was kinder to let you think me gone forever. Dead even. Have you been half-dead without me?a He framed her face with his hands and gazed into her large blue eyes. aBut you married him after all, Sybil. I did not expect it of you. I thought you would have remained faithful to my memory. I thought you would have refused him, anyway, of all people.a aI had no choice,a she said, awith you gone. Oh, Thomas.a She hid her face against him, pressed herself even closer to him. aYou were gone. I had no choice. I thought I would die. I wished to die. But he came day after day to beg me. And I did not care anymore with you gone. I married him. I hated him, but I married him.a aHush,a he said. aHush. I am back now, love.a He kissed her again lightly, then more deeply. aBack where I belong, and everything will work out, you will see. Is it time for dinner yet?a aNot for a while,a she said. aThere is time.a aIs there?a He stood back from her and smiled. And she comprehended him, bit at her lip, and reached up trembling hands to the buttons of his shirt. He gazed into her eyes, his own serious, as he slid the blue silk from her shoulders and down her arms and cupped her naked breasts in his hands. aHow does Adam treat you?a aHe doesnat.a She looked at him in distress. aThomas, donat talk about him. Please donat. I ought not to be here. I should go. I just wanted to talk with you privately.a He laughed softly. aThere is more than one way of talking,a he said. aAnd I have been starved for you, Sybil. Donat leave me now. He wonat be looking for you?a aNo, he wonat,a she said. aThomas. It isnat wrong, is it?a She buried her face against his shoulder as he lifted her into his arms. aI only ever loved you. You do believe that, donat you?a aAnd I only ever loved you,a he said, laying her down on the bed and stripping away her clothes. aWhy do you think I came home?a aFor me?a she said. aYou came because of me?a aMm,a he said, lying down on top of her and moving against her soft flesh. aGod, youare beautiful, Sybil. How could you ever have thought I would not come back to you?a Beyond the surging of his desire he thought of the unlocked doors of his dressing room and bedchamber and wondered with a certain amusement what would happen if his brother walked into either room.

aAh,a he said against her mouth as he plunged into her. Yes, indeed, it really was very good to be home again.

THE DUKE OF RIDGEWAY had not talked with his brother beyond an exchange of the merest pleasantries. As the gentlemen joined the ladies in the drawing room after dinner, he noticed that his wife was even more happy and animated than she had been since the arrival of her guests, and his jaw set in anger again.

He had been going to visit his brotheras room before dinner, but he had stopped himself at the last moment. Years of having to take responsibility for the well-being of others and his years as an officer had taught him that when possible it was better to let anger cool before taking action.

He would wait until the next day, he had decided, before confronting Thomas and demanding an explanation, and before he decided what he must do, if anything.

aI have sent for Pamela,a the duchess was telling Mrs. Grantsham and Lady Mayberry, her voice eager, her face bright. She included her husband in her smile when she realized that he was within earshot. aShe should be here at any moment.a aFor Pamela?a he said with a frown. aWonat she be in bed, Sybil? And very tired after this afternoon?a aI sent a message to Nanny earlier to keep her up and get her ready,a the duchess said. aI wish her to meet her uncle. How could I deprive my darling of the pleasure of sharing in his return?a She smiled dazzlingly at the duke.

Of course! He clamped his teeth hard together and stood very still.

aYou must instruct Nanny to take her back to bed after five minutes, then,a he said.

aAh,a she said, abut it is Miss Hamilton who is to bring her down, Adam.a What was she up to? The duke frowned.

He had not long to wait. Pamela, all dressed up in frills and bows, her hair styled in dozens of ringlets, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkling with excitement and tiredness, was brought into the room by Fleur, who curtsied and stood quietly inside the door.

