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mother’s character than that shared by the rest of the world, making his pledge sound dramatic and unquestionable. She couldn’t discredit it. Besides, she rationalized, the damage was done. If he wished to blackmail her in some fashion, he already had the details with which to ruin her life. She had to rely on him. What other choice was there?
    “You are correct,” she said, still staring outside, “that my sister, Caroline, is in the City for her come-out. And yes, I fully expect that she will have a grand debut and that we will find her a wonderful husband. That is why I have come to you.”
    “Because she is marrying?”
    “Because I am her sister, but also her friend.” Gathering all her courage, she faced him. “She looks to me for guidance in this matter of selecting a husband, and already she has been asking me questions.”
    “About what?” he prodded gently.
    “About men and their wives. What they do when they are alone together. How it will be.” He accepted her explanation so calmly and readily that she was greatly encouraged. “I find myself completely in the dark about how to advise her.”
    “No one has taken the time to enlighten you?”
    “I suppose I could tell her what my mother told me.” She blushed bright red, which she was quite certain was going to be her perpetual state while she was in his company.
    “And what is that?”
    She couldn’t believe that she was about to address such an indiscreet topic, but on observing nothing but curiosity and understanding in his eyes, she pressed ahead. “Mother said that my husband would inflict himself upon me in a foul and disgusting manner.”
    “Oh, for pity’s sake—” He bit off a curse.
    “She explained that my
wifely
experience would be painful and humiliating, but that it was my duty to suffer through any indignity to which my spouse would like to subject me. Let’s see . . . what else?” She tapped a finger against her lip, remembering every detail of that horrid conversation. “Oh, yes . . . that his revolting attentions would occur with regular frequency, and I would need to mentally compose myself during the months preceding my marriage so that I did not overly embarrass myself—or him—on my wedding night.”
    He refilled his glass, silently pondering her astonishing statement, eventually shaking his head in derision. “I never cease to be amazed by the women of your station, Lady Abigail.”
    “Neither do I, Mr. Stevens.”
    They shared a keen look that broke the tension. Tentatively, she stepped toward the couch and balanced herself on the seat, taking overly long in adjusting her skirts. “Recently, a friend of Caroline’s was married,” she stated. “She’s a year older than my sister and made her debut last Season, but apparently she was totally unprepared for what her marital duties would entail. Being unwed ourselves, we were not allowed to visit with her, but rumor has it that she was so stunned by what happened on her wedding night that she has been under a physician’s care ever since. She has retired to the country.”
    “Yes, I had heard the same rumor.”
    “Is there no sordid transpiration about which you don’t know?” she asked, smiling.
    “I make it my business to be aware of the affairs of my customers,” he replied, shrugging.
    “I can see where that might be helpful to a man in yourposition.” She fiddled with her skirts, once again letting the silence linger on, until she mastered the daring to confess her greatest wish. “I want Caroline to find joy, Mr. Stevens.” She let her gaze settle on his astute, sapphire eyes, needing him to understand how vital was her objective. “My sister is a wonderful girl, and she should marry for love, and be happy and fulfilled through her choice of a spouse. When she comes to me with questions, I pray that I will be able to give her the proper answers, and the tools with which to flourish at the more private side of her wedded condition.”
    “I