Lily hurried up the steps to her small room. The drunken revelry of the gambling hell one floor below was now a distant roar. She slid her key into the lock, blinking rain out of her eyes as she continued to shiver. Her gown was soaked clear through and possibly ruined.

This tiny room was her only true place of refuge, with its small wooden bed frame tucked away in one corner and a dusty brick fireplace in the opposite. It would be damp tonight, and she’d have to use all of her blankets to warm up after she removed her gown.

Tonight had not gone as planned. So much had gone wrong, and she didn’t want to think about it. She trudged over to the fireplace and retrieved the flint and kindling from a tin box on the dresser. Once a healthy flame was burning, she added a few logs until a steady blaze warmed the room. She rubbed her arms, desperate for warmth. Those brutes in the tunnel had ripped her cloak from her when they had grabbed her from Vauxhall Gardens.

Of course, that had been expected. Everything had been arranged so that she would be taken into the Lewis Street tunnels, where the head of a local gang of smugglers was known to favor willing victims inside the ring and unwilling victims in bed—not that she would have allowed anything to go that far. She could handle herself well enough. Once she had what she wanted, escape would be easy. Everything had been going according to plan…

And then he came along and ruined everything. How was she ever going to explain this?

“I trust you had a productive evening?” a cold voice asked from the shadows behind her.

Lily grabbed the poker and spun to face the man who had spoken. She had been sure the room was empty when she arrived. When she realized who it was, she relaxed. But only a little. Her master, Sir Hugo Waverly, was a coldhearted bastard and did not tolerate failure.

She raised her chin and answered nonchalantly. “No more than was expected.”

The last thing she wanted was for this man to see her afraid. Fear was a weakness, and he killed those who were foolish enough to show any.

Hugo chuckled. “And the mission? Was it a success?”

Lily frowned. “I learned a little from the ones who abducted me. They didn’t seem to care what they said once we were in the tunnels. However, their leader lost the wager, and I wasn’t about to leave with the victor.”

“No, of course not. Well, even the best plans are subject to the whims of chance, I suppose.”

That was unusually understanding of him. “Why are you here?” Lily sounded bold, unafraid, but everything about this man filled her with deep fear. He’d caused her so much pain over the last few years, playing the puppet master, jerking her marionette strings at his whim. He’d taught her how to fight, how to deceive, how to survive, and she’d become stronger for it, but it didn’t erase the truth that he was in control of her life.

“You failed to send me your weekly report on Lonsdale’s movements.”

Lily flinched. Her primary duty was to watch the Earl of Lonsdale and report his movements back to her master. She’d always been prompt, never showing any hint of distaste at the work.

But over time something had shifted. She had glimpsed the real earl, Charles, the rogue with a heart of gold, the man who would jump into a fray to aid his companions, no matter the cost. That man had caused her to rethink her duty, yet she pressed on, because she had no alternative.

“I would have sent it on time if you hadn’t summoned me for tonight’s task.”

“That sounds like an excuse,” he countered, but seemed to let the matter drop. It burned at her how she was always at his beck and call—or, as he put it, “at the service of the nation.” She could also tell when he knew there was more to be said than she was telling him. The silence gnawed at her, drawing out the truth.

“There was a complication,” she said at last.

“Oh?” He didn’t sound surprised, more like he already knew everything and was waiting for her to confirm it.

“Lonsdale was there tonight.”

Her master growled and her body tensed, ready to brace herself for any blow he might deal. “What does he know?”

“Nothing. I believe it was an unfortunate coincidence.” She kept her voice calm, even though she was stiff with fear. “We know he enjoys pugilism, including the unregulated matches. Lonsdale rescued me from those men in the boxing tunnels.”

“Rescued?” he snorted.

“From his perspective. I eluded him once he escorted me out of the tunnels. But…I told him my name.” She saw his eyes flare and quickly added, “Only my given name.”

