I should have been paying attention to Audrey’s words. To the chapter she was reading and the trials of Jasmine and her English lover, Thomas the priest. But each time I did, my gaze focused too long at Audrey’s beautiful mouth and not the prose falling from it. Audrey’s mouth kissing me. Audrey’s mouth wrapped around my cock, her big green eyes staring up at me.

The Aberthornes demanded she read from her new novel this morning, but the sound of her voice sang to me, my chest tightening every time she paused to take a breath. My thoughts kept retreating to last night, the last time I kissed her before she closed the door and padded away on her tiny feet. So far we had avoided any scandal. No servants had seen her. But I wondered about this new masquerade we had begun in the Aberthornes’ mansion and where it might lead us.

I hadn’t even told Weston about Lady Aberthorne’s advances. He was far too busy fighting and making up with Lady Elliot. The pair of them sat in the corner, back in love with each other for the time being, their eyes locked in some sort of lustful staring contest.

I glanced over at the Aberthornes. He had nodded off, and she had a bored look on her face, her thumb running back and forth on the lace edgings of her skirts. She could have been plotting what cake to serve for dinner or planning how to tie up Audrey to best tease and torture her for all I knew. The thought of Audrey naked and bound sent a shot of desire straight down my spine, and I shifted in my seat, leaning forward to listen.

Lord Castlevane cleared his throat, and Audrey glanced up.

“My dear, I must stop you right there,” he said.

A blush crept up Audrey’s neck, and my fists clenched at my sides. That man needed a sound thrashing, and I wished I were the man to do it.

“Yes, my lord?” She blinked, her head tilted to the side. The paper in her hand shook ever so slightly.

“Your heroine, Jasmine, speaks quite ill of the Empire,” Castlevane drawled. “I would imagine she would be grateful for English occupiers, to liberate her from this pagan Indian nonsense.”

Audrey’s new book took place in India. An unlikely follow up to her Irish novel, but I admired her for challenging herself. Her shoulders tensed, but she flashed Castlevane a brilliant smile before placing her chapter on the table. She arranged the pages in a straight line, and sat down on a chair.

“I do say, I might have agreed with you before I began researching my novel,” Audrey replied. “But what I found is that Indian women no more need liberation from the English than Englishwoman do for themselves.”

Lady Aberthorne let out a high, yelping laugh. “Oh, my dear. Do explain yourself. We may not have all the freedoms of our menfolk, but at least our widows are not forced to burn on our husband’s funeral pyres.”

Lord Castlevane nodded rigorously, the flesh beneath his chin wobbling like a turkey’s.

“Yes,” Audrey said. “But without the right to land or property after the death of our husbands, we might as well burn.”

Lady Aberthorne laughed, and the sound made me flinch.

“Oh, you’re quite right about that,” she said. “If something ever happened to Harold, I would probably be beggaring in the streets.”

The Aberthornes had no heir, and while Lady Aberthorne wouldn’t end up cold and alone in the gutters of London, it was no secret that all of her husband’s money would go to a distant cousin once he died.

“Quite right, my lady ,” Audrey said. “Before we judge our Indian sisters, we need to closely examine the forces at home that keep us prisoners in our own country.”

Lord Castlevane let out an exasperated sound. “My dear, you sound like a bluestocking.”

She giggled, but a glint of steel flashed in her eyes. “A bluestocking? Maybe. A rebel? Definitely.”

My heart leapt in my throat as she locked gazes with Lord Castlevane. She threw back her shoulders as if in a challenge, her long hair billowing down her back. I loved her like that. So fierce, so utterly courageous.

“You would be careful to check that Celtic pride of yours, Miss Byrnes,” he said. “You are on English soil now.”

Lady Aberthorne clapped her hands. “Oh, nonsense. I find Miss Byrnes’s Celtic sensibilities most diverting.” She stood up and grasped Audrey’s hand, pulling her close. Perhaps a little too close. “It’s splendid to have a little rebel in the house.”

From the angle I was sitting, I glimpsed Lady Aberthorne run her fingernail across Audrey’s wrist. I shifted to the edge of my seat, ready to take charge at any hint of distress. Cursing myself inwardly, I took a deep breath, loosening my cravat. I couldn’t understand what Audrey needed these horrible people for, but she seemed intent on making a good impression. I wished fate had given me fortune so I could drag her from this terrible place, but I had to help her see this through. Somehow.

Audrey glanced at me before smiling back at her. “My dear Lady Aberthorne, I do believe your hospitality surpasses that of my own people.”

“Oh, what a compliment!” she said, her gaze never leaving Audrey’s face.

I needed to intervene and fast. I would not dare stand in her way if she wanted to continue with Lady Aberthorne’s fantasies, but that woman need not have so much control over Audrey. I needed to concoct a feasible plan to diffuse the situation and make Lady Aberthorne think it was her idea.

