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away?”
    “As well as I can be in the circumstances,” I said coldly. “The only complaint I have is that I have been kept a prisoner here.”
    He smiled. “So you would have run away? To where? To whom?”
    Stung, I retorted, “I might at least have had the choice!”
    The smile left his face. “I am afraid you could not. I wronged you, this I freely admit. And now I’ve a responsibility for you. Had I allowed you to run away, you might have been in worse trouble. Incidentally, I have spoken to Mr. Thornsby. Such an incident will not occur again through his agency.”
    “Marvelous!” I muttered.
    “What did you say?” Sir Leslie asked.
    “Nothing,” I replied sullenly. “Please continue. You were explaining that you feel a responsibility for me.”
    Angrily he retorted, “I have expended a great deal of effort on your behalf this week, Miss Wade. And I have arrived at the only possible solution. But before I tell it to you, you might consider the fact that this is not entirely my fault. Had you bothered to demand a clear explanation of the duties of the post you were to occupy, all this might have been avoided!”
    “And if you were not so debauched as to have women sent up for your private amusement—”
    “Enough!” Sir Leslie’s voice cut through mine as sharply as a sword. Then, with an obvious effort to control himself, he continued, “I have brought a trunk of clothes for you from Mademoiselle Suzette. She is sending others. I have also arranged for a personal maid for you. She will arrive later today.”
    As he paused for breath I spoke quickly, “That was very kind of you, but not necessary as I shall be leaving the castle as soon as I have packed my things.”
    Sir Leslie stared at me with a curiously bleak expression. “I am afraid not, Miss Wade. In about an hour, you will be married to me.”
    I stared at him incredulously. “But you—there’s been no time to post the banns.”
    “I procured a special license in London.”
    Angrily I jumped to my feet. “Well, it don’t signify, for I shan’t marry you!”
    Now he stood, over a head taller than me. “You will, for you have no choice.”
    “But why? You can’t possibly wish to marry me!” I protested.
    “I’ve no choice either. You have no one to look after you. You cannot find another position: no one would hire you knowing you’ve been here. And even could you conceal that fact, it would be impossible for you to find a respectable position without references. But none of these matter so much as the fact that I am not in the habit of ravishing young women. And above all, not respectable young women. I’ve no choice. I must marry you.”
    “Ah, but I’m not respectable,” I said eagerly. “I am ... my parents were not married. So you see, you need not marry me.”
    Sir Leslie spoke slowly and deliberately. “I have spoken with Mrs. Gilwen and I am fully aware of all particulars of your background. I also have your ... guardian’s permission to marry you. I intend to do so, and I usually have my way.”
    For a moment I was too stunned to speak. But there was too much at stake and I could not let matters rest so. I managed to choke out, “You cannot imagine, surely, that I would ever accept you as my husband! Or—or welcome you to my bed! I’ll run away first. I think I would even kill myself first!”
    I was breathing heavily and feeling on the verge of hysteria. Sir Leslie replied contemptuously, “Spare me the Cheltenham tragedies, Miss Wade! I am marrying you to give you my name and protect your reputation. That is all I intend. I might have wished for heirs, but that is irrelevant now. I do not intend to force my attentions on you. We will, of course, have separate rooms. If you wish, your maid may even sleep in your room as an added protection. Though that would no doubt give rise to gossip. You will have an ample allowance, and if it should prove insufficient I will increase it. Should you take a fancy to some