“That was foolish. I thought you were more careful than that. Still…” Her master stroked his chin, a gleam in his dark eyes. The last time she’d seen that look, she’d learned of his plans to have Audrey Sheridan, a young lady Charles was friends with, murdered in France. That plan hadn’t played out as he’d intended, and Audrey had escaped with her life, but it didn’t stop Lily from worrying now.

“Would you say he found you…enticing?”

Lily remained still. If she showed any emotion, he would only use it against her.

“He likes women, as you well know,” Lily said coolly.

He scowled and grabbed her roughly by the arm, shoving her up against the wall. She bit back a cry of pain as her back collided with the wooden slats. For a moment she was younger, more naïve, her body pressed facedown on a bed, her throat raw from screams and tears soaking the bedclothes.

Would she ever be free of this man?

His face pressed up against hers, and she felt her heart pound in her chest. “Do not think yourself clever. I taught you all that you know.” He stepped back, releasing her so that she dropped to her knees.

“He hungers for you, like any man would.” She nearly curled into herself, trying to make herself less visible to the predator he was. But that Lily had died years before; the one who remained had learned the value of strength.

“I think we will use that to our advantage,” he began.

“No. I have done your bidding on every matter. I will not—”

Smack!

Her master struck her hard across the face. “I have given you more than most women in your position could ever hope for, and you will continue to do my bidding until I have no further use for you. Do you understand?”

Lily raised a trembling hand to her lips where she tasted blood. He paced the room a moment before settling back on his heels, his powerful frame a menacing presence in the tiny bedchamber.

He suddenly let out a mirthless laugh, hit by some dark inspiration. “Yes, of course. You will be my young innocent cousin from the country. Melanie is in Cornwall for Christmas, and she won’t see you.”

Lily nodded numbly. “What would you have me do?” she asked, surrendering to the inevitable. Whenever Hugo wanted something or someone, he got it. Resistance would be futile. Had this been any other man, she would’ve struck back, but not with him. He held a bond over her that could not be broken.

“Lord Merton is throwing a ball in a week’s time. Since he’s acquainted with Lonsdale and his ilk, I expect they will be invited. That may work to our favor.” He retrieved his cane from against the wall and tapped it against the floorboards, a habit she recognized whenever he was plotting. Each thud of the metal tip vibrated within her like nails being pounded into a coffin.

“I will let it be known that my cousin is in town and she and I will be in attendance. Once there”—he pinned her with a look—“he will realize you’re the Lily he rescued. Knowing your relation to me, he may seek to gain information about me through you. I suppose I could provide you with something useful to dangle as bait. Then, once he’s completely infatuated with you, we strike.” These last words were uttered with such delight that she nearly tossed her accounts. He was inhuman at times, the way he viewed everyone as chess pieces in his own twisted game.

He stroked his chin as his focus turned back to her. “We’ll have to pretty you up, of course. New gowns, jewelry, and the like. Perhaps a reminder on the ways of seduction. I suspect you are out of practice.”

Lily shivered, unable to control her fear. If her master thought he would be the one to teach her seduction, he was wrong. She would never let him touch her like that again. Spying for him was one thing, but he would never take anything else from her again.

“You forget. I know Lonsdale better than he knows himself.” Just as she’d known that kissing him tonight would distract him, muddle his thoughts and give her a chance to flee.

But it had also been an intense, wonderful kiss. A dream she hadn’t wanted to wake from. “I know his likes and his desires. There is nothing you or anyone else can teach me that I don’t already know.”

Something about her tone must have had an effect. He seemed flustered somehow, muttering as he faced the door. “I’ve been here too long. I should go.”

Her shoulders slumped, and she let out the breath she’d been holding. But before she could relax, her master whipped back around.

“And you.” He growled the words so darkly that blood pounded in her ears. “You still have to return to your first duty.”

Lily nodded. “Yes, sir.”

He turned to the bed where she’d left a pile of valet clothes and a wig. “We cannot let him suspect anything is amiss. Can we, Mr. Linley?”

Without another word, Sir Hugo Waverly slammed the door behind him as he left.