I worked furiously on the knots in my hair. “If you ask me if it’s wise, I’ll hit you, I swear I will. We were too much in love to wait, at least I was. I’m getting married next Thursday, and I want you there to dance with me.” I wasn’t sure any more, but to doubt it to anyone else would have been a betrayal.

I flung the hair back over my shoulder so I could look at Tom. He watched me, smiling now. “I’ll be there.”

“And what,” I demanded, my anger fading, “is so amusing?”

“You are,” he answered softly, still smiling at me despite our troubles. “Strang’s woken something in you. I’ve never known you like this; you’ve never been this determined, this sure of yourself. It suits you.”

“Thank you, kind sir.” I bowed my head graciously, and sat down again to pin my hair up and put on the cap provided.

Time must have been getting on, for as I was finishing my toilet, the door opened again and Peter came back in. He flicked a contemptuous glance at us. “Time to go.” He motioned us out of the room with one of his pistols.

It was getting dark, but we still found the light dazzlingly bright when we stepped out of our prison. Another man waited in the little landing outside. He jammed a pistol into my back, urging me to climb a steep set of stairs.

We emerged in what I assumed must be the servants’ quarters. The floor was covered with cheap drugget, the whitewashed walls decorated with a few cheap prints. I studied where I was, to find it again if needed. I saw Tom following, the second man behind him.

They took us down to the ground floor and out to the courtyard where several mounted men waited, with horses ready saddled. A heavy, drab travelling cloak was thrown over my shoulders by an unseen hand.

First Tom was put up in front of a villainous-looking man, armed to the teeth. Then Terry reached a hand down and dragged me up to sit in front of him. I would rather have chosen Tom’s ride, but I wasn’t given the choice.

“It would be madness to try anything foolish,” Terry murmured in my ear. “We’re taking you to be exchanged. Sadly, I need the Cawnton brothers back. But you will amuse me during the journey, and warm my bed tonight. I shall taunt him with you and take you back.”

We set off. Once we were past the gates, the horses settled into a trot and Terry began to fondle me again. I’d tried to make sure my clothes were securely fastened, but he managed to find his way inside. I said nothing, but when he tried to kiss my mouth I turned my head away

He laughed. “I can do without that. Just think—every time your lordling does this—” he tweaked my nipple painfully, “you can think of me.” I still said nothing. Any response would probably incite him to do worse. I wanted him to die. “I might let someone else taste your bounties. When I’ve finished with you. As long as I can watch.”

Despite my good intentions, I shuddered. He smiled. “I’m sure you’ll come to love it. But you won’t have to spend much longer with me. Just long enough to ensure your people don’t do anything foolish. You’d already worked that out, hadn’t you?” I nodded, but looked away so he wouldn’t see my tears. I knew Richard would do something, but I was still afraid. I still had my little fruit knife, and I would plunge it into his heart if I had the chance, but I didn’t think, with all his avoirdupois, it would reach that far.

It seemed much longer than usual before we reached the coast, but soon I smelled the tangy sea air, strong and salty, and saw the birds on their nests in the cliffs. We rode to the edge, and Terry dismounted, pulled me down after him and threw the reins to an acolyte. I made out six figures by the cliff edge. They stood still as we approached them. Terry’s gripped my waist, holding me close to his loathsome body.

Only the sea breeze ruffled their clothes as they stood completely still, waiting for us. James, Sir George, Carier and Richard, who held the Cawnton Tom and I had met before. Carier held the other. They stood motionless. Richard stared at us expressionlessly, colourlessly while Tom and I were brought to the front. Terry had brought five men with him, and they stood behind him, armed to the teeth. One held a gun at Tom’s back.

We stood in silence. Richard avoided my eyes and I knew why. He didn’t want to reveal his distress before these people. Anything like that might weaken his resolve, show vulnerability he wouldn’t want to display.

“We’re here to take our property back,” he said, looking straight at Terry.

“Here it is,” the fat man replied jauntily. “Safe and sound.” He gave me a little shake, but I didn’t respond.

“Miss Golightly first,” said Richard.

“No,” said Terry. “You can have the boy first.”

When he nodded the man who held Tom released him, and gave him a little shove. “I’m not going without Rose,” Tom protested mulishly.

“Go, Tom,” I said.

Richard’s head snapped around to me. I don’t know what he heard in my voice, but for the first time, his gaze met mine. Hard, icy. I had to stop myself from calling out his