Chapter Five
Ilouka stood clasping her hands together and listening.
She could still hear Lord Marlowe’s voice and he was still pushing against the door.
Although she knew now that, even if he did burst in, the Earl would save her, at the same time without realising it she was holding her breath until she heard his voice.
Then it came and, although she could not hear exactly what he said, she realised from his tone that he was being sharp and commanding.
She could hear Lord Marlowe expostulating. His voice was raised so that she could have heard what he was saying, but she was no longer listening.
Instead she was still standing dazed and immobile until finally she heard Lord Marlowe, grumbling and protesting, but moving away until his voice faded altogether.
Then she turned round to