A footman entered and cleared his throat in the ear of Lord Aberthorne, who spluttered awake, blinking and shaking his head. The footman placed a note in his hand, bowed, and retreated from the room.

“What is it, Harold?” his lady asked.

“Emergency session in Parliament.” He growled and eased himself out of the chair. “We must be going, Lord Castlevane.”

I tried to keep my face blank, but inside I cheered to see the back of Castlevane as he mumbled about packing his things.

“We shall return in a few days, my dear.” Lord Aberthorne nodded at his wife and smiled. “Try not to get in too much trouble while we’re gone.”

He almost made it to the door before he turned and looked at me. “Dr. Moorland, my wife has pleaded your case to me in such a fashion, I doubt I shall be able to deny her now. I will put forth your request in committee tomorrow before the session ends. We’ll see your program funded.”

I stood up, grinning, reaching my hand out to shake his. “Sir, I…I don’t know what to say. Thank you. You will do a world of good for England.”

He took my hand in a limp grip before waving me away. “Yes, yes. Please stay as my guest while I am gone, Dr. Moorland. I shall iron out the details with you after I return.”

“Thank you, sir. Yes.” I stammered, nodding. “That is…that is very good, sir.”

He gave Lady Aberthorne a small peck on the cheek before leaving.

As soon as the door closed, she turned to us. “It’s become such a lovely day. Would anyone care for a stroll through the gardens?”

Weston and Lady Elliot begged off, but Audrey gave me a questioning glance. I shook my head with an almost imperceptible movement. I needed to get Lady Aberthorne alone.

“Forgive me, but I believe I shall return to my room to finish this next chapter,” Audrey said, packing her manuscript together and straightening the papers against the desk. “But by all means…”

Lady Aberthorne took up her shawl and intertwined her arm with mine. “I suppose it will be you and me, Dr. Moorland.”

I nodded, leading her out across the verandah. The light morning rain had given away to brilliant sunshine, bright green buds bursting on the trees as we walked across the gravel walkway leading into the more rustic gardens.

“Lady Aberthorne,” I began in hushed tones. “I am pleased we have a moment alone.”

Her fingers grazed over my arm, and she pressed her breasts against me. “As am I, Dr. Moorland.”

I paused and took hold of her hands, leaning away from her. “You see, my lady, I have a confession to make.”

She gave me a sly smile. “Oh my. I do love secrets.”

I swallowed. “I am flattered by your attentions, truly, but I am afraid I am torn with guilt.”

“Guilt?” She threw her head back and laughed. “Lord Weston is one of your greatest friends, and you are going to play the prude with me?”

I bowed. “No, my lady. It is true Lord Weston and I have enjoyed singular pleasures in our travels together, but I am at present engaged to someone.”

She blinked. “I do not see what this has to do with me.”

I pressed my hand to my heart and lowered my eyes. “I do not have it in my heart to lie with another woman.”

“Ah…” Her eyes widened with understanding. “And who is this lucky lady?”

I took a deep breath, praying my plan would work. “If I tell you, I must impress upon you the sacredness of such a secret. Neither of our families know, and in our current states, we are both too poor to wed.”

“Who is it?” she pressed.

“Audrey Byrnes.”

Her mouth dropped open and she spluttered, shaking her head. “Oh, that is… that is wonderful!”

“We met long ago through mutual English acquaintances, and we have remained true to one another ever since.”

Her face softened. “Oh, my dear Dr. Moorland. Your secret is safe with me. That is quite romantic.”

“Audrey mentioned how you requested an audience with her.”

Lady Aberthorne’s eyes glittered and her mouth spread in a devious grin. “She is quite irresistible.”

I nodded. No truer words had the woman ever spoken. “I wondered, given our circumstances, if you would understand why she might hesitate to assent.”

The woman laughed, pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders. “Oh, Audrey has nothing to fear from me! I will take great care of her for you, Dr. Moorland.”

Blast it.

I had hoped to give Lady Aberthorne a delicate way to drop the matter, but she seemed intent to use Audrey as her plaything. I took a deep breath, and looked down, realizing my fists were clenched. I flexed my fingers and raised my gaze to meet hers. I thought of what Audrey wanted, of the erotic desire she felt for Lady Aberthorne. My mind drifted to The Chieftain’s Daughter and one particular scene of ritualistic import, and all the pieces snapped into place.

I moved toward the lady, taking her hand in mine and rubbing my thumb along the inside of her palm. “Have you read The Chieftain’s Daughter?”

She nodded.

“Then you will recall the scene where Roisin attempts to sacrifice herself for the sake of her English lover.”

Lady Aberthorne’s eyes glittered. “Oh, Dr. Moorland. I like the way you think.”

“Then might I attend Miss Byrnes? We are both happy to serve you, mistress.”

She grinned as wide as a crocodile. “Oh, I believe you will both serve me very well.”