The duchess took her daughter by the hand while the ladies fussed over her as they had that afternoon.

aYou wanted to see all the ladies dressed for the evening, darling,a the duchess said, stooping down and smiling at her. aWell, here they are. What do you think?a Lady Pamela beamed up at her, and the duchess hugged her.

aThere is someone I want you to meet,a she said. aSomeone you have not met before, though I have told you a great deal about him, and I daresay Papa has too. A very important gentleman.a She led Pamela to an ironically smiling Lord Thomas Kent. aThis is your uncle Thomas, darling. Make your curtsy to him.a Lady Pamela did as she was bidden and looked curiously up into the face of her uncle, who so much resembled her father except that his features were more openly handsome and carefree.

aSo you are Pamela,a he said, one finger holding up her raised chin. aYou do not have much of your mama in you, do you? You are all your father.a The duke turned away, unable to watch. And his eyes focused on Fleur, who was still standing just inside the door. But she no longer did so quietly and impassively. Her face was so pale that her lips looked blue. He was on the point of crossing hastily to her side when her handa"shaking quite as badly as it had during that first nighta"reached blindly for the knob of the door, found it, and turned it clumsily.

And she was gone, leaving the door ajar behind her.

He was left staring at the spot where she had stood. But this was not the first time she had been in company with their guests. She had been at the ball two nights before and at the picnic that afternoon. Why the sudden attack of nerves? Was it Thomasa presence? Had she met him before? In London, perhaps?

Had Thomas been another of her customers? He knew he had been her first, but he had often wondered if he had been her last too. There had, after all, been a lapse of five days between his encounter with her and Houghtonas hiring her as Pamelaas governess.

By some bizarre coincidence, had Thomas had her too? He felt a wild rage at the thought.

Or was it Brocklehurst, perhaps? He also was someone she had not seen until that evening. Was he the one who had been her customer and the sight of whom had sent her all to pieces?

He closed his eyes briefly.

aBut where is Miss Hamilton?a the duchess was asking brightly. aDid she not realize she was to wait for Pamela?a aI gave her permission to leave,a the duke said. aI told her that I would take Pamela back to the nursery myself.a The duchess looked at him reproachfully. aBut I was planning to present my daughteras governess to Thomas,a she said, aand to Lord Brocklehurst, of course. Well.a She shrugged. aAnother time. To bed, then, darling, with Papa.a She turned back to Lord Thomas as Lady Pamela set her hand in her fatheras and left the room with him.

aShe was the one,a her grace said very quietly, aAdamas doxy. I wanted you to see her, Thomas, and know the humiliation he has subjected me to.a aNot any longer,a he said, raising her hand to his lips. aI will not let him hurt you any longer, Sybil.a FLEUR HAD THOUGHT HER day was over. Mrs. Laycock was tired after a few busy days and had not invited the governess, as she often did, to spend the evening in her sitting room. Fleur sighed when Mrs. Clement summoned her to the nursery to inform her, tight-lipped, that her grace had requested she escort Lady Pamela to the drawing room after dinner.

aBut will that not be after Lady Pamelaas bedtime?a she asked.

aLord Thomas Kent is home,a Mrs. Clement said. aHer grace wishes Lady Pamela to meet her uncle.a Fleur thought that Lord Thomas Kent could just as easily have been brought to the nursery the following morning, but she said nothing. She returned to her room to put on her best dress and brush and coil her hair again.

She was not comfortable as she led her pupil into the drawing room later. Lord Thomas Kent had once been Matthewas friend. He could not possibly know her, of course. But his presence at Willoughby was a strong reminder of that constant threat to her security and happiness. She stood inside the door, her eyes lowered, and hoped that no one would feel it necessary to take notice of her. She hoped that Lady Pamela would not be kept long. The child was very excited and very tired.

She raised her eyes as the duchess led her daughter across the room, and looked at Lord Thomas Kent. He was the dukeas half-brother, she knew. But anyone could have mistaken them for full brothers. They were remarkably alike except that Lord Thomas was not quite as tall or his face quite so hawkish and severe in its expression. He smiled and was very handsome.