Page 11 of Her Dark Seduction
“What did you say?” he demanded.
“Nothing.”
He remained silent for a while before I thought I heard him sigh. I jumped as he laid a hand on my shoulder.
“Come, I will take you to your room.”
“I can manage by myself.”
I stood up to leave, but his hand snaked round my wrist.
“Nevertheless, I insist. You would not want to meet Mortlock’s men.”
“I fail to see why not,” I replied bitterly. “What can they do to me that you have not already done?”
His hand tightened its grip and he bowed his head, staying still for a moment. He then led me out of the room and back to my chamber.
Before we approached my door, he stopped, his senses alert to something. After a while I heard it too. Hoof beats, the sound of a carriage, and voices echoing outside could only mean one thing.
“Your husband has returned. I will greet him but, before I go, a kiss, my lady, for your lover.”
I turned my face away, but he took my chin and planted a light kiss on my lips. I opened my door and recoiled at the darkness inside. He gave me his candle before disappearing into the darkness of the passageway. I stripped off my cloak and gown, and crept into my bed, curling myself up into a ball. Loud voices approached, my husband’s among them. Had Sawford told him of my adultery? Was I to die tonight?
Much later a noise woke me. It was still nighttime and the candle had not yet burned out. Footsteps echoed outside my door, and I sat up, sick with fear. A faint rustling came from the door and something appeared at the bottom. Another note. The footsteps receded. I ran to the door and opened it, but there was no one in sight. Wearily, I picked up the note. Written in the same hand as before were two words.
Pardonnez-moi.
Forgive me.
