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“He treated me like dirt, just as he had all his other wives! But all you saw was the money! That is all you and my fatherever saw, and thank God he gave you a pretty daughter to sell off to the first wealthy man who came calling!”

Adelaide charged at me and slapped me hard across the face. “You spoiled little madam! How dare you speak to me in this manner!”

The doors flew open once again, and Azriel strode into the room. His blue eyes were blazing as he came to my side, taking my hand and looking intently into my face.

“Are you alright?” He asked in a low voice.

My hand was still clutched to my stinging cheek, and I nodded.

“No you are not,” he replied, placing his hand against my other cheek.

“I beg your pardon, sir,” Adelaide barked into his ear, and Azriel did not even flinch. “I am here to speak with you, as the matriarch of this family.”

“I see no matriarch in my house, only an intruder who has newly assaulted my wife.” He stroked my cheek with his thumb. “Does it hurt?”

“No.” I lied, and his eyes burned even brighter.

“Shall I have the police called?” He asked, and Adelaide’s eyes threatened to pop out of her head.

“This is an outrage!”

Azriel turned on her, towering over her and staring her down. “The only outrage here, madam, is your behaviour in my house. Towards my wife.”

“She shall not be your wife long, mark my words.” Adelaide jutted her chin out defiantly. “For once a doctor has made certain that she can bear a child, and that the deficiency lay with your father, then you shall see us take you straight to court, and have all this nonsense put to rest.”

“Is that what you want, Evie?” Azriel asked without looking at me, his venomous gaze remaining on Adelaide.

“No, it is not what I want.”

“There. She said no.”

“She doesn’t have a choice,” Adelaide spat back. “By law, this marriage is illicit, and we have a right to contest it.”

“By law, you and your family are penniless, and your home and lands are forfeit.” Azriel grinned as Adelaide’s face dropped. “You may well entertain fantasies of having this marriage annulled, of seeking to overturn my father’s will. I would remind you that I am one of the wealthiest men in London, who has in his service one of the best barristers in London. So if you think your quaint little country lawyer is going to come here, into my house, and attempt to take awaymy wife, then madam, you are very much mistaken.”

Adelaide’s eyes widened, and her nostrils flared as she drew breath. “You are a foul swine, Azriel Caine.”

“Yes, I am. But I am the foul swine your niece has chosen to have by her side.”

“If you loved her at all, you would not see her go to ruin.” Adelaide shook her head, looking Azriel up and down with a wrinkled nose, as though he carried with him a foul smell. “You have taken her good name, and our family’s right along with it.”

Azriel snorted, gazing down his nose at her. “What could I possibly care for a good name?”

“And not only that,” Adelaide went on, her eyes wide with fury. “You have besmirched the memory of your very own father. How could you take to bed his widow? In her mourning?”

“Quite easily,” Azriel drawled, and Adelaide’s face bloomed the most extraordinary shade of red I had ever seen. I was quite sure her heart was about to give out.

“You rotten scoundrel!” Adelaide snapped for air, straightening her bonnet yet again and shaking her shoulders. “I shall take my leave of this house of ruin, and be glad for it!”

“Certainly. Shall I see you out?”

“I can find my way!” Adelaide’s eyes landed on me, and she tutted, shaking her head. “I thought I had raised you better than this. And you.” She jabbed a finger at Azriel, and spat on the floor. “I was right about you.” She spun on her heel, storming from the room, her garbled rantings as the maids escorted her from Linmere fading in the distance.

I pressed a hand to my mouth, trying to steady my breathing. I blinked up at Azriel, shaking my head, and he brushed a hand over my shoulder.

“It is alright, she is gone.”

“She- she wanted me to be examined.” I stammered, and Azriel’s eyes flamed.