CHAPTER NINECecilia glanced at Natasha’s mask of hatred and felt real fear. She moved closer to Ivan and felt a protective arm go round her.
Natasha’s eyes narrowed as she snarled,
“Don’t think you will succeed there, my dear! Too many have tried and failed.”
Peter groaned and sat up and Natasha immediately renewed her attempts to help him stand.
“We must leave this house,” she cried. “And we must leave now!”
There was nothing Cecilia wanted more than to see the back of these least desirable of her guests, all the same, as hostess she felt honour bound to say,
“This late? Please don’t be ridiculous. Quite apart from the fact there is no train until the morning, you will only cause scandal. And not for my father and myself, but for yourselves.”
She drew herself up a straight as she c
