The Passionate Friends. Meg Alexander

paled. “You mean…you mean that we may be putting Judith in great danger?”

      “That is possible. Girls have been seized before and forced into marriage with unscrupulous men. Once wed, and with the money in his hands, he would leave no trace behind him.”

      Perry sprang from his seat and began to pace the room. “We can’t have that!”

      “Agreed!” His brother’s face was calm. “You both see now that we must proceed with caution?” Sebastian leaned back in his chair, satisfied that he had made his point.

      Still doubtful, he’d have been concerned to learn that he had hit upon the truth.

      The threat of blackmail had caused the Reverend Truscott to spend a sleepless night. Then, as his initial panic subsided he began to pull himself together. Still unaware that he was being followed, he paid a second visit to “The Rookery”, carrying with him the contents of the collection box. This was irritating. Such funds had previously found their way into his private account, but no matter. He had begun to lay his plans.

      As he had expected, the money was regarded simply as a down payment. His mother and her friends intended to bleed him white. He permitted himself a grim smile. They did not know him.

      With a promise of a further payment before the week was out he explained that he was called away on parish work for the next day or two. He didn’t intend to waste this brief respite. Judith must be satisfied with a note explaining his absence. He had other matters to attend.

      His next journey took him into the pauper colony of Seven Dials. His destination was a brick-built dwelling, apparently no better than any of the others. He let himself in with his own key, and looked about him with a grunt of satisfaction. This was one in the eye for his high-principled parishioners. He’d lavished money on the place, delighted to be putting it to better use than throwing it away on a bunch of ragged urchins.

      The place was empty, and his face grew dark with rage. Where the devil was the wench? She was supposed to be here when he wanted her.

      When he heard her footstep on the stair he waited behind the door, seizing her from behind as she entered the room. Twisting his fingers in her hair he dragged her round to face him, smiling as she whimpered with pain.

      “You’re hurting me!” she cried.

      “I’ll hurt you even more, you slut, if you don’t obey my orders. Didn’t I say that you weren’t to leave the house? Been playing me false, have you?” He tightened his grip, forcing her to her knees.

      “I wunna do that.” Her eyes were watering with agony. “I went out for bread…” She pointed to her basket. “I weren’t expecting you. You didn’t let me know.”

      “I’m not likely to do that,” he said softly. “Will I give you the chance to get up to some trick?” He dragged her to her feet.

      The sight of her pain had roused him. With one swift movement he ripped her gown from neck to hem, flung her on the bed, and threw himself upon her like an animal.

      It was growing dark before he was fully satiated. With a growl he kicked her away from him.

      “Fetch your brothers!” he ordered. “I have work for them.”

      Chapter Four

      Next morning, in a part of London far from the slums of Seven Dials, Judith was summoned to an interview with her stepmother.

      “At this hour?” she asked Bessie in surprise. Mrs Aveton was not normally an early riser.

      “She said at once, Miss Judith. She’s in her bedchamber.”

      Judith entered the room to find Mrs Aveton sitting up in bed, sipping at her chocolate.

      “Well, miss, did you enjoy your evening with your friends?”

      The enquiry startled Judith. Her own enjoyment had not previously been a subject of any interest to her stepmother.

      “Why, yes, ma’am, I thank you. I hoped you would not mind, since you were dining out yourself. The carriage was returned in plenty of time, I believe.”

      A short laugh greeted her words. “Most certainly, together with a most insulting note from Mrs Peregrine Wentworth.” She tossed a letter towards Judith.

      “Insulting, ma’am?” Judith scanned the note. “This merely explains the invitation, with a promise to see me safely home.”

      “You see nothing strange in the fact that Mrs Peregrine sends no compliments to me, or enquiries about my health?”

      “She was not aware that you were sick, and nor was I. I’m sorry. Were you unable to visit your friends?”

      “I dined with them, and I thank heavens that I did so. I learned more disturbing news.”

      “Ma’am?”

      “Come, don’t play the innocent with me! You were always a sly, secretive creature, but now I know the truth…”

      “I don’t understand.”

      “Don’t you? Perhaps you will explain why you didn’t tell me that the pauper, Ashburn, is returned to the Wentworth household?”

      Judith went cold, but her voice was calm when she replied, “I did not think that it would interest you.”

      “If I’m not mistaken, it interests you, my girl. Such deceit! You knew quite well that had I known I should have forbidden you to go there.”

      Judith’s hands were shaking. She hid them in the pockets of her gown. “Must I remind you, ma’am, that I am betrothed to Mr Truscott?”

      “I wonder that you remember it. To cheapen yourself in the company of that creature is the outside of enough. Have you not learned your lesson yet?”

      Judith’s anger threatened to consume her. “I have learned much in these past few years,” she said quietly. “I think you have forgotten that Mr Ashburn is Lord Wentworth’s adopted son.”

      A sniff greeted her reply. “And that is enough to transform a slum child into a member of the ton? What a fool you are! The aristocracy may be allowed their eccentricities. Must you try to ape them?”

      “I had no thought of doing so. Mr Ashburn is an old friend. I intend to be civil to him.” Judith was surprised at her own temerity. In the usual way she did not argue with her formidable stepmother.

      Mrs Aveton’s head went up, and her small black eyes began to glitter.

      “Impudence! You are grown mighty high in the instep in these last few weeks. Your husband will knock that nonsense out of you…” She caught herself in time. Judith must not be allowed to guess at the darker side of the Reverend Truscott’s nature.

      This quite-looking girl had a streak of iron in her character. Mrs Aveton had seen it only seldom, but her attempts to crush that stubborn will had failed. If Judith should change her mind and put an end to her engagement, she herself might say goodbye to the sum of money soon to be in her hands.

      Her malevolent expression vanished. “I mean, of course, that the Reverend Truscott has a position to uphold. His wife must not be seen to gather about her friends who are…er…unsuitable.”

      “He seems happy enough to think that I am friendly with the Wentworth family. He tells me that they will always be welcome in our home.”

      “That is quite another matter. Judith, you are placing yourself in a most invidious position. You may have forgotten that unfortunate nonsense of six years ago. The same may not be true of Ashburn. You are an heiress now, and a fine catch for him. Has he made further advances to you?”

      “He has not!” Judith ground her teeth. The temptation to strike her questioner was strong.

      “Doubtless he will do so. You must not see him again