He saw that there was wooden trelliswork attached to the house that supported a wisteria. He hoped it was strong enough to bear his weight and so, without hesitating further, started to climb up it.
As he neared the top, the trelliswork broke beneath his feet.
But the Marquis’s athletic training stood him in good stead. Even as he lost his footing, his hands clutched at the stone balustrade and slowly he drew himself up and swung his leg over and onto the balcony.
As he did so and was deciding to approach the window quietly, he heard Perdita scream!
Galvanised into action he threw himself violently against the casement window, broke it down and with a crash and the tinkle of falling glass, propelled himself into the bedroom.
As he entered, Perdita was screaming again.
The noise she m
