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“You do. You think I am a fool.” He glowered at her and clenched his fists.

“I do not know what you mean.”

“You think I do not know how banking works? You will draw up a promissory note and I shall go and cash it.”

Georgiana pursed her lips. “I am afraid I cannot do that. Only my husband can. And, as you areno fool, you know full well that the note must be signed in the presence of a banking officer.”

Thomas growled in frustration. “Well then,youhad better go to the bank and get me some gold. I shall wait here. If you even think about betraying me, I shall come back and finish the job with your sister.”

Georgiana did not doubt that Newston would carry out his threat. The door abruptly flew open and a tall, dark shadow loomed menacingly in the doorway.

“Robert.” She breathed in both horror and relief.

Robert stalked into the room towards Newston, his eyes black and dangerous, ready to inflict unspeakable pain upon him.

“Youdareto threaten mywife?”

Thomas whimpered, hunching in on himself. “I-I-I-I-”

“Shut your mouth!” Robert commanded.

Robert’s eyes flicked to Georgiana, looking her up and down. “Are you all right? Has he hurt you?”

Georgiana looked down at her gown. She pointed at the large rip in the bodice. “He grabbed my gown and tore it but nothing more. I am fine.”

“You look quite pale and ill,” he observed worriedly.

While Robert’s attention was diverted, Thomas tried to scurry past him, but Robert reached out a hand and grabbed him by the back of his jacket without looking away from Georgiana. “You are not going anywhere, you cockroach.”

He lifted an eyebrow at Georgiana. “Are you sure you are well?”

“I did not touch her,” Thomas protested.

“Itold youto shut your mouth,” Robert snapped.

Georgiana shook her head. “He pushed me down and tore my gown; other than that, he has not touched me.”

“That does not answer my question. Are you well?”

Slowly she shook her head. “I am very dizzy, and I feel weak. I feel a headache coming on, and my skin is somewhat clammy. I could do with some tea.”

Robert approached Georgiana, still holding firmly onto Thomas’s jacket. “Let me help you sit up.” He cupped her shoulder and straightened her up from her awkward position onthe sofa. He then pulled the bell, Thomas’s jacket still fisted in his hand.

“Er…Your Grace? Will you let me go?” Thomas’ voice quivered with fear.

“No,” Robert snapped without looking at him.

The door opened and the butler came in. “Where have you been, Sinclair, while your mistress was being assaulted?” Robert demanded.

Sinclair blanched, his eyes bugging out of his head as he stared from Thomas to Robert, and then down at Georgiana. “I…” his mouth hung open uselessly, lost for words. “We thought that Her Grace was alone,” he said weakly.

Robert frowned. “You mean to tell me this man snuck into my house behind your back, and you had no idea? How is that possible?”

The butler only gaped at him, completely bewildered.

“No one saw him enter? Neither a footman nor a maid?” Robert asked in disbelief, shaking Thomas like a rag doll.

The butler cautiously shook his head. “We-we did not know.”